Editor's Corner

By Mary E. Adair

 

September 2017

““After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one's own relations.” ― Oscar Wilde, (A Woman of No Importance)   Relationships, family, concerns, ideals--all of these and more will be found in this month's issue. From the columns and articles and poems arise a source of inspiration, perhaps a few laughs, more than a few tears if you are feeling sentimental. Sometimes one must just bury their worries and simply read for the pleasure of it. So here is where you can start.

Thomas F. O'Neill's column "Introspective" tells of the excitement abounding in China as they anticipate the new Spiderman: Homecoming film. Their own posters heighten these expectations though the scenes depicted will not, says O'Neill, actually appear in the movie.

Dayvid Clarkson ("Reflections of the Day") has three reflections included that speak of dreams, aspirations, bedtime stories and practicing kindness and being compassionate. His prose reads like poetry. Judith Kroll's column "On Trek" adjures readers to have a care concerning the bee's so threatened by the use of pesticides. She also closes her column with a dreamy visit.

"Armchair Genealogy" by Melinda Cohenour is shown with links to previous columns as a major household move has occupied both mind and body to accomplish. The same move of course has affected husband Rod Cohenour ("Cooking With Rod") so the same convenient links are shown in lieu of his recipe. Looking forward to both of them having spiffy columns for October. "Theatre, Taphophbia and Green Coffins" adds up to some interesting info and a few laughs in Mattie Lennon's column "Irish Eyes."

LC Van Savage ("Consider This") discusses "Fabrics and Cliches" for September. She has seen the poem "Cliche Detective" by your editor. She also has an article "A Girl Named Queenie" this month. The other article is "The Work That Keeps Me Going" by Barbara Irvin.

Two more poems written by Linnie Jane Burks--"Visitors to Louisville" and "To Mother at Stella Bullard's Death," carry the themes of friendships and family prevalent this month. Her mother, your editor's maternal grandmother, Carrie E. Joslin's poem "Our Herbert Boy" also has the response written by that Herbert.

Another sweet family poem by Lena May Joslin Carroll is titled "Just A'Bragging!" She authored many articles, mostly Bible studies -- she admired the apostle Paul -- and composed many poems, but this is understandably a favorite by your editor's mother.

Bud Lemire's three poems are "A World of Fantasy," "Captured Moments," and "I Love Asparagus." Bruce Clifford's poem "Bold" expresses the varied emotions many people feel occasionally but can't say it as well as he does. Phillip Hennessy submitted the just penned verse "It Ain't" via image of the page with it. Thanks, Phillipo.

John I. Blair sent these two: "Sunny Mornings" and "New Year." The latter made your editor think of the recent lunar eclipse which once over seemed to suddenly have renewed the world.

See you in October !!!

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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.

Reflections on the Day

By Dayvid Clarkson

      I was reflecting on dreams, hopes, and aspirations. Most youngsters are taught they can be anything they want to be. Lawyer, Doctor, Actor, Scientist, Athlete, etc. would be on the list.

      We then inundate them with the best of the best. The richest, the biggest, the brightest, the beautiful are paraded before them in endless media streams as examples of what awaits them. These are, in most cases, unrealistic goals they will never attain. And as they grow we watch them die a slow death realizing they will never achieve these so called dreams.

       I pray to the four directions that we stop teaching our children these misconceptions, as these are but vain attempts to control the outcomes of our journey. We must unlearn everything we have been taught. We need to come to the understanding that an authentic life lived with mindful intent is all that is worthy of our path.

      I ask our Elders to ensure that all sentient beings have just enough. For I am satisfied with just enough, no more, no less. And if you have more build a larger table.
       Humble bow, Dayvid

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      In our childhood most enjoyed bedtime stories. Often now when I retire to bed I reflect on stories I have heard. This one will be tonight’s reflection:

      A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation.

      The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.

      "I've been thinking," he said, "I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Share with me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone.”

      Sleep well, dream deep my Friends,
      Humble bow, Dayvid.

* * * * *

      Sitting on the front steps watching the clouds roll by in the reflections on the lake. The trees stand in the shadows wearing their forest green cloaks and the night is still. I start to laugh and I laugh so hard tears stream down my cheeks. Who am I to figure out this great mystery?

       It is absurd. We read, we search, we listen, and we seek the answers. We chase dreams and aspirations as we mistakenly think we can control the outcomes. Like a dog chasing its tail.

      The quiet voice of an Elder comfortably enters my thoughts. “All that is expected and all that is required is to simply live a kind and compassionate life. Do not waste time coveting something that you have been taught to yearn for. Stop trying to be someone the world taught you to be. Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, and have few desires.” I am grateful for the Elder’s words. This eve I will take the lessons of the day to my resting there to absorb and cherish them.

      Sleep well, dream deep my Friends.
      Humble bow, Dayvid.

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Introspective

By Thomas F. O'Neill

Spiderman: Homecoming

      Ever since I was very young I was a huge Spiderman fan. I used to watch Spiderman cartoons on TV after school and like millions of others I too enjoy watching the Spiderman movies online.

      Superhero movies are immensely popular in America and like many of the superhero franchises - Spiderman has an even bigger draw at the movie theaters in China.

      I’m not a big movie goer but I do enjoy watching films online via Amazon instant videos and that includes the Spiderman movies.

      In China, sometimes a scene will be added to an American film such as adding a China location to make the film more appealing for a Chinese audience. The movie studios do this to increase the draw at China’s box-offices.

      There have been delays in China for the Marvel's blockbuster Spiderman: Homecoming and China’s webslinger fans are waiting with great anticipation for the film’s release. New slated posters have been released in China’s movie theaters featuring the webslinger in familiar Chinese locations as teasers for the ever-growing Spiderman fans.

      There are various posters in China that show Peter Parker in his Spiderman regalia swinging from a hammock above the Great Wall of China. (See Bottom of Column) Another poster shows the webslinger posing for a selfie in front of Shanghai's Oriental Pearl Tower and yet another shows him riding a horse in his spidey-costume across a picturesque mountain-scape.

      Other posters showcase Spidey posing near various other Chinese landmarks. Including, a poster of spidey visiting a group of cute Pandas.

      None of the poster images will showcase in the actual film but that won’t stop the Spiderman fans from flocking to the theaters on its Chinese release date of September 8th and maybe I will be one of those attending the screening of the film due to being a huge Spiderman fan myself.

      Hollywood understands the huge profit potential of marketing their films for the Chinese audience due to how popular American films are in Asia. The New Spiderman movie is an example of how Hollywood is using the Chinese culture and their landmarks to enhance an even greater interest in the film. Hollywood’s marketing strategy certainly works and it shows in the movie studios overall profits from Asia.

      Spiderman: Homecoming is estimated to finish in the $780M range when all is said and done, with China serving as the final market for the film to sizably increase its box office haul. Next Friday, the movie will open in China and attempt to match other recent blockbuster successes in the region. Enjoy the posters I included with this column while I patiently wait for the new Spiderman film’s release date …….

Always with love from Suzhou, China
Thomas F O’Neill

WeChat - Thomas_F_ONeill

U.S. voice mail: (800) 272-6464

China Cell: 011-86-15114565945

Skype: thomas_f_oneill

Email: introspective7@hotmail.com

Other articles, short stories, and commentaries by Thomas F. O'Neill can be found on his award winning blog, Link:
http://thomasfoneill.blogspot.com

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Irish Eyes

By Mattie Lennon

 

Theatre, Taphophbiaand Green Coffins

       I told you in August about the theatre company, dressing Room 1, bringing the musical, "And all his Songs Were Sad" from page to stage. well the Irish premier was staged, to a capacity audience in saint John's Theatre, Listowel, on August 26th.

       I had a fairly quiet august myself. Recently I was beside an intellectual at a funeral. You’ll always know an intellectual in a pub, because he won’t have the price of a drink but is not as easy to identify one in a graveyard. (I believe that all funeral undertakers should be obliged to give an undertaking that they would inform mourners of the likelihood of one or more intellectuals being in the cemetery.) As this being of superior intellect gazed into the open grave he asked my opinion on taphophbia. Since I didn’t know the meaning of the word I didn’t have any opinion on it. I wasn’t left in ignorance for long. I soon learned that it is a fear of being placed in a grave while still alive as a result of being incorrectly pronounced dead. I was then promptly informed that the word is from Greek τάφος - taphos, "grave, tomb” and φόβος - phobos, "fear” , which is translated as "fear of graves". He increased my meagre store of knowledge further with the revelation that "Saved by the bell" and "Dead ringer" are both derived from the notion of having a rope attached to a bell outside the coffin that could alert people that the recently buried person is not yet deceased. Of course you, dear reader probably knew that already.

       He next turned to how the coffin is so often used in classical allusions etc. He gave me a few examples. The only one I can think of is how Byron (according to my intellectual superior) referred to a gondola as being like, “.. . A coffin clapt in a canoe.” He then informed me that John Philpot Curran once described Robert Peel’s smile as, “Like the silver plate on a coffin.” And how it was quoted by Daniel O Connell in the House of Commons on 26th February 1835. ( He said it was on a Thursday.)

      The dear departed was one of my fellow mis-fits who was a bit “different”, a man who marched to a different drummer. And when I described him as a “square peg in a round hole” my new found human enclopedia promised to email me a relevant picture. Which, fair play to him, he did.

       I already told you about the opening of Clarkes Funeral Home, In Blessington. It was a specular event attended by clergy of many denominations and several dignitaries. There was much to see, riveting speeches and copious refreshments. But my eyes were glued to a six foot four Donegal man, Martin, of Green Coffins, Shanagh, Fanad, County Donegal, who was making a willow coffin. In this game of skill the only tools he had were what looked like large secateurs and a piece of flat iron. By evening he had completed the body of the coffin. He answered all questions in lay-man’s language and, unusual on this island, he spoke in glowing terms of his boss, Colin McAteer, who took me through a step-by-step explanation of the process.

      Colin told me that the willow tree has over 600 varieties. “We use a number of these varieties (different colours and thicknesses) to make our coffins. Our coppice willow stools which can have up to 30 shoots – these are harvested every year. Each rod grows between 3-9 ft each year and when cut grows back the following year without the need to replant. The willow is harvested each spring, graded, seasoned and stored for use later in the year.”

      The dried out willow in their bundles (bolts) are soaked to make them less brittle before use. The length of soaking time varies from 1 hour to 8 days depending on variety and thickness of the willow. All their coffins have a timber base – not necessarily for strength but to travel on the rollers of the hearse and crematoriums. The rods are staked and turned up to provide the uprights.

      Rods are added around the uprights to form the sides using a variety of techniques including randing and plating. Keeping willow sides this size straight takes experience and patience. When the sides are at the appropriate height you “turn down” the uprights. This must be done before the rods are dried or the rods will be too brittle.

       When I commented on Martin’s dexterity at weaving , Colin agreed and said, “ The lid is where all your skills are tested – especially when applying the rounded circular design we use on this coffin. “ He showed me a picture of a Green and White willow coffin with a flower which was a work of art. “ We have been making this design for about the last year and a half but it has never been in our brochures or on our website. It was produced at our work shop in Donegal and dispatched once dried to a funeral director. People want Irish made – they are comparable in price to imported willow coffins.”




                                                       Martin Boyle with finished coffin

      Colin also has a “Green graveyard”. The Green Graveyard Company was established in 2009 with a view to developing "Natural Burial Grounds" in Ireland. In October 2010 we opened Ireland's first and only Natural Burial Ground, Woodbrook Natural Burial Ground, in Killane Co. Wexford

      On the 22nd July 2017 they took the unusual step of holding an information day. This was a "drop by event" where people went look at the grounds and meet the team. In its most simplistic form a natural burial ground is a graveyard where the land has a second use, as a living, developing native Irish woodland and wildflower meadow. Gone are the marble headstones and concrete surrounds that are common place in other Irish burial grounds, replaced instead by a small simple grave marker and the planting of a native Irish tree. More information at; www.facebook.com/greengraveyard/

* * * * *

Fake news ...

    An employee of the Jefferson County morgue died this morning, after being accidentally cremated by one of his coworkers.

    According to the Beaumont Police Department, 48-year old Henri Paul Johnson decided to take a nap one a stretcher after working for sixteen hours straight.

    While he was sleeping, another employee mistook him for the corpse of a 52-year old car accident victim and carried him to the crematory.

    Before anyone could notice the mistake, he had already been exposed to temperatures ranging between 1400 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit and reduced to ashes.

* * * * *

      A woman in west Wicklow was on her third husband. One night the latest addition to the marriage bed came in, full of porter, and started laying down the law. For emphasis he was hammering the kitchen table with his fist. Calmly, but sternly, the wife said, "Don't break that table. There was two good men wake'd on that an' it'll be wanted agin."

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Armchair Genealogy

By Melinda Cohenour

      Due to month long preparation and accomplishing a major household move by the Cohenours, the next part of the tale of Sidney Washington Creek will be in the October issue.

      For the convenience of regular readers of this column, remember you can click the byline above and access a clickable list of prior columns.  To make this simpler, here is thelink: Clickable List of Articles and Columns by Melinda Cohenour

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Consider This

By LC Van Savage

Fabrics and Cliches

      Do you love clichés as I do? I honestly don’t think I can go for one hour of conversation without using one or more. They were created because they are true; however, in our writing culture we’re not really supposed to use them too much, or to rely on them. I don’t know why. They can be so perfect. Especially when one is glib-challenged as I am.

       In fact, I once wrote 2 columns, all in clichés, every single sentence, and no one got it. Personally, I thought they were positively brilliant having written both complete stories using nothing but clichés. It was a fun exercise but obviously a bust. No one noticed and I was sure I was being so incredibly clever. Hey, you win a few, you win a few, right? The dictionary definition of ”cliché” is:

       Cliche, also spelled cliché, is a 19th century borrowed word from the French which refers to a saying or expression that has been so overused that it has become boring and unoriginal.

      To my mind, clichés are never dull and I just love ‘em. The one I’m thinking about today is this; “she had her work cut out for her.” Where did that come from? Do you know? I don’t either, but I’ll look it up and tell you. Here’s where:

      The phrase likely comes from the tailor’s trade where an employee came into work and would find a huge pile of tailoring jobs, fabrics already cut out into patterns, waiting for him, leaving everything else for him to do with it all; measuring, fitting, sewing, lining, patching, button-holing, pressing, fitting, shortening, lengthening, etc. It might have started in the middle of the 19th century and the phrase can maybe be found in a Dickens novel. And it may have meant that once all the work was cut out, it was difficult to keep up. It seems that this is how it’s used today---if your work is cut out for you, you’re in for a long day!

       And yet, one might think that if the work is already cut out for an employee, that would lessen his chores for the day. This is a tough one. Which do you think it is? I am not completely sure.

      So since we’re in a fabric frame of mind and on the subject of things being cut out, how’s about the origin of the idiom, “He’s cut from the same cloth”? Seems we’re back in the tailor genre. This one means:

       If perchance you’re making a suit for a customer, it’s a pretty good idea that the tailor cuts the jacket, vest and trousers from the same piece of cloth. That is if MiLord wants a perfect match in his ensemble, and most well-dressed men do. I mean who wants to pop into one of the local Armani shoppes for a snazzy ensemble to be worn at THE party of the year and to look down as he makes his entrance and notice to his horror that the jacket is one shade of taupe, the vest burnt umber, the pants dark ochre and the weave in each going from window screen to pot-holder lattice? It simply will not do.

       It also means that someone thinks a person is almost exactly the same as another person and it’s generally not a positive comparison. For example: “Well, years ago her mother made a few bucks on the side if you get my drift, and now her daughter seems to be cut from the same cloth.”

       I just love clichés.

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Cooking With Rod

By Rod Cohenour

      Due to month long preparation and accomplishing a major household move by the Cohenours, the next treat for our taste buds will be in the October issue.

      For the convenience of regular readers of this column, remember you can click the byline above and access a clickable list of prior columns with all those delicious recipes.

      To make this simpler, here is thelink: Clickable List of Articles and Columns by Rod Cohenour

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On Trek

By Judith Kroll

Take a stand

The Bee's were weeping as they died
Because they ate the pesticides
Birds watched as they perched
wondering what was wrong
Bird's didn't sing their songs.

Humans protest upon deaf ears
No one listens to their fears
Children are born, children die
From the now bad water and pesticides.

The food crop grows unhindered by pests
A beautiful crop..Looks the best
YET
At what cost does the garden grow?

When living things die, babies deformed..
finger pointing starts.
Who can eat and drink money?

Mama earth sheds her tears,
Waiting for the hearts of all to hear
The cry for love and no fear,
holding our earth as holy, and dear

Raise our heads and be a voice
Stand tall , make a choice
Be strong and take our stand,
save the earth, the land,
rejoice as we all form
the HUMAN band of love.
©7/22/2017 Judith Kroll, Writings of Judith

Folds of Sunlight

She came to me within the fold of a sunlight beam. 
Her face glowed with the Aura of the suns loving fingers
and shimmering as her Halo

I beamed the biggest smile in my dream,
as my child of light came to visit.

Her warmth of love will always be with me..

Our souls will forever shine in the
folds of the sunlight!! 6-2-17 Judith Kroll, Writings of Judith

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Our Herbert Boy and Herbert's Response

By Carrie E. Joslin

It was summer when he came to us,
    A happy laughing child,
With blue eyes soft and tender
    And all his nature mild.
For six short years he was our own,
    Obedient and good.
We gave him tender love and care,
    He worked as boys should.
In the evening, when the sun was low.
    He took the dog to roam,
Thru' the wild wood pasture,
    To bring "old Cherry" home.
In the morning very early,
    Thru' rain or sun or snow,
Off to school with books and lunch,
    Our little boy would go.
He grew in grace and knowledge,
    And lived by the golden rule.
On Sunday he was always
    In the church and Sunday School.
So, now at night when we have finished
    All our labor for the day,
And we gather by the fireside,
    With our own dear children there,
As we soothe their every sorrow,
    Or we mingle in their glee,
Even in our hearts we're thinking,
    Of the boy who learned to roam.
And we pray for God to bless him,
    And to bring him safely home.
©1926 Carrie E. Joslin

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RESPONSE

To Aunt Carrie & Uncle Artie
(From all their "boys" by Herbert) In the hills of old Missouri
    'neath summer's sultry skies,
Stands a cottage sweet and lovely;
    In it "The Love Light" lies,
I see a couple sitting on a porch--
    now far away.
They have love for one another, true love--
    for which many pray.
They have children who have wandered
    to make their home out in the west.
A few short years we spent with them,
    seems now like a pleasant dream.
Years that tell of fun and pleasure,
    the shortest years we have seen.
Then, one day the dream was ended,
    As all dreams surely do.
But, I'll never forget the cottage,
    and the goodness of those two.
In my home in California,
    I close my eyes to rest--
And I dream of that good couple,
    Who, I'm sure, deserve the best!
©circa 1926 Herbert Victor Joslin
For more of Carrie E. Joslin's writings:

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It Ain't

By Phillip Hennessy

It aint the same without you
It aint the same at all
It aint because without you
It makes no Sense, at all!!

It don't get Closer than this
There's Nothing about you
That I don't miss

If you ever leave me
I don't know what I'd do
Without your kiss.

©August 2017 Phillip Hennessy

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Just A'Bragging!

By Lena Carroll

A mighty lovely family--the House of Carroll we be;
   There's Mama and Papa and Baby and Lady Bugs numbering three.
The Baby's Melinda Ellen, then Jacquelyn, Mary and Nee,
   Papa is known as John Edward, and Mama of course is me.
We're a mighty fine little family, as happy as happy can be.
   And rich--why let me tell you--we've lots can't be bought, you see.
There's Baby now, we wouldn't trade her for all the gold in the sea.
   And Jacquelyn, Mary and Noralee, worth their weight in diamonds they be,
And Daddy--well, Daddy's just Daddy and none is made better than he.
   And Mama, now Mama is different, but still I hardly see,
What all this lovely family would do--if there was no me!

©circa1948 Lena May Joslin Carroll

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Visitors to Louisville

By Linnie Jane Burks 

 

Our city's resplendent
    With charm and allure,
The homes are the loveliest
    Wealth can secure

There are broad sweeping avenues,
    Schools, churches, parks;
Historical characters
    Here, too, placed their marks.

Beauty is resting
    On each hill and bog;
But you'll never see it!
    It's covered with S M O G!

©Seminary Years Linnie Jane Joslin Burks

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Captured Moments

By Bud Lemire

  There's a feeling, that comes to me
When I'm out in nature, with all I see
The special events, come and go
A holiday gathering, I just like to show
Aronson Island, is a very special place
If you could see the smile, beyond my face
The feeling, touches deeply my very soul
I just wish, you would understand and know

On a sunny day, I can be as busy as a bee
A captured moment, that means a lot to me
I take the pictures, so that I can share
With the many, because they can't be there

I also share this moment with you
Because it's something I love to do
It completes me, I feel at peace
To be among the Ducks, and the Geese

I'm not far, from the place where I live
These captured moments, is what I love to give
It touches upon who I really am
It helps me to give a damn
So I share it, touching as many as I can
It's only because, I'm that kind of a man ©July 1, 2017 Bud Lemire
                      Author Note:

If only you knew the feeling I get surrounded
by Nature's many creatures. These Captured
Moments, are to share, so you too can be aware.
Of all the wonderful things found, if you could see.
I also do it for those who are too far away to be here
to see for themselves. For those who can't get out of
their homes due to some health issue. Just knowing
how many people I touch, brings me another kind of
feeling. I also do it for myself, because of the joy and
the feeling I get from doing it. In the end, we are all
rewarded by what I do.

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Sunny Mornings

By John I. Blair

These days on sunny mornings
I like to sit outside,
Basking my aching bones,
Listening to the birds, the breeze,
Touching flowers and leaves.

Before the August heat
Clamps down on everything
It’s good to get this evidence
That although Nature isn’t always kind
She also isn’t always cruel.

©2017 John I. Blair, 8/9/2017

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Bold

By Bruce Clifford

Sometimes I think there’s no way out
Sometimes I think I’m stuck in a rut
Trapped in my head
Things that I’ve said
Sometimes I think there’s no way out

Sometimes I see the lines through the trees
Sometimes I shake when there’s no give and take
Waiting for a change
I hate the rearranged
Sometimes I feel trapped all over again

Anticipation shakes me to the core
Worried that anything could walk through my front door

Sometimes I see all the things that should be
Sometimes I cry without knowing why
Shaking and turning during the night
A minute later I’m fine and everything seems right
Sometimes I wonder If I’m losing the fight

Sometimes I think there’s only a one road
Sometimes I feel there’s nothing left to hold
Trapped in my mind
Each moment in time
Sometimes I’m strong, undivided and bold

©8/4/17 Bruce Clifford

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New Year

By John I. Blair

For those in tempered climes
It’s the magic time of year again
When night retreats.

After we are pained with fear
The sun might disappear entirely
And leave us cold and sightless

Once more we are redeemed;
Our light-requiring life
Will be sustained.

And even when this change
Is explained, explained, explained,
Still to us it seems a gift
Worth being thankful for.

©2016 John I. Blair, 12/29/2016

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A World Of Fantasy

By Bud Lemire

  Take me away, on a journey to see
In the mind's eye, of all things to be
The words dance around, with a story they tell
With you by my side, we're under a spell
You're on this quest, with me by your side
If the evil is too strong, then we'll both hide
The greater magic, born of the light
Will guide us along, making all things right

Where will we go, just turn the page
Will the evil Wizard, go into a rage
The magical ring, will help you through
If you are caught, what will you do

In a book of Fantasy, anything goes
Only the author, is the one who knows
They've taken us, on the journey of the mind
Along the way, there is so much we can find

Yet, it's not only the mind, but of the soul
A magical quest, can make you feel whole
Take me away, on a journey to see
The magic we explore, in a world of Fantasy ©July 19, 2017 Bud Lemire
                        Author Note:

This is dedicated to the woman who is always
on every quest I take into Fantasy. She is by
my side and holds the power to be the very
best sorceress that one could bring along on
any quest. She is magical, she is beautiful, she
is truly the greatest. I Love you, Vicki.

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To Mother at Stella Bullard's Death

By LinnieJane Burks

The Trumpet's loud sound was heard,
    The Reaper thrusts again his Scythe,
The circle of a life complete,
    "It is enough"--and she has died.

I knew her not by daily walk,
    We never laughed or chatted here,
Yet, she belonged with those I love,
    And now her memory is dear.

This day has passed with busy haste,
    But, interests, whether sad or bright,
All fade, for as I sit and muse,
    My Mother is bowed in grief tonight.

Oh, death, where is thy sting to hurt?
    For one with faith so clear and strong,
Tho' sorrow mingles with our tears,
    She is singing with a white robed throng!

©1953 Linnie Jane Joslin Burks
Editor's Note: Stella Lee Anice "Stell" Bullard
1881–1953
Birth 6 AUG 1881 • Jane, McDonald Co., Missouri
Death 15 MAY 1953

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I Love Asparagus

By Bud Lemire

  I love asparagus, you might already know
Those spears of green, give me an inner glow
I steam them, and sometimes in a salad they'll be
I believe a healthy diet, is really life's key
Green spears, purple spears, and even the white
They hold a lot of vitamins, within every bite
I think, they have a wonderful taste
When I have them, none go to waste

Here's something, and it is the truth
I like to drink, asparagus juice
Some may think I'm crazy, I really don't care
But only on special occasions, will I ever share

Not everybody likes it, but that's okay by me
Why you can even smell it, when you go pee,
Almost every Friday I have it with my fish
Let me tell you, they sure look colorful on my dish
Give me a spear, I'll eat them all
Maybe it will, help me grow tall ©June 28, 2017 Bud Lemire
                         Author Note:

Well, it hasn't helped me grow tall yet. But I am
enjoying the taste of them in the meantime. It is
good for you too. No matter which way you have
it, it is good for you.

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A Girl Named Queenie

By LC Van Savage

       Remember Anna Mary Robertson? She became Anna Mary Robertson Moses, and eventually, Grandma Moses. Everyone knows of her and her style of painting; primitive, naïve, art brut, self-taught and now called “outsider art,” and it has always has been my most favorite genre.

      But what was especially terrific about that great lady was that after years of hard farm work, raising ten children and painting for fun, she began to paint scenes from memory seriously at age 78. Seventy-eight! Imagine that. And that’s when she was discovered.

      That’s just one year short of when I finally wrote and got my first really and truly serious book into print, and the whole thing has me slightly spinny. Well folks, hope springs eternal and while I doubt the Pulitzers will be calling, or the New York Times or even Hollywood, I still have a book to hold in my hands, and it has my name in big letters on the front. “Thrilling” just simply doesn’t cut it.

       I know lots of you out there have written books, successful books, so you know about the thrill thing. It’s amazing. Just flat out astonishing, right?

       What’s especially meaningful to me, apart from finally completing this novel, is that I did it on the cusp of my 80th birthday. Why did I wait? I have no clue. Laziness? Fear? Probably. But I’m hoping that perhaps there’s some truth to those ancient and boring axioms such as, “all good things come to those who wait” or “some wines turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age.” Maybe my book is vinegar, but I waited so long to do it I’d like to think the words swirling around in my head that I put on paper pages, have improved with age. And I know that even my hero Grandma Moses had to hear and read negative things about her paintings, and I’ll have to do ditto about this book of mine. It is what it is. I get it, and at nearly 80 I’m allegedly a grown-up, and if this happens, I can take it. Not.

       It’s like a birth, this book launch thing. I’ve given birth to a book baby and I want to hold it out to the world and I want the world to love it and think it is beautiful and important. Will it? I’m so often told by my once-were-flower-child pals that if one just thinks positive thoughts, good things will happen. Seriously? Doesn’t work so well with a kidney stone attack, but whatever. I’m really trying.

      This book, my book, is called “Queenie” and it’s a story of a young girl in the 1950s who learns in the very hardest way to be accepting of all people, even those for whom she’d had nothing but contempt. Given the name “Queenie” well into the book, she suffers humiliations, learns to step away from learned hatreds and overcomes a shattering family scandal. This book was edited cleanly, kindly and intelligently by none other than one Raye Leonard, who beautifully edits The Coastal Journal out of Bath, Maine.

       The book will be at all Maine bookstores quite soon, but as of this minute, it is at the Gulf of Maine, on Maine St., in beautiful downtown Brunswick. And of course, it’ll soon be on Amazon. If I am able to gather up whatever shreds of courage I may have within, I will try for a book signing one day.

       I’d like to ask something of you, on behalf of Grandma Moses and me too ---if you have a book or a painting or an anything brewing inside of you, do it. Bring it to life. Don’t wait the way Grannie Moses and I did. She had about 26 years left and everyone knows how well she did. I am nearly 80 and have no clue how much time I have left to watch this new book baby grow, or even if it will. I wish I’d done it sooner but I also know that spending time wallowing in regrets is stupid and non-productive.

      So folks, no matter what your age, go for it!! Whatever “it” is. It’s wonderful if these creations of ours make tons of money for us, but honestly, the real high is getting it done and out into the world. Trust me! Do it!! You will never regret it. I don’t. Grandma Moses surely didn’t.

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The Work That Keeps Me Going

By Barbara Irvin

      Dreams. We all have them. They are a huge part of who we are. What we do in our professional lives has a tremendous effect on our physical and mental wellbeing. During the day, I work in a factory. I would be lying if I said the job wasn’t mundane at times. Actually, it’s more dull than it is exciting. It’s what I do when I’m not at my day job that makes a difference.

      I began a freelance writing career a few years ago. There are so many perks to this type of work. I don’t have to leave home, and I can conduct correspondence by email. Writing is my refuge. It’s a safe haven where I can dump all of my problems and channel my frustrations so that something truly wonderful can evolve. Nothing makes me feel more satisfied than when I reach the completion point of a story, essay, or article. And there is no greater joy than seeing my work in print.

      It’s wonderful to be able to do what I love. Someday I hope it will be a full time job. © 2016 Barbara Irvin

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