Greg Bruno

For the first decades of my life, I didn’t give my name much thought. I thought it was slightly unusual. I certainly hadn’t met another Gregory Bruno before. It became a part of who I am and I appreciated its slightly unique nature.

Early this century, during my first summer in Waynesboro, I registered the domain name GregBruno.Com. Soon after that, search engines revealed to me that my name is more common than I thought. I found dozens of Greg Brunos and Gregory Brunos all across the web. Some of those Gregs are accomplished individuals who I have come to consider valued sources of information.

One of those Greg Brunos is a staff writer at CFR.Org, the web site of the Council on Foreign Relations. The organization describes itself as being “independent and non-partisan,” which appeals to me. I have only had the opportunity to read a few of Mr. Bruno’s articles, but they were impressive in their depth and breadth of insight. As a result, I have added him to my collection of resources for research when a complex issue stokes my curiosity. A recent article on Closing Guantanamo was a good source of basic information on some of the issues involved in the matter.  I am still forming my opinion of Greg and CFR, so I expect to talk about them again in the future.

I chose this particular Greg Bruno for my first posting on the “brotherhood of Greg Brunos” simply because his articles are the most recent things that I have read from any of the Greg Brunos on the web. I plan to discuss at least two other Greg Brunos in future articles because they have also done impressive work that has benefitted me in some way.

It is fortunate that my name isn’t John Smith.

It won’t be long, now. Springtime in the Blue Ridge lurks just beyond the horizon. Promising a new beginning each year, it offers dozens of hikes that I have never done before, new people whom I have never met before, and more rough camping trips than I have ever made before.

Already awakening in the minds of friends, Springtime has brought an invitation for horseback riding on the first Saturday when the temperature hits 75 degrees. I wonder if ‘Rebel’ knows that his favorite rider is coming to challenge him again, soon.

Increasing my knowledge of local herbs and plants will be an early task in the hills above Waynesboro. After years of learning the ones in Colorado, it was strange to see so many new plants here that I didn’t know. Becoming familiar with the most useful ones was the act that showed me that I had found my home.

New shoes, a new tent and some early-season blisters will follow me into the mountains. The peace and tranquility are always welcome. There is amazing beauty within a short distance from our city, and I plan to visit often.

The most astounding part of all is being in Shenandoah National Park after dark, lying in my tent, hearing birds and insects and animals that I know well, and then noticing a sound that I can’t identify. Being in God’s hands in God’s country reminds me that there is still unbelievable beauty in this world.

Greg