Useless Old Woman? By Suzanna Leigh and Marj Watkins Every once in awhile Marj Watkins says, “Oh, I should write something for The Loop.” She has been writing her “Island Epicure” column since the 1970s and only quit when she reached age 100. I remind her, “I told them you are retired. You don’t have…
November 2025, Recipes
Thanksgiving Recipes
By Pam “Gates” Johnson Soft Dinner Rolls My daughter-in-law Sarah loves these rolls. I make them for her every few weeks. Ingredients 1 cup warm water2 tbsp soft butter1 egg3¼ cups bread flour¼ cup sugar1 tsp salt1½ packages dry yeast (about 3 tsp) InstructionsIn warm mixing bowl, mix water, yeast, and sugar and let set…
November 2025, Poetry
Poems From “Grief Age Love”
The Language of Home In the room at the top of the houseUnder the madroneShe listens for stories the ancient tree tells.She hears the tree sing and growl and moan and howl.Those who have come before reappear and take their placeWoven into the place she calls home. “Please come close” they say.We want to tell…
November 2025, Photography
Oscar The Birdman
By Claudia Hollander-Lucas Photo by Claudia Hollander-Lucas
November 2025, Poetry
Leave Open the Doors of the House
By Jo Ann Herbert I came in the spring It’s fall now and time for going Help my body to lie under the Redwoods right here on the pile of golden needles so golden the light, so quiet yes, right here don’t worry about the rain soon I will be gone turn my palms up…
Entertainment, November 2025
The Observant Frog’s Log
By Alex Soriano The Observant Frog’s Log by Alex Soriano
Island Voices, October 2025
Treat or Trick
By Seán Malone and John Sweetman Our assignment this month from The Loop editors was to write a “spooky” Halloween story. Now normally we do not take story “assignments,” but this seemed a quite reasonable request since we were running low on story ideas, and a little additional “direction” came just in time to forestall…
Legends of Vashon, October 2025
Legends of Vashon: His Night Out
By O.S. Van Olinda One afternoon in early September 1895, Mr. Lehmann started out from Seattle in his little sloop, having with him his pretty little three-year-old daughter. He intended sailing over to Vashon Landing, tying his boat up there and walking across to visit his brother John, who at that time owned the farm…
October 2025, Photography
October Photos
By Claudia Hollander-Lucas September 29 on the way back from the hutch we stop at the grocery store full of Dia De Los Muertes decorations, and, oh, the bins full of tiny ghost pumpkins – boo! Late Sept – Popular Day of the Dead Decorations Everywhere. Photo by Claudia Hollander-Lucas These Cacti Look Too Much…