Hello and welcome back to the wonderful world of the Dogpound. Unless things change very quickly in the next few days, Mother’s Day is going to be one for the history books. A day when we celebrate all that Mom has done for us, and we are forced to do it apart; looking through a glass door or waving at each other as the car drives slowly past the house. I understand the need for precaution, but at the same time if everyone is in good health, mask with gloves in place, and for good measure everyone is hosed down…
Browsing: Commentary
I have to start this on April 6, 1996. I was on duty at Fire Station No. 2, and it was spitting snow that day. The phone ringing at a fire station was as normal as going to the store for meals. This day would change my life forever. The phone rang, and I heard on the speaker that I had a phone call. It was my battalion chief, who had told the firefighter who had answered the call to stay close to me, as he delivered the message. His message was that something had happened to my father and that…
Hello and welcome back to the not-so-happy Dogpound. Good news is that I do not have the virus and no one in my family has been diagnosed with the virus, and I pray to the good Lord that it stays that way. However, this hands-off does not apply to the company that I am working for. We have been considered an “essential” manufacturing operation since we make transmission parts for aftermarket, OEM automotive (like: Ford,) and tractors (like: John Deere.) Despite that designation we got hit from several directions. One, some of the vendors who supply us raw materials and…
To the Editor: A main character in one of Aesop’s fables was a crow. In a spell of dry climate, when the flying creature could discover next to nothing to drink, a parched crow found a pitcher with a little water in it. Be that as it may, the pitcher was high, with an extended neck. Regardless of how he attempted, the crow couldn’t arrive at the water. The poor thing felt as though he would perish from thirst. At that point, a thought came to him. Getting some little stones, he dropped them into the pitcher individually. With every stone,…
With the executive orders from our governor restricting gatherings to 10 and under, and the church’s desire to be a responsible community partner, most churches have gone to an online format. That being said, some churches became the target of thieves stealing catalytic converters off of church vans. The church that I pastor became one of those victims, Tuesday, April 7. My wife and I had to go up to the church to get some meat out of the freezer for our curbside community dinner. I had not started the Ford van in a while, so I told my wife…
Hello and welcome back to the wonderful world of the Dogpound. I hope you had a nice, safe, and blessed Easter despite all of the distractions that have been thrown at us lately. I must admit I have washed my hands so much that I am not sure I have any fingerprints left. Actually, I don’t have much these days; years ago, I went down to the police station to get my fingerprints done for my weapons license application. They were using this electronic fingerprint apparatus, and it took forever to get a half-decent print. I thought he was going…
To the Editor: I believe we can all agree that we are in the midst of an unprecedented crisis. People are deeply concerned about jobs, paychecks, kids out of school, and putting food on the table, getting sick, and loved ones dying. This is not the time for zoning cases to be pushed through the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors meetings without proper PUBLIC citizen comment. While the Public is completely occupied by the COVID-19 Corona emergency, Zoning Cases, including the huge Courthouse Landing case, are poised to progress through the Planning Commission and/or Board of Supervisors without proper…
Two different fires occurred this past week in Chesterfield, with common causes. In last week’s article, I wrote about the potential increase in the number of residential fires due to people being home more than ever. The causes of these two fires were ones of which that I have written many times in the past. If the chances of a fire occurring are greater, then we need to look at the most common causes and do everything to keep those kinds of fires from occurring. The most common causes of residential fires are unattended cooking, combustibles placed too close to…
Hello and welcome back to the wonderful world of the Dogpound. Before I get started, I need to wish everyone a very happy Easter. It is indeed going to be a strange Easter, since, as of this writing, we may still be under the social distancing (stay away from everyone) guidelines. Despite that lingering prospect, we can and should enjoy and give thanks for the blessing this religious holiday represents. We can still hunt eggs and baskets in place and give thanks around the Easter dinner table. OK, so, what else can I share with the pack today? Oh yes!…
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” to borrow a phrase from author Charles Dickens in his novel, “A Tale of Two Cities.” Even though people are quarantined by mandate or personal decision, the internet is making connecting with other people much easier than in past crisis situations. Funny photos, stories, and inspirational messages are plentiful and just a click away. You can even create your own inspirational messages on websites like canva.com and postermywall.com for free. Churches continued with worship services online and may have even reached more people than ever before. Neighbors are…