Author: Vic Socotra

Arrias: Unlimited War

As we try to come to grips with the situation in Europe – a war in Ukraine, a great deal of pressure on the NATO alliance, the problem of Vladimir Putin – we need to take a look at history to provide us with some guidance. And, while comparing anyone to Hitler is often a […]

Masada

Morning, Folks! There are the usual fits-and-starts outside in Virginia’s lush Piedmont as we drive into Spring. The waning moon gave us a glimmer as the sun came up. Pretty morning. The gang drifted out of sleep sacks for coffee and conversation at the Fire Ring not supervised by the Attorney who is supposed to […]

Rock and a Hard Place

The Writer’s Section at Refuge Farm had been concerned with the President’s latest apparent impromptu declaration advocating the overthrow of the chief of the Russian government. That was the third in an interesting series of walk-backs from whoever is actually in charge of things at the White House. But violence was the topic of interest. […]

The Rule of Four

The word began swirling late yesterday. It was uncertain, as is all the “news” these days. In the version presented and disseminated through the West, it appeared a solution to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia may have lurched to what is possibly a solution that could save life and lessen that chance of use […]

Arrias: A Streetlight in Kota Kinabalu

The road from the port dipped, As it ran beside the long pier, Dark and dirty and quiet, Efficient, unwelcoming, austere. He walked slowly down the road, Far away was a single streetlight, A pale yellow glow in the tropic heat, Just managed to hold back the night. The bougainvillea smelled like honeysuckle, Memories of […]

Splash Deferred

(Belmont Farms Delivery Vehicle. A known Classic. Photo Belmont Farms). Splash was missing at the Morning Production Meeting. The Attorney was smiling. She had taken firm and decisive steps to remedy a growing problem. Thankfully, the problem had been resolved in a manner precluding a call to local law enforcement, which would have created a […]

Letter to the Editor

We have been caught up in a minor struggle here in a lovely place that has experienced greater ones. Much greater. It caused the Chairman to actually draft a note to the local paper, marking his opposition to some of the industrial change being proposed on agricultural land in this part of the Virginia Piedmont. […]

Weather Report: Stalemate and Tipping Points!

They say Mr. Putin, also known by his nick-name “Vlad the Impaler” is headed to Brussels to talk to some people in the European Union and assure them that despite an open, armored force invasion of a country right next door, everything is fine and to just relax a little. We are apparently at a […]

Arrias:  Liberty or Death?

It has been a strange few years: around the world we have seen the reach of governments grow. Whether we agree or disagree with the specific justifications for the expansion of government, we simply cannot deny that virtually every government in the world has tried to expand its reach over the past several years. In […]