Author Archives: first person productions
Oh, Christmas Tree
By Faith Ellestad Yes, it’s that most wonderful time of the year. I know this because it’s cold, its December, and the neighbors have thoughtfully left clues-festive bow-bedecked evergreen swags festoon one’s porch railing, and another’s orange Halloween lights had … Continue reading
Not Always Bah Humbug
By Patricia LaPointe “Grandma, it’s time to light the tree.” “Hang on there, Charlie. We’re missing two things.” “Oh, we forgot the angel! But I don’t think there’s anything else.” “Hmm, I think there’s something we need that’s pretty important … Continue reading
AWOL
By Suzy Beal I write, it’s what I do. But recently, I went AWOL. Absent without leave. I closed the door to my writing studio and walked away. My schedule hasn’t changed for the past eleven years. I shut myself … Continue reading
How Can Death Be an Ethical Teacher?
Neil wrote this essay as an assignment for an Ethics class taught by Professor Vincent Kovoloski at Edgewood College. Neil reflected, “We read Man’s Search for Meaning and Tuesdays with Morrie. The assignment he gave was to answer the question ‘Can … Continue reading
Not sure why you’d write your family’s history? Read this.
By Sarah White I wrote this in 2013. Today, I believe just as strongly in the importance of preserving family history as I did then. “The single most important thing you can do for your family may be the simplest … Continue reading
How Now Brown Cow
By Marlene B. Samuels Of course it had to be so, my eight-year-old self reasoned. Jake, my twelve year-old brother, and I sat in the kitchen eating breakfast. That particular morning we were enjoying a special treat: the chocolate milk … Continue reading
“Never Point a Gun…”
By Jeremiah Cahill Ka-BAAM! There’s nothing like the sound and feel of an Army-issue .45 caliber handgun going off in your hand when you think the gun is unloaded. That was especially true for me when I was 13 years … Continue reading
On Turning 65
By Sarah White The first clue that this might not be purely a joy-ride was the weather. The temperature hovered at the cold edge of comfortable, wearing the jacket I had brought to Italy. The scowling clouds looked like they … Continue reading
Hair
By Paige Srickland I’m not sure why, but I have always been partial to long(er) hair. Today, when I see a friend or colleague who had lengthy or “big” hair suddenly appear with a short bob I often feel a … Continue reading
A Place That Felt Like Home
By Katherine Becklin-Johnson It rose up like a beacon on the 200 acre dairy farmstead, set in a valley near the wild Pecatonica River in the lush green unglaciated hills of Southwest Wisconsin. This simple wooden and stone structure bore … Continue reading
True Stories Well Told 