The Legend of Piney Stump
This tall tale was inspired by a woman named Donna who owned a bar across the street from where I lived at the corner of Grace and Damen. She was Yugoslavian, fed us snacks of salami and introduced me to Nikšićko Pivo and Slivovicz. Every evening she would close the place down by playing her favorite song on the jukebox, Maggie May. What began as a one page illustrated story in 1988 was reimagined years later into a seven chapter novella. Piney Stump is the adventure of a dog rescued by a mysteriously talented woman who manages a local bar without customers. She and the dog uncover a secret in the basement that alters their lives forever. The book includes 39 full color illustrations and is smartly designed in a soft bound 80 page booklet.