Generic Drugs

Copilot image

I picked up one of my prescriptions the other day and found that, for the fourth month in a row, it's a generic from a different company. Four different generics of the same medication, and they all have caused different reactions for me. Some have made me dream wild, vivid nightmares. Some have made me more irritable. Some have made my chronic pain increase (which tells me that particular generic wasn't working well at all).

This isn’t just a fluke and my own personal issue —many people experience variations in the effectiveness and side effects of generic medications depending on the manufacturer. While generics are required to contain the same active ingredient as their brand-name counterparts, they can differ in important ways.

Why Generics Aren’t Always Identical

Generic drugs must meet bioequivalence standards set by the FDA, meaning they must deliver the same amount of active ingredient into the bloodstream as the brand-name version. However, the FDA allows a plus or minus 20% difference (!) in this concentration. While most generic drugs vary by less than 4%, even small differences can affect how a person metabolizes the medication.

Then there are the inactive ingredients—the binders, preservatives, dyes, and fillers that help shape the pill or extend its shelf life. These components can influence how the drug dissolves, how quickly it's absorbed, and even whether a person tolerates it well. For people with sensitivities to certain fillers or dyes, switching manufacturers month to month can trigger unexpected side effects.

Why the Manufacturer Matters

When a pharmacy switches between generic manufacturers due to cost or availability, patients may unknowingly experience these shifts firsthand. Some studies suggest that for drugs with a narrow therapeutic index—like antidepressants, blood pressure medications, or thyroid hormones—even subtle variations can make a noticeable difference.

Take, for example, generic antidepressants. While one manufacturer’s version might work fine, another could lead to increased anxiety or a return of depressive symptoms due to differences in absorption or metabolic response.

What Can You Do?

If you've noticed changes in how a medication affects you when switching generics, here are a few proactive steps to take:

• Ask your pharmacy if they can consistently provide a specific manufacturer’s version—some will accommodate this request. Be warned though: many pharmacists do not admit that different generics can cause different reactions. I have not had any luck when talking to the pharmacist, but all they can do is say no if you ask, and you might get lucky.

• Talk to your doctor about whether a brand-name version might be necessary for your treatment. (The drug I am taking is no longer available in a brand-name version; not all older drugs are.) Your doctor needs to know if the medication is no longer working for you - maybe there is a different drug to try. I consider this the most important step.

• Check the pill’s imprint code to identify the manufacturer, allowing you to track which versions work best for you. You can also keep the bottles and make note of the manufacturer on each. I am considering creating a spreadsheet on my medication if this keeps up.

While generics save patients billions of dollars each year, they’re not always identical in effect. Understanding these differences can help ensure that your medication is working the way it’s supposed to.

Thursday Thirteen

For today's Thursday Thirteen, let's go to dinner with fictional characters!

1. Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle) – The sharpest mind in the room, always thinking ten steps ahead.

2. Kinsey Millhone (Alphabet Mysteries series by Sue Grafton) – Practical, independent, and an expert at asking the right questions.

3. Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald) – Glamour, mystery, and a charismatic host who knows how to entertain.

4. Dumbledore (Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling) – Wise, enigmatic, and full of deep insights with a twinkle of mischief.

5. Tyrion Lannister (A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin / Game of Thrones TV series) – Witty, shrewd, and guaranteed to keep the conversation entertaining.

6. Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery) – Spirited, imaginative, and an engaging storyteller who sees magic in everyday life.

7. Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien) – Profound wisdom, a touch of magic, and grand adventures in every word he speaks.

8. Jo March (Little Women by Louisa May Alcott) – Passionate, fiery, and fiercely independent, with a deep love for literature and debate.

9. Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean film series by Disney) – Unpredictable, amusing, and a wild card who may or may not cause trouble.

10. Winnie the Pooh (Winnie-the-Pooh series by A.A. Milne) – Gentle, lovable, and bringing a sense of warmth, kindness, and simple wisdom.

11. The Mad Hatter (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll) – Whimsically chaotic and delightfully odd, sure to shake up the dinner conversation.

12. Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling) – Quirky, insightful, and wonderfully peculiar, seeing the world through a unique lens.

13. Charlotte (the spider) (Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White) – Thoughtful, kind, and a true master of words, bringing quiet wisdom to the table.

_________________

Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 904th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Tearing Down the Court House

About 50 years ago, the Botetourt County Courthouse in nearby Fincastle burned down. I only have a vague memory of it happening, but my father-in-law was one of the firefighters who went to fight the blaze, so I have heard stories about it from my husband.

The courthouse was rebuilt mostly with funds from the community and some tax dollars. It was built to look very much like its predecessor.

Unfortunately, like much construction in the 1970s, the courthouse rebuild was not the best. Over time, its exterior began to crumble and inside there was black mold. The county staff also outgrew the facility, which was relatively small to hold the Circuit Court, the Commissioner of Revenue, the Treasurer, and the County Administration.

Perhaps better upkeep by the county would have kept the structure in better shape, but that would have been done with tax dollars. The same people who are gnashing their teeth and crying because this old building is being torn down to be replaced with a newer model are the same people who complain about having to pay taxes. Their inability to understand that it takes tax dollars to do public things always amazes me.

At any rate, the process is underway and in a few years we will have a big new courthouse. But first comes the tearing down part.

This was the courthouse in 2018.

This is the courthouse without the steeple, and with fencing around it.
It is empty now. Circuit Court is being held at new space created
in the jailhouse, and the records and staff are in an older building to the
left of this photo.

This is to the left of the courthouse. The white building once housed emergency services
and then served as a community building. It will also be torn down and this area
will become a multi-level parking area. The brick structures will remain.

They are blasting this week. That's what all the stuff on the side of the hill is.

This is the backside of the courthouse. As you can see, it is being demolished.

I took this shot to show the top where the clock is from the rear.

I think the destruction of the front of the building will be the most painful for residents who saw this structure as the signature building for Botetourt County. I'm not sure when that will occur, but I daresay it won't be long in coming.

Five Things

 

Five things from last week -

1. Took a relative to the doctor and the grocery store.

2. Had the young woman who cleans for me once a month in to do the heavy lifting.

3. Continued my daily routine of walking on the treadmill.

4. Went to the Division of Motor Vehicles for some paperwork only to find a 3-hour wait, so I left.

5. I learned a good lesson about how little certain people care for me.

Sunday Stealing

Since it's Easter weekend, we're going to keep this simple. We stole this from a blogger named Idzie, who called this the F.A.B. (film, audio, book) meme.

F.A.B.

F. Film: What movie or tv show are you watching?

A. I am watching The Bionic Woman when I walk on the treadmill. I am in season 2. I haven't seen the show since the 1970s and I remember very little of it, so it's mostly new to me. It has been somewhat eye-opening to see topics that are still current today. For example, there has been mention of fluoride in the water being bad, the price of oil, and unrest in the Middle East. Aside from the use of two-way radios instead of cellphones, and of course the 1970s vehicles, the show holds up much better than I thought it would. 

A. Audio: What are you listening to?

A. I am listening to Alexa play Bread's Lost Without Your Love on Amazon Music. 

B. Book: What are you reading?

A. I am listening to an audiobook called Once & Future by Cory McCarthy et al. It's a King Arthur retelling, set in the very far future.

__________

I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.

Saturday 9: Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Saturday 9: Here Comes Peter Cottontail (from the archives)

1) Which do you prefer: colored hard-boiled eggs, chocolate marshmallow eggs, or plastic eggs with coins inside?

A. None of the above. I'd prefer a Cadbury Creme Egg if I have to have something.

2) What's your favorite color of Peeps (yellow, purple, or pink)?

A. None of them. Those things are horrible.

3) All this talk of sweets is making Sam hungry. What's for lunch?

A. A ham sandwich and potato chips.

4) This song was introduced by country singer Gene Autry and it's still a favorite. Please share some of the lyrics. (And you're on your own; Sam didn't include a link to the song this week.)

A. Here comes Peter Cottontail, hoppin' down the bunny trail! Hippity hoppity Easter's on its way! He's got jellybeans for Tommy, colored eggs for sister Sue, there's an orchid for your mommy, and an Easter bonnet too!

That's about all I remember of it.

5) Gene Autry was so popular that a town in Oklahoma named itself for him. Have you ever been to Oklahoma?

A. I may have passed through it back in 1976 when my family drove to California from Virginia, but I'm not sure. I was 12. I wasn't paying much attention.

6) He and his horse Champion also had a TV show. Can you name another famous horse?

A. Mr. Ed.

7) Gene Autry also recorded "Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer," and it was, of course, wildly popular, too. Who is your favorite recording artist?

A. I'm not sure I have one anymore, but I'll go with Stevie Nicks.

8) In 1950, the year Autry recorded this song, Diner's Club issued the first credit card. Think of the last thing you purchased. Did you use cash, a credit card, a debit card, an e-wallet service (Visa Checkout, Paypal, Google Pay, Apple Pay ...) or a check?

A. A credit card.

9) Easter is recognized as the start of the spring season. What are you looking forward to this spring?

A. I am looking forward to warmer weather and leaves on the trees. They look so much better with their clothes on.

_______________

I encourage you to visit the posts of other participants in Saturday 9 and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however. 

The Eagle

At lunchtime yesterday, my husband called me from his truck and told me to get my camera and head down toward the old garden spot.

An eagle was there, he said.

"You might want a picture."

Of course I wanted a picture. We don't see them here that often.

Speaking of eagles, I still check in on Jackie and Shadow, the eagle pair in Big Bear in California. They have two hatchlings that are about 7 weeks old.

Those baby chicks are huge now! They will start to fly in another month. And by September, they will leave and go in search of their own territory.

I have learned a lot about eagles watching these two. Nature is not stupid. Humans could learn a lot from watching animals.

Thursday Thirteen

Today I thought I'd something a little different. Here's a list of songs that might represent various aspects of my life.

1. Childhood: "Do-Re-Mi" from The Sound of Music

2. High School: "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor

3. Getting Married: "Longer" by Dan Fogelberg

4. College Journey: "Don’t Stop Believin’" by Journey

5. Infertility Journey: "Send in the Clowns" by Judy Collins

6. Career as a Newspaper Reporter: "Paperback Writer" by The Beatles

7. Love for Playing Guitar: "Superstar" by The Carpenters

8. 41 Years of Marriage: "Still the One" by Orleans

9. Motivational Anthem: "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield

10. Dream of Traveling to England, Ireland, and Scotland: "England Swings" by Roger Miller

11. Friendships: "You've Got a Friend" by Carole King

12. Future Aspirations – Writing a Novel: "Dancing in the Dark" by Bruce Springsteen

13. Final Reflection: "Too Much Time on My Hands" by Styx

What do you think? Sound like the me you know?

_________________

Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 903rd time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

For My Grandfather

The hollow whisper of bone against pine

He is rattling in the hush of earth

unsettled now in unquiet times.

I knew him as an old man, hands withered,

worn with work-filled days

But he was young once, and went to war.

For me he played his guitar

sang country songs while his fingers

flew up and down on the strings.

I think of him and his silent hands still speak, 

a rhythm etched in time.

His old heart would burst if he could see me now.

 

I hear him pluck in the weight of his absence, 

strings humming with a ghost’s breath, 

rough fingers worn like weathered roads

His memory is like dusk settling over a quiet song. 

He plays in echoes, not lost but shifting in the wind — 

a tune only I still hear.

Five Things

 

Five things I did last week -

1. Walked on the treadmill every day.

2. Worked on a short story.

3. Went to the grocery store.

4. Listened to the Board of Supervisors budget hearing.

5. Listened to a 17-hour audiobook called The Invisible Life of Addy LaRue, by V. E. Schwab, which I recommend.

Sunday Stealing

Odd Little Meme

1. Do you own a pair of cargo pants?

A. I do not own a pair of cargo pants.

2. Which of these gifts from a romantic partner would please you most: a) jewelry, b) wine, c) a book, d) something grown in his/her garden?

A. The answer is (c) a book.

3. Who was the last person to toss a harsh word or phrase your way? Do you think that maybe you had it coming?

A. That likely would have been something my husband said, and I probably deserved it, whatever it was. It must not have been too much of anything since I can't recall anything specific.

4. Did you appear in any plays back when you were in school? If yes, what role(s) did you play? Earn extra, non-existent points for sharing any of your dialog.

A. I did not appear in any plays when I was in school.

5. Which Osmond do you like better: Donny or Marie?

A. I don't care for either Osmond.

6. Who is your favorite radio host or podcaster?

A. I don't have one.

7. Is your personal workspace filled with fluffy, plastic wind-up, rubbery or edible items? Or are you all business and clutter free?

A. My personal workspace has a lot of clutter, but it is mostly paper such as books, mail, notebooks, research items. 

I didn't do so well with these questions today.

__________

I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.

Saturday 9: Money

Saturday 9: Money (That's What I Want) 1959

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This lyrics mention "the birds and bees." Who told you about the facts of life?

A. I really don't remember. I don't recall having a conversation with my mother. It may have been my grandmother, and then just whatever I learned in school. 

 

2) Barrett Strong sings that love won't pay the bills. How do you handle bill paying? Do you set aside one day a month to take care of all your bills, or do you pay each one as it comes in? What's your system?

A. I usually pay them twice a month. When the bills come in, I write the date they are due on the outside of the envelope and put them in a special mail holder so I can see them. When I have several due before the 15th, I pay them. Then I pay the ones due at the end of the month. By the way, I can remember when I had 30 days to pay my electric bill. Now they give you two weeks. I suspect that was a deregulation change.

 

3) He refers to dollar bills as "lean greens." Can you think of any other euphemisms for money?

A. Greenbacks. Cash. Moolah.

4) April is tax time, so money is top-of-mind for us all. Do you do your own taxes, or do you seek the help of a professional?

A. I do an elaborate accounting of everything and then take that to the professional.

5) On this week's song, Barrett does a solid job on the vocals, and he handles the keyboards well. In addition to performing, he was a talented songwriter. One of his most popular compositions was "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," a song about a lover who listened to gossip and got some useful information. Have you ever been the subject of gossip? If yes, was there any truth to the rumor?

A. I imagine have been the subject of gossip many times. But I cannot think of anything specific at the moment. However, as a semi-public figure when I was a news reporter, I suspect I was fair game for various things.

 

6) He worked with Motown and its sister label, Tamla, for years, but when they moved their offices from Detroit to LA, he quit. Have you ever relocated for your career?

A. I have never relocated for my career.

7) In 1959, when "Money" was popular, Huckleberry Hound was a hit with young TV viewers in 1959. What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid?

A. I loved Bugs Bunny. But I also liked Scooby Doo, Johnny Quest, and many others.

8) While children were enjoying daytime cartoons, their parents were discovering The Twilight Zone, which also premiered in 1959. Decades later, it's still being rerun on cable and streaming services. Are you a fan?

A. I watch it when I catch it on, which is infrequently. I doubt I have seen every episode.

 

9) Random question: Right now, would you prefer to grab a snack or take a nap?

A. Right now, I would probably prefer a snack.

_______________

I encourage you to visit the posts of other participants in Saturday 9 and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however. 

Lonesome Tom

Tom Turkey here was valiantly strutting his stuff in the front the other morning, but there were no signs of a lady. I don't know if this is the same fellow that we see almost every year, Lonesome Tom who never seems to get lucky, but it seems likely.

Thursday Thirteen

 

As the country enters a new phase of . . . something, I wanted to take a look back and how things have changed. In particular deregulation has led to a plethora of problems in many different areas of life.

1. Reduced inspections have led to more food-borne illnesses, increased use of harmful pesticides, and antibiotic overuse in livestock. This affects all of us as it reduces food and agriculture safety measures. Expect to hear more about listeria, e-coli, and other food-borne illnesses in the future.

2. Looser environmental protection regulations have resulted in more pollution, deforestation, and harm to wildlife.

3. Weakening unions and safety regulations have led to more injuries and reduced worker protections, reducing workplace safety and creating a dwindling of labor rights.

4. Deregulation contributed to financial crises, predatory lending, and economic instability. The crash in 2008 is a good example of how banking and financial stability is necessary for a strong economy.

5. Reduced oversight of airlines and other transportation services has led to lower air and transportation service quality, more accidents, and hidden (and not so hidden) fees.

6. Fewer regulations have led to soaring drug prices, reduced consumer protections, and healthcare disparities. For example, a drug I used to pay $13 for now costs me $60, and it is an older drug that shouldn't cost that much. It is hard to trust the pharmaceutical industry when I personally know that a generic from one company is not the same as a generic drug from another company.

7. In energy and utilities, price volatility, unreliable service, and market manipulation (e.g., Enron scandal) have become more common. Electricity rates, for example, have climbed significantly in recent years.

8. Because we apparently no longer have a strong Consumer Protection Agency, companies face fewer restrictions on deceptive business practices and data collection.

9. Deregulation led to media consolidation, limiting diverse viewpoints and increasing costs. Did you know there are only 5 major publishing houses for books now?

10. Housing & Infrastructure – Predatory lending practices, housing bubbles, and weakened building safety regulations have led to problems within the housing industry. Remember those apartments/condos that collapsed in Florida?

11. Deregulation has resulted in skyrocketing tuition costs and predatory lending with regards to student loans. Efforts to stop this have been rolled back by the current administration. Deep cuts to the Department of Education (which the administration is trying to kill) have raised concerns about reduced oversight and support for borrowers.

12. Fewer regulations mean higher premiums and fewer consumer protections with regards to insurance. Premiums have no ceiling and climb ever higher. Soon some places, especially those along coastal areas or other places prone to hurricane hits or flooding, will not be able to obtain insurance even if they can afford the high premiums.

13. Deregulation has allowed companies to collect and sell personal data freely. After all, who is going to stop them?

_________________

Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 902nd time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

The Redbuds of Spring

 

The redbud tree (Cercis canadensis) is a stunning harbinger of spring, known for its vibrant pink to magenta blossoms that emerge before the foliage. Native to North America, it thrives in various landscapes, from forests to urban gardens. Its heart-shaped leaves turn a golden yellow in autumn, adding seasonal charm. Besides its ornamental beauty, the redbud plays a vital role in ecosystems, providing nectar for pollinators. With its resilience and aesthetic appeal, it's a beloved choice among gardeners and nature enthusiasts alike.

The woods are full of them here.

Five Things

 

Five things I did last week -

1. Reconnected a relative to the internet.

2. Purchased and washed new sheets for the bed.

3. Helped a relative with an issue with county permits.

4. Ran errands that included several trips to the bank, trips to two grocery stores, the post office, the recycling center, and the drugstore.

5. Cleaned out the linen closet where I store sheets and sent a bunch of old things down to the shed for my husband to use as rags.

Sunday Stealing

1) What's the longest you've gone without sleep?

A. About 24 hours. This has happened twice - once in 2010 when my husband and I drove to Myrtle Beach and back in the same day, and again in 2014 when my husband caught his hand in the hay baler and had surgery until late into the night.

2) What was the highlight of your last week?

A. It wasn't a nice highlight, but I lost a cousin/friend in a motorcycle accident.

3) You have to give a 10-minute speech to a group of high school students. What's your topic?

A. I would talk about writing and communication.

4) What is the single best decision you've ever made in your life?

A. The best decision I ever made was to marry my husband. 

5) If you could ask a coworker, friend or family member a question and be guaranteed an honest answer, who would you choose and what would you ask?

A. I would talk to my father, but I will not reveal what I would ask.

6) Do you cook for yourself when you're home alone?

A. When I am home alone, I generally do not cook for myself and make do with whatever is handy. Sometimes when I am alone, I forget to eat. This was especially true when I was freelancing full time. I would get so into my work that I would lose track of time.

7) Do you most often access the internet from your computer, your phone, or your smart watch?

A. I access the internet mostly from a desktop computer. The phone also connects to the wifi but I am on the computer more.

8) Do you have more email addresses or phone numbers?

A. I have more email addresses than phone numbers. I have at least 9 email accounts.

9) What's the biggest source of anger in your life right now?

A. Myself.

10) Mondays make me feel like it's a chance to start anew.

__________

I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.

Saturday 9: Heart Like a Truck

Saturday 9: Heart Like a Truck (2022)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 

1) In this week's song, Lainey Wilson longs to hit the open road. What do you yearn for this morning?

A. Peaceful resolution of a family matter.  

2) She says her heart runs on dreams and gasoline. What fuels you?

A. This is a hard question. My dreams and desires have been stomped on such much that I have mostly given up. I get up to take care of my husband and our home, and to try to be a good wife to him, so I guess my love for my fellow is what fuels me.

3) Lainey sings that her heart has been "drug through the mud." The correct past tense of "drag" is "dragged," but in parts of our country, "drug" is sometimes used. Can you think of any other grammatically incorrect song lyrics?

A. I can't get no satisfaction.

4) She tells us her truck could benefit from being dusted off and shined up. Could your vehicle use a little TLC?

A. My car could use a wash, yes.

5) Before making it big in country music, Lainey supported herself by doing odd jobs, including appearing as a Hannah Montana impersonator for kids' parties. What's the most unusual job you've held?

A. I don't know that any of my jobs were unusual. Being a news reporter is out of the 9-to-5 realm, but when I was working it wasn't an unusual job to have. In the future I think it won't exist as a job at all.

 

6) In addition to singing, Lainey has acted, appearing in 5 episodes of the series Yellowstone. Are you a fan of the show?

A. I watched a few episodes of season 1 of Yellowstone and found it too violent for me to handle.

 

7) She loves Southern comfort food like mac and cheese and biscuits and gravy. What's on the menu at your place this weekend?

A. Pork chops, if I can cook them so they are edible.

 

8) In 2022, when this song was on the charts, Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Have you ever been to Scotland?

A. I have never been to Scotland in this lifetime. According to my mother, when I was about three, I started telling her about a castle in Scotland where I lived and died. It scared her so much she made me stop talking about it. Apparently, I was a scullery maid who met a violent end.

 

9) Random question – Let's pretend you're back in kindergarten. Which of these would young you prefer: a toy kitchen set, kid-sized gardening tools, or a mini trampoline?

A. I would prefer the kid-sized gardening tools. I used to enjoy gardening when I was young and my bones didn't hurt so much.

_______________

I encourage you to visit the posts of other participants in Saturday 9 and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however. 

Thursday Thirteen

Here are 13 historical events led by women that shaped history:

1. 1848 – The Seneca Falls Convention: The first women's rights convention in the U.S., organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. 

2. 1893 – New Zealand Grants Women the Right to Vote: The first self-governing country to do so.

3. 1903 – Marie Curie Wins the Nobel Prize: The first woman to receive a Nobel Prize, for her work in physics.

4. 1912 – The Founding of the Girl Scouts: Juliette Gordon Low established the Girl Scouts of America.

5. 1920 – The 19th Amendment in the U.S.: Women finally gained the right to vote after decades of activism.

6. 1932 – Amelia Earhart’s Solo Flight Across the Atlantic: She became the first woman to achieve this feat.

7. 1943 – The Women’s Army Corps is Created: Women officially joined the U.S. Army during WWII.

8. 1955 – Rosa Parks Sparks the Civil Rights Movement: Her refusal to give up her bus seat led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

9. 1963 – Equal Pay Act Signed in the U.S.: A major step toward closing the gender wage gap.

10. 1973 – Billie Jean King Wins the “Battle of the Sexes”: She defeated Bobby Riggs in a historic tennis match, proving women’s athletic prowess.

11. 1981 – Sandra Day O’Connor Becomes the First Female U.S. Supreme Court Justice: A landmark moment for women in law.

12. 2016 – Hillary Clinton Becomes the First Woman Nominated for U.S. President by a Major Party: A milestone in American politics.

13. 2021 – Kamala Harris Becomes the First Female U.S. Vice President: Breaking barriers in leadership.

_________________

Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 901st time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend

Last night, I learned that the husband of my old best friend Brenda, who passed away in 2021, was killed in a motorcycle accident in Alleghany, an adjacent county.

Willie was a distant cousin of mine. We shared a set of great-great grandparents. I just saw him last week at a talk about the history of Carvins Cove.

His older sister, Monty, died in 2016 when she was hit by a vehicle in Floyd County. She was my friend and cousin too. She was a writer, and we talked shop often, even occasionally challenging one another via email to write or work on projects.

I never was able to properly mourn his wife Brenda's death, because of Covid and the family had a private ceremony. And now her husband has gone in a shocking and horrible way.

He is survived by a son who lives out of state.

I wrote several articles about Willie when I worked for the newspaper. He and Brenda were important members of the Town of Fincastle, the county seat. He served as the town mayor for a while, and Willie and Brenda were instrumental in keeping the Christmas lights going in the town for many years. They were pillars of the community.

You can read one article I wrote in 2011 here.

Here is an article I wrote about Willie in 2009:

Willie Simmons

***

A gift to a sister has given wood turner Willie Simmons of Fincastle a new and useful implement to add to his creations of bowls, pepper mills, and other products.

The master craftsman in February came across a "bunch of this colored wood" through a friend in Pennsylvania. The wood, scraps from a gunsmith, have become fun and colorful handles under Simmons' skillful hands.

He added a decorative handle to a seam ripper and gave it to his sister, Monty Leitch, who took it with her to a sewing class. "A lot of people saw it and wanted one," Simmons said. He went to Walmart and bought all of the seam rippers he could find in order to create more.

Since then, the product has been a big hit with local sewing enthusiasts - so much so that one of them wrote the item up for Threads magazine, "the crown jewel" of sewing magazines, as Simmons called it. 

The seam rippers will be a featured "great gift" in an article scheduled to appear in the November magazine. Simmons is expecting to receive many orders on his website (wpswoodturning.com) when the article comes out.

Seam rippers as sold in stores are small and easily lost; the handles that Simmons places on the product make the seam ripper less likely to become another victim of the junk drawer gremlins. The handle also makes the product easier to manipulate and appears to be particularly helpful to those with arthritis or other hand ailments that may impede use. Additionally, the handle is reusable and metallic "ripper" part can be replaced if it becomes dull with use.

"I'm tickled to death" with the way the handles have worked out, Simmons said. "I've hit on something people can use."

The wooden handles come in pink, blue, purple, orange, camouflage, red and other colors as the wood becomes available. Because the wood is nearly 400 miles away and of a limited supply, these products may be limited not only in color but also in availability, Simmons said. The limited supply also means he cannot create special orders.

The colored wood also makes decorative handles for ice cream scoopers and make up brushes. The interesting colors are eye-catching, and these products are selling well at craft shows and in Simmons' shop.

As a craftsman, Simmons said he likes for his items to do more than sit on a shelf. "I don't make art work," he said, though some of his pieces are as decorative and lovely as they are useful. "I like stuff being used."

He has been a wood turner wood for over 25 years, and woodworker for more than 30. He became interested in working with wood when he was helping his father with his furniture and antique repair shop, which was located at the same site as Simmons' woodworking shop. 

For the last 20 years, Simmons has honed his craft and sold his work at various arts and crafts shows. Many of the festivals he attends are out of state or in northern Virginia.

Simmons last year began creating walking sticks as a special order for a Charlottesville businessman who, after adding his own touches, sells them to Orvis. The walking sticks, which are made of tiger maple wood, can be purchased from the mail order company's online catalogue. "I'm very pleased with the work I have done" on the sticks, Simmons said. "I think they are gorgeous."

The sticks sell online for $279.00. Simmons has some sticks for sale at his shop, though they are not exactly like the ones available through Orvis. They have different finishes or have not been stained. Supplies are limited, he said.

The sticks he sells frequently have "ambrosia streaks" in them, and the sticks online do not have those markings. Ambrosia streaks are created when a beetle that attacks maple trees leaves its byproduct in the wood. The stain leaves unique streaks, Simmons explained. It's a desirable thing in the wood.

He has also been experimenting with the walking stick designs and has created a two-part walking stick that may also be used as a cane. 

Simmons will have his wood working shop open during Botetourt's Open Studios, which takes place October 26 and 27. His work is for sale anytime he is at his shop.