Author: <span>Ron Charest</span>

Our local newspaper is calling it “Snowzilla.”  Other news media are calling it “Snowmaggedon” and “Snopocalypse.”  Yet other helpful news sources are calling it “number 4 in recorded history for D.C.”.  Whatever our media chooses to call it; I call it 30 hours of watching the snow fall, interspersed by periods of going outdoors and shoveling the winter wonderland off the sidewalks, driveways, and cars.  When all was said and done, this past weekend we had 21 inches of snow pile up on top of the six inches left from the week before.  With the weather services predicting more to come over the next several days.

Is summer here yet?

Family Stories

New Years!
New Years!

Happy New Year 2010, the end of one decade and a fresh start for the next!

If I may say so, the first decade of the 21st century couldn’t end soon enough…

Family Stories

Music Inside
Music Inside

It’s early Saturday morning here in our nation’s capital, and we’re having the storm of the century.  It started snowing early last night and it’s still snowing this morning even as I write.  Judging by the snow piled up on the picnic table, visible just outside our basement door, we already have at least six inches and more to come.

So, what to do on a snowed-in Saturday morning?  How about a little multi-cultural music fun?

Just For Fun

Chinese Christmas Elf
Chinese Christmas Elf

Well, it’s that time of year again.  The time of year when everyone suddenly finds value in acting good and nice towards their fellow persons.  Almost as if someone like Santa Claus was watching.  Besides the delightful (not!) cold weather, we have the wonderful opportunity to listen to yet another go-around of music designed to get us into the holiday spirit.

Family Stories

Letters To The Editor
Letters To The Editor

I wrote this column in August, with the intention of submitting it as freelance to our local newspaper “InsideNoVA.com.”  I never submitted it, as a result of my previous submission on the immigration resolution not being published.  Perhaps I should have anyway, but I can also use the excuse that Winnie and I were just too busy in the final throes of rebuilding our second property.

So, for your reading pleasure, the first time in publication ever, you can read my thoughts on taxes.

Opinions & Commentary

Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving

Once again, it’s Thanksgiving day and my favorite holiday of the year.  While I’m waiting for the turkey to finish up cooking (as we all know, a turkey always cooks in its own time) and the guests to arrive, I want to reflect for a minute on all we have to be thankful for.

Family Stories

Letters To The Editor
Letters To The Editor

Awhile back, I submitted a column to our local newspaper, now named “InsideNoVa.com,” formerly “The Potomac News.”  My column submission was triggered by a report that about 80 percent of Prince William County were “OK” with the way our police department were handling the anti-Hispanic immigration resolution passed by our Board of County Supervisors back in 2007.

I was deeply offended by this information, and submitted my column.

Opinions & Commentary

Family Stories

We had an interesting nature call this past spring.  It seems a pair of birds decided to build a nest, lay their eggs, and raise their young right over the outside light next to our basement patio door.

Family Stories

Coming Home
Coming Home

I had the chance to make a quick trip to my former hometown of Gautier, Mississippi, this past week.  It was a quick 6 hour visit made on the spur of the moment while in New Orleans, Louisiana, on a business trip.  Although it felt good to be back in my former home town even for a short while and visit with old friends, I also felt a small bit melancholy.

Family Stories