The Blessing of the Hounds

The Woodford Hounds Club annual "Blessing of the Hounds" hosted at Shaker Village. The first Saturday after Thanksgiving the Riders and their horses are all glamored up for the occasion. Once the Blessing is given the Riders & foxhounds begin the hunt through the cascading hill side. A huge crowd of photographers and spectators attend this exciting event each year. 

One Horse and Rider bowed their heads in reverence during "The Blessing."

Autumn in Cades Cove Gatlinburg Tennessee

Morning sunrise finds a wild turkey sitting quietly on the split rail fencing at the Oliver's place.

The Cove is full of beautiful foliage this time of year. This lone buck was found grazing in the meadow just in front of the Oliver place. We saw many other deer on this foggy morning just on the other side of the woods.

The Methodist Church built in 1902 by a local black smith name J.D McCampbell, who later served as the minister. He built this Church in 115 days for the cost of $115.00 dollars.

A view to take your breath away. Rich Mountain Road is a beautiful drive but it does lead out of the Cove back to Townsend.

A water-powered grist mill and sawmill. Built in the 1860's by John P Cable known as Cable Mill.

By-Pass overlooking the town of Gatlinburg Tennessee.

An upward view of tree foliage on the trail to Laurel Falls.

Photos taken with a Nikon D800, lens 35-70, 2.8

One Room School House

The log cabin school now resides in Renfro Village.

A pot belly stove in the middle of the room was the only source of heat in the one room school house.  Chalk boards and readers lay frozen in time on the desks. I tried to imagine those precious little faces of long ago sitting quietly at those desks. What must it have been like on those cold winter days?

I wondered what kind of pranks the children might have played on each other. Can you imagine a little boy placing a frog on the desk of a little girl he was sweet on just to hear her squeal. And the children filling the room with laughter as they try to catch the frightened frog as he leaped from desk to desk.




Seeing the children's lunch pails hanging along the wall on wooden pegs made me wonder what kind of food did they carry in those little pails? Did every child have enough food to eat? I felt a wave of emotion come over me as I thought of the difficulties those children must have endure obtaining an education. Then I thought about all the wonderful accomplishments those young pioneers achieved and my heart surged with pride. They made our world a better place.


All photos taken with a Nikon D800, lens 35-70,2.8

Centennial Park Parthenon Nashville Tennessee

 

Statue of Athena the Goddess of Greek Mythology. 

Athena is the patron goddess of the city-state of Athens, the goddess of wisdom, a goddess of arts and crafts. The favorite daughter of her father Zeus, and, as a war goddess with a focus on strategy more than bloodshed, an active participant in the Trojan War. She gave her namesake city the gift of the olive tree, providing oil, food, and wood.

As we walked around the Parthenon I thought about mythology and the many gods in which one could believe. In our culture today there are many choices in religions and beliefs to govern ones life. But there is only One in which I choose to place my trust; His name is Jesus Christ. He is the eternal living God whose words breathe life. Whose message is one of hope for all of creation and gives the gift of eternal life.   For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

We enjoyed our visit to Parthenon as we walked through the exhibit admiring the artistry of the building. We were fortunate to find someone willing to take a photo of us in front of the statue.

We had a wonderful time walking around the park soaking in the tranquility of the day.

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

Shakers were properly known as the United Society of Believers. From the 1780's, the Shakers established 19 communities from Maine to Kentucky. Today only one active community remains at Sabbath Lake, Maine.

"Put your hands to work 
and give your heart to God. "

- Mother Ann Lee, founder of Shakers.

The Hand woven blankets.

The Meeting Room where they gathered for worship. They did not call this building the church for they believed the body of believers are called the church.

These stairs lead to the roof and is known as "the staircase to heaven". When I found this staircase I couldn't help wondering if the Shakers purposely planned this entrance for the Holy Spirit.

The scripture says that Jesus stands knocking at the door of our hearts awaiting an invitation to enter.

Every moment is a time of invitation to accept the free gift of grace. The message of the gospel is simply this...God loves and accepts you. He sent His only begotten son Jesus Christ to personally share this message with you. YOU are loved! And God has a plan & purpose for your life.

If you are feeling a tug on your heart; that is the Holy Spirit with your invitation to eternal life. This is your moment; just say yes to the Lord Jesus Christ and welcome him into your heart.

A bountiful harvest the blessings and provision of Almighty God.

Candle light holders hung on wall pegs is use for lighting the down stairs basement where the summer kitchen is located. They use the kitchen for canning the harvest produce. Visiting Shaker Village is always inspiring. A community once full of life and activity. We enjoyed walking through the grounds in the cool October air appreciating the tranquility. I hope to capture some of the beauty of Shaker Village but it isn't quite the same as experiencing the village for oneself.
Photos taken with a Nikon D800 camera; 35-70 lens.

A few of the dwelling houses

 The Red barn door

 The Gift Shop windows aligned with hand blown glass vases make for a colorful display. The straw hats the Shaker men worn everyday at the village are sold at the gift shop. The colorful wooden hat boxes are still hand made at the village today.

Duffy the Scotland cow and beautiful white horses on the property.






























 Images taken with a Nikon D800, nikor lens 35-70;2.8 and Nikon lens 85;1.4



 

LeRoy & Meow

My Special blessing.                photo taken with a Nikon D800, lens 35-70, 2.8

Moments like these are so precious...I couldn't let it just fade away. One of my greatest joy's in the morning is watching these two cats delightful behavior in play. Just watching Mr. LeRoy display his affection for his gal Meow Kitty is priceless.

One evening as I was sitting in bed along side my little gal Meow kitty our male cat LeRoy came into the room and jumped upon the bed. In his mouth he had a little blue stuff toy. He laid it down in front of Meow giving it a little nudge towards her. She immediately embraced her toy as he watched on with a smile in his big green eyes. I thought to myself... "how sweet is that".

I then pointed it out to my husband who had been watching them too. I said, " honey wasn't that the sweetest thing; I wondered how he knew that was her favorite toy". My husband laughed at me and said, "LeRoy doesn't know the difference he just brought her a toy". Maybe I thought to myself and then I decided to watch those two more closely to see if it was just a random toy? or was it really a gift of his love?

For the next few days I observed their behavior together to witness which toys Meow kitty played with the most. Meow has several striped mice but all are different colors. But the blue stuff toy and the green striped mouse are the two toys she favors over all the others. With that knowledge I decided to put my theory to the test. I put all her toys in her bed. I wanted to see which toy Leroy would pick for her.

To my surprise Mr. LeRoy had deliberately selected his gifts for Meow Kitty. In his mouth he had two toys; the blue stuff toy and the green stripe mouse. He jumped up on the bed bringing gifts of his  love to his little darling. Now I know for certain he was displaying his true affection for her and his actions were deliberate.

So you may ask what is the point of this little story? Hmm the question may be do I see the fingerprints of God in my life? Do I ask the right questions? And am I attentive to His answers.

How is it that animals know how to love one another? How is love even in their nature? Who taught them how to love?  And how is it that we humans miss this simple message from heaven?

Our creator Father God sent His one and only begotten Son (Jesus) to be a living example and expression of His love to us.

It has always been God's plan from the beginning of time to lavish His love on all of His creation. Love is no random act but a deliberate choice to express itself through kindness and affection. Everyday God the father deliberately sends a message of love to us through many different and special ways.

I'm learning to be watchful for God's subtle expressions of love in my life. Today His message to me was witnessing the love and affection between two cats.  I'm so very thankful that I didn't miss my daily eternal message from my heavenly Father.