August 20, 2026
Columns
Roadside History – Saint John’s Church Waldrop
St. John’s Church Waldrop overlooks the Marquis Road. It is a small classical revival building from 1845 that was built by James R. Magruder and his carpenter Malcolm Crawford. The two men are also credited with building West End, a nearby plantation house in the Green Springs National Historic Landmark District. St. John’s today serves an active congregation dedicated to its place of worship and the preservation of its place in history.
Thoughts from the Crossroads – Weird words
The English language is - and I say this affectionately - weird.
Blessed Assurance – Eyes of the heart
This week I was helping one of our sons obtain some prescription eyeglasses. I have worn eyeglasses constantly for about 40 years, so I know my way around the optician’s office.
Blessed Assurance – Money lessons
Think back to when you were first taught about money…what do you remember? For me it was learning how to save money. I would get money as birthday gifts, tooth fairy leavings, an allowance, odd jobs for people. Mom and dad would ask that we give 10% to the church and then put the rest in the bank in a savings account. I can remember pulling up to the bank with the old pneumatic tube system and putting my money and my passbook into the tube and watching it whisk away like magic. My passbook would return with not only the new deposit added, but the new total in my savings account! It was a feeling of pride to know that I had money in the bank that I could use for things that I wanted (i.e., a bike, a puppy, a new baseball glove, etc).
Thoughts from the Crossroads – Animal parenting
Dear Readers, you may want get out your hankies before reading any further. This column is going to be heavy on the AWW factor. You’ve been warned!
Thoughts from the Crossroads – Laundry
Irecently saw the movie “The Odyssey” at the theater. As you are probably aware, the hero Odysseus and his fellow Greek soldiers fought the Trojan War for 10 years; it then took them another 10 years to travel home. It was a good movie, but I couldn’t help but wonder: “How did that group of men handle their dirty clothes while fighting and traveling, for 20 years?” After all, when I travel for a mere two weeks, I bring home heaps of laundry!
Blessed Assurance – Truth in myths
Ihave always loved a good tall tale, myth, fairy tale, or other metaphorical teaching story. From my earliest childhood I was captivated by Hans Christian Andersen, Aesop, Thorton W. Burgess, The Brothers Grimm, J. K. Rowling, J. R. R. Tolkien, George R. R. Martin, etc, and their power to weave a captivating story that had a deep human truth or truths embedded in them. Stories of hero journeys and fanciful monsters, overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles, returning home wiser and more competent gave me hope in some challenging times in my life.
Back-to-school block party Saturday
Join the Town of Louisa for a Backto- School Block PartySaturday, Aug.
Thoughts from the Crossroads – Signs
Recently I saw one of my favorite Far Side cartoons, first published by Gary Larson back in 1986.
Blessed Assurnace – Getting even
It doesn’t take too long in our lives before the first time we are wronged by another person. Maybe we’re not chosen when picking sides for kickball, maybe the teacher makes an example of us for things others were doing, maybe we’re not chosen for a job advancement because we’re not as well connected politically as another candidate, maybe our girlfriend or boyfriend dumps us for someone else. No matter what the cause, in our hurt we can often want to “get even” with the person who wronged us. Revenge is a normal human reaction to being hurt by another and contemplating how we are going to get even distracts us from our woundedness.