Editor's Corner

By Mary E. Adair

Here we are with a brand new slate for the brand new year! What will we begin to write upon it? How will we define ourselves as we forge ahead into this special segment of living that will be known as history 366 days from now? That's right, February which begins the next volume of this eZine will have "29 days in line" as the mnemonic verse reminds us, making this a leap year. Leap Year's hold special significance for your editor, having twice taken marital vows during same, so this may be a 'renew the vows' time.

Many relatives celebrate birthdays in January and the family teems with Capricorn's. At least it is another 'earth sign' so yours truly usually is able to reach amicable solutions when dealing with the natives of this segment of the zodiac. The first born's birthday is celebrated this month, and the plan is that it be shared with Mom. Baby Sis, one of the first baby boomer's marks her nativity on the sixth, and our own columnist L.C. Van Savage was born upon the first. Happy Birthday to each of you, and also the nephews, and great nephews, and other "Cap" kin.

Speaking of LC Van Savage, her "Consider This" column discusses a traditional Jewish holiday and the particular toy that is almost a symbol of the observance. Great information, L.C., with your own style of making it personal and special!

Leo C. Helmer aka leocthasme offers us his column, "Cookin' With Leo featuring fare for football viewing or whatever; his "Great Jobs chapter 14 - Taking Care of the Navy;" and another segment of Historical Western Swing featuring the talented and infamous Spade Cooley. He includes an update from Art Greenhaw of the Light Crust Doughboys, as the Ventures, a band associated with them, is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

"Dave's Here" details some New Year plans and aspirations as conceived by David Francis. Dave, one of our regulars here, also keeps himself busy with the production of a glossy magazine in Southern Kentucky which heralds events and publicizes the beauty and special features of the area. This column should offer you some ideas for motivating yourself.

Eric Shackle entertains us with a blog this issue as his versatile, creative and professional webmaster Barry Downs is on hiatus with an illness. We add our prayers to those for Barry that he will soon be functioning full tilt again. You will find the usual quality of enthusiastic reporting in the "Eric Shackle Column," and some interesting links.

Thomas O'Neill honor's a dear friend with his inspirational tale in "Introspective."

Mattie Lennon introduces us to the exciting pastime so many enjoy with his "Irish Eyes" focusing on genealogy.

Gerard Meister in "Thinking Out Loud" divulges some quotes and insights on one of his favorite soapbox subjects. Even the Pope is in this column.

One of the most touching pieces found in the "Mailbag" in December has been included for your 'edification.' Your editor has always wanted to use that word as it was one of her grandmother's definitive end of the sentence words which meant you were going to 'get it' one way or the other.

Another 'email' source provides the article "I.C.E. - Have You Done This Yet?" This is one you should help to get around.

After a long absence, Judy Hoyle (who nic's herself in the chat world online as 'Juminar') rejoins our publication with a poem about the subject of SoulMates. Perhaps a few of her's account for what has had her too distracted to write, and she covers the subject well in "SoulMate Signs."

New to the pages here, two young poets submitted their work, and we're happy to present both Taylor Eastman, with "Angel Poem," and Nicole Novak with the following three: "I Am Me," "The Wind," and "To Fly." These three seem to reveal the odyssey her writing has taken, and next month will bring more of her work. We welcome each of these, who may be better known to many readers by their chat nic's, Eastman as 'YoungBeliever,' and Novak as 'NascentAngel.'

John I. Blair surprises us with some accompaning pictures with a couple of his poems. "Anachronism" includes a youthful snapshot of himself while "Turquoise On My Wrist" displays one of him with the love of his life, Clara. We are happy to report Clara is at home again from her extensive hospital and rehab residency, and is enjoying life as well as their grandchild. That is the subject of another of John's poems, "Grandma Reads to Caitlyn" for which I saw a delightful picture of the two of them, but didn't have permission to use it this time. Other work by him for January is found in "Impeach Earl Warren," "Shadow Show," "My Mother Couldn’t Get A Joke," and "Skipping Rocks." All of the seven show how seriously Blair takes his poetizing because he employs different styles and forms, utilizing both rhyme and free verse effectively.

Bruce Clifford has only two poems with "Ride The Wave," and "The Same Way Again." However he also supplied the article, "2008, A Year Of Dramatic Change." He makes some good points there, and since he may turn out to be Your candidate, we are including his picture too.

Your editor has two pictures below for you to consider which should be used as the new "bio" or column pic with the "Editor's Corner." They are similar but one is perhaps serious and the other captured a near laugh. You can use the comment section below the column to say which of these you'd prefer be used, or even if the regular one, which was the last snapshot taken of your editor by her late husband who founded the publication that 'parented' this eZine. The same section on each page can be used to either refer someone else to the page, or to add a comment. Both actions are simple to accomplish thanks to our webmaster and co-founder Mike Craner.

Please let us know which picture should be used henceforth as your editor's bio/column pic by choosing one of these two or the one now being shown above. The pic next to the left margin will be known as the "left" while the one next to the right margin will be called the "right." Please get your answers in for the big decision.

January is the end of our Volume Year, so we hope to have a Sweetheart of an issue for February, filled with lovely thoughts, undying love, lifelong proposals, and compassionate ideas to kick off the new eZine year. See you then!