On The Road

I come to you from College Park, Maryland this morning. I'm on the University of Maryland campus. A more beautiful conglomeration of buildings you'll never see - except perhaps at UVA - or Washington & Lee - or Emory & Henry. But with those possible exceptions, UM is a fine looking facility - in a lousy urban setting.

From The Mailbag

I received this from an area resident today.

Mr Fuhrman,

I just wanted to drop you a note and tell you how much I enjoy your blog. I visit every day, often several times a day. Your focus and what you say about that focus on the sad state of affairs in southwest Virginia mirror my own. I'm a life-long resident
of Dickenson County and ...

Why so many residents of this area and congressional district don't get it is beyond my comprehension. Boucher is a God to the vast majority of people in Dickenson County yet we're in a lot worse shape now than when he was first elected. I could go on and on but I know you get the picture and already know where I would end up if I did continue. It's a old story--just like the ones you so often blog about.

Keep up the good work in pointing out that we're all dying on the vine.

Name withheld

Party politics is a strange beast. The most economically depressed counties in all of Virginia (I've not done an exhaustive study) are probably Dickenson, Tazewell, and Russell. And all have voted heavily for Rick Boucher and the Democratic slate over the years. Amazing.

Tradition is a great thing. And the Democratic Party's relationship with the people in these communities goes way back. But way back doesn't put food on the table or a paycheck in the bank. We here in Bland voted our (Democratic) bum out in the most recent House of Delegates election and sent a message that conditions must change. Or we'll have no communities.

Thanks to the reader for the kind words and for being the (seemingly) lone voice calling for change in all of Dickenson County, Virginia.

Always Misunderestimating

A joke to get your week going:

Dick Cheney and George W. Bush were having breakfast at the White House.

The attractive waitress asks Cheney what he would like, and he replies,"I'd like a bowl of oatmeal and some fruit."

"And what can I get for you, Mr. President?"

George W. replies with his trademark wink and slight grin, "How about a quickie this morning?"

"Why, Mr. President!" the waitress exclaims "How rude! You're starting to act like Mr. Clinton, and you've only been in your second term of office for a year!"

As the waitress storms away, Cheney leans over to Bush and whispers ... "It's pronounced 'quiche'."

All In A Day's Work

A Prayer For Our Firefighters

Thank you Lord for those whose Hearts
Are generous and Brave
So generous, they risk their Lives
That others may be Saved

Thank you Lord for those who Choose
To serve those in Distress
Please grant them Strength, exactly When,
They think there’s nothing Left

Thank you Lord for those who Know,
That life is short and Dear
May you always help them Be,
The Masters of their Fear
Thank you Lord for those who Risk,
To feel another’s Pain
Help them, as they daily Face,
What most would deem Insane

Thank you Lord for those who Ask,
To live a “Bigger Life”
Embracing all the lessons learned,
In Struggle and in Strife

May they always have the Will,
To choose the “Higher Road”
Grant strength to those who choose to Share,
Their Journey and their Load

And may the rest of us be Grateful,
That our world is made much Brighter,
Illuminated by the Souls
Of Our Firefighters

Author: Ann Fairbanks

The photos above are of firefighter Jarrod Fuhrman, Engine 3, Roanoke Fire/EMS, Saturday, March 11, 2006, responding to the Carilion Biomedical Institute fire in downtown Roanoke.

Click on images to enlarge.

Kaid & Jayla's Excellent Adventure

Think of all the adventures that lie ahead.

Among the many (fourth) birthday gifts Paula and I heaped upon the twins last week were two new bicycles. Although it wasn't quite warm enough this past weekend to be out in short sleeves (ahem!), it was warm enough for Kaid and Jayla to take their first bike lesson ever.

This week they conquered the bike. Tomorrow a cure for cancer. A walk on Mars. Raising families of their own.

Such wonders.