A Propeller at Rest (A Mamie and Solly Story Continuation*)

Solly’s phone rang. “Hello, Smita,” he said. “Mamie and I are walking with the dogs along the river. What’s up?” “Mamie’s there, too? I’ve got a story.” “Sammy and Cooper are trying to jump into the river. A story is a welcome distraction,” said Mamie. “You remember the propeller?” asked Smita. “The one your in-law... Read More

Fiction

August 5, 2025

Finding Light in Different Places: Russell Hart’s Journey Through Loss and Landscape

The 1885 Valley Line train station in Lexington, Virginia, seems an unlikely home for a photographer who spent decades navigating the frenetic pace of New York’s publishing world. But for Russell Hart, the converted depot represents something more profound than a simple change of address—it’s a return to roots, a quieter rhythm, and a creative... Read More

Cover Features

July 22, 2025

Under a Tuscan Spell

A good friend recently gave me some bottles of wine. He is a fan of red Italian wines, and among those he gave me were bottles of Brunello di Montalcino (Brunello di Mont-al-cino). Just saying the name is a joy. Brunello di Montalcino is made from a local strain of Sangiovese (Sahn-joh-veh-she) grape grown in the... Read More

The Wine Spot

July 17, 2025

Moonless too?

Dew glistens, gathers like wet dust until it leaves, vanishes, loses its hold like sunshine, its horizon. Our march through time stops only if life shudders then halts for nature to pause, consider new paths, when to unload morning dew.

Poet's Corner

July 15, 2025

Lost in Conversation (A Mamie and Solly Story)

(Scene: Having lunch out for Mamie’s birthday, Mamie and Solly are enjoying soup, salad, and conversation.) Mamie (spearing a tomato chunk): You look particularly handsome, Solly. Solly (raising his glass in a toast): To you, Mamie. Birthdays are worth dressing up for. M (sipping delicately): This salad is great. All the usual suspects plus avocado,... Read More

Fiction

July 12, 2025

Just a ‘Closer’ Walk

This title is about walking down the road at about 3 mph, instead of driving 35-55-plus mph, the result being that your foot on the road versus your foot on the pedal puts you intimately closer to your ever-passing surroundings. Walking, you are “at one with the ground” (Fred Flintstone’s feet were only on the... Read More

Essays

July 10, 2025

Movies You Missed from 20 Years Ago: The Devil’s Rejects

The Devil’s Rejects (7/10 Rating) Released July 22, 2005 For rent/purchase on all major platforms. Genre: Splatter Horror, Crime, Horror R: Sadistic violence, strong sexual content, language, and drug use 1h 47m Rob Zombie’s sophomore follow-up to House of 1000 Corpses is probably his best work to date. When it was released, the improvement... Read More

Movies You Missed

July 8, 2025

A New Chapter Built on Old Roots

Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow in Southern Virginia’s Bluegrass Scene When David Lewis’s previous band, Jus’ Cauz Bluegrass Band, disbanded in 2024 after more than a decade together, he could have stepped away from performing. Instead, the mandolin player turned to Facebook and discovered Jarrett Easter playing and singing in videos that caught his attention. “I... Read More

Cover Features

June 17, 2025

SANGRIA, SHALL WE DANCE?

Recently, I discovered a YouTube video by Camila Cabello and Pharrell Williams entitled “Sangria Wine” and the associated Sangria Dance Challenge. It was released in 2018. The Hall and Oates’ song “Out of Touch” must be about me. This is scary. Sangria has been around for a long, long time. It dates back to when the... Read More

The Wine Spot

June 12, 2025

Harbor

Was it Mystic where we met? So near the sea, ours to sail where dreams could take us. Books I want to write began there, where I felt love as forceful as waves that lured me to see chapters writing themselves penned when your eyes culled words like magic.