Every year, the daffodil forces its way through dirty, hard soil only to face a cruel, cold world.

It’s going to happen and it’s going to happen soon.  The due date for Bahiyyih El-Shabbaz’s pregnancy essay, “The Parts” is Monday.  Until then, take a good hard look at this daffodil.

Or…catch up on the podcast “Hauptsturmführer Soren” by Dan Klefstad.  This short story has strong language in it, but my kids have listened.   If you want to read along, you can find this story in the current edition of The Rockford Review.

“Hauptsturmführer Soren” is my eight-year old son’s favorite episode of “The Guardian” series because it is about how Soren Fillenius becomes a vampire in the first place.  I was with Angelo when he was listening. It was so fun to see him realize what was happening between Soren and Fiona.  It reminded me of the excitement I felt when I first learned about vampires.  I was about the same age as my son, but the year was 1978 and my exposure to vampire culture was through the film, “Love at First Bite” starring George Hamilton and Susan Saint James.

Fun fact:  Susan Saint James was raised in Rockford, Illinois.

Moving on:  “Love at First Bite” is a funny film, but I think the short story by Dan Klefstad is better.  What do you think?  And…do you remember the first time you were introduced to vampires?  Let me know.

Thank you for reading and listening.  Bahiyyih El-Shabbaz’s first trimester of “The Parts” will be here soon.  Until then, go write.  -Connie Kuntz