How do we simplify in a high-speed, complicated age? Though the generations before us didn’t seem to have this challenge, I sometimes think they could coach us through it—if only we could stop long enough to listen.

I’m not sure why he thought I might have tattooed “pizza” on my arm. I suppose, though, that it makes about as much sense as “gizzard,” especially if you’re 4 years old and like pizza about as good as anything in this world.

A printed statement from Keith Blankenship’s attorney said that in entering guilty pleas to reckless driving and refusing a breath test charges the juvenile court judge “takes full responsibility for his actions and accepts the consequences arising from his actions.”

The annual Relay for Life fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, which is held at Withers Park in Wytheville, is always one of our community’s most anticipated happenings. I was honored to be a part of this year’s festivities serving as co-captain of the relay team for Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church. I had the pleasure of being involved with this church’s team in 2006 when they walked in honor of my friend, Jeff, who was battling lymphoma at that time. When I became a member of Mount Pleasant the following year, I was disappointed when our church did not form a team

Maybelle Blossom fussed because her hips were too wide for the aisles at the Wally mart store.  Cans of stuff toppled from the shelves as she pushed her shopping cart.  People fell to the floor when she bumped into them.  She knew that it was time to fix the problem.  She drove straight to the Modern Shoe Shop to consult Sammy Veneziano, her shoe doctor.

There is a new church in Wales. Founded by two cousins, Barney and Michael Jones, it is the Church of Jediism.

Piney and She Who Must Be Obeyed have an extended family daughter of whom they are very fond. She has a “ranch” of 28 acres on the Withlacoochee River with an extraordinary Buckminster Fuller “Dome” house on it.

Time. How utterly, unspeakably precious this scanter-than-gold-and-more-valuable commodity—unavailable on the open market—grows with each passing season.

My annual battle with the grass is under way.
Just a day or so ago I waded through embarrassingly high, hip high in places, grass, alternately pushing and dragging a mower. In fairness to me, I had mowed the half acre immediately around the house. So this wasn’t my first time on the lawn. It was, however, the first time that really counted, the first time I mowed everything, or nearly everything, I’ve got to mow.

On April 29th, I attended the annual spring presentation of the Wytheville Community College Concert Band.  This particular program, entitled April Flowers, served as the finale for the band’s eighteenth season.  I always enjoy attending these free concerts, which occur twice annually and are open the public, this particular performance being one of the best I have seen from the instrumental ensemble.
Their opening number, The Courier Journal March, was composed by R.B. Griffith in honor of his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.  Published in 1961, this tune was actually written a decade earlier and was originally titled The Red M March, in honor of Manuel High School where he served as band director.  The particular rendition of this number featured a specific arrangement by Wytheville Community College Concert Band director, Bill Svec.