Gag the Gifts

THE KITCHEN THERAPIST

By MICHELE NIESEN
I’m not cynical about the holidays. I swear. I just don’t do them.
One good thing about being a freelance writer, chef, chicken wrangler and dog biscuit maker is that I don’t have to be on everyone else’s schedule. The media blitz of “doorbusting” and 4 a.m. shopping calls after Thanksgiving has… »

One fish, two fish, red state, blue state

THE KITCHEN THERAPIST

By MICHELE NIESEN
So where will the lines be drawn for the new civil war? It’s not just Mason Dixon lines, it’s all over the place. Right or left? Gay or straight? Right-wing uber-conservative, hater of all but big money and steppin’ on the little guy? Or lefty-spendy on the social welfare program, commie,… »

How to Save 89 Cents

*Winner, NONFICTION PRIZE

By MICHELE NIESEN

It all started innocently enough, I guess. I wanted to make an omelet. Naturally, I would have to move.
I left the city after 10 years of owning, cooking and sometimes struggling at my little bistro and wine bar in a southern suburb near Atlanta. I was done. The grit,… »

Pushcart Prize nominees announced

Congratulations to New Southerner’s Pushcart Prize nominees:
“Honesty” by Kate Buckley (poetry)
“The Gold Star” by G.C. Compton (fiction)
“Chilaquiles” by Michele Niesen… »

NONFICTION

Chilaquiles

By MICHELE NIESEN

The azaleas won’t flower. I pruned them below the new growth. I think you said above. The forsythia bloomed way too early, but I haven’t killed them yet. I got exactly five tomatoes this season and they were pretty good, I guess. I can’t remember if you told me to mulch the rhododendrons… »