Cathy Dyson archive
3/25/2005: Manners virtually extinct
Sadly, in this virtual world of electronic communication, manners are virtually extinct
3/11/2005: Big cities aren't for this girl
Big cities are nice places to visit, but this country girl wouldn't want to live there, ever
1/14/2005: Season is finally finished
A certain season of year brings up an age-old battle between some men and women.
12/31/2004: Make our world a better place
Instead of resolutions, here are a few simple wishes for the new year
12/17/2004: Country videos too sexy
They say that sex sells, but too much of it, especially in today's music videos, is hardly appealing
12/3/2004: Is it coincidence, or sign from loved one?
Are they coincidences or messages from the afterlife? Each of us can decide how to interpret them, but we've all, no doubt, heard about signs from beyond
11/19/2004: Santa can come in handy
Santa seems to appear earlier every year, but let's face it. Sometimes, he's kind of handy to have around
11/5/2004: Share gifts from the heart
As we get geared up for another holiday season, we'd like you to share your ideas about gifts from the heart.
10/22/2004: Jennings has made 'Jeopardy!'
'Jeopardy' hasn't been the same since an unassuming engineer from Salt Lake City took center stage
10/8/2004: Church honors the living
Stafford County church finds a way to honor those who've done so much, before it's too late
9/10/2004: Time flies when you're a grandma
Time might crawl when you're a child, but it moves at warp speed when you're an adult
8/27/2004: 'Idol' is different in person
'American Idol' looks pretty polished on TV, but it's hardly that way in person, at least during the early rounds of auditions
8/13/2004: Cares washed away
Unspoiled in many areas, the Rappahannock River is one of our treasures--and it's great to visit on a weekday, when no one else seems to be around
7/30/2004: We adults do some odd stuff
Truth is stranger than fiction, when you realize some of the odd things that people do.
7/16/2004: Keeping in touch with roots
A trip to the Eastern Shore lets you get in touch with your roots, no matter how distant those roots may be.
6/18/2004: Scuttling tradition has side effects
Everything is affected, it seems, when the annual trip to the beach gets put on hold
6/4/2004: 'Lawn ranger' loves job
There's a "lawn ranger" in my family, and he's had lots of chances to hone his skills this spring season
5/21/2004: Lost dogs get help from man
Here's one grown man who can't walk by a lost dog without offering some help
5/7/2004: Mom's her go-to woman
Celebrating a mother who's always been there--with help, advice and answers to off-the-wall questions
4/23/2004: Kindness needed in hospitals
Kindness and communication can make a big difference in any aspect of life, but are especially important in a hospital setting.
4/9/2004: Not washing hands is just disgusting
Let's all take a few minutes and stop for soap, especially after we've been to the bathroom
3/12/2004: It seems the good die young
We tend to memorialize the dearly departed, especially young people, for their wonderful qualities. Are we just being polite, or is there more to it than that?
2/27/2004: Becoming grandma, Part 2
There's another baby on the way, and once again, this silly grandmother is beside herself.
2/13/2004: At times, job, life are weird
No matter how experienced you may be in various social settings, there are still situations that you make you feel, well, weird.
1/30/2004: Let's all hole up for winter
Let's all take a voluntary hibernation during this unreasonable, unseasonable blast of cold.IHAD PLANNED to write a silly takeoff on that old Cole Porter song that says, "Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it."
1/16/2004: Films for kids too violent
Children's movies are supposed to be for young eyes, but have you noticed how brutal they are? CHILDREN'S MOVIES are supposed to have happy endings; that's written in some rule book somewhere, right?
12/22/2003: Is there time to enjoy?
Each holiday season seems to bring more stress, obligations and hectic schedules.
12/5/2003: Handmade gifts are also from the heart
Gifts made with your own two hands are really from your heart.
11/21/2003: 'Kiddie table' is forever
Not everyone grows up and graduates to the "big table" at holiday gatherings. Some of us haven't left the "kiddie table."
11/7/2003: Miracles of mom, medicine
The miracle of modern medicine--and a mother who's one of the best patients you'll ever find.
10/24/2003: It's great to live in this area
Anonymous donor reaches out to help Salvadoran family he's never met, and it's another example of why this area and country are such great places to live.
10/10/2003: Eating low-carb is nuts
Wondering why some of us are acting so squirrelly? Blame it on a low-carb diet, which calls for a lot of nuts.
9/26/2003: Cash was a legend
Some legends, like Johnny Cash, have to pass into the great beyond for us to be reminded how awesome they are.
9/12/2003: Seeing the water for the first time
A new toy--a small fiberglass boat--gets us out on the big water of the Rappahannock River, where natural and manmade beauty abounds
8/29/2003: Gardens grow the best food
Gardening is great for those who love the therapy of dirt and seeds and weeds, but show me the nearest farmers market.
8/15/2003: 'Put dat in your book!'
Inside jokes are hilarious to those who know the context, but they probably seem silly to everyone else.
8/1/2003: Ability to feel others' pain is part of the job
It doesn't take much to get the tear glands going, not when your job puts you in touch with people going through painful circumstances.
7/18/2003: You've got to learn to relax
It takes a wise worker to realize that time away from the office is just as valuable as the hours on the clock.
7/4/2003: Enjoying Emily is her duty
You might call it spoiling. I call it devoting undivided attention to a granddaughter whenever she's around.
6/20/2003: Kindness is never forgotten
Some people make the worst of times better by going out of their way to help someone else.I F THERE'S ANYTHING good about adverse times, it's that it brings out the best in people.
6/6/2003: The great mystery of vanishing plastic containers
You try to be a good consumer and reuse those pretty little plastic bowls that once held margarine or whipped topping. Then, the pieces do the magic vanishing act in your cabinet.
5/23/2003: Double standards still reign
Double standards have been around as long as that silly saying about the goose and the gander
5/9/2003: Out of the mouths of babes
The silly things kids say is the stuff family legends are made of. EVERY PARENT HAS at least one silly story about some- thing a child said.
4/25/2003: Big rigs need to chill out
There are lots of things to get aggravated about in traffic. The object of my lack of affection is tractor-trailers.
4/11/2003: Battle photos bring the war home
Photographs tell our history and keep us connected, even when loved ones are on a battlefield more than 6,000 miles away. EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK in my home, there are family pictures: on the walls in the hallway, in magnetic frames on the refrigerator, on dressers, entertainment centers and bureau tops in the bedrooms.
3/28/2003: 'Cinderella' captivates wee one
Little ones get obsessed with the strangest things. Here's one granddaughter who happens to love "Cinderella."
3/14/2003: Extra scenes are DVD perk
DVDs come with lots of bells and whistles. I don't need surround system or theater-style speakers; just give me the extra scenes. IHAVE ABSOLUTELY no desire to set up my living room with surround sound.
2/28/2003: 50 years after a blind date
Who knew a blind date and a movie would lead to 50 years of marriage?
2/14/2003: No song describes this kind of love
Some romantic evenings aren't anything like the stuff songs are written about.
1/31/2003: She has a 'Rings' obsession
First, there was the movie, then the sequel, then the reading of 'The Lord of the Rings' series. Sense an obsession here?
1/17/2003: Cold weather helps you relish simple things
When it's cold outside, you reach for the simple comforts of home and hearth.
12/20/2002: Holiday schedules are tough
Scheduling can be a nightmare for families this time of the year.
9/27/2002: Kids start talking, and they never stop
Cathy Dyson: Remember a time when children were seen and not heard? That time is no more.
9/13/2002: Starting to feel like grandma
A year later, a new grandma reflects on the new role she's assumed.
8/30/2002: Let's hope for rain over 3-day weekend
Let's all wish for a rainy Labor Day weekend, even if it does ruin a few holiday outings.THIS IS REALLY mean, but I used to wish it would rain on long weekends like this--or at least drizzle a little.
8/16/2002: There are real-life monsters
Before the Lisk-Silva slayings, we assumed our community was immune from this kind of bad thing.AS LONG AS THERE have been people on this Earth, they've been committing crimes against each other.
8/2/2002: Sometimes simple is just right
Things don't have to be high-tech or newfangled to be fun. Sometimes, the simplest things are the most enjoyable.
7/12/2002: Are dads clueless about kids?
Have modern households really changed, or are dads still at a loss when it comes to the kids?
7/5/2002: Chivalry is alive at VMI
Even visitors to a military academy are influenced by the way of life there.THERE WAS A TIME when I got a little huffy if someone called me "ma'am."
6/28/2002: Events in life happen when you need them
The words of an old farmer, about life being a series of providential events, has been true for years.
6/21/2002: Mom can't steer kid away from shoes
Some people seem to think shoes are almost as vital as oxygen.
6/14/2002: Trucks no longer just functional vehicles
Trucks used to be all about function, not form, but today's models have all the comforts of cars.
6/7/2002: Dyson may take on career as doorman
Don't you hate it when you're courteous to other shoppers--and they seem to think you're the doorman?
5/31/2002: Laundry on the line stirs up memories
Mundane tasks can be fun, when they're not part of the regular routine.
5/24/2002: A snake's a snake; they're not cuddly
Cottonmouths as cuddly as koalas? Let's forget it--and call a snake a snake.
5/10/2002: Babies thrilled by simple joys
Even though babies are surrounded by electronic gizmos, they're still fascinated by simple joys.
5/3/2002: Bad news teaches life's blessings
One woman's battle with cancer reminds us all that life is extremely precious.THERE'S BEEN SO much bad news lately. Every time you watch the news or open the paper, you hear about another sex scandal or suicide or storm or fire or other destructive force that wreaks havoc on people's lives.
4/26/2002: It's a struggle to deal with being different
Being different is good when you're older, but not much fun for kids.
4/19/2002: We're in trouble if 'Survivor' is accurate portrayal of humankind
"Survivor" seems more focused on back-stabbing and gossiping than people overcoming their obstacles.
4/12/2002: Stuffed with food, friendship
Potluck dinners offer a chance to stuff your face and spend time with friends.
4/5/2002: Bad night's sleep causes a.m. mayhem
3/29/2002: What makes a friend? Loyalty, listening, love
3/15/2002: Car-seat mysteries confound a grandma
3/8/2002: Film at 11? Let's hope it's not so
3/1/2002: Post-meal gender gap continues till dessert
2/22/2002: Personal quirks are interesting but not always newsworthy
2/15/2002: Not all of us dream like Olympic skiers
2/8/2002: Theater's no place for thrift
2/1/2002: Families, communities grieve for two fathers
12/28/2001: A baby's-eye view of a holiday gathering
Ever wonder what an infant is thinking? Here are a few possibilities.
12/21/2001: Gift-giving is a joy, not a dreaded duty
With the busy holiday shuffle, the joy of giving sometimes turns into the job of crossing names off a list.
12/14/2001: Couples face holiday marathon
Getting to all the family functions on the holiday calendar can be tough for young couples.
12/7/2001: Respect imaginary boundary
Rules of holiday shopping: Smile, be polite and keep a Hula Hoop between you and others.
11/30/2001: Mothers can't shield children from grief
If we enjoy life through our children, we also experience some of the inevitable pain that life brings them.
11/23/2001: Fan's not too old for football
Football games at age 70? Not out of the question for this die-hard fan.
11/16/2001: Starring your relatives
Blue stars bring out a lot of unexpected emotions.YOU WOULDN'T THINK a form with a few lines and a couple names on it would contain so much feeling.
11/9/2001: Hate-filled acts simply aren't godly
It's terrible that the name of God is connected to hate-filled acts.
11/2/2001: Shopping never needs a lot of justification
You can rationalize your way into shopping or hunting all you want.
10/26/2001: Patriotic pennies by the pound
They're not pennies from heaven, but ones from the heart.
10/19/2001: Men beef if soup's too soupy
Too many chefs can spoil the soup, especially when there's not enough meat on the soup bone.
10/12/2001: True love can defy conformity
Doing what makes people happy seems more important than age brackets or timetables.
10/5/2001: Grandma dishes out chili, love
Everybody goes gaga over the newest member of the family.
9/28/2001: There's a silver lining in a very dark cloud
In the midst of such sadness, good things are happening all around us.
9/21/2001: Welcome, Emily Nicole
A little child represents the end of life as her parents knew it--and the beginning of a new routine for those who love her.
9/14/2001: Anger's ugly offspring: Slurs, vengeful acts
Let's hope this American tragedy doesn't take us down the path of hatred.
9/7/2001: Do-it-yourself building tasks can be the pits
No project, great or small, is quite as simple as it looks.
8/31/2001: Please, don't walk on grass
Is every character trait we know in life given to us by our parents, in one way or another?
8/24/2001: Put up tomatoes? It's a jarring thought
Preserving food may be a worthwhile effort, but some of us would rather can the idea.THERE'S A MAN IN OUR neighborhood who sets up a vegetable stand at the local country store once a week.
8/17/2001: Sometimes, professional contacts feel like family relationships
When reporters spend a long time with their "subjects," they're bound to make a connection.
8/10/2001: Retailers sweating Christmas
Seasons come and go at an alarming rate, according to the crazy calendar of the retail business.
8/3/2001: Elusive car tags beckon
A silly game of spotting state tags turns into a mild obsession.
7/27/2001: Politeness shouldn't surprise
Good manners must be rare these days, because we're surprised--even amazed--by those who use them.
7/20/2001: Cathy Dyson: One voice can make a difference
As in the case of a young woman fighting ovarian cancer, one person can make a difference.
7/13/2001: Cathy Dyson: Television exerts animal magnetism
7/6/2001: Cathy Dyson: Gleeful grandma on board
The coming of the first grandchild puts this grandma high up on the obnoxious scale.
6/29/2001: Cathy Dyson: Children of divorce can cope
Divorced parents appreciate it when kids--even those not their own--appreciate the value of family
6/22/2001: Cathy Dyson: Some teens hellbent on smoking to be 'in'
Smoking seems to be in style again, at least among the younger set.
6/15/2001: Cathy Dyson: Sad times evoke old memories
A visit to the family cemetery reminds us to make the most of moments with relatives.
6/8/2001: Cathy Dyson: Bridging a gap, briefly
Sometimes, the connections we make with others are brief, but meaningful.
6/1/2001: Put pen to paper? Forget it!
No wonder people don't write letters anymore. If they're like me, no one could read their handwriting.MY DAUGHTER GAVE me some great stationery for Christmas, with my name at the top and the newspaper's address at the bottom.
5/25/2001: The catch of the day tends to linger, and not in a good way
There's something fishy going on here, and who can stand the smell?I'D LIKE FISH a lot more if they didn't stink so much.
5/18/2001: It's a shock to enter ibuprofen generation
Play today, and pay the price for a sore back, arm or neck the next day.ONE OF THESE DAYS, I'll follow my mother's advice and recognize I'm not 12 years old anymore.
5/11/2001: Love makes a mom
Lots of women take on the title as mother--even those who didn't bring children into the world.
5/4/2001: New photo welcome in family scrapbook
There's a miracle on the way in our family, and everyone's excited about the new arrival.ISAW A PICTURE last week of someone I can't wait to meet.
4/27/2001: Put a grin on your game face
Some of us wear a game face every day of our lives.I NEVER THOUGHT I'd meet a game I didn't like.
4/21/2001: Avoiding repulsive food ooze requires vigilance at the dinner table
Meal items aren't meant to be mixed on this person's plate.
4/13/2001: Hard-boiled adults get silly at egg time
You're never too old for holiday silliness, like hiding and coloring Easter eggs.
A FEW WEEKS AGO, I groaned about how grown-up my children have become, and that neither of them can go on a family vacation this year.
4/6/2001: To sell Internet, ads sell a nation's soul
There's a fine line between using historical footage for entertainment and peddling products.
3/30/2001: Shedding possessions can liberate, frustrate
Is it trash or treasure, and how do you decide how long you should keep it?
3/23/2001: You're not the center of their attention anymore
How bizarre, when your children would rather spend time with their friends than you.
3/16/2001: Five years' hard work fades fast
Decades later, those five years of Spanish classes are nothing more than distant memories.
