Short Stories
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I’m Johnny Sixx, a rapper from Kentucky. At 42, I’m still not where I want to be. I was born in Louisville, where my mother was 22 and my sperm donor was 38. I miss you, pops—wherever you He’s still“out for cigarettes” after 42 years. At the age of 5, I moved to South… Read more
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I need no fortress for my safety,No ember’s glow to warm my bones,No guiding beacon through the darkness,I dance when thunder shakes the stones.I seek no proof to trust my knowing,No nods of praise to feel my worth,No final answers to life’s mysteries,From unknowns I extract new birth.My words flow honest, unfiltered,My actions stand without… Read more
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There’s a fascinating divide in today’s creator economy that rarely gets discussed openly: the gap between those who create and those who merely perform the identity of “creator.” Real creators leave a trail of work behind them. Their digital footprint consists of actual creations—videos edited until 3 AM, photographs that required dozens of attempts, essays… Read more
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The Appalachian dialect is a distinctive variety of American English spoken throughout the Appalachian Mountain region, spanning parts of states including West Virginia, eastern Kentucky, eastern Tennessee, northern Alabama, western North Carolina, southwestern Virginia, and parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania. Here are the key features of Appalachian dialect: Pronunciation Features– A-prefixing: Adding “a-” before verbs… Read more
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When you can stand tall in the face of failure,And see each setback as a chance to learn;When you can face your fears without wavering,Yet understand the wisdom in concern; When you can listen more than you are speaking,And find the truth in views you don’t embrace;When you can help another who is struggling,Without expecting… Read more
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The late June sun was bearin’ down somethin’ fierce on the old wooden dock where Jessup Reed and I sat with our lines cast into the slow-movin’ waters of Paint Rock River in Jackson County. High above, a group of buzzards circled lazy-like against the clear blue sky, their dark wings spread wide as… Read more
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Introduction: The Mystique of Buzzard DustIn the rich tapestry of American folk traditions, few substances have acquired the peculiar mystique that surrounds “buzzard dust.” This enigmatic material—associated with turkey vultures (*Cathartes aura*) and black vultures (*Coragyps atratus*), collectively known as “buzzards” in many parts of the United States—represents a fascinating intersection of natural observation, medicinal… Read more
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Definition: A metaphorical term describing a person who exhibits the intense, compulsive behaviors associated with substance addiction, but directed toward creative pursuits. Like someone addicted to cocaine, a “cokehead of creativity” experiences euphoric highs during inspired creative periods, develops tolerance requiring increasingly intense creative experiences, suffers withdrawal when unable to create, and often sacrifices personal… Read more
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Obsession typically refers to persistent, intrusive thoughts, urges, or mental images that cause anxiety or distress. Obsessions are generally: – Unwanted and intrusive– Recurring despite attempts to ignore or suppress them– Often accompanied by compulsive behaviors to reduce anxiety– Usually ego-dystonic (at odds with one’s self-image)– Can interfere with daily functioning Hyperfocus, on the other… Read more
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A few weeks ago, one of my daughters asked me about the devil’s appearance. I could tell she had picked up on some rumors about some of the things I’ve been through in my past. “The most beautiful sight you’ll ever see,” I told her, knowing that this answer barely scratched the surface. It’s… Read more
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