Editor's Corner

By Mary E. Adair

August has beckoned since April as some sort of goal to be reached, a promise of some sort. What do you suppose lies in store for all of us? Fall is shortly ahead on the horizon with the hope for an abatement of absolute heat such as July produced across the nation if not the world. Cool breezes, a dream to keep dreaming.

When the authors get their work in for publication in time to relax and enjoy seeing their thoughts, somehow the urgency to get all edited and published evaporates in the heat and what do you suppose happens? The deadline arrives and editing is still being done, slowly but surely and actually with a heavy heart. The loss of friends and relatives of friends has marked July so that perhaps the promise of August is surcease from news of those deceased.

Because of such losses, we are presenting the story authored by Ben Swett, US Air Force Colonel, retired, who passed away July 20. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 3 at Bethany Christian Church, with burial at a future date in Arlington National Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Bethany Christian Church at 7128 Allentown Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744. For those who loved and knew him from his Spirit Web days and his insightful web page, may wish to tender their thoughts of him to comfort his family so here is the link to do so: Ben-Swett/#!/Obituary

Marilyn Carnell (Sifoddling Along) speaks about the importance of food and how its importance and availability helped sustain the Ozarks, and perhaps has been an influence in what it is yet today. LC Van Savage (Consider This) also had her mind on memories with "Antimacassars and Ottomans" while Judith Kroll (On Trek) focuses on the beauty of life and shows what she means. Melinda Cohenour (Armchair Genealogy) zeroes in on explaining how to get the most out of the reports on your DNA matches from Ancestry which can seem quite overwhelming.

Thomas F. O'Neill (Introspective) writes to us just before his return to China resuming his teaching career there. Mattie Lennon, with tongue firmly in cheek, peppers his recognition of drama personages and happenings with a little humor, and shares a recent photo of himself with John Cassidy. Rod Cohenour's column helps the harried cooks with a meal that is simple, filling, and bound to be a favorite - his own Sloppy Joes.

Bud Lemire has four poems this issue: "You Don't Want Your Picture Taken," "What Do You See?," "The Kitty," and "I Love Music." John I. Blair's trio of poems are "Sitting on The Steps," "SmallWonder," and "Speaking." Bruce Clifford shared "The Wind" and "The Loss." Phillip Hennessy's poems for August are: "We Pause," "I've Been Waiting," and "Speak to Me."

Once more we realize how important Michael Craner, our co-founder and webmaster is to our well being, our equilibrium, our dreams. Thanks again, Mike!