July 2017

Wednesday evenings tend to be met with dread in the Tucker household. The midweek blues have hit, and after a long, hard day of work and play and school, my husband and sons just want to relax and spend time together as a family. But Mama has other plans! For…

Enter to win a family field trip to Historic St. John’s church here. The reoccurring thought – Get it right! – floods through actor Charles Wissinger’s mind every time he steps into the sanctuary of historic St. John’s Church. As Patrick Henry, he regularly reels off the delegate’s impassioned “Give…

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems. I Love You Because You’re You by Liz Baker. Olivia by Ian Falconer. My kids postponed their bedtimes by begging me to read “just one more” of these titles. I spent countless hours cuddling with my young children – talking…

Atticus, you need a sport.” “Is rock ‘n roll a sport?” We were having a bedtime conversation. But before I answered, I thought about Mick and Keith, who still throw themselves across the stage and do all those high kicks. A sport? Of course it is. You can play rock…

How is it that when the calendar turns from June to July, it feels like there’s a mad dash to get all of those summer bucket-list items accomplished before it’s time to head back to school? RFM’s amazing editor, Karen, must have known one of my summer to-dos when she…

Leonardo da Vinci was a scientist, technician, engineer, and mathematician who studied the world around him. One of his inventions was a bridge designed to be used as an emergency or temporary structure. Building it didn’t require rope, bolts, nails, or any connectors. The design relied on friction and gravity…

Erica was taken by surprise when her fiancé suggested a prenuptial agreement. She had been so focused on planning the wedding itself – the venue, the reception, the dress, the wedding party – that the thought of a premarital agreement had not entered her mind. She realized that her fiancé…

Parenting is the most important and difficult job in the world. While parenting with a partner isn’t easy, and co-parenting from separate households has its challenges, the parent who is going it alone is contending with a very different set of issues. The single parent may feel isolated, less financially…

“Good morning, Geneva! How are you today?” A mother, grandmother, and Circle Center Adult Day Services participant, Geneva is greeted warmly as she makes her way into the Richmond facility. Dropped off by her daughter, who has her own busy day ahead, Geneva begins her day at eight-thirty with a…

As climate disruptions continue and we live with more severe weather more often, consider these important driving and safety strategies. Summer days of sunshine and warm weather are inviting, but we also need to be aware of and prepared for changing weather patterns that are a big part of life…

With the abundance of pick-your-own berry farms in Central Virginia, it’s hard not to get excited. Depending on the weather, strawberries usually show up first in late April, followed by blackberries and blueberries through August, and raspberries into October. The beautiful berry colors come from plant pigments known as anthocyanins.…

We all love summertime and being outside! Getting together with family is an essential part of the summer experience. For many people, this ritual includes furry family members. While enjoying the warmer weather is fun, we all need to watch out for our pets and the hazards associated with the…

In 1865, a Richmond society teenager named Mary Tinsley Greenhow fell off her horse. As a result, she was paralyzed and required constant care. And although her family could afford the round-the-clock care she needed, Greenhow became preoccupied with those with the same needs who were less fortunate. Mary began…

With warm weather, long days, and slightly cooler evenings – summer probably finds you spending lots of time outdoors entertaining friends and family. You thought you were going to make it through the summer with the same old deck furniture, but it’s officially driving you nuts! You might be able…