Mountain Hugs

Jerry likes to say, "the mountains hug me," and I get that feeling too. I've always been a "mountain person," riding around them, walking trails or sitting, enjoying the view.

Recently, Jerry and I began a two week vacation, driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway and around the Great Smoky Mountains, receiving big hugs.

We'd only been on the outskirts of the east side of the Smokys many years ago. This time we visited the western side, staying in the small town of Townsend, which is advertised as the "peaceful" side. Indeed it is.

We passed through Pigeon Forge on our way to Townsend, and couldn't get out of there fast enough. Crowds and commercialism drove us away with no intention of ever going there again.

We enjoyed this stream as we drove to the famous Cades Cove. It was a bright, sunny afternoon and the vehicle traffic was heavy. Evenso, it was an enjoyable ride, inviting us to return for an early morning visit.

I didn't see any wild bears, which is a real desire of mine, but we did see giant turkeys, heard robins sing, and watched the lovely hues of a sunrise over the famous mountain tops.

The sunrise was grand and captivated us as we sat and enjoyed the colors.

The visit was much too short, as our next destination was Franklin, Tennessee, at Ann Downing's annual retreat. I helped sponsor the event and had a table to sell my books, note cards and matted prints.

When we left the Smoky Mountains, my heart was filled with wonder at God's beautiful creation, leaving me with a longing to return to the Great Smoky's for an extended visit.

Taking backroads, we set off for Franklin for the next stop in our vacation. Next post will share about my experience at the retreat.

Foals are Blooming Too!

A few days ago I left home at 7:30 to take a drive to the NE corner of Carroll County. It was a beautiful spring morning, and I was looking for something to snap. After 2 1/2 hours of driving roads and trails I didn't have a lot to show for my time.

I headed back down to Westminster and stopped at the Chick-Fil-A for lunch. Unplanned, I then headed NW of Carrol County for a longer drive home. Shortly after leaving town I came upon a horse farm and four horses were taking a fiesta in the corner of the field. I took a quick glimpse farther back on the farm and thought I saw a mare and foal in the yard.

Turning around I headed down the lane and sure enough, there was the mare and foal. I quickly looked around for someone to ask if I could snap some pictures. A young man was coming my way on a cart with a mature horse. When I told him my request, he said yes, and shared there was a foal in the barn just born that morning.

What a thrill to visit a newborn foal! That's her picture above, and with her Mom below.

The man opened the gate and took me closer to the mare and foal outside (two snaps below). Another thrill. This was his mare. I asked questions and he shared.

On my way out I snapped this horse who was enjoying a rest in the shade.

Beside myself with my good fortune, I continued on. I found this beautiful pond with the pink dogwood and geese sunning themselves.

Following the map so I'd be headed towards home, I came around a bend and found 4 mares and 4 foals on the hillside. One of the foals was having an afternoon of fun, jumping and running around.

Following are snaps of two other mares and colts on the hillside.

It was, indeed, a beautiful day to be out snapping God's creation! This has certainly been my spring for the barnyard--both a sheep barn and a horse barn!

Now, where is that cow barn and that newborn calf!

(Continuing this post a few days later, I did fine a newborn calf with its Mom at Wilson's Farm in Mount Airy! Enjoy her below!)

Will You Sell Out?

Palm Sunday's sermon was about Peter denying Jesus three times. Pastor started the sermon with this question: "What will it take for you to sell out?" I must admit, the question sounded daunting.

My answer, of course, was: "I will never sell out." But Peter did. If he did, I could too. Will I?

Pastor's questions were penetrating: "Have you ever not spoken up when it would have identified you as a follower of Jesus?" "Have you ever given an answer that danced around your convictions?" "Have you ever denied Christ?"

It caused me to consider my strength in Christ, my commitment to Christ, and my life in Christ. I found myself to be strong in these three areas. But Peter was strong.

None of us know what we will do under pressure-filled circumstances. The only way we can combat failure is to spend time in God's Word. There really isn't any other avenue to take if we're going to be strong in our walk for Christ.

From His Word we obtain, truth, strength, and wisdom. He brings scripture verses to us in our time of need. But if we don't read His Word, He won't say anything that we're familiar with. There's no getting around it.

Colin Urquhart said: "If you accept the authority of Jesus in your life, then you accept the authority of His words." You must be familiar with His words before they can impact your life.

Recently I re-read the popular Left Behind series of several years ago. Although the story line is fiction, it was woven between the truth of the Bible after the rapture occurs for all believers. It was a reminder to me to be thankful for my salvation and stand tall for Christ while I'm on this earth.

Will I sell out? I don't think so. But I must be ready to defend myself and stand up for Jesus. After all, look what He did for me. That's what Easter is all about.

Another Visit to the Barnyard

Last Saturday I got another opportunity to snap lambs at the barnyard! The sheep were being sheared and 57 lambs were running around! You can imagine my thrill level!

It was a bright, sunny day. I always have problems taking pictures when it is sunny. I didn't waste time though, and snapped 385 pictures. Most will be for my personal enjoyment, but I did get a few that I will make into notecards.

The three lambs above were so adorable! And below, the black lamb wanted into the mix.
You can see I was enjoying myself while holding this cute lamb. Jerry rounded him up for me and he was heavy! But he did give me a few minutes to enjoy him while Jerry snapped.
Next is a picture around the barnyard with Hunter, the protector. There was a parked car behind Hunter's head, so with the magic of Photoshop I took it out. The sun was still an issue, but it works. And the one below it is another barnyard snap.



Inside the barn, in one of the stalls, I loved seeing the little two black lambs on the left and the pole, almost hidden by momma, and the little black lamb on the right. A little farther back two white lambs were playing around mom and I got one on her back. It was a good show!




The next snap is ladies in waiting. Everything was calm and relaxed. Their turn to come!

The next two are shouting their displeasure!


Hunter and I were having a discussion. I was telling him there was no reason to get mad and spit. He apparently agreed.


It was a fine day in the barnyard. I'm thankful for the opportunity to visit with all the sheep and lambs. One more adorable lamb below!

On the Air

Saturday, March 17th, the program, "To the Point," will air my radio interview for my book, Changing Lives One Note at a Time. You can hear it on 1450 AM and 1520 AM between 9 and 10 Saturday morning. You can also "LISTEN LIVE" at www.wthu.org.

How did this happen . . .

Early January my friend, Jim, asked me if I was interested in a radio interview for my book. He use to work with a man at a radio station and could give me his name. I told him I would think about it and get back to him. I'm certainly not a professional speaker, and I'm unable to talk off "the top of my head" as they say, so I wasn't sure about this opportunity.

After a few weeks I emailed Jim and said I'd like to give it a try. Jim called his former co-worker, Michael Betteridge, General Manager, of WTHU radio, which airs out of Thurmont, Maryland, and spoke to him about the interview. WTHU, a small Christian station, is nestled up against the beautiful Catoctin Mountains. Currently owned and operated by the Christian Radio Coalition, Inc. - The Source Radio Network is a network of news, music, information, sports and local community programming.

Because of Jim's contact, I was set up for my first radio interview. As I prepared notes, God seemed to be saying, "Just be yourself." I found a calmness resting in my soul leading up to the schedule day.

As most of my friends know, talking isn't my greatest asset. I still have trouble talking in a group of people. I found, though, if I have the words typed up, I am able to read my notes in front of people. And it works well.

But I wouldn't be reading my notes for the interview. I wasn't given any questions before the take, so I had to do a lot of "off the top of my head" talking before finding something I wanted to say in my notes. It definitely wasn't easy.

There were four 12 minute sessions and we talked inbetween the breaks. Before I knew it, I was done!

My interviewer, Vicki Grinder, was a pleasant women about 30 years old. Her professional efforts made it easier for me. Michael Betteridge was taping, and also offered comments between sessions.

After Vicki left, Michael sat down and shared how the radio station came to be. He also mentioned that Vicki was not saved. I thanked God for providing an opportunity to share my heart to someone that doesn't know Him.

Thank you, Jim, for a wonderful opportunity to share my heart about writing encouraging notes. I'm so glad God can take an ordinary person, without the skills in a certain area, and have the extraordinary happen.

Tea Time

I've visited Gypsy's Tea Room, in Westminster, several times and enjoyed the delicacies of Royal Tea. I've enjoyed fluted fruit beverages, scones with clotted cream and spread, fresh fruit and assorted sweets. Must say I'm not sure what fluted fruit is or clotted cream, but most everything I ate was delicious!

The last time I was there I noticed a book nook. So I wandered over to it and noticed a lower shelf said, "Local Authors." Taking a few minutes to build up my courage, I asked about having my book in the shop.

One thing led to another and I found myself taking pictures around the tea rooms to make note cards. I created two tea scenes from my own tiny collection to show as an example of what I do. The above snap I displayed my Longaberger Tea Set and basket, Longaberger pitcher with flowers, and lovely hankerchiefs to add a touch of elegance. The snap below is a tea cup and saucer, Autumn Leaf series, which a former co-worker gave me from his collection when I changed jobs to come to the convention. Another Longaberger basket and a bouquet of hankerchiefs completed the scene.



I enjoyed the snaps taken at Gypsy's and thought you might too! Below are some snaps around her shop!







Yes, it's tea time, and I'm thankful for another opportunity to display my book and note cards.

Now That's a Lamb!

Spring must be on its way! Farms are booming with new lambs.

Last week I had the joy of visiting Shepherds Manor Creamery in New Windsor. Michael, the owner, took me and Jerry inside the barn to meet the new lambs.

Most of the lambs were still in their pen, but there were a few that I could snap in the clear. The sheep above was by herself in the back of the barn.

I went to the back of the pen area to find the youngest (below) laying quietly beside its twin.


I was pleased that it stood up a little while later!


Hunter, the llama, is the protector of the pen. Michael said he sometimes spits. He came a little close to interrogate me, but must have decided I was ok. No spitting.

Of all the snaps I took, I think the one below is my favorite. She's a lady in waiting, serenely resting until her turn to deliver her lambs.


It was a joyful day to stand among newborn lambs and admire God's creativity. We were invited back on the 17th to watch the sheep being sheared. (And get some more snaps of all those little lambs who will probably be running around by then!)