February 2015

The caller was frantic, the fear in his voice escalating with each word he spoke. He had been foolish, he knew, to drink and drive while visiting friends in New York City last spring. And now he was being arrested for the accident he had caused. Not wanting to tell his mother, he called the…

When you get mixed up in a love triangle, you have to expect drama. Ian Kelley’s triangle looks like this: Love of family. Love of soccer. Love of cooking. At thirty, he juggles all three with dexterity. In addition to loving his business, Sugar Shack Donuts and Coffee, Ian is…

With a blended family that includes five school-age children, Catherine Fales is busy making lunches every day. One kid wants his sandwich on a sub roll. Another eats only white bread. Two will eat whole wheat, but still another kid needs gluten-free. “We have four different kinds of bread, just…

Last fall, my husband and I marked twenty years of wedded-ness and to celebrate we ate gator nuggets in Everglades City. No small feat, twenty years together, so we planned this trip to Florida for just the two of us and told everyone (okay, mostly our three teenaged children) loudly…

Time after time we’re told what not to eat, what not to wear, what not to think, say, do, and risk. The focus is always on the negative. From the time we’re children we’re told “no” more emphatically than we’re told “yes.” Our life’s decisions are based on avoiding the…

  I paused before I folded this napkin. I was really hesitant to put anything about death in Emma’s napkin notes these days. I didn’t want her to focus on my mortality. I wanted her to focus on life. On her life. On how to live the best life possible.…

Just when I think RFM issue number sixty-five (Wow, has it really been that many?!) will finally be the one that goes to press with a blank page where my note belongs (the post-Christmas weeks can be pretty dull, after all), the universe lobs me yet another reason to shout…

  Although emotions are built into the human experience, our amazing capacity to ponder, express, and discuss our inner experiences has had a transformative effect on our experience of emotions. Even so, emotions remain a tough topic of conversation for many of us. This difficulty can be particularly true for…

By New Year’s Day of 1960, Richmond remained a segregated city. Most aspects of daily life for African Americans, from education to entertainment to shopping, were governed by restrictive rules. These rules also dictated where Richmonders of color could eat. Restaurants maintained separate seating areas for black citizens or limited them to…

Everyone remembers at least some of the lyrics from that song in the iconic musical, Oliver. “Food, glorious food! Don’t care what it looks like. Burned, underdone, crude. Don’t care what the cook’s like.”  What parent today wouldn’t love to hear those words sung from the dinner table! I would consider…

Studies have shown that for its size, Richmond City has more food deserts – areas without consistent access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food – than any other American city. Sally Schwitters, executive director of Tricycle Gardens, says that statistic is unacceptable. Tricycle Gardens is a Richmond-based nonprofit dedicated to…

About seven and a half million people in the United States have psoriasis. Chances are you know someone with psoriasis or have a family member that is affected by it. So what is it? Psoriasis is often described as a chronic, inflammatory skin disease. Chronic means that psoriasis is long-lasting…

Angel Hair Pasta with Lemon, Tomatoes, and Garlic Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 cloves minced garlic for 1 minute over medium heat. Pour in ½ cup dry white wine and cook for another 1 or 2 minutes. Stir in ¼ cup lemon juice and 1 pint halved grape…

When one parent shoulders the responsibility of raising children, the pressure is real, especially with finances. The cost of basic expenses alone – food, shelter, and clothing – is enough to cause hardship. What’s a single parent to do? I’ve been there, so I have a few tips. Start by…

Just like people-food shopping and putting meals on the table for loved ones, when it comes to feeding your dog, there are many factors to consider. From what kind of food, to when and how to feed your dog, here’s a primer on keeping your furry best friend fueled. 1.…

  Older kids can take the popular preschool handprint project to a new dimension using air-dry clay. It’s a cool and creative gift kids can do (get it?) that signs “I love you!” What you need: • Air-dry clay (available at craft stores) • Rolling pin • Parchment paper or…