Yesterday my friend Andrew and his brother Peter and I went to historic West Point, Virginia to participate (we didn’t compete) in the 18th Annual Chesty Puller Memorial Twin Bridge 10k. You missed the 2026 version but (especially if you live in central Virginia), put it on your calendar for 2027. It happens right around the third weekend in June. You will love it – I guarantee. It takes very little – possibly zero – effort to enjoy yourself at that event. Here’s the shirt I came home with: 

In less joyful news, our good old cat Dash – our nineteen year old cat Dash – went to heaven – peacefully and painlessly to the best of my knowledge – I was holding him – on Earth Day, April 22. I’d had him since he was around a year old and obviously I’m sad but I’m grateful for our time together and for all he taught me. He was very attentive whenever I ate chicken: 

Here’s a picture Evelyn took ages ago – Dash’s reflection in our glass front door. It might take a minute for your eyes to adjust – it’s an awesome picture: 

In more joyful news – very recently – on Friday, June 12, 2026 we picked up our new cat – he’s around four years old – Ripple! Here he is: 

We adopted him from the Henrico Humane Society. We were told he was previously “feral” but his file must have been switched with some other cat. He acts like he’s lived here his entire life. He and Birdy are still getting used to one another but their relationship is improving quickly and they’ll be best buds before we know it. 

Birdy – our wonderful blue eyed dog – continues to be a sweet, warm-hearted, generous, outgoing, kind, enthusiastic girl – she has completely never met a stranger. I work with a lot of people with very severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI’s) and she loves to come to work with me. And when it’s time to leave – no matter how long we’ve been there or how many residents she’s visited – she refuses to leave! She will lie on the ground and do her best imitation of a pile of cinder blocks! Of course we’re usually leaving around lunch hour and all the residents drop food on the floor for her – I practically don’t have to feed her that day. 

Here’s a picture of her with one of the people she “works” with: 

And here’s a picture of her at the same facility about ten minutes later: 

If people ever ask you how you “train” a therapy dog – you don’t. Pet Therapy is all about personality, and Birdy has personality to burn. And a healthy dose of self confidence go with it.

Birdy and I went to the Virginia Black Bear Festival in Stanardsville, Virginia earlier this month – another event I highly recommend. And if you have a dog – bring it! Here’s a picture of Birdy and me a few minutes after we arrived: 

We hiked around and ate a bunch of good food and listened to a ton of good music and it was getting a little warm. A thoughtful person pulled out this little wading pool and filled with with water and a twelve week old Golden Retriever and Birdy hopped right in for a swim: 

The puppy eventually found  something else to do; Birdy was happy to have the pool to herself: 

My friend Marni and her husband Jason used to live here then they got married and moved to the west coast and had a bunch of kids – and I haven’t seen them in forever! But they were in town recently for a few days and we took Birdy down to Pony Pasture. Here’s a selfie Marni sent: 

Here is a really, really really oldie – decades – it appeared recently. A photograph or a print picture from my high school graduation. I like to wear baseball caps now, I liked to wear them then – even before then. Man I was skinny! I’ve worn a tie a time or two since then but not a three piece suit: 

In the same stack I found a picture of the woodstove we used to heat our cabin in the Shenandoah Valley way back then: 

We sold the cabin after our parents died but my brother Kevin and I kept two of the lots that adjoin the Shenandoah National Park. My brother Shane takes his kids camping up there from time to time and Kevin went hiking today for Father’s Day with his wife and one of his daughters. Next time I’m up there I’ll get a few pictures and post them on here. 

It’s been a long time since I’ve put up a blog post and I forgot how much fun it is! I’ll probably post again sooner than later. Until then, have a great day!