There is no shortage of work to be done in this country.

About three months ago there was a discussion on the creation of a joint Augusta County and Staunton committee that would work to get economic cooperation between the county and city.

The headline on the U.S. News & World Report story said this: “Having Children Adds Stress to Marriage.”

I was walking across the Mary Baldwin College campus late one windy afternoon when I spotted a kite flying high above Cannon Hill. When I got closer, I saw a man I had never seen before holding its string. I stood for a while watching the soaring, multicolored kite, its fabric rattling in the stiff breeze. My curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to strike up a conversation with its flyer.

I don’t know if other African Americans feel as I do about the anticipated changes we thought President Barack Obama’s election would bring, but I’m disappointed. I’m disappointed in the lack of diversity I thought his election would bring to television news reporting and shows.

First lady Michelle Obama, in her recent European visit, briefly touched Queen Elizabeth in what appeared to be a simple act of mutual affection, setting off a firestorm of controversy about whether or not it is an unspeakable breach of royal protocol to briefly touch Queen Elizabeth in what appears to be a simple act of mutual affection.

The day after my father died I went with my mother and my son to the for-profit cemetery where my father had purchased eight plots in the 1950s. Buried there are his parents; his sister, her husband and their child; my brother, who was stillborn; and now my father. Although my family had owned plots there for more than 50 years, this was the first time I had ever had any dealings with them. It was a rude awakening.

Ever since the Iowa Caucus, when Barack Obama began his march to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., he ran on the theme of “change.”

Here’s what I learned this week in my day job as a small-town newspaper editor: Never, ever, under any circumstances, ever — I repeat, ever — accidentally leave the comics out of the newspaper.

Alexander Hamilton was, in my opinion, the founding father who contributed the most to the long-term development of the United States. Many will argue that George Washington or Thomas Jefferson contributed more. Although they contributed much toward American ideals and setting precedents for all presidents, Hamilton had a larger impact on the practical side of government.

I was thrilled to learn elephants are now dwelling atop a former landfill in Waynesboro.  Yes, they are made of fiberglass, but they are life-size, and I can visit them throughout April.  I am superstitious.  I expect the city to have good fortune during the month.  Citizens of Waynesboro, now is the time to launch those projects you have been dreaming about!  The elephants are bringing favorable conditions our way. 

If there is one question I am asked more than, “How on God’s green Earth do you still have a newspaper column?” it is, “Why no recent monkey news?”

Jake DeSantis, executive vice president of the American International Group’s financial products unit, quit his job.

Our house burned down.

One Thursday morning in December seven people showed up for their jobs in Richmond just as they always did.

My hound Oscar is no more.

A recent career change has proved enlightening. A past opinion has been altered, another reaffirmed and an analogy discovered.

As a media superstar, I believe I have an opportunity – no, an obligation — to offer the young people of this great nation some sound advice, such as “stay out of my yard, whippersnapper” or “get a haircut, you darn hippy.”

If I were Sir Fred Goodwin, I would be spending some of my considerable wealth on bodyguards.

In a Washington Irving short story, Rip Van Winkle was a man who fell asleep under a tree and awakened 20 years later to discover that things around him have changed greatly.

I am very grateful for my unemployed friends.

Newly appointed Attorney General Eric Holder recently stated that, in his opinion, when it comes to talking about racial matters in America that there is a reluctance to do so because we are a nation of cowards.

More than 400 television stations across the nation switched from analog to digital signals on Feb. 17, and hundreds more will make the transition on June 12, leaving millions of bewildered viewers asking what happened to their “Matlock” reruns.

When I was a little girl, my family had an old 78 rpm record player.

By now, anyone who has kept up with the news has heard of Bernard Madoff. And each week, another swindler (sorry, alleged swindler) is made known to the public.

Heard about scientists decoding subjective preference from single-trial near-infrared spectroscopy signals?

Some people blame Tom Daschle’s problems on his failure to pay taxes.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were picked to win the 44th Super Bowl because of a young quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, and a tenacious defense.

The clock on the wall says it’s February — and, yes, I’ve got a very detailed clock — so it’s time once again for me to adopt the lovable persona of Mr. Romance, your expert guide to matters of the heart.

I have an infrastructure problem.