Why, yes, I do have a blog.

The blog has been speaking to me lately. Wondering where I've been I guess. I get up every morning with lots to say, I just fail to sit my butt in this chair and type it up. I guess I don't figure many people read it anyways, so no one is missing me either. But, I'm going to correct this little dilemma by being more diligent in staying in touch!

Sure, I do Facebook. Lots of people do. I've found out recently that lots of people don't use it too! In fact, I've learned lots of my readers don't even have an email. Hard to believe in today's society, but it is the truth. No everyone is hooked up to a computer like it's an IV in their arm. I find it harder and harder to be on Facebook anymore anyway! It's all advertising and political views. I joined FB to stay in touch with my family and friends, not to read ads and trash talk regarding our beloved United States.

I've been trying out Twitter a bit lately. I can't say I understand it. How on earth does anyone keep up without sitting right there with the window in front of you? There are millions of 'tweets' going on and I'm pretty sure mine get missed in all the hub-bub. Oh, well. Not much of a success there either!

Another social site I'm having problems with is Pinterest. I just don't have the time! I've went there several times and tried 'cruising' around looking at ideas. Next thing I knew hours had passed and I hadn't gotten a single thing accomplished. I've kind of stayed away since. If I've got to be on this computer, I may as well do my work and be done with it.

It's deadline week here at the magazine. Always a bit rushed and hurried the week the magazine goes to the printers. Last minute ads are always a kink - yet I'll take them! I'll put your ad in the book right up to about 12 hours before I send it north for printing. That's the way it is with a small business with few employees. Between the two of us, we can't possibly hit everyone every month for an ad. Thank goodness the internet does work in that way. I'd be lost without my email.

Speaking of that, I've got about a dozen emails I need to answer so I'd best get to it! Have a great day everyone. Be safe in the stormy weather heading our way. Rain is just on the other side of Lexington as I type away..... I'm sure it'll be in beautiful Palmer, Kentucky before too long!

Shop Local whenever you can!

Good morning everyone. Today is known to millions as Cyber Monday. Where 'all the deals' are to be had by shopping online. And, yes, you can find some good deals. But, let's face it. Most people are shopping for themselves. Not others. Not everyone, mind you. But a major portion are just finding good deals for themselves.

The problem with online shopping? Your community benefits in no way by online shopping. We just celebrated Small Business Saturday this past weekend and I'm sure every small business owner - and most of the time operator - appreciated every cent of business they made. Not to mention, they like seeing community members out and about in town. I'm not sure how well businesses did on Saturday due to a family emergency, but I'm praying everyone saw an increase in business.

It seems to me that the holidays are getting away from the real spirit of the season. Growing up, I always made everyone's gifts. I still like to do that. The perfect gift to me is an ornament! We put up our tree yesterday and I sure enjoy hanging all the ornaments. Our tree is covered with ornaments from every year we've been together - and even before. I have a seashell that has hung on my tree for close to 30 years, given to me by my dad and former step-mom Jan. How simple it is, but I hang it every year. Of course, I hang it right next to the personalized ornament from dad and former step-mom Michele! There are ornaments from my loved ones who are in heaven too. It is very meaningful to me every year to pull out the ornaments.

Nowadays, everyone wants electronic gadgets, televisions, four wheelers. Not small, personalized gifts. Heck, do some even remember what they received last year?

The best way to find meaningful, homemade gifts is to shop your local stores. You'd be amazed at what you can find. And you are shopping local, helping out your friends and neighbors. The things you will find in a small, locally-owned store aren't available in WalMart. I mean, come on? How many things are made in Kentucky at WalMart?

You can actually have a pretty good day by shopping local - and with the cost of gas never the same from day to day - you'll save money by sticking close too. Just think if you did a 'shop local' day in Estill County? You could stop by Rose's on your way into town and pick up a couple of gift certificates for gas. The perfect gift for your mailperson, hair dresser or a teacher! Then you could stop by the Animal Clinic for a bag of food for your furry pet at home. Dr. Grimes would surely appreciate the business!

Your next stop could be Fancy Pickens for a primitive gift for your best friend. Don't forget to grab a gift certificate or two next door at Little Caesar's for your high school or college age gifts. They love pizza and would fit great in a stocking.

For the man in your life, be it a husband, your dad or a friend .... stop by Honchell's. They have a great selection of Carhartt clothing - or plenty of UK Blue for that UK fan on your list. Make your next stop at Plaza Pharmacy. Have you seen their selection of John Deere Tractor items? Oh, my. You're likely to find something in their for a little (or big) boy on your list. And if not, you can at least enjoy some Katie's Korner Ice Cream. It's wonderful!

Are you getting my drift here? Continuing on, don't forget the many shop in the mall leading into town. There are beauty shops offering gift certificates for the holidays - or make your appointment before it's too late to get in! There's also Baker's Pool Supply - a great time to stock up on next year's chemicals. Or heck, buy a pool for the family for next summer!

You can't possibly drive by Silo Mill Gift Shop and not stop in and say hello to Barb and the rest of the girls there! If you can't find a gift in there then you are buying for a really tough person to buy for. They have such a great selection, everything from Boyd's Bears, Candleberry Candles and pottery items from Clay City Pottery. If you don't see what you'd like, ask Barb. She has some great ideas for the perfect gift.

You can stop at Every Body's Gym next and get your membership for next year. I'm sure they are offering deals on those at this time. And you know, right next door at Hardy's you can find all kinds of propane and gas ranges. Think about it. Buy one of those from Lowe's and you don't even know who the person is that is delivering it. Buy it from Hardy's and you'll know - it'll be someone from your own community. Pepper will make sure it works right - and even if it goes out on the weekend - you know who to call! Certainly not Lowe's.

I'm sure you are getting kind of hungry right now .... so stop by the Twin for a hot dog and coke before venturing on. They have pretty good milk shakes too! It will give you the added energy to get up River Drive. You can stop by Meade's Do It Center next. They have a great selection of gifts for everyone on your list. And check out their banners and flags. Buy one and get a deal on the second one!

Once you get to Ravenna, don't miss Sharon's. She has a great selection of Peace Frog and Fox Racing items, plus make up and more! Next door is Bryant's Paint Store - Tobo offers a great selection of Case Knives for the knife lover on your list.

On up the road is Ravenna Florist and Greenhouse. What can one say about Ravenna Florist and Greenhouse? Well, if Francie and her crew doesn't have what you are looking for - they'll create it. Lots of Christmas decor and lots of gift items. They have Willow Tree, lots of candles, pottery from Tater Knob and many other items. You can't walk out of their without a gift for someone special on your list.

Whew! What a day of shopping. Local shopping. How many gifts could you cover with one day of shopping local? And think of all of your friends and neighbors you are helping out along the way!!

It will be over tomorrow, or will it?

Good Monday morning to each of you. We are less than 48 hours away from knowing who our next president is. Which means the television coverage today will be ridiculous. Ads calling each other liars, not a one of them telling us what they are going to do.

I  took a trip to Olive Hill and Grayson on Saturday, and was so thankful I had several CD's in the car to listen to. Every other ad on the radio is political. I got to thinking about how well off most media outlets are about this time of year. With the amount of advertising that candidates are doing, they must be making a mint.

And All Things Country Magazine never had a political ad one. I guess they forget about us. I should be upset, the magazine could really use some of that money to get us back on solid ground. But then again, our magazine promotes good news and I haven't seen a good ad yet. So really I'm a bit pleased that we are involved in that mess.

I can't image the amount of money that has traded hands over the past year. The amount of political advertising on the television shows me that alot of money has been spent. Just think if they would have taken that same amount of money and helped out small businesses. Helped out a food bank somewhere. Donated to a children's hospital. They might have my vote then. But when the ad says it's paid for by  some PAC, well then that shows me one thing. They aren't out for us, they are out for the agenda of the PAC.

One of the first lessons I learned in journalism was to never promote politics on either side. I've adhered to that. The only thing I would suggest is that you get out and vote. You can't complain if you don't vote.

Tomorrow will be a big day in our country, one that will change alot of things -no matter which way it goes. So, while you are in that voting booth - say a prayer for our country. We can use all of them that we can get!

And after you have finished with your voting, stop by a locally-owned, small business in your community and make their day!

Our "family" of advertisers

Last week was delivery week for the October magazine. Between Dave and I we delivered over 9,000 books in one day. We do alot of traveling throughout the month, but it's pretty hurried during the delivery process. It's not too hurried though to enjoy chatting with our family of advertisers along the way. I'm constantly saying 'it takes a village' to get things done - and it definitely takes a village to publish All Things Country Magazine each month. We literally couldn't do it without our advertisers and the many friends and relatives that also take the magazine around with them to other locations.

We really do count our many advertisers and friends along the way as family. We care about your business, whether you've had a good or bad month. It seems way too many people are having bad months now. We lost three 'family' members this past month with the closing of Pizza Palace, Conrad Motors and South Irvine Market. Sure, it hurts losing them as advertisers, but we also feel for them as people who can no longer survive the struggles of running a locally-owned small business.

There are many times that the Dave person and I consider whether to continue on - in both of our businesses. There are so many avenues for advertising out there, and it seems like many of them use ATC to sell their ads. I know this because business owners have told me. "Such and such came in last week with a copy of your magazine, wanting me to buy an ad with them." We hear it every month. But, there is a difference when you take out an ad with us. We continue to push your business in all aspects of our lives.

When we have get-togethers at the farm, your brochures and business cars are displayed. During our travels we recommend our advertisers to other business owners. Because we care. If your business doesn't do well, our business doesn't do well. Dave and I are true believers in shopping locally. With small, locally owned businesses. Where you know the owner. Kind of like us when we deliver. The owner of the business is most often delivering you your copies of the magazine. And I appreciate each and every hug I get each month too!

I also try to share your updates on our Facebook page - and will even include your events in my weekly emails. It's a full circle type of thing. I'm helping you out as you are helping me out.

Our November book is going to be full of recipes from our readers. It's a great edition, one that is saved by most everyone! So if you are considering an ad with us, this is the best one of the year to try us out. And you too can become one of our family.

Have a Blessed Monday everyone. I'll try to keep this blog going on a more regular basis! 

Well, I'm a bust at blogging

I have come to the conclusion that I'm not a good blogger. I am just too busy at times to remember to do it. So I procrastinate, which is entirely the wrong thing to do when you get behind. And this time I've procrastinated since March! Oh my. I should be fired, except I'm the person that would fire me.

Where does the time go? This time of year, it goes to gardening I suppose. It seems like Dave and I are outside later and later each evening. By the time we get in the house and grab something to eat, it's bedtime. And eating before bed is not good either. It tends to mess with your sleep! At least it does mine.

The June magazine came out a bit late this month and we are doing what we can to prevent that from happening again. When we switched to the new printers we had to make a sacrifice. You see, they were already booked the entire last week of the month. Which means we can't print until the first week of the month - which means our book doesn't come out until about the 10th of each month. We have to take the good with the bad - and I'd rather have an awesome looking book. Young's Publishing does a wonderful job of printing our book and I just can't switch back to lower quality just to allow for earlier printing. So, for those advertisers and sponsors that are disappointed, please understand that I have to take the good with the bad.

July's magazine is already in the works. I'm through with procrastination. We'll be printing it on July 2nd and it will be delivered by July 7th. It would be delivered a day earlier, but the July 4th holiday falls right on the day we should be getting the book back. So we will be out in full force on July 5th delivering to all of the great advertisers that support us each month.

Our June book was a tough month. Most people advertised in the Estill County Fair Book - and we can't blame them for that. We do, however, thank the many people that also took out an ad with us. It is most definitely appreciated. We don't have legal advertising sales to fall back on, nor do we have other publications like some of our competition. We have one publication, that comes out once a month. Without our advertisers we wouldn't have a book - and without advertisers we find it rather hard to eat at times. Thank goodness we grow most of our own food.

I talked with several advertisers last month that took out ads in other publications too. One such publication was out of Cincinnati, Ohio. I guess I should be honored that their salesmen took my publication around to our dedicated advertisers and asked for ads. But, I'm not honored. They are just messing with my small, locally owned business! I've never been one to take another publication around and hit their advertisers. I guess I should, huh?

When you advertise with All Things Country Magazine, rest assured that you are helping out a small business. A locally-owned business. With one full-time employee that hasn't been paid in months. Yes, times are tough. For everyone. That's why my appreciation to those who support us is unwavering. This one employee couldn't possibly publish this magazine without the help of my dear husband Dave and my sister Roben. It takes a village, right? Well, it  takes my whole family to help  get this magazine out  and I am forever grateful to them.

So, as I sit here and ponder what to include in our next edition, please know how thankful I am for every advertiser, subscriber and reader that comes in contact with All Things Country Magazine. And I'll keep publishing it as long as I can - as long as all of you keep supporting my dream too! Have a great day. Pam

Blanket, Bedding and Dishcloth Drive

Yes, I'm still tore up about the damages I saw last week during my travels. Since I've been through my share of natural disasters, I somewhat understand what all these people are dealing with each day since the tornadoes hit. Day to day life has changed for so many people in our great state - and many states around us too.

I heard my share of horror stories last week too, dealing with the recovery process. Good people with donations or services that drove down there and were turned away. Truckloads of generators turned away. I've even seen reports that clothing items would be buried at the dump rather than given away. Oh my gosh.

Of course, I do understand the logistics problem - storing all of the donations must be an issue in itself. I have also seen posts of people begging for items. Where does a person start? How do you know what is right?

I pondered for days what I could do. I really want to help, but how? I've donated money through my church to go to the relief funds. I even 'mistakenly' donated to the Red Cross fund, which I doubt is the right thing to do at this point. The money donated to them just goes into their General Fund and that's not right. I would be curious to see how much goes to tornado victims out of that fund. It didn't work during Katrina, I doubt it will work here.

Since I'm a fiber arts fanatic, I have decided that I can make things to give to them. Like dishcloths. Who doesn't love a homemade dish cloth? And I have friends who knit, quilt and crochet. I keep thinking of all the kidlets down in that area that lost their blankets. So, I'll be hitting up everyone I know in the next three weeks asking for donations of items. I figure that in about three or four weeks, these folks will have a better grasp on their lives. Right now, many don't even have homes. So bedding isn't a direct need. But it will be.

You might wonder what you can do if you aren't a knitter or crocheter? Well, I'll also take all sizes of towels, sheets, crib sheets, pillowcases. I plan on collecting just as much as I can and store them at my home until it's time to deliver them. I've already sent out emails to several of our readers who are going to direct me where donations need to go in their towns.

So, at least I'll be doing something. And I hope you'll join in with me. God Bless you all......

Traveling through the destruction

I have spent the past three days driving hundreds of miles delivering All Things Country Magazine. It's a great opportunity to catch up with our advertisers when we aren't trying to sell them something. Everyone is happy to see you, they don't dread it. That is how most months go at least. That hasn't been the case this month.


Now, don't get me wrong. I have enjoyed seeing everyone. It's just the other sights I have seen are heartbreaking. It's good that the people of Kentucky are resilient because that is what it's going to take. Everyone working together to help put these areas back together.


My first day of delivery takes me from Winchester to Olive Hill, and areas in between the two. My sister Roben always goes with me during this trip, so she also got to see some of the devastation. I really didn't think we'd see much since we weren't going southeast at all. Boy, was I wrong.


We took the exit off of Interstate 64 that goes towards Salt Lick and the Cave Run area. We leave magazines at the Kentucky Market Pavilion at that exit. After leaving there, we decided to turn left to see what all the trucks were doing up the road. It was then that we noticed the old Boot Store building across the road. The roof was gone, for the most part at least. Once we started looking around we saw another house with no roof. There was a crew on top fixing it.


And insulation! It was everywhere. In the trees, in the fields. Stuck to signs. Trees were literally spun out of the ground and were laying beside the roads. The trucks we saw? Well, they were still clearing the roadway of trees that had been pulled up by the roots. This was 5 days after the tornadoes had hit. And I hadn't even heard there was damage there!


Between that exit and the Salt Lick area I imagine we saw at least 10 barns or buildings of some type laying in rubble. Lots of roofs gone. And even more insulation. It is blown everywhere. I had the camera with me too. But I just couldn't stop and take pictures. It is still too heartbreaking to record for me. I'd rather stop when the rebuilding process is going on I guess.


I have continued to see destruction each day. The Campton area was hit pretty hard - with hail! The houses are just dotted with hail damage. At least this destruction is fixable. In many cases fixable isn't an option. Yesterday, I saw the destruction along I-75 near the East Bernstadt community in Laurel County. Words just don't do justice to it. The people just standing there, staring at the piles of lumber. Again, I couldn't pick up the camera for that.


I have also heard lots of stories each day. Most of them disturbing. Like generators being turned away from the West Liberty area. Or a local Cattlemen group being turned away - from serving meals to workers! And that is all I am hearing about. West Liberty. And I feel for everyone there. If supplies and equipment are being turned away, the residents aren't getting the help they should be getting.


Who's in control down there? Just who is turning them away? The Red Cross is one report I've heard. They don't want supplies or anything else. Just money. Yes, I'm irritated with this. And I've given to the Red Cross, don't get me wrong. But I also think alot of good, caring people are contributing to the Red Cross fund and I'll be curious to see how much of this money actually gets into the hands of tornado victims.


And it's not just West Liberty that needs help. West Liberty just needs the most help. There is Salyersville, parts of Johnson County, Boone County, Bath County, Laurel County. Schools are gone, homes and businesses are gone. And you can't tell me that there isn't an immediate need for things. Not just money. These people don't need money right now, they need shoes and something to eat. They need to know we all care.


I will be out with my camera soon. I've got one more day of delivering the magazine and tomorrow I plan on taking off for the West Liberty and Salyersville area. It's the reporter in me........ 


And I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet. But I'm going to do something.


Have a blessed day everyone. And keep all the storm victims in your prayers. Not just in Kentucky, but in the other six states that received damage too.


Pam