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Carleton Island has some mystery about it. 🔮 When James H. Durham decided to take on uncovering the true origin of The Old Fort in 1889, he was diving into a not so clear path of discovering the easy answer.
The island had several names, Buck, Deere, Isle aux Chevreuils and Carleton Island. I purchased the book titled, The Old Fort Carleton Island In The Revolution, written by James H. Durham in 1889. It was reintroduced and reprinted by the St. Lawrence River Historical Foundation in 2010.
The Golden Age 🌉of the Thousand Islands was just beginning during this time period. Cape Vincent was a booming village with a train station and the first port  on the western edge of Thousand Islands.
The entire area was becoming a summer ☀️⛱🏊‍♀️ playground for some of the major industrialists and social elite of the late 19th century. ☕️🥮
Many excursions and tourist vessels 🚢 streamed in and out of Cape Vincent. Major Durham found the markings of a fort that was so massive in construction that it would have required thousands of people to construct it! 😳
I would like to credit the nature sound effects titled waves hitting the rocks - (Cagan Celik) https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/waves-hitting-the-rocks-16680/   birds singing/calm river - (Sounds For You) https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/birds-singing-calm-river-nature-ambient-sound-127411/  small waves onto the sand (DennisH18) https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/small-waves-onto-the-sand-143040/  all via Pixabay https://pixabay.com/  Thank you! 🤩
LINKS!

• https://thousandislandslife.com/books/ ( where you can purchase The Old Fort  and other books about the Thousand Islands )
• http://www.srhf.info/  ( non-profit corporation to promote research & education regarding maritime history of the St. Lawrence River )
• http://www.forthaldimand.com/  ( history of Fort Haldimand along with various dates of past and present events, and souvenir store items )
• https://shipwreckstories.com/hms-ontario ( various shipwrecks including the HMS Ontario that was lost in 1780 )
• https://timuseum.org/ ( Thousand Islands Museum - Clayton, NY - no charge for admission - modern gallery of permanent & rotating exhibits, a Research Library, older duck decoys, a display by the local diving club and more!)
• https://www.carletonvilla.com/ ( the story of the Carleton Villa - some history about William O. Wyckoff - contact info for general inquires and further information )
• https://www.facebook.com/CarletonVilla ( personalized link on Facebook )

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I am getting so frustrated and angry over gun violence. I have shared with you before about Mental Health Stigma. ( S1E15 & S1E16 ) Yes, people who commit acts of violence with guns to innocent communities most likely have mental health conditions or have a mental health illness. I say that, because many people who deal with mental health concerns may not have a formal diagnosis or a full-fledged illness.
When I decided to speak about gun violence, I came across some articles from the perspective of parents who lost their 17 year old son to the Parkland Florida shooting in 2018. Manuel and Patricia Oliver lost their son Joaquin, alongside 16 others that horrific day on February 14th at Stoneman Douglas High School. Manuel and Patricia started a gun-control nonprofit organization  called Change The Ref.
Their mission statement is "Shifting America's social response to gun violence, by uniting creativity, activism, disruptions, and education." Change The Ref uses art and non-violent organizing to advocate for gun safety regulations, and expose the effects of mass shootings. Their ultimate goal is to give the young generations a voice to advocate for change in the gun control policy.
Links!

• https://changetheref.org  ( non-profit org - Change The Ref raises awareness about mass shootings )
• https://musebycl.io/tag/change-ref  ( articles & videos: Change The Ref Says: Guns Make Our Schools More Deadly Than Combat Zones and other articles & videos about gun violence )
• https://musebycl.io/clio-awards/manuel-oliver-speaks-his-son-joaquin-killed-parkland-moving-clio-speech ( moving speech from Manuel Oliver, representing his killed son Joaquin )
• www.nearestanddearestpodcast.com ( ✅ out my website 👩🏻‍💻for more episodes, show notes/links )
• [email protected] ( send me an email 📧 if you have any questions, suggestions or thoughts about this episode or just to say hello! 👋  if you send me your mailing address 📪, I'll send you a Nearest And Dearest Podcast vinyl sticker! ❤️)
• https://www.speakpipe.com/NearestAndDearestPodcast ( please leave me a recorded message! I'll send you one back! 🎤 )

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The month of April has me longing to be back on The River! Spring has begun and I know with April showers 🌦 comes not only May flowers 🌼🌷 but turns all the landscaping green - the trees, lawns, and shrubs 🌳. The weather starts turning warmer, there is a sense of renewal and awakening! 🌞
The ice has melted 🧊and the first cargo vessels 🚢are floating massively in the shipping channel that will be traveling from the Great Lakes into the mighty St. Lawrence River. 
Our river front home is on the St. Lawrence River. My husband's parents bought the property back in 1963. We call it our forever home.❤️
We can see Carleton Island right across from us. It is an American island, 🇺🇸 but has a history that goes as far back as the native Indians and British rule. 🇬🇧 Just Northwest of us, we can view Wolfe Island, it is a Canadian island 🇨🇦 that we love to visit. It's reachable by a local ferry or by boat. 
Now that COVID restrictions have eased and the border is open for easier access, we are looking forward to visiting Canada this summer! We have missed our border neighbors! 
LINKS!

• https://www.capevincent.org/ ( Welcome to Cape Vincent - Where Lake & River Meet ❤️ )
• https://thousandislandslife.com/communities/wolfe-island-ontario/ ( Welcome to Wolfe Island, Ontario 🇨🇦 )
• https://www.savetheriver.org/river-facts/ ( ✅ out this wonderful non-profit organization that continues to protect, preserve, and restore the Upper St. Lawrence River, now and for generations to come! )
• www.nearestanddearestpodcast.com ( ✅ out my website for more show notes/links and other episodes! )
• [email protected] ( send me an email with any suggestions, questions or comments or just to say hello! 👋 if you send me your mailing address 📪, I'll send you a Nearest And Dearest Podcast vinyl sticker! ❤️)
• https://www.speakpipe.com/NearestAndDearestPodcast ( please leave me a recorded message! I'll send you one back! 🎤 )

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I recently came back from my trip to Washington D.C. 🇺🇸I was advocating for Alzheimer's Association. I was invited by Lauren Ashburn, an Associate Director of Advocacy for New York state. 🗽I feel I am ready to put my voice 📣out there to advocate for ANYONE  who is battling this heinous disease, along with their families. 💜
Because of Alzheimer's Association's commitment, I decided to take action and become involved. I am a volunteer advocate. I want to make a difference! I was in Washington D.C. for three days. From the moment I landed at the airport, and met two fellow New Yorkers, Mary & Lisa, I felt an instant connection.  
This is bigger than me and the loving memory of my beautiful mom. That's where it tugs at my heart, where now I can fight for the right of ANYONE & their family, who have been inflicted with this incurable terminal disease. 
I was part of a rally 👫👫💜📢 in Washington D.C.'s Lafayette Square on March 20th, outside the White House, to fight for the reversal of the 2022 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, (CMS) DECISION BLOCKING Medicare coverage of U.S. Food & Drug Administration approved Alzheimer's disease treatments that can slow down the progression of early onset dementias.
There is so much EMPOWERMENT when you truly feel that hope, never giving up, determination and even more, motivational meaning - the love that stays with you long after we all went home. 💜
LINKS!

• www.alz.org { Alzheimer's Association - information about this disease }
• https://youtu.be/MSvzSGSm98Y { ALZ's Advocates Rally for Access to Alzheimer's Treatments! ** You just might see me in this video! ☺️ }
• [email protected] { send me an email with any suggestions, comments or just to say hello! 👋 If you send me your mailing address 📪 I'll send you a Nearest And Dearest Podcast vinyl sticker! ❤️ }
• www.nearestanddearestpodcast.com { ✅ out my website for more episodes & show notes/links! 📝 }
• https://www.speakpipe.com/NearestAndDearestPodcast { please leave me a recorded message! I'll send you one back! 🎤 }

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According to Wikipedia, quality time is an expression referring to how an individual interacts with another while they are together - regardless of the duration.
Because of my lifestyle, I don't get to spend a whole lot of time with my adult children or grandchildren. I rely on quality time, not quantity time - to nurture my loving relationships with all of them. ❤️It truly is a gift when you give someone quality time. It's a chance to plan an activity you can do together or plan a weekend where they can enjoy some peace & quiet when they need it.
The most important thing to remember - the BEST way to achieve quality time is to grab every opportunity to spend time with the people you love! ❣️
Links!

• https://www.happiness.com/quality-time/ { understanding  the importance of quality time }
• https://www.alz.org/forum/overview.asp { ✅ out this very important advocacy forum that can help change federal policies to improve the lives of all individuals affected by Alzheimer's & all other dementia 💜 }
• [email protected] { send me an email with any suggestions, comments or just to say hello! 👋 If you send me your mailing address 📪 I'll send you a Nearest And Dearest Podcast vinyl sticker! ❤️ }
• www.nearestanddearestpodcast.com { ✅ out my website for more episodes & show notes/links! 📝 }
• https://www.speakpipe.com/NearestAndDearestPodcast { please leave me a recorded message! I'll send you one back! 🎤 } 

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I've been thinking about the process of aging. I just turned 57 in February. Three more years I will be 60. It will be a new decade of numbers I hope to embrace! 
I have lost some very close people in my life this past year. Because of that, I feel I am even more determined to embrace life with more zest and challenging myself. I want to keep discovering, learning, and enjoying my family and friends.
I want to be PROUD to share my age! I never want to settle with thinking I am the best that I can be. I want to keep being fearless in whatever I pursue! 
Links!

• https://social.hays.com/2019/10/31/age-just-a-number/ { article about recognizing age doesn't slow down potential just because you are getting older }
• https://www.lifehayat.com/age-is-only-a-number-quotes/ {25 positive quotes about age is only a number }
• https://www.outdoorproject.com/united-states/arizona/peralta-canyon-trail { check out more info on this cool hike I took in Arizona! 🥾 }
• [email protected] { send me an email with any suggestions, comments or just to say hello! 👋 If you send me your mailing address 📪, I'll send you a Nearest And Dearest Podcast vinyl sticker! ❤️ }
• www.nearestanddearestpodcast.com { ✅ out my website for more episodes & show notes/links! }
• https://www.speakpipe.com/NearestAndDearestPodcast { please leave me a recorded message! I'll send you one back! 🎤 }

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 Hola! I'm BACK!! 👋I'm so excited to share with you Season 2, episode 1 with you!!  Thank you so much for sticking around! ❤️
I had to reevaluate my relationship with patience! Moving down here to Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 and making a second home for Woody and I,  has been quite a journey! ☀️🏝

You know the saying patience is a virtue, but there is more to it than that. Alasderr MacIntyre, a philosopher, once said "Patience is the virtue of waiting attentively without complaint."

There is a difference that can help YOU whenever you find yourself feeling mad, or being grumpy about mostly dealing with normal every day life experiences, that YOU only have limited control over. The difference is first, accepting that YOU only have limited control and then realizing that YOU decide how you will manage your own reactions to those interactions life throws at you.
Links!

• https://www.betterup.com/blog/importance-of-patience-in-life { The importance of patience in life: 8 benefits }
•  https://visit1000islands.com/experiences/first-time-visitors/ { Check out this website to see why I love my NY home! ❤️ }
• [email protected] { Send me an email with any suggestions, comments or just to say hello! 👋}
• www.nearestanddearestpodcast.com { ✅ out my website for more episodes & show notes/links! }
• https://www.speakpipe.com/NearestAndDearestPodcast { Please leave me a recorded message! 🎤 } 

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This is one of my BEST OF because when I was going through the long process of starting over when my first marriage ended in 2006, I had to learn how to let things go! It's definitely a life skill that takes you through an emotional ride.
If you are struggling with letting material possessions go, be gentle with yourself! Start small. Focus on what your future will look like, and let your past become the memories YOU choose to hold onto in your heart. ❤️
 I'm not saying it will be easy, but I promise you, when YOU keep looking ahead, day by day, you will gain perspective about exactly what is important for you to possess.
Do you have any insights about how you handled letting go of material possessions? If so, reach out to me. Send me an email at [email protected] I would be happy to share it on a future episode!
LINKS!

• https://www.lifestorage.com/blog/organization/how-to-let-go-of-stuff-with-sentimental-value/ { tips for how to declutter things you love }
• www.nearestanddearestpodcast.com { ✅ out my website for more episodes and show notes/links! }
• https://www.speakpipe.com/NearestAndDearestPodcast { please leave me a recorded message! 🎤 }   

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I picked this for my next best of because my granddaughter Eloise helped me create it!  ❤️ She even was my co-host! My wedding was only a week away when I recorded this episode. I definitely needed to find my own zen too! 
When life seems hectic and YOU are feeling overwhelmed, finding your zen will help you find your balance. Learning how to make time to focus on your breathing and creating positive, calming moments in your mind, will be the first steps to finding YOUR own zen!
I hope you enjoyed this episode! Feel free to share it with others who might need some tips on how to find zen! 
LINKS!

• [email protected] { Please send me an email with any suggestions, comments or just to say hello! 👋 }
• https://www.speakpipe.com/NearestAndDearestPodcast { Send me a voicemail and I will send YOU one back! 🎤 }
• www.nearestanddearestpodcast.com { ✅ out my website for show notes & links! 👩🏻‍💻 }
• https://www.kohinoor-joy.com/zen { Here are the 5 easy ways to find YOUR zen! ⏣ }
• https://www.google.com/search?q=definition+keratsis+pilaris&ie=UTF8hl=en-us&client=safari { Definition of keratosis pilaris- to learn more about this skin condition } 

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I picked this episode as one of my favs because it still speaks to me personally! I remind myself, especially on days when my mind seems to focus on all the horrible tragedies that are happening all around us, situations that are totally out of my control, that I can create moments of PEACEFULNESS, for me.
I reset my mind to focus on what is right in front of me and be very conscious of my next thought that will help ground my mindset to a more calm and peaceful easy feeling. I hope you enjoy this best of episode! We all need reminders of how much YOU can control in your own life and how to help YOU achieve a more balanced mindset! ☮  ❤️
LINKS!

• https://www.thesecret.tv/products/the-magic-book/ { The Magic by Rhonda Byrne }
•  https://psychcentral.com/blog/how-to-achieve-peace-of-mind { Finding Peace of Mind: 6 Steps Toward Lasting Serenity }
• https://youtu.be/KPctA0hT9c8 { The Eagles song - Peaceful Easy Feeling }
• [email protected] {  send me an email with your suggestions, comments, or just to say hello! 👋 }
• www.nearestanddearestpodcast.com {  ✅ out my website for more episodes, show notes/links! 👩🏻‍💻 }
• https://speakpipe.com/NearestAndDearestPodcast { please leave me a recorded message! 🎤 }