By Daniel Hooker I watch our Island community batten down the hatches, preparing for the ongoing storm that is a bipartisan multi-billion dollar cluster bomb of a budget. It’s dropped on the most impoverished portion of our population. I take pride in the people of Vashon-Maury Island and our determination and organized efforts to keep…
Children, November 2025
The Long Journey toward Self-Publishing the Children’s Book “Santiago’s Woodpile”
By Stephen Schildbach Santiago’s Woodpile – by Stephen Schildbach Impracticality is deciding to write and illustrate a children’s book while working a full-time job. I’ve never written a children’s book. And long gone is an illustration career that once provided my full income. I’m a full-time web designer, and have two children to support with…
Island Voices, November 2025, Recipes
The Island Epicure Retired
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…
Children, Fiction
The Story of Tomtomtidimiddletom (Part 3)
By Andy Valencia After the night of packing, the car was already racing along as the first rays of sun woke Tom up. They were going very fast, and there were countless cars around them. As Tom watched the world go by, he wondered Just how big IS the world? The answer was: very, very…
Entertainment, November 2025
The Observant Frog’s Log
By Alex Soriano The Observant Frog’s Log by Alex Soriano