V.R. Christensen Weaving History, Healing, and Hope
Content October 2024
Editorial Director / Paul Seiple editor@evincemagazine.com
Contributing Writers
Barry Koplen, Linda Lemery, Val-Rae Lindenau, Josh Lucia, Dave Slayton, Mack Williams
Art & Production Director Demont Design (Kim Demont) Finance Manager
Cindy Yeatts (1.434.709.7349) cindy@showcasemagazine.com
Advertising For ad information contact a marketing consultant listed below.
Lee Vogler Director of Sales and Marketing (434.548.5335) lee@showcasemagazine.com
Kim Demont Graphic Design, Marketing (434.250.5080) demontdesign@verizon.net
evince\i-’vin(t)s\ 1: to constitute outward evidence of 2: to display clearly; reveal syn see SHOW
On the Cover: V.R. Christensen. Photo by Josh Lucia, Lucia Video.
In the quaint historic district of Danville, Virginia, a renaissance woman is quietly reshaping narratives— both on the page and in her community. V.R. Christensen, bestselling author of historical fiction and steampunk novels, is also a dedicated preservationist, massage therapist, and trauma-informed practitioner. Her multifaceted career is a testament to her core mission: healing the world, one story, one building, and one person at a time.
From Victorian England to Dystopian Futures
Christensen’s literary journey began with a love for British literature, kindled by an inspiring high school English teacher. This passion led her to craft bestselling historical fiction works like Of Moths and Butterflies and Gods and Monsters. Her writing, deeply rooted in the Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian eras, explores themes of justice, equality, and the human struggle against adversity.
“I write what I would want to read,” Christensen explained. “I
V.R. Christensen Weaving History, Healing, and Hope
by Paul Seiple
photo by Josh Lucia, Lucia Video
write about subject matter that is important to me, like fairness and justice.” Her novels often draw from personal experiences, tackling issues such as women’s rights and the pursuit of happiness in the face of loss and abuse.
In a bold transition, Christensen ventured into the realm of NeoVictorian Dystopian Steampunk with her Icarus Project series. The first volume, Absinthe Moon, paints a vivid picture of a walled city grappling with the consequences of unchecked capitalism, government corruption, and the quest for genetic perfection. This shift allowed her to blend her love for Victorian aesthetics with speculative fiction, creating a unique platform to address contemporary issues through a historical lens.
Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future
Beyond her fictional worlds, Christensen is deeply involved in preserving the real-world history of Danville’s Old West End. As a writer for OldWestEndVA.com, she chronicles the stories of historic homes and their inhabitants,
bridging the gap between past and present. Her efforts extend beyond the page; she’s actively involved in restoring these homes, giving tangible form to the history she writes about.
“We’ve saved something like 60 houses from demolition,” Christensen stated. “We’ve repopulated the Old West End and have begun to really build a community there.” This preservation work not only informs her fiction but also satisfies her desire to create and recreate worlds, both on paper and in reality.
Healing Through Words and Touch
Christensen’s pursuit of healing extends to her work as a licensed massage therapist specializing in pain relief and deep relaxation. She incorporates cupping and reiki-infused therapeutic massage into her practice, viewing it as another avenue to alleviate suffering and promote wellness.
“I think at the heart of me, I really just want to heal the world,” she said. This holistic approach to healing informs her writing as well, particularly in themes of transformation and overcoming trauma. As a trauma-informed practitioner, Christensen brings a deep sense of empathy to both her therapeutic work and her storytelling.
Personal Journey and Future Projects
Christensen’s own life has been
marked by significant transitions and losses, including the end of her marriage, the deaths of her father and sister, and her decision to leave her long-time religion. These experiences have inspired her upcoming collection of essays, Scatter Creek, which chronicles her personal transformation from “domesticated housewife” to a “wild woman” of the modern age.
Looking ahead, Christensen has a full plate of projects. She’s working on sequels to Absinthe Moon, continuing her Less is More series, and considering non-fiction works that explore the rich history of Danville’s notable residents.
Throughout her diverse career, one thread remains constant: Christensen’s desire to foster understanding and compassion. Whether through her novels, her preservation efforts, or her healing practices, she strives to create spaces—both physical and emotional—where people feel heard, seen, and valued.
In a world that often feels fragmented and disconnected, V.R. Christensen’s work serves as a reminder of the power of empathy and the enduring human capacity for resilience and growth. Through her multifaceted approach to storytelling and healing, she continues to weave a tapestry of hope, one word, one touch, and one restored building at a time.
October Calendar of Evince
Ongoing
Danville Science Center. Under the Arctic, Go!, Water, Cresent Crossing.Various Dome Shows, Creativity Labs. www.dsc.smv.org. Ruby B. Archie Public Library ProgramsDon’t miss the programs offered at the Library. Adult & Tween Arts & Crafts, The Write Stuff, Computers for Beginners, Just Write, Resume Workshop, Unrequired Reading – Classics Book Club, Artist’s Studio, Youth Dungeons and Dragons, Storytellers: Creative Writing 101, Little Explorers Storytime, Myths and Legends, Little Learning Lab, Book Babies, Random Fandom, Braver Angels, Maker Mondays, Code Challengers, Teen Takeover, Pop Culture Geek Out Hour, Get More from Google, The Loop Group, D&D & DIY, Cybersecurity, Books & Beans Social Hour, Girls Who Code, Cross Stitch Tacos, Jurassic Park Rescue, We Dig Science, LEGO Brick Engineers, Fall Spooktacular. 434.799.5195.
Through October 27
Fall-tastic Adventure. Pumpkin patch, hayrides, corn maze, barnyard friends, pony rides, play area, train ride, zip line, concessions. Times vary. Owen Farm Tours. 434.728.3410.
Through October 26
Danville Farmers Market. Sat 7:30am-12pm. Community Market. 434.797.8961. PAA Exhibits. History, Legend & Fairytales, drawings by Patricia Bellan-Gillen; Lingering: Contemplations by Jessica Bloch-Schulman; Paula Melton: A Life in the Blue Ridge. Piedmont Arts. 276.632.3221.
Through November 22
DMFAH Exhibit. Double Exposure: Photographers Emmet Gowin and Glenn Scarboro. 6-8pm. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History. 434.793.5644.
October 1 (thru 5)
Halifax County Fair. 10/3 Sensory Friendly Fair 4-6pm. Other times vary. halifaxcountyfair.com.
October 1 (thru 24)
Stuffed Animal Drive. Bring your new or gently loved stuffed animals to donate to Gleaning for the World. Drop off at Global Home Furnishings, W Main St. October 1 (thru 31) Pittsylvania County Public Libraries. Mt. Hermon Library - Mother Goose on the Loose, Preschool Storytime, LEGO Lab, Family Pumpkin Art, Homeschool Junction, Paint a Seasonal Scene. Chatham Library - Friends of the Library Week, Bridge, Tot Time, Little U, Adulting 101 Sessions: Renter’s Rights, After School Games, Book Sale, Art Challenge, Friday Paws, Card Making with Mayra, National Reptile Day, LEGO Club, Friends Social, Take and Make Cricut Craft, Crafternoon, The Haunted Library, Book Club, Horror Movie Trivia Bingo, Spooky Storytime/ Costume Dance Party, Halloween Costume Contest.
October 2
Diabetes Support Group. Learn tips and tricks to help better manage diabetes. Topics will vary. 11am-12pm. Ballou Rec Center. 434.799.5216. Free Puzzle Swap.11am. MSAC. 434.602.2017
October 3
VA-NC Piedmont Genealogical Society
Learn helpful tips and hear interesting stories related to genealogy topics. Ages 18+. Registration required. 2-3pm. Ruby B. Archie Public Library Auditorium. 434.799.5195. Danville Harvest Jubilee Concert. Riley Green. 6-11pm., Carrington Pavilion. 434.799.5200.
October 3 (thru 6)
SVRA SpeedTour and TransAM. Experience a weekend of blending the past and present while we celebrate VIR’s impressive history with VIR SpeedTour (formerly known as Gold Cup). $. Virginia International Raceway. www. virnow.com.
October 3 & 8
Legal Aid Workshop. Questions and answers workshop. 10/3 Wills and Advance Directive Legal Aid Clinic, 4-6pm; 10/8 Tenant Rights, 1-2pm. Ruby B. Archie Public Library Auditorium. 434.799.5195.
October 4
Schoolfield First Friday: Halloween Edition. Costumes, DJ, cars, fun, music, yoga, kids’ activities, and candy. 4pm. West Main Street. Coates Fall Festival. Community mural, crafts, caricatures, door prizes, pumpkin decorating, trunk-or-treat. 5:30-7:30pm. Coates Rec. Center. 434.799.5150. Bike & Classics Cruise In. Beer garden, music, food trucks, vendors. 5:30-9pm. Thunder Road Harley-Davidson.
October 5
Community Yard Sale. 7am-2pm. Franklin Tpke. Louie Fields 5K & Fun Run. 5K Run/Walk, or 1 Mile Family Fun Run. Held in conjunction with a Pancake Breakfast (7am). 8:30am. YMCA. 434-792-0612.
Fall Fling Festival. Bounce houses, an obstacle course, games, face painting, food, vendors, and more. Attendance $5 for 25 tickets. 11am-2pm. The Hughes Center. Oktoberfest Street Festival. Vendors selling art, crafts, holiday decorations, jewelry, household accessories, etc., food vendors, kids’ activities, beer garden, music. 11am4pm. Uptown Martinsville. kimberly@ mhcchamber.com.
Liftin’ Up Heavy Benefit & Ride. Raffle, food, ride following benefit. 1-4pm. Thunder Road Harley-Davidson.
AOT Rivertown Fest. Live music, beer garden, car show, food, $5 admission ages 9+. 2-6:30pm. Downtown Altavista.
4/40: A Van Halen Tribute. A night of nostalgia and celebration of one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Performance by Old 97. 7-10pm. 2 Witches. 434.793.8255.
October 6
Crop Hunger Walk. Taking steps and raising funds together to provide meals for those in our own community who need them. 3pm. Ballou Park. FB.
Main Street Cruise-In. Enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of our revitalized downtown while cruising your cars and meeting new friends. 50/50 & door prizes. Bring nonperishable food item for God’s Storehouse. 4-8pm. Downtown Danville. 434.728.0617 or 434.250.1405.
October 6 (thru 27)
Live Music. Hosted by Matt Crowder. Sundays 2-6pm. 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co. 434.549.2739.
October 8 (thru 29)
Let’s Dance. Waltz. Tuesdays, 7:15-8:45pm. Ballou Rec. Center. 434.799.5216.
October 9
Candidate Forum. Meet the Danville City Council and Danville City School Board candidates, hear their visions and learn about their strategies. 5:30-8pm. Danville Community College, Oliver Hall. 434.836.6990.
October 10
Breast Cancer Awareness Sip n’ Paint Registration by 10/7. 1-3:30pm. Ballou Rec Center. 434.799.5216.
Witches and Wolves Walk. Pet-friendly vendors, costume contest, photo opportunities, food truck. 5:30-7:30pm. Anglers Park. 434.857.3384. MSAC Class. Make a Decoupage Pumpkin, 6:30pm. MSAC. 434.602.2017.
October 10 (thru 13)
Death Trap. Two-thirds a thriller and onethird a devilishly clever comedy. 10/10-12 7:30pm; 10/13 2:30pm. Smokestack Theatre Co. 434.549.5445.
October 11
WCA Golf Classic. Two flights. Lunch & dinner. Register by 10/4. 7am & 12:30pm. Danville Golf Club. 434.770.0364.
October 11 (thru 25)
Live Music. 10/11 Sorta Spooky; 10/12 On the Margins; 10/26 Blue Drive. 7-10pm. 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co. 434.549.2739.
October 12
Antique Vehicle & Craft Show. Presented by Callands Fire & Rescue. Sago Road. 8am5pm. festival@callandsfireandrescue.com. River City 5K/Half Marathon. Out and back course starting and finishing on MLK Bridge. 8:30am.
Harvest Festival. Crafts & bake sale, kids activities, skeet shoot, lunch/dinner, hayride and auction 8am. Mount Carmel Church, Reidsville. Fall River Cleanup. Gloves and garbage bags provided. 9am. Danville train station. dsc.smv.org.
Octopus Fest. Cruise in, face painting, kids crafts, cake walk, games, bookmobile, children’s story time, food trucks, live music, artist demos, and more. 10am-4pm. Blue Octopus, Eden.
SBS Racing. SMART Modified Tour, Southern Ground Pounders Vintage Racing Club. Green Flag. 2pm. South Boston Speedway434.572.4947. www.southbostonspeedway. com.
Pup-A-Palooza. Live music, food, beer garden, vendors, adoptable dogs, pet & people activities, and raffle prizes. 2-8pm. Rocky Branch Farm. FB. Trunk or Treat Fall Fest. Family-friendly Halloween fun. Trunk or Treating, Halloween games, costumes, snacks & food, face painting, bounce house, hayride. 3-5pm. Kentuck Baptist Church. kentuckbaptistchurch.org.
Cruz-in. Antique cars, trucks and motorcycles, door prizes & food. 3-6pm. Downtown South Boston. 434.575.4208. Boxing at the Ballpark 2. First Bell 5pm. Otterbots Baseball Stadium. luckypunchpromotions.com. Paws & Claws. Danville Area Humane Society fundraiser. Heavy vegetarian hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, silent auction, and entertainment by The Pizzaz Band. 6-10:30pm. Stratford Conference Center. DAHS - 434.799.0843. A Vampire’s Ball. Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre. Encounter gripping scenes performed by talented actors, each providing vital clues to piece together the puzzle. Come dressed as a vampire and participate. $. 6pm. The Prizery, South Boston. 434.572.8339.
October 12 & 13
Four Beats For Pleasure - Gaited Horse Show. Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex. 434.432.8026. www.theodac.com.
October 17
Funky Fall Fest. Dancing, costumes, games, food truck vendor. Bring lawn chair or blanket for seating. 5:30-8:30pm. Ballou Rec Center. 434.799.5216.
October 18
Laurie S Moran Chamber Classic Golf Tournament. 9am. Danville Golf Club. DPCC - 434.836.6990. Fall Festival. Carnival games, BBQ, craft/food vendors, silent auction, face painting, and more. 5-8pm. Dan River High School. SHCS Fall Fling & Chili Cookoff. Games, bounce houses, trunk or treat. Chili contestants arrive at 4:45pm with chili in a crockpot, ready to eat. 5-7:30pm. Sacred Heart Catholic School. Opera on the James. Children’s ShowGoldie B. Locks and the 3 Singing Bears, 5-6pm. Adult Show, 7-9pm. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History. 434.793.5644. The Addams Family Musical. Presented by the Carlisle Upper School players. 10/18 7pm; 10/19 1pm. FB.
October 18, 19 & 20
High School Rodeo. Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex. 434.432.8026. www. theodac.com.
October 19
Cruzin’ for Humanity Car/Bike Show & Stew. 9am-2pm. Habitat Restore. 434.793.3630. Fall Fling. Brunswick stew, vendors, touch-atruck, petting zoo, hayrides, bounce houses, face paint, silent action. Wristband $10. 10am-2pm. Tunstall Middle School. Fall Fest. Food, games, pumpkins, bounce house, arts & crafts and more. 11am-5pm. Tickles Table. 434.799.2070. Food Truck Rodeo. 12-6pm. Bridge Street, Danville. MSAC Class. Health Hack with the Fillingame Homestead. 2pm. MSAC. 434.602.2017.
Wine by the River. Live music, award winning wineries, craft breweries, artisan, craft & specialty vendors, food. Bring your lawn chairs for concert seating. 2-7pm. Smith River Sports Complex, Axton. OWE Ghost Stories Tour. Step inside the haunted homes, landmarks, and cemetery of the OWE for eerie tales and firsthand accounts of the paranormal. Tickets needed. Times vary. Old West End, Danville. FB. Food, Art and Brew Festival. Featuring The Band of Oz. 5-7pm. Market Square Downtown Reidsville. Comedy Night Out. Laugh the night away with performances by local comedian “Ms. Gayle,” and Richmond performer, J Smooth. Appetizers served. Registration required by 10/14. 6pm. Ballour Rec. Center. 434.799.5216.
Smokestack Cinema The Burbs 7pm; American Psycho 9pm. Smokestack Theatre Co. 434.549.5445.
October 20
Trick-or-Treat. Bring your littles in their Halloween costumes and grab a few free goodies. Photographer onsite. 2-4pm. The Gentry Farm. thegentryfarm.com.
October 21
Let’s Make a Scene! Reader’s Theatre Series. Join us, along with Smokestack Theatre Company, to read a role or just read along “Twelve Angry Men” by Reginald Rose. Ages 18+. Registration required. Ruby B. Archie Public Library. 434.799.5195.
October 22
Medicare Basics, Seminar to help make smarter choices as to the most cost effective and best Medicare health plan. Registration required. 10am-12pm. Ballou Rec. Center. 434.799.5216.
October 24
Halloween Festival. Costumes, friends, and lots of candy from vendors, music, fun kids activities. 5-8pm. Collective Studio, Lynn St.
October 24, 25 & 26
Ghosts & Gravestones Historical Walking Tours. Tours led by a ghostly guide that takes you to visit with the “ghosts” of our city’s past. Tours begin at 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, and 8:30pm. Lynn Street. Smokestack Theatre Co. 434.549.5445.
October 25
Get Tee’d Up. DPD Captains Choice Golf Tournament. Goodyear Golf Club. 434.797.8898 x5.
Light the Night 5k Run/Walk Race. DJ and a 20ft screen for a live stream finish with music videos, glow stations, and activities for families after the race. 6-9pm. Carrington Pavilion. 434.799.5150.
October 25 & 26
Personality Festival. Vendors, food trucks, kids activities, live music, hot dog eating contest. Times vary. Uptown Roxboro, NC.
October 26
Golf Tournament. Cash prizes, long drive & closest to pin prize, 50/50. 8:30am. Cedar Country Club, Chatham. 434.710.0622 or 434.907.1643.
End of Summer Fall Fest Car Show/Cruise-in Food trucks, entertainment, classic muscle, new school & custom rides. 12pm. Smith River Sports Complex, Axton. MSAC Class. Beginners Crochet, 1 pm. MSAC. 434.602.2017.
Fall Festival. Games, food, hayrides, crafts, trunk or treat, and a haunted trail. 3-5pm. St. Lukes UMC. Trunk or Treat. Presented by Pitt. Co. Sheriff’s Office. 4-7pm. Olde Dominion Ag Complex. 434.432.7713.
Halloween Drive Thru. 6-9pm. Mt. Hermon Fire & Rescue. 434.836.1869 or 434.250.4031. Halloween Fest. Music, fun, dinner, costumes. 6-9pm. The Artist Way Cafe, Gretna. Brew-Haha Halloween Party. Spooky good time with costumes and music by The Poorhouse. 7-10pm. 2 Witches. 434.793.8255.
October 27
Trunk or Treat. Cool cars, treats, costumes. 3-6pm. Hopper’s Poppers.
October 28
I Am Tourism: Ambassador Program Designed to equip SoSi residents with insight on the many unique delights and attraction in Danville and Pitt. Co. 1-5pm. Institute Conference Center. www.visitsosi.com.
October 30
Trunk or Treat. 6pm. Compassion Church, Third Ave. DR Youth Football Trunk or Treat. 6-8pm. Dan River Middle School. 434.713.4470.
October 31
Market Monster Mash. Trunk-or-treating, face painting, caricatures, inflatables, and more. 5-8pm. Community Market. 434.857.3384. Trunk or Treat. 6-9pm. Mt. Cross Fire & Rescue.
Upcoming
November 2
Holiday Bazaar. Baked goods, crafts, home decor vendors. 9am-1pm. Fairveiw Church. Car & Bike Show. Vendors, food & cars/ trucks/bikes. 12-4pm. River Oak Church. Wine in the Vines Festival. Virginia wineries, beer, food trucks, craft vendors and music. 12-5pm. Homeplace Vineyard. 434.432.9463.
November 2 & 8
Smokestack Cinema. 11/2 - The Addams Family 7:30pm; 11/8 - Saw 7:30pm. Smokestack Theatre Co. 434.549.5445.
Cullen Libby has been a creative for as long as she can remember. Growing up, she was deeply interested in interior and fashion design, sewing, crafting, visual arts, music, and dance. Her visits to the local library would often result in large stacks of books that would further inform her on these different disciplines of art and artistic expression. Her parents encouraged her, supporting her in whatever direction her creative pursuits took her. Cullen recounts a Christmas where she made everyone “clothes” out of paper and tape. Even though they nearly instantly disintegrated upon being “worn”, her family indulged her in trying them on. As time went on, Cullen taught herself how to collage, how to do website design, and how to paint a room. In college, she studied visual art formally.
As luck would have it, Cullen grew up next door to Deborah Pollard, who inspired in her a love of drawing and watercolor. Cullen’s family and the Pollards shared 40 acres of land. The two families were best friends, and they spent their time together building and creating in nature and enjoying all kinds of creative pursuits. Deborah, who was an accomplished watercolor artist,
taught Cullen from a young age how to paint and draw. “Under Deborah’s tutelage,” Cullen told us, “I learned to balance my inner-perfectionist critic with a true belief in myself as I developed a personal identity as an artist.”
Though Cullen has learned to work in many mediums, she considers herself primarily a watercolor artist. For her, working in watercolors is something that just flows. “It fits me,” she told us. “There is something so ethereal about watercolor and how it depicts the layers of color and light in life in such a unique and joyful way.” Cullen started out as a realist. In school, her aim was to represent her subjects in a way that was as lifelike as possible, possessing, even, an almost photographic quality. As she has developed her talent, she has relaxed her style and embraces the ease and fluidity that watercolor painting offers. She also feels inspired by the playful use of color, texture, and imagery that watercolor makes possible. Increasingly, she enjoys mixing mediums which offers endless project possibilities, particularly in the form of collage.
Cullen describes herself as intensely creative and sensitive, and as such she finds inspiration
in the beauty that surrounds her, whether it’s outside in nature or inside in the complexity of her own emotions. There is inspiration to be found in the ethereal and abstract nature of storytelling, or in the here-and-now world of the pets and animals that populate her more immediate environment.
For her process, Cullen usually starts out with an image, often a photograph one of her clients has provided, or it might be a picture she has taken herself or has found which provides her with her subject matter. She then draws the basic composition in pencil, setting up perspective and blocking out the angles of light. Then she begins the hard work of painting. She starts with masking liquid, which protects the parts of the painting that she intends to keep white. “A painting usually takes me several sittings as I bring the image to life layer by layer,” she told us. In between sessions, the painting gets a chance to dry. Sometimes a piece comes easily and seems to flow onto the paper as if it is manifesting itself. Other times the piece will require more sittings, a second attempt, or she’ll simply scrap it altogether.
In addition to painting, Cullen enjoys making cards, journals,
Collage Inside
OWE Arts & Culture Exhibit: Cullen Libby
by Val-Rae Lindenau
bookmarks, and she’s always learning new skills and mediums. Often, she creates for loved ones, and the reception to those gifts motivates her to keep creating. “My goal is to share some of the joy, emotion, and beauty I find in our world with others, hoping to brighten their day or help them remember a special pet, place, or moment in life.”
To learn more about Cullen Libby and to see more examples of her work, visit her website at https://cullenlibby.square.site/
OWE Arts & Culture exists to highlight the diverse range of talent among Danville’s creative community and to provide opportunities for that community to come together.
photos courtesy of Cullen Libby
THE POET’S CORNER
How she sings me
by Barry Koplen
photo by Barry Koplen
Listening to Suite Judy Blue Eyes, thinking of her, her Judy-like brown eyes, her questions that claim my feelings as if images stuck in her mirror. My shell of truth has been pierced by her stare, pressed into lyrics only she will record.
About Barry’s Writing:
I spent years finding my style and improving it. That will always remain a challenge. Language must be pertinent, cohesive, and energetic in order to captivate readers. Simple sentences are just as important as longer complex sentences. A well-functioning vocabulary is
essential. So is honesty.
As for poetry, that will always be one of the most challenging of the verbal arts. Poetry writing can humble any writer; knowing that has made me measure myself as a poet by this thought: a poet is only as good as the next poem he or she writes.
Thanks to Eric Chou, an amazing Chinese author (and ‘second’ father to me), I learned the most important lesson about becoming a bona fide writer: writing has to be done every day That has been my golden rule.
Send Barry a note at barry@ evincemagazine.com
(Scene: Mamie and Solly, decadeslong spouses in time, sit at breakfast in their sunny yellow kitchen.)
Solly (unfolding his napkin): Pass the salt, please.
Mamie (happily): Which one?
S (eyebrows flattening): What do you mean, which one?
M (whipping out a tray): New salts for you!
S (frowning): Why are there so many salt shakers? And why are you so happy?
M (smiling): I live to serve. Shaker #1 is a sodium-free, potassiumchloride salt. Shaker #2 is a 75% potassium salt to 25% sodium salt mix.
S (eyes narrowing): There are 3 more shakers. Am I an experimental subject?
M (determinedly): Yes. Shaker #3 has 50% potassium salt and 50% sodium salt. Shaker #4 is a 25% potassium salt to 75% sodium salt mix*. That grinder has pepper.
S (running a hand through his hair): Where’s the real salt shaker?
M (holding up her hands): I made those combinations just for you. Science evolves. Isn’t that reality?
S (sighing): Today’s reality seems to be unconventional salt shakers to use on what I now see are my unconventional, not plain, eggs.
M (innocently): Oh, you noticed the red, yellow, and green pepper chunks sticking out of your omelet?
S (staring at the omelet): Sticking out like badly-designed, melted traffic lights. Luckily, I can pick out the chunks. Why can’t I have a normal wife? What’s with all these shakers?
M (honestly): I am perfectly normal for a sample size of one. And your blood pressure has been creeping up, though you’re not on medications. Yet.
S (gesturing): Mamie, living with you causes my blood pressure spikes. So, where did this sudden obsession with salt mixes come from?
M (reasonably): I read some articles*.
S (folding his arms): Of course you did.
M: Just 14% of people world-wide get enough potassium*. I read about nearly 21,000 Chinese people with high blood pressure or stroke histories who were split into groups and followed over 4-1/2 years*.
S: …And…?
M: The test group got lower-sodium salt*. The control group used regular-sodium salt*. The lowersodium group had significantly fewer cardiovascular and kidney disease events, strokes, and deaths than the regular salt group*.
S: Boil it down for me.
M: People generally consume too
much sodium salt. That helps drive up blood pressure over time.
S (heatedly): You can’t have my iodized sodium salt. I need it so I don’t get that lumpy flesh goiter thing around my neck. I don’t want hypothyroidism, either.
M (throwing up a hand): I checked our multivitamins. They have enough daily iodine.
S (throwing up both hands): I’ve used iodized sodium salt my whole life.
M: Hypertension – high blood pressure – is the number one killer world-wide*. Your blood pressure is rising as you age. Using a potassium salt mix significantly reduces blood pressure*.
S: Like how?
M: Potassium helps the kidneys eliminate sodium, acts like a diuretic, and relaxes blood vessels*. Vessel dilation allows more blood flow* at lower pressure. A bit more potassium in your body helps shed extra sodium*.
S: You’ve been reading too much. Why four shakers?
M: Choice is a satisfier. You get to choose which one tastes best. It’s a win-win. And you get all the pepper you want.
S: I get all the pepper I need being married to you. What if all those salts taste the same?
M: The all-potassium, no-sodium salt tastes metallic to me*. I would
Salty Tale
(A
Mamie and Solly Story)
by Linda Lemery
use the potassium salt percentage that tastes the best. We’ll tell our doctors since taking certain other medications could influence potassium levels*.
S: You made up these shakers just for me?
M (smiling): I want you around for as long as I can have you. And I’ll use them, too.
S (dusting a shaker gingerly over the omelet): Are you still going to put tri-colored peppers in my eggs?
M: Educating your palate means trying new things.
S: We’re educating my palate, too?
M: Give me a millimeter, I sneak in a fresh vegetable. Bell peppers are small, additional sources of potassium*.
S (gingerly biting into the omelet): You’re a monster, Mamie, about nudging me toward healthier living.
M (fondly): Seriously, do your research. Make up your own mind. And that’s monstress to you, buddy-boy.
References* Lawton, Graham. The Salt Fix. New Scientist. 08 June 2024: 33-35.
Letter to the Editor. Extra potassium in the diet isn’t for everyone. New Scientist. 29 June 2024: 29.
Potassium in Peppers: The Fact and Fiction. https://pepperscale.com/ potassium-in-peppers/. Last accessed 2024-07-24.
About the author: Linda Lemery llemery@ gmail.com welcomes reader comments..
“Waving and Bobbing!”
by Mack Williams
I’m starting out this article in the past, giving it some background for the present.
Since moving to Danville some years ago, I’ve paid my light bill at The Charles H. Harris Financial Center. I guess I’m behind the times by not saying, “electric bill,” (and on a related note, I also refer to a movie theater as a “picture show”).
In joining the people leading up to the tellers handling the payments, I always counted myself lucky if my chance position in line put me at the window of a lady there with beautiful white hair and a sweet smile.
But just before reaching her counter, I beheld “moving things” (but not those Indiana Jones “Effendi, why does the floor move?” kinds of things).
It wasn’t her counter which was “moving” but instead, the items she had lovingly placed there — cute little solar cell toys!
It was an extensive collection. My late Aunt Lotus Abshire had an extensive collection of salt and pepper shakers (but they didn’t move unless you shook them).
Upon her counter were plastic dancing flowers with plastic dancing petals. There were also plastic dancing penguins, plastic dancing ducks, plastic dancing birds, and plastic dancing “etcetera!” Plastic gets a bad rap (no pun); but these little things looked too sweet for such treatment.
I almost forgot, there were also “bobbing blooms” (which, if said too fast and “Spoonerized,” might get all mixed up into something embarrassing).
These, of course, were the “cute” animals, not the dangerous ones. Pictures of their living versions are often posted and shared on Facebook, eliciting exclamations of, “AWW!” (not “EWW!” or “UGH!”).
And I don’t think she was pushing solar power. I really think she was
pushing “cute power.”
As a child, my “solar toy” was a Crookes Radiometer; its vanes were powered by sunlight in a different sort of way. Instead of looking “cute,” it looked “science”(what else? It was invented by Sir William Crookes, of cathode ray and Crookes Tube fame). My son, Jeremy, still has his (Crookes radiometer, not a Crookes Tube).
This particular “light-bill lady” retired several years ago, and I wondered what had become of her.
Now, back to the present:
As I was pausing at the intersection of Danville’s Parkway Drive and Piedmont Drive, waiting for the light to change, a SUV or truck (moving so fast I couldn’t tell “just which”) came flying through the intersection.
My perception of the vehicle’s make and model was thrown off by something inside it, which grabbed my attention more. The complete top dash (driver and passenger sides)was filled to the brim with little solar cell toys of the same sort as those I used to see on that white-haired lady’s counter at the Charles Harris building.
I’ve seen the “dash-riding duckies” before, but this wasn’t them. They don’t flap.
I barely caught a glimpse of the driver, but she did have a passing (a very “speedily passing”)
resemblance to the lady who had formerly taken my light bill payments.
I wondered if the police would consider such a moving multitude of things in the driver’s line of sight to be “visual hazards.” But some people also use the tops of their dashboards as a “roll-top-desk,” in order to “file” letters, bills, etc. (although those things don’t wave back-and-forth and bob up-anddown at you).
I had wondered how the “light-bill lady’s” retirement was going; and perhaps I now know.
I thought back to her solar cell toys, moving gracefully and leisurely in the artificial light of the Harris building. And I reflected upon a video I had seen, where someone had taken these same kinds of little solar cell toys out into the bright sun, their motion and measured energy being increased several-fold.
Still, if a great multitude of these little “solar cell flowers and critters” could be hooked up to pool their energy, I don’t think there would be enough to power or “supercharge” an automobile.
Yet in my mind’s eye, I see pistons churning, “leaves waving,” “wings flapping,” and “blooms bobbing,” all in synchronization!
But surely, such a contraption is beyond the bounds of possibility.
Surely?
Afriend tasted the red Italian wine Amarone (ama·ro·ne) a couple of years ago and still speaks of its delicious flavor. I’m not surprised. Amarone is an Italian wine classification for typically rich dry red wine made from the partially dried grapes of the Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella variety.
Valpolicella, the source of Amarone, is in the province of Verona, within the large Veneto region of Northern Eastern Italy. In Italian, the name Amarone literally means ‘Great Bitter’ (but it is not bitter); initially, this was to distinguish it from the Recioto wine produced in the same region but is sweeter.
There are two other wine categories from Valpolicella. Valpolicella, the wine from Valpolicella, is made like most other red wines and is a blend that usually has Covina as the dominant grape variety. And there is Ripasso, a red wine made from the refermented dried skins of grapes that were crushed for Amarone. Which brings me back to Amarone.
It is the preparation of grapes before crushing that makes
Amarone unique. The preparation process is called Appassimento (Appassi’mento); you may see it used on the wine bottle. The harvested grapes were dried on bamboo racks or wooden crates for about 120 days. This drying process reduces the water in the grapes, thus concentrating flavors. After fermentation, the wine must undergo a period of aging of at least 2 years (calculated from 1 January of the year following the harvest) in oak barrels. This process gives Amarone its intense flavor and high price tag. But oh, is it delicious. Bear in mind that this process increases the amount of grape sugars fermented into alcohol, and the wine can have an alcohol percentage approaching 15%. Remember, moderation, moderation, moderation.
The unique flavors of Amarone are a blend of black cherry, blackberry, and dried fruit, accompanied by hints of dark chocolate and coffee. This flavor profile makes Amarone a match for meaty dishes containing tomato sauce or rich, savory ingredients like pasta with meat ragú or mushroom risotto. In fact, there’s a dish served in NE Italy
Amarone
A Treasure from Northern Italy
by Dave Slayton
called Risotto all’Amarone that is made with this wine. I hope one day you and I will have the
chance to savor this unique dish. Cheers!
photo by Dave Slayton
Movies You Missed from 20 years ago
by Josh Lucia
Saw (7/10 Rating)
Released October 29, 2004
Streaming on Hulu & Max. For rent/purchase on all major platforms.
Genre: Splatter Horror, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
R: Strong Grisly Violence and Language
1h 43m
Director James Wan (Insidious, The Conjuring, Aquaman) and Actor Leigh Whannell wrote the script for this movie after graduating from film school. They produced a low-budget short and received enough attention with it to make Saw. This film is considered one of the most profitable horror films of all time and has led to 9 other movies in the series. There are some decent storylines and other great horror elements in some of them, but this one stands alone. Perchance. I watch a lot of horror movies and tend to rate them within the genre, but I consider this a good film outside of just the genre. There is a lot going on and while it definitely pushed boundaries with the various torture devices involved, this is a great thriller and mystery. It does not always have the best acting and the dialogue may be cringy at times, but the story is constantly moving and revealing more interesting elements. It grabs you by the ankle from the open and never lets go…unless you choose to use a hacksaw to escape. We had not seen much like this since Se7en was released 10 years prior. We also got introduced to not one, but two horror icons: Jigsaw himself and the puppet. Jigsaw is already given a lot of depth in this movie and that puppet stays creeping through
my nightmares on its little tricycle. Plus, we all got to go around asking our friends, “Do you want to play a game?” and “Did you seesaw?” I still do. This movie earns its R rating, so if you don’t like gore, stay far away. If a little blood just makes you crave steak and you like hanging out in old dirty warehouses, revisit Saw. It is probably not a Movie You Missed, but if you’re younger and only familiar with the sequels, you need to give the original a good watch and ignore the others.
Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon) and Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride) up the talent, although Elwes’ makeup late in the film makes his performance a little easy to laugh at. Of course, that is just before the ending kicks into high gear and that badass theme song plays. What a time to be alive! I hear most people are so ungrateful to be alive. Not me. Not anymore. Be sure to check out Wan’s Malignant if you want a wild throwback to 80s horror. That is, if it’s one you never…Saw. I’ll handcuff myself to a pipe now.
Also released in October 2004: The Grudge, Ray, Sideways, The Incredibles, The Machinist, Friday Night Lights, Shall We Dance?, Ladder 49, I Heart Huckabees, Team America: World Police (follow @jlucia85 for these reviews and more)
