My fun and my work have for many decades involved walking over rough terrain, so finding practical but comfortable shoes or boots has been critical. They’re so important to me that I end up emotional attached to them and mourn when they finally wear out and I must let them go to shoe heaven. I’m teary eyed right now just thinking about it. So, today's article is advice on choosing footwear that will be your friend.

When was the last time you sewed a button on a shirt? Do the heels of your socks need darning? What did you say? This is not a problem for you. Great! It was back in the day of the scrub board and those new-fangled wringer washers. I bet you haven't scorched a blouse recently either. Oh, you don't iron everything anymore? Sorry I asked. Let's get back to the good old days. Mending was a constant chore back then.

Mincey’s Musings
Year One, Week Fifteen

Confessions and Love

I could never be a successful criminal. I have a huge guilt complex, and when I do something wrong I just have to tell someone about it. The Holy Scriptures tell us to confess our faults one to another (James 5:16, KJV). What we so often forget is the remainder of the verse, “that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

This time of year, we never know what we will find when we venture outdoors, even if we go no further than our own yards. I know what to expect from the heirloom plants that grow around my house, but still feel a sense of anticipation, sudden wonder, and enchantment with each approaching spring. I look for the first small blue bloom in a bed of creeping myrtle, my mother planted years ago, next to one place where I “hang out the wash”. Within days, the entire bed of myrtle will be dotted with blue spots.

Do you like asparagus? I do. I like fresh asparagus. There is something about canned asparagus that drains the flavor from it. Frozen is better than canned, but not as good as fresh. Isn't it that way with most vegetables?

When Tammie Carter thinks about litter and illegal dumping in Union County, she likes to look on the bright side. It's a problem, and a big one, but year by year, things are getting better.

"I don't know that we'll ever solve it or get people to stop doing it, but hopefully it will be minimal one day," she said.

Another Easter has come and gone. While various groups celebrate the holiday with thankfulness many, including Christians, add a few other elements.

Last week, I pondered the spiritual aspects of Easter in preparation for this past Sunday. Here are a few of those “other elements” that came to mind spurred by the thought process of a six-year-old grandson. I will hold that conversation until the end of this article.

One of Spring’s pleasures after a winter of subdued color is the flowering of the dogwoods, which are universally enjoyed and mega-popular as yard trees. We are blessed to have them growing wild in our forests and are very common. Virginia is particularly big on dogwood, as it’s their state tree.

How many names can a community have? Well, we know of one that has had three. The Meltabarger family is well known and respected in their community. If my memory serves me correctly, Jim Meltabarger has been a county commissioner. He is now active with the Union County Historical Society and his wife, Joyce Myers Meltabarger is currently a county commissioner.

We had a lot going for us back in the day before television and DVD's. One was the City Briefs page in the newspaper. Mother read it religiously and never missed an opportunity to insert a family happening tidbit.

Let me tell you about that page. Happenings of the previous day found their way there. There was the police blotter listing all the crimes of the previous day. It told whose house was broken into and who was arrested for being drunk and disorderly. If there had been a series of break-ins in your neighborhood, you would be forewarned. That made good reading.