It's Monday evening ...

... some random thoughts while unwinding from a busy day....

It's been beautiful weather in the Shenandoah Valley which has neighbors outdoors and planting and mowing and trimming. Our safe frost date isn't until May 15 but that hasn't stopped folks from taking a chance and putting plants in the ground although I'm sure the plastic cover isn't too far away just ... in ... case. Everything is blooming and green and the air smells good. Overnight rain was much appreciated because it is dry. Thank goodness for all the winter snow that slowly melted, helping to raise the water table.

Local elections are Tuesday in Staunton and Waynesboro where they will vote on city council and school board members. Be sure to stop by the polls and vote.

Congressman Bob Goodlatte will be in Augusta County Saturday, May 8, from 3-5:00 pm at the Government Center on Rt. 11 in Verona. The local tea party folks are hosting this townhall forum that is open to the public.

It's graduation season and announcements have begun to arrive in the mail. Congratulations to the new graduates!

'Tis also the beginning of vacation season. One friend is in Italy right now ... another leaves later this week for Alaska. Others have travel plans through the summer going to all corners of the earth. I'm looking forward to some up-close-and-personal time with the beaches of the Outer Banks....

Did I mention there's Wi-Fi at the beach cottage? Have laptop will travel....

We are excited about the Valley Family Forum dinner at James Madison University's campus in Harrisonburg in a few weeks with special guest speaker David Barton from Wallbuilders.com. I first heard David Barton speak in 2004 when he was the keynote speaker for the Home Educators Association of Virginia convention in Richmond. He was phenomenal as he talked about the Founding Fathers as they really were and American history as it really is. Lately, he has been a guest on conservative commentator Glenn Beck's radio and television shows, sharing his knowledge with Glenn's audiences. We have two reserved tables filled with friends for a night of fellowship and education.

Broke down and finally upgraded my camera from a Nikon point-and-click to a Nikon that is a step or two above that so am busy reading the manual and figuring it all out. Looking forward to posting photos taken through a new lens on the world.

The PEACH (Parent Educators of Augusta County Homes) Class of 2010 graduation is May 22 with the largest class ever of 20 students. I had the pleasure of being the guest speaker at their Senior Banquet in March and it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces. Even four years after my youngest graduated (PEACH Class of 2006), I knew 14 of the 20 grads ... and seeing their parents felt as if time stood still.

Enjoyed lunch last week with one of the home school moms at a place in Stuarts Draft named Sanzone's where we lunched over paninis. We both got the "Longhorn" ... steak, American cheese, grilled onions, (specially requested) roasted red peppers, and mayo. It was yummy good. It's located near Milmont Nursery.

On Friday I met another home school friend at Byers Street Bistro in historic downtown Staunton. It was warm with a nice breeze so we sat outside on the patio (which was full of others enjoying the beautiful weather). I ordered some kind of southwestern wrap that was scruptuous along with sugar snaps. It was fun to people watch as we yakked about our graduating children.

By the way, if you go to downtown Staunton, the Wharf parking lot is closed on Johnson Street because of work on water pipes so the entire street is dug up. However, follow Augusta Street around to the train station and continue back down and turn right onto Middlebrook Road, then right again and follow the signs into the back of the Wharf parking lot. Parking is free, too, while construction is going on.

Friday night a friend and I drove to Woodstock for Shenandoah County's mass meeting. As the State Central Committee representative for the upper 6th District, I enjoy attending events in my district whenever possible. Sen. Mark Obenshain was there and gave a wonderful speech about Trixie Averill who is running for 6th District Chairman. Craig Orndorff also spoke very well about Trixie since she could not attend the meeting. The Shenandoah County Republican Women's Club had a bake sale including beverages and I was only too happy to purchase a bottle of ice cold water. Driving home, the talk was about politics and why we're involved and our concerns for the country.

Speaking of Trixie running for 6th District Chairman ... the election will take place on May 22 in Lynchburg at the 6th District Convention.

There's much going on as we enjoy spring here in the Shenandoah Valley....