Fall is approaching!

That was a super fast summer!!! Lots of rain this year but still plenty of nice days to enjoy. We had a blast traveling this spring/summer.

We trekked down to south Florida all the way through the Keys to Key West for Spring Break. Got to do some snorkeling, people watching, tanning, sleeping on the beaches. We also met the Sandels from MN at our resort. They were great and had three lovely young ladies and our two girls just loved their week with them. Lighthouses, Hemingway's home, six-toed cats, and frozen concoctions. There is so much to see and do and I think we got to see and do most of it, but I go back in my mind to the beach at Bahia Honda State Park (above left). What a wonderful place God has made. You could walk out into the water at least a 1/4 mile or so and the water never got over your waist. That is Emily in the photo above and I took that in the water several feet from the beach. Gorgeous!!

A really cool trip was to Hershey, PA. Can anyone say "Death by Chocolate"?!?!?!? This place is beautiful and full of interesting history on how it came to be, not to mention that they make a mean peanut butter cup there, Reese's is the#1 selling candy in North America. Hershey Park/Zoo are awesome and extremely kid friendly. Caroline and Maude got to ride so many things there. Caroline has declared Hershey as her favorite vacation destination to date. She also began writing in her vacation journal on this trip. Maude Ellen became an official "water dog" on this trip at the pool/hot tub. The girls got to make some cool crafts at the activities center at our resort. The girls and I made an appointment for Emily to get some pampering at the Chocolate Spa at Hotel Hershey. She smelled like chocolate for a couple days after her appointment!!! The day trips to Gettysburg and Philly were spectacular. So much history at both locations. The photo above right is of the girls with the Liberty Bell and you can see the Old State Building in the background (our Constitution was signed there). It is amazing to think about how much history just those two locations have and how that both locations had so much impact on America. The landscape is very much like KY, just absolutely breathtaking. The Amish country side with it's well manicured crops and cathedral like barns were beautiful.

So, vacations over, the girls and Emily are back to school, and summer is ending..... How many more days until Fall break?!?!?!

Music and Family

I have been very blessed to grow up around music. Living with my grandparents, Jean and J.M. Finch, the sounds of the Opry, Hee-Haw, and bluegrass music seemed to always be in the air. My Aunt Vickie played guitar/bass and sang a lot and helped teach me guitar. My mom, Barbara Hays, plays piano and I can remember vividly the old green upright piano that sat in my grandparent's living room in Browning, KY. I also remember quite well standing next to my mom as she played it, sneaking unwanted notes in the hymn she was playing. Now, I am still continually blessed as my stepdad, Jeff Hays, plays some mighty fine 3 finger style banjo and an assortment of instruments. He is very giving of this time and talents. His brother, Gary Hays, is an extremely talented individual and plays a mean "Hawaiin guitar"! Ha! Gary and Jeff Hays have been a bluegrass institution in this area performing as the The Hays Brothers for over 25 years. My stepbrother, Jesse "Mr. Active" Hays, plays bass and can play many genres. He also plays for the praise band at church. My stepsister, Molly Hays, has a great voice and plays many shows with Jeff and Jesse as "Southern Grace".

Now, I married a beautiful woman, Emily, and she is very talented. Plays piano, fiddle, mountain dulcimer, will start mandolin soon and can sing. I am so thankful that she has been supportive of my continuous banjo music in the house. I've enjoyed watching our girls Caroline and Maude Ellen get their talent from their mother and their enjoyment of singing. Caroline is now taking piano and likes to play the mountain dulcimer.

Our recent endeavor this past Saturday at the BOTBM was just a "good time". The name of our band "The GoodTime Chariles" was very fitting. The GoodTime Charlies are:

Jeff Hays - Banjo, Guitar, Vocals

Gary Hays - Vocals, Guitar, Fiddle, Lap Steel
Jesse "Mr. Active" Hays- Bass

Emily Forrester - Vocals

Cody Beck - Fiddle

Jim Forrester - Clawhamer Banjo, Guitar

Caroline Forrester - Vocals

Maude Ellen Forrester - Vocals

So, for a guy that likes music.... God has truly blessed me with a great family.

Local Folks + Local Music = Lots of FUN!

I find so much joy in playing music. This past Saturday, I had the great opportunity to play with the "GoodTime Charlies" at the Bounty of the Barrens Market and what a time we had! Our first stage show together (it was obvious!). But what made it so much fun was coming to the BOTBM and playing for our friends and community neighbors. There were folks that came up during and after the performance commenting that they had no idea we played music, or how much they enjoyed the show. I thought to myself, "this is great," and I am sure that now that they know a little more about me and my family, I may learn something about them or their family and find that we have something in common. Something that our society is losing out on.... Neighbors, friends, and community coming together to shop and to actually get to learn something about the folks in their community. In the age of the cell phone, microwave, everyone put up a fence in your back yard, it was just an awesome feeling at BOTBM to see folks walking around from vendor to vendor, talking and learning about the item they just purchased or to see them setting in the shade listening to some local musicians and sharing a memory or two from days gone by.
I am appreciative to have the BOTBM. I hope more folks will come out to support our local vendors and musicians. Most of all I wish more folks will just come out and enjoy each other at this fantastic setting.
So what do you say folks?!?!? Let's make a choice today to talk with your neighbors and go shop for local goods made/grown in your community. The benefits far outweigh any negatives that you can come up with.