Editor's Corner

By Mary E. Adair 

 

August 2020

“Smell brings to mind … a family dinner of pot roast and sweet potatoes
during a myrtle-mad August in a Midwestern town.
Smells detonate softly in our memory like
poignant land mines hidden under the weedy mass of years.”
--Diane Ackerman, American writer   Everywhere one hears "August! Already?" And yes, it is here though few changes are expected in its wake. Some places are beginning to resume operations in their business but perhaps with different personnel. Some people had to find a way to keep making money and thus a few did endanger themselves and their families doing so. The numbers we hear recited about the affected persons is frightening but it is the near by, the people and possibly family that have tested positive with the Covid-19 that renders us helpless to cope. Nonetheless, cope is the operative solution and must be faced with determination to get through this situation. We wish the best for everyone, and look forward to the day we can hear the "All Clear" reports.

Meanwhile our authors have found ways to come up with more cheerful outlooks in their submissions. For instance, our webmaster Mark Craner ("Mark Craner Ramblings") has a light hearted piece that should stir some memories. LC Van Savage discusses "Men on Vacation," in her column "Consider This," for a few smiles. Marilyn Carnell, "Sifoddling Along," likens our self isolations to incarcerations in "Jail Tales." Mattie Lennon, in "Irish Eyes" delves into the state of being left handed with extensive info then adds the tale of the Valley of Knockanure. He includes a .wav recording that has his interview with Dan Keane plus the bonus of the chance to hear the ballad sung by a lady as well.

Advice is relevant and Judith Kroll aka Featherwind offers some in her "On Trek." Rod Cohenour ("Cooking with Rod") knows a great meal can dissolve a lot of misgivings and shares a triplicate of recipes that do just that. Thomas F. O'Neill has been busy since the lockdown was lifted in China, getting his students headed for graduation and future education choices. He shares some happy photos of his class in "Introspective." And John Blair's "View From My Back Steps" brings beauty onto our pages.  "Armchair Genealogy" by Melinda Cohenour helps to clarify the varied DNA results as shown by Ancestry.

Phillip Hennessy's poem "Riotous Assembly" is brand new.  John I. Blair's two are: "A Yogurt Ritual" and "Morning Alarm." Bruce Clifford has had time at home for more writing and sent five poems: " The Will to Glide," "This Is How I Learned To Cry," "What is Your Wish," "Frozen Moments," and "Out of Sight Out of Mind."

Bud Lemire's "Desirae" is in memory of his niece recently lost and includes a lovely photo collage of her. The poem "God Will Come Down" composed by my late aunt Linnie Jane Joslin Burks who served as a missionary in Nigeria for 32 years, is based on a Bible verse in Numbers. Your editor finds it hopeful and a blessing for meditation.

So pleased to have a piece from you, Mike, and it is a spirit lifter in addition to being a good memories reminder. Once again I must declare how grateful I am for your expertise as well as your friendship and support in this endeavor.

See you in September.

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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.