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Welcome to the September edition of Kudzu Monthly, a noncommercial literary ezine that celebrates southern culture - wherever it's found. August is a time of relaxing, hotdogs, and vacations, and, for some of us, new beginnings and new employments. As a result, this September issue is a little late. We apologize for our tardiness, but we'll be back in October with another all-new issue. Please remember that 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. |
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Oh, the Wounds He Wore, Tom Sheehan writes concise, patriotic stories with memorable, quirky characters and satisfying story lines. As a frequent contributor to this magazine, he knows that we've come to expect good stories, and this is another one. It's about a humble, gentle fellow who generally doesn't say much and a loud, boisterous type of fellow who always says too much. As is often the case in Tom's stories, it's about valor unrecognized and sacrifice unredeemed. When these are brought together and resolved, we have a ripping good read, and a very special kind of story that only Tom Sheehan could write. Enjoy.
The Grass Fort For many of us, there's a certain time in our youth that we look back on as a period of major change. The phases of our life as we struggle for maturity may change like the onslaught of a summer thunder storm, or they may pass quietly, unnoticeably like the seasons until one day we look back and realize that just yesterday was summer. These are the stories of our coming of age, and it's the rare writer who can capture these half-forgotten, yearned for memories. Pennsylvania author and writing teacher Charles Lanigan has captured and preserved this anxious time for us in this, his "Grass Fort." Please read it and see if you agree.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "Woman, wife, worker, writer" is how Lisa Binkley describes herself in her bio. To that we would add "friend, editor, and smart woman." She finds time in her hectic life to create these meaningful health articles for us, as well as write terrific fiction, edit fiction for Kudzu Monthly and another web-based ezine, and be mother to two kids. Each month, we wonder what she has in store for us, and we've never been disappointed. In this article, she looks at post-traumatic stress disorder in the context of, not Viet Nam or other wars, but the September 11th terrorist-induced disaster.
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The Inmates Are Running the Asylum Tina Blue is another favorite of ours. She's an English teacher at Kansas University who writes ably about a variety of topics. Here in Kudzu she writes about what she knows best - our educational system. Now, in September, when school systems nationwide are gearing up to take in our youngsters, her observations are doubly valuable. Something is very, very wrong with education in America, and the schools are not the problem. Is it too late for America's youth? Tina says no, but education, and the educable attitude, must begin at home. Read Tina's article to get an expert opinion from a professional, experienced educator.
 Harley Honeymoon Gloria Froebel is not a professional writer, but that doesn't mean that she can't tell an excellent, articulate story from her own experience. Charmingly, this is the story of her 1953 honeymoon with a handsome red-headed sailor. Other than love, all they had between them (and under them) was Howard's prized Harley. Folks, last month we gave you Barbara Pybas, and now we present Gloria Froebel. These are real stories told by the people who lived them. If you want more articles like this, please leave a comment for the author and tell us about it in the guest book. We're all counting on you to shape the direction of this ezine. ("Klick the Kudzu" above to leave a comment in the guest book.)
Secret Hunt We announced last month that Texan Loren Moore has agreed to become a regular columnist for Kudzu Monthly. He has a supply of entertaining articles that he has been writing for his friends and family, and he's given us access to them all. Kudzu poetry editor Louise Harper, whose publishing concern, called TwinOaks Publishing, has produced several of Loren's published books, has agreed to edit and supply Loren's work to Kudzu Monthly. In this issue, we bring you four of Loren's shorter stories. He's a natural-born story-teller, so we're delighted to present four very short true stories by Loren Moore. (And talk back, folks, we need to encourage Loren if we want to keep him.) |
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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! |
