Olde Delaney's Country Ham Store

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Olde Delaney's Country Ham Store Country Hams, Fresh made Sausage, Bacon, Jams, Jellies, Preserves, Pickled Products, Gift Boxes. Indulge in the Irresistible Delights of Olde Delaney's!
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At Olde Delaney's, we bring you a medley of mouthwatering treats,
From country ham to fresh sausage, bacon, jams, and preserves that can't be beat. Savor the flavors of the countryside, crafted with love and care,
Each bite a celebration of tradition and flavors rare. Let's start with our Country Ham, cured to perfection,
A time-honored recipe that'll leave you with pure satisfaction. Its rich, smoky flavor will transport you to days of old,
Where meals were savored, and stories were told. For breakfast lovers, our fresh sausage will be a true delight,
Made from premium cuts, seasoned just right. Each juicy bite bursts with savory goodness, a true morning feast,
Pair it with eggs and toast for a breakfast that can't be beat. Now, let's not forget the star of the morning spread,
Olde Delaney's bacon, crispy and full of flavor, it's truly widespread. Whether it's classic strips or thick-cut perfection you crave,
Our bacon will elevate every dish you brave. To add a touch of sweetness to your culinary journey,
Try our selection of jams and preserves, bursting with fruity glory. From tangy berry blends to luscious peach and fig,
Spread them on toast or pair them with cheese for a delightful gig. At Olde Delaney's, we take pride in quality and taste,
Sourcing the finest ingredients, never a moment to waste. With each bite, you'll savor the care and passion we bestow,
Because at Olde Delaney's, only the best will ever show. So come and explore our enticing range of flavors divine,
Olde Delaney's, where tradition and taste intertwine. Discover the joy of hearty meats, delectable jams, and preserves,
An experience that your taste buds and senses truly deserve. Visit us today and let Olde Delaney's be your go-to,
For country ham, fresh sausage, bacon, jams, and more that will woo. Treat yourself to a culinary adventure, a flavor-filled ride,
Because at Olde Delaney's, we're here to satisfy your foodie side!

I Just Kept GoingMy Story of Hard Times, Hard Work, Family, and Never Giving UpChapter Forty-ThreeOver the years, I’ve m...
10/25/2026

I Just Kept Going

My Story of Hard Times, Hard Work, Family, and Never Giving Up

Chapter Forty-Three

Over the years, I’ve met a lot of people through Olde Delaney’s. Some came into my life as customers, some as suppliers, and others through different opportunities that came along.

One thing I never expected was how close I would become to so many Amish and Mennonite families.

What started out as simply doing business together turned into something much more personal.

I began buying produce and other products from their family farms. The more I dealt with them, the more I got to know them. Before long, we weren’t just talking about what they had to sell or what I needed to buy. We were talking about our families, what was going on in our lives, and just about anything else that came up.

I was also surprised by how well they kept up with what was happening in the country and around the world. They didn’t have radios, televisions, or newspapers, but somehow they seemed to know more about current events than many people who had access to all of those things.

I have a tremendous amount of respect for these families. They work hard, they take pride in what they do, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know them.

Forty-One Thousand Pounds of Tomatoes

This summer, I made a verbal agreement with an Amish family to buy their canning tomatoes.

We were selling so many tomatoes at Olde Delaney’s that it was getting difficult to keep up with the demand. The family I was buying from had another Amish friend who was growing tomatoes, so they arranged for him to help supply us.

By the time it was all said and done, we purchased approximately 41,000 pounds of canning tomatoes from those two families.

Now, that’s a lot of canning tomatoes for a little country store in Bardstown, Kentucky.

Part of our agreement was that I would furnish the boxes for them to pack the tomatoes in.

Everything was going along pretty well until one day we ran out of boxes.

A friend of mine was supposed to pick up some boxes for me, but something came up and he wasn’t able to get them.

That left me with a problem.

The tomatoes weren’t going to stop ripening just because I didn’t have boxes, and our customers were expecting us to have tomatoes.

So I did what I’ve always done when something needed to be taken care of.

I got in my truck and headed to Western Kentucky to get the boxes myself.

Before leaving, I stopped by the Amish family’s farm and told them what I was doing. I explained that I had to drive all the way to Western Kentucky and probably wouldn’t get back until around eleven o’clock that night.

He looked at me and said, “Well, stop by when you get back. We’ll still be up.”

I kind of looked at him.

“You’re going to be up at eleven o’clock at night?”

He said they would.

I laughed and told him, “I thought you all went to bed when it got dark!”

He explained that they worked late when there was work that needed to be done.

Well, I made my trip to Western Kentucky, picked up the boxes, and headed back.

It was around 10:45 that night when I finally pulled into their long driveway.

I’ll never forget how dark it was.

There wasn’t any moonlight. You couldn’t see a star in the sky. It was cloudy, and when I stopped the truck, it was so dark I could hardly see anything.

I sat there wondering how in the world we were going to get anything done.

Then, all of a sudden, here they came.

They started coming out of the house and buildings, ready to go to work.

Nobody stood around complaining about how late it was.

They started grabbing boxes off my truck, putting them together, and getting everything ready.

Before I knew it, they had oil lamps burning, lighting up the area where we were working.

There we were, late at night, out in the country, with no electric lights, checking tomatoes, packing boxes, and getting everything ready so I could keep my customers supplied.

I remember looking around and thinking about how unusual the whole situation was.

It was nearly eleven o’clock at night, and these Amish families were out there working right alongside me by the light of oil lamps.

Nobody was watching the clock.

We all had a job to do, and everybody was doing their part.

That was something I admired about them.

They had given me their word, and they were going to do whatever they could to help me keep mine to my customers.

By the time we finished loading everything and I made it back home, it was around 1:30 in the morning.

I was tired, and I still had another day of work ahead of me.

I left the tomatoes on the truck that night. The next day, we unloaded them as needed for our customers.

Looking back, I can’t help but smile when I think about that night.

A trip across Kentucky for a load of empty boxes, a long dark driveway, and a group of Amish families working by oil lamps at nearly midnight.

You couldn’t make some of this stuff up.

But that’s what it took sometimes to keep Olde Delaney’s supplied.

And it taught me something else about those families.

They weren’t just interested in selling me tomatoes. They wanted to see me succeed just as much as I wanted to see them succeed.

That kind of relationship doesn’t happen overnight.

It’s built on trust, hard work, and keeping your word.

More Than Just Business

Over the years, those relationships grew into friendships that I never would have imagined when I first started buying produce.

I’ve been invited to two Amish weddings, and I had the opportunity to attend one of them.

That was an experience I’ll never forget.

It was something different from what I was accustomed to, and I was grateful that they thought enough of me to include me in such an important occasion in their lives.

I’ve also been invited to their ball games. I didn’t realize how many teams they had or how they played against one another. It was interesting to see another side of their lives that most people never get to experience.

I’ve been invited to appreciation gatherings, too.

I remember showing up at one of those gatherings and being surprised by how many people were there that I already knew. There were plenty of familiar faces, and I enjoyed walking around, talking, and visiting with everybody.

When I first started doing business with these families, I never imagined I would end up being invited to their weddings, ball games, and family gatherings.

But that’s how those relationships developed.

Some of them call me when they have a question or need something, and I do the same with them.

They know when they ask me something, I’m going to give them an honest answer. And when I call them, I know I can depend on getting an honest answer in return.

We don’t always agree on everything, and we don’t have to. That’s part of getting to know people. But we’ve developed a friendship and a level of trust that means a lot to me.

I’ve enjoyed the conversations, the visits to their farms, and the opportunities to experience a little more of their way of life.

I still find it interesting how something as simple as buying a few vegetables can lead to friendships you never expected.

When I think back over the years, some of the people I’ve met and the friendships I’ve made have been just as memorable as anything I’ve accomplished in business.

And these Amish and Mennonite families have certainly become part of that story.

Now those relationships are growing in another direction. They’re helping me expand a sales operation, and some of them will soon be doing contracting work for me as we build it.

That means a great deal to me. It shows how far these relationships have come. What began with buying produce has grown into trust, friendship, and working together on something bigger.

I look forward to continuing those friendships and seeing where the years ahead take us.

I just kept going.

To be continued…

10/25/2026

❤️ Thank You All From the Bottom of My Heart! ❤️

I just want to thank everyone who took a little time out of their busy day to wish me a happy birthday! 🥰

The older I get, the more I realize how precious life is and how much the little things really mean. Sometimes a simple message, a phone call, or a few kind words can make someone’s whole day.

I’ve always believed that no matter how busy life gets, there’s always time to make somebody smile. And you all certainly made me smile! ❤️

I’m blessed to see another year, thankful for life’s lessons, and grateful for everyone who thought of me.

Kindness doesn’t cost a thing, but it can mean everything to someone.

Thank you again for making my birthday special! ❤️🙏🏽

10/23/2026

I Just Kept Going
My Story of Hard Times, Hard Work, Family, and Never Giving Up
Chapter Forty-Two
Finding the Right People for the Job
Over the years, I’ve learned that one of the most important parts of owning a business and rental properties is finding good, dependable contractors.
And let me tell you, that’s not always easy.
I’ve dealt with just about every kind of contractor you can imagine—electricians, plumbers, heating and air technicians, roofers, carpenters, and just about anybody else you might need when you own a business, rental houses, and storage buildings.
Some have been worth their weight in gold. Others have taught me some expensive lessons.
When you find somebody who does good work, charges a fair price, and stands behind it, you’d better hold on to them.
Good contractors are hard to find.
One experience that showed me the value of good timing happened last year, when we decided to undertake a major remodeling project on the walk-in cooler at Olde Delaney’s.
We planned to update the refrigeration equipment and evaporator fans and installing 4-inch insulated panels on the walls and ceiling, while making other improvements to the cooler itself.
It was going to be a big undertaking, and I knew we would have to close the store for a week to complete the work.
I announced the closure ahead of time so our customers would know what to expect.
Little did I know that Mother Nature was about to give me a helping hand.
The weekend before the work was scheduled to begin, the forecast called for a major ice and snowstorm.
That Saturday, the refrigeration contractor called and asked whether they could come out and disconnect all the refrigeration equipment before the storm instead of waiting until Monday.
That contractor was Vittitow Refrigeration of Louisville, Kentucky, the company I depend on for all my refrigeration needs.
I told them that would be great.
If we could get a head start, I figured we would be that much further ahead when Monday arrived.
They came out that Saturday and disconnected everything.
Wouldn’t you know it, the storm hit that evening.
Ice and snow covered the roads, and for most of the following week, hardly anybody was getting out. The roads were practically deserted.
Because the refrigeration equipment had already been disconnected, I was able to get inside the cooler and start my work earlier than expected.
While most everybody else was staying home because of the weather, I was working.
That’s just the way I’ve always been.
The store was already going to be closed for remodeling, and with the roads in such bad condition, we probably wouldn’t have had many customers anyway.
Sometimes things have a way of working out.
What could have been a terrible week to close the business turned out to be pretty good timing.
I considered myself lucky.
Speaking of refrigeration, there’s something else I want to say about Vittitow Refrigeration.
These guys are the best of the best.
They take care of all my refrigeration needs at Olde Delaney’s, and I couldn’t ask for anybody better.
When I call them with a problem, they know what they’re doing, they show up, and they get it fixed.
And here’s what I appreciate most about them.
They fix it right the first time.
They don’t have to keep coming back to work on the same problem.
When you’re operating a grocery store and depending on refrigeration equipment to protect thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise, you can’t afford to have somebody guessing about what’s wrong.
You need somebody who knows their business.
That’s exactly what I’ve found with Vittitow Refrigeration.
I’ve learned over the years that the cheapest repair isn’t always the least expensive in the long run. When somebody fixes something correctly the first time, that saves time, money, and aggravation.
That’s why I continue to depend on them.
I’ve got an electrician, Ben McKay, who I can call, and he simply shows up and takes care of whatever needs to be done.
I don’t even ask Ben for an estimate.
That’s how much I trust him.
Whatever he charges me, that’s what I pay. He’s always been fair with me, and I’ve never had a reason to question him.
Some people might think that’s a strange way to do business, but when somebody has earned your trust over the years, you don’t feel the need to question every little thing.
Ben is one of those dependable people I’ve learned to appreciate. When I call him, I know the job is going to get done right.
I’ve also got a heating and air technician, Kaleb Wimpsett with Mudd and Wimpsett Heating and Air, who takes care of all my heating and air-conditioning needs.
Kaleb is dependable, reasonable, and does excellent work.
Here’s something I really appreciate about him.
He’s never had to come back a second time to fix something he already worked on.
He gets it right the first time.
That means a lot to me.
Anybody can come out and work on something, but finding somebody who knows what they’re doing and can fix it right the first time is a different story.
Kaleb is one of those people I know I can depend on. And when you find somebody like that, you want to keep doing business with them.
Unfortunately, not every contractor relationship has worked out that way.
Then there’s plumbing.
That’s a whole different experience.
I had a good plumber for years, but eventually he retired, leaving me to find somebody else.
At first, I thought the plumber I found was pretty good. He seemed reasonable, so I started using him for different jobs.
As time went on, though, I realized he wasn’t nearly as qualified as I had thought. He wasn’t nearly as reasonable, either.
Eventually, I concluded that he was overpriced and underqualified.
One particular incident really brought that home to me.
I had a rental house that needed a new water heater. I hired him to do the job and paid him top dollar to install it correctly.
I assumed everything had been done according to code and that any required inspections had been completed.
That turned out to be a bad assumption.
Later, when the tenants moved out, LG&E disconnected the gas service. When new tenants were preparing to move in, the gas company inspected the equipment before restoring service.
That’s when the problem was discovered.
The water heater hadn’t been installed according to code.
Now I had a problem that should never have existed in the first place.
I called the plumber and explained what had happened. He came out to look at it, and during our conversation, he made a comment I haven’t forgotten.
He said something along the lines of, “I’m going to make some more money off David Shields.”
That didn’t sit too well with me.
I told him, “No, you’re not. I paid you top dollar to put that water heater in, and you put it in wrong. You need to come back and fix it.”
He told me he wasn’t going to do it.
I’m a pretty reasonable person when somebody treats me right. But I’ve also learned that sometimes you’ve got to stand your ground.
I wasn’t asking him to do anything extra. I was asking him to complete the job I had already paid him to do.
So I picked up the telephone and called the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction in Frankfort. I spoke with someone about the plumbing inspection problem and explained exactly what had happened.
The person I talked with told me to contact our local plumbing inspector first. He said that if the local inspector couldn’t resolve the situation, I should call him back and he would handle it.
I hated having to go that far.
I don’t enjoy getting somebody in trouble, and I don’t like unnecessary confrontations. But I had paid good money for a job that hadn’t been done correctly, and I wasn’t about to pay a second time to have his mistakes corrected.
The local plumbing inspector got involved, and the plumber finally came back and corrected his work to meet code requirements.
The work was then inspected.
Needless to say, the plumber wasn’t happy with me for calling the inspectors.
Still, I didn’t feel I had done anything wrong. I had given him the opportunity to make things right, and he refused.
Sometimes people leave you no other choice.
That experience taught me something I’ve never forgotten.
Just because somebody has the tools and calls themselves a professional doesn’t necessarily mean they know what they’re doing.
There’s something else I’ve always believed, and it’s a principle I’ve tried to live by throughout my life.
Doing the right thing is never the wrong thing to do.
There have been times in my life when doing the right thing has cost me money. Sometimes it’s cost me time, and sometimes it’s meant making decisions that weren’t easy.
But I’ve never believed that doing what’s right should depend on what it’s going to cost you.
Sometimes you’ve got to stand up for what you believe in, even when it would be easier to look the other way.
I’ve made decisions over the years that I knew were going to cost me something, but I made them anyway because I knew in my heart they were the right decisions.
And you know what?
I’ve never had to second-guess myself afterward.
I can go home at night, lay my head on my pillow, and feel good about myself because I know I did what I believed was right.
Money comes and goes. Business deals come and go. But your character and reputation are things you carry with you for the rest of your life.
I’d rather lose a little money doing the right thing than make money doing something I knew was wrong.
That’s something I’ve believed for a long time, and at sixty-three years old, I don’t see any reason to change now.
I’ve learned that trust has to be earned and maintained. When somebody refuses to take responsibility for their mistakes, you have to know when to stand your ground.
Thankfully, I’ve had many more positive experiences than negative ones.
And some of those experiences have reminded me just how much a person’s word and reputation are worth.
That’s where the next part of my story begins.
I just kept going.
To be continued…

10/22/2026

I Just Kept Going

My Story of Hard Times, Hard Work, Family, and Never Giving Up

Chapter Forty-One

The Years Ahead of Me

As I sit here thinking about everything I’ve been through in my life, one thing keeps coming back to me.

I’m not finished yet.

At sixty-three years old, I know I’ve got more years behind me than I probably have ahead of me. That’s just a fact of life. But I still feel good, my health is good, and I still wake up every morning with something on my mind that needs to be done.

Some people my age are counting down the days until retirement. They’re looking forward to sleeping late, taking it easy, and not having to worry about anything.

I’ve thought about retirement myself. But the more I think about it, the more I wonder what in the world I would do with myself.

For thirty-six years, Olde Delaney’s has been a big part of who I am. It’s more than just a business. It’s something Barbara and I have poured our lives into.

There have been good years, bad years, and years when I wondered what was going to happen next. But somehow, we always found a way to keep moving forward.

Barbara still has a few more years before retirement. Maria is building her own career and making plans for her future. And here I am, still thinking about what I can do next.

I guess some things never change.

When I look back, I can still see that young boy in Henrytown pushing a lawn mower around the neighborhood, trying to earn a little money.

I remember Mrs. Murphy and the encouragement she gave me. She probably never realized how much her kindness and words meant to that young boy.

I remember working at Rooster Run with Joe Evans. The things I learned from him weren’t just about working. They were about responsibility, dealing with people, and understanding that if you wanted something in life, you had to be willing to work for it.

Those people helped shape the person I became.

And then there was Mama.

I’ve often thought about that conversation we had sitting in lawn chairs in the backyard under that old sugar maple tree.

It was Mama who first came up with the idea of buying the store.

Looking back now, I wonder if she ever imagined what that simple suggestion would turn into.

Of course, after I bought the place and she saw what kind of condition it was in, she had something else to say.

“My God, you bought a dump!”

That was Mama.

She wasn’t afraid to tell you exactly what she thought.

I know she worried about me. She wondered if I was making enough money and whether I had gotten myself into something I couldn’t handle.

But Mama also knew how stubborn I was.

Once I made up my mind to do something, it was pretty hard to convince me otherwise.

Mama passed away in March 1995. She never got to see what Olde Delaney’s would eventually become.

I wish she could see it today.

I wonder what she would think about the changes we’ve made, how much the business has grown, and everything Barbara and I have accomplished over the years.

Knowing Mama, she’d probably still find something she thought I ought to do differently.

And I’d give just about anything to hear her say it.

Sometimes I think about how different things might have been if certain people hadn’t come into my life at the right time.

A little encouragement here, an opportunity there, somebody willing to give you a chance.

Those things can make a difference that lasts a lifetime.

Now, after all these years, I’m still looking ahead.

And something has been on my mind for quite some time.

I’ve got another idea.

Actually, it’s more than just an idea now.

I’ve already started putting certain things into motion. There have been conversations, some planning, and a few steps taken that nobody really knows about.

I’m not ready to say exactly what it is.

Some things are better kept quiet until the time is right.

But I will say this.

After thirty-six years at Olde Delaney’s, you’d think I would be satisfied with everything we’ve accomplished.

And I am proud of it.

But being satisfied and being finished are two entirely different things.

I’ve always believed there was another opportunity waiting somewhere. Sometimes you just have to look a little harder to see it.

This particular idea has me excited in a way I haven’t felt in quite some time.

If everything comes together the way I’m hoping, it could open another chapter in the history of Olde Delaney’s.

Something different.

Something people might not expect.

And something I’ve been quietly thinking about and working toward for a while.

Will it happen?

I believe it will.

But I’ve been in business long enough to know that things don’t always go according to plan.

There are still pieces that have to fall into place.

For now, I’m going to keep my plans close to my chest.

There will be a time to tell that story.

Just not yet.

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that you never know what tomorrow might bring.

I’ve seen people make plans for retirement and never get the chance to enjoy it. I’ve watched friends and family leave this world much sooner than anyone expected.

That makes you think.

I want to spend more time with Barbara. I want us to travel, enjoy ourselves, and do some of the things we’ve talked about doing for years.

But I also know myself.

I can’t imagine waking up every morning without something to look forward to, some problem to solve, or some new idea rolling around in my head.

Maybe one day I’ll be ready to slow down.

Maybe one day I’ll decide I’ve done enough.

But that day hasn’t come yet.

When I think about that little boy mowing yards in Henrytown, I sometimes wonder what he would think if he could see me today.

Would he believe everything that was going to happen?

Probably not.

I certainly wouldn’t have believed it myself.

I didn’t have a road map showing me how my life was going to turn out. I just took opportunities as they came, made plenty of mistakes, learned from them, and tried to do better the next time.

There are things I would change if I could go back.

There are people I wish I could talk to one more time.

And there are moments I wish I could experience all over again.

But I can’t go backward.

None of us can.

All we can do is appreciate where we’ve been, be thankful for the people who helped us along the way, and make the most of whatever time we have left.

And as long as I’ve got my health, my family, and the determination to keep moving forward, I intend to make the most of it.

I don’t know exactly what the years ahead will bring.

But I do know one thing.

The story of Olde Delaney’s isn’t finished.

And neither am I.

I just kept going.

To be continued…

10/21/2026

I Just Kept Going

My Story of Hard Times, Hard Work, Family, and Never Giving Up

Chapter Forty

When Is Enough Enough?

I’ve spent most of my life trying to get somewhere.

When I was young, I was just trying to survive. I didn’t have much, and there were times when I didn’t know where I was going to sleep or where my next meal was coming from.

Back then, I wasn’t thinking about owning a business, buying property, or building something that would last for generations.

I was just trying to make it through another day.

But somewhere along the way, things started changing.

One opportunity led to another. One accomplishment became another goal. Every time I thought I had reached a point where I could slow down, something else came along that I wanted to accomplish.

And before I knew it, 36 years had passed since I first took a chance on that little country store.

Sometimes I stand inside Olde Delaney’s and look around at everything Barbara and I have built.

I’ve had several offers from people wanting to buy the business and property. There have been times when I’ve seriously thought about what it would be like to sell everything, walk away, and enjoy the years I have left.

But then another thought crosses my mind.

What would I do with myself?

I’ve worked practically my entire life. Getting up every morning, having somewhere to go, something that needs fixing, something that needs ordering, or another problem that needs solving has become part of who I am.

I’m afraid if I ever stopped, I’d become restless and bored.

Yet, at the same time, I find myself wishing there were more hours in the day.

There are so many things I want to do, places I’d like to visit, and experiences I haven’t had.

Most importantly, I want to spend more time with Barbara.

We’ve spent so many years working, raising our family, and taking care of responsibilities that sometimes I wonder where all that time went.

I’d like for us to travel more, get away from the everyday routine, and enjoy some of the things we worked so hard to make possible.

But learning to slow down might be one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.

At 63 years old, I’m now the oldest man living in our family. Five brothers and one sister have already passed away. All of them were younger than I am.

Those losses have made me think more about time and how quickly life can change. Out of the seven boys in our family, only two of us are left. There were five girls, and four of them are still living.

Being the oldest man left has given me a different perspective. I think about the people who came before me, the ones who helped shape my life, and the ones I never expected to outlive. It reminds me that every day is a gift, even when that day is filled with work, problems, and responsibilities.

I also think about how many people would have never imagined that I would end up where I am today.

They saw the younger version of me growing up through the years. They knew the struggles I came from, the mistakes I made, and the times when I didn’t seem to have much going for me. I’m sure some of them never imagined that I would one day build the life I have now.

To be honest, there were times when I probably couldn’t imagine it either.

But I kept going.

I’ve always thought back to something Babe used to say: “It’s hard to beat someone who never gives up.”

That saying has stayed with me because I know how true it is. You may not be the strongest person, the smartest person, or the person with the most advantages. You may start with less than everybody else. But if you keep showing up and refuse to quit, you give yourself a chance to overcome things that once seemed impossible.

And I believe that if I could do it, anyone can.

I’m not saying it will be easy. It wasn’t easy for me, and I know it won’t be easy for anybody else. There will be setbacks, disappointments, and times when you question whether you should keep trying.

But giving up guarantees that you’ll never see what might have been possible.

Sometimes the only difference between the person who makes it and the person who doesn’t is that one of them kept going a little longer.

And there’s something else I’ve noticed about myself as I’ve gotten older.

I’ve changed.

When I was younger, I allowed people to bully me with their words and actions. There were times when I let people walk over me, say things that hurt, or treat me in ways I didn’t deserve.

I didn’t always know how to stand up for myself.

Maybe I was afraid of confrontation. Maybe I wanted people to like me. Or maybe I just hadn’t learned that I had a right to stand up for myself.

But life has a way of teaching you lessons.

As I got older, I learned that I didn’t have to accept being mistreated. I learned to speak up, stand my ground, and stop worrying so much about what everybody else thought of me.

I became stronger in some ways.

But I also became more of a loner.

Over the years, I’ve found myself wanting to spend more time by myself. I don’t feel the need to be around a crowd or constantly have somebody to talk to.

Sometimes I’d rather be alone with my thoughts, doing something that needs to be done.

And there’s certainly never been a shortage of those things.

It seems like every day I get up with a list of things I want to accomplish. But before I know it, the day is over, and half of what I planned to do is still waiting.

Then the next morning comes, and I’m working on things I should have finished the day before.

It’s a never-ending cycle.

Sometimes I wonder whether I keep myself busy because there’s so much that needs to be done, or because staying busy has become my way of dealing with life.

When you’re working, you don’t have much time to sit around worrying about things.

You just keep moving.

And that’s what I’ve always done.

But now, as I look toward the future, I’m beginning to realize that time is one thing I can’t buy back, no matter how hard I work or how much money I make.

I can buy more merchandise. I can improve another building. I can invest in another piece of property.

But I can’t buy back the years I’ve already lived.

Maybe that’s what makes this stage of my life so difficult.

Part of me wants to keep building, improving, and accomplishing things.

Another part of me wants to close the door, take Barbara by the hand, and go somewhere we’ve never been before.

I don’t know that I’m ready to retire.

And I certainly don’t know whether I could ever completely walk away from Olde Delaney’s.

But I do know I’ve changed.

The young man who once struggled just to survive would probably have a hard time believing the life I’ve lived.

The people who knew that younger version of me might have never imagined I would end up here. But that younger man had something in him that he didn’t always recognize at the time.

He kept going.

And maybe the older man I’ve become needs to learn something that young man never had the opportunity to learn.

How to enjoy life without feeling like he has to work every minute of it.

Because after everything I’ve been through, everything I’ve accomplished, and everything Barbara and I have sacrificed, I don’t want to reach the end of my life wishing I’d taken more time to enjoy what we worked so hard to build.

Maybe the next chapter of my life won’t be about how much more I can accomplish.

Maybe it’ll be about learning when to stop long enough to enjoy it.

But old habits are hard to break.

And for now, I still get up every morning knowing there’s something waiting for me that should have been done yesterday.

I just kept going.

And maybe that’s the lesson I want people to remember. No matter where you come from, no matter what people expect of you, and no matter how many times life knocks you down, you can still keep moving forward.

If I could do it, anyone can.

Because it’s hard to beat someone who never gives up.

To be continued….

Address

1467 N 3rd Street
Bardstown, KY
40004

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+15023488565

Website

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