By Karen Dale Even before I became a Irish fiddler, I was already a fan of Molly’s Revenge, a Celtic and Old Time trad music trio who often played the Bethel Church on Vashon. To see David Brewer dancing about under a set of highland pipes nearly as big as he was, with John Weed…
By Suzanna Leigh It was my mother Marj’s 102nd Birthday celebration, and the family were gathered around. The traditional feast was consumed, the dishes washed, and the gluten-free pineapple upside-down cake served and eaten. It was time for presents. Mom carefully, with some help, unwrapped an oddly shaped gift from daughter Jeannie – and her…
By Laura C. Lippman Dolly Driving I-90 through the dark Wyoming night summer 1972, two-thirds the way from Philly to Seattle, no one waiting at my destination, the only radio station in the whole godforsaken state was Country. I had been traveling to the beat of a different drum singing Linda Ronstadt to myself, belting…
By Suzanna Leigh My name is Puff. Well it used to be. That’s what Jackie Paper called me. Such fine times we had! Sailing the high seas, getting homage from pirates and princes. Sometimes I took him flying high over the land and we looked down at the little towns and villages below. It was…
By Daniel Hooker A child asked his father, “Can you explain what a solar eclipse is?” The father said, “No, Son.” ~ As I wake up to my first cup of dark French Revolutionary roasted coffee, I wonder if I should have another. Nah, it’s decapitated. ~ Did you hear about the parishioner who got…
In July issue’s “With Wand and Shawl: the Investiture of Vashon’s New Co-Poets Laureate,” we welcomed Iris Spring and C. Hunter Davis into this shared role. The Loop is delighted to print this poem by Iris Dawn Spring. For a Friend Sometimes I think if you. I wonder, do you think of me too? Don’t…
A Lyrical Guide to Washington State Birds Birdbrains: A Lyrical Guide to Washington State Birds, edited by Susan Rich, is a one-of-a-kind Washington State bird guide. The anthology includes original pen and ink sumi-e paintings by artist Hiroko Seki, bird fact notes, and short poems/stories/memoir. Poems/prose are bird-focused rather than human centered. The bird notes…
(Yes, it’s low-sugar, gluten-free, high-protein, and delicious) By March Twisdale What do you see in your social media feed? We all know about “the algorithm” that funnels content toward individuals, but how often do we acknowledge our role in what shows up? The algorithm is like the perfect mirror, reflecting back to us our own…