Stone overlook built to last

Stone overlook - General Butler State Park

The Kentucky CCC workmen built this overlook that is now on the site of General Butler State park. This was a team activity.  We can go it alone.  We are better when we work together.  We are better when we think of how our actions can impact our family or friends.

William Orlando Butler served in the war with Britain we know as the War of 1812.  The Butler house is on the grounds of the General Butler State Park in Kentucky.

Hearts weighed and tested

Cliff - Near DuPont Lodge - Cumberland Falls, KY

Here is a poem by Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin
 

I Loved You Once - Poem

I loved you once, nor can this heart be quiet;

For it would seem that love still lingers there;

But do not you be further troubled by it;

I would in no wise hurt you, oh, my dear.

I loved you without hope, a mute offender;

What jealous pangs, what shy despairs I knew!

A love as deep as this, as true, as tender,

God grant another may yet offer you.


This is but one of many translations from his Russian.  What a very human expression!
This is the work one does in time and at Christmas time.
Not every Christmas is beautiful or fulfilling or warm.
But we work it out.   


Perhaps I am stronger than I think.
Thomas Merton

Christmas greetings

Loretto, KY

Around the walks one sees bows and garlands.   It is Christmas. The paths show the anticipation of the people.  The days are shorter; dark mornings are followed by short days followed by dark nights.  Some say that this season is a time for thinking of other people and acting with kindness.  Is it true?

Having hope and speaking of hope day by day

Outdoor scene - Rough River Dam, Corps of Engineers Property - KY

Laura Hillenbrand spoke to Louis Zamperini on her telephone on an almost daily basis for some time.  There are so many stories that come from our World War II veterans that show us something worth taking to heart. She grew to love her talks with him.  She has a good way of painting word pictures.  Of Louis she wrote, "His laughter was irrepressible because he looked about him and saw only blessings. The most beautiful thing about this wondrous man was that he wished for all of us to see in our own lives what he saw in his. His story was his gift to us."

I have written here about hope.  I will write here about hope.  In the outlook of Louis Zamperini I will write more.

A single voice

Water sends its voice - Falls of Rough, KY

The soul is contained in the human voice.  David Isay reminds listeners to Story Corps of the power and mystery  of one person's voice.  As long as we have a person still with us we can still hear that voice.  We appreciate that opportunity while we have it.

Most Famous Movie Set in Kentucky

Critenden Drive - Flag - Louisville, Kentucky

Both "Goldfinger" and "Coal Miner's Daughter" are stated to be the most famous movie set in Kentucky.  Much of "Coal Miner's Daughter" takes place in  Washington State and other states. "Coal Miner's Daughter" tells the story of country singer Loretta Lynn and her rural roots in Appalachia in Kentucky.  Sissy Spacek met with Loretta Lynn and  learned about Lynn's history.  Spacek won an Academy Award for her portrayal of the singer.

One Olmsted Park - Fall 2016 - Louisville, Kentucky

Renovated North Overlook - Olmsted Park - Iroquois Park

Whitetail Deer - Renovated North Overlook - Olmsted Park - Iroquois Park

The community settled on a plan to repair the damaged and vandalized overlook in Iroquois Park at the top of Iroquois hill.  The work was organized by the Olmsted Parks Conservancy and has taken part of 2015 and most of 2016 to complete.   I was surprised at the number of trees that were removed from the hillside.  By removing the trees the work crews opened the overlook so that the people could see to the Ohio River on the west side of Louisville and see New Albany, Indiana.  It has been fifty to seventy years since the view has been so unobstructed at the overlook.  I wonder if Frederick Law Olmsted would be pleased with the new look of the overlook at Iroquois Park.