Literary

Island Voices, Literary, March 2024

Twinkies and a 1977 Ford Pickup

By Seán Malone and John Sweetman We were poking around the old Ford F-250 four-wheel drive three-quarter-ton pickup that Seán acquired from me about 30 years ago. It seemed to have a problem with steering. This truck still is a formidable beast, with an 8,000-pound winch and oversized custom bumpers and guards, but it was…

Good Santa vs Bad Santa
Island Voices, January 2024, Literary

Good Santa vs Bad Santa

By Seán Malone and John Sweetman As we passed by Mikey’s Fish Stand … now selling Christmas trees, naturally our conversation turned to Christmas seasons long past. Never to argue with John, but there is no “bad Santa Claus,” as he is modeled after a saint and always produces positive thoughts. Seán always argues with…

The Bear King’s Lullaby
January 2024, Literary, Poetry

The Bear King’s Lullaby

By Jane Valencia, inspired by the song “Binwag’s Lullaby,” lyrics by Debra Knodel Once upon a time, a Bear King lived in a great forest hall in the north. During summer and the time of abundance, he had many visitors to his hall – Deer, Chickadee, Raccoon, and Red Fox to name a few who…

Christmas Tree
December 2023, Literary, Poetry

Christmas Tree

By Yvonne Higgins Leach after Connie Wanek To stand tall but not in earthto survive in plastic and faucet waterto live for wearing colored lightsto ignore the four walls and no skyto show off ornaments and still be simpleto be evergreen and oxygen and holiday spiritto bless the one family who picked you. “Christmas Tree”…

Book Review – Icon: A Novel
Literary, November 2023

Book Review – Icon: A Novel

By Jane Valencia On Thursdays, I head across the water to an Eastern Catholic church where I am learning how to write (paint) icons – sacred images in the Orthodox tradition considered to be “windows into heaven.” I also happen to love juvenile and young adult fiction. Imagine my delight when I found “Icon: A…

Excerpts From “The Heart of Vashon”
Literary, October 2023

Excerpts From “The Heart of Vashon”

“The Heart of Vashon: Sharing Our Stories” is a lovingly written tribute to the Island. The stories were originally solicited for a community-building literary project of the same name spearheaded by Mary G. L. Shackelford and Shirley Ferris in 2015. The book may be purchased at the Vashon Heritage Museum, Vashon Bookshop, and Vashon Pharmacy….

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