Can I change the world? That is the question I want to put to myself and to other writers in my re-boot of THE BIG QUESTION series at Letters from a Small State this month. Why this question? Because it leads to so many questions! Is the American experience rapidly becoming a series of knee-jerk…
I’ve been on an emotional roller coaster lately. Like many people (read: everyone) I know, I eat to feel “better.” Lately, the go-to food of choice for easing emotional bumps is the Cinnamon Crunch Bagel from Panera. — I accidentally remembered that Panera existed recently when I started going to the gym the next town…
a Guest Post by A-Lotus French fries—the crispy deep gold covered with a lightly scattered dusting of salt. Their warmth as they spill out of the box—all dipped in a Rorschach pool of ketchup. Waffle shaped, tightly curled and sprinkled with a bit of pepper. Or just like pocky sticks—straight and tall with a soft crunch…
A Guest Post by Angela Chenus Food is a lot like love in our house, really. There are dual forces butting up against each other with a surround sound of other voices chiming in with votes no one gave them. That would be the five children. Giving my child PB & J sandwiches after an…
The orchid and its splitting leaves Sat drying out on the Tank of our toilet for a Year, uncomplaining about The noise, and the sheetrock dust, but, Most of all, The proximity to the Water it desired but could not Taste. Me and the orchid eyed Each other every damn day. Well, that is, what…
A BIG QUESTION Guest Post by Krista Richards Mann — I love cooking. Starting in grade school, my mother let me make dinner for the family once a week. The first recipe I remember learning was something she called salmon patties. We removed small vertebras from a can of salmon with our fingers, mixed the…
I really love Cheetos. That dusty, cheesy goodness reminds me of… well it doesn’t remind me of anything. Other than MORE Cheetos. The puffy ones are particularly good. — Remember when “baked” became all the rage in snack food. I remember that. I remember when Kentucky FRIED Chicken morphed into KFC… now they even had…
Guest Post by Jennifer Lee I watch my farmer-husband cut the onion, in the same methodical way that he carves rows into fields each spring. Outside, shadows stretch long across the yard. My man’s stalk-stubbled fields hibernate under snow. His hands crave work, even when acres sleep. He had announced it to the whole car on…
Here’s a kickin’ “What is Eating You?” guest post by M.A. Brotherton — I have an unhealthy relationship with food. I do, it’s true. It’s a by-product of growing up in suburban United States with parents that were both fairly poor themselves in their youths. I never really had a chance to even learn what it really…
In March, the BIG QUESTION is this: What is eating you? Food: that thing which fuels our bodies. But it’s so much more than that to us. It’s our friend and our enemy. In the month of March, during the season of Lent and leading up to Passover, I’m thinking about food. I know you…
We had a potluck at church last evening. Leading up to the dinner, the kids asked: “What is a potluck?” and we delved into the realm of American food tradition, as well as word etymology! A fun lesson for 6 year olds! The conversation — and the many crock pots at dinner — inspired me…
Number four child was TRYING to whisper in Jolly Old St. Nick’s ear at the Santa Village when she was interrupted. Elf: “WHICH PHOTO PACKAGE DID YOU BUY?!” the elf barked at us. Me: “We haven’t chosen one yet,” I said. “We wanted to get in line before it got too long.” Elf: “WHAT?! Well,…
When I lived in Kansas City, I was single. This meant that I spent a great deal of my energy and mind space being frustrated and unhappy about my “alone”ness. Like most young women (and men too, I guess), I really wanted to find someone special to connect with, to be with, so long as…
(This is a guest post from Paul Merrill, part of the If Only in My Dreams: Big Question Series.) Christmas means different things to different people. After 22 years of marriage, Heather and I are finally understanding how much our families influenced how we enjoy holidays. How many presents are under the tree? Do you…
— Part of the December “If Only in My Dreams” series. Thanks.
