It is one of my favorite photos from our time in the Army. I say “our time” because that is what it was. I was the soldier, but Cath and I were both a part of Army Life. To me, the picture brings back the memories of the great joys, along with the intensity of everything in the Army of the early ‘80s.
Continue reading “Army Times”
I know it’s hokey, and I know it’s not fine wine, and yet, I could not resist buying a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau at a local wine shop a year ago in November of ‘24. In the ‘80s when stationed in Germany, the annual November release of Beaujolais Nouveau was something we looked for, and looked forward to.
Continue reading “Beaujolais Nouveau and New Beginnings”
Virginia’s elections on Tuesday were clear in their results. Pundits will discuss the results trying to discern what truths they can. The truth I know is that for the first time in over 30 years, Northern Fauquier county where we live will be represented in the House of Delegates by a Democrat – my friend John McAuliff.
Continue reading “Elections Matter”All – I’m sorry you received a duplicate of the blog “Haters” on Tuesday. I was trying to correct a WordPress issue, and inadvertently sent the blog out twice. Whoops. 🙂
Continue reading “My Apology”
My friend, Jennifer, and her husband have three children. She is a hair stylist and has her own shop. You can imagine her shock and horror when she received a work text saying, “… I hope you don’t recover from that surgery and it fucking kills you you fat fucking gay white bitch.”
Continue reading “Haters”
Each October at Rohan Farm, we have a sign of cold weather’s impending arrival – the day Cathy plays god with the outdoor plants. Which ones come in the house, which are on life support in the barn tack room, which are left dormant in the garage, and which ones die on the patio with the the first frost.
Continue reading “Playing god”
And just like that, a decade has passed. I started this blog ten years ago, on October 19th, 2015. I was 60 then. I’m 70 now. The blog started because of a death*, and a West Point classmate’s admonishment to “Live Life Exuberantly.” I have tried to do so, although not always successfully.
Continue reading “Ten Years”
This is a good month to be a squirrel at the farm. Acorns are falling like rain and the ground is covered. You hear them hit our metal roof day and night. It is so loud, it sounds as if the trees threw the acorns at the roof. Old wive’s tales say all these acorns are a prediction of a bad winter to come.
Continue reading “Falling Acorns”
I opened the door to the room and the five of them were there. My brother-in-laws, Jack and Don, old friend Tim, Dad, and Cathy’s Dad, Max. All looked robust and in their 50s, except for Max who died at 41 and remained forever young. Tim looked up from the bar. “French 75 Maxie?” I nodded yes.
Continue reading “The Dinner Party”
The election for Governor and other positions here in Virginia is November 4th, but early voting started last week on Friday, September 20th. At 9:45 that morning, I was voter number 54. We are blessed and cursed here in Virginia, with elections Every. Single. Year. This year, the stakes are high.
Continue reading “Voting in Virginia”
Live Life Exuberantly 