Remodel

A bought for sale stilt house in the neighborhood began undergoing renovations. They would, I imagine, tear it down and start anew, once they’ve cleared its insides. The layered brick driveway became ground for trash and debris. A plastic bag holding decorative rocks. A mirror lying face up, corner shattered, jagged scars running up the glass. A piece of paper reading only: “This page intentionally left blank.”

No. 104

Punch-Down

Pummeled grapes: the floating cap of skins and stems atop the fermenting wine is submerged again in a rotating process. This deepens the flavor and color, enhances the tannins. As the sugar converts to carbon dioxide, again the solids return to the surface, and again they are punched down into the liquid, until finally the skins rest along the bottom. It's essential, some say, to the creation of a full-bodied wine. 

No. 031