by Maggie O’Farrell — Surely, it’s my lucky time — to have read two books this month, both published in 2010 and so, so very different. Was 2010 just a special time, or am I late to the party? Probably the latter. But discovering The Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie O’Farrell was…

March 8, 2023 —

Early March 2023 — We sit, stand, and maybe crouch, gyres of spring Twisting, turning, exploring new growings. Yup, ayuh, here we are — that time when the sap begins to climb. Warmer days and cooler nights. It’s almost as if the earth, the ground which has been frozen for so long, has resuscitated…

Funny, I’ve never ever felt compelled to write, and especially to write a book review. But here I am, making notes and observations about a book written in 2010. Does that fact make it irrelevant? Either the book or the review? Maybe both? And, it’s after midnight. And, and, it’s…

Poll Closes on March 10 — The Screech March 1, 2023 Well, I’ll be… hoooooting! Screeeeeching! We published the nominations for Readers’ Choice Awards last week. Hoot Hoot. And this week we publish the link to the survey where you can vote. Hoot Hoot. It can be found at Readers' Choice Awards - The Howling Owl To celebrate our first year, we are sponsoring a Readers Choice Awards program. Like everything else at The Howling…www.allcounted.com

February 14, 2023 — The Hoot and Screech What? Wait? Are you sure? Can this be real? The Howling Owl celebrates its first birthday in a few weeks. Whoood-a-thought? So, this issue of The Screech has three main points. First, to celebrate the first anniversary of The Howling Owl, the editors will offer a…

Valentine’s Day 2023 — Yes, here it is, almost Valentine’s Day — flowers and chocolates, ice and snow. While it hasn’t been a demanding winter, save for one brutal cold snap and broken pipes across the region, I am reminded of winters past during my daily walks with Bella. On “the farm” as we…

Hot Damn — It’s cold on Ground Hog Day — They tell us that if the groundhog sees his shadow today, we will have six more weeks of winter. They even have a subject to test this theory — good old Punxsutawney Phil, which they will wake up in a few hours to see if he sees his shadow. …

Haiku —