Tag: Julie Johnson
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Backtracking to the Woods
We had a decision to make: go through or backtrack and find another option. Because of our disinterest in trudging through winter-cold water, soaking our shoes and socks, and possibly catching pneumonia (says my mom’s voice in my head), we backtracked and hoped for another, better, drier path. If you are hoping this is an…
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Lettuce and Peas, Please
Here’s a bright idea: Bookmark this page for updates throughout the season — words + photographs JULIE JOHNSON — Today’s the day, or so says my mom’s printed copy of the 2023 The Old Farmer’s Almanac. If I am to plant lettuce and peas under moon-favorable conditions and timing and all, it’s now or wait…
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Move. That. Rock.
When I noticed this barely-outta-the-ground crocus lifting a *heavy* rock into the air, my mind began racing with all the motivational, inspirational, you-are-stronger-than-you-think-you-are words I could type. WHAT IF, I thought, what if I shifted the idea a smidge and said instead, “You are stronger than you’ve been led to believe”? Like, let’s kick all…
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Miracle On Cherokee Street
I received my only pairs of legwarmers, one pink and one purple, from my sister Pam. She had been so excited to give them to me; she couldn’t wait until Christmas. Routinely, before we fell asleep in her bed, we would eat candy bars, Butterfingers and Skors. I was the first to know her baby…
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PLANTED: Spoon Tomato
Sources tell me the spoon tomato is the tiniest tomato of all. Seed reviewers note the overabundance of fruit overloading the plant, the space around the plant and the time given by the grower to pick the small, little salad toppers. Psshhh*. I hesitate to bring up the drought and 100 degree temperatures we dealt…
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From the Editor: Used People, Danger: Ripe Tomato, Planted: Cherokee Sunset Rudbeckia, Jumajo Writing Company
Used People A few nights ago, I finished reading The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom, Holland’s first licensed woman watchmaker, born to a watchmaker dad who was born to a watchmaker dad. After her mom passed away and other siblings moved out, she lived in the family home with her older sister Betsie and…
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From the Editor: Out of Control, Big Meats, Fassnight Creek Farm, China Jade Cucumber, Write Your Story, Jumajo Writing Company
Out of Control We were visiting my grandparents who lived in rural Missouri, close to the Arkansas border. The small town was one in which McDonald’s caused a big stir when it staked its claim. Growing up, my grandparents were either raising cattle or renting their land for cattle. My grandfather served our country, our…
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From the Editor: Eyes on Me, Butterfly House, Planted
Eyes on Me It was the house that would not sell. It was no longer a home, with the highway in the front yard. It wasn’t seen by potential buyers as a business because, well, it looked like a family should be eating together inside. And the year was 2008. My parents didn’t want to…
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A short story written by Julie Johnson based on the March #WordPrompt #Bridge by WordPress.com. Noelle Sampson’s tears were staying in place but threatening to fall again. She and her boyfriend of almost-but-not-quite 1 year:7 months:12 days broke up 2 months:8 days:20 hours:27 minutes ago. The way she tells it, he did the breaking. Noelle’s…
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Long Live Love
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I…
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Amish Paste Tomato
Amish Paste Tomato I don’t like to eat tomatoes as a side or in a salad. I eat cooked tomatoes in dishes. Until last summer, I grew them in my garden to make others happy: family, neighbors, chiropractor. I grow to give.
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Which Hazel?
Which Hazel? Witch Hazel. Last summer, I read about how witch hazel can be an effective reliever of itchy, annoying, aggravating bug bites. Since I am a dream buffet to mosquitoes and chiggers alike, I gave it a whirl. It did assist in helping reduce itching, though I still woke up some nights irritated at…
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Lead Yourself Better
Answer me honestly; no judgment here: Do you ever sneak a peek at the advice columns in the newspaper? I do once in awhile. I find the questions posed are easier answered than happenings in my own, real life. For example, I read a column recently where the writer’s boyfriend had called her a “boring…
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As we wait
While working toward my master’s degree at Missouri State University, I had the great privilege of being a graduate assistant/writer in the Publications office. It was a dream job with dream co-workers who were extremely talented and willing to share their expertise with me. Even mundane tasks, such as organizing a samples closet, were exciting.…
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Do Hard Things. Allow them to shape your gratitude.
The night before my family adopted the 10-week-old German Shepherd/Chow Chow puppy, the bully-of-a-neighbor kid jumped our wood fence and did damage to the backyard. (And I think, maybe, our toy poodle.) We went to high school together and started out as friends, but he made a turn for the worse and began saying mean…
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Big Rainbow Tomato: The Giving Food
At the end of October, before the rains came, I loaded up another bunch of ripe Big Rainbow tomatoes, as well as several green, ready-for-frying tomatoes. I walked up the street past the green-leaved redbud trees, marched through the still-green grass, climbed the back deck steps and met my neighbors at the door. I handed…
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Safely Dispose of Drugs
Last issue, I wrote about taking over responsibility for my dad’s medications. When it was time to dispose of it all, I had no idea what to do. I had read drugs (legal and otherwise) were ending up in our waterways, causing health issues for the entire food chain, including you and me and our…
Homegrown Journal 