Editor's Corner

By Mary E. Adair

This is the month the familiar tune Happy Birthday resounds often in our family. Mom's birthday is the day before your editor's, and the Leoprechaun (aka Leo C. Helmer) and his daughter Mary Ann share natal anniversaries later in the month on the very same date. Grands and greats and children dropped into the month of May like little blossoms from the trees, although their moms may tell a different tale. Even associates {like my British friend Jules) ring the Taurian grace notes, and join in the melody of astuteness and wise sayings, and if you doubt that, try traveling across the nation with a carful of Venusian natives. Hmmm, well, yes Librans do claim that planet too, but their task is to beautify theirself and their surroundings and purchase lovely things, while May's more earthy souls see that the money comes in, and on time, too.

Speaking of the money coming in, hasn't the world become more commercialized in your opinion? It seems that the TV shows are almost equally divided between ads and "show" whatever genre it may represent... and perhaps the ads are beginning to out weigh that balance of time. Casual conversations are apt to include asking others if they've seen such and such an ad, much as the visits of old revolved around 'Farmer Brown's new Bull-calf" though perhaps that was also about the future commercial prospects of the new four-legged subject. Seems that money is the root of entertainment vehicles, i.e. movies, music, tv, if it isn't the long maligned root of all evil. And, perhaps our forebears would be pointing out that comment was redundant.

Redundancy, of course, is a dread of all writers. They search their work to eliminate possible instances of it. However, when several different authors pick up on a theme, like "feeding time" as two of our poets have this month -- it is not redundancy, but tuning in on the Universal Consciousness. Yes, yours truly believes that is possible. As an editor, too many times it has been shown to be true, to disbelieve. As you browse through this issue, note the serendipitous quality flowing from one poem to another, into the columns, and articles, and rejoice that someone ... many someones... are able to put into words what you have been feeling and thinking.

Let's start with recommending the articles. Thomas P. Love has penned a loving tribute to his family, his paternal side especially, in "Red River Memories." Our columnist LC Van Savage waxes eloquent on a pet peeve of hers, though perhaps pet is the wrong word. Check out "All Creatures Great..."

• "Consider This" also by LC Van Savage leads our list of columns, and is well worth reading.
• "Cookin' With Leo" by Leo C. Helmer showcases a great summery, but hearty recipe.
• "Eric Shackle's Column" salutes the life and accomplishments of an American editor, and with several great links Eric Shackle adds to the information in the piece.
• Thomas O'Neill shares a tale in "Introspective" which may be historic, may be fancy, but will print itself in your mind to stay.
• Mattie Lennon, our Dublin native, alerts us to the availability of some wonderful sounding gaelic entertainment in his "Irish Eyes."
• "Thinking Out Loud" by Gerard Meister will have you chuckling, and perhaps nodding in agreement.

With our linked network of Graypow, some exciting authors have come to our attention. This month we again bring you one of the editors of Bonzer! (The Australian based ezine subtitles itself as "The Online, Monthly Journal by, for and about Wise Elders" and is copyrighted by © HvanDyk 2006.) Gloria McKay, who says poetry is a relatively new venture for her after years of writing non-fiction, shares two of her poems: "Hocus Pocus" that is perfectly timed for the season, and "Be Careful What You Wish For," which is timeless.

Dr. Suzanne Spindler submits "Don't Put Your Kids on Ritalin." John I. Blair has the following: "The Pool," and "Trails," "Brooklyn Memories, Summer 1968," "Carnegie Library," "Memories And Observations," "Moonwatch." The last four listed here are lovely reminiscences.

Bud Lemire echoes the memories theme in a bit different manner: "To Remember" and "Old Timer's Song," along with "We Become," "With Love, From God," and "Thank You Butterfly," underline his belief in a serene after-life.

Bruce Clifford uses his lyric writing talent to send us "Tunnel Vision" and "Tell Me Stories." In an echo of some of his words, M. Jay Mansfield may shock you with "Feeding Time" but the other poem for May is more a love story, "Original."

Though there are those mind-links of wording, different authors treat the subject with fresh perspective, so there is a variety of reading waiting for you. Enjoy!

See you in June.