The Ex Factor

Okay, for starters let me acknowledge that, despite the fact that it’s the first Thursday of the month and everyone is primed for reading another thoughtful and layered essay by Nancy Zuniga, it’s just not going to happen. Nancy and Henry have been called out of town...

The Extension of One’s Soul

One never knows when the inspiration hits. Maybe listening to a favourite recording or the radio, sometimes watching on television or stage, oftentimes it comes from having a friend or relative who plays. But one day, early or late, the fire to play an instrument is...

The Eyes Have It

I had sorrow walk—no, wait, not walk, but rather race–into my life this spring:  A small death of sorts.  After weeks of being ill, I ended up in ER and spent a day of being sent from one specialist to another.  I could tell by the tone in the...

The Faces of Hope

Seems like there’s been a lot of nasty things happening in the news lately. Whether there’s more cruelty in the world, or it’s easier to report with modern media, I don’t know. But any student of history knows that mankind’s capacity and willingness to inflict harm on...

The Fauna of Grass Valley

Dear friends, Despite a brief flirtation with allowing pets at the upcoming Father’s Day Festival the final word from above is a big negatory on our friends with hooves, claws, feathers and fur. In this case the delineation of species is blurred by the fact that the...