October 4, 2026
Columns
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.
On & Off Earth – Change is the only true constant
Growing up in Richmond, we occasionally took a road trip to visit family west of Lexington. That meant driving Rt. 250, Broad Street Road, prior to the construction of I-64. Along that fairly straight but rolling drive, we were always on the lookout for the first cresting of a hill when we could see the mountains far off in the distance. I had a flashback to those days recently in Louisa because it is in Louisa where you can first see those Blue Ridges.
Thoughts from the Crossroads – Hollywood
It takes my husband and me forever to watch a movie at home. We’re forever pressing the pause button so we can get a snack. Or let the cat inside from the screen porch. Or go to the bathroom. Or get another snack. Or let the cat back out. You get the idea!
Blessed Assurance – Abide with us
When I design worship services, I plan for all of the parts to amplify the theme for the day. The one wild card each week is the children’s time, what we like to call “young disciples’ time” at one of my churches.
Roadside History – Swan Tavern and Jack Jouett
Captain John Jouett, Sr., and his wife Mourning Glenn Harris were the parents of John Jouett, Jr. (Jack). Jack’s father owned and/or operated the Swan Tavern in Charlottesville and farmed a property near Cuckoo at a crossroads in Louisa County. Jouett family ancestors were French Huguenots emigrated from Normandy in France to Rhode Island in the American Colony, and later to Virginia in the early 1700’s. Louisa records for September 14, 1767, show that John Jouett renewed a license to keep an ordinary (tavern) in his house at a farm in Louisa County. 1
Blessed Assurance – Growing up
For all of us at some point in our lives we dreamed about being older. The older kids always had more freedom (at least that was my perception) and they were able to do so much more than I.