Dogpatch Violas They gather like shy congregants along the forest path, these purple-hooded witnesses to my passing. Dogpatch Violas, their petite faces turned slightly downward as if in quiet contemplation of the earth that birthed them. They remind me of those childhood moments when I would lie face down in the grass looking for life … Read more
The first time it happened, I mistook it for allergies. A peculiar tingling along my cheekbones during the full moon, nothing more. But when I woke up the next morning and found actual whiskers sprouting from my face like delicate antennas, I knew something extraordinary had begun. They were golden brown with black tips. Unmistakably … Read more
The Quiet After The Quiet After When a sleepless widow drives to Black Canyon to scatter her husband’s ashes and then end her life, an unexpected encounter with a teenage suicide whisperer forces her to reconsider if her final destination might actually be the beginning of her journey. Amy E. Lilly Copyright 2025 Fade In: … Read more
March is Women’s History Month. It’s a time when we look at the accomplishment of women throughout history. As a writer, I create women characters, so today I’m reflecting on the difference between men and women. Many years ago, when I was an undergraduate, I had a close friend who devastated me with one comment. … Read more
I died the summer of 1976. Thank God it didn’t stick. I blamed The Brothers. That’s what I called them. They were a collective rather than singular beings. I often tattled on them for using me for live target practice with their Daisy Red Ryder. I could have lost an eye. My stuffed polar bear … Read more
A short story for the annual NYC Midnight Short Story contest. I was assigned comedy/out-of-body experience/landscape architect. I think I ended up writing a satire which is a form of comedy, so I don’t know what the judges will think; however, I am happy with the result. A Picture Perfect Life Captain Billy eased back … Read more
I’m deep in the winter doldrums as we brace for another round of storms here in Virginia. My husband and I spent yesterday afternoon getting firewood for the woodstove in the event we lost power again. I made a mental note that any farmhouse we purchase when he retires must have a large, working fireplace … Read more
On Monday, the Fredericksburg region received a foot of heavy, wet snow. It caused trees to snap and a fifty-mile backup on I-95. People were trapped in their cars overnight in plummeting temperatures. Here on our little homestead, we didn’t have power for two days, but the dogs and cats snuggled with us and became … Read more
I love to craft. I crochet, spin yarn, weave, make stuff… My creations don’t always turn out, but they satisfy my need for a creative outlet I often use the repetitiveness of crochet and spinning to brainstorm ideas for my novels or my plan to take over the world. While not everyone wants to write … Read more
This past month I’ve been teaching research to fourth and fifth graders. I have each of them choosing a topic they have a passion for (sports, social issue, art, etc.), and then they learn more about their topic using the internet, databases, and books. Their final project must be a creative representation and two minute … Read more