July 17, 2026 “The Thrilling Absence of Rope” By John Carenen John Carenen Gunpowder & Peonies, Memoir, Nonfiction, Personal Stories boyhood prank, childhood mischief, Clinton Iowa stories, coming‑of‑age humor, growing up in the Midwest, humorous childhood memories, nostalgic memoir storytelling, small‑town Americana, small‑town childhood, summer evenings in Iowa, summer night nostalgia More
