Month: November 2016

“How you get there is the worthier part.” In remembrance of Ron Glass

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The good preacher of Firefly passed away this weekend at the age of 71. The death of Ron Glass, a veteran of some 50 television shows, follows the deaths of Prince, David Bowie, Alan Rickman, and so many more this year. It seems we lost so many great artists this year, and there is a little less magic in the world. Glass was most remembered for his depiction of the gentle yet worldly preacher, Shepherd Book, on Firefly, the 2002 cult hit television show that lasted just a season, but which even now is ahead of the times for its easy camaraderie and a unique combination of a sense of freedom, rebellion and family all in one. In the midst of this family was Shepherd Book, the preacher who had been “out of the world for a spell, like to walk it a while.” He could be awkward at times, like that time he scared the bejeezus out of River. But the preacher also had a mysterious past that was never quite fleshed out, and …

Anna Edwards jokes with her sister, Destinee, as she works on the pattern for a friend’s wedding dress.

Creative Durham: Stitching together her future

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Introducing “Creative Durham,” a new feature profiling artists, artisans and intrepid hobbyists in the Triangle area, and beyond! Inspired by the creative spirit of the Aughts, rooted in the DIY culture of Durham, this feature is dedicated to the simple joy of doing, how we express ourselves and how the process of doing can even define and redefine who we are. I hope you will read and enjoy! – Monica Chen Hidden throughout Anna Edwards’ home in Durham are portraits she painted of her family, glassware she made, clothes and cards she has made. There are yards of delicate white lace, an old piano, and even a mannequin named Roxanne. Such is the home of someone who is interested in many forms of crafts and arts. Asked what she’s most interested in, and the words tumble out fast and with excitement, as if there are too many different pieces, all shining and soft and beautiful, that she’s anxious to stitch together. Edwards, 26, studied fashion at Meredith College. Since then, she has found her interests …

Time to stop being afraid and get to work: My thoughts on the election aftermath

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By Monica Chen This was going to be a simple writing exercise. I was going to find the best articles on the election and summarize them. But like so many times these past few years, I saw nothing in the news media that reflected what I know is happening around me. So this time, I’m picking this up and writing something myself. Basically, at the end of the day, I just don’t think half of the U.S. population are bigots. I think what’s going on in this country is more complicated than anyone has been able to say, or want to say. I feel like a lot of people feel unheard and frustrated, myself included at times. And I want to let go of the old liberal v. conservative fight. I’m tired of people shouting and not listening. My hope for Donald Trump’s presidency is that people will have a chance to say the things they have not been able to say, and that people will pause and listen, and out of this genuine communication …

Impressions from Fall 2016

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By Monica Chen It’s late fall now. The scent of Sweet Olive flowers is nearly gone. Flower blooms have mostly folded, and the golden light of the season is fading. Some falls are breathtakingly perfect. This fall, with its halting, bumpy rhythm, was not that. The leaves could not quite turn, their urge to change sputtered like a bad engine, clogged from too much rain at the wrong time, too much dreary cold, too much heat. It was 60 degrees followed by 80 degrees followed by who knows what. Like confused actors under an indecisive director, they stepped onto the stage, then stepped back, became annoyed and impatient, then stepped on again. Some of them walked off the production completely. Instead of leaves, the showy colors of this fall were filled by yellow asters. Bur Marigolds bloomed in new fields around my area, blankets and blankets of them wherever there was room. The pink flowers of Slenderleaf False Foxglove also appeared, though not as many as in years before. And there were also these humble, …