My Virginia

It is with great grief and sadness in my heart that I write this. The Lee Chapel at Washington And Lee University, has remained true to its identity as til of late. However, most recently, The Confederate battle flags which hung (not predominantly I might add), in the back the chapel, have been abruptly removed. They were replica flags, but have been in tact there for many years. Because of a few students who protested (now graduating and moving on from the college), the flags were removed without question from Faculty and Staff. The Sons of Confederate Veterans held a protest this past weekend. The cowardly staff of Washington and Lee made a Facebook post that would close their chapel in that light- afraid of the actions to be taken from the protestors. This, of course, had nothing to do with the Sons of Confederate Veterans. As far as many know, no violent threats were made. All correspondence to the faculty and staff was about the dismay of many that the battle flags were removed th...

Many people believe Lyme Disease is something you only can get in New England. But the truth is, Lyme Disease  is more profound in places like Virginia and The Carolinas  than anywhere else in the country. That being said, you can get Lyme Disease in all 50 states. But according to recent research, nearly 100% of Virginia ticks are infected with Lyme Disease. The most common tick in Virginia is the lone star tick- and most Lyme cases arise from that tick alone. When out walking, its imperative to wear protective clothing, and light colored clothing so ticks and easily be spotted and removed. Most of the ticks are found in wooded areas, but even along the shore line. More than half of people who develop Lyme Disease never even find their tick, let alone the characteristic rounded rash that comes along with it. The rash, either preceded or followed by flu like symptoms, is the classic case of Lyme Disease. However, not everyone reports the rash, or gets all of the flu like...

Today, January 19th, would mark the 207th birthday for Robert E. Lee. A terrific military leader, patriot, and scholar.  He was born at Stratford Hall in Westermoreland County, Virginia, on January 19th, 1807. Continuing in the military tradition of his father, Lee entered West Point in 1825 and graduated second in his class in 1829. He was an outstanding student and one of the top ranks of his class. When it came for the arguments for Southern Independence, Lee was not in favor of succession immediately, but he decided he could not take arms against his people and his homeland of Virginia. On April 18, 1861 Lee was offered field command of the United States Army. On the following day, he received word that Virginia had seceded from the Union; he submitted his letter of resignation from the United States Army on April 20. Three days later, Lee accepted the position of commander of Virginia forces. His decision to defend Virginia was legendary, and since then, Lee  h...

Written October , 2010 I headed up yet again to the bright lights of Purcellville, Virginia to play a show at Market Street Coffee. I'm absolutely in love. If you've never been, you should. Because its one of my favorite venues to play. Over the past few years, I've played there many times. Market Street Coffeeshop is one of Northern Virginia's premiere music venues. It reminds me of the Mudhouse in Charlottesville, only cozier. The acoustics are really swell. Its tucked away in the GIANT shopping center, so be sure you don't pass it up for Blockbuster Video, or the photomat. Anyways, I had the typical "in and out" crowd, but there's always a few college kids who stick around with their lap tops. And the baristas are really friendly and polite. Unlike some other coffee shops I have been to- they shared some of their tips with me for the night. I was mighty tired because I had to drive the 130 miles up there and back, and as much as I love my old ...

This Friday will be officially Lee-Jackson day here in Virginia. Honoring two great men who's birthdays fall in around the same time. Although Stonewall Jackson was not born in present day Virginia (he was born in what is now "West Virginia), he does have family ties and connections to the Commonwealth, and lived for a long period of time in Lexington. Robert E. Lee, of course, has deep Virginia family connections, and was born at Stratford Hall Plantation in 1807- near Fredericksburg. On Lee-Jackson day, we commemorate two men of honour, who fought nobly for their beloved home land. Simple ceremonies will be held in Richmond, along with Confederate reenactors, and wreaths placed around Monument Ave and Hollywood Cemetery.