I'm starting this blog with thoughts of a dear friend, Debbie. Debbie is currently engaged in a very tough battle and my thoughts have been with her constantly This photo reminds me of her because it was taken very near the transmitter site of WBRA-TV in Roanoke, Virginia. The station we both worked together. And like Debbie, it reminds me of the unique beauty and special character that is prevalent there. Debbie was likely my closest friend at the station when I was the General Manager there from 2000-2006. We worked together on a myriad of projects and spent untold hours talking about public TV, fundraising, kids and pretty much everything under the sun. Basically, when it got lonely dealing with the necessary management issues, I could find a bit of relaxation by talking about the day's events with Debbie. We talked about our trips to the wilderness of southwest Virginia making fundraising calls together. We experienced the unique Virginia delicacy of grape pie...or "p...