Well howdy, ya'll.  It's been a year and half since I've moved upstate NY.  Some people call this God's country, or the boonies, or just plain hillbilly land.  On a regular basis the various churches, and there are so many of these, either hold a lunch or a dinner at their site open to the public, as a way of bringing in funds.  I've been to a few of these foodies, and I must say it's pretty darn good. And, if you want seconds on anything, you just have to ask for it, or wait for it, because there is usually someone walking around asking if there's anything else you'd like to have.  And, it seems that this is more than giving us a break from cooking.  It's mostly a way to socialize and to catch up with the events of the town, the weather, your neighbors and to make future plans together.

I still haven't put the pen to the paper and started my next book yet because  I've pretty much been floundering around trying to find my niche in this new environment.  I've been seeking out things to do, places to go, and people to see, as they say, and I've had some really interesting and enjoyable experiences.  One of the main gaps I had to fill in was finding a place to sing as it is truly my first love.  I was lucky to have met two women from the Lakemont Congregational Church who asked me to come visit their place of worship.  I'm so glad I did so.  That very first day, I auditioned for the pianist and I was welcomed on the spot.  Now, we've set up a regular rehearsal once a week, where we seek out a tune that would be appropriate for the Sunday service.  Anita, my piano accompanist, has many songs to choose from and I've added some ideas from books I have as well.  Together we somehow manage to find a tune that the congregation enjoys listening to and singing along with. 

I do believe I have a new title for my next book though.  I'm now leaning towards: "Reborn in the Country: Transference into Freedom and Beauty" and yet I'm not completely sure about the subtitle.  I do feel so very comfortable around this place, among the people, the birds, animals, and the environment itself. For example, it surprises me just how many country songs I know whenever I hear one sung in concert or played on the radio.  I seem to be quite familiar with several melodies. I have such an affinity deep within my soul that it makes me think I was here before in another lifetime.  And so the title, "Reborn in the Country" seems quite natural for me. Do you agree?

I really believe this is a very beautiful area.  I only have to go outside my driveway a few yards down the road, and the scenery just takes my breath away.  The fields look all neatly measured out so perfectly and I say "God Bless the Farmers" as I'm drawing in my breath in awe of this beauty. 

This place is quite a difference from where I used to live most of my whole life.  It was totally "citified" all the way.  And that meant, noise, pollution, crowds, competition, and downright meanness.  Here, however, the people are so calm and laid back.  They truly take the time to speak to you a while when they see you, truly caring whether or not you're all right, and ready and willing to help you out if necessary.  I've made sooooo many kind and considerate friends out here.  It literally fills in the gap of the people I've left behind, those who are just too busy or feel it's just too far to drive up here. Sadly, they do not know just how much they are missing.  Dundee, NY, Yates County, the Finger Lakes is my new home.  Like I said I feel like I've been reborn in the country.

http://thediabetessummit.com/richard-bernstein-md/

http://thediabetessummit.com/richard-bernstein-md/

Rascal Flatts - My Wish ( NO SKIPPING in this vid)

Woah! Can You Believe It!

Hello fellow bloggers,

Here's an update on my move to Dundee, the Finger Lakes, NY...

 

Can you believe it is now 10 months since I moved away from the Bronx, NY?  I can't believe it! I've had so many "trials and tribulations" as they say in making this radical relocation from a car crash across a lane, into a ravine and stopped by a tree to actually seeing and feeling a real live dog tick embedded into my side.  However, I must say the good far outweighs the bad. 

 

The Finger Lakes, specifically Dundee, is truly paradise to me.  I'm sure you've heard me describe this area as a cross section of the NY Botanical Gardens and the Bronx Zoo. Even though it is now wintertime here, there are several opportunities to see various kinds of wildlife from cows to birds.

 

I'm embarrassed to say I have only written the first paragraph of my second book, although, I think I do have a complete title.  So far it's:  "Sweet Country Home (from trains, planes, and cars to cows, horses, and pigs." I really believe these words capture most of the things that have fascinated me. 

 

It all began when I found an interest in baking.  It was my sincere intention to let Type 2 diabetics know that although we have to watch our intake of sugar, we can still enjoy a cookie or a piece of cake occasionally as long as we are mindful about how much we are eating.  Hence one of the reasons for referring to my home as "sweet" yet I have to admit it is sweet in so many other ways.

 

Getting up in the morning, the first thing I see is the lovely handmade quilt I purchased at the local Fabric Shop on Main Street right here in Dundee.  It was made by a Mennonite and completed by the store's owner of 40 years, Rachel.  She and I have become fast friends.  As a matter of fact, remember that tick I mentioned above.  Well it was actually her and Margo, Rachel's assistant who helped  to remove that bugger intact from my side!  Talk about neighborly, eh?  I certainly could not and did not know how to do it myself, and all I had to do was call the shop for this unusual kind of assistance.

 

One of the first people I contacted when I was planning this move was the nearest Catholic Church.  It is located about 20 minutes away going North on Rt. 14A to Penn Yan.  The Church's secretary put me in touch with the Choral Director, Rose, and when I expressed an interest in joining the choir, I received a warm and encouraging response from her.  Since I've arrived here, I have enjoyed singing with the choir at St. Michael's also known as the Lady of the Lakes Church since several churches have had to be combined into one.  I must say that I am really impressed with the congregation's participation in joining in with the singing of the songs as well.  In all the time I've been here, I have never once heard a cell phone going off.  There is such a warm sense of love and respect here for God and for each other.

 

In fact, if I was to describe my new location in a few words I would have to say that there is a strong sense of community. So many wonderful things are going on for the people who live here especially where there is a need whether it's for food, clothing, or just plain giving.  There is always a notice in the local papers about a benefit for one person or another being held at a local American Legion for a reasonable price that includes food and music in order to help cover the costs of expenses that some one is presently incurring.

There are many hard working individuals and retirees who dedicate themselves to making sure that their neighbors have food in their cupboards, clothes on their back, and can defray their medical expenses.

 

Let me close today's blog by briefly mentioning the reasoning behind my subtitle (from trains, planes, and cars to cows, horses, and pigs). I actually came from one of the biggest metropolises in the country, New York City and I moved to a totally rural and agricultural environment.  So it is only natural for me to appreciate that even though you could certainly use a car to get around, it is quieter and cleaner and less hectic than the Bronx or Manhattan where I generally inhabited for six decades.  And, I now have the opportunity to see such awesome vistas both in the sky and on the ground from the clear view of the stars at night to the cows and horses grazing in their pastures. I must say I'm grateful though that I do not live downwind of the pig farm. 

 

 

Beat Diabetes and Win Your Life Back!

Beat Diabetes and Win Your Life Back!

Well guess what?  It's now 6 months living here in Dundee, NY -- Woo Hoo!  I have made some really nice connections such as:

Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church:  Singing with the Members of the Sunday Choir.
Our Town Rocks and Reads -- Economic Committee.  Read grant applications; decide if eligible.
Dundee Area Historical Society -- Inventory Analysis; Identify the donated contributions on site.
First Baptist Church -- Community Garden Festivities.  Contribute cooking donations of my own.
Cobblestone Springs -- Peaceful prayer meetings.  Participate in Sr. Ann's discussion groups.
Pro Action Office for the Aging -- Bone building and Tai chi participant.

I've also met some really lovely people at these sites and made some new friends: 

Rose Jensen
Dee Anderson, Lauren Snyder, Karen Hadley, Bob Sisbarro
Lou Marcianda
Kristen Bellin
Sr. Ann
Pam Strong

In addition, I've just had the man-made pond renovated by a hardworking woman, Shannon Gibbs. It's such a small world out here. Everybody seems to know one another. In my case, I met Shannon's mom at St. Mark's Terrace where my Tai Chi class was held and she encouraged me to submit an article to Gwen Chamberlain, the editor of the Chronicle Express.  Gwen loved it and published it under "Opinions to the Editor."  (https://plus.google.com/+CamilleLoParrino/posts/CX9Udyv3tsN).

First Week in Dundee

Hello Everyone!  Tonight I will try to describe my first week of living in my new home in Dundee. 

First, let me explain that this is basically a second home that I prefer to take full advantage of as many days of the year as possible rather that utilize it just as a summer home. 

So far, it appears to me that Dundee winter's are beautiful -- chock full of white snow among the evergreens. Our property on Six Corners Road consists of 31.7 acres of trees, a pond, and a shed.  The house itself is a Ranch-style home and is recessed from the main road for about 200 feet. I call the trail to the house "the Yellow Brick Road" because it is totally magical and unbelievable to me.

There was much unpacking, sorting, and storing to do this week and it's still not all completed.  There were some glitches with the new furniture and Customer Care had to get involved.  I expect this to be corrected on Thursday of this second week. This slight throwback, however, is nothing compared to what happened after Church on Sunday.  I drove to the Dollar Store to pick up a few things and when I got back into the car it would not start!  AAAGGGHHH!  Luckily my husband and his brother were in a second car and they waited with me for the tow truck and took me back home.  Waaaaaaaa!  After all that hassle finding someone to drive my Camry up here, and then I do not get to drive it more than two places -- Yuck!  I'm waiting to see what happens now at the service repair shop.

Another big hassle is the new shelter dog.  She is totally confused and is literally using the carpets in the new home as her personal toilet!  She has peed in every room, except the bathroom which is really funny.  But what's really sad is that she had the audacity to poop in my new office -- oh well, some people say that should bring me luck.  Stand by for that one:).

My nutty cat is also off kilter because in our first home we provided her with two little area rugs for her to use to scratch, and here she thinks she's in scratch-post-heaven because the entire house is carpeted! I swear between the two of them, they are driving me up the wall!  It's hard enough adjusting to the new home and trying to get familiar with the surrounding environment, and now these two little ones are stressing me out.  Ironic isn't it because this move was supposed to be a quiet and relaxing get-away:).

I ordered a bookcase for all my cookbooks and nutrition and diabetes-related books so that I could begin my research for my second book.  Basically, I would like it to be about how to apply all the healthy foods I wrote about into tasty yet easy to prepare meals particularly for Type 2 diabetics.

In case you're playing catch up, my first book is called "Dancing in the Streets -- A Journey into Wellness" and it's about how I was able to get my Type 2 diabetes into remission.  Check it out.  It's got a wealth of useful info for all who are interested in good nutrition.  It's pocket-sized and easy to carry around when you have a free moment:  http://www.ourlittlebooks.com/camille-loparrino/