Exploring the Jungle —Mary Lott

“Have you given blood yet? We could go over after band practice.” It was 1972, my freshman year of college, and the annual “Beat ‘Bama” blood drive was being held in…

Calvin, of the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip, once resolved not to make any New Year’s resolutions. He was going to wing it and see what happens. Hobbes, the tiger, then inquires…

The bonfire crackles. Tendrils of smoke waft their way into the sky, mingling with the first fingers of dawn snaking along the horizon. The faithful druids shrink back into their cowls, trying to stay…

The warm salt water lifted me up, but I let the wave pass beneath me. It just wasn’t the right one. The next wave seemed to hold more promise. I felt the energy swell…

“Mike, please come and hold the pan for me while I pour the batter in.” I wiped the sweat away from my forehead as I stood next to the large pot of boiling water.

“Wake up! It’s Christmas morning!” I shook my sister awake and we made our way to the stairs. “Are Mom and Dad up yet?” My sister signaled no and we sat down to wait…

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to thy name, … to declare your lovingkindness in the morning and your faithfulness by night.” — Psalms 92 I…

Carefully, I put my full glass of soda on the tray on my bed. Pokey, my companion and loyal canine, snuggled next to me. Sighing contentedly, he sensed that we’d be together for a…

Turning my head away from the fiend with the needle, I closed my eyes and began mentally walking down a path through a forest. I had only “taken” a few “steps” when the nurse…

“Pokey, I’m back!” I called out as I returned from shopping. I staggered backward as Pokey assaulted me — slurp! slurp! slurp! — in an effort to jump on my shoulder and lick my…