Never Give Up

Years ago when I was in college, I changed my major a couple of times. In high school I thought I wanted to be a pharmacist, but a lady pharmacist told me all the reasons I shouldn't go into pharmacy, and I believed her. At last I found my way back to taking classes to prepare to enter pharmacy school.

My dad, Dick Lutz, is a pharmacist, and I grew up visiting him at his stores and then the hospital where he worked. He graduated from the University of Kentucky, and I applied to UK. After applying, the dean contacted my poor dad and told him as a single mother, I'd never make it through pharmacy school and I needed to find another career.

After Dad broke the news to me, he said UK wasn't the only pharmacy school around. We made a list of colleges in the south and set up interviews. We hit schools in Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina. About the same time my brother, Chris, told us he was applying to pharmacy school. The three of us hopped in the car and started our tour.

We met many wonderful people on our trip, and I ended up applying to the University of Georgia's College of Pharmacy. I was accepted and loved my time in Athens so much I stayed after graduation.

I appreciate so much that my dad didn't let me give up my dream. He not only encouraged me with words but with his actions too.

God blessed me with two great parents who have always supported me, and I am thankful!

Flag of the week from La Grange, KY

Chris and Carol Lutz shared this flag with me from La Grange, KY.

When the train runs, it runs right through the middle of town. I'm not talking the edge of town and traffic clogs up Main Street but right down the center of town. How cool is that?

The Love Challenge

Once in a while I look through my prayer journal and thank God for the ways He has blessed me. Sometimes I write prayers, and sometimes I'll write a verse of scripture to reflect on.

I came across The Love Challenge the other day as I journeyed through my journal. I want to share this with you, and it's not original with me. I'm not sure where I came across the challenge, but I still want to share it.

The Love Challenge is based on 1 Corinthians 13.

Here's the NIV of 1 Corinthians 13:


1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Here's the challenge. Put your name in the place of love.


______ is patient,
______ is kind.
______ does not envy,
______ it does not boast,
______ is not proud.
______ does not dishonor others,
______ is not self-seeking,
______ is not easily angered,
______ keeps no record of wrongs.
______ does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
______ always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.


And now you see the challenge.

I hope you all have a blessed day!

Lighthouse of the Week

I love lighthouses and began collecting lighthouse charms, ornaments, and trinkets years ago. I discovered when you collect something, others notice and add to your collection.

Recently my brother and sister-in-law went to Maine. They took a picture of the Portland Head Lighthouse and sent it to me.

Isn't it beautiful?

And you know what made it even better? A close up picture of the American flag flying.

Thanks to Chris and Carol for sharing these beautiful pictures!

Buy Local. Eat Local.

I've worked for an independent business owner for over sixteen years. I've always been in favor of buying local and supporting our friends and families.

Buying local produce and food supplies helps our local farmers, and the food is fresher when it doesn't have to travel across the country. One place to buy local is Marksbury Farm Market in Lancaster, Kentucky.

They have a little store where you can buy groceries, and they serve food if you want to eat there. We recently stopped by Marksbury Farm Market and picked up lunch for my mother-in-law and a friend. Her friend ordered a burger and couldn't get over how delicious it was. This friend, Liz, has spent time farming and couldn't quit bragging on her food.


I discovered the word charcuterie. I'd never seen it before and discovered it means pork products like bacon, ham, sausage and more.

The day we stopped by was Farm and Family Day. They had pony rides, balloons, a big slide, and other fun activities for families with young children.







We'll definitely go back to Marksbury Farm Market, and I'd like to encourage you to find a place like this where you live.

Flag of the Week

This week's featured flag flies proudly atop the Brooklyn Bridge.

On our trip to New York City, we decided to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. The walk across the bridge is not so long itself, but walking to and from the bridge is a pretty good hike. The day we walked across the bridge, we walked a total of ten miles.

The bridge is fascinating. There are walking lanes and bike lanes, and you look down and see cars 'driving.' Mostly they were stuck in traffic. We walked faster than most of the vehicles moved.

The structure of the bridge is pretty, and it's an interesting walk.

Barns Have Personalities

To get anywhere from Wilmore, Kentucky you have to travel the back roads. Over time I've decided many barns have their own personality.

Some barns are modern and fancy. Other barns lean so far left you wonder how they still stand.

Some barns store hay, and other barns house cattle.

Some barns have a shiny fresh coat of paint, and others look faded and worn.

But no matter what the barn looks like now, I know in the beginning a lot of hard work went into constructing it.






For now this is my favorite barn. Thanks to Kellianne Crouse and Scott Layton who took a picture of this Kentucky barn for me.

Flag of the Week

When I visit the coast of North Carolina, I enjoy seeing all the homes flying flags. I had come to think maybe coastal families were more patriotic. Visiting New York City showed me how much this city loves our country. I couldn't help but feel patriotic as I walked down streets and saw our flag proudly displayed time after time.




I want to share how nice New Yorkers were to us during our trip. Not once were we treated rudely during our week in the city. Sometimes I initiated the conversation with an employee or a stranger on the subway, and each time the person turned out to be kind. I understand why so many people proclaim, "I love New York!"

A Quilt Is Not Just a Quilt

When Grandmother Hubbard gave me the first quilt she ever made, I learned every handmade quilt has a story.

This weekend my mother-in-law, Frances Layton, gave us the quilt she made when she was pregnant with my husband.

She told us the pattern is Rose of Sharon. The most sewing I do is to replace a loose button back on a garment, and I'm in awe of women who sew and quilt. The attention to detail on every petal and stitch is amazing.



I won't tell you how old this quilt is, but it has stood the test of time. It is beautiful and a true work of art. Every time I look at it, I will think of the love Mrs. Layton put into a quilt for her child who had not even been born yet.