The heat has broken. It is 78 degrees and it is reminding MJ and me of fall. Fall is my favorite time of year. Maine is in our sites…now. We have been planning for it since last September when we returned from Boothbay Harbor and our stay at the Ocean Point Inn. This year Ira Kaye and Ron and Paige are going to join us…it will be fun! We discovered Maine somewhat later in life…and became addicted to its quaint towns and lighthouses and the majesty of the Ocean. There is a peace and serenity that settles over Maine. Of course, there is…lobster. The golden opportunity to eat lobster every day…is to die for! LL Bean is there…in Freeport…and I love LL Bean clothes and gloves and houseshoes. The architecture is unique. The authenticity of the people is palpable and refreshing. Rather than sandy shores, I am captivated by the rocky shores of Maine.

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse was fascinating. Aaron walked all over the extremely rocky shoreline and the view was spectacular.

Autumn brings a sense of place that is prevailing. The autumn tells us that everything is going to be alright. Autumn says, ‘Calm down and slow your pace…a little…read…and think…and live your life well.’ We love our fall holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas…settle us…and calm us…and they let us know that our family is with us…our friends love us…we may have been sick…but we feel better now.

A colleague often said, ‘We struggle and strive…but never get out of this world alive.’ I have known many people that substituted their careers for their life. I had a friend who said that his retirement goal was to have enough income to be able to sit on his front porch. Another friend told me that she did not know what she was going to do with no job to go to each day. Life is more than work. Dedication is needed in all facets of our life…especially our family and our health and our spirituality. Maine reminds me of these important facets of the composition of…Jay…

I ordered two burritos from Taco Bell and they were two dollars each. The ethereal voice emanating from the speaker said $4.47. When I staged my $4.47 while attempting to not hit the car in front of me and not strike the tall curb next to me…the voice…who now was manifest as a complete person…looked at me and pronounced…$4.02. I thought…what happened…and then I knew…senior discount. I must admit that I rarely ask if there is a senior discount…but my grey hair and beard…do the asking for me.

The campus was tranquil this morning. I do not know how many students are enrolled in the summer semester…but I think not many. However, I always see the Grounds folks working diligently. Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale is a lovely Campus. I was contemplating that no matter our age…life affords us many senior discounts. At times we are not aware of them for a variety of reasons. We may feel eternally negative or down or have the blues…due to some unhappy reversals in our life. At times the vagaries of living can cloud our perspective as to the joys inherent in the gift of life that we all enjoy. The United Kingdom Prime Minister said during his resignation speech…’ Thems The Breaks.’ But…how often do things and events break our way…and we take those blessings for granted?

‘I just do not believe that Helen is ever going to send the bicycle that she promised to buy for me not long after we left Chicago,’ Billy B. said with disgust. ‘How long have you been waiting for the bicycle,’ Chet asked? ‘Four years,’ Billy B. responded. ‘There are some great Three Speed bikes at Western Auto…I saw them yesterday when I was helping clean the store,’ smiled Jane. ‘Bob says that he could use another helper…for delivery in the afternoon after school,’ Jane mentioned. ‘I will go and see him this minute,’ Billy B. announced as the front door hit him on his butt.

‘Is the Three Speed that is in the window really $75,’ asked Billy B.? ‘Yes…but it has been in the window for some time…I will let you take it home for $40 and you can work the price off a couple of hours an afternoon at $1 an hour,’ said Bob with a wide grin. ‘Gosh…I could have the Three Speed paid for in a month, exclaimed Billy B.!

‘That is one sweet ride,’ laughed Chet as they rode their bikes around Eldorado.’ ‘Bob’s son, Jeff, told me that his dad basically gave you the Three Speed for his cost as he paid $40 for it wholesale, Jane said with a smile.

‘What a tremendous discount,’ Billy B. said…as he changed speeds…

The heat is breaking…a little. The temperature is currently 85 degrees but it feels like 96 degrees. For the past few days, the heat factor has been 110 degrees and above. It has felt like a sauna. Did you know that crows can mimic human speech mush like parrots? As I sat at a picnic table at Giant City State Park today…I wondered if the half dozen crows that were standing around on the ground when I arrived…and then slowly flew into the trees when I got out of the Forester…were discussing me?

Chet opened one eye when he heard a rustling on the nightstand that is next to his bed. As he reached for his glasses he heard, ‘Hey Buddy…how’s it going…have you heard any good jokes lately?’ When Chet put on his glasses he saw a humongous Black Crow…smiling at him. ‘My name is Clive Crow,’ Clive said. ‘How did you get in,’ Chet asked? ‘I flew in through your bedroom window,’ Clive answered. ‘I prefer flying to walking on most days,’ Clive continued. ‘Do all crows talk,’ asked Chet? ‘Yes…unless we are not in the mood…sometimes there just is not much to talk about,’ Clive said with a wink. ‘My wife sent me out of the nest…she told me to not ‘Mess in My Nest,’ Clive laughed. ‘Her name is Matilda…Matilda Magpie,’ Clive explained. ‘I was smoking a cigar…and she asked me if I had not thought about setting our Nest on fire,’ Clive snorted. ‘I told her that I had sprayed it with fire-retardant…but she did not believe me,’ Clive went on to say. ‘I was in the Park today and I saw several crows cawing and looking at me as if they could not believe what they were seeing,’ Chet told Clive.’ ‘Well…we are basically a curious lot…we like to watch the humans,’ Clive answered. ‘The other day I saw a large man and a Maltese dog walking…and when the Maltese had bowel movement…the man picked it up and put it in a bag…for later,’ Clive grinned. ‘I can only assume that you humans must prize dog poop,’ Clive said with sincerity in his voice. ‘Humans seem to be a bit narcissistic to we crows…you camp out in our woods and leave all of your human litter to clog our streams and cause forest fires,’ Clive said sternly. ‘It seems that you Hairless Ones…seem to have much confidence in your intelligence…but you have no network…you all are your own Island,’ Clive said. ‘We crow stick together and thus see danger from a far off due to our communication skills…while you Hairless Ones appear to be oblivious to the most basic of threats, Clive warned. ‘You lack community…you lack empathy…at least when it comes to we crow,’ Clive said in a whisper.

‘Have you seen Clive,’ Billy B. asked? ‘Yes he is on the Writing Porch with me,’ answered Chet. ‘Has Clive been telling you of his domestic troubles,’ Billy B. asked Chet? ‘He did mention it briefly…but he has been giving me his daily dose of Crow Wisdom,’ Chet answered.

Since my last visit to the United Kingdom in 2016, I have had an amplified affection for the country that we came from. We spent a lovely three weeks with our dear friends Jeff and Margo. We first became acquainted with our buddies in Southern Illinois. We have been friends for over 50 years. We visited London…but we branched out all the way to Edinburgh as well as York and Leeds and Oxford and Stratford Upon Avon…William Shakespeare home. Traveling through the Mid-Lands of England I saw and learned that all of the UK is not like London…indeed London is as much like the UK as New York City represents the rest of the United States. The United Kingdom is indeed A Good And Pleasant Land. England is full of poor and working-class people. The UK is full of practical people and Our British Friends enjoy their Pubs. Their Parliamentary system of government is fascinating…just watch Prime Ministers’ Questions each Wednesday.

Consensus is vital to successful government…both in the United Kingdom and the United States. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has become an Unpopular Populist. The Prime minister’s assertions seem a bit narcissistic. I am pleased to hear our closest ally concerned about integrity and telling the truth. It seems we have forgotten that principle…at times…in this country. So often I have witnessed leaders…forget the Plot…and equate their staying in power with the success of those who they serve.

Boris has the record for the most ministers quitting in one day… which is 14…while second place occurred in 1932…with 11 resignations. Again refreshing when I think of the almost universal support our former president enjoyed…from his political party… for what now has been revealed as criminal behavior. I experienced the same sycophantic behavior at University when many were more afraid of keeping their job…than telling the truth. Sadly politics in the United States has become a Cushy…Full-Time Career…

Precept Number 1 is that a person who is elected by the people…rather in politics or church government…must be prepared to resign when they can see and it is revealed by their honest truth-telling colleagues…that they are no longer effective.

Honesty…Integrity…Service…is the legs of the table that most hard-working people base their lives upon. The rarefied air of the privileged and protected is not enjoyed by the rest of us. If we lie to our boss…we will be terminated. If we mislead our friends…they will leave our side. We have groceries to put on the table for our hungry kids. We are expected to obey the rules…and to not obfuscate. I personally witnessed a manager lose their position of leadership due to no confidence.

Allegiances based on ‘I will scratch your back and you will scratch mine,’ is a method of accomplishing things in government…it is not ethical or legal or a controlling principle to have political allegiance based on lies and artifice and narcissism. When a leader’s vision of leadership is based on what is best for them with no concern for the welfare of those who sent them to an office of leadership…’The Emperor Has No Clothes…’

The heat factor is 98 degrees at 9:15 A:M: on the Writing Porch. Indeed it is July the 5th! Life is good in our little corner of the world. I do not say that haughtily or with the expectation that it will always remain so….as life changes on a dime. In fact, the only thing that is certain about life…is change. The firecrackers and other sundry fireworks have been booming and crackling for several nights and early mornings. I am speaking of two and three o’clock in the morning. More than once they sounded with such a timpani that I thought they must be being set off in my front yard. Being an old retired guy with a little dog that is not afraid of the loud bursts I smiled and thought…people enjoying their independence on Independence Day and the surrounding days. Other neighbors that have to work in the morning or attend University…probably had different ideas.

How could we be half through 2022? It reminds me of watching Aaron and Jonathon grow up… every time that I looked at them…they looked different and older. It was like capturing sunlight in a bottle…impossible to do. So it is with our Journey…it is like the old Kalidscopes of my youth. Each time that you look into it the multi-colors are changing.

‘We have well less than two months of Summer Vacation left,’ said Billy B. with a frown. ‘It seems that it just started…and now it is nearly over,’ sighed Chet.’ ‘Mom says that we go back to school during the third week of August,’ Jane noted. ‘It is high time for an Eldorado Adventure,’ exclaimed Daryl! ‘What exactly do you have in mind,’ asked Chet? ‘How about a trip to the Channel 3 Television Station at Harrisburg,’ Darryl suggested. ‘Could we be in the audience when the Cactus Pete Show is being televised,’ Jane asked? ‘That is exactly what I had in mind,’ Darryl replied.

Clutch Cargo was being broadcast when our intrepid adventurers arrived. ‘I wonder if Clutch is in the building,’ Billy B. asked? ‘Clutch is a cartoon,’ Chet answered. ‘I heard that he was a real actor that was dressed up to look like a cartoon,’ Jane said with some authoritative knowledge. ‘Look over there…Clutch Cargos’ name is on the door of a dressing room, Darryl said. ‘See…I told you guys…Clutch is real as is his little pal Paddle Foot, Jane laughed with glee. Chet slowly opened the door with Clutch Cargo inscribed on its’ face. As they all slowly walked into the tiny room…it suddenly expanded into an airfield with a Propeller Plane and a voice rang out…’ Come on Adventurers…daylight is wasting…get in.’ ‘Clutch…you are real…I told them that you were real…where is Paddle Foot,’ Jane asked? ‘Come on Paddle Foot…come on Boy,’ called Clutch through his immovable angular jaw and lips that moved little. ‘Woof…Woof…’ Paddle Foot barked with canine glee. ‘Where are we going…Clutch,’ asked Chet? ‘We are flying to Appalachia to take a July 5th Picnic and some firecrackers to some children who have never had a fun 4th of July…and who are hungry,’ Clutch answered.

Cades Cove was in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and just outside Gatlinburg. When Clutch found a field to land his plane on…the families who lived in the Cove came running up to greet them. They took the picnic food and drink to the Methodist Church and enjoyed a July 5th Feast…then the firecrackers…which the Smoky Mountian Kids had not seen. The pops and cracks and wonderful sparkling light brought a certain lightheartedness to all involved. ‘I have some little carvings for each of you,’ said Carl. ‘Have you ever heard of whittling,’ Carl asked? ‘What is whittling,’ Billy B.asked? Well…we take our Case Knifes that Daddy bought us for Christmas and we get some pine wood and carve out different items from the soft wood,’ Carl answered. ‘Mine is of the Methodist Church, said Jane. ‘I have one of the Old Barn that is in the distance, Billy B. said with joy. Darryl could not help but notice that the Smoky Mountian Kids…were barefoot. He then set about getting all of their shoe sizes and telephoned his dad, The Wiz, and his dad said to tell the kids that he was Air Mailing a pair of shoes for each of them and that they should arrive tomorrow. When the Smoky Mountian Kids heard the good news of the New Shoes…they asked if Clutch and Billy B. and Jane and Darryl…and even Paddle Foot had ever tried White Lightning? ‘Daddy has a Still in the woods…he said for me to take you there and for you to help yourself to the best White Lightning in the Smoky Mountains,’ announced Carl.

As Chet passed the side mirror on the plane he noticed that his face was a cartoon character…

‘White Lightning will make you see double and feel single,’ laughed Clutch Cargo through his barely opened mouth. ‘That does not compute…that does not compute,’ Chet proclaimed in his revelry of imitating the Lost In Space Robot…while under the happy influence of White Lightning! ‘I would like to stay in Cades Cove…forever,’ Jane said as she fell asleep. ‘Wooo…Wooo,’ Paddle Foot moaned as he rolled over. ‘Paddle Foot…you have had a bit too much of the WL.’ Clutch laughed. ‘Time to load up and go home,’ Clutch said. As they disembarked from the Propeller Plane they noticed Clutch and Paddle Foot were nowhere to be seen. Upon entering Channel 3 Chet bumped into a man who looked like Clutch in the hall. He was not a cartoon character…and he winked at Chet as he passed him…with a closed mouth… slight smile…

I just left our Sunday morning Church Service and I came away with the thought that the simple is sublime. Pastor Kerry spoke of Naaman who was a commander of the Army of Syria. Naaman had leprosy and was told by the prophet Elisha to wash in the Jordan River…7 times and that, ‘his flesh would be restored to him and you shall be clean.’ Naaman was at first offended by the command of the prophet and wondered aloud why Elisha did not come out to meet him and call on the name of the Lord and he also said that Abana and Pharpar, two rivers in Damascus, were better than all of the waters of Israel. However when Naaman did as Elisha had instructed him to do…his leprosy was cured.

The old Saturday Night Live skit with Steve Martin and Dan Akroyd where their catchphrase was, ‘We are two wild and crazy guys,’ can be said of God. God does what he wants and he does it well. The majesty of nature simply overwhelms me on almost a daily basis. The variety of living creatures that we share our planet with… is fascinating. We worry about office politics and who is up politically and who is down…we seek America for ‘True Americans’…which must mean we are searching for Native Americans. We wonder if we will be able to take the next Holiday Journey and when Covid will end. I often ponder on the fact that I did not purchase a ticket of admittance to be a part of this wonderful and chaotic world…and all that I have and hear and see and feel…is a gift.

As I became a young man and then a middle-aged man…and now an old man…my perspective on the values of life has changed. I first sought to leave my rural environs and become something and someone great and far above my rearing. I knew that I had spent my childhood in the country setting and working poor surroundings of Eldorado, Illinois…and I sought to separate myself from those early beginnings. Now I embrace my heritage and peaceful and fulfilling life. I not only do not seek to be someone that I am not…but I am exceedingly proud of the life’s experiences that created Old 64.

Perhaps you have heard the axiom…’Nothing succeeds like success?’ A life well-lived is success enough…

The rain is coming down in buckets as I sit at the Writing Porch. I love rain. But…it does make it difficult to light a firecracker. I heard fireworks much of the night and felt a special joy after receiving a good medical report on some tests that I had taken at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. I can think of several times in my life when it seemed that the reset button had been pushed and I reflected on Louis Armstrong’s famous song, ‘What a Wonderful World.’ What we often think of as mundane…is special. We are angry for no good reason. As another great song says…’Always be humble and kind.’ I stopped in the Quick Mart at DeSoto and was so impressed with how friendly the young woman greeted me was. She announced…as she opened the door for me…’I knew that you were driving a Subaru because I recognized the familiar sound of the bell…it is the same as my mom’s Subaru.’ As I walked the streets of the little village of Elkville yesterday…I remembered the young man of 17 who moved there in 1975.

‘I am excited to be going to Pounds Hollow for an evening swim and a fireworks display at dark,’ said Jane in a happy manner. ”Yes, I believe that it is the first time that we have attended their Fourth of July Celebration…and I hear that it is fantastic,’ Chet commented.’ ‘Where do they set off the fireworks from,’ asked Neva J.? ‘They float a wooden raft out into the deep water and perform the show from there,’ Billy B. answered. ‘I have heard that it scares the Cottonmouth snakes so badly that they leap out of the water,’ Daryl laughed.

Pounds Hollow was packed with people such as Billy B. had never seen in his years of swimming in his favorite Lake. The sun was already setting and the mood was high with so many children that were thrilled about the Holiday and secure in their freedom from school for another few weeks. A couple of Eldorado Roughians had attempted to smuggle beer into the festivities…but had been stopped at the gate and sent on their way back to Eldorado. Neva J. had sequestered a couple bottles of wine in her cooler and some Dixie Cups to drink it from…once it became dark. ‘Have you heard the story that there are several bodies at the bottom of the Hollow…and that every now and then you can see them during the height of the Fireworks Display due to the brilliance of the light and the spookiness of the hour,’ asked Chet? ‘My dad told me that he was out here last year and saw the ghost of a Revolutionary Army General,’ Daryl said. ‘Dad said that the General stood by the wooden raft for a few moments as the Roman Candles lit up the sky…and that he had a dismall and foreboding look on his face,’ Daryl related with some trepidation.

‘Please join me in the countdown for the Fireworks…,’said the Eldorado Mayor. As the light shown brilliantly across the happy members of Little Egypt…before the audience stood several ragged Revolutionary Soldiers…and five British Soldiers. ‘My God…you can see right through them,’ Chet exclaimed! As they floated just above the water…men and women fainted…and the kids clapped…for the expertly acted…Fourth Of July Celebration…

A blogging friend has asked me about the Writing Porch. Here are some photos of it.

July has arrived and summer knows it. It is either hotter than ever…or I am older than ever…or a combination of the two. MJ and I did our Aldis Shopping this morning and it dawned on me that Aldis has become our primary market. For a small store, it has a fantastic variety of goods…and they are priced right. Aldis is Addictive! Then it was off to see Larry, of Electric Larrys, whose birthday is this weekend. Aaron, Jonathon, and I have been shopping at ELs since he opened and find the most eclectic paraphernalia and collectibles I have seen in many years. He is headed for a Canoe Birthday…and I say Happy Birthday…Larry! So…not to let the day waste…which is a primary concern for each day of my retirement. I pointed the Forester towards Elkville.

I moved to Elkville the morning after I graduated High School at Eldorado. Many of my friends lived there and I attended a little non-denominational church in the Village. I literally lived in the church for a few weeks until I could procure a rental property. The Christian Faith captivated my imagination…and it still does. My family knew the pastor of the little church and he adopted me as a surrogate son he and his lovely and kind wife, Mickey, were some of my favorite people. I wanted to become a minister. I still think it is one of the most important jobs and callings a woman or man can fulfill. Many members of my extended family attended the church. Three aunts and some cousins were among them. I met my good buddies, Steve and Faye, in Elkville and he and I had many exciting adventures. Jeff and Margo were a part of the little church…and we have enjoyed an over 50-year friendship. When I began I was one of only two young people in a church of primarily senior citizens. I loved the old people…and they took to me like a grandson.

I lived in Elkville for over twice as long as Eldorado. MJ and I raised Aaron and Jonathon in the confines of the little peaceful…Village. MJ Home Schooled for many years in order that I could have some quality time with our sons. I worked as the night manager of Building Services for over 12 years of their budding youth. MJ is a saint! Grandpa Hickam and Grandma Fernie lived just a few blocks away. Grandpa H. would come to our door…unannounced and peer through the glass pane in the door. When I was working the 3rd shift…Grandma Fernie would call our home at 9:00 in the morning… and when I answered in a weary voice…she would ask, ‘Jay…you are not still in the bed…are you?’

Karen and Carol Dean let me ride with them to our mutual job at Essex International in DuQuoin, Illinois. This was my first full-time job and I made $16 dollars per week. I was working at about this time in the summer of 75′ and many of the women on the production lines were fainting from heat exhaustion. I told the Personnel Manager when he was showing me the facility after he hired me…that I would be purchasing my lunch from the machines in the Commissary. He advised me that I might want to consider bringing my lunch as I would not be making enough money to buy it.

Many of my years at SIUC…I lived in Elkville. About a year after I was hired in 1978…Steve was hired and we shared car rides for several years. When I became a Presbyterian…we lived in Elkville and did not move for another three years to Carbondale. I drove Route #51 so many times that I often did not know just exactly where I was on the Route. As I walked the streets of Elkville…today…I was at home.