By Lee Ann Stevens I lost my first body part soon after I turned 70, a milestone that made it hard for me to deny the advancing years. It was number 30, a six-year molar, which means it had been in my mouth since first grade, when I had just learned to read and still … Continue reading Losing #30
Pretty Is as Pretty Does
By Kim Hayes My mother and I are sitting in her living room, talking about what I can’t remember. Out of nowhere, she says, “You know, Kim, you would be so much prettier with contacts. Why don’t you wear them anymore? I’ll pay for them.” It is the fall of 2017 and I’m in New … Continue reading Pretty Is as Pretty Does
The Dark Side of Albert: Einstein and Mileva Marić, his First Wife
By David R. Topper Albert Einstein was the most photographed scientist of the 20th century. The scope of emotions depicted range from the serious to the silly: from looking like a secular saint with hands folded and deep in contemplation of supposedly solemn thoughts, to the image hanging in front of me on the bulletin … Continue reading The Dark Side of Albert: Einstein and Mileva Marić, his First Wife
Winter Competition Nonfiction Winner: “Winter” by Lily Ogden
I grew up in England. In a place that knew winter only for a brief time. Snow was a holiday, a moment that never lingered. Wet snow that soaked through knitted mittens. Hastily rolled snowmen that had grass and mud still clinging to them. A furrow left behind that quickly melted. We thought that Spring … Continue reading Winter Competition Nonfiction Winner: “Winter” by Lily Ogden
Plastic Flowers
By Charmaine Arjoonlal Vanity of vanity Vanity of vanity... All is vanity. Ecclesiastes 1:14 Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto I DODGED THROUGH the din and smells and shoppers to purchase another pair of pants. I wanted her to find me beautiful. I wanted her to love me. I’d finally have a place. In front of a … Continue reading Plastic Flowers
The Good Goodbye
By Tracie Adams I’m positive the assistant manager of the ice-skating rink was not expecting the response he got. He puffed out his argyle sweater-clad chest and squared off his petite, round shoulders as if trying to scare off a bear. His animated behavior only served to heighten the humor of the scene, so my … Continue reading The Good Goodbye
Shopping Memories
By Debra J. White I grew up in New York City during the Cold War era. The city was packed with multi-level department stores that stocked clothing, furniture, toys, linens, hats, appliances and more. There was free gift wrapping and complimentary boxes. Some NYC department stores like Bloomingdale’s were high end for the upscale shopper. … Continue reading Shopping Memories
The Hen or the Egg, Which Existed First?
By Joshua Ibirogba Before my mother thought to put diapers on me as an infant, she had put waist beads on this infant. She held me up like a trophy, it was fair she took my loud cries as a consent to the adorning—that is all babies ever do, isn't it? I am African, so … Continue reading The Hen or the Egg, Which Existed First?
Sun Tzu and Entertainment: Strawberry Panic’s Etoile Competition
By Andrew Nickerson Throughout history, Sun Tzu’s The Art of War has been used to explain numerous different outcome types. Battlefields, sports competitions, politics, and even business dealings have been analyzed/dissected via this legendary master of tactics and strategy. However, there’s one realm of reality that hasn’t been broached with this type of analysis until … Continue reading Sun Tzu and Entertainment: Strawberry Panic’s Etoile Competition
Birthday Surprises
By Roger Funston I’m watching traditional German folk dancing on my 70th birthday today (May 5, 2024) at a German social club in Sacramento, California. Men and women in traditional German garb perform the Maypole Dance. We arrive at the opening, spy an amazing display of desserts laid out on a table and go directly … Continue reading Birthday Surprises
Academy of the Heart And Mind 