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Two Birds

Two Birds R.G. Mint __________ When we moved to Hillside Park, we were unaware it included an actual park. Within our neighborhood, in fact. Mr. Rollins and I hadn’t expected such an amenity on the street where we introduced our firstborn, but we thought it a godsend. Our son was…

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Ruination

Ruination Kent Quaney __________ We’re sitting out on the back deck in the Alabama spring heat, drinking iced tea, going over the plan for that evening’s reading, shouting over the savage barking of the neighbor’s dogs. Snarls and howls from the other side of the fence make it almost impossible…

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Sweeter than Sugar

Sweeter than Sugar Laila Amado __________ It begins when you turn sixteen. Two weeks after your birthday, mother signs you up for a beauty pageant. The cheap, polyester taffeta of that fishtail dress she bought for the event scroops and crumples, hiking up your hips with every step. Blue mascara…

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Winter Extravaganza, Jan ’25

Editor: Vallie Lynn Watson Managing Editor: Karris Rae Associate Editor: Taryn White Assistant Editors: Robbie Hess, Leah Joseph, Jade Turner, Meilyn Woods Interns: Ta’Mya Davis, Elaine Schroeder Natalie Popp, This Looks Like a Good Spot for a Nap, digital painting experimenting with lightings effects on mood Letter from the Editor…

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Garbage Fish

Garbage Fish Lucy Zhang __________ We only eat catfish heads when our parents aren’t around to lecture us. Ving Hung Supermarket sells them for less than $2 per pound, and they make a pleasant, fishy, but not stinky (so long as you add a handful of ginger), soup. Our parents…

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Free Pie

Free Pie Eli S. Evans __________ The red painted sign staked into the grass beside the stoplight just off the highway exit said “PIE SALE,” and the rich man followed it in the direction indicated until he came upon a long table stacked with pies set up in front of…

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Main Dishes

Main Dishes Here are some of our contributors’ favorite main dish recipes! __________ Picadillo from Sara Gonzales-Rothi“My favorite recipe is a Cuban dish that my Abuela Lidia made and that my (Norwegian!) mother has perfected.” 1.5 lbs lean ground beef2 large onions, diced (prefer yellow/sweet varietal)1 bell pepper, chopped (red,…

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Sides

Side Dishes Here are some of our contributors’ favorite recipes for side dishes! __________ “The Cottage Cheese Thing” from Angela Townsend“My mother invented it for me shortly after I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 9, when we were searching for ‘recipes’ that would be safe for me.…

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Desserts

Desserts Here are some of our contributors’ favorite dessert recipes! __________ Peanut Crackups from Shirlee Jellum“One of my favorite holiday recipes that I make every year as gifts.” 10 cups popped corn1 and 1/2 cups salted peanuts1/2 cup butter1 cup brown sugar1/4 cup molasses1/2 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon vanilla Directions:Mix…

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The Year of the Cauliflower

The Year of the Cauliflower Lucy Duggan __________ The worst Thanksgiving dish I ever tasted was a lemon and lavender cauliflower cheese baked by my Aunt Bristol. She was an excellent cook. People always said so. In fact, they said: “Whatever else they say about your Aunt Bristol, she’s certainly…

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