Everyday Living

Delightful Dublin

~ Travel

“Your name, O Lord, endures forever, your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭135:13‬ ‭

Every year as St. Patrick’s Day approaches I tend to search for an article or book to spend a little time reading and refreshing my mind about Ireland and its history. I had always wanted to visit Ireland, even as a boy when I probably couldn’t find it on a map! Maybe it was because my Mom’s maiden name was Kennedy and there seemed to be an Irish connection a few generations ago. It was like a dream come true for Pam and me to be blessed with the opportunity to visit Ireland last year. It is an intriguing place, a place that we would like to visit again and stay a wee bit longer.

Today we will stop off in Dublin, a fascinating city with a lot to see and do. One striking thing to us was the helpful and friendly people we met on the streets of Dublin. It was as if we were old friends and they had known us forever. A couple of young Irish lads we met “cut loose to singing” (as we might say in the south) ”Sweet Home Alabama”. We felt right at home. Welcome to Dublin !!


Trinity College was founded in 1592 and is Ireland’s oldest university.  It is one of the most esteemed universities in the world and one of the city’s most beautiful sights.READ MORE

History, Mystery & A Romantic Resort

~ Travel

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:10‬ ‭

Last Tuesday, Butch and I celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary.  Yes, so hard to believe…we still feel so young!  We planned a weekend get-away and traveled an hour and a half from home to Barnsley Resort, a beautiful destination that is part of the Southern Living Hotel Collection!  As always when planning a trip, I researched.  I discovered that Barnsley Resort offers some of our favorites:  exceptional cuisine,  relaxing spa, natural setting, and so much more.  But what piqued my interest was the history of the man for whom the estate is named. Behind Barnsley Resort’s storybook setting is a true love story!  The original manor, called Woodlands, was an estate built by a man-Godfrey Barnsley-for the love of his life, his wife Julia.  The Italianate villa’s construction was begun in the 1840’s.  Today there are only the ruins that  remain of the storied mansion!  History coupled with world-class amenities made for a perfect weekend!


Our Arbor Cottage for the weekend had every imaginable amenity!READ MORE

5 Places We Want To See

~ Travel

 “As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:19‬
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If you’ve been following our blog for any time at all, you’ve probably seen that our favorite place to be on the planet is our home here in the Appalachian foothills.  But, one thing we love to do is travel.  I guess you can say we are wanderlusts at heart!  But it hasn’t always been that way…

When Butch and I married, I had only been to three states, and he had been to maybe six or seven. The opportunity to see the world was only a dream. In those days, the possibility of traveling beyond the borders of a few southeastern states was believed to only be attainable by the wealthy. This world is a big place, and I am so grateful for the privilege of placing our feet on five continents and forty one countries. Travel has expanded our horizons, helped us understand different cultures, and enabled us to get a glimpse of what others may face in their everyday living.

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