Sunday E-dition: A Moment to Pause and Smile
By Tim Carl
NAPA VALLEY, Calif. — Before we dive into this week’s batch of reader-submitted captions and comics, a quick note from me, Tim Carl, editor of Napa Valley Features.
Some of you have told us you didn’t realize we feature a new cartoon and caption contest every Sunday — tucked just beneath the main story. (Pssst … they occasionally make a cameo in “Dan Berger’s Wine Chronicles,” too.) Each week readers can vote for their favorite caption or submit one of their own.
We’ve also heard that some folks don’t scroll far enough down in the app or email to catch our weekly summary — a simple recap of the stories we’ve run in the past seven days. Personally, I find it one of the most useful parts of our Sunday E-dition. It’s a quiet reminder of just how much ground we cover — stories I missed, stories I want to read again, stories that made me laugh or think.
And if you haven’t seen it yet, we’ve also been including a Poem of the Day — ranging from local poets such as Antonio Allegra to timeless voices like Helen Hunt Jackson (“A Calendar of Sonnets”), Ina Coolbrith (California’s first Poet Laureate) and Rainer Maria Rilke (“I Live My Life in Widening Circles”). It has become one of our quiet favorites — a breath of stillness in an often loud world.
Down in the summary section, don’t miss the weekly “Rupert” cartoon by our very own Kathleen Scavone. Her work always makes us think and — somehow — also makes us smile.
Lately, there’s been no shortage of heavy news. The economy is shaky, politics feel like trench warfare and the markets are tumbling. But despite the uncertainty and unease, there are still moments — clear, vivid, meaningful — that remind us of the beauty in everyday life.
I see it in the stars when I step outside at night.
I hear it in the voices of people comforting each other.
I feel it in the stories we publish that spark action, joy or reflection.
Even a small moment — like my recent obsession with identifying birds using the free Merlin Bird ID app — can stop me in my tracks.
So today let’s give ourselves a moment to breathe and smile.
Below you’ll find a look back at some of the best cartoon captions from 2024 and early 2025. Some are thoughtful. Some are absurd. Some hit just the right note. All were voted on by readers like you.
If you’ve never joined in, maybe today’s the day.
And to those of you working quietly, bravely and generously in our community — thank you. These are hard times. But we’re still here. Still showing up. Still telling the truth.
Now, on to the cartoons.
2025's Caption Contest Winners
“This Way?” is from “Sunday E-dition: Wild Mushroom Season,” originally published Feb. 2.
“Hot and Cold” is from, “Sunday E-dition: A Chicken in Every Pot,” originally published Jan 26.
“The Bold” is from “Sunday E-dition: New 'Tor Report' + The Broken Toe Chronicles,” originally published Jan. 5.
“High Tide” is from “Sunday E-dition: Ambulances for Ukraine,” originally published March, 9.
“Reading Virgil” is from “Sunday E-dition: Mustard Time in Napa,” originally published March 16.
“Clearing the Mind” is from “Sunday E-dition: Setting Mental Health Intentions for 2025,” originally published Jan. 19.
“This Way” is from “Capturing Light — The Quiet Art of John Paul Marcelo,” originally published March 2.
“Eye Contact” is from “Dan Berger’s Wine Chronicles: Chenin Blanc and the Invisible Renaissance,” originally published April 3.
2024's Caption Contest Winners
“Avocado Days” is from “Sunday E-dition: Generational Collaboration Can Build a Better Future,” originally published June 23, 2024.
“Robot Therapy” is from “Sunday E-dition: The AI Dilemma — Are Creatives Safe?” originally published Sept. 29, 2024.
“Belly Rubs for Life” is from “Sunday E-dition: Paws for Peace Supports Domestic Violence Survivors,” originally published Nov. 10, 2024.
“Bear Stories” is from “Sunday E-dition: Locals’ Role in the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt,” originally published Oct. 20, 2024.
“Eggplant Defense” is from “Sunday E-dition: Eggplant Abundance,” originally published Oct. 6, 2024.
“Cataso” is from “Sunday E-dition: 36th Annual Open Studios Napa Valley Kicks Off This Month,” originally published Sept. 22, 2024.
“Goose Pizza Delivery” is from “Sunday E-dition: Napa Valley's Cheese and Crust — A Family’s Journey,” originally published Sept. 8, 2024.
“Quail Carry” is from “Sunday E-dition: Back to School — Mental Health Tips for Caregivers and Students,” originally published Aug. 25, 2024.
“Dinosaur Debate” is from “Sunday E-dition: Youth in Journalism,” originally published July 21, 2024.
“More Space” is from “Sunday E-dition: Retired Judge Brings Real Napa Valley Crimes to Life,” originally published July 7, 2024.
“Landing on Your Feet” is from “Sunday E-dition: The First La Onda Festival Was a Smash Hit,” originally published June 9, 2024.
“The Secret” is from “Sunday E-dition: Napa Valley College Breaks New Ground,” originally published May 26, 2024.
“Hobby Hound” is from “Sunday E-dition: Celebrating One Year + Terry Family Band at The White Barn,” originally published May 5, 2024.
“Declutter Specialist” is from “Sunday E-dition: The Great Spring Declutter,” originally published March 24, 2024.
“Doggy Boat Load” is from “Sunday E-dition: Joann Serafini Supports Jameson Humane with Core Program,” originally published April 7, 2024.
“Kitty Artist” is from “Sunday E-dition: Yäger Galerie Hosts Sacred Icon Exhibit for Christmas,” originally published Dec. 1, 2024.
“Robot Reporter” is from “Sunday E-dition: Challenges of AI in Journalism,” originally published Feb. 25, 2024.
(Not a caption contest entry, but we love this one) “Wine Lake” is from Dan Berger's Wine Chronicles: “The Growing Wine Lake,” originally published April 11, 2024.
“Cat Connoisseur” is from “Sunday E-dition: Sipping Through the Var's Rosé Region,” originally published Aug. 11, 2024.
“Turkey Ref” is from “Sunday E-dition: Can We Be ‘Too Political?’” originally published Aug. 4, 2024.
“Two Peas in a Pod” is from “Sunday E-dition: Women’s History Month, Her Stories Discovered,” originally published March 10, 2024.
Poem of the Day
The Swing
By Robert Louis Stevenson
How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!
Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
Rivers and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside—
Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown—
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!
About the Author: Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94) was a Scottish novelist, poet and travel writer best known for “Treasure Island,” “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” and “Kidnapped.” Though plagued by illness much of his life, he was a restless traveler in search of both adventure and a climate that supported his health.
His ties to Napa Valley are well known. In 1880, he honeymooned in an abandoned bunkhouse at the Silverado Mine on Mount St. Helena, later chronicling the experience in “The Silverado Squatters.” His time there is commemorated by Robert Louis Stevenson State Park and referenced throughout the region, including a museum in St. Helena.
Today’s poem, “The Swing,” comes from “A Child’s Garden of Verses,” a collection first published in 1885. Light, playful and full of wonder, it captures the kind of simple joy that feels especially welcome right now.
Are you a poet, or do you have a favorite piece of verse you'd like to share? Napa Valley Features invites you to submit your poems for consideration in this series. Email your submissions to napavalleyfeatures@gmail.com with the subject line: "Poem of the Day Submission." Selected poets will receive a one-year paid subscription to Napa Valley Features (a $60 value). We can’t wait to hear from you.
Today’s Caption Contest
Pick your favorite caption or add your own in the comments below.
Possible Captions:
“I was going to migrate, but this backyard has room service and live music.”
“Some days, the music finds you.”
“Play ‘Free Bird’ one more time and I swear I’m starting a mosh pit.”
“I’ve stopped migrating. This kid gets better every week.”
“I just came out for acorns. Now I'm in an emotionally complex woodland musical.”
Last week’s contest results
In “Sunday E-dition: 15 Trees and Other Reasons to Get Out of Bed,” the winning caption was, “You said you wanted purpose. I brought two,” with 58% of the votes.
“If you get up now, we can beat the squirrels.”
“I scheduled your existential crisis for later. Right now, we plant.”
“You said you wanted purpose. I brought two.”
“Don’t make me bark in metaphor.”
“Hope is weird like that. You have to participate.”
Last Week
Sasha Paulsen shared her reflections on finding motivation during times of political and emotional fatigue in “15 Trees and Other Reasons to Get Out of Bed.” Drawing parallels to the Russian novel “Oblomov,” Paulsen described how adopting a rescue dog, planting trees and substituting in local schools helped her reconnect with hope and purpose. She recounted how her Siberian husky, Luz, brought joy and routine and how a spontaneous day of teaching elementary students rekindled her storytelling spirit. The class’s curiosity, especially about Napa winemaker Mike Grgich, highlighted the power of shared stories. Paulsen concluded that small acts — caring for dogs, planting trees, engaging with children — can help preserve and improve the world.
Cindy Watter, UC Master Gardener of Napa County, explored the charm and practicality of Chaenomeles japonica in “Greet the Season With Flowering Quince.” She described the shrub’s early spring blooms, minimal care needs and occasional fruit production, which she turns into chutney or jam. Watter offered propagation tips and care advice, noting the plant’s suitability as a hedge and its value to pollinators. Despite its brief bloom time, she encouraged readers to appreciate its beauty year-round. A surprise seedling in her yard illustrated the shrub’s resilience and nature’s quiet hand in the garden.
Dan Berger explored the quiet revival of a once-dismissed varietal in “Dan Berger’s Wine Chronicles: Chenin Blanc and the Invisible Renaissance.” Long overlooked in the United Stataes, chenin blanc is reemerging in Napa Valley and beyond, with more than two dozen producers now crafting drier, Loire Valley–style expressions that improve with age. Berger traced the grape’s rise and fall from its heyday in the 1970s and 1980s to its near disappearance in the late 1990s, when consumer tastes shifted to chardonnay. He emphasized the variety’s global versatility and historical value, arguing that its recent return represents a renaissance of quality and style rather than popularity. A follow-up column will spotlight top producers and how to find these wines.
Tim Carl examined the disconnect between waining visitation tax revenues and vs increasing supply lodging in “Under the Hood: The Cost of More — When Supply Outpaces Demand.” He reported that Napa County’s Transient Occupancy Tax revenues surged post-pandemic due to increased room rates, not more visitors, while occupancy and room demand have declined. Hotel supply has grown since 2019, but employment in food service and hospitality remains below pre-pandemic levels, with job losses continuing into 2025. Carl argued that price-driven growth is nearing its limit and that further expansion may not reverse stagnating demand. The data, he concluded, suggest Napa is already operating under new economic conditions that defy past assumptions.
Mariam Hansen of the St. Helena Historical Society recounted the state’s most catastrophic flood event in “Historic Napa Valley Floods.” She detailed the megastorm of 1861–62, which submerged California’s Central Valley and devastated the early state’s economy, ultimately shifting it from ranching to agriculture. Hansen tracked the local impact of floods in Napa Valley, highlighting events from 1881 through 2019 and underscoring the area's long vulnerability to high water. She chronicled the challenges and eventual success of the St. Helena Flood Project, completed in 2010 after years of delays. The project has since mitigated flood damage in subsequent storms.
Anne Ernst previewed the sixth annual Songwriters in Paradise Napa in “Weekender Encore: Small Crowds, Big Voices at SIP Napa,” The multiday event, held April 9–13, pairs intimate performances by acclaimed songwriters with wine from local producers, including a showcase of women winemakers at the Harvest Inn. Headlining is Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Gretchen Peters, known for hits such as “Independence Day,” who will be joined by longtime collaborators and other Grammy-recognized artists. Founded by Patrick Davis, SIP emphasizes storytelling and connection in intimate vineyard settings. Additional events are scheduled at Alpha Omega, Brasswood Cellars and Whitehall Lane Winery.
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Lovely pause. Thank you.
Thank you for capturing the list of NVF captions! Sheer delight!