Non-Fiction

In the unstructured universe of the internet, fact, opinion, and myth can be hard to differentiate. The author relates the fascinating process of researching the short story, <em>The Serpent</em>, and the concept and symbolism behind the Gilgamesh mythos.

Bring in the new year with a new comet, and watch planets all night long. Practical advice on when, where and how to spot comet Machholz, as well as spotting Saturn for evening astronomers and finding Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, Mercury and Mars in the morning this month.

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Traditional Swedish Christmas pepparkakors -- cookies so good they take two days to make. Each taste contains a memory.

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Plotting: Theme, Climax, Denouement. What makes "The Pirates of the Caribbean" such an excellent story? We continue to break down the elements and analyze just what makes a blockbuster so good.

<b>Elmwood Cemetery. </b>Buried among warehouses and railroad cars of Memphis, Elmwood is the oldest active cemetery in Memphis. Its unusual markers tell tales that are both history lessons and creative trysts.

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Discover which three planets are visible in the morning sky, and remember the sky from Septembers past.

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Every earthly Eden has its hidden catch; for the Caymans, it is the vast quantities of bats lurking sinisterly just beneath the lovely surface. Kellie faces bats at every turn and Lori's jellyfish stings are taking on a life of their own, but, hey! That liquor store is actually open today!

Attack of the jellyfish! Quick, urinate on the affected area! Our intrepid vacationers explore folk medicine in the Caymans, as well as caves, light houses and "baby boobies".

Once settled into the little rental house on Cayman Brac, the party gets down to the real business of vacationing: snorkeling, playing cards, and finding an open liquor store.

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<b>The Peabody Ducks. </b>Four mallard hens and one mallard drake receive red carpet treatment twice a day as part of a 70 year old tradition of the Peabody Hotel. Eccentric? Oh, yes. But that's Memphis for you.

...It was then the valiant crew set forth on a 3 month journey across the Atlantic, from England to the middle coast of the New World. They would call the place Jamestown, and the ship was Godspeed. The year was 1985.

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School may be out for the summer, but a clever parent keeps looking for teaching moments. The night sky is there to help. Just don't tell the kids they're learning about science and stuff.

The first thing you think when you see Babe is "BIG" and the second thing is "TEETH." Really, he's the best sweet honey-bunkums ...

In early May, C/2001 Q4 (NEAT) will blaze into view. Or maybe not. You never know with comets.

Want to write a love poem? Or do your tastes run more to juvenile mockery? In this installment, learn how to satisfy both of those poetic urges, and everything in between.

<b>Poetry for thieving Pikers.</b> Poetry is everywhere you look. You can even get other people to write your poems for you! Well, almost. We continue our celebration of National Poetry Month with three more types of poems that non-poets - yes, even you! - can learn to write.

Open your mind (and your wallet) as we answer astronomy questions from our readers.

Five, count 'em, five naked-eye planets are visible now. Learn how to find the smallest and most elusive of them all, Mercury.

<b>Little constellations you probably can't see.</b> The constellations closest the Leo are tough to see, but you'd keep a low profile, too, if you spent every night cozied up to the king of beasts.

Don't spread it around, but Earth's best friend is a big toxic gasbag. Learn why we put up with it anyway.

Tattoo symbolizes victory over rare heart condition. Cover story.

Be vewy qwiet...Owion is hunting wabbits.

Astronomy goes to the dogs with the last two stars in the Winter Hexagon.