I was chatting in the parking area at Frontier Day Saturday afternoon with a man who was smoking a cigarette in a white wig and a red coat. He was dressed in his man-pantyhose, tri-point hat and breeches, and I listened to him talk about how he had seen the new Top Gun movie in theaters.

I was just a kid growing up off River Road south of Romney and the youngest of 16 children, all from the same set of parents and no twins, so my Mom spent much of her time having and raising children. My father never owned a piece of land in his entire 95 years and always worked as an apple-…

Yesterday, with a fair dose of exasperation, a longtime friend said to me, “But Roy, on this issue the Bible is clear...”

We are finally getting things settled in the gardens. So far, the rains have been good for the plants and everything is growing well.

I’m not saying I have the world’s greenest thumb, but one thing I love about this time of year is pulling into our driveway and seeing the vibrant blooms that grace the flower beds in the front of our house.

“Doctor, is there nothing I can take?

I was back in Fredericksburg over the weekend (I promise I do spend weekends here in Hampshire County, but I just always feel like I had so much wisdom when I return from the Old Dominion).

Every year a number of churches in Hampshire County hold a service to celebrate the faith passed down through the generations and remember those who have gone to be with the Lord over the past year.

This year, Mother Nature has kept me and our garden guessing 99% of the time.

My parents have both been gone now for some time but I still thank God for the upbringing they gave to us over the years.

I refuse to remember the exact date my father died.

A rule I generally try to live by (and really, there aren’t many) is the 2-minute rule.

To hear about another mass shooting so soon on the heels of killing 10 innocent people in Buffalo, N.Y., just tears at my soul.

I recently read a story in the Atlantic about the city of Rochester, Minn. Rochester, it seems, has a goose problem.

If you’ve been looking at that bare slope for what seems like forever, maybe one of these plants will give you some ideas for covering it.

One of the worst things imaginable is to be watching one’s favorite television show and have it interrupted with a special news broadcast; “School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Leaves 19 students and 2 teachers dead.”

A couple of weeks ago, as I was leaving for school, I said my typical goodbyes. However, this time after the “Have a good day,” I added, “stay safe.”

As we head into summer, here’s advice worth repeating for the season, 1st published June 30, 2021.

I was running a little late for graduation on Saturday, and I’d like to blame it on the fact that I didn’t have any power in Romney when I woke up shortly before 8.

In honor of the season, a classic “Food for Thought,” first published May 28, 2014:

Have you ever had an important trip to make, and found yourself on the wrong airplane, or the wrong bus, or driving on the wrong road?

When it comes to planting the myriad containers on our front porch and back deck, we experiment with interesting new plants and color combinations.

Our kids’ teachers recently told them what they’d been waiting to hear since August. “Have a great summer.”

In a previous edition of Healthy Hampshire, I discussed how, ultimately, the responsibility for our health and the health of our community lies with ourselves.

Everyone who gardens believes their way to garden is the right way. And you know what, for them it is, but maybe it’s not for you.

I told a friend recently, “We Savages are now avid theatergoers.” She chuckled, but I was serious. We all love attending live, local theater. Our goal is to see at least 1 new musical or play each month. So far, we’ve been successful with achieving that goal, all within an hour’s drive from …

Remembering is very important, isn’t it?

A woman in a former appointment (United Methodist lingo for the church I was serving) brought a large bag of peaches to our door.

This was an important question Jesus asked some of His disciples one day when He was with them. Peter responded by saying that some thought He was Elijah or one of the prophets. But Jesus then brought the question closer home and asked more specifically: “Who do you say that I am?”

Routine mammograms often reveal calcifications in the breast — bright white lines snaking through the tissue. While not a sign of cancer, new research suggests they may provide clues to risk of cardiovascular disease.

I had a good friend in high school named Savannah.

Today, upon a bus, I saw a very beautiful woman
 and wished I were as beautiful. 
When suddenly she rose to leave,
 I saw her hobble down the aisle.
 She had one leg and wore a crutch.
 But as she passed, she passed a smile.
 Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
 I have two legs; the world is mine.

What’s in a name?

Once night temperatures reach 60 degrees, plant your caladium tubers 1 to 2 inches deep in loose, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter.

Recently, I asked my husband to take some old living furniture housed in our basement to the dump. We’ve had it since the 20th century, and it didn’t survive the couch-jumping, soda spilling, potato chip hand wiping years of 3 Savages without battle scars. It was past time for it to go. My h…

Federalism is the concept that is an integral part of our form of government. There are state governments, and there is the federal government.

I’ve had prom on the brain over the last few weeks, what with the formalwear closet at Hampshire High School opening its doors, and the WVSDB casino-themed prom a couple weekends ago.

So what happens in the bedroom stays in the bedroom, right?

The 1st time I went to Uganda in Africa on a mission trip, 4 of us traveled together. None of us had been to Africa before.

His name is David. David’s life is nothing noteworthy as noteworthiness is usually defined.

The other night I told our youngest daughter, “I love you very much.” She replied, “Well, yeah, that’s obvious.”