Thankfulness

          "Thankfulness"
"Sitting here by the fireside
Thoughts crowd into my mind
I am so sheltered and happy
Neither homeless nor sick nor blind.

I have so much to be thankful for
My home, my family, each friend.
So much I take for granted
Numerous things without end.

I want Him to know I'm thankful,
I hardly know how to start
But I feel that nothing can equal
The Thanksgiving in my heart."
-Sally May Bledsoe, age 16

The above poem was written many years ago by my Aunt Sally.  It was sincere, from the heart.  ( Another of Aunt Sally's poems is on my 10/28/13 blog post.)

Greg and I had an early Thanksgiving this year at my brother Nick and his wife Lisa's home, combined with a birthday celebration of two family members, John and R. H., whose birthdays are the same date, 70 years apart.  (What's more, two additional family members share the same November birth date as John and R. H.!  What are the odds of something like that happening?  Life is a real mystery sometimes.)

Positive thought:  May you have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky

The Doe River Inn Bed and Breakfast

I have a special place to share with you today, The Doe River Inn Bed and Breakfast in Elizabethton, Tennessee. 

                                          
Greg and I love B & B's, because they are like a home away for home, and the Doe River Inn is no exception.  You feel welcome from the moment you step foot into the lovely old Victorian house which was build in 1894.  "This site was used by the early settlers to ford the river.  The crossing was made by wagons and men on horseback, thus earning the name of  'The Crossover.' "  (taken from the Doe River Inn brochure)

I have pictures to share with you which I took to record our visit.

The inn has beautiful décor throughout.

Our bedroom-

Not only did we have a bedroom, but we also had the whole downstairs which included a kitchen (which we shared with the upstairs visitors), a sunroom with TV, a living room, and a bathroom.

After a peaceful night of rest, Greg and I had breakfast.

                                            We ate our breakfast on fine china.

After we ate, Greg and I enjoyed exploring outside the old house which is located on the bank of the Doe River.

We enjoyed our stay so much at this reasonably priced inn that we decided to return next month.  We're looking forward to this already homey place being even more inviting when the old Victorian will be dressed in its Christmas finery.  (The inn has previously been on the Christmas tour of homes in Elizabethton.)

                  Our Personable Hosts, Innkeepers, Frank and Mary Shepherd

F. Y. I.
The Doe River Inn Bed and Breakfast
217 Academy Street
Elizabethton, Tennessee
423-292-2848
www.doeriverinn.com

Positive thought: Try something new.  You might just love it!
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky

Welcome to an Artisans Party!

Welcome!

(Unfortunately, Wall Candy has closed, but you can still enjoy what was through this post. One artist, an elderly man who had come to pick up his art work at the shop right before it closed, said that he sure would miss the artisan's party because it was the only socializing he had besides going to the doctor's office.)

On this blog post, I'd like to share with you a wonderful event that I attended last Thursday night, an Artisans Party at Wall Candy in Columbia, Tennessee.  (For more information on Wall Candy, please see my 2/9/13 blog post.)  It's where local artists and craftspeople who have their arts or crafts at the shop can meet and mingle with the public. 

Here, in words and pictures, is what it was like to be there from my perspective:

The owners of Wall Candy Mary Helen Payne and daughter Courtney Payne were there to greet everyone.

                                             There was food and wine galore!

         The Band That Showed Up provided music for everyone's enjoyment.

Sherry M. Scheitel of Stillwaters Studio (stillwatersart.net) was on hand to show off her lovely jewelry and paintings.

Also there, were Greg and Pat Bearden with Greg's black and white photos and decorative door letters.  (Greg38401@gmail.com).

I brought in some new stuff for people to see, including a piece of coal, with a mule on it (which is big in Columbia)  (Check out my previous Mule Day blogs [4/1/12 and 4/6/13].)

If you missed this wonderful event this month, don't despair, for there's an Artisans Party the first Thursday night of every month!  The next one is Thursday, December 5.  Hope to see you there!

Positive thought: "Live and work but do not forget to play, to have fun in life and really enjoy it."-Eileen Caddy
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Monday, Becky

Little Kindnesses

Welcome!*

Today's blog post was inspired by a nice lady I know who tries to bring kindness into the lives of others.  She lives in Southwest Virginia, and her name is Deborah Smith.  She smiles and speaks to people when she's out, even people she doesn't know.  She straightens up buggies at the grocery store and shoes, etc. in shops.  She just tries to make life a little easier and more pleasant for others.  These are just little things, but little things mean a lot.  You know, smiling at someone just might change that person's whole day or even outlook on life. 

This lady has the right attitude and is an inspiration for us all.

Here's more inspiration about kindness in words and pictures:

"In life you can never be too kind or too fair; everyone you meet is carrying a heavy load.  When you go through your day expressing kindness and courtesy to all you meet, you leave behind a feeling of warmth and good cheer, and you help alleviate the burdens everyone is struggling with."
-Brian Tracy

"No act of kindness is too small.  The gift of kindness may start as a small ripple that over time can turn into a tidal wave affecting the lives of many."
-Kevin Heath

"It' not our job to play judge and jury to determine who is worthy of our kindness and who is not.  We just need to be kind, unconditionally and without ulterior motive, even or rather, especially-when we'd prefer not to be."
-Josh Radnor

"To belittle, you have to be little."
-Kahlil Gibran

"Treat everyone with respect and kindness.  Period.  No exceptions."
-Kiana Tom

"The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer."
-Mahatma Gandhi

"Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you."
-Princess Diana

"I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being; let me do it now.  Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again."
-Etienne de Grellet

"Ask yourself: Have you been kind today?  Make kindness your daily modus operandi and change your world."
-Annie Lennox

Positive thought: "Always try to be a little kinder than necessary." -J. M. Barrie
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky
*This blog post and all others on this blog are under the copyright of Becky Arnott.