Welcome to the July, 2003 edition of Kudzu Monthly, a noncommercial literary ezine brought to you by writers seeking readers. Kudzu Monthly features the best of short stories, poetry, fine art, and informative articles on health, history, and true crime. This is a magazine for folks who like to read, and we're very happy that more than 10,800 of you chose to visit in June! Our writers, both aspiring and accomplished, contribute their work for you, so, please, if you like what you read, leave a supportive comment for the author.

Fiction

A Matter of Perspective
Jolie Howard

When Beth, furious with her husband's tardiness, decides to leave on their planned hiking trip without him, she never expects to have a life-threatening emergency in the wilderness. She must concentrate on her own survival now, but her mind begins to replay her past as she stumbles, lost, through the forest. Beth is forced to confront her death, her anger, and her regrets along the way. But as she grows weaker and less coherent, she wonders if everything is just a matter of perspective.

 

Poetry

The Poetry of Laryalee Fraser
July Poetry Feature

Kudzu Monthly would like to welcome a new poet to our readers. Laryalee Fraser slipped into a depression after her husband's death. As part of her therapy, she drew upon her community reporter background and began to experiment with poetry. This was lucky for poetry lovers. She has had two publication credits already. We're very happy to have her here.

 

She Wonders
Poetry by Patricia Cresswell

Faithful readers of Kudzu Monthly will recognize Patricia Cresswell as the author of the cover poetry on two past issues. We once described her work as "from sultry to sensitive" and "expansive to exotic." We haven't changed our opinion of her work. Enjoy.

 

History

Spike by Spike
by Brenda Ross

Shortly after America purchased Alaska from Russia, they began to eye midwestern Canada as the easiest route to their new northern holding. Meanwhile, Canada had their own vision of "manifest destiny" and that involved attracting British Columbia into their Dominion. B.C.'s price was a railroad to link them to the rest of the country, and the dream of a trans-Canadian railroad became reality. It took men of determination and vision to complete, and this scrupulously researched article will introduce you to several of them.

 

The Lost Cigars
by Lee Ennis

General Robert E. Lee issued Special Order No. 191 on September 9th 1862, and it was was signed by Lee's chief administrative officer Colonel Robert Hall Chilton. Included among the recipients was Major-General D.H. Hill. When the Confederates moved on, the Yankee 27th Indiana Infantry camped on the very same field, and it was there that Lee's orders, wrapped around three cigars, were found. Recognizing what his men had brought him, General George B. McClellan jubilantly sent a telegram to President Lincoln stating, "I have all the plans of the rebels." But Lincoln and the others knew that these "lost orders" might have been carelessly dropped... or placed there deliberately for the Yankees to find...

Health

Health Notes
Lisa J. Binkley

In a change from her usual format, Lisa Binkley addresses three different topics in her column this month. These are hepatitis, a more serious threat to healthcare workers than AIDS, Lyme disease, a seasonal malady related to tick bites, and the social and health problems associated with exposure to excessive perfume.

Nonfiction

South Florida
Fred Tribuzzo

Professional pilot Fred Tribuzzo is writing a book about his experiences visiting American places and other countries. We're glad that he is because he's very generous about sharing his insights and observations with us. Join Fred once again, as he visits south Florida and learns a little about Miami culture.

 

Ghost Lion
Loren Moore

Columnist Loren Moore has a deft touch with Southern humor, but this month he brings us something a little different. An avid hunter before he retired, he describes for us what happened when he decided to "call" a lion that had been eating his friends' goats.

 

 

The Confederate Farm Tractor Show
Lamar Stonecypher

What might a Southern fellow rather do than eat barbecue, look at antique tractors and cars, and socialize for a spell? Not much! This is Dixie, and sociability is in our genes from way back. Come learn about the tractor show at the Confederate Farm in Ware Country, GA, but please be patient. This page has a lot of graphics and may take three to five minutes to load.

 

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The Kudzu Monthly Anniversary Edition The editors of Kudzu Monthly would like to thank the story tellers, writers, poets, and artists whose talent and original efforts allowed us to stay in continuous publication for our second year. Thank you all. You were great! And we extend thanks to our many readers who often leave thoughtful, encouraging comments for our authors (and who subscribe to our once monthly email about the new issues). Want to tell a friend about Kudzu Monthly? Why not send them a customized postcard from our Kudzu Monthly Greetings page? There's no advertising, and the art is all from the covers of past issues. It's a great way to get the word out about a great, free ezine.

The Kudzu Klub is a free, secure, gated writer's work shop on the web where aspiring authors and poets can gather to post their original work and receive comments, critique, and constructive criticism from other like-minded writers, all in a friendly, non-competitive atmosphere. Are you interested in improving your writing? If so, check out the Kudzu Klub today!