Ireland is a land of rainbows. You see them daily and they are so much more vivid than our American variety. They seem to last longer and actually appear to touch the ground or sea. I can understand how the Irish term "pot of gold at the end of the rainbow" originated.

This is Doo Lough valley in County Mayo, Ireland. "Doo Lough" means "dark lake" in Irish. It is a sacred site in Irish History. In March 1849 during the worst of the Potato Famine, over 600 starving peasants began the 12 mile walk through this valley to the nearby town of Delphi, where food supposedly awaited them. Over 400 of them died along the road.

People now come from all over the world each May to walk "The Famine Walk." I walked it by myself on a cold and blustery day during my trip.

These are my favorite pictures from my recent (Feb. 28-March 8) trip to Ireland. I was there to research background information for my novel, The Wayfaring Stranger. You can read a chapter(s) by visiting my blog through www.creekbank.net.

the fjord at Killary Harbor/

County Galway, Town of Leenan, Three red faced Irish children.

Terry, our youngest son is a senior at East Beauregard High. He will be attending Louisiana College in the fall.

This past week DeDe and I enjoyed a visit from our son Clay, his wife Robin, and our seven month old grandson, Noah (pictured)

Noah and his family live in Ft. Worth where Clay is in seminary.

Our middle son Clint and his wife Amanda will have a son, Jack, in April. They live in Starkville, Mississippi where Clint attends Miss. St. and Amanda is a teacher.

Today (Thursday March 15) I was at Dry Creek Camp's Community Catfish Fry. Over 250 were in attendance for food and fellowship. It was my first opportunity to share my newest book, The Mockingbird's Song. Among those who got autographed copies were my special friends Yvonne Mahaffey, Matt Farmer, and Dee Farmer. These neighbors are some of the greatest influences of my life.