Still Time
Snot Bubbles
The killing frost holds off, politely, until October 5. The tomatoes have stopped ripening, and Grace prepares a big lunch of fried gre...
Uncle Dad
Labor Day
"I was afraid to ask." Henry is on his knees, prowling for weeds in a garden teeming with late-season bounty. The tomatoes...
Ladies’ Night
August
A Hiram Road summer tradition is Ladies' Night, in which the gentlemen of the road host the fairer sex for an evening repast....
The Din of Honeybees
August
"Do you need a hat? How about sunscreen? The sun is strong today, but it's nice that it's not too hot."
"No, I'm fine. It'...
Rinker’s
July
"No fries for me, I'll just eat hers." Lorette gives her lunch companion an innocent, closed-mouth smile, complete with an ...
The Arrival of Quinn
July
The doors slide open to the security area of Delta Air Lines, and Quinn appears. Briefly serious, her face breaks into a broad...
Willie Boye Arrives
June
Willie Boye travels light. He carries his guitar (no case), his bedroll, and a small backpack mostly for guitar paraphernalia. ...
Little Ray
June
The solstice sun hovers above the ridgeline, bathing the backyard at The ’Stead in a honeyed light. A breeze rolls down off the...
The Vernal Kaboom
May
The sun is bright, but the wind is gusty. White clouds are streaming past.
"The soup's good," says Henry. He and Grace, weari...
How John Steinbeck Actually Wrote East of Eden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqVoIQ5UsT8
https://jillianhess.substack.com/p/how-john-steinbeck-actually-wrote
“A good wri...