An Artistic Celebration

Welcome!

"In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia
On the trail of the lonesome pine..."
-From "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine"
by Ballard MacDonald

This past weekend, Greg and I went to Southwest Virginia which is a beautiful area.

We spent Friday night at a fantastic place, "The Inn at Wise," which was newly renovated four years ago.

The Inn at Wise

The decor is lovely.

The food is delicious.

Greg and I easily give this inn five + stars!

The next day, Saturday, July 7, 2018 was a very special day for my family and me since it was the "50th Anniversary Celebration of Paintings" of my father's first art show (on July 7, 1968) at the June Tolliver House in Big Stone Gap, Virginia (which is just a 20-minute drive from Wise).

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June Tolliver House

My brother, Nick, and I took several of Daddy's paintings that we had at our houses for the special exhibit at the June Tolliver House. Those were displayed along with the permanent collection of Daddy's artwork. My mother, Jean Botts and my grandmother Fan H. Botts were also honored with a couple of their paintings on display, as well.

Nick was assisted by Joyce, a volunteer at the Tolliver House.

The house looked beautiful, all dressed up in finery.

In case you missed the show, here it is in instant replay-

Come on in, the celebration is about to begin!

You are greeted at the door by a talented banjo player.

The first order of business is to sign the guest book, and to make a much-needed donation.

 And, don't forget to smell the roses!

The program is in progress in the parlor with a standing-room-only audience. Speeches are made by Mary, Nick, and me. 

Mary

The mayor of Big Stone Gap reads a proclamation that honors the June Tolliver House and the Botts family's contribution to the arts and to the community.

And the winner is-

This lucky lady from Elizabethton , Tennessee won the Tolliver House raffle with several prizes including tickets to "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine" outdoor drama which is next door to the Tolliver House.

With the program completed, viewing the paintings throughout the house is next on the agenda.

Partaking of delicious refreshments is a must!

And, so is a visit to the gift shop with lots of interesting items.

The June Tolliver Guild ladies (including Judy, president and Joyce, vice president) are more than happy to help you with you purchases, and please thank them for such an outstanding job of hosting the special art show.

All good things must come to an end, but we value the wonderful day, and all of the special memories that we'll always cherish.

I'd also like to remember my very special artistic mother (who is in heaven) on her birthday today (July 9). We love you Mama!

Positive thought: "Don't save things for a special occasion. Every day of your life is a special occasion."-Thomas S. Monson

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, August 5, 2018, 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")

Helpful Healthy Resources

Welcome!

For those of you who are interested in living a non-toxic, organic life, I have some really great info for you today!  (Disclaimer-I am not a health expert, just a person who wants to share with others what I have become aware of, in trying to live a healthier life.  I am not responsible for anything anyone tries from reading this or any of my blog posts.)

"Take care of your body.  It's the only place you have to live."
-Jim Rohn

In a couple of my recent blog posts, on 7/11/14 ("One Way to Be Happier and More Positive") and 7/20/14 ("Positive Odds and Ends"), I mentioned several things that Greg and I had been doing to try to be healthier.  One of my loyal readers and friend, Patricia from Tennessee, as a followup to my healthier-living posts, sent me several great resources that she and her husband use that help them live healthier lives.

Patricia sent a lot of wonderful info, some of which I'll share with you today.  The rest, I'll gradually put on some of my future blog posts as a special feature.

Patricia says that they now use:

"-Organic Foods
-Organic / Natural Ingredients - body lotions, shave cream, deodorant, soap, moisturizers, make-up
-Organic  /Natural Fibers - 100% linen, organic cotton, wool, or silk for all clothing, sheets, towels, dryer balls, etc.
-Natural Fiber - rugs, pillows, upholstery, etc. (wool, linen, organic cotton, soy, hemp, etc. )
- Solid Wood - furniture, cabinets (no veneers, plastics, etc. )"

She sent some website addresses that they use:  (Most of these I checked out, and they look great!)

For natural, organic personal-care products:
www.juicebeauty.com
www.desertessence.com
www.kissmyface.com  (I already use several Kiss My Face products.)

(Also, I make my own natural face lotion/mask which I apply once a week.  "Woman's World" always has natural recipes for a healthier you in every issue.  I'm toying with the idea of making my own "hippie hairspray" which consists of sugar and water, but I haven't been brave enough to try that one yet!)

For non-toxic housecleaning products that you can make yourself, check out this website Patrcia recommends:
www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/stories/make-your-own-housecleaning-products

For an all-around terrific website that has "Inspiration and information to help you thrive in our toxic world," be sure and see:
www.debralynndadd.com (which has a free newsletter, toxic free talk radio, and lots of links to things non-toxic).

Patricia said that their change to a healthier lifestyle has been over a six-year period.  I can see why, because even though a lot of us would like to throw out all the toxic stuff and start over, that's not a feasible option for most of us.  Even changing over to a healthier diet has taken Greg and me several weeks, to find the organic stuff, and to gradually phase it into our diets.  Now, thankfully, almost every meal that we eat is totally non-GMO/organic.  There are still a few herbs and spices that we're replacing with the organic ones as the old ones run out.

Thanks to local health food stores, farmers markets, and some chain grocery stores, we have found fresh, frozen, packaged, and even non-BPA canned food that has helped us have a healthier diet.  One of our recent meals consisted of cheese, boiled potatoes with butter, corn on the cob, broccoli, and toast, all of which were totally organic, and it was all delicious, and not because I'm any great gourmet chef!

I really appreciate Patricia for all the work she put into sending all of this valuable, healthy info and for helping to make this blog post possible.  People like Patricia make life so much more enjoyable, happier, and more positive for the rest of us.  Thank you so much, Patricia, for sharing!

Be sure and check out my next few blog posts on various topics, along with more informative tidbits from Patricia!

Also, Judy Samples, president of the June Tolliver House in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, wanted several of us to make a special announcement about wine tasting with wine from the Mountainrose Winery at the Tolliver House on August 23 (the last night of "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine" outdoor drama for this year).  Judy said to "Come and share a glass of wine with friends and neighbors, then see the show!"

F.Y.I.
June Tolliver House
www.junetolliverhouse.com

To see Greg's and my latest photos on iStock, just click the link below.
www.istockphoto.com

Positive thought:  "Our bodies are our gardens to which our wills are gardeners." -William Shakespeare

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