Recently I visited the Dooley Mansion, located in Maymont Park in Richmond. The 33-room house, an outstanding example of the Gilded Age, was completed in 1893. It was the home of wealthy Richmonders James and Sallie Dooley, who made their money in railroads, steel, real estate and banking. … More The Dooley Mansion
In A Brilliant Death by Robin Yocum, high school buddies Travis Baron and Mitch Malone search for the truth about Travis’s mother Amanda. She supposedly died in a boating accident in 1953, but her body was never found and Travis’s father will not discuss her. This coming-of-age story gives a good portrayal of high-school life and explores the strength of friendships. … More Turning to Mysteries: A Brilliant Death by Robin Yocum
Did you panic in the recent market pullback? Did you sell in December, then put money back into the market in January and February? That’s selling low and buying high, which is not a strategy for investment success. … More Did you sell low and buy high?
Strasbourg, France, with its medieval half-timbered houses and curved cobblestone streets, looks like it was lifted from a Grimm brothers’ fairy tale. Located in northeastern France on the Rhine River, the city has been claimed by both France and Germany over the years, and its culture and architecture show the influence of both countries. Hundreds … More Travel Tips: Strasbourg, France
Kate White, former editor of Cosmopolitan magazine, gave an inspirational talk recently in Richmond, sharing such nuggets as “don’t believe everything you think,” “own your excellence,” “don’t lose fabulous opportunities,” “you don’t have to be 100% right,” and “ask for what you want.” Energetic and personable, White gave examples from her own work experience to illustrate her … More Turning to Mysteries: Even If It Kills Her by Kate White
The current bull market of 3,453 days is now the longest on record, exceeding the bull run from 1990 to 2000. Since the lows of March 2009 through mid-August 2018, the S&P is up over 300%, the Dow is up over 250% and the Nasdaq is up 450%. The best performing sectors, according to the Wall … More Can the Bull Still Run?
In this month’s travel section, I focus on an issue very close to home – how to grow plants that deer won’t eat. Deer used to bound through the neighborhood at dusk or later. Now it’s common to see them in the middle of the day, munching on greenery. They’re very fond of azaleas. They … More Ten Deer-Resistant Plants for Virginia Gardens
British writer Anthony Horowitz cleverly combines fact and fiction as Horowitz becomes a character in his own mystery,The Word is Murder. Former detective Daniel Hawthorne, who is investigating the death of a woman who planned her own funeral and then was murdered six hours later, hires Horowitz to assist him and to write Hawthorne’s memoir. … More Turning to Mysteries: The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
When the stock market gets jittery, as it has during 2018, investors’ thoughts often turn to gold. Gold is seen as a safe haven during geopolitical and financial instability. It is also considered a hedge against inflation, a hedge against a declining dollar, and a good source of portfolio diversification. The benefit of owning gold … More Should You Buy Gold?
Mont Saint-Michel in France is an impressive moutside MSMonastery that at high tide is completely surrounded by water. At low tide its salt marshes provide a popular grazing site for sheep. The difference between high and low tides can be as much as 46 feet. First developed in the 8th century, the monastery is now a UNESCO … More Travel Tips: Mont Saint-Michel, France
