Remember that cheesy Tom Jones song from the 70s? “Try to remember the kind of September when life was slow and oh, so mellow…” Yeah. I’ve tried to forget it, too. Yet here I am, in the September of my life (maybe early August, late July if I’m lucky). How did that happen? Unlike Ol’ sock-in-his-trousers-Tom, my September feels far from slow and mellow.

 I’ve spent the better part of two days sorting through my filing cabinet, trying to condense two cabinets into one. Wish me luck. But in the process, I’ve been sorting through piles and piles of old photos and cards and letters and kids’ homework projects and all the accumulated treasures and detritus of I won’t tell you how many years.

 Time tends to do that. It gets away from you, passes by too quickly. At times you look back at the happy times, the great memories, the grand adventures with a sense of keen satisfaction. But other times you think of those same times, memories, and adventures and feel pangs of regret—for mistakes you’ve made or things you didn’t do that you wish you had. 

I’ve always told my kids, ‘No regrets.’ If you do it and you’re going to wish you hadn’t, don’t do it. If you’re going not to do it and then going to wish you had, then do it. 

Our first story this month runs right up that street. “Ships and Stars and Childhood Things” by Gwendolyn Kiste. A lovely science fiction story of time and love and life passing by.

Also this month, we’re pleased to offer “Pidgin” by Katrina S. Forest. Another science fiction offering in which time passing is a factor. 300 years of time, to be precise. That’s a lot of time. Things change in that amount of time. Some interesting changes in this story.

And, more on the future dystopian side of things, “The Wedding Gig” by John League. Another tale of time passing—in this case the remembrances of an aging musician as she copes with the post-plague world. A lovely tale of self-realization and acceptance. 

Finally this month, John Guzlowski is back with a republished story, “1968: A True Confession.” Again, time passes, age comes to us all. I love John’s treatment of the sweet relish of life and contemplating the past, present, and future.

Also be sure to check out our own Jason Ridler‘s article, “FXXK WRITING! ADVICE ON WRITING ADVICE AND OTHER REDUNDANCIES! PLUS! COSMIC TOP SECRET LIST OF WRITING ADVICE!” As our publisher, Anna Yeatts describes it: “Geared toward more seasoned writers, it’s good chewy stuff based on Jason’s years in the business.” Good chewy stuff. I like that.

Enjoy! And may your heart and mind be forever planted in June!