Reverse Radicalization
Almost a year ago now, Syed Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik, ruthlessly massacred 14 of their fellow human beings and seriously injured 22 more in a terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California. Many of us watched this horrific drama play out on our televisions as the perpetrators were pursued…
Leaves of Love
As the days get shorter and the nights get cooler, the trees begin to take on a new glory all their own. From the brilliant red Dogwoods and Gums to the yellow Hickories and Poplars to the orange Sassafras and Maples, the woodlands become God’s palette of perfection. We can…
Celebrate Family Promise Week!
Colorful leaves and cooler temperatures both remind us that the warm days of summer are in our rearview mirror for another several months. Crisp nights make us appreciate our warm beds and comfortably heated homes. The approach of winter should also remind us of those who don’t have the basic…
The Dangers of Two Heads
One of the coolest aspects of growing up in a Taxidermy Shop was the excitement of unexpected arrivals. When customers came through the door, we never knew what they might bring with them for dad to mount. Over the years, we saw African antelope, American turtles, western elk, and southern…
Two Cups Worth Chasing
NASCAR fans are well aware that the Chase is on for The Sprint Cup. This award is the highest honor in NASCAR and is conferred on only one top driver each year. The winner is the MVP, the World Champion, and the gold medalist of racing all rolled into one.…
The Skill of a Taxidermist
This weekend has been designated Youth and Apprentice Deer Hunting Weekend by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. This is a special day for parents and grandparents to take their youngsters into the woods to enjoy and appreciate the outdoors and to experience the thrill of the hunt. …
It’s That Time of Year
As I write this column, the mercury in my thermometer is more petite than it’s been the last several weeks and for this I am very grateful. Although we will still have some warm days, their numbers are getting fewer. I have enjoyed the summertime, but I’m always anxious for…
Abs of Steel and Necks of Iron
How enjoyable it was to watch the Summer Olympic Games as athletes from all over the globe competed for top honors in hundreds of different categories. Of course the convincing success of American competitors helped to make it even more exciting for me, but the sheer force of human will…
The Pearl of Great Price
Can you imagine having 100 million dollars and not even knowing it? Wouldn’t it be a great day when you found out? Last week, a fisherman in the Philippines had this enviable experience. The story began ten years ago when this unidentified man, along with his brothers and father, were…
Thank God For Teachers!
The end of August foreshadows many things in the Shenandoah Valley. It not only signals the advent of ragweed season, but it also heralds the Shenanodah County Fair as well as the beginning of another school year. Students who have been on hiatus contract that pit feeling as they realize…