Spring Weekend in Connecticut

I love living in Connecticut especially at this time of year! Weather like we had this weekend adds a certain lightness to people's step and a certain joy to the day. There is so much to do now that we can venture outside. I started this weekend with my co-workers at a community service event at the Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe houses. We painted and gardened the afternoon away but the day started with a tour of the Harriet Beecher Stowe house. She wrote "Uncle Tom's Cabin". One quote from the tour guide really struck me. She told us that Harriet had met Abraham Lincoln and when she was introduced to him, he said " So you're the little woman who wrote the book that made this Great War". He was talking about the influence that "Uncle Tom's Cabin" had on changing people's way of thinking about slavery. It made me think about the influence one person can have on the lives of so many other people. The choices we make to influence the lives of others can be good or bad but It is the good we should remember. I started Saturday by driving my son to another community service program which is held in Manchester every year -Rebuilding Together. It makes me so proud to live in a town that supports this kind of giving back each year. Different organizations and churches in town volunteer their time and fix up people's homes or do yard work for those in need. Town employees actually volunteer their time as well. What a true sense of community! Saturday afternoon was spent shopping and running errands as we all do but I did find time to sit out in the yard with the dog and the cats all of whom were so pleased to be outside in the sun. Sunday I spent the morning at a brunch I was invited to at a neighbor's. Congressman Larson was at the brunch and he talked about the Affordable Care Act and the budget and getting people back to work. It was so nice to hear other people's questions and concerns and realize that the Congressman was genuinely interested in getting input from the "little people". After a morning of hefty discussion and serious thinking, it was time for a drive to Harry's in Colchester for cheeseburgers and clam strips. What a beautiful drive. The bikes were out and we saw several old cars on our drive. I loved watching the scenery as we drove past farms and parks. I could smell the flowers blooming. One the way home we worked off our meal by taking a hike on the Airline Trail way with the dog. What a wonderful peaceful day! I hope you had as nice a weekend as I did!