Editor's Corner

By Mary E. Adair

November had a few weather tantrums here and there around the United States although all were not affected. Heavy rain in some states caused many kinds of delays but the snow during the last week was surprisingly heavy for the first of the winter season. Our own town had only welcomed precipitation of the unfrozen variety.

In a similar manner, very scant or contrarily prolific compositions arrived. One tends to be concerned for the health of authors when they aren't submitting as usual. My hope is always that there has been happy or serendipitous reasons for delays, and we have ended up with a nicely varied content for this issue.

My own poem for December is one that has become like a tradition to show at Christmas, "Tiny Miracle." The nostalgic poem "Love is God's Gift" composed by my mother on the night my father proposed to her, is a personal favorite. Two timely poems, "Harbor Tower Christmas - 2005" and "The Gift of Christmas" by Bud Lemire are included.

John I. Blair, who recently had serious surgery and is due for more this month graciously permitted my four choices of his previously published poetry. They are "The Holly As Tall As The House," "Speaking," "Confession," and "Golden Days."

Walt Perryman's four poems this month are "There’s Not a Day That’s Just Another Day!!," "Something to Think about As You Age!," "Watching TV or Not!!!," and "My First Rough Necking Job!" A special treat is having the Article show Walt's "Honey Dog Tales" number 7 plus all the pics of Honey shown during the series. (All can be found as Stories in his list of published work, below his bio, accessible by clicking his byline.)

"On Trek" by Judith Kroll also shows two of her poems. Marilyn Carnell is settling into her new living arrangement and looking toward new ideas in "Sifoddling Along." "Introspection" shows author Thomas F. O'Neill ready for the Yuletide season.

"Cooking with Rod's Family" features a Breakfast Casserole ideal for company Holiday visits. Melinda Cohenour and granddaughter Erin give all the directions and tips for success. Pauline Evanosky discusses a different way to view Progress, in her column "Woo Woo." Our Dublin, Ireland columnist Mattie Lennon reviews two new books he refers to as seasonal in his "Irish Eyes."

Melinda Cohenour's "Armchair Genealogy" displays a story such as can be included in family tree records these days with the expanded capabilities of websites like Ancestry. This her own such story.

Our co-founder and webmaster Michael Craner muses about preparing for Christmas time in his column "Mike's Place." This is a busy season for him and his family as they participate in timely area activities. We appreciate him as a long time friend (like family) and all he handles keeping our International eZine going.

Next issue for January is already simmering with ideas. See you then!