The Gardener’s Prayer

George Clark

Our fava and tart endiven

Fallowed be thy bane

Thy kingdom’s sun makes roots grow long

In earth as it does in raised beds

Give us this day our daily veggies

And forgive us our pests as we forgive our weevils

Lead us not to temptation but deliver us from Walmart

For thine is the kingdom, the kale and garbanzos forever

(R)amen

George Clark, Eureka

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Zulu Time

By John Ash

September 25, 2026

By Zulu, as told to John Ash If you're unwilling to believe a dog has a story worth telling, this one isn't for you. When Dolores, John and Joe unfolded the ramp and guided me into the back of the SUV, I knew something had changed. Not just in my body, but in time itself. We were driving to Dr. Silver's offic...

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Sam the Wonder Dog

By Chuck Bushong

September 18, 2026

Our doorbell had the world’s worst clang. Interrupting my Saturday morning coffee with the newspaper made it even more annoying. Four children tall enough to see little more than my belt buckle were at the front door. The shortest, about 7, stepped forward, “Can Sam come out and play?” Sam, our wannabe black ...

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Lucy and the Movable Rock

By Rich Jordan

September 4, 2026

Lucy was a Cornish game hen, and she was brilliant. She came into my family's life in 1982, joining a long line of other non-traditional pets such as hamsters, guinea pigs, assorted birds, and even a tarantula. We always had a cat or three around, and a dog from time to time. I unabashedly admit that I was mo...

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Follow the Dog

By Michele Francesconi

August 28, 2026

The game had no rules except one: follow Duke wherever he led. Each day with Duke, my half-collie and half-German shepherd companion, was a celebration as he led me across the mountain to hidden creeks where I drank icy water with my hands. One morning, the sky turned white — no trail, no tree line, no sense ...