Notes from Old Lyme: Life on the Marsh and Other Essays

Sydney M. Williams has compiled a medley of essays that reflect on the precious moments of life spent in contemplation, away from the hustle and bustle of the everyday grind. They include his time spent in nature, with friends and family, or reflecting on our nation's current affairs. Within his essays there is an inspiring appreciation of the art of savoring life rather than careening through it, unaware of our surroundings and ourselves.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
The Return of the Bluebird
An Afternoon on the Gold Course
An Early Morning Row
Life on the Marsh
Kayaking on the Marsh Creeks
Skiing in Vail
Skiing the Bolshoi Ballroom
Thirty-One Hours on Mount Washington
A Hike on Mount Tam
The First Storm of the Winter in New York
Where Have All the Frogs Gone?
Osprey
THE WORLD AT LARGE
Thoughts on the Tragedies of September 11 (September 13, 2011)
9/11 Remembered (September 7, 2011)
New Yorker Meets Texan
Hurricane Irene: First, Anticipation, and Then, Her Power
A Reunion in Vienna
Memorial Day in Old Lyme (May 2007)
Memorial Day 2013
The Fourth of July 2013
Veterans Day 2009
Forty Years on Wall Street
A Cradle of Civilization
ConnecticutShe Loves Me, She Loves Me Not
Partisan Politics
BOOKS AND OTHER INTERESTS
In Defense of BooksReal Books
Reading for Pleasure and Knowledge
The Violin: Perfection Found Early
Laughter: The Medicine that Works
FAMILY AND FRIENDS
The Cycle of Life
Family Get-Togethers
Thanksgiving 2007
Catalogues
On the Birth of My Ninth Grandchild
Dakota: June 1, 1987January 30, 2004
An Afternoon with Thomas the Train
Moving and Stuff
Reunion: Fifty-Five Years and Counting
The Death of a Friend
Letter to Vail Skiing Friends
A Fiftieth Anniversary
One Man's Education
Another Birthday!
Remembering 1965
Acknowledgments

Sydney M. Williams, III, grew up on a small farm in Peterborough, New Hampshire, and later spent his career on Wall Street. Now retired, he lives in Essex, Connecticut, with his wife, Caroline. His other books include One Man’s Family: Growing up in Peterborough and Other Stories (2014) and Notes from Old Lyme: Life on the Marsh and Other Essays (2016), both from Bauhan Publishing.