About Stardust and Scar Tissue: Rambles, Ruminations, and the Search for an Authentic Culture of Life

Through the pandemic, political turmoil, and economic and spiritual strife, Mick Scott, editorial page editor of the Winston-Salem Journal, worked to keep hope alive among the regular readers of his opinion column. Appealing to their natural kindness as well as intellect, reason, and conscience, he encouraged them to resist fear and cruelty, reject despair, respond to challenges with compassion, and to take refuge in the knowledge that better days were ahead. Whether traveling North Carolina to find hidden cultural gems or sitting in nature with his beloved wild companions, he inspired readers not to endure, but to thrive. The ideas Mick shared in these short (sometimes humorous) essays are as reliable and meaningful today as they were when written. Sit back and rest. Share a conversation with friends. We still have a ways to go, but together, we will get there. 

Stardust and Scar Tissue:
Rambles, Ruminations, and the Search for an Authentic Culture of Life

I’ve always appreciated Mick Scott’s columns for their honesty, their earnestness and their grace. What a pleasure.

— Allen H. Johnson III, Executive Editorial Page Editor, Greensboro News & Record and Winston-Salem Journal

Whether shaming political extremists or extolling the virtues of friendly foxes, Mick Scott’s opinion columns in the Winston-Salem Journal were always well-written, rational and entertaining. While timely and of-the-moment when first penned, these essays stand the test of time by virtue of Scott’s graceful prose and clearly reasoned positions.

— Lynn Felder, North Carolina-based poet, playwright and journalist

What a lovely collection: Mick Scott’s newspaper columns were a balm to the soul in a grinding era of political turmoil and perpetual stressors. He approached challenging issues with kindness, compassion and humility. He weaves gentle stories influenced by nature, travel, foxes and a love of diners and ice cream into deeper, evergreen messages resonant with the heart.

— Dr. Cyndi Briggs, College of Social and Behavioral Health, Walden University 

Mick’s writing is grounded in a particular place: Winston-Salem, North Carolina. His relaxed, conversational style invites readers into his world while challenging them to look at things from a fresh perspective. As the rest of humanity yells insults across a gaping political chasm, Mick invites everyone to join him on quiet excursions to out-of-the-way places and explore new ways of seeing.

— Eddie Huffman, author of John Prine: In Spite of Himself