During the time I was doing the 800 mile round trips to Petoskey, I began to get muscle memory of little places like Cranberry, PA, and Strongsville and Elyria, OH, as refuges from the Turnpike. It was always a relief to get clear of those pesky low Appalachian mountains, punching through Hole in the Wall […]

There was a time in my life, a long time ago, when I thought I might have a talent for stratigraphy. It was a lower-level geology course in which the concept was introduced to us through analysis of sedimentary and layered volcanic rocks. Looking at the folds and thrusts in the rock was like being […]

Cattywampus: ADV. Performed in a non-straightforward manner; approached from an unexpected angle; askew; askance. “Poets may go at the big truths a little cattywampus, but sometimes they do get to them” (Ted Kooser writing in The Poetry Home Repair Manual, University of Nebraska Press, 2005. 141) (Ready for the snap in a game between arch […]

I got a very thoughtful response to my brief appreciation of Bum Wine yesterday, after I got back from Willow. My vast array of correspondents demonstrate a variety of interests and passions that is humbling. I spent much of Black Friday not rioting down at the WalMart, but chasing rabbits of thought down into the […]

(Tex the sommelier enjoys a Henry the VIII moment as the crowd thins out at Willlow’s Thanksgiving. Photo Chanteuse Mary.) “Our Vision is To Elevate Life With Every Glass Raised.” – Constellation Brands corporate mission statement “ARRRRGH.” – That guy with the cardboard sign on the traffic island with the long light at Fairfax Drive […]

(This is an old pal, captured in another place and time. Friends are the very essence of what it is to be human- and alive. Can you guess who it might be?) It is way to early for a retrospective on this astonishing year. We have covered many of the events that are, by turns, […]

(My mouth started watering last night, thinking of left-overs.) I got home from Willow, a contemplative evening with the staff, Old Jim, and Rebekka-with-two-Cs who was sitting in my accustomed place when I arrived a little late. The early night had been so dark, and the pedestrians clad in dark clothes almost completely invisible. I […]

(Liz-S looks over at a temporarily benevolent Old Jim. All photos Socotra). Maybe slick streets this morning, inches of rain or wintry mix to come as we approach Turkey Day. I don’t have particular place to be, and will let the commute and commuters sort themselves out before I venture anywhere. We were talking about […]

(Culpeper Sheriff Scott Jenkins, a long time local law enforcement veteran, affable leader, and advocate of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) capabilities. Photo Culpeper Country Sheriff’s Department). We had a blast this weekend- literally. Some pals in the extended Socotra Affinity Group wanted to come down to the farm for some firearms proficiency at the […]

Editor’s note: Yes, We are aware that JFK’s daughter, now US Ambassador to Japan, is named Caroline, and that the Honor Guard unit that Mike Grove commanded during the ceremonies surrounding the funeral of President Kennedy was the Headquarters Company of the First Brigade of the Third US Infantry (“The Old Guard”) and of the […]