I’m back from a short break in beautiful early spring Virginia where flowers were blooming under difficult circumstances. We woke up to a heavy frost the first couple of days. I can only imagine how much work was involved in keeping Colonial Williamsburg beautiful for its early spring tourists.
Meanwhile, on the writing front, the releases continue in The Visitor Suspense series. Our publisher is getting ready to release book 3, The Visitor Sees a Ghost, by Lil Kohler. Where is the Visitor going this month? Here are the two clues we’ve released so far. Be sure you follow the directions when submitting your guess (see directions next to the red suitcase).
See bottom of post to download or purchase your copies of the first three books! All of the books in the series are available for purchase or preorder at Amazon.
And speaking of traveling, have you ever visited Colonial Williamsburg? I loved our time there. My head is still full of historical facts I gleaned. What fun to walk streets where the first settlers conducted their daily business. Many other sites are close by, along with the Chesapeake Bay, the James River, and the York River (my personal favorite).
We toured a replica of one of the ships and climbed hundreds of steps to the first lighthouse at Cape Henry. Even watched jets soar overhead from Langley AFB near Virginia Beach.
If you’re looking for your next excursion, I highly recommend the area.
Hello, Thursday Morning Readers! I love when friends stop in to visit. Will you join me in a cup of coffee? Hot tea?
It’s not quite summer (technically) but there is nothing so inspiring as a morning at the lake. Writing this, I’m sitting on a balcony overlooking Lake Cumberland in Eastern Kentucky. It’s early morning, so the only sounds I hear are birdcalls and the chatter of squirrels.
The view from our balcony at Lake Cumberland.
The big trees that line the cliff in front of me are alive with wildlife. I see constant movement among their branches. Early morning and evening, a single deer passes by, dropping from sight on a hidden trail down the face of the cliff. A sign warns, “Caution! 200 FT cliff. Supervise children at all times. No pets allowed in this area.” I guess that doesn’t apply to deer and raccoons. I saw both go over the side.
There’s another sign at the entrance to this State Park that says, “Watch for Resident Wildlife.” I have to ask you, are there non-resident wildlife? Should I watch for them, too?
Rainy morning at Lake Cumberland
We’ve enjoyed a couple of beautiful, relaxing days here. Turns out, relaxation is good for you. 🙂 The patter of rain on the metal roof early this morning eased my soul. It also cleared the air. It wasn’t enough to deter serious fishermen, though. They were out there, gliding close to the rocks, casting their lines and hopefully leaving with a great catch.
This lake is full of trout. We visited the fishery yesterday at Wolf Creek Dam. It was interesting to see the fish in various stages of life, preparing for release in the lake.
Sunrise on the water.
Well, the sun’s back out to lend sparkle to the ripples on the water. This deep, green lake beckons to me. I’m going to pack up my laptop and move on to the next destination. I hope your summer includes a respite, vacation, lazy weekend, or maybe even a full summer of fun.
All too soon, we’ll be back on a schedule. Bob & I made a lasting friendship with this lake, though. We will definitely return (God willing). Besides being less than three hours from home, it’s grand and glorious as lakes go. There’s so much to see and do, or not to do, if that’s what you desire.
Lake Cumberland
On the water at Lake Cumberland
Sunset at the lake.
You can fish from the beach, too.
Mimosa tree above Wolf Creek Dam.
Mosses grow in the shade along the trail.
Wolf Creek Dam
I hope you enjoy the pictures. Let them inspire you to take some time to breathe and relax this summer. But watch out for resident wildlife and steep cliffs. 🙂Note:Lure Lodge at Lake Cumberland is clean and well staffed. There’s plenty of room for families to gather, games and a large, indoor pool. The restaurant affords a wonderful view of the lake. Their wait-staff is friendly, brimming with southern hospitality. They offer a buffet or a menu.
The State Dock below the lodge offers boats you can rent for the day or half a day. There’s a store where you can buy supplies, souvenirs, etc., and a restaurant and bar.
Oh, how I wish it was true. Sometimes the only vacation we get is the one we take in our dreams. But I love looking at the photos my friends post on Facebook–of places they’re going, and things they’ve seen.
I’m not envious. Not really. Well, maybe a little bit.
Oh, I’ve been places and seen wonderful things, and posted lots of pictures of my own. I love rounding that bend, focusing on what’s to come. The awe-inspiring vista! The first sighting of what lies ahead. Whether it’s Niagara Falls or the Grand Canyon, the rugged Oregon coast, or those gigantic redwood trees. The amazing, soft, white sand along the Gulf Coast. Millions of stars overhead on a magical, dark night along the Puget Sound.
Grand adventures, all. My dad instilled the love of adventure in me. He was fond of discovering where roads ended up. He made an adventure of an ordinary errand. Taking the road less traveled brought us to a complete halt one summer day in Utah, as cowboys drove a herd of cattle across the road. An ordinary day’s work for those cowboys. A jaw-dropping adventure for a couple of kids to watch from the back seat of a 1969 Pontiac Le Mans.
What does your summer adventure look like this year? Are you planning to chill on a beach? Hike in the Rockies? Sail into the sunset? Or will you hit the road to discover new adventures around the bend?
If your summer vacation allows for time to read, I hope you’ll consider buying a book or two to take along with you.
I’ve returned to cotton country in the sequel to Annabelle’s Ruth–Sutter’s Landing–where Connie and Annabelle Cross are settling into their new life in west Tennessee. You can read more about it here:
No kid in my family, or the generation before mine, took music lessons. But we had the music in us. I know, because if Daddy was with us, there would be music wherever we went.
He didn’t need to haul around a guitar, a banjo, or even a pair of bongo drums. He was the musical instrument. Yes, you read that right.
Mom grew up on the West Coast. Dad was born and raised in West Tennessee, so we traveled back and forth across country many times. He always had the radio on. He’d listen to it all–hillbilly, cowboy country, rock-n-roll, or preachin’. But during those times when radio was not available, he made his own music.
He was not singing. There were no words to his music. Literally.
Daddy played the nose trumpet, the mouth harp, the pec drums, the ab drums–you get the picture? He also played the harmonica, but not as often. And once, when I was ten, I saw him strum an electric guitar.
Oh, this man was talented. He had rhythm. He was right on key, and his nose trumpet was to be envied. His audience adored him. We laughed till we cried and sometimes had to beg for a potty break along the way.
Mom was a little less enthralled by his grand abilities. When she wouldn’t laugh at his concerts, he’d make his pecs dance. Guaranteed giggles, especially from the peanut gallery.
Tommy Thomason, US Navy
Where did he develop these wondrous talents? We’re not really sure, but he definitely honed them in the Navy. I guess they had a lot of down time on board ship and had to learn to entertain themselves. And he was guaranteed a captive audience.
It’s not really something he passed on to the next generation. I don’t think either of my brothers inherited this talent. But in my mind and heart, I can still hear Daddy playing his music. The memory always makes me smile. And I really believe that was the purpose of his one-man concert.
“All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15 NKJV
Betty Thomason Owens 