“Poetry in Motion” by John Carenen
A sixth‑grader’s first real basketball game ends with an unforgettable mistake and a lifelong lesson in paying attention.
Gunpowder & Peonies
Gunpowder & Peonies is a digital memoir series tracing John Carenen’s boyhood in small‑town Iowa, 1950–1957.
“Hard Softball” by John Carenen
A childhood softball showdown ends in an unforgettable triple play and explores the sting of near‑glory and the humor found in hindsight.
“Mailbox Boomers” by John Carenen
A summer-night tale of boyhood bravado and the ill‑fated cherry‑bomb experiment meant to impress a girl. The results were… explosive.
“Up in Smoke” by John Carenen
A wry, look at a father who hunted pheasants, smoked Marvels, and never quite understood his wisenheimer kid.
“Rocks On!” by John Carenen
A rough‑and‑tumble, nostalgic look at Saturday‑morning rock fights in 1950s small‑town Iowa.
