Many years ago one of my teenage jobs was pumping gas for customers of our family’s country store. We provided full service for all patrons including pumping their gas, washing their windshields, and checking their oil and other fluids at no extra charge.

I knew who Carlos Mencia was and although I had seen very little of his standup routine on television, I knew somewhat about his comedic style.  I was aware of his controversial material, which included jabs at people of every race, social class, political affiliation and ethical belief and his desire to eliminate the need for political correctness.  His trademark catch phrase “dee dee dee,” which is used to classify stupid people, was a popular playful jab between my friends Shane and Jarrett in high school.  It wasn’t until recently that I found out the origin of that phrase.

I didn’t like it when they re-routed the road, lassoing the Tobias-Smyth cabin in asphalt. I didn’t like it when I heard Wiley would be getting an upgrade and might stop looking like a set piece for “Dead Poets Society.” And I for sure wasn’t excited about a three-story addition, green or not, to Byars Hall. 

I stopped in front of the house and double-checked the address. A family had been visiting our church for several weeks indicating they would like to unite with the church. Now I was about to visit with them about that desire.

A single white candle sits in my office. It’s unimpressive in physical size – only a little more than four inches tall and finger-width wide. Tiny balls of wax hardened where they spilled over the top and a blackened wick tell that the candle has been burned. The flimsy cardboard finger protector still rests about midway down the molded wax tube giving a bit of testimony about its use.
The candle was lit once—on Sept. 12, 2001.

As usual, this column is being written on Thursday. This happens to be Sept. 11, and is the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed so many innocent people and destroyed the World Trade Center as well as damaging the Pentagon.

Piney was thinking back to the days of good presidents. As he drove the streets of Tampa, he remembered drives in Paris. Piney didn’t think he had ever met 12 drivers that he found more interesting than the Paris Embassy motor pool drivers in those old days. There were a dozen of them. 

Citizens of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast quickly slammed valuables and necessities into their bags and frantically tried to evacuate into safer territory before Gustav’s dreaded arrival. 

Here are some thoughts I have on the current Iraq situation.  Since the news can’t get it right or they actually refuse to report the truth, here is how I see it.

I enjoyed spending the Labor Day holiday with my friend Shane as we continued our Monday tradition of dining at Ruby Tuesday’s and catching a movie at the Marquee Cinemas.  That particular day, we saw the new Vin Diesel science fiction film, Babylon A.D., which opened there the previous Friday.  During its opening weekend at the Wytheville theater, Babylon A.D. was greeted with a promotional event, which featured representatives from such area businesses as Game Stop, March of Dimes, Wythe County Public Library, All God’s Creatures Animal Sanctuary and the Bird Sanctuary.  Face painting, games, prizes and several other elements of family fun were also featured.