Granby Living Dec2018

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EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR Meditation, a practice to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state, has been practiced for centuries in various cultures, religions and traditions. Nowadays, it has even infiltrated the Western medicine paradigm, with studies showing it can slow heart and respiratory rate, lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol levels, lessen stress and anxiety, and heighten feelings of peace and well-being. I can already hear you saying, My mind doesn’t slow down long enough to meditate, or even, I don’t have time to meditate. In answer to your objections: Yes it can, and yes you do! The mind can be trained to focus, and we all have a couple of minutes to spare. There are many forms of meditation, but the most common are concentration meditation and mindfulness meditation. Concentration meditation involves focusing on a single point, whether it be your breath, a word or a candle flame. When the mind wanders, and it will, simply refocus your awareness on the object. Since focusing the mind is challenging, a beginner might meditate for only a few minutes. Mindfulness meditation encourages an observation of thoughts as they drift through the mind. The intention is not to get involved with the thoughts or to judge them, but simply to be aware. This is a great way to notice ARE YOU MEDITATING? Take the time and reap the benefits your thoughts and feelings. Over time, you can become more aware of the human tendency to judge an experience. Both concentration and mindfulness can be practiced anywhere and anytime. While it may be easier to practice in a quiet space, as your skill increases, you will be able to find inner calm regardless of your surroundings. Just remember, meditation is a lot like life: Sometimes it will be easy, and other times it will be hard. Stick with it, and your work will pay off. So, are you ready to try it? Take a seat, sitting tall, spine aligned, shoulders relaxed. Close your eyes and relax More the jaw Than and neck. Just Then breathe. Pay attention to your breath as it goes in and out of your nose, your lungs, your Horse body. Feed! As thoughts come to mind, gently set them aside and come back to your breath. Try this for 1-2 minutes. Dog and Cat Food and Supplies Pet Nutrition Consultations As you practice, you can increase the duration. I suggest aiming for 5-10 minutes Chicken a and day. Duck Making Feed and this Supplies simple concentration meditation part of your daily routine will enhance all areas of your life, not Goat just Feed your body and Pig Feed mind. After a time, you will notice less stress and more patience and peace. And I don’t know Llama Feed anybody who couldn’t use more of that! Rabbit and Guinea Pig Supplies Wild Bird Seeds 15 Mill Pond Road Happy meditating! Deer Chow Granby, CT 06035 Dog and Cat Grooming Services 860-413-9880 Lawn and Garden Care and Supplies Want more help learning to meditate, or even a customized meditation created specifically for www.horsesandhounds.com Equestrian Apparel your needs? You can reach me at KristalFIorentino.com. Find us on Facebook! Engraving and Embroidery Open 7 Days/Week Leatherman Chicks Arrive in March! 15 Mill Pond Road Granby, CT 06035 860-413-9880 www.horsesandhounds.com Find us on Facebook! Open 7 Days/Week More Than Just More Horse Than Feed! Just Horse Feed! Dog and Cat Food and Supplies Pet Dog Nutrition and Cat Food Consultations and Supplies Poultry and Pet Gamebird Nutrition Consultations Feed and Supplies Chicken and Duck Feed and Supplies Goat Feed Goat Feed Pig and Pig Cow Feed Feed 15 Mill Pond Rd. Granby CT Llama Llama Feed Feed Small Rabbit Animal and Guinea Feed and Pig Supplies 860-413-9880 Wild Bird Bird Seeds 15 Mill Pond Road www.horsesandhounds.com Deer Deer Chow Chow Granby, CT 06035 Dog Lawn and and Cat Garden Grooming Supplies Services Find us on Facebook! 860-413-9880 Open 7 Days/Week Lawn Riding and Boots Garden and Care Helmets and Supplies www.horsesandhounds.com Equestrian Apparel Find us on Facebook! Engraving 860-413-9559 and Embroidery VALLEY Open 7 DOG Days/Week GROOMING Grooming by appointment Leatherman Mon-Sat. Chicks Arrive in March! Lawn and Garden Care and Supplies Equestrian Apparel Engraving and Embroidery Leatherman Chicks Arrive in March! By Kristal Fiorentino Dog and Cat Food and Supplies Pet Nutrition Consultations Chicken and Duck Feed and Supplies Goat Feed Pig Feed Llama Feed Rabbit and Guinea Pig Supplies Wild Bird Seeds Deer Chow Dog and Cat Grooming Services We Deliver! More Than Just Horse Feed! 860-413-9880 www.horsesandhounds.com Find us on Facebook! Open 7 Days/Week Lawn and Garden Care and Supplies Equestrian Apparel Engraving and Embroidery Leatherman Chicks Arrive in March! 10 | DECEMBER 2018
BUSINESS PROFILE Business Name: Merrill Memoirs Owner: Sarah J. Merrill Address: Granby, CT Email: sarah@memoirsbymerrill.com Website: www.memoirsbymerrill.com Phone: (401) 258-5129 What services does your business provide to the community? I work with individuals and families to record their family stories, research their family histories, and write their individual memoirs. I typically refer to myself as a “personal historian,” but “memoirist,” “family historian” and “ghost writer” are also accurate. Working with Merrill Memoirs, the final product is generally a beautiful heirloom-quality book, complete with family photos. And from my perspective, equally as important as the product, the experience of life review and family story gathering is enjoyable and rewarding, and can be fascinating, energizing and even cathartic. MERRILL MEMOIRS Compiled by Francis Libby PRESERVING FAMILY STORIES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS What is the history of your business? I launched Merrill Memoirs eight years ago after working as an editor and journalist for 12 years. I earned an English literature degree from Middlebury College, with a focus in fiction writing, followed by programs in oral history and documentary writing. About 15 years ago, I launched a volunteer effort to gather the stories of nursing home residents. This work was so rewarding and so enjoyable, I decided that oral history and memoir work was my “calling.” I then discovered that a large network of professionals was already doing “personal history” work. I had all of the key skills — as well as the passion — and I developed my business skills along the way. What is the philosophy behind your business? My philosophy is simple: It’s important to preserve personal and family history, beyond just the photographs. Recording your stories is a gift to yourself, your family and future generations. There is no more important legacy that a person can leave. I wish I’d asked my maternal grandfather more questions about his life before he passed away when I was in college. I adored Grandpa Eldon but I really know very little about his life. What a gift it would be to have his stories in his own words! So many people echo this sentiment when they learn what I do. I encourage people to ask questions, listen, learn and preserve, while they still have the chance. What do you enjoy most about the business? I am a writer and I adore working with language and crafting stories. But I also love the process of interviewing people, of guiding them through a review of their lives. I’ve worked with dozens of individuals, and this process has been significant and enjoyable for each and every one of them. And for many of my clients, it’s a tremendous comfort just to know that their stories have been saved — a legacy. Do you have a special message to share with the Granby community? It’s a message for everyone, actually. Don’t wait! If you have family members who you believe would enjoy having their stories recorded; if you have a loved one who is aging; if you have a family history that you’d like to pass along to your kids and grandkids — it’s time now to begin the process of writing things down. If you are inclined to do it on your own, try to record or write a story each week. Sit down with family members, particularly those of advanced age or poor health, and record their stories. How do you make your workday fun? Honestly, every workday is fun. I’m either in the field, interviewing an interesting person, or I’m in my home office in Granby, conducting research, listening to recorded stories and transcribing them, and crafting a narrative. I work with local clients, many New England clients, and I also travel further afield — last year I worked with families in Maryland and Florida. I typically have four or five projects going at any given time. I feel fortunate and honored to be working with such great families. Tell us about yourself and family: In addition to my roles as personal historian and businessperson, I am a mother to two busy boys, both in the Granby school system, Ray (grade 5) and Luke (grade 8). My husband, Kevin Staples, works as an actuary in Hartford. Our family loves to hike and spend time outdoors; we’re avid readers; we like watching movies together; and we love Granby! When we moved here four years ago from Rhode Island, we felt immediately at home, and have found Granby to be a very good fit for our family. Sarah Merrill writes the Celebrating Seniors column for this publication. BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY PARTY HERE! Our upstairs dining room is the perfect place for your party! LIVE MUSIC MOST WEEKENDS! Visit our website or facebook page for complete schedule & special events. Lunch: Tues, Wed, & Sun 11:30am-4pm | Dinner till 9pm 860-653-2739 357 Salmon Brook St., Granby CT www.cbh.beer BAR OPEN LATE Lunch: Thur, Fri & Sat 11:30am-4pm | Dinner til 10pm GRANBY LIVING | 11
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Page 7 and 8: REAL ESTATE LISTINGS RECENTLY SOLD
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Page 13 and 14: DECEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS MUSICAL
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