Jim Bishop Writer Features Department bishopj@emu.edu	Back to Homepage
1. Egregious Gags To Egg You On - And That's No Yolk 2010-02-06 A sagacious senior observed, 2. What Is As Rare As A Fight That's Fair? 2010-01-30 Is conflict, often resulting from widely-divergent viewpoints in organizations - religious and secular - a bad thing? I think it largely depends on whether it's avoided, allowed to fester or addressed head-on. 3. To Wait Or Not To Wait - Is That The Question? 2010-01-23 Better late than never, but I think I'm finally learning to anticipate times when I'll be playing the waiting game. 4. Doing The Two-Step In The Dance Of Life 2010-01-16 It's harder for me than adding a set of figures correctly, understanding self-assembly instructions for a gas grill or accepting up front that there will be more month than money before the long, cold days of January (with no days off) give way to the shortest month of the year with occasional hints of spring in the Valley air. 5. On Knowing When To Say ‘When' In 2010 2010-01-09 Wonder if I can write anything substantive while riding shotgun in our 2001 Alero on the Pennsylvania Turnpike on a bitterly cold Sunday morning while returning to Harrisonburg? Stay tuned and see ... 6. The Bishop Clan Bids Farewell To Their Beloved Queen 2010-01-02 A ceramic pitcher with a Stangl design, sketched by my brother, J. Eric Bishop, appeared on the cover of the memorial service program above the Scripture verse, "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her" (Proverbs 31:28). 7. Midlife Couple Declares ‘Why Knot?' 2009-12-26 Rose Stoltzfus Shenk, 41, of Harrisonburg is a widow with four boys. Bruce Buckwalter, 40, of Harrisonburg, is single and never been married. 8. Conjuring The Ghosts Of Christmas Presence 2009-12-19 9. Patchwork Pantry Ministers To Body And Soul 2009-12-12 Sheri Hartzler is a human dynamo who gets many things done in a fairly low-key, unassuming manner - at her workplace at Third Way Media in Harrisonburg, handling bookings for Ted & Company Theaterworks or orchestrating the Patchwork Pantry food program. 10. Virginia Beach Weekend Proves Advent-tageous 2009-12-05 11. Sometimes, The Best Thing Is To Get Outta Town 2009-11-28 Many who actually read these weekly ramblings are aware that I'm a creature of habit. I operate by a regimented timetable with little elbow room for alteration. 12. And Remember, ‘In Everything Give Thanks' 2009-11-21 13. On Examining A Grain Of Mustard Seed 2009-11-14 The only thing that's permanent is change, the saying goes. I only wish it weren't so brutally true. 14. Crypt-Kicker Tales Just In Time For Halloween 2009-10-31 Greetings, boys and ghouls, on this howl of the 'ween 2009. Don't want to employ scare tactics, but it's only fair to warn you that we're about to embark on another frightful foray through the haunted House of Seven Gables with Nathaniel HAW-thorne. 15. Make A New Plan, Stan, And Set Yourself Free 2009-10-24 16. Reunion Vocal Band Speaks Musical Volumes 2009-10-17 It was a memorable trek down musical memory lane, with certain melodies still lingering gently on my mind long after the encore numbers were sung. 17. Big Surprises Sometimes Come In Small Packages 2009-10-10 The parcel sat in a corner of my office, taking up valuable space and collecting dust. But, for some reason, I simply ignored it. 18. Road Runners: Honk If You Love Miatas 2009-10-03 Sunday dawned basically gloomy and I admit to quickly feeling the same way. The Weather Channel had called for partly sunny skies with temperatures in the upper 70s, but that failed to materialize for our anticipated fall Miata cruise Sunday afternoon, Sept. 20. 19. Sparkling Summer Ignites Love Affair With Autumn 2009-09-26 A touch of melancholia came over me as I looked up and noted the tinge of color displayed among the top branches of the sugar maple tree in our front yard. 20. Appreciation For Music Is An Unfinished Symphony 2009-09-19 Ever find yourself whistling a tune but you don't know the words or even the name of the song? 21. Just A-Swingin', Ma & Pa Bishop Reminisce 2009-09-12 Me: "Hey, wifey! You've gotta come out and join me on the backyard swing. The view across the (Shenandoah) mountain range is spectacular, but it won't last long. I know you're busy, but this is too good to miss." 22. Move Over Mountains, Faith Is Coming Through 2009-08-29 The keynote speaker for our annual faculty-staff conference was dishing out some rather heady stuff - all relevant to helping get everyone psyched up for the start of the new school year looming ahead. 23. Curbing My Doggerel For The Dog Days Of August 2009-08-22 If I look busy, I'm just confused. And if I smile a lot, it's because I have no idea what's going on (ignorance is bliss). 24. Home Alone: Don't Cry For Me, Harrisonburg 2009-08-15 The week just past gave evidence to something I've aspired to for a long time - I can manage quite well without adult supervision. 25. Crash Test: On Dodging Dents, Detours And Potholes 2009-08-08 How often do our lives take a different twist because of a few seconds or minutes separating us from certain calamities on life's thoroughfare? 26. Lookin' Fine In 2009 ... Compared To 1959? 2009-08-01 27. Postcard From The Beach: Wish Everyone Was Here 2009-07-25 It ain't paradise, but it's knockin' on heaven's door. I'm thinking this while mellowing out on a sand chair on the 15th Street, lifeguard-patrolled beach at Ocean City, N.J., still "America's Greatest Family Resort" (at least, in my opinion) after all these years. 28. It's A Small World In The Huge State Of Alaska 2009-07-18 29. A Dazzling Experience In The Land Of The Midnight Sun 2009-07-11 "Welcome to Alaska, the last foreign country still friendly to Americans." This sign greeted four wide-eyed travelers from the Lower 48 at the outset of a 10-day great Alaska pilgrimage. 30. Reflections On The Fourth Of July - Then And Now 2009-07-03 31. A Father's Love Goes On ‘Forever And Ever' 2009-06-20 My dad, J. Vernon Bishop of Doylestown, Pa., has been gone 10 years. It only seems like several weeks ago that he left us too quickly, life drained from him by a blood disease, at age 76. 32. Lesa Dayton Leaves Legacy Of Unconditional Love 2009-06-13 I've long believed strongly that life is good - but it sure isn't fair sometimes. I contemplated that again while sitting in a lengthy funeral service that shouldn't have been happening. 33. Marital Musings After 42 Years (Why Knot?) 2009-06-06 I was already feeling hesitant about the assignment, but as wife Anna and I entered the gathering space at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, the anxiety level really shot up. 34. On Putting Descartes Before The Horse (Neigh!) 2009-05-30 I'm sure the intelligentsia among us reading this are already chuckling up their collective Harris tweed sportcoat sleeves - kinda warm for that attire, isn't it? - as Perrier sprays from their nostrils. 35. Clarence Peifer Epitomizes Life Of Lay Ministry 2009-05-23 Clarence E. Peifer of Bridgewater will defuse any preconceived notions of how a person who turned 95 (on May 18) should appear or act. 36. The $64,000 Questions: I'm How Old? 2009-05-16 It doesn't seem long ago that the lyrics to that Beatles song, from their tour de force album, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," prompted me to think, "Wow, 64, that is ancient." 37. Sending Love Letters To Mom Compresses The Miles 2009-05-09 I zip around the corner to the door of my hair stylist (my style still leans towards an early '70s look), and behold, a traditional bleeding heart bush rises up to greet me. 38. Facing Up To Some Recognizable Facts 2009-05-02 I discovered, without really looking, that there's a name for my latest malady. I am suffering from - repeat after me - prosopagnosia (pros-uh-pag-NO-see-uh). 39. A Key That Unlocked An Educational Legacy 2009-04-25 I thought: What an exemplary gesture in honor of one whose life touched and influenced so many, including a relative of mine who never met this man, the late C. Henry Smith, in person. 40. ‘Green' Car Charges Down Electric Avenue 2009-04-18 The license plate reads, "EPOWER." Most appropriate, because electricity is what powers Carmen Schrock-Hurst's primary source of transportation, a bright red GEM car, nicknamed "Ladybug." 41. Disable And Enable: A Life-Long Procedure 2009-04-11 I may be a Bishop, but I'm not a preacher - not ordained - disdained, maybe. I do, however, try to practice what I preach (is that what a minister does when he or she rehearses a sermon?) in my regular discourse, including this weekly column. 42. 3 A.M. Thoughts Make Sleep Hard To Grasp 2009-04-04 43. Caution: Column Under Pressure - Read With Care 2009-03-28 Stress - a single word that can pack a punch, rendering us weak and powerless. 44. Annual ScrappleFest Is Not A Half-Baked Idea 2009-03-21 Just when the prevailing thought was, "It doesn't get any better than this," it does. With little public fanfare, 12 Bishop relatives and several guests assembled at host Tom Bishop's cozy abode in suburban Perkasie, Pa., for the fourth annual ScrappleFest. 45. Reader Advisory: Quickly Scratch This Page And Flea 2009-03-14 46. ‘Sky' King Indulges In Flights Of Fancy 2009-03-07 Martin G. "Marty" King of Harrisonburg has been fascinated by airplanes as long as he can remember. 47. Life Throws You Curves And Then Grades You On It 2009-02-28 What an unexpected but most gladsome sound! 48. Where You Sit May Partly Determine Where You Stand 2009-02-21 Some things I'll never understand in this lifetime: Why professional athletes receive obscene salaries, then turn around and take performance enhancing drugs? 49. Heartthrobs: All We Really Need Is Love? 2009-02-14 50. Have We Gotten Out Of Sorts About Sports? 2009-01-31 Dave King knows he's juggling a hot potato, but he feels his message is urgent. 51. Post-Funeral Ponderings: Thankful For Solid Support 2009-01-24 Funerals are sad, solemn and, when circumstances surrounding the death are tragic, extremely heartrending. 52. Caring For Parents Brings Life Full Circle 2009-01-17 53. Columnist (Almost) Gets Lump Of Coal In Christmas Stocking 2009-01-03 The Grinch came within an inch of ruining Christmas for my wife and me. 54. The Pause That Refreshes: Keeping Pace With The Human Race 2008-12-27 This year is about to become another chapter in life's annals. Seems like just yesterday I opened my 2008 Dave Barry desk calendar and put it in the space reserved for such important data/date managers on the kitchen counter. 55. Comforting Contemplations On The Cusp Of Christmas 2008-12-20 The other night, I washed down my cholesterol pill with a glass of eggnog. Ahh ... that most wonderful time of the year is here. 56. I'm Dreaming Of A Vintage Music Christmas 2008-12-13 It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas - only earlier than ever. This year, area commercial radio station WSVO, Mix 93.1 FM, went to an all-Christmas music format before Thanksgiving. 57. It's Time For A Christmas Punneling 2008-12-06 I walked into the post office to buy stamps to mail my Christmas greetings. 58. Post-Thanksgiving Postulate - Takin' Care Of Business 2008-11-29 Trying to comprehend what's happening with the economy is for me much like trying to understand algebraic equations or women - a futile exercise - but, I'll comment anyway. 59. Here's To A Hair-Raising (Or Lowering) Holiday 2008-11-22 Thanksgiving Day is looming, and I'm salivating already. 60. S'cuse Me, Mr. Wolfe, I Can Go Home Again 2008-11-15 The morning air was nippy, the sky royal blue, traffic surprisingly light and, while not yet mid-morning, sidewalks were full of people hustling to wherever they might be headed. 61. Sometimes, That's The Way The Mercedes-Benz 2008-11-08 Betty Curry, 67, of Harrisonburg believes that 62. Oh, What A Night, Late October Back To '63 2008-11-01 "Take Thou My Hand, O Father, and Lead Thou Me ..." Wow, some 45 years later, our group sang all three verses of this hymn a cappella style in glorious four-part harmony and, given our "mature" voices, may have sounded even better this time around. 63. The (Financial) Times They Are A-Changin' ... 2008-10-25 It's rather easy to get caught up in the apprehensive spirit that seems to permeate society these days. 64. Radio-Active: Staying In Tune With Frequency 2008-10-18 Surely there are days when you don't feel like it. So, why do you do it, week after week? 65. It's Hard To Keep Pace With The Cyberspace Race 2008-10-11 Here I am, geographically removed from my office, composing on a laptop computer that I was given - the compact unit running on battery power with a wireless connection to wherever the signal goes before an electronic communiqué is sent on to the designated recipient (at least, I hope so). 66. When Life Is Laced With Touches Of Grace 2008-10-04 The five o'clock traffic jam whistle has sounded - yabba dabba doooooo! - time to shut down the computer, turn off lights, lock up the office and welcome the weekend. 67. Punny Business You'll A-Door: An Open And Shut Case? 2008-09-27 Operating from the [erroneous] assumption that it can be done, I've taken it upun myself once again to locate a good pun. 68. Drive, They Said: Miata Madness Strikes The Valley 2008-09-20 Twenty-one Mazda Miata convertible sport coupes departed Harrisonburg for "Wild, Wonderful West Virginia" on the afternoon of Sept. 7; 20 returned. 69. A Mantle Mantra For The Next Stage Of The Journey 2008-09-13 Preface: A man, desperately searching for the "right" church, slipped into the back pew just as the congregation intoned with the worship leader, "We have left undone those things which we ought to have done." 70. 1963 Was Rather Carefree - Or So We Thought 2008-09-06 Was it only yesterday that resolute members of the high school graduating class of 1963 corporately reached out trembling fingers and turned the page on the next exciting chapter of their lives? 71. Learning The Ropes Of Cooperative Communication 2008-08-30 It seems obvious, yet so hard to implement. 72. Sunday Evening Hymn Sing A ‘Peak' Experience 2008-08-23 MINERAL COUNTY, W.Va. - The phone call from Uncle Phil Dayton, my mom's youngest brother, came weeks before the event, a personal invitation, and I thought, yes, why not? We pass this way but once. 73. Elvis: Can't Help Thinking A Lot About You 2008-08-16 Elvis Aaron Presley - actually, all one needs to say is "Elvis" and you know who I mean - would have turned 73 years old today, Aug. 16, were he still alive. 74. When Nitty-Gritty Sands Of Time Get In Your Sandwich 2008-08-09 Greetings from Harrisonburg! I thought this would be my annual beach report, live and direct from the Outer Banks, N.C. But, as Scottish poet Robert (Sun)Burns rightly observed, "The best-laid plans of mice and men gang often go awry" (Gang aft agley). 75. Wedding Bell Blues? Possibly, But Frayed Knot 2008-08-02 76. The Pundemoanium Heats Up (Summer Better Than Others) 2008-07-26 I pull up to the gas pump or go to the supermarket and leave with a sense of asset indigestion (forgive us our debits). 77. Another Fine Mess You've Gotten Me Out Of 2008-07-19 This is a long-overdue fanfare for the uncommon people - those who quietly go about their business repairing other peoples' messes, often literally. Yet, their valiant efforts are seldom recognized and appreciated. 78. You're Hearing Things ... You May Not Hear Elsewhere 2008-07-12 Right in the middle of a crazy afternoon in the office, the phone rang (again), and I was tempted to let it go to voicemail. But, I answered, and was glad I did. 79. I Can Testify: Virginia (Beach) Is For Lovers 2008-07-05 VIRGINIA BEACH - Whether to the mountains, the beach or another destination of choice, it's just good to get away, rest a spell and catch up with yourself (and with others important to you). 80. Conversation Piece: Can We Meet And Greet? 2008-06-28 It comes down to this: people are people, wherever you go, whomever you meet. The majority of us walk upright, eat, sleep, pursue livelihoods, experience the gamut of human emotions and desire to grow in wisdom, stature and favor with God and each other. 81. Funeral Service Sounds Wake-Up Call 2008-06-21 Attending a funeral isn't all tears and sorrow. 82. Angelina's Astounding Account Of Love Conquering Hate 2008-06-14 What's a parent's worst nightmare? I suspect it is to have a child abducted, and then not knowing if either will see the other alive again. This was the reality for Angelina Atyam of Uganda for nearly eight years. 83. Be Cautious — Certain Dreams Might Become Reality 2008-06-07 "The rest of your life begins today." 84. Eagles Concert Provides ‘Peaceful, Easy Feeling' 2008-05-31 The stage lights came up, applause and cheers erupted and I stared down on music legends. The Eagles had landed. 85. Reflections Of The Way We Were, Are And Hope To Be 2008-05-24 Does anyone actually spend time lost in a morass of memories on Memorial Day weekend? 86. Riding The Stand-Up Roller Coaster In Jurassic Park 2008-05-17 If things improve with age, then you've just about reached perfection. This was one of the more encouraging messages received a year ago amid a larger number of birthday greeting reminders of my having taken up permanent residency in the Paleolithic Era. 87. So, Is This Any Way To Pump Up The Economy? 2008-05-10 "Ridin' along in my automobile ... my baby beside me at the wheel ..." reminding me that our vehicle is running on "empty." 88. Readers: Replies Don't Always Come But I'm Listening 2008-05-03 It's a nice problem to have, and while there may be other ways to address it, I'll give it the ole college try. After all, isn't the Bishop supposed to have the last word? 89. I Think, Therefore I Am ... I Think! 2008-04-26 An ad for a high-powered seminar coming up this summer carried the heading, "If I could just take a day to think ..." Or in this case, several days. 90. These Things Could Happen, But I Have My Doubts ... 2008-04-19 It's rather unsettling. Just when I start to scrawl ideas for another article in my church bulletin, our interim pastor Shirley Yoder Brubaker corrals my wandering mind with another sermon zinger: 91. The Ten Commandments Revisited - And Taken For Granite 2008-04-05 Is it irreverent to suggest that the Ten Commandments were not an immediately smashing success - centuries ago as well as today? 92. In Workplaces And Other Spaces, Can We All Just Get Along? 2008-03-29 "Hmmmm, that's rather unusual!" 93. Scapplefest Redux: An Affair To Remember 2008-03-22 Is it possible to improve on an already perfectly tasteful event? A batch of Bishop relatives, descendants of Walter S. and Priscilla Bergey Bishop of Doylestown, Pa., gave it their best shot. 94. A ‘Special Child' Responds To Special Care 2008-03-15 My daughter Jenny Hummel of Weyers Cave won't forget the time and place when she was told for certain - her son Jacob has autism. 95. Hushed Voices From Beyond Still 'Speak' Volumes 2008-03-08 I’m thinking a lot these days about my dad, J. Vernon Bishop of Doylestown, Pa.: 96. Spend ‘Free Time' Playing Leap Frog With A Unicorn 2008-03-01 Time ... is on my side ... 97. When Looking At Perceptions, Avoid Deceptions 2008-02-16 I looked in the mirror reflectively and wasn't particularly pleased with all that stared back at me. It didn't help that I had just pried myself from my comfy bed at 5:40 a.m. 98. They Ain't Heavy ... They're My Brothers 2008-02-09 The clean-cut group, The Brothers Four, hit the music scene in a big way in 1960, and then quietly disappeared with the advent of folk-rock and the British invasion. 99. Isetta Mouthful 2 When You Wish Upon A Car ... 2008-02-02 Spontaneity is the quality of being able to do something just because you feel like it at the moment, of trusting your instincts, of taking yourself by surprise and snatching from the clutches of your well-organized routine, a bit of unscheduled pleasure. 100. See Anyting You Like? The Eyes Have It 2008-01-12 It's one thing to have a clear vision of what we want to accomplish today, tomorrow and beyond. It's another to have 20/20 vision - or even better. 101. A Vinyl Guy Needling A Digital World 2008-01-05 Negotiating heavy traffic on Interstate 81, heading south from Pennsylvania to Harrisonburg after a too-brief holiday visit with extended family, I'm thinking how fortunate that my happiness doesn't depend on acquiring more "stuff" at this heavily-commercialized time of year. 102. A Year-End Review And Coming Distractions 2007-12-29 As 2007 nears its close and a new year is about to unfold, I'm impressed anew - how one looks at things makes a world of attitudinal difference. 103. Christmas Isn't Perfect, But Neither Are We 2007-12-22 I'm thinking of you today because Christmas is near, and I wish for you that often elusive but sorely needed gift of happiness. 104. Afraid Of Santa? You Might Have Claustrophobia 2007-12-15 While everyone else is decking the halls and wrecking the walls, yours truly needs to climb up on the rooftop and unclog my Chinese chimney so Santa won't catch the Hong Kong flu (I'm well-sooted for the job). 105. Celestial Seasonings: The Pause That Refreshes 2007-12-08 Every year about this time, the same melodrama starts playing itself out. 106. Speechless: ‘You Know Hy — He Don’t Lie’ 2007-12-01 The distinctive voice is silent, and I’ll miss it. Hy Lit, known to generations of Philadelphia-area radio listeners as “Hyski,” died Saturday, Nov. 17, at Paoli (Pa.) Memorial Hospital at age 73. 107. Your Membership In This Church Is About To Expire 2007-11-24 Community Mennonite Church of Harrisonburg held its annual “Covenant Sunday” the morning of Nov. 11. 108. Thanksgiving Is A Non-Stop Holiday 2007-11-17 There’s something out of kilter, if I stop and think long enough (always a scary prospect), if we only give thanks on one designated day in late November. 109. What Light Through Yonder Restaurant Window Breaks? 2007-11-10 110. So Simple, Even A Columnist Can Understand It 2007-11-03 If, when a guy meets a gal, he tells her how classy she looks and how much he likes her, that’s sales promotion. 111. Alum Asks, ‘Lordy, Lordy, How Can It Be 40?’ 2007-10-27 One enchanted homecoming weekend, I photographed a group holding its 25-year college reunion, and I thought, “Man, these people look old.” 112. Some Timely Reminders That Spur Me On 2007-10-20 These days, the majority of my communiqués are received and transmitted with the assistance of remarkable computer technology. The medium is handy, speedy and usually effective. 113. Fallacious Frivolity For The Easily Amused 2007-10-13 This weakly EML (English as a Maltreated Language) experimentation generates considerable reader response, and I’m grateful. 114. Still Time To Rock Around The Clock (Without Unwinding) 2007-10-06 What a pleasant stroll down to the corner of memory lane and nostalgia avenue. 115. Halo To The Angel On My Shoulder 2007-09-29 Why was I spared having a serious accident? A fraction of a second made all the difference between a major “oh, deer” incident and passing the buck, as it were. 116. How Many Good Things Can Be Absorbed At Once? 2007-09-22 Slow down, you’re movin’ too fast, You’ve got to make the morning last... Harper’s Bizarre (1967) So what’s a tired body to do? 117. The Invasion Of The Bargain Snatchers 2007-09-15 It was some years ago, but I still remember the first time a visit from my parents coincided with the semi-annual Belmont Estates yard sale. 118. Attention, Storms Of Life: Peace, Be Still 2007-09-08 The sky was menacing, the wind whipped to a fury, rain fell in torrents. Then, marble-sized hail attacked the large maple trees in the front yard and sliced our mums, zinnias and tomato plants like a giant grater. 119. Singing The Praises Of Labor Dazes 2007-09-01 Like many other people, I don’t have off Monday of Labor Day weekend. It’s been this way for years, but I’m still trying to come to terms with it. 120. Some Watered-Down Reflections From Poolside 2007-08-25 It’s that smidgen sad time of year. Temperatures and humidity assure us that it’s still summer, but subtle changes are blowin’ in the wind. 121. When The Scroll Is Called Up Yoder 2007-08-18 122. Pew Thoughts In Search Of Sanctuary 2007-08-11 123. Mr. Sandman’s Beach Report, 2007 2007-08-04 124. Your Assignment, Class, Is To Diagram This Sentence 2007-07-28 125. Forty Years Of Marital Musings 2007-07-21 126. Ooooh, Noooooo, Mr. Jim, Not Another Punneling! 2007-07-14 127. Anything Finer Than To Be In Carolina? 2007-07-07 128. Push, Pull, Or Get Out Of The Way 2007-06-30 Here’s an attention-grabber. Saunter up to someone whom you respect and ask him/her: "What is your number one focus for the future?" 129. Weavers Church: Let It Be A Sign Unto You 2007-06-23 130. Man Alive, What A Privilege To Drive 2007-06-16 131. Laughter And Tears: Remembering Lee Eshleman 2007-06-09 Often, upon encountering Lee Eshleman, I would bop up to him singing lines from the Bobbettes’ 1957 musical ditty, "Mr. Lee." 132. Nestling In My Nest: How Tweet It Is! 2007-06-02 Guess I just don’t understand those who declare that staying home is "for the birds." 133. Night Sounds Provide Somnambulistic Serenade 2007-05-26 134. Stirred, Not Too Shaken, Not Shy, Not Retiring 2007-05-19 135. ‘Clean Up Your Act,’ My Momma Said 2007-05-12 136. On A Continuing Quest For True Security 2007-05-05 137. Go Ye Into All the World and Smile ... 2007-04-28 138. Gooney Prunes & Scary Maladies 2007-04-21 "Shhhhhh ... be vewy, vewy quiet. I’m hunting good humor. Heh-heh-heh-heh-heh . . .!" 139. Radio Daze: Pushing Platters With Frequency 2007-04-14 140. Reciting Those Wonderful Words of Love 2007-04-07 141. ‘Giving Up’ Is Not Always Sweet Surrender 2007-03-31 142. Smucker Family’s Prayers Answered With New Son 2007-03-27 143. Family Encounters Long Wait 2007-03-16 144. Don’t Judge A Brooks By His Cover 2007-03-09 145. I Forgot — Did I Forget To Remember To Forget? 2007-03-02 146. Stopping By The Office On A Snowy Morning 2007-02-24 147. Move Over, Super Bowl — Here Comes ‘Scrapplefest’ 2007-02-16 148. Love Poetry Is Breaking Out All Over 2007-02-10 149. Help — The ‘Fast Forward’ On The Remote Is Stuck! 2007-02-02 150. Wintertime Wackiness For Chillin’ — Snow Joke 2007-01-20 151. ‘Home’ For The Holidays A Bittersweet Affair 2007-01-06 152. Stepping Securely, Steadfastly Into 2007 2006-12-30 153. Hope That Yule Have Unexpected Expectations 2006-12-23 154. Is My Brother Truly A Bishop Now? 2006-12-09 155. Grappling With The Ghost Of Christmas Presents 2006-12-02 156. A Sprinkling Of Seasonal Sentiments 2006-11-24 157. People, Get Ready, There’s A Train A-Comin’ 2006-11-18 Funerals are a grave affair. Nonetheless, I’ve attended some where corporate laughter mingled with the tears. 158. Let It Be a [Misspelled] Sign Unto You ... 2006-11-11 159. Thankfully, Someone Out There Can Fix My Wagon 2006-10-27 160. Stream Of Semi-Consciousness: Be Aware Of Large Trucks 2006-10-21 This time of year is so fickle, unpredictable, teasing, quixotic, unfair. As I write these lines, it’s a glorious, summerlike day. 161. ‘Playing’ At Church Can Be Serious Fun 2006-10-07 I know people who don’t affiliate with any congregation because … well, for any number of reasons, from having to work weekends to finding the services boring or irrelevant or claiming that the pews are packed with a bunch of hypocrites. 162. The Last Rose Of Summer — And Wilting Fast 2006-09-29 163. For The Record, You Can’t Take It With You 2006-09-23 164. Poetry In Demotion: It All Comes Back To Me Now 2006-09-15 165. Sticking With It Without Becoming Unglued 2006-09-09 166. Work, If Gratifying, Shouldn’t Be Hard Labor 2006-09-02 167. The Sound Of Silence Can Speak Volumes 2006-08-26 168. Summertime ... You Can Go Home Again 2006-08-18 169. Seven Days Without Spouse Makes One Weak 2006-08-12 170. Jacket Blurb: A Fable Of Contents? 2006-08-04 171. Be Nice To Older People — You’ll Get There Too 2006-07-29 Very interesting. I felt some anxiety as the wedding reception began over the music I’d selected to play as background during the meal and later for dancing. 172. ‘What, You’re STILL At EMU?’ 2006-07-22 173. Jest July Jollies — Or Midsummer Nightmare? 2006-07-15 174. Beach Report: It Coulda Been A Washout 2006-07-07 175. Moving Thoughts As Steel Belts Slap The Asphalt 2006-06-23 176. Faith Of Our Fathers Lives In Offspring 2006-06-17 Not all of us are parents, but, face it, children are hereditary — if your parents didn’t have any, chances are you won’t either. 177. We All Need Somebody To Lean On 2006-06-09 178. On A Roll, But Losing My (Ball) Bearings 2006-06-03 Want to feel like your life is suddenly out of control? Dumb question, but then, we all make hasty decisions that can place us in just that situation. 179. Don’t Say ‘Aloha’ And Mean ‘Goodbye’ 2006-05-26 180. Time To Dig Out Of That Humdrum Hole 2006-05-20 Having pounded the alarm "off" switch at 6 a.m., I shuffle down the hall, turn left and head toward one of our domicile’s most important appliances — the coffee-maker — as my bloodshot eyeballs slowly begin to focus. 181. In God We Trust? How About Each Other? 2006-05-13 182. Harold Huber Rearranging His Life 2006-04-29 183. Taxing Puns: This Isn’t What The Govern Meant 2006-04-22 184. ‘Amazing Grace’ Never Grows Old 2006-04-14 185. Fear Of Flying: It’s Just Plane Crazy 2006-04-08 186. Where Two Or Three Disagree ... Is That Bad? 2006-03-31 187. What We Have Here Is A Failure To Communicate 2006-03-25 The office phone rang about 7:45 a.m. I offered the most pleasant early morning greeting possible, and a gruff-sounding voice growled: 188. Everyone’s Welcome To My Opinion 2006-03-17 189. You Don’t Remember Me — And Neither Do I 2006-03-10 190. His Pen Was Mightier Than The Sword 2006-03-03 191. A Pun-gent Aroma Or Outright Stench? 2006-02-25 "There’s a fungus amungus, There was a rumble in the jungle, There was a static in the attic, A moanin’ and a groanin’…. " 192. ‘Sound Of Silence’ Can Speak Volumes 2006-02-17 Shhhhhh … be vewy, vewy quiet … I’m hunting solitude … 193. ‘Love Potion No. 9’ Or ‘96 Tears?’ 2006-02-11 "What is love? Five feet of heaven and a ponytail … " That was The Playmates’ vision in their 1960 musical ditty, but this is 2006. 194. ‘Becoming As A Child’ Is Lifetime Process 2006-01-27 If you’re a parent, ever wish you weren’t? Maybe that’s not a fair, or even appropriate, question to ask. 195. Songs, Candy, Readers Offer Simple Pleasures 2006-01-14 196. Rx For 2006: Being Of Firm Resolve 2006-01-07 197. It’s Plain — No Loss, No Pain, No Gain 2005-12-31 198. Christmas Time Is Here: It Could Be Verse 2005-12-23 199. Take Five: A Legacy of Encouragement 2005-12-16 200. ‘Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbon Of Blue’ 2005-12-09 201. ‘Save Your Fork’ — Plastic Or Silver 2005-12-03 202. Potluck Puns And Casserole Suprise: Seconds, Anyone? 2005-11-26 203. Little Blessings Make Lots Of Sense 2005-11-19 204. Harrisonburg Native Writes Music From The Heart 2005-11-12 205. ‘Hurry Up And Wait’ Is Theme Song 2005-11-05 206. How Do We Know When Enough’s Enough? 2005-10-22 207. Not Always Funny, How Time Slips Away 2005-10-15 208. ‘Flipping Tradition’ Lives On At Relief Sale 2005-10-14 209. ‘Tasteful’ Information You Can Hardly Live Without 2005-10-01 210. Stayin’ Alive, Preferably Without Disco 2005-09-16