Drug Stores Past and Present Including One That Became a Restaurant

This blog post is a very special one for me because it's about a drug store that became a restaurant. I'm talking about Swaney Swift's on the Square in Gallatin, Tennessee.

You see, my parents used to own a drug store when I was growing up in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. It was called-

Here's the interior of Swaney Swift's-

as compared to the Botts Drug and Variety Store one in Big Stone-

Shirley used to work at the drug store for my parents.

Greg and I really enjoyed our little trip to Gallatin which we'd never before visited. Swaney Swift's used to be an old drug store, but just recently it became a restaurant.

The restaurant is decorated in a drug store motif.

We had a delicious meal there, served by our waitress, Lexie. I had a yummy raspberry grilled cheese sandwich, and for dessert-

what else would be more appropriate in a drug store turned restaurant than a milkshake!

Was it good? Here's the answer! "Good to the last drop," just like that popular coffee that's been around for a while. 

And, this old milk shake machine brought back more fond memories of my parents' old drug store.

This experience was like a walk down memory lane for me. It was one I'll always treasure.

Just go to Swaney Swift's if you'd like to make your own fond memories.

FYI

Swaney Swift's

www.swaneyswifts.com

Positive thought: "Life is a collection of moments."-Pinterest
Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, May 5, 2019, 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")

Travel Locally

Welcome!

I really appreciate reading your comments.  This blog post was inspired by a comment someone made about my last week's post about the RC-Moon Pie Festival.  She wistfully said that she would have loved to have been there if it weren't so far away.  It was a wonderful festival, (and as an aside, I'd like to add that before we got there to the festival, they also had a foot race and a parade).

As great as the festival was, there are hundreds of other festivals throughout our country every year that are just as much fun.  They may not have the "world's largest Moon Pie," but they all have other interesting things that are unique to their particular areas.

Enjoyable things to do are not just limited to festivals either, for there are so many other things to see and do in our own areas, like landmarks, museums, restaurants, shows, libraries, parks, fairs, etc.  You don't have to travel miles and miles to find something to do, just look around where you are.

In fact, anytime I'm at a place that has brochures, I gather a few that seem interesting.  I found out about Bell Buckle and all of its festivals including the RC-Moon Pie Festival through a brochure.  Also, talking to other people is another great way to discover what's going on near where you live.

Magazines, brochures, newspapers, and the Internet are all helpful for finding out about an area.  Also, I really like it that our town often displays a banner in the town square, announcing the next special event such as a pancake breakfast or a music festival.

It's amazing that we don't take advantage of what's in our own backyards.  For instance, as incredible as it might seem, very few local people have ever seen the wonderful outdoor drama, "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine" in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, but people from other states, or other parts of the state travel many miles to see it.

Greg and I try to do something a little different each week, and once or twice a month, we try to have a little adventure, by doing something really special.

I guess you could say, investigate and explore where you are now.  You might be amazed at what's right around the corner in your own hometown.

Positive thought: "Adventure is worthwhile." -Aristotle  (I might add that adventure doesn't even have to be far away!)
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky

An Appalachian Mountain Poem

Welcome!

I just ran across a lovely poem from the Appalachian Mountains, Big Stone Gap, Virginia, (where I used to live) to be exact.  It was written by a talented local poet, Bonnie Ball in 1935.  I decided to share a brief excerpt from the poem with you.  It is entitled "Rare Pleasures."

                   "Rare Pleasures"

Do you know where the violets grow?  I do!

I have gathered them fresh in the due

Over in Grandpa's meadow, white and blue...

Have you ever drunk from a mountain spring, 

From a cup made of leaves...or anything?

Have you heard the sound mountain waters sing? ...

Have you ever made a daisy chain? ...

Have you ever really roamed a country lane? ...

-Bonnie Ball from "Bonnie's Rhythmic Verse"

(There are so many talented people everywhere who can write, sing, act, do arts and crafts, etc. whose work goes virtually unrecognized.  Let's all try to support those locally who have gifts so that others can be made aware of their talents and abilities.  Maybe that talented person is you.  If so, remember-don't hide your light under a bushel.  Step out with your talents and share them!)

Positive thought:  "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." -John Muir

Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky

A Book Signing in Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Welcome!

I'd just like to share with you part of the fabulous day Greg and I had in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, yesterday (Saturday, July 27) which was easily one of the best days of my whole life!

First of all, there was the book signing at the June Tolliver House for my first book, Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind.  It was far beyond my expectations.  I am so thankful my first signing was in my old hometown.  There was such an outpouring of support from people I hadn't seen in a long time, both friends and family.

Here are a few highlights of the wonderful book signing in words and pictures:

Judy Samples, president of the June Tolliver House, did a great job coordinating and promoting the book signing.

Greg and me with Patty Cooper, Garnet Gilliam, and Paxton Algyer (who help to make the Tolliver House the success it is) and friend Joyce.

                                                       Another Friend, Tommie

With cousin Stan who always takes time out of his busy schedule to be supportive of family.

  
              With Bobbi Potter who shares her ghostly Tolliver House stories in my book.

Here, I'm with longtime friends, Shelby and son Ked with girlfriend Miranda.  Shelby and Ked are big-time lovers of Halloween.  In fact, fellow blogger Ked even has a really well-done blog devoted to it.  Check it out- http://www.wickedwaysproductions.blogspot.com

I made new friends with Garry, Holly, and Chris of the Black Mountain Paranormal Society.  We'll all be back together for another paranormal event in October which I'll let you know more about in a later blog post.

Nancy Allman and Patty Cooper served wonderful refreshments for everyone's enjoyment who attended the book signing.

I left several signed books with bookmarks in the Tolliver House gift shop.  The books retail for only $12.95.

I'd also like to thank all the other people who stopped by to see Greg and me.  We appreciate all those in the Tolliver House who brought refreshments, who worked in the gift shop, and anyone else who helped make this book-signing a real event! 

A special thanks to all those who contributed to the book and to Glenn Gannaway who wrote a fabulous article in The Post (a local Big Stone Gap newspaper) about the book signing which was greatly responsible for the turnout we had.

F.Y.I.
Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind
(by Becky Arnott)
(Paperback or PDF download)
Fast Pencil Marketplace
http://www.fastpencil.com/marketplace

I have a lot more to share about the day's events, but we're already running long.  I'll just have to save it for next week.

Just click on the link below to see Greg's and my latest photos on iStock:
www.istockphoto.com

Positive thought:  "Change your thoughts and you change your world." -Norman Vincent Peale
Thanks for visiting!  Until next time, Becky

More Southern Appalachian Mountain Sayings, Etc.

Welcome!

My "Southern Appalachian Mountain Sayings" blog post ( January 15, 2012) has proven to be one of my most popular ones, so I decided to tackle the subject again, but to go beyond just the sayings, to also include some mountain customs, etc.

 Here are some more Southern Appalachian Mountain sayings that Greg and I came up with (in no particular order).

"She gets up with the chickens." (She gets up early.)

"I haven't seen you in a coon's age." (In a long time.)

"I ought to give you a button."  (For doing something that deserves a reward.)

"She'll get that done in no time flat." (Quickly.)

He's "tighter than Dick's hatband."   He's "tighter than bark on a log."  (He doesn't spend much money.)

"It's tight as banjer strings."  (It's on tightly.)

"It's as slick as glass."

"You gotta take the bull by the horns."  (You have to just get in there, take charge, and do it.)

"It's raining cats and dogs."  (It's raining a lot.)

Mountain talk (speech, dialect):

Peonies in the mountains are sometimes referred to as "peony roses" (as we recently found out while we were visiting relatives) or "piney."

                                                                  Peonies

We still call our evening meal "supper."  That word apparently comes from England, as I have heard the characters on my favorite show, Keeping Up Appearances, say "supper."

I have a crick (stiffness) in my neck. 

He "can't see the forest for the trees."  (He can't see the big picture.)

Appalachian Mountain and standard American English meanings:

Her people-relatives

Heered-heard

Pert-near-almost

Haint-a ghost

Dialog Greg overheard while he was in grade school (spelled phonetically):

"Have you got ery pencil?"
"No, I ain't got nary'n."

Greg and I still catch ourselves calling wash cloths, "worsh rags," a carry-over from childhood.

Appalachian Mountain superstitions:

If you spill salt, you need to throw part of the spilled salt over your shoulder or you'll have bad luck.

Breaking a mirror brings the person who broke it seven years of bad luck.

(You can take the above superstitions "with a grain of salt!")

An important Southern custom that you must adhere to: You wear white only between Memorial Day and Labor Day!

If you are really interested in Southern Appalachian Mountain traditions and dialect, wonderful resources are The Trail of the Lonesome Pine book by John Fox, Jr. and The Trail of the Lonesome Pine outdoor drama in Big Stone Gap, Virginia.  (Please see my July 31, 2011 blog post.)

Positive thought: Bye y'all!  Have a great week!
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky