Positive conversations with old and new friends. I'd love for you to join me on my back porch.

Monday, August 17, 2015

Flag of the Week

I spotted this week's flag walking through the neighborhood with Tim and Heinz.



I don't know these homeowners, but when I walk past their home I feel like they must be friendly.

The last two nights we've been out walking, we've met two new couples. One was driving around lost, and the other couple live down the street from us. I think our country will be stronger if we start by getting to know our neighbors.

God bless America.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Hahn Circle

One of the first people I met when we moved back to Kentucky years ago was Ted Hahn. He and my husband, Tim, became good friends. And Ted became a good friend of Wesley Village.


Recently Wesley Village dedicated Hahn Circle. I'd like to share Tim's tribute to Ted.



A Tribute to Ted Hahn – A Founding Father Of
Wesley Village Senior Living Community
By Tim Layton, VP for Development

Presented at the Dedication of Hahn Circle at the Village’s
20th Anniversary Celebration on June 20, 2015

29 He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
30 Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

The last verse of this scripture from the 40th chapter of Isaiah is on the Hahn Circle Memorial Plaque. It was one of Ted’s favorites and is very fitting with the reference to the Eagle as Ted loved birds and so enjoyed taking pictures of them.

The scripture is also very fitting in another way….I’m sure Ted often wondered if the Village would ever really become a reality as he was appointed to a task force back in 1965 to explore developing a retirement community in Central KY… It took 30 plus years of faithful patient determination on his part, but once the first ground was broken on June 22, 1994. Ted was fully committed to keeping the Village growing and moving forward in every way possible. It was not an easy task…thus Ted had to put his trust in the Lord…which gave him new strength for the challenges before him. He soared high on Eagle wings…he kept running without growing weary…he walked and did not faint!

In 2006, the Village honored Ted as a Hero, Saint and Legend at its annual awards banquet for the tremendous difference he made in the lives of so many people, but especially for all he did for Wesley Village. Friends, “Without Ted Hahn, there would be no Wesley Village. Without his big heart…. vision… tenacity… financial support… and willingness to consistently go above and beyond the call of duty… Wesley Village would still be just a dream. What an incredible legacy of growth, service and ministry he has left for us all. And we especially thank his family …many who are here this morning….. for sharing Ted with us during those years. To God be the Glory for the great things he did through his faithful servant, Ted Hahn!




If you're in Wilmore, I invite you to stop by Wesley Village and take a few minutes to enjoy Hahn Circle.

Monday, August 10, 2015

Flag of the Week


President Calvin Coolidge said,

"We identify the flag with almost everything we hold dear on earth, peace, security, liberty, our family, our friends, our home. … But when we look at our flag and behold it emblazoned with all our rights we must remember that it is equally a symbol of our duties. Every glory that we associate with it is the result of duty done.”

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Visiting with Rose Allen McCauley

Guest blog by Rose Allen McCauley for Jackie Layton

Thanks, Jackie, for inviting me to your back porch. And since I have been there in person, I know how lovely and inviting it is, along with the rest of your house and yard!

My husband and I recently moved from our farm in Harrison County, KY to the small town of Paris, KY not very far from Lexington, so today I would like to welcome you to my new home. We don’t have a back porch yet, but hope to have a deck by next year, so perhaps Jackie will let me stop by again then.



Since Jackie posted flags yesterday I decided I would start my tour of my new yard and side porch with our flag in the side yard. My husband is an Air Force veteran, and we have flown a flag at our old home for decades, but bought a new one to put up here. We always want to remember our servicemen and women who sacrifice so much for us all.








We brought this old tobacco setter wheel and galvanized bucket from the farm to decorate around our tree in our new front yard.















Jackie and I share a love of writing—in fact, we are in a brainstorming group that meets every couple months or whenever we need to brainstorm! Jackie and I also share a love of the beach, so since I don’t want to move to the beach because I would be too far from our kids and grandkids, I decorated a couple rooms in my house and our front porch with beach colors and shells which you can see from this photo.



















Jackie and I also share a love of travel, and I have started a Tuesday Travelogue on my blog at www.rosemccauley.com where I hope you will stop by and see some of the scenes I took on our trip to Puerto Rico when I went to check out some of the research I did for my latest book Surrender to Peace.

I’ll share the cover and blurb here.

Blurb: Despair to delight. A broken engagement finds Joy Worth in Puerto Rico with questions for the Lord. Can Benigno earn her love while helping her trust in God once more and learn to hear His voice again?

Surrender to Peace is out in e-book form at www.amazon.com and also www.ibooks.com as well as www.barnesandnoble.com and www.deepershopping.com and www.smashwords.com As soon as the cover art is ready, it will be released in print by Ingram in most bookstores.

Thanks for letting me stop by Jackie, and I want to invite your readers to visit my page if they are interested in scenery from Puerto Rico which is a very beautiful country. I’m also running a contest for all those who sign up for my blog or newsletter or author facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/RoseAllenMcCauley?fref=ts during the month of August. Be sure to leave a comment to let me know which ones you signed up for. Each place counts as one entry, so you could earn three entries in the contest toward a copy of Surrender to Peace –ebook or print version. The winner will get to choose which one and I will announce the winner on September 1st on my blog and on FB.

Monday, August 3, 2015

Flag of the Week

Carol and Chris Lutz shared these flags with me from Louisville, Kentucky.



Do you notice flags as you drive around town? My parents put their flag out every day that it's not raining. They taught me to respect the American flag and appreciate the sacrifices made for my freedom!

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Ginko Tree


Growing up I remember hearing my mom talk about a Ginko tree with my grandmother and Aunt Judy. I thought it had an interesting name and pretty leaves, but I didn't pay much attention to the conversation.

It turns out it a Ginko tree can live up to 1,000 years or more. Scientists think it's been around since the dinosaurs.

Have you seen Ginko Bilboa in the vitamin aisle? It is extracted from the leaves and is a supplement believed to improve memory and blood flow. (It can interfere with some prescription drugs, so don't take it without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. )



The leaves have a unique shape, and the Ginko is a single species with no known living relatives. In the fall they turn a pretty shade of yellow.


The seed of the female tree stinks, but the male tree does not smell bad. So if you decide to buy one of these tree from a nursery, make sure it's a male. My research revealed you can find Ginko trees in New York City, and the city made sure to buy male trees.

I'd love to hear if you've seen a Ginko tree before.


Sunday, July 26, 2015

Flag of the Week

I spotted this flag in North Carolina. The setting makes me want to sit down on the front porch with a big glass of sweet ice tea.




I'd like to share a quote from President Woodrow Wilson...

"This flag, which we honor and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation. It has no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation. The choices are ours. It floats in majestic silence above the hosts that execute those choices, whether in peace or in war. And yet, though silent, it speaks to us — speaks to us of the past, or the men and women who went before us, and of the records they wrote upon it."

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