Editor's Corner

By Mary E. Adair

Bride's month traditionally, but now regarded by students and employees (mostly those employees who are parents) as the beginning of Summer. The longest daylight day falls in this month, reminding us that most people want those extended sunny times to play. Strangely enough, much of the writing this issue points to night time activities, getting away from routine, visualizing and fantasizing, varying your alone-time from sedentary to active, and reflecting upon life in your own lane.

Walking remains a favorite activity (John I. Blair's "Walking At Night" and "Honeysuckle Nights," and Susan Glover's "Miracle and I") and night figures into John D. Strain's "Starlight, Moonlight." Strain also does some visualizing and reflecting in "Face of The Survivor."

M. J. Mansfield's powerful, rhythmic poems "Grind" and "Deadmen" each sweep you into dark scenes where hope is almost buried. Mansfield further explores his feelings in "See-Saw" and "Blade" pulling himself up by his own bootstraps, working his way through gloomy times. Our newest author, Ashley Plake in "me-The Trap of Pain" details her struggles in the aftermath of her father's death. Ronald Keith Dean Jr. does a young love epic told in "Two Voices."

John I. Blair adds two calming poems, "Wind Chimes" and "Sanseveira." The latter is one of the syllabic poetry style where each line echoes the number of syllables in the title. New author from Corpus Christi, Texas, (see bio by clicking the blue bylines) Calaboss simply "Cannot Decide," and although Shell Heller aka solo promises us all that there is always a way "Into Magic," Rochelle Hope Mehr mulls over some of the effects on our lives that 9/11 had in "And the water shed..."

When it comes to our columns,

that last theme is the subject of pbobby's "Provocations" column also, entitled, "How Do You Feel Now?"

Dr. Sam Vaknin discusses if narcissists hate women in Part VI of "Surviving Narcissists" in his column "Taming The Beast."

Connie Anast points out a new meant-to-be convenience that may well be that in name only in "On The Other Hand."

LC Van Savage, who incidentally co-authored "To Norma Jeane With Love, Jimmie" with Marilyn Monroe's first husband, discusses her initial shock at a neighbor's "Farewell Trip" plan in "Consider This."

Leo C. Helmer shares an Italian Asparagus recipe in "Cookin' With Leo."

Gerard Meister tells about his thoughts on France travelling in "Thinking Out Loud."

Mattie Lennon, our Irish columnist, speaks on "a shining example to all -- especially to the young," the Lord Mayor of Blackburn, then ends his column "Irish Eyes" with a reflection on the definition of boasting, totally unconnected to the distinguished individual of the first part.

Born in Scotland, Darren Bardsley in "Ever Increasing Circles" urges us to continue our personal search for inner peace.

Cassandra as usual puts life in its proper perspective when she blesses us with her experiences that make up "Cassandra's World."

Our co-founder and webmaster Michael L. Craner launches an intriguing new theme for his column "Words to Ponder."

Susan Glover shares her take on High School in the short story "Enlightenment." New author Kris makes us wonder what we would have done in a similar situation with her story "Live and Let Live." Cayce B. Shelton's "The Sighting" continues with Part Two, as does the "Affair with a Gambler" by deacon. Both of these exciting continued stories carry strong language warnings, and the latter also contains adult material.

Mattie Lennon gives us a sharp portrayal of one of the playwrights from Ireland, with his article "Tony Guerin, Playwright," including brief reviews of three of his plays, one of which is already in the works in Hollywood. Mary E. Taylor returns to our ezine with an article on West Texas, written in her usual tongue in cheek way, but baring many truths about this idyllic area, home to her and to your editor, who loves it here.

No excuses for not reading and enjoying all the variety in this issue with our longer June days, so we will let you get to it. See you in July!