Editor's Corner

By Mary E. Adair

October 2011

Most people are mirrors, reflecting the moods and emotions of the times; few are windows, bringing light to bear on the dark corners where troubles fester. The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows. -Sydney J. Harris, journalist and author (1917-1986)

Still having some triple digit weather in this part of Texas, and everyone is talking about Fall and football, the King of sports for Texas schools and colleges. For instance, check out how many professional football players came from this state, some straight out of High School and into the NFL.

But not to play down Baseball, just as the playoffs start and the World Series will soon follow, guess which team the cooking editor is rooting for to win.

We welcome Gerard Meister(Thinking Out Loud) back from the Summer as he adds a humorous note no doubt gleaned from his travels. Thomas F. O'Neill (Introspective) updates us on higher learning and the China perspective, and John I. Blair has dedicated his column (Always Looking) to birdwatching this issue. Leo C Helmer (Cookin' With Leo) chose yours truly to share a breakfast menu which though the titles of the recipes say Sunrise, is just as good for brunch. LC Van Savage (Consider This) apprises us of "Sid's Story."

Mattie Lennon (Irish Eyes) fills us in on a famous Irish author and includes some excerpts of his writing. Eric Shackle (Eric Shackle's Column) discusses "Proud Dynasties in US, UK and Oz" and in a separate article lauds the careers of two of the world's oldest columnists as they choose to retire.

Our poets stepped up to the plate with 19 poetic compositions, not counting the one included in Blair's column. He has six for October: "Wild Gourds," "Neighborhood," "Much To My Surprise," "Memory Tree," "Marigold," and a promise "For a Dead Friend." June Hogue's email to us was so poignant, a tone poem actually, and beautifully stated, so we are including it, "Like Walking in the Sandhills." Joanne Sprott submitted "Pier Fishing," and "Ghosts on the Water," our only mention of ghosts for this Halloween month.

Bruce Clifford, our song writing poet sent "That's Where I Am," "One True Love," and "For You to Forget Me." A friend of Bruce's is our newest poetess: Wendy Shepard-Kaplan who also composes song lyrics, offers "You Never Will" for this issue. M. Jay Mansfield aka FireEagle has six: "Drowning Inside," "I Will Stand," "It Bubbles Up," "Outcast," "Tourniquet," and "Wrapped in Darkness."

Our serial storywriting friend Mark Crocker, ends book one of the "Rabbo Tales" with Part B of Chapter 12: "The Last of a Race." He plans to begin sharing book two soon.

Enjoy the refreshing contents and we'll see you in November.

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Click on Mary E. Adair for bio and list of other works published by Pencil Stubs Online.

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