Decoding A Dynasty: Unveiling the Murdaugh Murders
In her new book, The Devil at His Elbow, Valerie Bauerlein explains the deep roots of the infamous South Carolina murders.
Category: Noted
August 2024 Poem: Letter to C. From Ashe County
The writer of this poem finds himself noticing the intricate amazing details of blooming flowers and captivating hummingbirds
Simple Life: The Quiet of Nature
In an increasingly loud world, this writer encourages us to be still and listen to what the owls, crickets and birds have to say to us.
July 2024 Poem: The Cardinal
On a beautiful spring day, a writer captures the feeling as she connects with a brilliant cardinal hopping nearby.
The Belle of Star City
A dreaded visit with the writer’s great-aunt turns out to be an education in culture — and a lesson in heartbreak.
Primitive Playgrounds
For kids in the 1980s in Raleigh, play structures were pretty basic. But, this writer asks, were they really missing anything?
The Magic of Mahjong
This parlor game with Chinese origins combines luck and strategy — but it’s the connection between players that’s the real draw
Simple Life: When Winning is Losing
Misplacing a pair of eyeglasses has Jim Dodson contemplating gains and deficits on a larger scale.
June Poem: Wishing
This poem touches on some of the challenges in society, and what we wish we could do instead.
Sweet Memories: A Journey to Adulthood
Longtime North Carolina poet Stephen E. Smith’s new memoir, The Year We Danced, recounts his eye-opening freshman year at Elon College.
The Poor Man’s Guide to Domestic Bliss
This columnist finds that even unconditional love has its own set of conditions — Recurring Refrigerator Blindness Syndrome among them.
May Poem: After the trout lilies
This poem calls on us to notice spring delights like flowers, grass and mushrooms — and invites us to love the natural world.
Moonbeam by Jessie Rumbley
The sudden, early arrival of her second child launches this mother into a profoundly hard season of life — but also brings joy and gratitude.
April 2024 Poem: Ibis of Guyana
This poem parallels a mother bird building a nest and a parent raising a child before each sends their young off into the world.