The early morning sunlight popped up over the distant Blue Ridge Mountains----------- She had always been a gardener.-------- No one remembered if it was the Lovers or the Astronomers who first noticed the stars were disappearing.-------- No hurdle is too high for God. No mountain is too steep to scale. ----- Edd the sociopath slumped in his overstuffed leather chair, glowering across the desk at his psychologist, Dr. Azabal. --------

"I can beat your son up!" Jamiel angrily exclaimed.-------- Had to even though we were told to stay off the road and not go anywhere that wasn't necessary.------- He looked like a crustacean. ----- They finally arrived closer to dusk with some berries they were informed were safe to eat----- Given all the debates about flags, memorials and white supremacy, does it sometimes feel like we're still fighting the Civil War?------ My mom was a fantastic baking teacher!--- "I've come to understand that a few stupid mistakes can wipe away everything I care about," Fessenden Wiley said ------- "Where are we headed today, sir?"------ "Yes, Maam, come on down. We have some fine cars here. -------Remember the old childhood response to bullying "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can't ever hurt me?"-------- It was a common tradition at our family's house growing up in Canada ------- My mouth aches for the taste of a sun-ripened tomato. A real tomato, full of flavor.-------- Harrison Gronitz's alarm clock heralded the arrival of morning with an irritation buzz he had come to loathe.------- I lived in constant anxiety. ------ In 2019, the New York Times started its 1619 Project-------

These are the beginning lines of fascinating stories, exciting memoirs and concerned essays. Add a few poems and a fractured fairy tale and you have an omnibus that will make you wonder, bring tears, laugh, shake your head and think deep thoughts. It's a great read! Enjoy!