Nowhere Else; Amtrak; Attention; Weather and More
RidgeRunner |
|
March 9, 2015 - I don't know about you, but I'm used to fairly good Virginia winter weather, having lived in these here hills for decades. Sure, we get the occasional wintry mix or small snowstorm, but we're used to it melting fairly quickly. So, the past couple of weeks have been, in my humble opinion, very poor. Powdery snow has turned into a crunchy, icy mess in many spots. Even animals have lost their footing in these conditions!
So it was that this past Monday, the sun came out and blessed us with more than a few rays of hope. The snow started to melt, but we've continued to have some cold early morning temperatures. Fine. But I've had enough. I've wired Mother Nature to this effect, allowing just one more snowfall for the season, one I'm expecting sometime between March 15 and March 27 or so. I'm just using the odds here, but our history is just that: a mid-March snowfall, followed quickly by a warm day which melts 90-95% of it. (I was told this morning that the Old Farmer's Almanac agrees with me.) OK, but that's it!
* * *
I happened to be in a place getting a portion of my beard cut also on Monday and remarked that I always tell my friends at this time of year that "there's no place on earth like Virginia in the Springtime!" A lady nearby chimed in, "Yes, I agree, but I ain't never been anywhere else!" We all laughed, with a couple others indicating that those words may have been a bit too close to the truth. Maybe we don't have that many folks who've enjoyed more than a small amount of traveling. One person recently remarked that she hadn't been past Roanoke in 4-5 years.
On this particular score, let me make a recommendation: the Cardinal, or better known as Amtrak, is easy and relatively inexpensive to take...no matter where you wish to go. On the one hand, it definitely will take you a bit longer, but on the other, you'll not have to deal with any traffic jams or traffic conditions or car or truck wrecks. Consider using Amtrak for your next trip...unless of course, you're like the lady who's never been anywhere else...
* * *
Out of the mouths of babes often comes the truth, or so the saying goes. A local grandmother told me of an interesting conversation she just had with one of her grandsons which I thought was hilarious.
Apparently, he opined (obviously speaking of his younger sister), "Babies get all the attention."
And his grandmother replied, "Well, you got all the attention when you were the baby."
Grandson: "Yeah, but I don't remember that!"
Grandmother: "Would you believe that in my family, I was the baby?"
Grandson: "I'll bet YOU got all the attention."
Grandmother: "I did."
Grandson: "Hmph" (which could be translated to "My point EXACTLY".)
* * *
Congratulations are in order for Martha Atherholt being formally inducted as President of the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and for Sara Zeek honored as the "teacher of the year" for the Covington school division. Those are very nice honors indeed! (I also salute the other educator award winners, as well as Volunteer of the Year winners Gayle and John Hillert and beautification winner Hill Crest and the Crawford family.) The recognitions were part of the organization's annual dinner held at the Greenbrier Hotel on Saturday, March 7th. See the AlleghanyJournal.com coverage on our website.
The Chamber is (thank heavens) a relentless promoter of our region in all its aspects - the Chamber's new president assures that the area will continue to enjoy strong leadership. For a big slideshow of those in attendance, click here.
* * *
In closing, I must remark on the very sad news of the death of Davina "Davey" Perry of Clifton Forge, who died Friday at the age of 88.
Everybody in the Clifton Forge area knew Davey when she worked with Farrar's Drug Store. Her son and daughter-in-law, Glenn and Cindy Perry, operate the Club Car Diner and Regional Home Care businesees.
Davey was always kind and loving and always had interesting things to say. She was a delight to know and always was interested in the well-being of others. She will be very much missed indeed.
* * *
Make sure to send me all your rumors, photos, and notes. Help me keep up with the latest news! All you have to do is email me at RidgeRunner.
| | | | | |
|
