Editor's Corner

 

By Mary E. Adair

February 2025

"While it is February one can taste the full joys of anticipation.
Spring stands at the gate with her finger on the latch."
–Patience Strong

We have enjoyed working on this issue which like February itself, is a bit abbreviated. That doesn't mean less interesting, only more compact - like distilling liquid delivers the true essence. And this month begins Volume 28 online.

We needed a calming period after the weather, in a capricious mood, skipped past our desert area and confounded our Texas Gulf areas along with a few other southern states that hadn't had snow in nearly 30 years (if ever) and piled eight inches, more or less, upon them. More convenient in a way as it had less mileage to cover as it melted and drained toward the coastlines. We had frigid dry below-freezing temps without precipitation. Now February has plans to treat us to the high 70s in its first week. Diversity has its proof in such circumstances.

Check out "Mike's Place" the column by Mike Craner, who makes a discerning but gentle spokesperson for many older citizens. Being a father of a few of the younger generation offers unique insight.

Marilyn Carnell's "Sifoddling Along" column, surprised this editor, but she explains it. Thomas F. O'Neill uses his former experiences while teaching school in China to form his current observations shared in his column "Introspective."

Mattie Lennon's column "Irish Eyes" sounds like it will be frightening from his title, but all is well. Pauline Evanosky's column "Woo Woo" explains that her conversations with the deceased are most often begun by them. Judith Kroll's column "On Trek" addresses decisions chosen when necessary to controlling your life.

"Armchair Genealogy" by columnist Melinda Cohenour has an update on the further findings and upcoming decision in the Gilgo case that has made investigative strides in new uses of DNA. "Cooking with Rod's Family" presents his and Melinda Cohenour's Granddaughter-in-Love Prisca with her "White Chicken Chili" recipe this issue.

John I. Blair's new poem this month, "Spider" is so descriptive one feels they are calmly viewing it with him. One of his poems composed in 2003, "Friendship" appears as an encore. Walt Perryman's poems are "Watching TV or Not!!!", "At Least Try," "Just Rambling This January Morning," and "There is More to Talking than Words." Bud Lemire's poems are "Don't Need Money And Power," "Why Change Anything?" and "Mary, A Good Friend." Bruce Clifford's two poems for us are "Sleepy Old Town" and "We've Always Wanted More." Yours truly has a new poem to share titled "Phases."

As always we continue to rely on our co-founder and webmaster Mike Craner as he is the one we trust for our status quo. Thank you, Mike, for all you accomplish. I shall continue to place our confidence in you as we have in the past.

See you in March!

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Click on author's byline for bio and list of other works published by Pencil Stubs Online.
This issue appears in the ezine at www.pencilstubs.com and also in the blog www.pencilstubs.net with the capability of adding comments at the latter.

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Mike's Place

 

By Michael L. Craner

Yep.

We of the older generations that you of the younger generations that incorrectly label anyone born in the last century as "boomers" can be a bit surly, to your eyes even be backwards thinking, rigid, and disdainful of you.

That's fair.

We largely felt the same of those before us and we were also rude, crude, and uncaring at times. For the most part we grew out of it and came to understand what our parents and grandparents meant and came to respect that. Most of you will too in time, which is why most of us don't complain about you nearly as much as we'd like to.

When most of your Hollywood and music heroes have passed on, and you've buried a few friends and maybe even raised a child or two, you'll understand. You still may not agree with us, at least in some things... but you'll come to understand as we have... that we're all just trying to do the best we can.

Be kind, rewind.

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Click on the author's byline for bio and list of other works published by Pencil Stubs Online.
This issue appears in the ezine at www.pencilstubs.com and also in the blog www.pencilstubs.net with the capability of adding comments at the latter.

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Armchair Genealogy

 

By Melinda Cohenour

FUTURE RESEARCH PLANNED

Our household has been affected by the flu. School districts closed or, where staff has not been decimated by flu, will offer remote schooling.

Updates on the Gilgo Beach Serial Murderer

Court date held January 19. Subjects under discussion and consideration were a Defense motion to sever the multiple murder cases brought against Rex Andrew Heuermann; and an expected challenge to the new DNA tests utilized to connect the victims' remains to Heuermann. This is referred to as a Frye challenge. Every new type DNA or other scientific forensic test is subject to this challenge.

New DNA testing submitted for our step grandson.
Test has just been received per notice from Ancestry. Expected six week wait to begin receiving results.

This should be interesting. Shaun's mother was married to my son John when Shaun was just a toddler. I have been in contact with Shaun's bio dad's sister. She informed me several of her siblings have tested as well.

More next month as your author recovers from the flu and results are received.

See you here next month. (Cough cough cough, sniffle, sniffle. )

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Click on the author's byline for bio and list of other works published by Pencil Stubs Online.
This issue appears in the ezine at www.pencilstubs.com and also in the blog www.pencilstubs.net with the capability of adding comments at the latter.

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Introspective

 

By Thomas F. O'Neill

I like writing about China because I have lived there for approximately 14 years, and it still appears China is ushering in an era of emerging technologies. I say this because a company in China (WinSun) uses giant 3D printers to make full-size, detached, single-story homes.

This 3D printing technology is a small evolutionary step from spraying toner on paper to putting down layers of something more substantial (such as plastic resin) until the layers add up to an object. And yet, by enabling a machine to produce objects of any shape on the spot and as needed, 3-D printing is ushering in a new era.

The Chinese private firm WinSun boasts they can produce 10 full-sized homes in 24 hours. They have been using four giant 3D printers to spray a mixture of cement and construction waste to build the walls and floors, layer by layer, quickly and more efficiently than any typical manual laborer. The homes can also be produced for under $5,000 due to the printing process.

However, this new technology does have its critics, and they fear that as it advances. The construction industries relying solely on manual laborers to complete their construction contracts may be adversely affected.

For instance, WinSun, as I mentioned, boasts that it can print buildings using any digital design its customers bring. The buildings can be manufactured fast and much more cheaply than manual laborers can produce. Soon, skyscrapers may be built using the same process, and as this technology becomes more readily available, many construction workers may find themselves out of jobs.

The 3D printing methods are also being used in much more creative ways. In America, for instance, a company used the printing process for a handgun. Other manufacturers and designers have used 3D printers to make jewelry, furniture, specialized machine tools, and industrial components.

It has been said that the Chinese government's interventions have been pro-producers at every turn, favoring the growth of their country’s manufacturers over its consumers' purchasing power and living standards. But as 3D printing advances and products become cheaper to produce the consumers in China will greatly benefit from the cheaply manufactured goods. They certainly won’t be losers in the new era; China will always have its domestic market, and its domestic market is huge.

Not all products lend themselves to 3-D printing, though, so the Chinese will not have to immediately give up on being the mass-manufacturing powerhouse of the world. But eventually, as 3D printing takes hold globally, the factories that have made China the workshop of the world will lose much of their force. Goods will be infinitely more customized because altering them won’t require retooling, only tweaking the instructions in the software. Creativity in meeting individuals’ needs will come to the fore as well.

This will force many Chinese manufacturers to focus more on their localized consumers and make products specifically to fulfill individualized consumer needs. As applications of the technology expand and prices drop, goods will be manufactured at or close to their point of purchase or consumption. This will have wide-ranging effects throughout the world.

The overall impact 3D printing will have on the future of manufacturing in China and abroad will undoubtedly be revealed very soon.

Always with love
Thomas F O'Neill

Email: introspective7@hotmail.com

WeChat - Thomas_F_ONeill

Phone: (410) 925-9334

Skype: thomas_f_oneill

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Thomas_F_ONeill

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-f-o-neill-6226b018/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomas_f_oneill/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thomasf.oneill.3/

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Click on the author's byline for bio and list of other works published by Pencil Stubs Online.
This issue appears in the ezine at www.pencilstubs.com and also in the blog www.pencilstubs.net with the capability of adding comments at the latter.

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Cooking with Rod's Family

 

By Melinda Cohenour

Prisca Bradshaw is my Granddaughter-in-Love. She's been family almost 20 years now. I felt like God sent her to us the first time she walked into view.

She has gifted us with two fabulous great-grandsons, Tristan and Christian. Precious boys about 12 years apart. They are strongly connected. Christian really looks up to his big brother and Tristan adores his baby brother.

When Prisca first came into our family she didn't really know how to cook. After enjoying various dishes originated by Pop or myself, she approached us with a special arrangement. We were working long hours at that time, she was already helping keep our home clean and tidy as well as being a loving caretaker and companion to my Mother who was already pretty advanced with Alzheimer's. She suggested she be our chief cook and bottle washer BUT WOULD NEED TRAINING if we were willing. We absolutely were agreeable.

She developed wonderful cooking skills. This is one of her delicious dishes.
Bon appetit ~!

Prisca's White Chicken Chili

Ingredients:

1. Chicken breast (3lb) (Chop chicken breast, place in broiling pan, cook in oven until tender) While it cooks, in large pot add:

2. Chicken bone broth (2 large cartons )

3. Cilantro (2 bunches chop one set aside one)

4. Mexicorn ( 1 can drained)

5. Rotel tomatoes ( 1 can )

6. Diced Tomatoes with Basil ( 1 can drained)

7. Large purple Onion( chop, yellow or white onion pairs nicely as well)

8. Cannellini beans (6 cans drain half of the cans)

9. Great northern beans (6 cans drain half)

10. White Chicken seasoning ( 3 packages McCormick is the best)

11. Salt (to taste)

12. Pepper (taste)

13. Dash Worcestershire sauce to add in large pot with the oven cooked, chopped chicken

14. Sharp cheddar cheese ( shredded for the top with cut cilantro as garnish)

15. Tortilla chips ( for dipping and crunch)

Instructions:

Chop chicken breast place in broiling pan cook in oven until tender, place in large pot with other ingredients, for maximum flavoring use pan drippings heat to a low boil, reduce to low and let stew for about 30-45 minutes

My family enjoys the cheese, cilantro and sliced jalapeños on ours but you can add other toppings as well or just enjoy as is.

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Click on the author's byline for bio and list of other works published by Pencil Stubs Online.
This issue appears in the ezine at www.pencilstubs.com and also in the blog www.pencilstubs.net with the capability of adding comments at the latter.

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