The Art of Planting Something Beautiful

Spring brings out the green thumbs. And gardens are in bloom. In Growing with the Seasons: A Sharing of Insights Into the Creative Aspects of Organic Gardening, Alfred Austin wrote, “The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the... Read More

Features

March 25, 2023

Movies You Missed From 20 Years Ago: March 2023

Ned Kelly (8/10 Rating) Released March 26, 2003 For rent/purchase on all major platforms. Genre: Action, Adventure, Biography, Crime, History, Romance, Western R: Violence and Brief Nudity 1h 50m Based on the Australian outlaw, Ned Kelly tells the story of a wrongly accused man who becomes the number-one enemy of the Victorian government. From some... Read More

Movies You Missed

March 23, 2023

German Wines: Plenty to Learn

I frequently hear the comment, “All Rieslings are sweet,” which is not valid. They can be dry, sweet, or off-dry. Hearing this has sparked a renewed interest in German wines. If you, like me, are intimated by German wine labels, let’s become more knowledgeable. I hope we can, as the Germans say, “write something behind... Read More

The Wine Spot

March 16, 2023

Fact or Fiction

Before you begin writing, you may want to focus on your list of ideas. Ideas you may have decided are excellent topics. In fact, some of those ideas may serve as shorthand reminders regarding incidents you’re certain are worth developing into a short story or a novel. As excited as you are about beginning, you’ve... Read More

Writers' Page

March 14, 2023

Birthday and Snow Layered-Cake

So far this winter, I’ve only seen the most miniscule of snow flurries, one short burst! It seems to me that Mother Nature’s purpose in this is to remind us she hasn’t forgotten snow’s “recipe.” Even though old men (I’m 72 this month) frequently think of warmer climates, we often have a special place in... Read More

Essays

March 10, 2023

Plant V: Kermit Would Approve

(Scene: Plant and Linda are sitting in Linda’s kitchen in the morning sunlight.) Plant: Top of the mornin’ to you. Linda: … Oh, nuts. It’s you again. P: Here you come again with that inquiring mind. I so look forward to these conversations … after you wake up. L: You can run but you can’t... Read More

Fiction

March 7, 2023

Inside the Method of Acting with Olivia Richardson

Oliva Richardson describes herself as a bohemian, personally and professionally. “I think most actors would. I’ve had the good fortune to work with all kinds of people, in all kinds of places, doing all kinds of things. I grew up in Orlando, Florida, which has an awesome melting pot of opportunities and experiences for kids... Read More

Action

March 2, 2023

The Church of Perpetual Boogie

After more than a decade, Jeremy DiMaio grew tired of the monotony in the corporate world. He needed a change. “I took off to Hawaii for graduate school and a few years of paradise. There was no returning to the cubicle life after that.” With corporate life in the rearview mirror, DiMaio has spent the... Read More

Cover Features

February 24, 2023

Getting Started

Often, I’m asked to write biographies for people who have led interesting lives. Their desire to share their life stories leads them to mention an experience that was a milestone, something so unique that, in their opinion, everyone would be interested in reading about it. I never disagree. But, also, I never write their story... Read More

Writers' Page

February 22, 2023

History Through a Wine Glass

Histories of civilization and wine are intertwined. A case in point is the wine region of Bordeaux, France. From there, both red and white blends are sought by wine admirers worldwide, and they are referred to as Bordeaux Rouge (red) and Bordeaux Blanc (white). If you have an English friend like me, you may hear... Read More