The Mindful Farmers Daily Diary Day 916

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to The Mindful Farmers tour of vineyards beginning in Cognac in the south of France. In 1624 a distillery was established here in Cognac on the beautiful shores of the Charante river. It is 250 years since Richard Hennessy from Co. Cork founded the work and the famous Cognac house that still bares his name. The Hennessy family came from Killavulen, Co. Cork and still own Ballymacmoy house there. The drink itself is known in France as "Eaux de vie", "water of life". When I was a young lad growing up in West Limerick we had a well at the bottom of the field that gave us life for many reasons. Fresh water for the house, water to cool the milk and served as a fridge also. Now at Ballinwillin we have our own fresh, organic water from deep beneath the earth and now as I sit here in Cognac I say to myself lets bless the grace and power of all water. Water does what words would love to do. Keeping its appearance and then disappearing, seldom pushing or straining but always having the courage to continue believing, flowing crystal clear and free. Continue to pray, bless, power healing, peace, hope and love to all who need it and wear your Sunday smile.

The Mindful Farmer

Patrick