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What About A White Girl? “American Risotto” No. 1

The high school still stands in Sacramento, in dawn's shadow of the Sierras, a valley town that grew up beside two rivers. I attended classes there nearly four decades ago. It was there that the storm clouds were forming above me, and I didn't want to look up. (photo from the C.K. McClatchy yearbook of 1974.)

By | August 12th, 2011|0 Comments

The Indian on Old Cub: A story of Joseph Pike. “American Risotto” No. 2

"In the desert west of Salt Lake City, the Indians stole two of my horses. Members of our wagon company set out to retrieve them." While his wife stayed behind to care for their children and farm, Joseph Pike struck out for the California gold fields in April 1850.

By | August 12th, 2011|0 Comments

To Seek Out a Woman: A story of Franklin Fongson. American Risotto No. 3

Franklin Fongson picked his own name and ignored relatives who tried to get to him marry before he was ready. When it was time, he sought a wife in his own way.

By | August 12th, 2011|0 Comments

Teach A Boy To Ride: A Story Of John Digitale. “American Risotto” No. 4

All my life I wanted my own horse. I wanted to be a cowboy. But once I bought a small, coal-brown mare for $300, I found myself in trouble fast. What would Grandpa do?

By | August 12th, 2011|2 Comments

World Turning Upside Down: A Story of Ng Sau Ping/Elaine Fongson. “American Risotto” No. 5

Ng Sau Ping lives near China's gateway to America. So it isn't surprising when men from "Gold Mountain" come to her province seeking wives. But then she is summoned home to meet such a man.

By | July 15th, 2011|0 Comments

Will She Say “Yes?” American Risotto No. 6

She was the cutest girl in math class. I became a distraction and then tried to date her. But was I ready to meet her mother?

By | July 14th, 2011|2 Comments

Murder and A Hanging: A Story of Joseph Pike. American Risotto No. 7

I watched too many men lay away conscience in a napkin once they left behind civilization and entered Gold Rush California.

By | July 5th, 2011|0 Comments

So Many Women: A Story of Franklin Fongson. American Risotto No. 8

In 1947 Franklin Fongson set sail from California to find a wife in China. How would he go about the search?

By | June 28th, 2011|0 Comments

Falling Comes Naturally: A Story of John Digitale. American Risotto No. 9

Grandpa wanted to stop my cantankerous mare from rearing up. But that wouldn't happen before I first learned what it feels like to fall off a horse.

By | June 15th, 2011|0 Comments

A Man Twice Her Age: A Story of Ng Sau Ping. American Risotto No. 10

Sau Ping's father noticed a stranger from America on the streets of Toisan, China. Perhaps this man is seeking a good wife, a woman like his teenage daughter. The next vignette in "American Risotto," the sage of an unusual family.

By | June 13th, 2011|1 Comment