Words of Wisdom

Welcome!

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."
-Proverbs 25:11

I've been thinking very philosophically the past few days, probably because of the time of year, winter.

I have some positive quotes, words of wisdom, to share with you to help uplift your days, to maybe help you get on the right track:

-"A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition."
-William Author Ward
(We can make our own sunshine, no matter what the weather! There are countless ways to do that. A few are: meditate, smile, say positive things to yourself, do random acts of kindness, be thankful, read positive quotes, watch positive videos like on YouTube, etc.)

"Worrying is like walking around with an umbrella waiting for it to rain."
-"Natural Life"

-"Some days there won't be a song in your heart. Sing anyway."
-Austin Emory
(I have read that singing can make a person feel better, even if you "can't carry a tune in a bucket!")

-"I will not let anyone walk through my mind with dirty feet."
-Mahatma Gandhi

-"Whoever is trying to bring you down is already below you."
-Justin Chase Mullins

-"You cannot spend the majority of your time in the presence of negative people and expect to life a positive life."
-Justin Chase Mullins
(I love Justin's wise quotes because they are so empowering. Justin is a gifted psychic from East Tennessee.)

-"If anyone has offended me, I try to raise my soul so high that the offense cannot reach it."
-Rene Descartes

-"There are two types of people-those who come into a room and say, 'Well, here I am,' and those who come in and say, 'Ah, there you are.'"
-Frederick L. Collins
(I've found that those people who seem to be the most liked and are most popular are the ones who would say, "Ah, there you are," because we all like to feel that we are important.)

-"Don't be mean when you've had a bad day. Be nice and your day will get better."
-Terri Guillemets
(Terri is a quote anthologist who has collected quotes since her early teens.)

"Change your thoughts and you change your world."
-Norman Vincent Peale
(All of his words and quotes are so uplifting.)

-"The wisest men follow their own direction."
-Euripides
(I like this quote because it's telling us to follow our own hearts, to stand for our principles, to even be free spirits.)

-"Life is not happening to you. Life is responding to you."
-Author Unknown
(So, let's send out the positive!)

-"There are exactly as many special occasions in life as we choose to celebrate."
-Robert Brault
(We don't need to wait for birthdays or holidays to have a ball often!)

Cute animal-related quotes:

-"Wag more. Bark less."
-Author Unknown

-"Scratch less, purr more."
-Author Unknown
(These last two quotes would be neat to post on the bathroom mirror as a fun reminder!)

Positive thought: "In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer."-Albert Camus (Did you realize that it's less than a month until spring!)
Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, February 28, 2016, Becky

A Birthday Celebration at Bruce's Ice Cream Parlor

Welcome!

Hope you are enjoying your day!

Just recently, my cousin Bruce and I celebrated our February birthdays in East Tennessee.

In this area, as in many others, this time of year, you never know what the weather is going to be like so you don't know for sure if you're going to get to have your planned celebration or not due to possible wintry weather.

Last year, we had to put off our birthday celebration two or three times, but this year, we got lucky and had it in between two big snows! Great timing!

It was a really special birthday celebration at-

Cousin Bruce recently set up a really neat old fashioned ice cream parlor where he lives. Years ago, he and his parents had a drug store in Southwest Virginia, and these fixtures, etc. came from that store. In addition, Bruce has added several more pieces to his collection gradually through the years.

Bruce, in His Ice Cream Parlor 

My brother and his family brought delicious pizza for the main part of our meal.

Then, of course, there was the cake which Bruce had bought that cleverly had our edible picture on it of our last year's birthday celebration.

Cake has got to have ice cream with it, so Bruce got to work dishing it out- 

Does this sundae look great, or what!

It was wonderful! Peppermint ice cream with either butterscotch or chocolate syrup! Yum! Bruce works wonders with ice cream!

After the Meal, Were Gifts

Looks Like More Decorations for the Ice Cream Parlor!

Little Table for Two

Everyone should be so lucky to have a nice place to celebrate such as this!

Thanks, Bruce, and to my other wonderful family members who made this birthday celebration at Bruce's Ice Cream Parlor one we'd always fondly remember!

And...

Positive Thought: "The most beautiful view is the one I share with you."-Author Unknown

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, February 21, 2016, Becky

Cats! (And Other Special Creatures)

Welcome!

This blog post is mostly about cats! I love animals in general, (We had cats, dogs and other assorted creatures when I was growing up.) and cats in particular, especially Greg's and my special babies who were litter mates that we got from a local animal shelter.

Most pet owners think their pets are special, and they are. Each one is unique and has its own personality.

For instance, Mitzi, our little tabby cat, is very outgoing and expressive. She's certainly not shy about telling you when she wants something. I'm usually pretty busy with my business, etc. projects, so to get my attention, Mitzi cleverly uses unique body language to let me know what she wants.

I guess you've probably heard the old expression, "He sings for his supper."

Well, Mitzi dances for hers!

I have no clue as to how she came up with this idea since I've never seen anything like it before, but she shakes her tale, and her back feet move up and down usually for ten seconds or more. If she wants a treat, she stands in front of a cabinet, and if she wants her regular food, she stands in front of the refrigerator and does her dance.

If we happen to be in another room when a hunger pang strikes, she dances in front of either a white rectangular piece of furniture or a white door which to her, I suppose, represents the refrigerator.

Check out the video below:

Hungry Dance

We have another adorable furry sweetheart, Kallie, our calico, who is shy, but the motherly type. She often treats Mitzi like she's the baby. Sometimes Kallie acts like she's consoling Mitzi, licking her like she's her kitten.

Kallie is also creative; she has invented a little game. She likes to jump into a small space behind our TV stand which is, like my Daddy used to say, "Not big enough to whip a cat in." (Excuse the expression!) She stays there a little while, and then jumps straight up and out which requires strong little legs and feet. These cats may be eight years old, but they are apparently in pretty good shape!

Kallie, Who Just Finished a Round of Her Jumping Game

They also like to occasionally copy each other. Kallie has learned to do a shorter version of Mitzi's dance, and Mitzi sometimes likes to play Kallie's jump-behind-the-TV game. My brother, Nick, said that one of his cats copies the other one sometimes. I guess we could just call these cats "copy cats!"

We do try to keep our kitties in good health, so as to avoid going to the vet. We do this partly by giving them the healthiest food we can find by researching on the Internet and by reading labels. I've also started preparing some of their food myself, with people food, going by guidelines on what to feed and what not to feed your cat.

The Cornucopia Institute (www.cornucopia.org) has a great report on dangerous/unhealthy pet food. One of the worst ingredients in a lot of pet food is carrageenan, as well as a host of others.

The link for that report is:

http://www.cornucopia.org/2015/11/new-report-exposes-dangerousunhealthy-pet-food/

Another site that discusses cat health including pet food, vaccines, etc. is:

www.catinfo.org

Locally, "Pet Pals of Maury County TN" is a wonderful group that provides for animals. They collect food for animals, as well as doing other things.

Check out their Facebook page: (I love the video about how a "vicious" dog that was chained became normal after he was unchained!)

https://www.facebook.com/PetPalsofMauryCountyTN

Two of Becky's Favorite Photography Subjects

Positive Thought: "A cat's eyes are windows enabling us to see into another world."-Irish Legend
Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, February 7 (sooner or later!), Becky,  www.beckyarnottartist.com

Snow Days

Welcome!

Many of us have been reminded the last few days that it's still January, and it's very much winter which means cold weather, and snow!

"When it snows, you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels."
-Author Unknown

Snow does mean different things to different people, and I believe the best way to look at it is in a positive light, which to me means pictures of snow and quotes about snow!

"The first snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?"
-J. B. Priestly

One of my favorite poems is by one of my favorite authors-

From "Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening"
By Robert Frost

"Whose woods these are I think I know.
 His house is in the village though;
 He will not see me stopping here
 To watch his woods fill up with snow...

 The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
 But I have promises to keep...
 And miles to go before I sleep."

"Snowmen fall from heaven...unassembled."
-Author Unknown

Snow humor: "There's one good thing about the snow, it makes your lawn look as nice as your neighbor's."
-Clyde Moore

We had a little visitor in the snow, peeking through our glass doors, sometime when we weren't looking, and here's the proof!

Here are several great photos of snow scenes sent to Greg and me from Mike and Betty in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina-(Thanks, you all!)

"In the old days...when snow was on the ground...people stayed indoors and made the best of things...Story-telling was always a favorite pastime, particularly "Jack Tales" which were stories about a boy named Jack..."
From "A Southern Appalachian Mountain Calendar 2016"
-Becky Arnott, www.beckyarnottartist.com

Positive thought: "Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine."
-Anthony J. Angelo
Thanks for visiting: Until next Sunday, January 31, 2016, Becky

A Brand New Website!

Welcome!

I'm delighted to announce on this blog post, the existence of my brand new website, "Becky Arnott Artist."

It's been in the works for months, and now it's all set up for you to visit.*

"Becky Arnott Artist" is "A Place of the Arts...Art, Photography, & Writing," with an emphasis on Southern Appalachian Mountain culture.

Links to my two blogs, "The Art of Positive Living" and "Spirit Photographs" are on there, as well as access to my paranormal book, "Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind."

My website also has information about my portraits and photography.

Be sure and check out my Southern Appalachian Mountain items-coal jewelry, note cards, and a 2016 Southern Appalachian Mountain calendar!

Please take a look for yourself, and enjoy your visit!

www.beckyarnottartist.com

*My special thanks to gifted graphic designer, Lynn Ashley, for doing an outstanding job with my website. (Lynn Ashley, "ImaginArt Promotions & Graphics")
Her link is:

https://www.facebook.com/ImaginArtPromotionsTennessee/?ref=hl  

Positive thought: "Live what you love." (Saying on a shirt)
Thanks for visiting! Until next Sunday, January 24, 2016, Becky

The Christmas Spirit Every Day

Welcome!

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."
-Charles Dickens

Remember how you felt last month during the Christmas season, all happy, friendly, and giving, wanting to be nice and to help you fellow man? You might have even felt buoyant, lighthearted. If you did feel this way, it's because you had the Christmas spirit.

Wouldn't you like to feel this way most or even all of the time?

I know how you might get that feeling back, or to get it in the first place if you never got it last year or ever.

It's easy. Just go to The Inn at Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee!

Greg and I were there a few days ago, and I still feel like I'm under its charming spell!

What's not to love about this place?

It's the number one hotel in Pigeon Forge according to "TripAdvisor."

It also got a "Certificate of Excellence" from "TripAdvisor."

It won the "Travelers Choice Awards" in 2011, 2012, and 2014.

It was also the winner, "Top 25 U.S. Hotels."

It's reasonably priced, as well!

Also, the people who work there seem to have the Christmas spirit, as they are personable  and helpful.

Take a look for yourself-

This is how it looked when we arrived at the back entrance. There were Christmas lights everywhere.

A large beautiful Christmas tree greets you in the lobby.

I almost felt like a child again, standing here with Santa and one of his reindeer.

There were manger scenes...

and snow scenes.

There was a small Christmas tree with deer atop the TV in our room with a lovely fireplace DVD that also had beautiful (what else?) Christmas music playing in the background.

The next morning, we enjoyed a large tasty breakfast buffet in the dining room to the sounds of Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers singing Christmas songs.

After breakfast, we made our way to the The Incredible Christmas Place across the street which is a really neat place to shop for all things Christmas.   

F.Y.I.

The Inn at Christmas Place

119 Christmas Tree Lane

Post Office Box 130

Pigeon Forge, TN 37868

www.innatchristmasplace.com

The Incredible Christmas Place

("Celebrating the spirit of Christmas every day of the year.")

www.christmasplace.com

We really enjoyed our trip to Pigeon Forge which, along with Sevierville, and Gatlinburg, celebrates Winterfest all winter long!

Positive thought: "Wouldn't life be worth living

                              Wouldn't dreams be coming true

                               If we kept the Christmas spirit

                              All the whole year through?"

                              -Author Unknown

Thanks for visiting! Until next Sunday, Becky, www.beckyarnottartist.com

A Toast to the New Year!

Welcome!

And, "A prosperous new year to you."
-Irish toast

"...the old has passed away, behold the new has come."
-From Second Corinthians 5:17

I love beginnings, a chance to improve things, for a fresh start. Each new year and even each new day brings new opportunities for a better life, a better future.

Have you made any New Year's resolutions yet?

New Year's Day, I made a general statement, and I'm still working on the details to follow for each day to carry out that resolution, to make improvements in my life.

In addition, this year, I'm trying something different, something that has really impressed me so far, that hopefully helps to improve your life. It's called the "Infinite Possibilities" 30 Day Project which was created by author and speaker Mike Dooley. Anyone can sign up. It takes only ten minutes of your time each day (The exercises are easy and fun!), and it's free!

If you are interested, just go to www.tut.com .

I believe it's good to have guidance when you're trying to change something in your life, and for me, this "30 Day Project" is perfect.*

A quote to remember for the new year-
"Family isn't always blood. It's the people in your life who want you in theirs, the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what."
-www.quoteeveryday.com

Positive thought: "May you have all the happiness and luck that life can hold-And at the end of all your rainbows may you find a pot of gold."-Irish toast
Thanks for visiting! Until next Sunday, Becky

*We're all different and I can't guarantee you would be helped in any way by following what I'm doing. I'm not responsible for anything you decide to do or not to do.