Luanne Austin Features Columnist Features Department RuralPen@aol.com	Back to  Back to Homepage
1. Through All Jobs, We Support Each Other 2010-09-03 Labor Most of us must do it in order to provide food for our tables, clothes on our backs, a roof over our heads. 2. A Lesson In Virginia Driving 2010-08-27 3. Working Hard At The Weekly Grind 2010-08-20 Psst. Hey. Want to hear a secret? Come closer. There. Are you ready? I hate writing this column. 4. Family Celebrates A Century With Matriarch 2010-08-13 Grandma Austin turns 100 this month. That's old. To me, Grandma has always been old. She was already in her 60s - I was 17 - when I met her 38 years ago. 5. Resisting The Rush Pays Off 2010-08-06 It was a crazy idea. My daughter had called from Northern Ireland to share some good news about her new music EP, about the good reviews it's getting, things people are saying about it, the gigs it's leading to. 6. Homeopathy Opens New Doors For Healing 2010-07-30 It had hurt for two months. After using an over-the-counter remedy for twice the recommended time, I reluctantly made an appointment to have the two plantar warts removed from my left foot. 7. Anxiety Surrenders To Abiding Faith 2010-07-23 The three pieces of mail arrived on the same day. A "notice of exhaustion" from the Virginia Employment Commission concerning the end of the husband's unemployment benefits. 8. Worship With The Trees A Healing Event 2010-07-16 Sunday morning was glorious, a dream come true. Conflicted about going to church on Sunday mornings, I have often chosen instead to spend the time out of doors: walking in the woods near my home or heading up to the mountains. 9. The Value Of A Tech Timeout 2010-07-09 My New Jersey niece had a total fast from technology during her recent visit to the Valley. A college student, Jen spent five days at her dad's house in Elkton, where there was: 10. Why Green Is Doomed 2010-07-02 11. Taking Small Steps To Change 2010-06-25 Remember how I wrote about butchering our own chickens? And that I could not eat them because of how gross it was to reach in and pull their guts out? 12. Celebrate Father's Day For Free 2010-06-18 How's this for tacky? Father's Day holds the record for the most collect phone calls. "Father's Day is our biggest day for collect calls, not just the biggest holiday, but the biggest day of the year," said Dave Johnson, an AT&T spokesman, in 1998. 13. Lallah Spends A Day With The Little Ones 2010-06-11 Deep breath. It's Saturday and the girls are on their way. Once they get here, today will be non-stop, so I take a few minutes of quiet. How did I ever keep up with little ones when I was home with them all day? 14. Don't Confuse The Little T's With The Big T 2010-06-04 Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree (Joyce Kilmer). 15. Pause To Remember 2010-05-28 My grandmother called it Decoration Day. It started near the end of the Civil War, when people decorated the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers. But exactly where and when Memorial Day began is anyone's guess. 16. God Made A Garden, And It Was Good 2010-05-21 OK, so maybe for people who have grown up with gardens, spring is no big deal. The weather gets warm, you till the plot, you plant the seeds. In a few weeks, you have radishes, carrots, lettuce, peas, cabbage, broccoli. 17. Do You Prefer Faces Or Backs? 2010-05-14 Rows and aisles. As the people enter, they walk up the center aisle and find their seats. When the clock strikes the hour, the musicians come on stage and start playing. 18. Fight For Your Right To Mother 2010-05-07 Is Mother's Day just lip service? Of course, not on a personal level, but nationwide. Because if you're having a baby in the United States, don't expect much compensation when you take time off from work. 19. Are We Actually Two People In One Body? 2010-04-30 Have you heard of Jill Bolte Taylor? She's a Boston neuroanatomist who has been speaking to groups about her experience of having a stroke. 20. Distrust In Government An American Tradition 2010-04-23 21. One Year And Counting 2010-04-16 We've passed the one year mark. The husband has been unemployed for one year now. In all that time, he has applied for at least two jobs every week. 22. Breast-Feeding Is Better - Who Knew? 2010-04-09 Watch out. The experts have once again come up with a shocking new discovery: Breast-feeding produces healthier babies! Plus, it costs less than formula feeding! 23. What We Need Is Diet Reform 2010-03-26 24. Music That Makes The Soul Long 2010-03-19 This is what this music has done. I've been listening to the soundtrack from the Bourne films: "The Bourne Identity," "The Bourne Supremacy," "The Bourne Ultimatum." 25. With Spring, Comes Hope 2010-03-12 This is how winter ends. (I wonder if this was a historical winter, if there ever was a winter in the Shenandoah Valley where snow lay on the ground throughout the whole season?) 26. Accept The Whole Of Historic Woman 2010-03-05 Did you know that Thomas Paine's classic, "The Rights of Man," was actually preceded and inspired by Mary Wollstonecraft's "A Vindication of the Rights of Man"? Yet which is the more famous? 27. Cast Off The Chains Of Shame 2010-02-26 Once upon a time there was a little girl who stole some candy from the grocery store. When she got out to the car, her mother noticed the candy bulging in the girl's pocket. 28. From The Death Of Winter Springs Life 2010-02-19 Snow has covered the ground all winter. All this snow, layers of snow. So this is what winter is like for residents of northern climates. 29. Nothing Says ‘I Love You' Like A Poem 2010-02-12 Did you know that in the Middle Ages, people in England and France thought that birds began looking for a mate on Feb. 14? Hence Chaucer's reference to Saint Valentine's Day. 30. Snow Renders The World Into A Tumultous Privacy 2010-02-05 The world so familiar to us, when it snows, is like another planet. Peering out, we cannot see our neighbors' houses. Do we even have neighbors? 31. Snowed-In Siblings Reconnect 2010-01-29 She came with the snow and left with it. The day after my daughter, Rachel, arrived for a long visit in mid-December, it began to snow. The first real snowstorm in a decade. 32. Earthquakes Bring All To The Surface 2010-01-22 The earth is broken. A few days before the earthquake in Haiti, I watched a movie with an earthquake scene. The people ran every which way to escape it. Some fell into the cracking ground. 33. Come Butchering Day, I'm In The Kitchen 2010-01-15 When we arrived in the Valley in 1978, there were still butchering days. Back then, I never would have thought the Austins would have a butchering day. But recently - ugh - we did. 34. Break The Prison Of Defiance 2010-01-08 Out with the old, in with the new. When the new year comes, there's always a sense of getting a fresh start. Leaving the past behind, getting on with our lives. But is it really possible? 35. Problems, Pain Don't Take A Holiday 2009-12-18 36. Choices Lead To Chaos Or Joy And Peace 2009-12-11 Haunting words. They pierce like a fish knife, slicing through the flesh and pulling it back to reveal my heart. 37. Even In The Darkest Night, There Is Hope 2009-12-04 38. You Can't Control Hate, But You Can Control What You Do With It 2009-11-20 Do you hate Obama? Do you hate Bush? Or do you just hate Mondays? We all hate something. Hate is the strongest word we can use against anything or anyone. 39. Embrace Life's Little Interruptions 2009-11-13 Life is all about the interruptions. After my seemingly impetuous yet long-postponed decision to go gung-ho on redoing my living room by Thanksgiving, the interruptions lined up, one by one. 40. An Addition To The Family Will Help Keep Us Connected 2009-11-06 41. Memory Isn't As Black And White As You Might Think 2009-10-30 "Do you remember the time we talked about the year 2000 and how old we would be then?" 42. You Don't Have To Look Far To Find Amazing Women 2009-10-23 As anyone knows who works full time, days off are few and precious. Yet Heidi took the day off for my birthday. 43. New Experiences The Antidote To Old Age 2009-10-16 OK, ladies, what do we think about turning 50? If I had known what a milestone turning 50 was going to be, I would have paid it more attention. And now I'm turning 55. Is there no way to stop the passage of time? 44. A Little Self-Sufficiency Goes A Long Way 2009-10-09 The laughing days of summer have given way to the decaying beauty of fall. 45. Click Click Leads To Dancing In The Rain 2009-10-02 So Trent Wagler posts a note last Thursday on Facebook offering tickets for SpaghettiFest at a discounted price "until midnight." 46. We Hear What We Want To Hear 2009-09-25 Days before former President Jimmy Carter was scheduled to receive an award at JMU, he made a remark on NBC that got his name all over the news and talk shows for days. 47. Beauty Is An Embrace To Come Home To 2009-09-18 Can beauty save the world? As a young woman, when my soul was overwhelmed with fatigue, heartbreak or anger, I always walked or rode my bicycle to the bay. 48. Old Wounds Can Always Heal 2009-09-11 49. Who Really Pays The Bill? 2009-09-04 The bill for my four-day stay at the University of Virginia Medical Center in October 2006 - including the room, operating room, recovery room, anesthesia, pharmacy, labs, medical supplies, radiology and pathology - came to $48,420.03. 50. How Well Do You Know Your Dictionary? 2009-08-28 Remember the game Balderdash, where you had to guess the definition to an obscure word in order to win? 51. An Important Lesson From The '60s: Question Everything 2009-08-21 It was the summer of 1969, when man first walked on the moon, the Manson Family went on a killing rampage, thousands of young people flocked to the Woodstock Music Festival and my parents separated. These are the things I remember. 52. Willpower: Not All It's Cracked Up To Be 2009-08-14 53. The Sunshine's Calling Your Name 2009-08-07 The PBS cartoon family was expecting a visit from Grandmother, who lived far away. The daughter, 5-year-old Betsy, was so excited. 54. Despite Difficulties, It's Time To Live 2009-07-31 The unemployment continues, but things are looking up. Our friend "Mike," about whom I wrote in March, has gotten a job. He was the first person I knew to get laid off in this recession. 55. Big Mistakes Can Lead To Big Growth 2009-07-24 The potter insisted on giving me a cup of coffee before showing me his work. As we sipped the black brew in mugs another potter had made, he pointed out the thumbprint on the handle. 56. ‘Tale Of Two Cities’ A Story For Today 2009-07-17 Bonne Bastille! 57. Respect The Dead With Honesty 2009-07-10 Now that Michael Jackson is dead - not to mention Farrah Fawcett, Karl Malden, Gale Storm and Robert MacNamara - people are speaking about him in reverential tones. Should we? 58. Back To The Basics With Baby Chicks 2009-06-26 59. Unemployment Not So Bad - Yet 2009-06-19 Meanwhile, in Unemployment Land, the realities of living on less are often startling. Remember I left my job in August to pursue freelance writing? 60. Do We Really Need All These Drugs? 2009-06-12 The guy in line in front of me places a clear plastic box on the counter. Bigger than a shoebox, it's filled with bottles of prescription drugs. 61. Don’t Let Fear Stop You From Flying 2009-06-05 Afraid of flying? I am. But that doesn’t stop me from leaving on a jet plane. 62. Have You Counted Your Shoes Lately? 2009-05-29 It's May and finally warm. Time to pack away our heavy coats, sweaters and long-sleeved shirts and pull out the tank tops, capris and shorts, as well as turning in our boots for sandals. 63. You Teach By What You Do 2009-05-22 If I had been required to take a test to see if I was fit to be a mother, I doubt they would have allowed me to take my first child home from the hospital. I couldn't even change a diaper. 64. Ireland Alive With Signs Of Spring 2009-05-15 This visit to Northern Ireland seems to be themed with parks, thanks to the country's National Trust. 65. Enjoy The Sun While You Can 2009-05-08 Out the back window over the rooftops and back gardens, the sky above is totally blue. But apparently not for long. 66. Salon Sparks Discussion, Thought 2009-05-01 As the women arrive, I'm in the kitchen, finishing the main dish. This is where we meet and greet, say how are you and chat about the highlights of our day. 67. Who's Really In Charge Of Your Kids? 2009-04-24 The day Savana Redding was strip-searched at an Arizona school marked a turning point in her life. The 13-year-old never went back to that school again. 68. ‘Zero Tolerance' An Excuse For Lack Of Judgment 2009-04-17 The high school student was in a good mood as he walked down the hall between classes. But when he jumped up to tap the clock sticking out from the wall, the clock got damaged. 69. It’s Friday, But Sunday Is Coming 2009-04-10 Friday, Saturday, Sunday. The Bible tells us Jesus was in the tomb for three days. I never really got how that was counted until I wrote it down. See? It is three days. 70. Everything Is Redeemable 2009-04-03 There is a thing that sometimes happens in churches that is not good. "Marion" comes to work one day to find her office locked. She goes to her boss's office. 71. Lessons Learned Along The River 2009-03-27 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters (Gen. 2:10). 72. Where's The Change? 2009-03-13 Gee, change - as was promised - is really happening. Earlier this week an old friend - I'll call him "Mike" - called to tell us he'd been laid off after 25 years of working at the same company. 73. Learning Should Lead To Self-Knowledge 2009-03-06 English literature compelled me to start taking classes at Blue Ridge Community College. 74. An Opportunity To Change For The Better 2009-02-27 For America, the time for buying houses we can't afford is past. Charge-card shopping sprees belong in the 20th century. Suburban landscapes are passé. 75. Sweet Syrup Brightens Winter 2009-02-20 Sap's runnin'. Winter is my least favorite time of year. For the most part, the husband and I hibernate. But several years ago we found something about winter to look forward to: making maple syrup. 76. So Long, Treadmill; Hello, Gazelle 2009-02-13 My perfect treadmill is, alas, for sale. 77. Don't Let Others Tell You What's Healthy 2009-02-06 Have you thrown out your peanut butter yet? Eight people have died and 550 have been sickened by salmonella present in products like peanut butter and paste. 78. Furnace Failure Sparks Thoughts Of Woodstove 2009-01-30 Once again we find ourselves in survival mode. We don't think about that much these days: gathering food, obtaining water, keeping warm. 79. Inauguration As Momentous As Ever 2009-01-23 The pomp and circumstance of the inauguration was like the crowning of a king, so grand with its historical precedents, ceremony and the respect shown to all. 80. Lee, Jackson Share Common Ground With King 2009-01-16 As a tender young Yankee being educated in public schools as required by the State of New York, all I knew of the Civil War was that we (the North) were against the enslavement of blacks and they (the South) were for it. 81. Each Generation Has The Chance For Redemption 2008-12-19 Once upon a time there was a girl who hated Christmas. 82. Faith Supports Us In Darkest Moments 2008-12-12 It's a lovely morning. The sun is shining, you're feeling good and all is well with the world. Then you get a telephone call. 83. Advent Signals Construction Wait, As Well 2008-12-05 This Advent I am waiting for my bathroom to be built. 84. Buying Local A True Way To Show You Care 2008-11-28 Today is Black Friday, the first official day of the Christmas shopping season. Where will you shop? What will you buy? Who will be blessed by your gift? 85. Ode To Building A Bathroom 2008-11-21 Upstairs and downstairs And up and down again. Measure this and measure that And write it with a pen. 86. Buried Treasure Hides Beneath Ancient Words 2008-11-14 Man and woman. Man and man-with-a-womb. Man and wombman. Oh, the words we take for granted. 87. What’s The TV Teaching Your Kids About Sex? 2008-11-07 Does your 14-year-old daughter watch “Friends,” “Sex and the City” or “That ’70s Show?” If so, she’s more likely to have sex and get pregnant as a teenager. 88. Good Will Come, We Just Need To Participate 2008-10-31 "And now, I present the next president of the United States, Barack Obama." Woo hoo! The Convocation Center went wild. 89. Do Your Own Research Before Casting A Vote 2008-10-24 In my mailbox the other day was a colorful campaign flier embossed with a photo of Sen. John McCain. 90. More Than Just Another Day's Work 2008-10-17 What does it matter? What does it matter that I made up a song and danced around in a circle on the ocean shore? What does it matter that I walked through the woods with my granddaughters? 91. Don't Panic; Count Your Blessings 2008-10-10 Has the financial news got you worried? Are you in a panic? If so, that's the worst thing you can do. This is not the time to worry or panic. It's the time to look up and thank God for providing for your needs. 92. Time Is The Heart Of Existence 2008-10-03 That's the place where Rachel's car went sideways against the bank. To get out, she crawled out the passenger's side on top. 93. Two Years Marks Survival 2008-09-26 "How are you feeling?" I get asked that a lot these days. And I appreciate the concern. Two years ago today I was facing a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery for breast cancer. 94. Voting Requires Some Soul Searching 2008-09-19 Guess who's running for president? Ralph Nader, Bob Barr and Cynthia McKinney. Except for Nader, you've probably never heard of the other candidates. 95. Life Is Like A Circle 2008-09-12 96. Pharmacist Selects Healthy Tips 2008-09-09 PORT REPUBLIC - Did you know that eating raw honey made by bees from local plants (and therefore, local pollen) can help prevent allergies? 97. Fleeing Second Babylon Too Much To Bear 2008-09-05 It was something we talked about all the time. Getting off the island, out of the suburbs, away from the shadow of the city. And so, when we could, we did. 98. Quilts, Quilts And More Quilts 2008-08-29 Art quilts, traditional quilts and contemporary quilts will all be exhibited in a month-long celebration throughout the 99. This Chapter Of Life Comes To An End 2008-08-29 It's time to go. Yesterday was my last day on staff at the Daily News-Record. 100. Expressing Love Is Key To ‘Happy Marriage' 2008-08-22 Weddings, weddings. I've attended two weddings this year and have two more to go. What joyful occasions. For the past seven or eight years, we've been attending two to four weddings annually. 101. Waste Not, Want Not 2008-08-20 When Andrea Early of Harrisonburg packs her child's lunch for preschool, she pours juice from a pitcher into a portable bottle. 102. Just Breathe For Better Living 2008-08-15 The deep blue sky and cool breeze. Sigh. Is it really August? We've had beautiful, invigorating, oxygenated days. 103. An Old-Fashioned Woman 2008-08-09 Stacey Nadeau doesn't dress for work until after she gets there. First she puts on pantaloons, which extend to mid-calf. Then comes the chemise, falling to the knees. 104. Listing My Way To Success 2008-08-08 As someday it may happen that a victim must be found, I've got a little list, I've got a little list, of society offenders who ... never would be missed, who never would be missed. 105. Play Builds Better Kids ... And Adults 2008-08-01 When I visit Thieron, he often insists on serving me a piece of cake. He runs into the kitchen for a pan and sets it on the hassock, which is his stove. 106. Pizza Goes Al Fresco 2008-07-30 Like the taste of wood-fired oven pizza? So does Tassie Pippert. She likes it so much that 10 years ago she tried making it at home. Lacking a wood-fired oven was no problem. She used her outdoor grill. 107. Look To Bible For True Meaning Of Scripture 2008-07-25 Iris was afraid. Her husband had been smacking her around for several years when he started in on the children. One son in particular got the brunt of his anger. 108. Family Is As Family Loves 2008-07-18 No matter how far you are from your family, they're still your family. The husband and I, accompanied by his brother, traveled to upstate New York over the Fourth of July weekend to attend his cousin's wedding. 109. Greed Motivates Unanswerable Questions 2008-07-11 So many things I do not understand. Ever have someone explain a concept to you and while they're talking you begin to understand it, but then as you walk away it's gone? 110. ‘Just Loves Cooking' 2008-07-09 NEW MARKET - When Sharon and Larry Smith were looking for an executive chef for their new restaurant, they whittled the qualified applicants down to three, then called them in for interviews. 111. The Basketmaker 2008-07-05 MOUNT SIDNEY - It started 18 years ago when Jo Anne Farrell's stepdaughter offered to teach her to make baskets. 112. Bridgewater UMC Plans Health Fair To Aid Member 2008-07-03 A health fair planned as an outreach at a local church may also lead to saving the life of one of its members. 113. The Wave - Hidden Danger For Bikers? 2008-06-27 To wave or not to wave? When the husband and I began motorcycling 12 years ago, passing other motorcyclists on the road was rare. 114. Little Berry, Big Nutrition 2008-06-25 The blueberries are in. Blueberries are now in season here in the Valley. Depending on the weather, they will be for the next four weeks or so, says Sam Johnson of Keezletown. 115. Making A Living As An Artist 2008-06-21 The green highway sign on U.S. 33 East says SoLace Studios, with an arrow directing drivers to turn left to Elkton. 116. Can You Meet ‘The 100 Thing Challenge'? 2008-06-20 In the bottom right-hand drawer of my buffet table is a brown plastic basket. Cracked with age, its contents long ago overflowed and spilled out into the drawer and all over the stationery that shares space with the basket. 117. The Sweet Sounds Of Live Music 2008-06-13 Live music. We forget how good it is. Last week I finally got to see one of my favorite bands, Over the Rhine, in spite of a conspiracy to keep me away from them. 118. Beware The Perils Of The Grocery Store 2008-06-06 Picking up jar after jar, we scanned the labels for the ingredients. Jar after jar contained the same words: high fructose corn syrup. From soda pop to beer to vegetable juice. 119. Remembering D-Day 2008-06-06 Richard Lechaux was 18 when the Allied Forces invaded his homeland on June 6, 1944. A student in a boarding school several miles inland from the coast of Normandy, France, Lechaux and his classmates had endured months of bombing operations by the American and British armed forces. On D-Day, it got even worse. 120. Imagination Opens Door To Faith 2008-05-30 Thieron, age 3, is learning to cook. When I visit, he insists, like a good host, on feeding me. He dashes to the kitchen for a pot, sets it on the hassock and fills it with blocks and toy cars. 121. Sadness Can Sow Seeds For Growth 2008-05-23 122. Think Twice About Modern Life's Conveniences 2008-05-16 Thursday morning I awoke and peered over the covers, but the old LCD clock radio was dark. No electricity. Gee, how can I write my column? I thought. 123. Green Parenting 2008-05-16 The Savedge home in Luray is small. Inside, the downstairs is open, light and sparsely but comfortably furnished. 124. Broadening Their Horizons, One Sip At A Time 2008-05-14 Renee Canell used to drink the same kinds of wine all the time. For instance, when her son told her Australian wines were good, she started drinking only Australian wines. 125. Want To Treat Mom Right? Shop Locally 2008-05-09 Let's face it. Most Americans have too much stuff. Including your mother. This year we'll spend $15.8 billion on Mother's Day gifts. That's right, billions. 126. Elkton Students Are Dancin’ Through The Years 2008-05-08 From the Charleston to hip-hop, the Elkton Recreation Dance Program’s annual dance show will cover “Dancing thru the Decades.” 127. World Peace Starts Within Each Of Us 2008-05-02 In Dal Choi is one of the happiest people I've ever met. Choi has learned the secret to being at peace with his fellow humans. 128. The Blue Nile Returns 2008-05-01 Finally, the Burg can satisfy its injera craving. After closing nearly a year ago, Blue Nile Ethiopian Cuisine has opened its new doors. 129. Making A Practice Of Posing 2008-04-25 First my daughters suggested it, then my doctor. 130. Home And Garden Getaways 2008-04-22 It looks like a modest home in a middle-class city neighborhood. But when visitors to Terry and Joyce Overby's house step into the foyer, they're transported to another world. 131. Homemaking About More Than Cleaning 2008-04-18 Is homemaking an art? Or is it a dreary necessity? When Betty Friedan published "The Feminine Mystique" in 1965, millions of women took up her battle cry. 132. Fairly Traded Fashion 2008-04-18 It was a coincidence that lead Kathleen Temple and Kaitie Atchison to create a line of clothing using fairly traded fabrics. The two have enjoyed sewing together as seamstresses at Ragtime Fabrics. 133. From Botanist To Chef 2008-04-16 What happens when a botanist turns to cooking? For one thing, nearly everything growing in Mark Newsome's yard - trees, shrubs, flowers - is edible. 134. Spring's Charms Memorialized By Poets 2008-04-11 Spring is finally here. No more biting cold, please, sire of the north wind. With spring come odes but none, alas, this year from me. 135. Doubt Can Lead To Unbelief ... Or Freedom 2008-04-04 What do you do when you're not sure? Father Flynn asks this question at the beginning of the play, "Doubt: A Parable," which the husband and I saw Saturday at Court Square Theater. 136. Peace Isn’t A Law — It’s More A Matter Of The Heart 2008-03-28 Leafing through the pages of the Hartzler Gallery’s guest book, I notice one work in the exhibit seems to be very popular. 137. Knitting Know-How 2008-03-25 Jane Garber started knitting when she found a ball of red yarn in a mud puddle. Forty-seven years later, she's known as a 138. ‘Stations Of The Cross' Engages Viewers' Hearts In Christ's Passion 2008-03-22 Since the time immediately following the death of Christ, pilgrims have visited Jerusalem to walk the route followed by their Lord on Good Friday. 139. Tears and Songs of Joy 2008-03-21 It starts, it always starts, with scales. In Dal Choi hits a note on the piano, and off goes Alisa Kieffer. Up the scale, down the scale, then up and down again. As his 20-year-old student sings, Choi smiles. 140. Son Presents His Side Of The Twinkie Debacle 2008-03-21 Daniel has his own story to tell. Last week I wrote about my son's 30th birthday, in which I shared a story about how, as a 7-year-old, he once refused to leave the grocery store unless I bought him some Twinkies. 141. At 30, Son Still Wants His Twinkies 2008-03-14 My 7-year-old son sat on the curb, refusing to move until I bought him some Twinkies. I’d finished food shopping and had packed the groceries and other kids into the car. 142. Would You Put Your Life In The Hands Of The FDA? 2008-03-07 But it’s approved by the FDA! That’s the argument an acquaintance used last week when we were discussing artificial sweeteners. 143. Music Makers 2008-03-01 Vallie May Stroop had seen her distant cousin, Don DePoy, only on rare occasions for many years when he showed up several weeks ago at the weekly jam session she hosts in Timberville. 144. Survey Says: No More Religion As Usual 2008-02-29 They knelt, they stood, they sat. They sang the first and last verses of a hymn. They recited their beliefs. They placed money in the offering plate. 145. Mailable Meals 2008-02-27 TIMBERVILLE - An elderly man living alone sits down to a dinner of pot roast with roasted garlic mashed potatoes. On a Tuesday night, a working mother serves lasagna to her family with a side of spinach with garlic and feta cheese. 146. The DTV Revolution 2008-02-22 Are you ready for digital television (DTV)? 147. A Made-Up Winter's Tale 2008-02-22 It was winter when she died. Cold on cold, stark. A good time to die. 148. 2008 Presidential Election Sparks Excitement, Discussion 2008-02-15 My sister and I were so excited about voting in the primary this week, though our political opinions are different. 149. MRIs Show Scientists The Ways Of Love 2008-02-07 Love. Is it a special way of feeling? A many-splendored thing? Biology? Chemistry? 150. Conversation Requires Equal Parts Listening, Talking 2008-02-01 Not long ago I visited a friend to discuss a topic we are both interested in. 151. The Root Of Winter Vegetables 2008-01-30 Mary Beth Lind doesnt eat lettuce in the winter. But that doesnt mean she doesnt eat salad. 152. The Other Tom Sawyer 2008-01-26 Charlottesville has John Grisham, Sissy Spacek and Dave Matthews. But did you know that Bruce Willis, John Tesh and Heather Mills all live in Harrisonburg? 153. Grandma's Vitality, Longevity 2008-01-25 Grandma is alive and well. 154. Are You Free To Be An Uncle Bill? 2008-01-18 My Uncle Bill died on Saturday. 155. Like Jesus, We Should Party Wisely 2008-01-11 The time of partying is over for now. We took down the tree on the 12th day of Christmas, as well as the garlands and greens. The red tablecloth is washed, folded and put away. 156. Intense Flavors 2008-01-09 Tassie Pippert loves to roast vegetables. 157. Unearthing History 2008-01-05 Before he ever saw pottery from the old Morris Kiln, Rudy Tucker had already made several crocks that resemble those made at the kiln in the 1800s. 158. Contour's Milestone A Sign Of Hope 2008-01-04 On Wednesday night at 9:15, my car's odometer rolled over to 200,000 miles. 159. Keeping Up With The Year Behind Us 2007-12-28 And so we come to the close of another year in the history of planet Earth. Another journey around the sun. 160. Christmas Marks The End Of A Happy Year 2007-12-21 Dear Family and Friends, 161. In The Spirit Of The Season 2007-12-21 NEW MARKET - "I bring you great joy today. Our community's coming together!" 162. Mastering The Clock 2007-12-19 First, you plan. That's the advice Debra Bontz has for all cooks heading into the holidays. 163. Santa Can Teach Us About Faith 2007-12-14 "You've got to believe," Grandma Brown always said. Grandma told me that if I did not believe in Santa Claus, I would have no gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. 164. The Santa Maker 2007-12-08 165. Information Is Worthless Without Wisdom 2007-12-07 We are glutted with information. Information is everywhere: on TV, the radio, the Internet; in e-mails, magazines, newspapers and books; at school, the doctor's office, the mall, MacDonald's. 166. Christmas Letters 2007-12-07 Christmas letters are a lot like fruitcake: people either love them or hate them. The 167. As Advent Comes, Remember The Spirit That Works Within 2007-11-30 Take a deep breath and move into the peacefulness of Advent. Like Mary, pregnant, expecting to give birth to something new. 168. Spread Peace This Season — Boycott Chinese Goods 2007-11-23 Boycott China? That’s the message on a bumper sticker I saw the other day: Boycott China. 169. Turkey Traditions 2007-11-21 Ahh, Thanksgiving. Turkey, dressing and … what else? Thanksgiving Day dinner has as many variations as there are families in the United States. 170. These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things ... 2007-11-16 OK, this is corny, but I’m going to do it anyway. Just fooling around with words, I made an anagram of the word Thanksgiving. It turned out to be a meaningful meditation on things I’m thankful for. 171. Taste Of The Greek Isles 2007-11-07 Dave Miller was working at Jess’s Lunch in 1983 when he discovered Greek foods. Owner Gus Floros’s grandmother made food for the restaurant staff often, says Miller. 172. MentorMatch Offers Support To Area Teens In Foster Care, Court System 2007-11-06 Two people. Two hours. One year. That’s all it takes to make a difference in the life of a troubled teenager, thanks to a new program called MentorMatch. 173. Window Into The Past 2007-11-03 Gordon Ray Rolston of Kissimmee, Fla., was not interested in his family genealogy until his wife became ill in 2001. He calls the research his “escape from present-day reality.” Before long, he was hooked. 174. Autumn Leaves, Long-Lasting Memories 2007-11-02 There’s something about autumn that makes me nostalgic. This doesn’t happen in winter, spring or summer. But fall reminds me of other falls. 175. Dinner For Two 2007-10-31 Dinner guests at Esther H. Shank’s house often think they’re in for a fine dining experience. 176. Vacation A Smorgasbord Of Transportation 2007-10-26 When the husband and I travel, the transportation usually fades from memory as we look back on our trip. Not this time. 177. The Rev. Graham Models True Purpose Of Life 2007-10-12 On some days, I love my job. Like on the Sunday when I met the Rev. Billy Graham. It was totally unexpected. 178. Chance Encounter Leaves Lasting Impression 2007-10-05 I knew her for only four days, 17 years ago. Why do I care so much that she’s gone? 179. Don’t Trade The Country For Long Island 2007-09-28 I like it better here than Long Island. This occurs to me while driving the back roads of the Shenandoah Valley. 180. God Heals In All Different Ways 2007-09-21 “Divine healing.” For some people, that means a “prayer line,” where a loud-mouthed preacher touches each person, who then jumps around and yells as if they’d won the jackpot on Jeopardy. 181. Capturing History — One Picture At A Time 2007-09-15 About 10 years ago, Tyre Yancey of Bridgewater realized he was in the last generation of farmers to use horse power. 182. Remembering L’Engle, Who Opened Doors 2007-09-14 In honor of Madeleine L’Engle, I am listening to Bach’s “Tocatta and Fugue” as I write this column. She died last week at age 88. 183. Taste of Shenandoah 2007-09-12 Even the guests from Baltimore had never heard of using crab shells to make bisque. 184. Peek Behind The Curtain At A Columnist’s Process 2007-09-07 So this is the day, Wednesday, when I write a column and I haven’t even been pondering any subjects this week. Usually I have something in mind that becomes final when I actually sit down to write. 185. It’s One Year Later And I Feel Fine 2007-08-31 My first anniversary mammogram turned out fine. 186. ‘Bourne’ Films Shed Light On Sin, Redemption 2007-08-24 Who am I? Why do I do bad things? How can I stop? Jason Bourne, in the words of Paul Greengrass, “Bourne Ultimatum” director, is walking toward the light. 187. 10K-A-Day Keeps The Doctor Away 2007-08-17 188. Digging Through The Past 2007-08-11 189. Just Call Us Indiana 2007-08-10 190. Trout, Bass Offer Big Dose Of Omega-3s 2007-08-08 Experts keep telling us to eat more fish with omega-3 fatty acids. But Valley residents don’t have to buy fish caught halfway around the world to get their omega-3s. 191. We Must Stockpile The Green 2007-08-03 192. No Pickle, Just My Motorcycle 2007-07-27 My motorcycle gets 50 miles to the gallon. That’s better than any hybrid I’ve heard of. So I’ve been riding it to work a few days a week. 193. Berry Bounty 2007-07-18 194. Living The Good Life 2007-07-07 195. All That Stuff Might Be Getting In The Way 2007-07-06 On the first night of the Kenya Christian Fellowship in America conference, an annual gathering of Kenyans who live in the U.S. held at James Madison University, they all stood to sing the Kenya national anthem, in Swahili with great gusto. 196. Out Of The Ordinary 2007-06-29 Think you know all there is to know about Virginia? Well then, did you know about the phantom stagecoach? 197. Those Founding Fathers Were Wise Guys 2007-06-29 198. Eggs Evening-Style 2007-06-20 199. New To The Neighborhood 2007-06-16 200. No Cell Phones Are Ringing In This Car 2007-06-15 201. If There’s A Purpose, There Must Be A Plan 2007-06-08 So should I go to the movies or visit my sick friend? Should I buy a new TV or save money for a vacation? Should I take that job in another state or stay where I am? 202. Going Raw 2007-06-06 203. The Pleasures Of Summer Bring Joy 2007-06-01 June. The first month of summer. The month of "no more teachers, no more books, no more teachers’ dirty looks." 204. A Moment To Reflect 2007-05-26 205. Weeding Out Bad Habits Takes Time 2007-05-25 If there’s anything I cannot abide, it’s a weed in my garden. Dandelions are beautiful in the fields and yard, but not among my vegetables and fruits. 206. For The Love Of Lewis 2007-05-19 Jessica Schneider still has the letter she got from her fiancé in 1968 telling her C.S. Lewis was "required reading." 207. Sometimes Silence Can Be A Good Thing 2007-05-17 208. Words Of Wisdom Help In Reflecting On Mom 2007-05-11 209. Do You Like Your Name? 2007-05-04 210. Marriage For A Lifetime 2007-04-28 211. Pay Attention To The World Around You 2007-04-27 Can we learn anything from the Virginia Tech massacre? Or will it fade in our memories as just another senseless act of violence? Something to “put behind us” and “move on.” 212. The People Behind The Letters 2007-04-14 213. Taking It One Step At A Time 2007-04-13 214. Those Extra Pennies Add Up Over Time 2007-04-13 215. Do I Hear ... Scholarship? 2007-04-07 "It was," says Glenda Rooney, "a magical night!" Magical? Yes, because the Centennial Art Auction on March 31 raised $100,000 more this year than ever before for scholarships for art students at James Madison University. 216. Random Thoughts On Easter, Apple Juice And The Internet 2007-04-06 217. Pastorio Remembered For His Love Of Food, Teaching 2007-04-04 218. Friend’s Death Spurs Memories And Gratitude 2007-03-30 219. Windows Vista, But No Wireless — Yeah 2007-03-22 220. The ’Burg’s Irish Roots 2007-03-16 221. Sisters Reconnect During Homestead Trip 2007-03-15 222. Guided By The Church 2007-03-07 223. Come Back Thighs, Come Back! 2007-03-01 224. JMU Students Help Residents Bridge The Language Gap 2007-02-24 225. Happy Memories Warm Winter's Chill 2007-02-23 226. OATS: More Than Breakfast 2007-02-22 227. OATS: More Than Breakfast 2007-02-21 In America, it’s not unusual to find oats in bread, muffins, cookies, cobblers, pie crust, meat loaf and even pizza dough. 228. Those Who Ignore The Past Will Repeat It 2007-02-15 229. Chemo: It’s Supposed To Be Good For You 2007-02-09 230. A Decade Of Second Chances 2007-02-01 231. Room Redo 2007-01-27 So you’re not happy with your living space. Maybe the walls are still decorator white from when you bought the place. 232. Books First, Life’s Other Necessities Later 2007-01-26 233. Valley’s Apple Juice ‘Made In China’ 2007-01-19 234. It’s Winter Finally, But Not Forever 2007-01-12 235. In A Stew 2007-01-10 236. Preaching and Painting 2007-01-06 237. Life Has Its Own Winters, Too 2007-01-05 238. New Year’s Goes Back To Traditions From Childhood 2006-12-28 When I was a kid in the late 1950s and early 1960s, I got to stay up late on New Year’s Eve. 239. Film Portrays Intermission In WWI Fighting 2006-12-22 240. Christmas Is About More Than Spending 2006-12-15 241. Faith Helps Recovery During Chemo 2006-12-08 242. The Personal Touch 2006-12-02 Remember painting pinecones to hang on the Christmas tree? That’s only one of the many simple ways to make your own Christmas ornaments. 243. One-Step Spice 2006-11-28 244. Christmas Decor Goes Au Naturel 2006-11-24 245. Following St. Paul 2006-11-24 246. Possessions Can Weigh You Down 2006-11-24 247. Be Thankful In Everything, Even In Suffering 2006-11-16 248. Churches Plan Gift Fairs To Provide Presents That Help Others 2006-11-10 249. Do You Vote With Your Intellect Or With Your Emotions? 2006-11-10 The uncivil war is over. Until the next election. Everyone who has been bashing, ridiculing, exploiting, degrading, embarrassing and generally bad-mouthing the candidates and supporters of the “other” party can go back to being their normal nice selves. 250. Bringing Smith Creek Back To Life 2006-11-04 Native brook trout vanished from Smith Creek around the time of the Civil War. But that can’t be blamed on the Yankees. 251. God’s Love Seen In Caring Of Community 2006-10-26 252. Depend On God To Answer Prayers For Healing 2006-10-06 253. International Crafts 2006-09-28 HARRISONBURG — Vladimir Rossashansky does not deliver babies. But he does do carpentry, stonework, roofing, painting, remodeling, mowing and tree trimming. He also canes chairs. 254. Left Unrecognized, Prejudices Color All Of Life 2006-09-28 In a conversation the other day, a colleague made a derogatory reference to "all the little right-wing activists" running around a certain nearby campus. 255. Golden Taste 2006-09-27 256. Remember Letters? 2006-09-22 Ever reach into your mailbox and find a letter? Not a junk mail letter from an unknown corporation, or an appeal letters from a non-profit organization, or a campaign letter from a political candidate. 257. Taking A Break From Church: Good Or Bad? 2006-09-08 258. Pint-Sized Chefs 2006-09-06 HARRISONBURG — Seven-year-old Cameron Dean loves to make baked oatmeal for breakfast. "That’s my favorite breakfast," says Cameron. 259. She Likes To Roam Far From Home 2006-08-31 260. Remarkable Trees 2006-08-26 261. What I Learned During Summer Vacation 2006-08-24 Summer is drawing to a close, but my summer project is not. This room renovation was to be fast and simple. 262. Circling The Sun Creates Rhythm Of Anniversaries 2006-08-17 263. Weight Loss Plan Brings Health Benefit 2006-08-11 It was a typical Tuesday morning. Getting ready for work, I pulled blouse after blouse, pants after pants, out of the closet. The pile on the bed grew. 264. Have You Heard The One About The Bird And The Potholder? 2006-08-04 265. Bridgewater’s Own Smithy 2006-07-29 266. Going To Church Isn’t About Your Image 2006-07-28 267. Drawing The Shades, Opening The Curtains 2006-07-22 268. It’s The Law: Turn Signals Keep Us Safe 2006-07-21 It was a stormy evening. The rain was raining so hard Wednesday I could not see distant cars but only their lights. 269. And Jell-O For All 2006-07-19 270. Being Open Is A Journey Without End 2006-07-14 271. Festival Seeks Clothing For New International Fashion Show 2006-07-10 Think catwalk, models, styles. Now think Harrisonburg. Now think International Festival. 272. Can Path Of Our Knowledge Be Traced To Our Ancestors? 2006-07-06 273. The Flavor Factor 2006-07-04 Spices are the magic touch to foods, says Pierre D’Elia. "And," adds D’Elia, head chef at Bravo Italian Eatery, "there are so many to choose from." 274. Sylvan Star 2006-07-01 If you’re looking for Joe Murray, don’t look in his office. Don’t look in the classroom, either. Or the lab. 275. Storm Takes Out Sheltering Tree 2006-06-30 He was a good and faithful servant. The pine tree next to our house cracked and fell in a dramatic demise last Friday. 276. Vestiges Of A Bygone Time 2006-06-23 277. A Meditation On The Summer And Sun 2006-06-23 Wednesday morning I awoke to see, outside my open window, a golden pine tree. Golden! What happened to that tree? 278. Celebrating Father’s Day Without Dad 2006-06-16 279. Hats, Hats, Hats 2006-06-09 280. Memories Roll In With Closing Of School Year 2006-06-08 281. Country Classic 2006-06-07 Sausage gravy. Does anything say country breakfast better than that? 282. What’s More Important Than Quality Of Life? 2006-06-01 283. It’s A Wrap 2006-05-26 284. Many Faces, One Market 2006-05-20 Life has been an adventure for Clarence Dellinger. As a matter of fact, he thinks many people envy him. 285. Don’t Give In To Fear 2006-05-19 286. Pour It On 2006-05-17 287. Motherhood: A Lifetime Role To Grow Into 2006-05-11 288. Perfecting Pastry 2006-05-03 289. Masking Doubt Impedes Growth Of Mature Faith 2006-04-27 290. Are You Strong Enough To Turn Off The TV? 2006-04-21 291. The Sounds Of Healing 2006-04-08 292. Nature, Nurture Come Together On Arbor Day 2006-04-07 293. Cursing Loses Effect If It’s Used Too Much 2006-03-30 294. Will We Just Sit By As Darfur Suffers? 2006-03-24 295. Keeping the Pieces 2006-03-17 296. Remember St. Patrick On His Day 2006-03-16 Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Many people in Ireland are observing the day by going to church. 297. Roundabouts: Cars Waltz Safely Through Intersections 2006-03-10 Picture this. You’re driving down South Main Street, all the cars flowing freely in each direction, just moving along, when ahead you see a traffic circle so, seeing clearly to your left no other cars in the circle, you gently curve around it until reaching your right turn, when you signal and exit the circle. 298. Respect, Honesty, Love Key To Befriending Kids 2006-03-03 299. Dinner Entertainers 2006-03-01 As the story goes, the Japanese steakhouse tradition began in Manhattan in the 1970s when a chef began cooking in front of customers while performing a magic show. 300. Life Issues Don’t Have To Divide Christians 2006-02-23 301. Winter Brings More Than Just Fun And Games 2006-02-17 Everything about last weekend was winter. After returning home from a dinner out Friday, I hauled the TV set out of the closet, plugged it in and adjusted the rabbit ears. 302. Second Chance At Love 2006-02-11 God does answer prayer, says Dot Swartz. But sometimes not as soon as we want, and sometimes in unexpected ways. 303. Memo To Mick: Time Is Not On Your Side 2006-02-10 304. Without Regret: Living Life From The Heart 2006-02-02 305. Exhibit Inspires Thoughts Of Place, Time 2006-01-26 It was odd for a landscape painting. Barbara Gautcher’s view of Massanutten Peak had in the foreground an intersection with traffic lights. Hmmm, a commentary on development? 306. Shelling Out Information 2006-01-23 307. Babies Keep You Living In The Moment 2006-01-19 Never pass up a chance to spend the day with a baby. That’s what I say. 308. Baking A Perfect Bagel 2006-01-18 309. Stories Teach In A Way Not Open To Science 2006-01-13 310. Low-Fat Diets’ Success Rate Is Also Low 2006-01-06 311. '12 Days' Song Hid Message For Children In Middle Ages 2005-12-30 312. Hallelujah, Hallelujah! 2005-12-03 313. Book TLC 2005-10-15