R.I.P. Summer of 2009

I think we were lucky to survive the Summer of 2009. So many left us: Ted Kennedy, Walter Cronkite, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, BILLY MAYES (I always refer to him in CAPS to honor his shouting infomercials).

It also was the 40 anniversary of Woodstock and Apollo 11. Looking back from four decades away, it seems like, of the two, Woodstock had the more profound impact on America. We quit going to the moon, but we're still rocking. Although the moon landing did give us the great cliche: "they can land a man on the moon, but they can't [fill in the blank]."

Here in Roanoke, VA, the skyline has changed over the summer. The Roanoke City Mill on Jefferson Street finally surrendered to the wrecking ball, while across the street the new clinic building and medical school are rising out of formerly underused or vacant lots. A graphic, living example of a changing economy. And the promise of good things on the horizon.