So much history here!  The original section of this Austin-Milam-Lucas Store on Jefferson Street was hand hewn from logs in about 1797!  It witnessed the "Trail of Tears", the Civil War and even a suicide in its long history.  Many say it is haunted.  I say it is a wonderful history-filled reminder of Potosi's days past!  It is so good to see these story-clad places still standing and still sporting structure that competes with the very best of today's standards!  A salute to integrity and the hard working Americans who sought to do their very best with the skills and talent they were blessed with.  It is good to learn from and appreciate these men and women whose labor and craftsmanship continues to bless and grace us today!

I might mention that to the left in the above photo is Bob Maxwell's shop.  He is a living, walking history lesson all by himself! This man's heritage is also one of metal craft as well as jacks of all trades for the thriving town of Potosi!  If it needs to be fixed, Bob can either fix it or provide a resource or part for it to be fixed!  His shop includes a collection of tools and antiques used by his father and grandfather.  The Maxwell generations still have many of the tools of their trade that journal the part of Potosi's history their family has been!

Picture perfect!  Love the patriotic theme here!!

This "water hole" is a picture of freshness!  The Richards farm in Palmer, just outside of Potosi bubbles over with clear springs, creeks, green fields and bright, smiling wild flowers!  This particular well/spring is called an artesian well.  

According to Jerry these kind of of wells go down very deep.  About 50 years ago a lead company drilled this hole to see if there might be enough lead to justify mining on the property.  Apparently they didn't find an adequate mineral vein to make an offer, but they did hit a vein - of water - which has continued to flow to the surface since.  

Jerry said that last fall the well seemed to "dry up", but resumed again in the spring, so they are waiting to see if it will continue or need to be pumped in order to continue to produce this fresh, cold supply.

In the meantime, it is a picturesque and very interesting place to stop and "selah" or pause!  :)  I suppose one could ponder the idea that like this spring, God's supply of love, peace, joy and hope is endless.  Unlike natural examples, His supernatural grace never dries up and never runs out!

A golden moment in Potosi!  Love this gentle shot.  Can't even tell you who lives here or describe where I took the picture! Someone who reads this might be able to help me out.  Sure loved the photo op!

Hope you find some "golden moments" today.  If you look, chances are you can find something to appreciate!!  

"I BREAK FOR FLOWERS!"  Just a time-out to post yet another pleasantry!  Love these brilliant beauties!  Probably not coming for another month or two, but definitely something to look forward to! 

Hope your day is as sunny as these cheery canna lilies.  

I was at a friend's home last night and we read a wonderful passage from Colossians that has recently come to life inside me!  "...the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

The very mention of the name Jesus brings to many mystery and question.  If you have not experienced a relationship with Jesus, the idea might raise caution and doubt.  Likewise eternal things, future plans and the supernatural all bring a sense of unknown and sometimes fear to most of us.  Many details about our futures are unknown and unpredictable.  We like to plan and find security in trying to arrange them, and there are in fact a few things we can do to that end.  However, in reality many factors can change even the best plans and speculations about our tomorrows.

I have discovered that the very best kind of hope for my today and tomorrow comes from putting my trust and confidence in the only ONE who knows tomorrow!  Our God who provided a plan for our today, has also made arrangements for our tomorrows if we will but entrust our lives and future to Him.  Our hope is no longer a mystery when it is in Jesus, who paid an ultimate price to ensure it!  He defeated and cancelled our destruction and demise by enduring life on earth and death on a cross.  What a glorious story it is - and as if the story of Jesus wasn't enough, there is so much more to come!

Knowing Him assures us of eternal life.  No matter what our past or present has been like, we can invest and count on a forever future when we allow Him to be in charge of our lives.  It does require a heart submitted and offered to His charge, but it is worth every ounce of surrender!

That great mystery that most of us have felt about Jesus is in reality, the HOPE of glory for our today and our future!  This photo was taken from the inside of a very old log cabin that sits below a very updated and beautiful courthouse in the small city of Potosi.  I am sure the early pioneers of the town did not know what to expect for their future as many pursued a career in mining the minerals in the ground in the area.  Their natural futures were a mystery.  But I bet some of those settlers knew the HOPE of glory in Jesus!  He is the thread of our past that goes back to the beginning of mankind and has not lost popularity or promise through today!  That rainbow will continue to push its way into tomorrow and provide a heavenly future for all who will grasp its "pot of gold" that comes at the return of Jesus to the earth.

I encourage each to taste and see what this "rainbow" of promise provides and secures!  

I want to thank everyone who has supported my book, "Potosi, That's Where I'm From" through encouragements, excitement - and also by purchasing it - already!!  I am very happy that so many are interested in the same history and town that offered so much to me!  I pray you will enjoy the reading, photos and fun!

I really appreciate those of you who have ordered through Amazon!  Truly!  Thank you.

Remember, if those prices are too high for you, I will be offering them at discounts as soon as my own order arrives and I can make it down to Potosi for a book signing.  Amazon prints their copies and offers them for 52.00 (color coffee table size - 8.5 x 8.5).  This one is my favorite, but I will have it available for 32.00 soon, as well as the color 9x6 "library shelf-size" one.  The black & white ones are offered on Amazon at 15.00 - both 8.5 x 8.5 and 9x6, but I will offer them for 10.00.

I am so looking forward to sharing these stories with you!!  Hugs to all of you who have so kindly been "wind beneath my wings" in this endeavor!  

More coming on book signing and dates when I can see your faces!

Great job decorating the shop, Sinclair!!  Love these colorful petunias!  Just had to stop and snap a pic.

Potosi has a little of everything - especially photo-ops! Find some fun old and new pics in my new book, "Potosi, That's Where I'm From!" available now on Amazon!!  

Over three years of collecting information and photos!  It includes stories, tales, humor, pics, comments and more!

Black and white or color versions available.  The prices vary quite a bit as color is much more expensive and these books include MANY photos! 

I am hoping to get to Potosi soon to bring some books that will be discounted prices.  More to come here in the line of info and photos!  

Happy reading!