Tag Archives: nostalgia

I Am A Survivor

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Last week I celebrated my birthday.  This was a BIG one… the big 6-0.  Seems huge.  I have told several people—60 just seems old.  When you are in your 50’s you can convince yourself that you are still at the upper reaches of middle age.  But 60?  That’s old.  Bordering on elderly.  Within sight of ancient.  (One friend reminded me that biblically I only have 10 more years left to live, cf. Psalm 90:10.)

But, it is not the demise of my fading youth that is on my mind this morning.  Actually, what I am thinking of is the difference between everyday life in the 21st century and what life was like when I was growing up.  My, what differences there are! Continue reading →

A Lament for Joy Garden

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I grew up in Richmond, Virginia.  Until my wife and I moved to Charlottesville, VA in 1987 it was always home to me.  For the first seven years of our marriage, Sue and I lived in various places in the Northside or West End of town.  Early on we discovered a Chinese restaurant that would remain one of our favorites even after leaving the city—Joy Garden.  Joy Garden was located on Broad Street, near the corner of Broad and Boulevard.  It was a family-run restaurant with delicious food, friendly service and a fun atmosphere.  Their Beef Sichuan is still the standard for that dish by which Sue measures all other restaurants.  Even though we moved to Charlottesville, then Pennsylvania, and now Crozet, VA we would still dine at Joy Garden when we had the chance. Continue reading →