Once in an age God sends to some of us a friend who loves in us . . . the angel that we may be. ~ Harriet Beecher Stowe
This past weekend blogger friend Miranda (scatteringmoments) and her husband Jim visited us from Ohio.
Kathy and Miranda at the Jim Beam distillery–
As my partner Sara has said, one of the pleasures in having guests is the chance to explore some of the special places in our Bluegrass Region of Kentucky, ones we wouldn’t take the time to tour under ordinary conditions.
Jim, like Sara, is a bourbon drinker, so the two dragged Miranda and me, their better (and sometimes more sober) halves, along on Saturday to visit the distilleries that make up what’s commonly called the “Bourbon Trail.”
The tours intrigued but temperatures were hot, infernal even—the high, 105° Fahrenheit. However, when we entered the barns, where barrels are stored, temperatures cooled, and we enjoyed the sweet aroma of bourbon and oak. Kentuckians call the scent “angel share,” because it’s considered a gift to the gods, an exchange for protection, against fire in particular, since the combination of alcohol and wood can be highly volatile.
It was wonderful to share this experience with others—the real and richer angel exchange for us—the new friends we found along the bourbon/blogging trail.
(Stay Tuned: More about angel Miranda–and the disaster we averted during her visit–in the coming days.)
In the meantime, Happy 4th of July (Independence Day in the US) to all my other angel readers both in America and elsewhere. May the “angel share” keep you safe from fire and harm this holiday, especially in the US, where dry, hot weather can create dangerous conditions during pyrotechnic displays.
What explosive plans do you have for this week?
Note: This post is adapted from one my partner Sara did on her photo-a-day site, “Que Sera Sara.” Thanks to Sara for her photos and many of her words.
I look forward to being back reading your blogs after the holiday.
Kathryn M. McCullough 
Happy 4th of July Kathy! Looks like you had a brilliant time.
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Thanks so much, Jackie. It was tons of fun. Great to hear from you!
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Idaho hugs to ALL of you–and say hi to Miranda for me. 😉
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I will tell Miranda. Thanks for the hugs. The same to you from here in Kentucky. Great to hear from you, dear Kana!
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Happy 4th…I shall sit quietly at home avoiding all explosive situations. 🙂
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Happy 4th to you, as well! Your comment cracked me up, Charlie. Glad to hear you will avoid all close encounters with fire!
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How sweet of you! God, I must say, I detest photos of myself. I am having internet issues so posting for me may be slower than I planned. You know what’s funny? I totally missed the whole “angel share” thing. I had to ask Jim! Maybe I was drunk on just the fumes, lol!
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Don’t feel bad, I missed it, as well. Maybe they heard it the second day. I don’t know. Hope things are good at home. We miss you already! Hugs to both you and Jim!
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Things are good here. I’m just bummed because you guys aren’t closer. I really enjoyed the weekend and feel a kinship with you and Sara. You are both just awesome and we love you!
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I know what you mean about being too far away. 6 hours is 6 hours too far! Thanks for the sweet, sweet post you did, my dear! Hugs to you for both of us!
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I love how Lexington, KY has become blogging central, where bloggers go to meet. 🙂
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Isn’t it a hoot! And you’re preparing for your second visit. Who would have guessed? Hope Tori can come up to see us.
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I think she will, with little one in tow, but I will let you know.
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Oh, Thomas is a cutie. It’s not a drive I’d want to make up and back all in one day. Please let her know she’s welcome to spend the night here. I’ll email her myself. We only have one air-conditioned guest room, but I’m sure we could work something out!
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I think a bourbon tour would be right up our alley should we come and visit you and Sara! But I think I’ll wait until sometime when it ISN’T 105 degrees, thankyouverymuch.
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You and Tara would definitely enjoy the bourbon trail, but, God, I suggest NOT doing it in the summer. Spring or fall would be way, way better. In October and April there is also racing at Keenland. Good luck with the new job, my friend!
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Oh how doggone FUN! I’m looking forward to more “installments” of this adventure-laden visit.
Happy Independence Day!
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I think the next installment will be even better, but it was a fun and activity-filled weekend. Happy 4th to you, as well, Laurie!
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Sara – When I visit Que Sera Sara I love what I find. I don’t get there nearly as often as I’d like. I wish there was a way to “subscribe” so that I would get an email notification each time you post.
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We haven’t been able to find a way for anyone to subscribe via email. Our best idea so far has been to have folks friend Sara (Sara Coppler) and me on Facebook. Sara posts there every day. Sorry for the inconvenience, Laurie.
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I’ll head over to Facebook and friend you both now 🙂
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Excellent, my FB friend, as well!
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Happy 4th! I love that you and your blogging angels are having a heavenly time! We never did any of that stuff when we lived in Lexington. Gives us an excuse to do it when we come back as tourists. (Half my family lives somewhere in Kentucky.)
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I don’t think that most locals do them, to be honest. They’re activities, I think, we take for granted. You WILL have to do some when you come back to visit. Happy 4th of July, my friend.
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I think I’d prefer a wine tour, but when in Kentucky… 🙂 Lovely post, lovely new friendship you both have.
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We have a number of wineries in the state, but Kentucky is known for its bourbon–not its wine–I’m afraid. We’d probably prefer a wine tour, as well. Great to hear from you today!
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Happy 4th of July, Kathy! Having learned (from you!) that bourbon is distinctive to Kentucky, I really enjoyed seeing these photos. I hope you have a great holiday!
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I have to confess, I learned that a tiny bit of bourbon world-wide is made outside of the state–though less than 5%, as the limestone needed to filter the water is simply not available in the correct formations–whatever that is.
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If that was a wine tour I would be a very jealous girl ! 😉 How cool that you can meet up with fellow bloggers I hope someday I can do the same .. cant wait to hear about the rest of the trip – did you have trouble getting Sara and Jim out of the factory ??? Xx Kel
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The only thing that helped us get them out of the distilleries was the heat. It was at least 105 degrees F that day–and hotter than that in some of the unair-conditioned spaces. Hugs to you, as well, my friend.
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Happy 4th of July to you and Sara!
We also explore more when we have visitors. It’s always interesting seeing things through their eyes. It’s so easy to not notice the beauty around us when we’re exposed to it every day.
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Exactly, Lisa. We love doing these things when folks come to visit. There’s just so much we take for granted. Thanks for the happy holiday wishes. Great to hear from you, my friend!
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Very cool that you got to have another blog-friend get-together. Looking forward to more stories.
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It was fun–for sure. I should be sharing another story later in the week. So, stay tuned. Happy 4th of July to you-all the way in SA!
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I always look forward to and enjoy your words, Kathryn, and this was no exception. Great pic! And the short narrative is entertaining as well. Thanks for sharing it with us! You two have a wonderful holiday! And heal well, my friend. Love to you both! xoxo Julia
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Hope you have a happy Tuesday, as well. So glad you enjoyed this recycled from Sara’s blip–the second time around, so to speak. Thanks, also, for the healing wishes. I hurt less today. Hugs to you, my dear!
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Happy 4th July!
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Thanks, Deb! Happy Tuesday to you, my friend. Have a great day. Thanks for reading.
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Happy Independence day Kathy!
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Thanks, Mun. Happy Tuesday, almost-Wednesday to you! Great to hear from you!
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Happy Fourth of July to you and yours, Kathy! How great to meet another blogger. I’ve yet to meet a single one. Too bad someone couldn’t come up with a huge WP blogger convention someplace central…
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Actually, I’ve read somewhere that they have conferences. But, of course, I can’t remember where on the WP website I read it. Hope you are having a wonderful holiday, dear Darla! Thanks for stopping by.
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Thank you for your angel share wishes. What a delightful concept. I told a grocery store clerk Full Moon, Unbearable Heat, Alcohol, and Fireworks makes for a pretty promising 4th. Stay safe and hydrated!
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Actually, all but one official, city, fireworks displays have been cancelled here in Lexington. Too dry, I suppose. Glad you enjoyed the “angel share” concept. I thought it was perfect. Happy 4th to you!
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I’ve always loved the scent in a barrel room on a vineyard tour, but the term “angel scent” is news to me, and you’re right the temps are definitely cooler in those rooms. A distillery tour sounds like it would be fun. Meanwhile I’m steering clear of anything firey and explosive. I’m broiling in the Apple and dreading the thought of having to return to The Grind tomorrow. I’m also looking forward to when the 4th falls on a Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon again.
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Stay cool, my friend. I can only imagine how you are tolerating the heat with no AC. May the Fourth be with you, as one of my blogging buddies said today.
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Kathy, looks like you’re having a grand old time. I’m like you, though, and wouldn’t be imbibing as much as the others, given I’m not much of a drinker. How fun, though, to be getting together with a fellow blogger. Well, do let me know if you’re ever out this way. Happy Fourth or what’s left of it! I have no plans, just more of the same, relaxing and enjoying my day off. I’ll be traveling soon enough!
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I so rarely drink, you could almost say I don’t drink at all. At any rate, it was a fun weekend, except for the experience this morning’s post describes. You could say blogging has gone to my head with the “stunt” it describes.
I will definitely let you know if we head in your direction. Would love to meet you.
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I floated in a black river in an inner tube with enough gin in tow to drown my fear of the alligators and snakes.
I’ve always been curious about the Bourbon Trail. I am not a brown water drinker, but MTM loves it. I’m so glad you could visit with Miranda and get to know her and Jim.
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Oh, God, your float would terrify me, I’m afraid. So glad you had the intoxicant along for the ride. If you ever want to do the bourbon trail, let me know.
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Fun to read about bourbon and your meeting with Miranda and Jim. Gosh, don’t you just love this blogging world and the opportunity to meet so many new friends?
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Sounds like you had a good time. “Angel’s share.” I like that. It’s the second time I’ve heard it recently. 🙂
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How cool that you also heard the term “angel share.” Was it in the same context? But, you’re right. It was a wonderful visit! Thanks for reading, Robin!
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I’m not sure. I keep thinking it had to do with beer at a brewery. Something about tapping some out and letting it go as the “angel share.”
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That makes sense–lots of sense. Interesting term, for sure.
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I’m chasing my tail playing catch-up these days Kathy! I’m not sure where my days are going, perhaps to blip, perhaps photography; regardless, the only complaint I have is that I’m getting behind on keeping up with my online friends.
Speaking of which, when I read Sara’s blip journal entry, which this post is adapted from, I tried to imagine what the aroma of bourbon and oak would be like. I’m not a huge drinker (I’m usually asleep after one glass of wine!) but can imagine the distilleries would have been a great place to take out of town blogging friends. 🙂
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I know what you mean about being busy. It’s especially bad if one follows lots of blogs. I’m not much of a drinker–at all. In fact, it’s rare for me to even have a glass of wine. However, angel share is a pleasant aronma–even for me, who hates the smell of alcohol. Great to hear from you today, my friend. Hugs to you!
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