As reliably as redbuds and daffodils, hickory shad herald the coming spring. This time of year, they migrate up eastern North Carolina rivers by the thousands, anglers in pursuit, as the fresh waters of their birth beckon them home.
From Elizabeth Hudson: Stars on the Water
Our editor in chief heads to Plymouth, drops her kayak into the Roanoke River, and paddles to a stand of centuries-old bald cypress trees.
A Year in This House: Kindred Spirits
A home bar stocked with mementos keeps one writer connected to the people and places that have enriched his life.
From Elizabeth Hudson: The Sweet Life
Our editor in chief reminisces on the candies of her childhood and the seasonal delights that filled her grandmother’s candy bowl.
A Simmer of Hope
The best part of a winter weekend? A big pot of chili or gumbo, cooked low and slow. For the Ramblin’ Man, February is the perfect time for a Sunday kind of stew.
Talking Trash
An eagle-eyed explorer becomes an amateur archaeologist when the winter-bare woods across North Carolina reveal piles of cast-off tools, kitchenware, and other glimpses into long-gone homesteads.
From Elizabeth Hudson: Life’s Rich Tapestry
Our editor in chief remembers her grandmother with a needle and thread in hand, creating moments of wonder and beauty stitch by stitch.
A Year in This House: The Family Table
A lifetime of meals and math homework, of plans and projects and endless conversations, turns a modest piece of furniture into a prized possession.
Away in a Menagerie
The gift of a friendly beast, whether hamster, gecko, or goldfish, can inspire holiday joy and wonder — so long as the critter doesn’t attempt a Christmas Eve escape.
