Unpacking It (A Mamie and Solly Story)

Scene: Mamie, standing in blustering wind in a Midwestern, middle-class cul-de-sac with baggage strewn around their van, is watching Solly, up on a stool outside on the passenger side, fiddling with the car-top carrier’s attachment to the roof rack. Mamie (hands at waist, elbows out): Solly, what’s happening here? Have you lost your mind? Solly... Read More

Fiction

February 14, 2025

Wine and Chocolate; Would Cupid Approve?

If you like wine and chocolate, why not enjoy them together? You can, but there are things to consider. Lucia Capretti’s article, “The Ultimate Guide to Wine and Chocolate Pairing, ” which appeared on The Tasting Table website recently, is a good source for these things to consider. For example, I like dark chocolate with... Read More

The Wine Spot

February 8, 2025

Eat more chocolate?

Drink it as an elixir? Wonderful that way, a curative for your blues on days when nothing seems sweet. When disappointment reigns like a tempestuous monarch whose bitter approach robs good times of their life-giving exuberance.

Poet's Corner

February 6, 2025

Movies You Missed From 20 Years Ago: Cursed

Cursed (5/10 Rating) Released February 25, 2005 For rent/purchase on Apple/Paramount+. Genre: Supernatural Horror, Werewolf Horror, Comedy, Horror, Mystery PG-13: horror violence/terror, some sexual references, nudity, language, brief drug reference 1h 37m What do you get when you reconnect Scream writer Kevin Williamson and director Wes Craven, add horror icon Christina Ricci, top it... Read More

Movies You Missed

February 5, 2025

Spreading Joy Through Art: Felice McWilliams’ Creative Mission

In March 2017, on a chilly day in Seattle, a simple painted rock with a ladybug design changed Felice McWilliams’ mood from gloomy to joyful. That small moment of delight inspired her to launch “Making Danville Smile,” a community art project that would touch countless lives in her Virginia hometown. “I decided I wanted to... Read More

Cover Features

January 15, 2025

RESOLVE TO TAKE SOME CHANCES

It is that time of the year again. A time for making New Year’s resolutions. If you enjoy wine, please consider this one of your New Year’s resolutions. Try a new wine each month. Like many, I have my favorites, and I enjoy them. Still, I often find myself in a rut, continuously drinking the same... Read More

The Wine Spot

January 14, 2025

SLOW, STOP, SLOW

The new year gives pause for thought, to make resolutions or take a break just to sit back, observe, and enjoy. Sometimes, we take that break on our own; and sometimes, it is forced upon us. This story is about the latter. One day, this past fall, I headed down to Yanceyville to visit with... Read More

Essays

January 10, 2025

Sanctuary (A Mamie and Solly Story)

(Scene: Mamie and Solly are talking while walking in the mall for exercise.) Mamie (dreamily): We’re so lucky, Solly. Solly (side glance): Why? M: People see us. And we see them. S: Not surprising. They have eyes. So do we. M: Of course we do. S (frowning): Why do I think you’re going to tell... Read More

Fiction

January 9, 2025

Movies You Missed from 20 Years Ago: Elektra

Elektra (3/10 Rating) Released January 14, 2005 Streaming on MAX, For rent/purchase on all major platforms. Genre: Gun Fu, Superhero, Action, Adventure, Crime, Fantasy PG-13: Action violence 1h 37m This month we review one of Jennifer Garner’s best roles…the Capital One commercials. What’s in my wallet? At one point, a ticket stub for Elektra,... Read More

Movies You Missed

January 8, 2025

Only

That word suggests ultimate devotion, complete commitment, without fanfare, doubt, or fluctuation. Its focus, sincere affection beyond question, unchallenged by all wavering desires that flutter away, pours like water over stone