A Christmas Week Memory

Around the sleepy time between Christmas and New Year’s, when I was 12, I sat with my mother putting away decorations. My right arm was in a cast, as I had fallen earlier in December at my grandparents’ house and broken my wrist. So, I helped as best I could, still in my nightgown and robe because dressing was difficult.

My mother was upset. My mother generally was upset, and she was complaining about how she felt used and unloved. I remember sitting there telling her I loved her, when someone banged on the back door.

Mom jerked open the door to find Betty, the neighbor from the foot of the hill, breathless, towing her two children. "Loren . . . tractor . . ." she gasped. My mother’s face lit up in alarm.

“What’s happened?” she cried, leading poor Betty into the kitchen while I fetched her a glass of water.

Betty explained that there’s been an accident with the tractor; my brother was hurt. Betty’s husband, Barry, had taken my father and brother to the emergency room in their car. Their only car. Betty had run up the hill to get my mother.

It was a long run.

My mother shouted for me to get clothes, and I climbed into the back of the station wagon. I tried to dress as my mother sped around old dirt roads and curvy paved ones, her voice low while she prayed aloud, the only time I’d ever heard her do so, “Jesus, don’t let him die. We’ll go back to church if you keep him alive.”

I fell against the car door as she drove, landing on my broken wrist. But I didn’t say anything, I simply kept dressing until I finally had clothes on.

I don’t remember going into the emergency room; I’m not even sure which hospital we went to. I remember being told to sit in a chair near a room, so I sat. My father came out of the room and he hugged my mother. He was crying. I don’t remember what he said.

Eventually, a man in a white coat stopped by my chair. He looked at me, dressed hurriedly and probably crookedly, my arm in a cast, surely worried about the little boy I’d spent my entire life loving and protecting. He asked me to come with him. I did. He took me into a nearby room. “How did you break your arm?” he asked.

I told him how I’d fallen at my grandparents, playing in the basement. 

“Your father didn’t do this?” he said. I shook my head no. I would be an adult before I realized that the doctor suspected my father, at least, of something bad.

Later, I sat in the front seat of the station wagon, my father at the wheel. I remember exactly where we were, driving down the ramp off of Elm Avenue and pulling onto Interstate 581, when my father cleared his throat. “I’m sorry you had to see your ol’ dad cry,” he said.

“That’s ok, Daddy. Jesus cried, too,” I responded.

If only that was the end of the story. My brother would live, I learned. He was injured and would be in the hospital for a few days, but he eventually would be ok. I wasn’t sure what had happened, exactly. I couldn’t go to see him because back then, in 1975, they didn’t allow children under 16 in to the hospital to visit. My father took me to stay with my grandparents while he and my mother tended to my brother.

And in the middle of the night on New Year’s Day, the ambulance came to my grandparent’s house. I remember groggily hearing the noise, being told by someone to go back to bed, but I wasn’t able to. I also knew I needed to call my mother to tell her that her father was sick.

I tried the hospital but even though I explained to the operator that this was an emergency, she would not put my call through to my mother until 7 a.m. She answered the phone, and I blurted out it out. 

“Grandpa’s gone to the hospital in an ambulance, he is very sick.”

The next thing I remember is my mother coming in the door of my grandparents’ house, her eyes teary. “Boys, Daddy’s gone,” she said.

My grandfather had died of a heart attack.

I am old now, older than my mother ever got to be. When all of this happened, she would have been only 31 years old. What a heavy lot to lay on an unhappy young woman, a woman trapped by circumstance with two young children, living on a farm where she didn’t want to be. She must have been in horrible pain inside.

I was 37 when my mother died, older than she was when her father died - though my mother died at the same age as her father. 

My grandmother outlived my mother. 

I am still here.

Life can be funny that way.

What I've Read

These are the books I've read to date, as the year ends. As you can see, I'm a rather eclectic reader, moving from cozy mysteries to nonfiction to magic to literary classics, depending on my mood. There are 61 books on this list.

High Orbit, Mario Rosanda

A near‑future story exploring ambition, risk, and the fragile connections that hold people together in extreme environments. It blends science‑driven tension with a very human emotional core.

The Women Founders, Kristin Hannah

A reflective narrative about the women who shape communities and movements through quiet persistence. It highlights resilience, sacrifice, and the power of collective action.

Orbital, Samantha Harvey

A contemplative novel set aboard a space station, following astronauts as they confront isolation and wonder. It’s a meditation on perspective, fragility, and what it means to be human.

The Grey Wolf, Louise Penny

A mystery steeped in atmosphere, following characters who must confront old secrets and shifting loyalties. Penny blends emotional depth with slow‑burn suspense.

The Diary of Anne Frank (drama play), Frances Goodrich et al

A stage adaptation that brings Anne Frank’s voice and courage into a dramatic format. It emphasizes the intimacy, fear, and hope of a family in hiding.

Now or Never, Janet Evanovich

A light, fast‑moving story with Evanovich’s trademark humor and romantic tension. It follows characters who must make bold choices when life refuses to wait.

Sandwich, Catherine Newman

A warm, funny, and bittersweet novel about a woman navigating family, aging, and the messy beauty of everyday life. Newman captures the emotional chaos of midlife with tenderness.

Ella Enchanted, Gail Carson Levine

A beloved fairy‑tale retelling about a girl cursed with obedience who must reclaim her agency. It’s charming, clever, and full of heart.

Beach House, Rachel Hanna

A gentle Southern story about healing, new beginnings, and the comfort of community. Hanna’s coastal setting adds warmth and serenity.

Silver Alert, Lee Smith

A quirky, heartfelt tale about an unlikely friendship formed during a spontaneous road trip. It blends humor with a poignant look at aging and independence.

Counting Miracles, Nicholas Sparks

A sentimental story about love, loss, and the small wonders that shape a life. Sparks leans into emotional turning points and heartfelt connections.

A Memory Called Empire, Arkady Martine

A richly imagined space‑opera about political intrigue, identity, and cultural collision. Martine builds a world where loyalty and survival are constantly in tension.

You Will Find Your People, Lane Moore

A candid exploration of adult friendship—how hard it is, how necessary it is, and how to build it with intention. Moore blends memoir and guidance with honesty and humor.

A Christmas Duet, Debbie Macomber

A cozy holiday romance about rediscovering joy and companionship. Macomber’s gentle storytelling brings warmth and hope to the season.

The Nature of Witches, Rachel Griffin

A magical coming‑of‑age story about a young witch whose powers are tied to the changing seasons. It explores identity, responsibility, and the courage to embrace one’s gifts.

The Plot, Jean Hanff Korelitz

A literary thriller about a struggling writer who steals a dead student’s story—and faces the consequences. It’s sharp, suspenseful, and full of moral tension.

The Sequel, Jean Hanff Korelitz

A follow‑up that examines what happens after success, fame, and the secrets behind them. Korelitz blends psychological insight with slow‑building suspense.

The Invisible Life of Addy LaRue, V.E. Schwab

A sweeping fantasy about a woman who makes a Faustian bargain to live forever but be forgotten by everyone she meets. It’s lyrical, romantic, and deeply introspective.

Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Frank Baum

A classic American fairy tale about courage, friendship, and the search for home. Baum’s imaginative world remains timeless and enchanting.

Once & Future, Cory McCarthy & A.R. Capetta

A queer, sci‑fi reimagining of the King Arthur legend set in space. It’s bold, funny, and full of found‑family energy.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain

A mischievous boy’s adventures along the Mississippi River capture childhood freedom and troublemaking. Twain’s humor and social commentary shine through.

Pretty Dead Things, Lilian Westover

A dark, atmospheric story about grief, secrets, and the supernatural. Westover blends emotional depth with eerie tension.

The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits, Jennifer Weiner

A warm, witty novel about sisterhood, reinvention, and the stories families tell about themselves. Weiner balances humor with heartfelt insight.

A Circle of Uncommon Witches, Paige Crutcher

A magical tale about a coven bound by loyalty, power, and the challenges of belonging. Crutcher mixes whimsy with emotional stakes.

Like Mother, Like Mother, Susan Reiger

A sharp, character‑driven novel about family expectations and the complicated bonds between mothers and daughters. Reiger explores identity with wit and nuance.

Frankie, Graham Norton

A coming‑of‑age story set in a small Irish town, full of secrets and shifting relationships. Norton writes with warmth, humor, and empathy.

The Baking Games, Rachel Hanna

A sweet, small‑town story centered around a baking competition that brings people together. It’s comforting, light, and full of community charm.

The House at Watch Hill, Karen Marie Moning

A gothic‑tinged tale involving mystery, memory, and a house full of secrets. Moning blends atmosphere with emotional suspense.

The Correspondent, Virginia Evans

A reflective novel about journalism, truth, and the personal cost of uncovering difficult stories. Evans weaves together professional tension and emotional vulnerability.

Expiration Dates, Rebecca Serle

A magical‑realist romance about a woman who receives mysterious notes predicting the length of each relationship. Serle explores fate, choice, and the meaning of love.

The Measure, Nikki Erlick

A speculative novel where everyone receives a box revealing the length of their life. It’s a thoughtful look at destiny, fear, and how society changes under pressure.

Ordinary Time, Annie B. Jones

A gentle, introspective story about faith, family, and the rhythms of everyday life. Jones writes with warmth and quiet insight.

Obsession, Stuart Woods & Brett Battles

A fast‑paced thriller involving danger, secrets, and high‑stakes pursuit. Woods and Battles deliver action with polished ease.

The Rulebreaker, Susan Page

A character‑driven novel about ambition, reinvention, and the cost of breaking the rules that hold us back. Page blends emotional depth with sharp observation.

What Are You Going Through, Sigrid Nunez

A contemplative novel about friendship, mortality, and the act of bearing witness to another’s life. Nunez writes with clarity, compassion, and philosophical depth.

Bait and Witch, Angela M. Sanders

A cozy paranormal mystery featuring a librarian‑turned‑witch who stumbles into magical trouble. It’s light, charming, and full of small‑town whimsy.

Smolder (Stuart Woods), Brett Battles

A sleek thriller full of danger, shifting alliances, and escalating stakes. Battles keeps the pace brisk and the tension high.

My Friends, Fredrik Backman

A tender, humorous novel about connection, loneliness, and the people who shape us. Backman blends emotional honesty with gentle wit.

Flowers for Algernon, Daniel Keyes

A classic science‑fiction tale about intelligence, humanity, and the ethics of experimentation. It’s deeply emotional and thought‑provoking.

Murder in the Mystery Suite, Ellery Adams

A cozy mystery set in a book‑themed resort where secrets lurk behind every shelf. Adams mixes charm with clever plotting.

Funny Story, Emily Henry

A romantic comedy about two opposites forced into close quarters—and unexpected chemistry. Henry balances humor with heartfelt emotional growth.

Tehanu, Ursula K. Le Guin

A quiet, powerful fantasy about healing, identity, and the changing nature of magic. Le Guin writes with wisdom and emotional depth.

The City of Brass, S.A. Chakraborty

A lush Middle‑Eastern–inspired fantasy about a con artist who discovers a hidden magical world. It’s full of political intrigue, rich world‑building, and complex characters.

Murder in the Paperback Parlor, Ellery Adams

Another cozy mystery set in a literary retreat, this time involving romance authors and hidden motives. Adams delivers comfort and cleverness in equal measure.

Golden Hour, Stuart Woods & Brett Battles

A high‑stakes thriller involving danger, deception, and international intrigue. The pacing is brisk and cinematic.

Murder in the Secret Garden, Ellery Adams

A botanical‑themed cozy mystery where plants and secrets intertwine. Adams blends atmosphere with gentle suspense.

Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire, Don Martin

A whimsical fantasy adventure about a girl uncovering magical mysteries in her town. It’s imaginative, lively, and full of charm.

Thank You for Listening, Julia Whelan

A heartfelt novel about an audiobook narrator confronting love, loss, and her own creative identity. Whelan writes with warmth and emotional intelligence.

Book Lovers, Emily Henry

A sharp, funny romance about a literary agent who discovers love in the last place she expects. Henry plays with tropes while delivering real emotional depth.

A Sorceress Comes to Call, T. Kingfisher

A darkly humorous fantasy about a young woman confronting a dangerous magical threat. Kingfisher blends folklore, wit, and creeping dread.

Rejected, Shamed & Blamed, Rebecca C. Mandeville

A nonfiction exploration of family trauma, estrangement, and healing. Mandeville offers insight, validation, and practical guidance.

My Name is Lucy Barton, Elizabeth Strout

A quiet, intimate novel about a woman reckoning with her past during a hospital stay. Strout’s writing is spare, tender, and deeply observant.

Broken Country, Claire Leslie Hall

A haunting story about survival, memory, and the fractures left by conflict. Hall writes with stark beauty and emotional weight.

Water Moon, Samantha Sotto Yambao

A lyrical novel blending romance, myth, and mystery across time. Sotto creates an atmosphere of longing and gentle magic.

Tom Lake, Ann Patchett

A reflective family story about storytelling, memory, and the choices that shape a life. Patchett writes with grace and emotional clarity.

The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne

A classic novel about shame, judgment, and resilience in Puritan New England. Hawthorne’s symbolism and psychological insight remain powerful.

Strange Practice, Vivian Shaw

A quirky urban fantasy about a doctor who treats supernatural patients in London. It’s witty, atmospheric, and full of charm.

Hideaway, Nora Roberts

A romantic suspense novel about a woman rebuilding her life after trauma. Roberts blends mystery, healing, and slow‑burn romance.

Hidden Nature, Nora Roberts

A story about secrets, discovery, and the ties that bind people to place. Roberts mixes emotional warmth with gentle suspense.

Beautiful Ugly, Alice Feeney

A psychological thriller about identity, deception, and the masks people wear. Feeney keeps the twists sharp and the tension high.

Something to Look Forward To, Fannie Flagg

A warm, uplifting novel about community, kindness, and the small joys that brighten life. Flagg’s storytelling is comforting and hopeful.

Chatter, Ethan Kross

A nonfiction look at the voice in our heads and how it shapes our lives. Kross blends science and practical advice with clarity.

Sunday Stealing

F.A.B.

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

A. We are watching season 2 of Fallout on Amazon. It's dystopian science fiction. We are also rewatching Downton Abbey, The Lord of the Rings movies off and on, and I exercise to JAG.

A. Audio: What are you listening to?

A. My current audiobook is Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

B. Book: What are you reading?

A. I am currently reading Kingdom of Copper by S.A. Chakraborty. It's the second in a trilogy about genies and magic.

Thank you for playing! Please come back next week.

__________

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: Bye Bye

Saturday 9: Bye Bye Bye (2000)

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

This song was chosen because it's time to say goodbye to 2025.

Thanks for participating in Saturday 9 this year.

1) In this song, a man predicts his lover will start an argument. Is there anyone in your life who can be quarrelsome?

A. I have removed most of the quarrelsome people I know from my life.

2) He says he's had it, he's checking out and signing off. Can you think of a time you were glad you walked away from something?

A. I walked away from working for lawyers and into freelance writing, and I was ever so glad I did that. Lawyers are difficult to work for.

3) This week's song was performed by the band NSYNC. The group was formed in Orlando, FL, which is world famous as home to Walt Disney World. Today there are 12 Disney theme parks located around the globe. Have you ever visited one of these Magic Kingdoms?

A. I have been to the park in Orlando, FL once, in 1993.

4) They made a celebrity appearance on The Simpsons. What's your all-time favorite cartoon show?

A. Bugs Bunny, of course. I think it's also called Looney Tunes.

5) In 2000, the year "Bye Bye Bye" was popular, Brad Pitt was named People's Sexiest Man Alive. Are you crushing on anyone right now?

A. I am not crushing on anyone other than my husband at the moment.

Let's look back on 2025 . . . 

6) What's the farthest from home you traveled in 2025?

A. I think I made it to the Walmart on the far side of the city a couple of times.

7) What was the biggest purchase that you made in 2025?

A. I am not at liberty to say. 

8) What was your favorite book of 2025?

A. I am having a hard time choosing just one. These are few I read that I really liked: The Grey Wolf, by Louise Penny, A Sorceress Comes to Call, by T. Kingfisher, Strange Practice, by Vivian Shaw, The Griffin Sisters Greatest Hits, by Jennifer Weiner, The City of Brass, by S.A. Chakraborty.

9) What are you looking forward to most in 2026?

A. Getting rid of 2025, I think. But oh, I have concert tickets to see Melissa Etheridge, finally. Yay!

_______________

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

Merry Christmas to you and yours! May your day be filled with love, comfort, and joy.

It's Christmas Day! I thought I'd go back to 1973, when I would have been 10 years old, and see what I might have found under the tree. (Confession: I really don't remember what I received that particular year, but it could have been some of these.)

1. Barbie with one new outfit - or maybe just an outfit.

2. A small set of plastic farm animals (because the real ones were outside)

3. Jacks or pick‑up sticks - I had both. I was very good at Jacks back in the day.

4. View‑Master with reels

5. 64‑count Crayola box

6. Paint‑by‑number kit

7. Spirograph set

8. Nancy Drew book

9. Diary with a tiny lock

10. Craft kit (potholder loops, embroidery floss, etc.)

11. Small AM radio

12. Cassette recorder

13. Warm gloves or mittens

How about you? Any idea what you might have received when you were 10 years old?

_________________

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 939th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

O Christmas Trees

The Town of Fincastle has a Tinsel Trail of trees. They are located in various places about the town this year because of construction of a new courthouse. There are many more than these scattered around.

Holiday Lights

We like to drive around and look at the lights folks put up for the holiday. Some people really go all out. Unfortunately, I was using my cellphone and it doesn't have a vibration reduction mode, or if it does, I can't find it. A few pictures came out ok, though.

 

Five Things

 

If I continue this in the new year, I may turn it into a list of five random things, like I do Thursday 13. Or I may drop it. We'll see.

Last week, I:

1. had the house cleaned.

2. saw the podiatrist.

3. had a haircut.

4. received a wonderful surprise in the mail from an old friend, which I will write about in another post.

5. saw a coyote and a bear!

________________________

In solidarity with federal workers, who were tasked in late February 2025 with listing 5 things they did the prior week in order to keep their jobs, I started listing 5 things I did last week every Monday. On August 5, 2025, the federal government decided this was a waste of employees' time (as if we all didn't know that already). I have decided to keep it up, at least for now. I may stop it at any time.

Sunday Stealing

Stealing Some Fun

1. Describe your favorite cake.

A. I like a white cake with white icing. You'd think I would prefer a chocolate cake, but no.

2. Think of the best party you've ever attended. Were you a host or a guest?

A. The best party I ever attended was hosted by my then-boyfriend and now husband. It was a snow party. He lit a huge bonfire on top of the hill on the farm, and half the neighborhood came. We drank beer and we climbed into upside down car hoods and flew over the deep snow to the bottom. After we all fell over laughing from the ride, my guy loaded us back into the car hood and hauled us back up with a tractor, so we didn't have to walk back, and we all drank a bit and then did the ride all over again. At some point someone else took over tractor duty so my guy could ride the drifts, too. 

 
3. When you choose a greeting card, do you pay more attention to the words or the pictures?

A. I pay attention to the words.

4. What's your favorite holiday?

A. Halloween is my favorite holiday, but I don't celebrate it. I like the idea of a thin veil between worlds, and things that go bump in the night.

5. Who is your favorite character on your favorite TV show?

A. I don't have a favorite TV show at the moment. In the past, I have gravitated toward women in strong roles, like Cagney & Lacy, Captain Kathryn Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager, Xena: Warrior Princess, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Maybe at the moment my favorite character is Lucy in Fallout on Amazon, but that's a push.
 
Thank you for playing! Please come back next week.

__________

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: Happy Holidays

SATURDAY 9: HAPPY HOLIDAYS

From the archives

1. As you can see, when Sam Winters (the blog meme author) was a little girl, she loved giving her annual wish list to Santa. If you could ask Santa for anything at all, right now, what would it be?

A. The things I want are not the things Santa can bring. He can't bring world peace, or end hunger and disease, or stop greed. But he can bring me a box of milk chocolate covered cherries.

2. Are you currently on the Naughty or Nice list? How did you get there?

A. I hope I am on the nice list. To my knowledge, I haven't done anything naughty. I have donated to the local food bank and other charities. I've tried to stop swearing, even.

3. Are you traveling this Christmas? If so, are you going by car, plane or train?

A. I am not traveling.

4. Did you ship any gifts to friends and family this year? If yes, which one traveled the farthest?

A. I sent a gift to my friend in England, but that went via Amazon in England, so I don't know if that counts.

5. Did you buy yourself a gift this year?

A. I did not buy myself a gift this year.

6. Which do you prefer: candy canes or gingerbread?

A. Gingerbread.

7. Can you see any holiday decorations from where you're sitting now?

A. No. They are in the other room.

8. What's your favorite winter beverage?

A. I used to enjoy hot apple cider, back before I had ulcers.

9. Share a memory from last Christmas.

A. Last Christmas I was sick with an ear infection but still managed to carry off the holiday. It was more about the things I found to give than the things I received, although my stepmother did give me my mother's old button box, which I treasure.

_______________

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. 

Tracks on Mars

I was watching video this morning of Perseverance roaming around on Mars - it went 1,350 feet yesterday; its longest run in a single time period - and I could see the previous tracks the rover made as it moved around.

And I was thinking, as I watch our society decay, decline, and destroy itself, that mankind might not make it to Mars for a very long time.

When humanity does make it there, say in 3535, this period of history may well be forgotten. We're depending so much on technology that is actually rather fluid and erratic that I don't think the past 40 years will fare well in historical context. Things that live in the cloud are on somebody else's hard drive, and who is going to ensure that can be read for the next hundred years? Not to mention a couple thousand years. Just as an example, the 3.5-inch floppy disks I still have hold articles I wrote 35 years ago, and I have no way to read them.

Looking at all that is going on today, the state of the entire world feels to me perilously close to becoming that bleak world of Mars up there - like humanity itself may be close to extinction. After all, one world war of nuclear bursts would pretty much destroy all that we cherish and hold dear.

Whatever brand of humanity rose from those ashes might eventually make it to Mars, and without records - because of course they will destroy all the records, eventually - no one will remember that we've sent things there.

They'll think they've found evidence of an alien civilization that once lived on Mars. The tracks may even still be visible, depending on the weather, kind of like we still find dinosaur footprints in marshy weird places.

That would be fascinating, wouldn't it, if humanity thought its own efforts were those of aliens. It's the kind of thing we do now. We propose that aliens built the pyramids, or drew those massive characters and pictures in deserts, or destroyed the Mayan society. Whatever.

A very long time ago in Reader's Digest I read an article about archeologists uncovering a big structure. Inside they found a skeleton on a bed, staring at a big screen thing. They surmised the big screen thing was some kind of god that the humans worshipped, because so many of them were staring at it.

It was amusing in a scary sort of way.

Anyway, I like space stuff, so go Perseverance! Make more tracks. And hats off to Voyagers I and II, also. Keep moving away from here. You may one day be the last remnant that says humanity existed, and wouldn't that be something.

Thursday 13

Now I'm going into podcasting! My podcast will be called Freezing and Wining. I will need to find a wine lover as a partner, though. Here are some of the proposed episodes. What do you think? 

Freezing and Wining

A podcast pairing weather complaints with wine language, frozen desserts, and mild absurdity.

1. Crisis Coco - Emergency weather whining, paired with Chardonnay and a frozen hot chocolate situation that defeats the point. Includes existential angst stirred in with a whisk.

2. Storm Cellar Stories - Exaggerated storm memories, paired with Syrah and rocky road ice cream. Optional side note: includes dramatic reenactments using a hair dryer.

3. Almanac Apocalypse - The end of traditional weather forecasting after the collapse of the Farmer’s Almanac, paired with Cabernet Sauvignon and Neapolitan ice cream. Listener discretion: may include unsolicited conspiracy theories.

4. This Wind Has Notes of Hostility - Burgundy with dark chocolate gelato. With undertones of passive-aggressive sidewalk commentary.

5. Sunny but Structurally Cold - Sauvignon Blanc and lemon sorbet. Served with brief but intense eye-rolling at neighbors’ optimism.

6. The Forecast Overpromised - Rosé with strawberry sherbet. Includes a small panic about whether it will actually snow next week.

7. This Is a Full-Body Chill - Cabernet Sauvignon and espresso ice cream. Garnished with minor resentment toward your own coat.

8. The Sun Is Decorative Only - Riesling with mango sorbet. Pairs well with sighing at the audacity of a sunny day that offers no warmth.

9. Cold Enough to Make You Rethink Your Life Choices - Bordeaux and salted caramel ice cream. Also includes one regrettable decision made while shivering.

10. Snow That Refuses to Melt - Barolo with hazelnut gelato. Perfect for muttering poetic curses at the recalcitrant white stuff.

11. Wind Chill as a Personality - Syrah and dark chocolate ice cream. With subtle undertones of judging the entire street for leaving their trash bins out.

12. Why Is February So Long? - Zinfandel with cookies-and-cream ice cream. Served with a side of deep sighs and vague muttering about time dilation.

13. Spring Is Theoretical - Late Harvest Riesling and frozen chocolate cream pie. Pairs excellently with whispering sweet nothings to a calendar.

*An AI tool helped me with this list because, well, I know absolutely nothing about wine because I don't drink.*

_________________

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 938th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Future-Casting

A friend challenged me, more or less, to make predictions about our locality for the upcoming year.

The county is feeling pressure in multiple areas. The south, particularly the Daleville area, keeps growing and creeping north. The high schools are past their fiftieth birthdays, and we have a $35 million courthouse construction project underway in the county seat.

Add to that the wind power on the mountain in Eagle Rock and its opponents, the probable Google data center at the Botetourt Center at Greenfield and the need to find water for that, along with two new supervisors, and you have a cauldron boiling that might tip over - one way or the other.

Any of the projects underway, and the ones not yet known, could change the county in ways people haven’t fully sorted out yet.

With new people on the Board of Supervisors comes new energy and the usual mix of ambition and learning curves. I've never seen new people yet take those seats and manage to do anything they campaigned on. Once in office, new leaders suddenly discover that there's a lot more to it than just yelling from a bully pulpit. Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, and that means that the county can only do what the Virginia legislature says it can do. All of those empty promises made on the campaign trail? They'll turn out to be just words.

That always happens, though. After 40 years of reporting on this kind of thing, I'm well aware that new supervisors have a big learning curve. On top of that, we've got a loud bunch of, well, complainers seems like an appropriate word - who are likely to make meetings louder and more animated, and they will continue to do so until these supervisors figure out what they can and cannot do under Virginia’s rules. 

At the same time, the county administration may see some changes in leadership, which could shake up how projects are managed and priorities are set. I for one look for the county administrator to leave. He's fulfilled his mission - Greenfield is full now and the county doesn't have a new industrial site on tap that I am aware of. With the cost of the courthouse and the needs of the school system, I don't see how the county could justify another multi-million-dollar purchase of land to prepare for another industrial park.

Especially not when they need to find eight million gallons of water for that data center. Maybe they find a new way to cool it, and maybe not. Either way, how we manage our water resources could determine how smooth - or not - that process ends up being. It may also end up being expensive.

I have a suspicion that, like the Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail (a rails-to-trails project that has been in the works since the 1970s is finally under way), another project known as Hipes Dam might get another look. That's pure speculation on my part, but if I remember that project existed, you can bet others remember it too. I think it would have to be redone to keep the new lake from wiping out the rails-to-trails project, but ultimately it would complement that if recreational tourism is a goal not only for Botetourt but also for Craig. Unfortunately, it would also wipe out a bunch of small farms and the cabins along Craig Creek.

That's in the northern end of the county. Further south, Daleville is changing fast. New apartments and some retail makes the area feel almost like a proper little hub now. However, the area is missing a fire station yet, which is starting to feel like a glaring gap. There are also rumors of a larger development near the I-81 and US 220 interchange, and if that ever takes shape, the area could look very different in just a few years.

The schools are another piece of the puzzle. Both high schools need work, if not replacement. Consolidation could modernize things, but that would put a high school near the I-81 Exit 156 interchange, feasibly, and I'm not sure that's the best place to park a high school. However, even though growth is currently mainly in the southern part of the county, between northern trails, possible dams, and whatever other surprises show up, the county might start to feel more balanced in the years ahead.

At the end of the day, none of this is set in stone. Some of it will happen, some of it won’t. What matters most is that residents pay attention, talk with each other - nicely, please - and make their voices heard. Botetourt is lucky in that it has room to grow, but our leaders must navigate the changes carefully, thoughtfully, and with a little foresight.

Five Things

Last week, I:

1. saw the chiropractor.

2. did Christmas stuff.

3. hunted up my recipe for fudge and penuche, then went to the store for ingredients. Crickey, that will be expensive fudge. $4.99 was the cheapest I saw for semi-sweet chocolate. I can remember when it was regularly priced at a $1.99.

4. watched it snow and took snow pictures.

5. wrote a couple of letters.

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In solidarity with federal workers, who were tasked in late February 2025 with listing 5 things they did the prior week in order to keep their jobs, I started listing 5 things I did last week every Monday. On August 5, 2025, the federal government decided this was a waste of employees' time (as if we all didn't know that already). I have decided to keep it up, at least for now. I may stop it at any time.

Sunday Stealing

Catherine's Questions

1) What one word describes your personality?

A. Neurotic, according to some people. I prefer "eccentric."

 

2) What's the best way to get on your good side?

A. Be kind, not only to me, but to others.

 

3) What person do you feel most comfortable with?

A. My husband.

4) Do you handle criticism well?

A. Who are you calling defensive and thin-skinned? I have never! I handle criticism perfectly well, thank you very much!

 

5) Are you the type to tell someone, if asked, that their pants DO make them look fat?

A. No, I would never tell someone that. I might say, well, I think they don't fit as well as some others you have, or something like that.

Thank you for playing! Please come back next week.

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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.