A Chicago Christmas
Although I only spent 5 years in the city of my birth…I remember it well! There was a snow on the ground and more in the air, as mom announced that she had retrieved Laughing Santa…and that I must come to see him!
Before me was the little, stuffed, Chief Elf…with his brightly painted face and the crank on his back. The more that mom turned the crank…the more heartily Old St. Nick laughed. I watched his antics and reveled in his laughter and wondered how he was able to be so human and yet…seemed not to be so?
There were many, uniquely wrapped, gifts under the 8 foot aluminum Christmas Tree. Pointing at the shiny artificial Tannenbaum was a rotating light with a cover of multi-colors that diffused the spectrum of color of the subsequent glow of the beam.
We had returned from our excursion into the city where we saw the new release of Walt Disney’s movie, Lady and the Tramp. And, the information overload for me, at 3 years old, was tremendous…and ‘visions of sugarplums danced in my head!’
Soon dad and me and mom sat under the Tree as a, mysterious visitor, took our photo…’and that is the rest of the story.’
It was after dark and our outside Christmas lights were lit…and we heard a terrible commotion on the roof of our house in Sauk Village. It sounded like someone had been on the roof and fell off. As dad answered the door, I heard him proclaim…’Why come right in!’ There before us…was Santa Claus in all of his red suited, and white bearded, and pipe smoking glory!
Santa laughed, a lesser laugh, than what I had expected…and he wondered if he could use our phone to call Mrs. Claus? He went on to say that he and the Missus had been involved in a spat when he left and he needed to ensure that there was a home for him to return to…when the Christmas Eve work was completed. Dad showed him our one phone in the hall…and he began to dial. We gave him his privacy…he looked like that he needed it. We heard him say, ‘but…but…but,’ on several occasions, and then he joined us in the living room. Santa said that he had patched things up and inquired was there anything that he could do for us…before he resumed his journey. Mom responded that she would like for him to snap a family photo of us under the Christmas Tree. Santa took her camera and took two pictures…in case the first one did not come out right.
Dad poured the, ‘spritely old elf,’ some eggnog and asked if he wanted something stronger in it…and he smiled with the rosiest of cheeks and said, ‘absolutely!’
As Santa left, on our carport were the reindeer and a bright red glow…from Rudolph’s nose. Donner and Vixen called out to Santa and asked, ‘where’s ours?’ referring to the spiked eggnog.
So, that is how the Brooks Family Photo…was taken.
‘Waiting For Godot’
‘Waiting for Godot is a play by Samuel Beckett.’ Wikipedia
”The play is a typical example of the Theatre of the Absurd, and people use the phrase ‘waiting for Godot’ to describe a situation where they are waiting for something to happen, but it probably never will…’ Wikipedia
So, I often say that I am, ‘waiting for Godot!’
Aren’t we all waiting for many things in our lives…that have not exhibited themselves ever…or at least not on a semi-regular basis We wait for Godot when we seek justice and fair treatment for all peoples…not just the majority or those who are favored by the political class. We wait patiently for our elected leaders to care more about their constituents than their own interests. What a treat it would be to witness a concerted focus to address global warming!
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We live in a country that, by all available measurable criteria, live in multiple realities. There was a famous book, many years ago, that was entitled, Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus. This book demonstrated the difficulty in men and women communicating with each other and understanding and empathizing with each others point of view. Today points of view are dictated by the television news network that you receive your news from.
When I was a teenager, men simply understood that they were going to be drafted and be sent to Vietnam. My cousin, Billy, was drafted. The only reason that I was not drafted was due to President Carter abolishing the draft before I became of age to go!
We all watched Walter Cronkite on CBS or Huntley and Brinkley on NBC and we basically received the same news.
We wept when President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963 at 12:30 pm, central standard time. Somehow, we understood that we would never be the same…and we have not!
We are told by our parents and our elders to work hard and ‘pay-our-dues’ and seek to excel in our careers! We are assured that if we will apply ourselves…we will climb the ladder of success…and we will be another example of the American Dream! We are told that anyone can be President of the United States and anyone can be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company…the Horatio Alger story of rags to riches…is ours for the taking….
But, what if the person who is doing the hiring…does not play by the rules? What if it is not…what you know…but who you know….?
Institutions agonize regarding their low morale. They engage is studies….and consultants….and large committees…too investigate and conduct in depth research into the quandary of ebbing excitement about the work-place!
The answer is simple….we all wait….much as our Jewish friends wait for the Messiah…or justice and equity and fairness…and recognition of consistent hard work and a passion for the job….and someone who has placed their heart and soul into their career….being recognized for their efforts…rather than being passed over for a friend of the boss!
We are still, ‘Waiting for Godot!’
#42 And Good People
We, the Brooks, went to a coffee shop this morning as the first of two events for Jonathon’s Birthday Celebration. What nice people and a lovely atmosphere at the Green Mug in Cobden. Good cookies too. Jonathon attracts good people…he is a good person. He is unfailingly kind and considerate. Jonathon has more friends than you can count on all of your fingers and toes.
Jonathon does not return hurt for hurt…he returns kindness. Jonathon is the kind of friend you throw a birthday party for. Jonathon is a guileless, happy person in the face of reversal.
I am watching a Horror series on Netflix titled Something Bad Is Going To Happen. A lovely couple is to be married in a few days. They drive to the groom’s family home. The groom’s family is rich. They are exceedingly strange. The thesis is to find your soulmate. The answer to the hypothesis may be to drink a terrible drink, including a pinky toe. Life brings its own unique challenges to each of us.
I enjoy studying the rocky cliffs of Giant City State Park. Such is our journey with many twists, turns, and precipices. All is never lost as long as we stay on the path. Love makes all things whole.
Jonathon is a Good Seeker. He sees the best in all he meets. He brings out the best in us. No gossip. No backbiting. Jonathon has words of hope for the hopeless.
Happy #42, Jonathon!
Back To The Writing Porch
I think I am a bit late returning to the Writing Porch this season. For 14 years, it has been my Writing Haven. It reminds me of Maine. I look upon our small lake and feel peace. A sense of place. The world’s troubles melt away in the inspiration of the Writing Porch. It is good to read and write fiction. The ability to develop headspace outside the chaos of the moment is valuable. The Writing Porch assists me in not following the crowd.
Stories are life. We get up in the morning and lay our head on our pillow at night with stories. I remember Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Daniel Boone, as well as 1984, speaking new thoughts to my young brain. In sixth-grade literature, we read Across Five Aprils, and I never forgot it. I became a Christian by reading the Bible Story Books at Ferrel Hospital while waiting for Dr. Ferrel.
Stories make our daily life enjoyable. We look for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. We know that there is a Big Man in the Sky…he cares about us even when it seems no one does. Political leaders woo us with stories. They tell us that we are the greatest. Empathetic leaders tell us to help the poor and downtrodden. Some of us like the Story of Jesus as John Wayne. Guns ablazing and barfights ensuing. Tough Christian Nationalist…Jesus favors the white Americans…he does not recognize the brown folks of the people he created.
Stories have flaws. Jesus is not a white American. His disciples were not white Americans…they were not recipients of the Prosperity Doctrine. Greatness does not come from cruelty.
Life after death is a compelling story. We all want to believe it…even those who say they do not. The work…the love…the striving for a better world…must not be lost by the death of the body. We are the product of a Story…we perform our part on the stage of life. Study your lines and practice.
Peering In The Pool
Water fascinates me. All types of water. Rushing water from a mountain stream is peaceful. We stayed in a hotel in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, built over the Little Pigeon River. It provided all of the entertainment that I required. The soothing sound of the moving water over the rocks was mesmerizing. Lately, I have been photographing the shallow water in the creeks of Giant City. The reflection of trees in the colorful water is fine art.
Narcissus loved to peer at his reflection in a pool of water. It was an all-consuming pastime. When Narc was not looking at himself, he was wondering how he looked. Narc enjoyed hearing the comments from his friends and family about…him. Narc was about ‘Me’ and little else. Finally, he disappeared into his lovely reflection.
‘Do not be stuck on yourself,’ Neva J said. ‘Stay humble,’ she continued. ‘No one likes a braggard, let another praise you and not yourself,’ Neva J continued. ‘You cheapen good deeds when you announce them or seek others to do so for you,’ Neva J advised.
‘The Leader says we must do exactly what he says or suffer his wrath,’ Chet noted. ‘He advised the Church to follow what he says or suffer the consequences,’ Chet continued. ‘The President says he knows more than anyone, he consults with himself…he knows more than the experts who have studied the issues all of their lives,’ Chet explained. ‘His work is episodic… no past… no future…all in the moment,’ Chet said. ‘It is about the victory of the day,’ Chet observed.
‘It is difficult to be an ally of a Narcissist,’ Billy B said. ‘Their allegiance is transactional, their loyalty is to ‘Me’, Billy B continued. ‘The Reflection has room for one…not two,’ Billy B explained.
‘God has told me that this is the end of time,’ Narc said to the masses. ‘I have been chosen to kick off the festivities,’ Narc continued. ‘My people are handing out sunglasses to each of you in the audience…the flash will be brilliant…like the Sun,’ Narc proclaimed.
What Love
We are creatures who thrive on love… someone who cares… another human who sees us… who values us. We are a bit accustomed to leaders and advocates not reaching out to us. A part of the crowd…unseen and unheard. When a faith or political leader wants all of our opinions, we are compelled by interest. Thomas doubted the resurrection of Christ…Christ wanted him to see for himself.
There is so much we can accomplish when love is the foundation. The woman who was at the threshold of being stoned had no idea that the Carpenter would take her part. She felt the judgmental eyes of the crowd on her. She heard their taunts and jeers. She knew she was out of step with the religion of the day. Who would notice…who would care…many would cheer the Stoning Party that avenged the Law.
The homeless exist by their wits. Unseen, as people turn their heads away. They have left home and hearth for a dearth of love.
Authoritarians believe that the best way to obtain followers is to beat or scare them into submission. Loving people… caring about them… knowing them creates lasting friendships.
‘I have heard it said that you win more flies with honey than with vinegar,’ Chet said. ‘A soft answer turneth away wrath,’ Chet noted. ‘In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin, but he that refraineth his lips is wise,’ Chet grinned. ‘We emulate the coarseness of leaders and thus become lost,’ Chet noted.
‘The nice people gave me quarters to wash my clothes, ‘ the homeless man said. ‘I have not had clean clothes in months,’ HM continued. ‘The look on their faces was angelic,’ HM said in a whisper.
World Bipolar Day Reflections
March 30th was World Bipolar Day. The purpose of World Bipolar Day is to raise awareness about what exactly bipolar disorder is while also reporting …
World Bipolar Day Reflections
What Will Happen
‘I will destroy you,’ the Leader said. ‘You will do as I say or you shall be no more,’ the Great Leader continued. ‘I have all of the cards…you have none,’ GL proclaimed. ‘I have watched television and marveled at the pure power of our military,’ GL explained. ‘Don’t Piss Me Off,’ GL warned.
‘The leaves are appearing daily,’ Jane said. ‘Crocus have emerged,’ Jane laughed. ‘Spring brings renewed energy…perhaps a garden of flowers…words of comfort…words of peace,’ Jane whispered. ‘A spring picnic is in the plan…potato salad and Oscar Mayer Weiners for Chet,’ Jane laughed. ‘The War Rehotiic is scary…it is serene in the Woods…Mr. Badger is helping me plan the Picnic…he is a wise old Badger,’ Jane noted. ‘Mr. Badger told me that it is darkest before the dawn,’ Jane said with tears in her eyes.
‘The President speaks before he thinks…he has thrown the world into turmoil…he seems to live in his own head,’ Chet said. ‘We go to the Picnic in the Woods with our hearts full of peace…we go in prayer for the safety of our planet,’ Chet continued. ‘We must protect each other… civilizations are God’s children…attacks on civilian infrastructure are against the law of man…against the law of God,’ Chet said with passion. ‘At the beginning of the year, we rejoiced in the freedom of the French Quarter in New Orleans…the beauty and talent of God’s creation and our place in it,’ Chet continued. ‘Easter was two days ago…we rejoiced in the risen Christ…looking forward to peace for all mankind,’ Chet whispered.
‘I remember the Cuban Missile Crisis,’ Neva J said. ‘We were all afraid…we had bomb shelters in our backyards…we were so close to nuclear war,’ Neva J continued. ‘President Kennedy comforted us…he exercised wisdom…he pulled us back from the brink,’ Neva J explained with emotion. ‘We thought that it was the end…Grandma A called it Armageddon…she said that the blood would flow to the horse’s bridle,’ Neva J noted. ‘We live on a razor’s edge…we exist with the Sword of Damocles over our heads…we require a President who is sound of mind,’ Neva J said softly.
‘Let us understand what we are speaking…Genocide…obliteration of innocent human life…a clouded mind…creates a storm,’ Chet said.
Watching For Danger
Easter is over. One of my most enjoyable. A great feeling of unity and love at our Easter Church Service. So…we go forward into 2026. The times are wonderful…the times are terrible. We watch for the danger around the corner. Hateful words from leaders…cursing and gutter talk… stay with the recipients of the verbal abuse. Once we understood hate…now we normalize it. Once we shunned cruelty…now we embrace it. Faith… religion… is used as a disguise for evil. We understood that Jesus loves… races… religions… all people… he died for the Human Family.
The Old Man reveled in the acceptance of the musicians in the French Quarter. We have been the blind leading the blind…now our eyes are open. The African American nurse taking my blood this morning buttoned my sleeve when the test was concluded. She saw me as an Old Man and helped me. Love is expressed in many ways.
Open our eyes… Let us see God’s love in all manner of people. None of us has cornered the market on Faith. We are students of life…our friends can not tell us…leaders can not con us out of Jesus Message of Easter…light and hope have come to the whole world without exception.
How time flies. The year is fast. The insidious nature of time is wrapped in the belief that we have all the time we need. Nothing could be further from the truth. A stopwatch governs our mission. Not what real estate adventure have we made better…what person or people have we made better…secure…seen…heard…understood. Have we raged against the night? Have we sought the approval of the Hollow Man as a surrogate for Faith?
‘Listen to me and be saved,’ the Hollow Man said. ‘I alone have the answer to your problems,’ the Hollow Man continued. ‘Follow me, and I will give you a lot of fish and big skillets to fry them in,’ the Hollow Man proclaimed. ‘I met Jesus…a carpenter…not too much money…a bit overrated,’ Hollow Man observed. ‘To the victor belong the spoils,’ Hollow Man continued. ‘You should look to me at Easter…I am bringing you wealth…prosperity…security,’ Hollow Man said with passion as he danced on one foot and then the other. ‘I am the second coming…enough said,’ Hollow Man said with a wink.
The NCAA final game is on tonight. Baseball Season is in full bloom. Soon will be Mother’s Day. Soon will be Father’s Day. Easter has come…now we can wear white shoes. Nothing changes…everything changes. Many cry out in pain…we can not hear them over our sound systems…many ask for a cool drink of water…we are afraid to allow the thirsty to our ice makers.
Easter Family
As I sat at Easter Lunch today, I watched the beautiful people around me. We humans, come in many intricate costumes of life. Our joy and suffering we wear with pride on our faces. Walking up to the Turn, a friendly young man asked if MJ and I would like a ride to the front door. I wondered why…Then I knew. We had that special look… that scent of life… young eyes… white hair… hopeful resilience. Church was inspiring, uplifting… a swelling of tears. A gentleman was there who had been quite ill…he looked beatific this morning. ‘Were you there when they crucified my Lord…were you there when they nailed him to the cross…sometime it causes me to tremble…tremble…tremble.’
As we drove by the Catholic Church, folks were hiding Easter Eggs. We have read the Book. The promises are lovely…the Story is an edge-of-your-seat thriller…Mary did not recognize Jesus when she saw him at the tomb…how many times have we not recognized him?
‘Everyone hide your eyes…the Eggs are almost hidden…soon we will discover the prize,’ Peter Rabbit said. ‘The Desire of the Ages…the King of Kings…walking with us…dinner with us…laughing with us,’ Peter Rabbit continued. ‘We the forgotten…we raise our hand, but no one calls on us…We stood in line, but no one hired us…We lived and died unknown and unwanted…until the Teacher came on the scene,’ Peter R proclaimed. ‘He saw us…he recognized our value…he wanted us on his team…we were there when they crucified our Lord,’ PR said.
‘He passed among us…We did not see him…He spoke to us…We did not hear him…he saw us…We then…saw him,’ Mary M said. ‘His eyes were sad and full of compassion…he understood the frustration of the forgotten,’ Mary M noted. ‘Many looked away when they saw us…he looked at us…into our souls…into our hearts…He saw us…He was one of us…He knew us…We knew him,’ Mary M said softly.
‘I saw him in the street in front of Joseph’s Carpentery shop,’ Peter said. ‘He was the Teacher…yet changed,’ Peter said. ‘When he looked at me, I knew it was him…he smiled his familiar smile,’ Peter mused. ‘He told me that we would meet that night…to bring Thomas…we would talk of new things…we would plan for the wait before the end of the Story,’ Peter said softly.
Easter Surprise
‘I think we have all of the Easter Eggs colored,’ Jane said. ‘I love the pastel shades…it is time to hide them from the kids,’ Jane laughed. ‘This Easter, the child who finds the most will get to meet Peter Rabbit,’ Jane explained. ‘Peter is going to join us in the Hunt,’ Jane continued. ‘He is bringing a flock of butterflies to release when the winner is announced,’ Jane laughed. ‘Peter told me that the Hunt will reveal a surprise for all of the Hunters,’ Jane winked. ‘Peter R. is a wise old Rabbit…he has dabbled in politics…he knows the President, Jane noted. ‘Easter will bring a great change… chaos will subside…there is a newness in the air…hope…peace,’ Jane reflected. ‘Peter R told me of traveling the world since last Easter…we are heading towards the promise…it is always darkest before the dawn,’ Jane said softly. ‘Peter R told me to watch the sky…look for the rainbow…focus on the Carpenter returned from the tomb,’ Jane whispered.
‘You are a natty dresser,’ Chet told Peter Rabbit. ‘I have read of your exploits…your work for peace…your focus on the forgotten,’ Chet continued. ‘I read your stories when I was a lad…not long ago…I am intrigued by your political work…you counsel Presidents…you are a bright light in a dark world,’ Chet proclaimed. ‘What does the release of the butterflies mean…are we reborn…are we made new by the Easter Experience?’ Chet asked.
‘Tomorrow we stand against the darkness…we stand against the Wilderness…we stand for hope,’ Peter Rabbit said with conviction. ‘Presidents and kings do not know their subjects…their promises are hollow…the children understand…the kids know,’ Peter Rabbit continued. ‘Our lives were meant to be lived in harmony and peace…we are made to possess the wide-eyed wonder of youth till we die…the butterflies understand this…the wonder and mystery of the Tomb understands this…we are made for greatness,’ Peter Rabbit noted with aplomb. ‘A surprise is coming…we have waited so long… our ancestors died without obtaining the Promise…the light is rising above the hill of Golgotha…a beat before the revealing,’ Peter Rabbit said.
‘The Hope Train is rattling down the tracks…it has been coming for a long time… no more dying… no more suffering… no more death,’ the Carpenter said. ‘I have returned to the House of My Father…now the mission begins…now the great Passion Play commences…I accepted my mission…” Now I have returned for my friends,’ the Carpenter said with a smile.
‘The winner is the little girl in the wheelchair…come forward and receive your prize…your proficiency at finding the hidden Easter Eggs is amazing,’ Peter Rabbit said. ‘You live in politically untenable times…you live in a climate of fear for many people…yet you are unafraid,’ Peter Rabbit observed. ‘I have seen you in the audiences the President has spoken to,’ Peter Rabbit said. ‘Your face showed like an angel…you were neither afraid nor supplicant…you were seeking truth…you remind me of Mary M, who worked with the Carpenter,’ Peter Rabbit explained. ‘You have been there…I saw you…you remember the old ways…the old truths,’ PR noted with satisfaction.
‘I stood at the foot of the cross when Jesus died for us…he was my mentor…he was my friend…we spoke of many things for many hours…he feared what he was asked to endure…he hoped God would find another way…Jesus loved living…wine and song…friends and laughing…working in his Dad’s Carpenter shop…friendly greetings in the community,’ Mary M said. ‘He was gregarious…he was an introvert…he sought people…he sought alone time…he loved animals, and they loved him…he was a man of the people…he was a loner,’ Mary M continued.
Finished
‘Did you see that dark cloud that came from nowhere?’ Chet asked? One minute it was sunny, the next it was night,’ Chet continued. ‘I love the movie The Ten Commandments,’ Chet observed. ‘I am going to get a staff like Moses…he looks so cool with it…showing Pharaoh who God is with,’ Chet said. ‘The scene in the film where the Red Sea parts…gives me chills,’ Chet proclaimed with a grin. ‘I always look forward to the Good Friday Movie at the Orpheum Theatre,’ Chet noted.
‘The path was cruel,’ Mary M noted. ‘He could not see where he was going…the cruel thorns…the Cross heavier than him…the catcalls and curses of the crowd…less than a week ago it had been so different,’ Mary M said softly. ‘He would not have arisen from the weight if it had not been for the kindness of the Ethiopian Man,’ Mary M explained. ‘Give us Barabbas…the angry throng cried loudly,’ Mary M said with tears in her eyes.
‘Never a man spoke as this Man,’ the Roman Centurian said.
‘Remember us when you come into your Kingdom,’ the Thief said.
‘Today you shall be with me in Paradise,’ the King said.
‘Look at the sky…I have not seen such a sky…it is black with streaks of blood red…the Veil of the Temple is rent in twain…I see sad eyes looking down from Heaven…the lambs cry…the camels weep…the Oxen bow their heads in prayer,’ Mary said. ‘Pilate hides…the Priests and Rabbis seek protection…there is none from the terrible sky,’ Mary mused.
‘He just jumped off the cliff…he was more despondent than any man I have seen,’ the Guard said.
‘It is finished,’ the King said.
The Happy Traveler 