Here in Northern California, with all the rain we’ve had, the landscape is bright with birdcalls, butterflies and flowers. It seems everything is alive, much like the poetry and prose we’ve chosen here. The theme for this issue is A Matter of Character. Even buildings have stories to tell, like the Sicilian ruin standing in a field of beautiful wildflowers in this issue’s photo by David Wakely.

Our contributors answered the call, giving us all kinds of characters, from two boy-coming-of-age stories, to a caregiver who smells roses that stir memories of other characters in his life, to a friendship brought to life while facing death. The heartbreaking story of a young boy in Fallen Star is haunting. Other characters are revealed by a house, a dog, a Kachina doll and a lake. Please dig in. There is some beautiful writing here. May it inspire your own characters and memories. 

Jeanne Althouse | Fallen Star

Kathryn Jordan | Agave | |A Real Thing

Kathy Andrew | That’s My Girl

Lynn Axelrod Mitchell | When We Understood | How May We Be

Joyce Kiefer | Ernie and the Small Pink Roses

Jeanie Greensfelder | California Cloudscapes

Christie B. Cochrell | Forest Avenue

Sheryl J. Bize-Boutte | What Mr. Smith Said To Mr Jones at the IHOP in Emeryville

Judy Field | The Great White Chihuahua

Terri Glass | Waiting for the Lazuli Bunting

Leah Browning | A Hot Girl with a Bad Attitude

Kary Joseph Shender | Kachina a.k.a Katsina

Tony Press | A Good Boy

Judy Brackett | Autumn Colors | Lake Tahoe, June Afternoon

Rick Trushel | Electric Twilight

Colleen West | Red Tail Down | About Faith at Point Reyes