I picked up Dylan on Tuesday afternoon with a promise to have him back home in 24 hours or so. We spotted seven deer on the ride home. Guthrie met us with mixed emotions; I never knew dogs could be so jealous. We ate what we wanted to for supper, chicken and ginger snap cookies. Then we built a Lego house for a Barbie, and watched no television. It was nice.

At bedtime, the stories began. I told one. He told one. My turn again. Then his. Until I fell asleep. I am sure he soon followed. The story ritual (he much prefers the ones I make up over a book) is always the way we drift off to dreamland where he goes to meet Mommy. For a four-year-old ("just turned four" he reminds all who ask his age), 24 hours is a long time to be away from mom.

Morning came and our adventures began again. First, a business meeting I had to attend and one other necessary appointment. Then, in the car, I asked Dylan if he would like a special treat for lunch. Of course his answer was yes, but neither of us had any way of knowing how very special our next couple of hours would be.

I had recently heard about The Isabella, in Jackson, from friends who said I must go there, that they were certain I would love it. No real details. "Just go the first chance you get" were my instructions. The chance had come. We headed for Jackson.

On State Highway 16, I drove a couple of blocks east of the square and glanced off to my left to spot the grand old Victorian home. Ah, my friends were right, we were about to go back in time.

The entrance was breathtaking. We were soon seated at one of the best tables in the house. Dylan, in his mismatched sweats, never once complained about not being properly dressed. In fact, in a matter of seconds he gallantly rose to the occasion when he reached for an oversized goblet of water, gingerly lifted it and said, "Bonjour, madam."

That was a first. Then with the goblet precariously balanced in his little hands, he said, "Oops we forgot to bump our glasses."

"Bump our glasses?"

"Yes, Gangan, we need to touch our glasses when I say ëBonjour.'"

Indeed, life is an adventure...

The food was spectacularly prepared and presented! The service warm and friendly. We were made to feel more than welcome, even a bit spoiled. With his being the only kid in the place, I was fully aware that the experience could have gone in any number of directions. Elaine Dunn, the owner, told us we could walk about a bit after lunch and explore the upstairs if we liked.

We liked! Until we ran into the chef who asked if we had seen the ghost. Dylan's only response, "Me is ready to go. Now. Gangan, let's go now." The upstairs adventure was over.

Back downstairs, Elaine asked how we liked the tour. It was great, I said, until the chef mentioned the ghost.

"Me no like ghosts," the little one promptly piped.

We soon left, but not without having gleaned a bit of history about the place. George and Elaine Dunn purchased the lovely home in 1985 and lived there until a year or so ago when they decided to turn it into a restaurant and share it again with others.

I say "again" because it had been in the McCallum family for a hundred years prior to the Dunn's purchase and was opened to the community on many occasions over time. Flower shows were held there and even a high school prom or two.

Upon returning home from the Civil War, John McCallum set about making a small fortune for himself and his family. His prosperity allowed him to purchase 200 hundred acres upon which he constructed the two story, 9,500 square feet home. Ever so grand in its day, it remains a treat for all who enter.

And the ghost? Luckily, on the day we visited, she was in the basement or perhaps out in the garden or... Oh, well, don't let her existence keep you from checking out The Isabella. The house alone deserves the trip, but the food makes it doubly worth the drive. I had fried crab cakes over pasta with fresh Parmesan and a medley of vegetables on the side. I understand they have a seafood buffet on Friday nights which I hope to try soon.

On the brochure I picked up on my way out, I read these words, "It is our pleasure to share the beauty of a by-gone era with you and your family and friends. It is our prayer that you will enjoy your meal and will share the beauty of this home with others."