Housatonic River and Railroad Days 2018 and Onward (with Respect for All That's Come Before)

With all the modern needs to work and ways to enjoy life, it may be easy to overlook  the "MA/NY" ways the Housatonic River "ConnecTs" states such as MA, NY and CT (especially now when many people have second homes in the rural parts in those three states). 

 

The impact of the Housatonic River on local communities and the historical roots of US-All (in America and beyond) have touched generations since the settling of our country.

 

 By now, thanks to the writing and outreach of Ed Kirby, most people likely have gained a better understanding of the historical significance of the location of the iron industry which produced cannons and cannon balls as instrumental factors in succeeding in the Revolutionary War for Independence from English rule. For thousands of years before that the Natives of this land lived along the riverbanks.

The celebration of Railroad Days in North Canaan CT can be a time to reflect on the area as a whole over time. Where we are today is largely the outcome of the work of many generations beforehand literally laboring in intense times and fields.  There is still more work for everyone to pursue for peace and well-being for citizens of our country and the wider world possibly even with help from 'other realms'.

 

With technology, industry and respect for nature and humanity, we can find solutions to more challenges for greater segments of the population. Let's take time to work from the ground up with organizations such as HVA and Audubon and others for humanity to live sustainably such as permaculture promotes.  As I explore on an open forum  livfully.org, we can all plan to live with greater agreements and practical precautions to prevent injuries or unnatural deaths linked to our our thoughts, words, actions and outings. 

 

The roads we are privileged to drive on as well as the road of life in our wealthy country can also be given their due consideration as we pave a fair-minded future for our states and beyond. Thanks for being a team player with a sense of appreciation for the train ride of our lives with a river of gratitude. Happy River and Railroad Days, #HRRD! 

--Catherine Palmer Paton, Falls Village CT (&Brooklyn NY...see another post about Bro'Kln friendships)

 

PS See the events still happening on the weekend of July 28th, 2018 on the Canaan Railroad Days Website and FB pages. Thanks to  John Lannen and all organizing events and showing up to make it a community celebration for many locally and beyond. I did some songs and movement with some kids under the Pavillion to The Housatonic Song (which I'll post if I haven't yet on this blog) I wrote  that in about  2003 or a while back (and also had made a video with some kids in our summer arts program through the local schools with other kids singing it.

 

Now If I could find it and get their permission I'd share it, but we can always do some remakes.) Why not write Your Own Songs about special places, people and things you like to do in Your Area (or one for the ol' Housatonic area...) Feel free to factor in some poems, posters and stories about practicing driver safety, river safety to make one a thriver in life from little to big, and growing as a forest of friends, from acorns to oaks and using a collective Thinking KAPP (Kids, Adults, Parents PLANS-- People and places LIving and Learning and Loving with Agreementst and Networking through Schools, Socializing and Society and Sharing)