No grandeur here. Todays issue of my growing up years hometown newspaper has this picture and article on the front page. Country churches were established to provide a place for worship in close proximity to the residents scattered around a certain area. For instance, the Oak Ridge Union Church has served families in the Erhard, McCartney and Oak Ridge areas since 1906 when some men of different denominations determined the need for a central place of worship for everyone; a place where those from various religious persuasions would feel comfortable. As people have moved from the country to towns and cities, and travel is more efficient than the days of horse and buggy, country churches would seem unnecessary. But, they are still strong and operate with a determination to provide what their founders intended - a place of worship for people in the small communities where they live.

I have sailed with Carnival four times. Had a blast. If you really want to party hard, take a Carnival cruise for New Year's. Wow! What a great time! We did it twice. Carnival has had a bad rap about being a 'party' boat. Not true. I have seen many passengers with beer in the hot tub before 9 a.m. on several other cruise ships. Carnival experimented with Paradise when it came into service it was absolutely smoke free. You smoke? Get off and lose your fare. That lasted less than 2 years. They could not fill the ship! Too bad. Other cruise lines have restricted smoking a lot. Only certain places. Still, knowing the rules, many continue to smoke whenever and wherever they want. This is Grand Princess. They used to have 'skywalkers' nightclub way up high, aft. Great view! However, it sacrificed a bit of stability and it was removed in a big time re-fit. We have sailed on this ship a couple of times. Still a good one.

jim_1 Zone 9A, we leave on 4/10. I will be glad to go, so hot here now. We are going to go to the Carolinas and go on part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, so will take a few more days to get home than usual. Might as well make it fun.

Lovely planter of herbs, Jim. What kind are they? I recognize only the basil on the left. A friend had an assortment of herbs planted beside her house, and it was a wonderfully aromatic area!