Little Chapel on the River

Sunday marked the 51st Annual Candlelight Thanksgiving Service for the Putnam County Historical Society & Foundry School Museum . Held in the non-denominational Chapel of Our Lady Restoration in Cold Spring, a dramatic piece of Greek Revival architecture perched on a rock bluff over the Hudson, the service paid tribute to past proclamations of thanks by various U.S. leaders. This one, read by Elliott Sumers , seems particularly timely: President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1934 "... During the past year, we have been given courage and fortitude to meet the problems which have confronted us in our national life. Our sense of social justice has deepened. We have been given vision to make new provisions for human welfare and happiness, and in a spirit of mutual helpfulness we have cooperated to translate vision into reality. More greatly have we turned our hearts and minds to things spiritual. We can truly say, "What profiteth it a nation if it gain the whole world and lose it...

How many times will I get to read a copy of " Little Chapel on the River" to a Bearded Dragon on camera for The Wall Street Journal ? Just one. Which is why I'm posting this video about composting here. Bearded Dragon cameo is midway through. Meantime, Walter -- my frugal neighbor from the book -- makes an appearance too!

Welcome Home Team Guinan ! ... Here are photos of this year's two fearless riders: Ed Preusser and Christine Ashburn . They braved cold and rain and what was universally agreed to be the HARDEST hill in the history of Braking the Cycle . With them on the ride was Team Guinan Captain, Kelly Guinan Preusse r , who couldn't saddle up this year because she and Ed are expecting a Baby Preusser in coming months. Her mom Mary Jane Guinan was there helping and cheering as well. In total, all the riders raised more than $273,000. Really fantastic in a tough economy so THANK YOU to all who generously donated. It means more than ever this year. You are champs! And John Guinan would have been so proud. Photos by Kelly Guinan Preusser. All rights reserved. If you are on Facebook and friends with Kelly, you can see more of her photographs from the ride here .

"...the disaster itself had a ripple effect. The pain and the horror and the tragedy of it spread out through the world like the ripples on a pond when a pebble's been thrown in. But the healing travels back the other way, like the same rip ples coming back towards the center after they've reached the shore." -- from the book "Where Was God on September 11th" by scientist J ohn Horgan and Rev. Frank Geer , Garrison NY.

Local "tile guy," pro photographer and graphic designer Russ Cusick has graciously offered to give away free one of these Guinan's-inspired trivets to anyone making a final week $50 or larger donation to Team Guinan -- led by Kelly Guinan -- for Braking the Cycle. Russ designed the trivets and they were sold at the store during its final weeks of operation. After you've made your donation, simply forward your donation confirmation email to Russ at rvc845@yahoo.com along with your mailing address and your trivet will be on the way. A ND MOST IMPORTANT -- Here's the link to donate . Time is short. They ride next week. Please be generous and thank you to Russ for his generosity. If you need any more inspiration to donate, check out the short video tribute Russ put together of Team Guinan and John below.

Time, and the cold weather, is catching up with Team Guinan . The latter isn't so bad -- the former is harder because they still need your donations to ride. It's the Boston to New York leg, and if you've never ridden a bike from Boston to New York, think about how long it feels in a car. Now imagine it on a bike. (That's Kelly Guinan in 2007 pictured.) They really need your financial support to ride because any money they don't raise, they are responsible for paying themselves. And $3500 per person is not small change. So, please give a little, give a lot. Just give! PLEASE DONATE ONLINE HERE.

Happy Birthday to Ed Preusser and Christine Ashburn ! Everyone should look so stylish at 40...