Mary Jo Shannon

Merger Of The Finn And The American

That’s what my new grandson-in-law, Tero Ronkainen, entitled the PowerPoint presentation he gave in lieu of a speech at the reaffirmation of his wedding vows in Richmond on August...

Change – The One Thing That Is Constant

Nature is rapidly reclaiming the area where our garden flourished only five years ago. Although...

Patience Is A Virtue

 “Patience is a virtue; possess it if you can. Seldom found in woman; never found in...

Our Very Adventuresome Sarah

On  August 17th our granddaughter, Sarah Davis will be married in Helsinki, Finland. Only her...

What Makes A Happy Birthday?

Husband Harry says birthdays do not mean that much to him. It’s just another day...

In Praise Of Peonies

Few cut flowers surpass peonies for sheer beauty, and in some varieties, scent. Their voluminous blossoms packed with silken petals make exquisite arrangements. In...

Kathy’s Big Misunderstanding

Fifty years ago parents of children with multiple ear infections and sore throats were advised to have the tonsils removed. Since our three easily...

Sensing The Holiness Of Birth And Death

Birth and death are two experiences common to all human beings – and yet no one can remember either. To be present as...

Pet Peeves In The Marketplace

I only shop for myself when the sales are on. I decided long ago that if a garment isn’t in my size, my...

Potatoes, Pears And Practical Lessons

In Augusta County a large limestone outcropping on a small triangular plot of land marks the place where U.S. 11 toward Staunton and...

“In Sickness And In Health … Until Death Do Us Part”

I'll call them Ben and Maggie, although I'm sure they would not object to my using their real names, for Ben wanted this...