Our Octagon Hall Adventure

Welcome!

A few weeks ago, Greg and I visited a really interesting place that I believe most people would find fascinating. In fact, we even thought of our visit as an adventure.

The place we visited is a lovely eight-sided house known as "Octagon Hall" in Franklin, Kentucky. It was first owned by the Caldwell family. It was built with locally-made bricks and local timber.

The house is very historic; in fact, it was used by both the Confederate and Union Armies during the Civil War.

Inside the house are items of interest.

There are beautiful period furnishings.

There are knowledgeable tour guides to fill you in on a the rich history, etc. of the house.

When you finish the tour of the inside, you can explore outside the house. The trees there are unique. One of them is the largest dogwood tree in Kentucky.

If you think that there is something a bit creepy about Octagon Hall, you'd be right! In fact, according to their brochure, "The Octagon Hall is widely regarded as one of the most haunted places in the South."

I totally have to agree with the above quote since Greg and I captured so many paranormal images on our cameras. So much of the time when we go somewhere that's supposed to be haunted, we're lucky to get even one spirit photo, but not this time!

To be perfectly honest, I had a hard time trying to find photographs that we had taken for this post that were not paranormal!

As you can see, I really couldn't write about Octagon Hall without mentioning the paranormal aspect of the place. In fact, if you're at all interested in the paranormal, you might enjoy the 4/21/18 blog post I wrote about Octagon Hall on my other blog, "Spirit Photographs," entitled "Octagon Hall, Franklin, Kentucky." That post is heavily slanted to the paranormal which was an easy thing to do since it is so haunted!

You can check it out here-

www.spiritphotographs.blogspot.com

So, whether you are a Civil War/history buff, love beautiful period decor, or are fascinated by the paranormal, there's something for everyone at Octagon Hall in Franklin, Kentucky!

For more info on Octagon Hall, just go to-

octagonhall.com/octagon/index.html

Positive thought: "One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure."
-William Feather
Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, June 3, 2018, Becky

Fall Festival Time in Tennessee!

Welcome!

"My Take on Fall"

"Tell stories around the fire...
Jump in leaves
Wrap your hands around a hot mug
Eat a caramel apple
Be outdoors...
Roast marshmallows
Carve a pumpkin
Go on a hayride...
Wear a scarf
Bake cookies and pies
Take a drive just to look at leaves."
-www.diariesfromthedirtroad.blogspot.com

Go to a fall festival in Tennessee!

This is such a beautiful time of year in Tennessee, and the weather is warm with a slight breeze. It's just a perfect time to attend one of the many fall festivals in Tennessee during the month of October.

"Autumn paints in colors that summer has never seen."
- From www.picturescafe.com

Here are some of the best fall festivals in Tennessee that I have either personally attended or that I know of-

-Unicoi Apple Festival, Erwin

Although I've never attended this festival, I know it's very popular. A friend of mine from Erwin told me that it's fantastic, and that she thought I'd really enjoy the arts and crafts, the wonderful food including apple dishes, and the entertainment. Greg and I decided that we're finally going next year, so we're putting it on our 2018 calendar!

FYI:
Dates: Oct. 6 & 7, 2017
www.unicoicounty.org

-National Storytelling Festival, Jonesborough

We have been to historic Jonesborough many times, but we have never been to this festival either. The stories are told by professional storytellers, and I have heard that the event is quite good and well-attended. This is its 45th year, so you know they're doing something right! You can see examples of the Storytelling Festival on Youtube.

FYI:
Dates: Oct. 6-8, 2017
www.storytellingcenter.net

-Robert A. Tino Smoky Mountain Homcoming, Sevierville

For those of you who like art, you will love this one! Greg and I once stopped by Robert A. Tino's art gallery on our way to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Robert Tino is an excellent landscape artist who paints scenes of the beautiful Smoky Mountains in acrylics and in watercolor. Besides the artist's work, this festival also features Southern food, mountain music, crafts, and activities for children.

FYI:
Dates: Oct. 6-8, 2017
www.RobertATinoSmokyMountainHomecoming.com

-National Banana Pudding Festival, Centerville

Greg and I have attended this festival which we really enjoyed, especially the banana pudding! (It's flavor brings back fond memories of back home, and of the wonderful banana pudding Mama used to make.) The pudding made at this festival should be good since this is a competition to determine the best banana pudding in our nation! Besides puddin,' there are crafts, entertainment, and children's activities.

Bananas on Display at the National Banana Pudding Festival in Centerville, Tennessee

F.Y.I:
Dates: Oct. 7 & 8, 2017
www.bananapuddingfest.org

-Heritage Days, Rogersville

Not only have Greg and I attended this festival in the past, but we have also had our own booth in the arts and crafts area where we did portraits of people. It was a great festival, a lot of fun, and we did really well there. Besides the arts and crafts, they have a lot of other things going on-traditional Appalachian Mountain music, dancers, food, storytelling, pioneer demonstrations, antique cars and quilts, etc.!

FYI:
Dates: Oct. 13-15, 2017
www.rogersvilleheritage.org

-Webb Art and Craft Show, Bell Buckle

We have been to Bell Buckle many times since it's such a unique, quaint little town (with a population of only 500!). According to "Thrill List" which rates the best small town to visit in each state, Bell Buckle is the best small town to visit in Tennessee! We have to agree that it's a fantastic place to visit for its charming little shops and tasty food. I've written blog posts about it several times, including the last one that I wrote on 8/21/16, "A Bell Buckle Celebration."

Greg and Me at a Festival in Bell Buckle

A good time to visit Bell Buckle might be this month for the Webb Art & Craft Show where there will be over 100 artists with their pottery, plants, jewelry, paintings, photography, and many other delightful things.

FYI:
Dates: Oct. 21 & 22, 2017
www.bellbucklechamber.com

-Henry Horton Spirits of the Past, Chapel Hill

Lastly, no October celebration would be complete without doing something kinda scary, so how about going on a paranormal Halloween investigation at Henry Horton State Park! We have been to this nice park before, but not during October, and certainly not on a paranormal investigation. A friend emailed me about this event, and Greg and I are thinking about going. It would make a great "Spirit Photographs" blog post!

FYI:
Date: Oct. 28, 2017
http://tnstateparks.com/events/details/#/?event=henry-horton-spirits-of-the-past

So, the different above-mentioned festivals and events offer something for just about everyone, and hopefully you'll find something here that you might enjoy. Have fun!

If you like the paranormal, check out my other blog, "Spirit Photographs."
www.spiritphotographs.blogspot.com

Also, especially since Halloween is coming soon, might I recommend my book on the paranormal, "Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind" which is available now, either in paperback or as a kindle download,
http://amzn.to/2usXWIO

Happy Halloween!

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, November 5, 2017, Becky
Positive thought: "One way to make the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure."
-William Feather

Positive Thoughts for the New Year

Welcome!

Glad you're here today!

Hope your  year has been going great so far!

Just to help keep things on the right track for the new year, I'd like to share some positive thoughts with you using quotes and  pictures.

Without further adieu, here they are: (Enjoy!)

"Every moment is a fresh beginning."-T. S. Eliot

 (A robin symbolizes new beginnings.) 

"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all."-Laura Ingalls Wilder

"Be yourself because an original is worth more than a copy."-Unknown

"Life is beautiful. Enjoy the ride."-Mitch Koppel

"Let the beauty of what you love be what you do."-Rumi

"Life is as sweet as a cupcake."-Unknown

"Kindness matters."

""Life is so much easier with a sense of humor."-Unknown

"Think happy thoughts."-Unknown

"Dwell on the beauty of life...."-Marcus Aurelius

"Taking time to do nothing often brings everything into perspective."-Doe Zantamata

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia."-Charles Shultz

Important note: Starting next month, February 2017, "The Art of Positive Living" blog will be only on the first Sunday of each month, and starting this month, the "Spirit Photographs" blog will be only on the third Saturday of each month.

Positive thought: "A good life is when you assume nothing, do more, need less, smile often, dream big, laugh a lot, and realize how blessed you are."-Unknown

Thanks for visiting! Until, Sunday, February 5, 2017, Becky

A Tennessee Road Trip, Part 2

On last week's blog post, "A Tennessee Road Trip," that I wrote on 7/24/16, I told about our fun trip to David Crockett State Park in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.

On this post, I'll tell about part two of our road trip.

After we left the park, on the way home, we went through another interesting place, Ethridge, Tennessee, that we had visited a couple of years ago. In fact, I wrote a blog post about it on 8/11/14. We enjoyed being there so much that we decided to stop back by and see a couple of things we missed last time.

This vintage truck and the outside of this building were all we saw when we went by on our last trip to Ethridge since this business was closed.

It's reopened, so we got to see inside this time.

An Old Soda Fountain

It's called the "Ira Irving Gen. Store & Bus Station."

We were surprised that there was a Greyhound bus station in this small town, but it's mostly for the benefit of the Amish who live in Lawrence County, Tennessee. Besides their buggies, the Amish have to rely on either the bus, taxi, or plane for their transportation since they don't have cars, etc.

A Member of the Old Order Amish Community

This is an old building that is next door to the general store and bus station that has all sorts of interesting tools and other items for sell that would especially appeal to the Amish.

Life certainly is fascinating, especially when you travel! Travel opens up new places to explore and fun things to do. We can hardly wait for our next adventure!

Starting next month, I'll be publishing "The Art of Positive Living" posts only on the first and third Sundays of each month, and the "Spirit Photographs" posts on the first Saturday of each month, at least for now, as I have a pretty full schedule, trying to juggle all of my many projects.

Positive thought: "I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list."-Susan Sontag
Thanks for visiting! Until next Sunday, Becky

A Variety of Positive Things

Welcome!

I'd like to share with you a variety of positive things on this blog post today.

According to the Mayo Clinic, people who engage in positive thinking tend to be healthier.  They suggest that during the day, you:
-Change your thoughts from negative to positive.
-Smile and laugh.  Develop a sense of humor.
-Follow a healthy lifestyle.
-Surround yourself with positive, supportive people.
-Say good, encouraging things about yourself.  (Like-"I am a likable person." )

One example of changing from negative to positive self-talk:
Change "I can't do this." to "I will do my best to accomplish this."

Becoming positive is a gradual process.  Just try going in a more positive direction, and you might find yourself being a lot more positive before you know it!

"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses."
-Abraham Lincoln

Judy Samples and Millie Crum volunteers at the June Tolliver House in Big Stone Gap, Virginia wanted me to announce that they are having a fundraiser for the Tolliver House.  The event is Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 1:00 PM.  You pay just $15.00 and get to make several projects for fall, Christmas, and a gift card envelope.  To reserve a space for a fun time making crafts, call 276-523-4704 or 276-393-7674 for more info.  (P.S.  You don't need any special skills or equipment to do this.)

What a great opportunity to enjoy yourself and to help the June Tolliver House at the same time!

This past weekend, we had a tasty meal at my brother and sister-in-law's house (everyone brought something for the meal), and celebrated three birthdays at the same time!

Happy birthday to Julie, Nick, and Greg whose birthdays are all within three weeks of each other.

Check this out: Yesterday, I put another blog post on my "Spirit Photographs" blog (www.spiritphotographs.blogspot.com).  It's entitled "Our Paranormal Adventure in a Park-Part Two."

Please click on the link below to see our iStock photos.  (We're putting on more every week.)
www.istockphoto.com

Positive Thoughts: -"...spread positivity!"  -"Be helpful.  When you see someone without a smile, give them yours." -Zig Ziglar  (Both quotes from "Woman's World")

Some Positive Affirmations and Quotes and a New "Spirit Photographs" Post

Welcome!

This "The Art of Positive Living" blog post will be a little different.  First of all, I'd like to share with you some positive affirmations and quotes that might help you.  You might want to post them around your home or at work, etc. and perhaps say a few of them several times a day to help keep you in a positive frame of mind.  Then, I'll give you the opportunity to see my latest "Spirit Photographs" blog post from the other blog that I write.

Here are the positive affirmations and quotes that I particularly like:

-"Wherever you go, bring your own sunshine."

-"Don't forget to be awesome." (You could say, "I am awesome.")  (Don't feel as though you're being a narcissist, for you're just trying to build yourself up!)

-"I am special."

-"This is your life...make it beautiful." (Pinterest)

-"Set peace of mind as your highest goal, and organize your life around it."  (Brian Tracy)

-"Give to the world the best you have and the best will come back to you." (Madeline Bridges)

-"Adventure is worthwhile." (Aesop)

This last quote is leading into my new "Spirit Photographs" blog post on my other blog which I just restarted after a four-month summer break.  On this post, I tell about a paranormal adventure my husband Greg and I had in a park on a trip to West Tennessee.  I briefly mentioned that park on my 8/25/14 "The Art of Positive Living" post entitled "A West Tennessee Adventure."  This new "Spirit Photographs" post looks at that park from a different perspective.

My latest "Spirit Photographs" post, entitled "Our Paranormal Adventure in a Park," is here:
http://www.spiritphotographs.blogspot.com

Also, please click on the link below to check out our latest photographs on iStock.  We're putting on new ones every week.
www.istockphoto.com

A Final Positive Thought: Look for the positive in every day.
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky

A Poetic Celebration of Fall

Welcome!

     Cute Fall Display in Front of Joe and Tammy Stuffle's Home in Tennessee

                  "In the Leaves"

The maple tree that stands on the lawn
Is now in a state of glory.
Its colorful leaves of red and gold
Repeat the age old story.
Of the many autumns it's stood there so
And  sheltered the children below,
Who played in the leaves each autumn
And in winter played in the snow.

They romped and tumbled years ago,
There in the grass turned brown
And shouted in glee to catch the leaves
As they came floating down.
Now, they watch their children there
And the shuttle of memory weaves
As they see again the happy days
They spent there in the leaves.
-Sally May Bledsoe
(This is a poem written by my talented Aunt Sally when she was only 16 years old.  What a joy to have discovered a treasure like this that was created by a family member who has passed on!)

                                             Dogwood Tree in Our Front Yard

                                                       Photo by Greg Arnott

Happy fall, y'all!

(To see what I did this past weekend, check out my latest blog post for Monday, October 28, 2013 on my other blog, www.spiritphotographs.blogspot.com.)

Positive thought: Happy Halloween!

Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky
*The contents of this blog is always under the copyright of Becky Arnott.