‘I can not believe that School starts Friday, Billy B. said to no one in particular. ‘It seems that we just got out for summer…and now they ‘pull us back in,’ Chet laughed. ‘One thing for certain…it has been a hot summer,’ Jane said with a sigh. ‘Well…it is raining now…and I like it,’ Darryl said. It is 80 degrees and it is one of the cooler summer days that we have had for some time,’ Neva J. noted. ‘Pounds Hollow will be closed on Labor Day,’ Chet mused. ‘Why don’t we all load up in my station wagon and take a trip to the Hollow,’ The Wiz announced! ‘I will pack a picnic basket and some bottles of Red,’ Neva J. exulted.

The Wiz always had a lot of money. One time he asked Neva J. and Billy B. to keep ten thousand dollars that was in a little suitcase for him while he went out of town…and he often was out of town. Once Neva J. had asked him where he got all of his money…and he replied that he had many business ventures and also…he was a bit good at magic. Neva J. had opened the suitcase and let Billy B. peer in at all of the $100 bills…Billy B. had never laid his eyes on so many greenbacks. The Wiz spoke little of his life outside of the classroom…but he was extremely generous with his friends. He provided Christmas Dinner for every family in Eldorado…with all of the trimmings. If The Wiz heard of someone who was having their power shut off for lack of paying their bill due to their simply being poor…he paid the bill and kept paying it until they were back on their feet.

When the station wagon arrived at the Hollow…there were several of the kids from Special Education having a picnic…and sitting alone with a meager fare of baloney sandwiches and Kool-Aid to drink. Immediately The Wiz invited the kids over to join him and Neva J. and Billy B. and Chet and Jane and Darryl. As they enjoyed the hamburgers and hot dogs and a little sip of the Red Wine…they laughed and clapped while The Wiz performed a magic act for them. At the conclusion of the Magic Act…The Wiz asked each child what they wanted for the New School Year…one wanted to be able to read better…another wanted to understand arithmetic…and yet another asked for a friend… The Wiz had tears in his eyes…and he said all of their wishes were granted…and that this would be the best school year that they would ever have. Donnie Latham asked The Wiz,’ Will you watch over me and my classmates and ensure that people are not mean to us…and that they do not laugh at us…and that they accept us?’ ‘I will watch over all of you every day…you will be safe…no harm will come to you,’ promised The Wiz.

‘Suddenly I am happy that School begins on Friday…I am going to help The Wiz watch over our friends…and I will be their friend…if they will have me,’ said Billy B.

I love the woods. I have been enjoying Campus Woods @ Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale for 45 years. Today I drank in the splendor of Giant City State Park. Giant City is only a few miles from my home. When I am in the woods…I feel close to God. The splendor of his creation envelopes me. I think that if I ever see my Guardian Angel…I will see her/him in the woods.

I wonder if we do not tend to live too much in the artificial. Television and movies and Netflix and Amazon Prime and Hulu. The political pundits that we agree with are on our radios and TVs and we identify with their heated rhetoric and hidden agendas…that usually involve how much money that they can glean from us. Do we forget that we are Dust to Dust…and we came from the earth and to the earth, we will all return? Yesterday Pastor Kerry likened the Christian walk more to a riding lawnmower than a motorcycle through a humorous anecdote. Are we content in puttering along on our riding lawnmower…or do we want to take Christianity out on our motorcycle and see what the ‘Old Girl’ can do?

Little Egypt is a group of small towns and villages…and hamlets…that comprise Southern Illinois. Riches and economic prosperity have not been widely known in our region of the nation. I have traversed the towns and villages of my home place. Sweet honest and faithful people abound. We wait for the hope of the Gospel. We wait for Christ’s words to take root in the hearts of mankind. I used to tell my friend, Brent, who was also my supervisor at SIUC…that all of us native Southern Illinoisans learned to make our entertainment without the aid of monetary resources. I remember playing with sticks that I found in my yard. I recall catching Lightning Bugs in a jar. I played and rode my bicycle until dark and then went into the house to listen to the Joey Bishop Show from my little bedroom. Regis Philbin was Joey’s Co-host. We waited patiently for someone in power…who was interested in us…

Jesus’ love was the answer. Not his wrath…his love. Quartet Gospel Music was a solace. The Statesman Quartet and the Blackwood Brothers spoke to our hearts. When we listen to Gospel Music…we knew that God loved the Poor Of The Earth. When Big Chief of the Statesman Quartet sang… his resonate with Base voice…we understood that God had not forgotten we former Coal Miners and Farmers of Little Egypt.

I have met many people in my life…but only a handful that was memorable. John Holt was memorable. John was the genuine article. I first became acquainted with John when I accidentally became a member of our church’s governing board called the Session. I had been asked by a friend if I would submit my name for consideration for an elder position on the Stewardship Committee. I had been a trustee many years before and I assumed that the job was somewhat similar to what I had done previously. My friend told me that the Stewardship Committee only met a few times per year and that I would not be a member of Session. I consented and the next thing that I knew I was a member of Session for a three-year commitment. After a few weeks, I thought that I would bow out quietly…but John asked me to stay. I respected him to the extent…that I stayed.

John seemed to have more duties in the church than anyone that I knew. He did everything from operating the sound system on a weekly basis…to locking the church nightly…and even changing the light bulbs when they burned out. I joined him on the church lock-up duties as well as many of the physical needs of our church. John challenged my faith…he made me want to be a better Christian. John was not afraid to disagree and when he told me something I took it to the bank…he was the real deal!

Jonn was my idea of a Renaissance Man. He could speak widely and with considerable knowledge on a variety of subjects. I have never met a greater example of a Servant-Leader.

John has often been called the ‘Go-To Guy,’ due to his intricate and vast knowledge of not only the sound system of our church but almost any Physical Plant needs for First Presbyterian.

John was known by many and respected by all. I have listened with rapt attention to his explanation of our Presbyterian Faith…I have never heard a better or more detailed council of what it meant to be a Presbyterian. He was unassuming and a bit quiet…but his eyes held a world of knowledge and understanding…and love for the fellow members of the human family.

Not long after John and I met…I was involved in a retirement business adventure…I had an Opportunity Meeting in Carbondale…invited many people…almost no one came…John was one of the few that attended. John admitted that he did not want to sell insurance…but he wanted to support me…

John Holt did not talk about being a Christian…he showed us…

When I was a supervisor and then a manager in the housekeeping industry I learned to look up. It is well known in cleaning that we tend to see areas that need attention if they are directly in front of our eyes or beneath us. Cleaning professionals rarely look up unless trained to do so. If you do not believe me just go into any restroom and look at the ceiling vents or run your hand across the stall tops or the top of the door. We see life from a bit of a myopic view like horses with blinders on.

Recently Jonathon purchased the book, Flip It Like This by David Hayward who is also known as the Naked Pastor. His cartoons shine a light on the cold and cruel results of many of our religious dogmas.

Many who leave churches suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Much of what churches are requiring of their parishioners or congregants are the fruits of the leadership’s narrow bias and prejudice and fashioning a god after their political and fever dreams of control. The old adage has never been more true than today when the profiteering of the poor Christian is at its zenith; ‘Do as I say…not as I do.’

‘Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

‘Just where does our 4th Grade Teacher come from,’ asked Jane. ‘The Wiz is from Bath, England from his teenage years but was born in Chicago…and he was a professor of Medieval Literature at Oxford for 10 years prior to moving to Eldorado,’ Chet replied. ‘He and his son Darryl moved to Eldorado to be near his sister Prudence who has lived in Eldorado since her early childhood when the family was split by the divorce of their parents,’ continued Chet. ‘Prudence is our Town Celebrity as she is a best-selling author,’ Neva J. remarked. ‘She writes the most engaging Murder Mysteries that take place in Eldorado…and Little Egypt…I have read all of her books,’ Neva J. said with a wide smile. ‘Prudence is often referred to as the Agatha Christie of America,’ Billy B. offered. ‘But…in any case, The Wiz always dresses in black clothing and often wears a traditional Wizards Hat. ‘It is said that he was trained as a magician by Harry Blackstone the famous magician who was born in Chicago…and he and his sister Prudence were born in Chicago and when their parents divorced he traveled with his father to Bath, England…where is Dad was from…and Prudence moved with her mom to Eldorado where her mother and sisters lived and Prudence’s grandmother and aunts resided, Neva J. said.

‘Well…I suppose we must begin…is everyone present…if you are not present…please say absent,’ The Wiz said with a sly grin. ‘This year we will study arithmetic and spelling and improve our cursive writing and time travel and history and health and magic,’ The Wiz announced with some Chicago…Bath…Oxford…flare!

Have any of you ever been to Maine…and seen the Lighthouses and enjoyed lobster…or seen the great sailing ships,’ The Wiz asked with a wink as he looked directly at his son, Darryl, and Jane and Billy B. and Chet. ‘You know Maine is the home of the great Horror Author…Stephen King…although you will not hear of him until 1974 with his first published novel…Carrie,’ said The Wiz.

Mysterious magical Maine was now firmly planted in the minds of our intrepid travelers. ‘I can not wait until we move to the Artists’ House near Ocean Point,’ Jane proclaimed. ‘I have been making arrangements with the Artist…who is a bit mysterious,’ noted Neva J. ‘She did say that we could stay rent-free as long as we took care of the house and grounds,’ Chet asked. ‘Yes…and she wants us to all try our hand at painting in her studio and she has left many blank canvases and a multitude of paints and brushes…she says that her Studio has been used as a School for New Artists for many years and that she has chosen us as this years class,’ Neva J. said with a quizzical expression.

‘I must find a pack of #2 pencils and a big eraser,’ Chet said as he hurried through Muckleys’ Ben Franklin Dime Store. ‘I have a Big Chief Notebook…I like it because of the big spaces that are between the lines…I tend to write in humongous letters,’ Billy B. said with a smile. ‘Mom said to buy Musilage and not Paste this year…but I like the Paste better…especially how it smells,’ Jane laughed. ‘I can not wait to see which wooden desk that I get…I feel like an executive with my own desk and opening the top of it and storing all of my school supplies…and a Mad Magazine…inside,’ Darryl noted. ‘Aren’t you afraid that your Dad…The Wiz will discover your Mad Magazine,’ Chet asked. ‘Not if I hide it in my folder,’ Darryl answered with a wink.

‘I saw the Old Sailor at the Candy Bins…two aisles over,’ Jane said with a look of fear in her eyes. ‘When he saw me he smiled and winked at me and said I will see you back at the Lighthouse…soon, Jane continued. ‘I think that the OS has a special place for us in his heart,’ Chet laughed. ‘Yes and he had Mylo the Maltese with him…,’ Jane commented. ‘Mylo…in the Candy aisle,’ Chet grinned. ‘He told me one other thing…he said that we were now Mainers and that Maine was where we belong,’ Jane mused. ‘Well, that would suit me…I love Maine and the Ocean and the lobster and the cool weather in the summer,’ Neva J. said with a twinkle in her eyes.

‘Let us move to Boothbay,’ announced Neva J.! ‘We will rent the house that the Artist who lives just before Boothbay Harbor told us she would rent to us for the winter,’ Neva J. continued. ‘We will need a snow shovel,’ Chet commented. ‘Won’t it be grand…we will ski and wear snow shoes and skate on the frozen Ocean at Ocean Point Inn…and I bet that there are a lot of Snow Days at School,’ Billy B. said excitedly! ‘We will pay for the adventure with my Irish Sweepstakes Winnings,’ Neva J. announced. ‘Perhaps the OS could use some help around the Lighthouse,’ Chet laughed. ‘I imagine that it is quiet in the winter…with the shortened days and the winter clouds…and the light from the Lighthouse illuminating the rocky shore…

The soothing rains of August contained to fall on our intrepid five adventurers…as The Old Sailor looked on…as if seeing the future…

Kenny Loggins sang, ‘I’m alright…Nobody worry ’bout me…Why you got to gimme a fight?… Can’t you just let it be?’ Our human family is a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes and sizes and faith in God and those who choose no faith walk. Many of our politicians want to lecture us as to what the Founding Fathers intended good government to be in our land. Sadly their definition of ‘good government’ mirrors their myopic vision of freedom and their close-minded political/religion Hydra Headed Monster that is much more political than Christian.

Have you ever attempted to squeeze a circle into a triangular mold? Both are made of concrete and are the same size. It is impossible unless you chip away at the circle…and leave jagged wounds where the smooth contours of the continuous circle once were. In many cultures a circle is a symbol of endless love…some use the circle as an icon of God’s love for us.

Today…it seems that the loudest voice…and the biggest lie…win the argument. Have you ever been in the minority of opinion or lifestyle or love or faith and felt the accusatory eyes and heard the evil whispers of the majority of your friends and colleagues and neighbors and social circles…as they place their large magnifying glass over you for an in-depth examination as to…what is wrong with you? Our desire to be accepted is strong…just ask the Lemmings.

Pretend is the life that many of us know best. We have the mask that we wear in public. It is a fine mask. We have fashioned it for many years and made upgrades to it and repaired it when it is damaged. Many will attest that they do not lie…while they are living one. Often we are a bit quiet in a public setting or on a committee or when our opinion is asked…we do not want to stand out…we do not want to be different…we do not want to damage our mask…

Love is the answer.

‘A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another…’

‘I love floating on the water,’ said Billy B. ‘Me too…but I need an innertube to stay buoyant…while you have a built-in inner tube…apparently…as you can float for hours on end,’ Chet laughed. ‘I do not know how I learned to float so long…but one day I just lay back and let the world pass me by,’ Billy B. grinned as he looked up at the blue sky and the white clouds. ‘When I am at Pounds Hollow and floating it seems that I am in a different and much kinder world,’ Billy B. mused. ‘I think that the water in your ears that blocks out sound lends to a peaceful feeling,’ Darryl noted. ‘I still can not get over the joys of Maine and the scary time that we had at Pemiscot Lighthouse…and the Old Sailor who wanted us to say hello to Stephen King,’ Jane laughed. ‘I purchased a working miniature lighthouse that has a light that rotates all night long in my bedroom…like a nightlight…and it makes me feel safe from the OS,’ Jane continued. ‘OS…I like that nickname…I am going to see if the Spencer Gift Catalog has any statues of Old Sailors and if they do I am going to get one as a memorial to Mr. OS,’ Neva J. said with a smile. ‘Can you believe that tomorrow is Back To School shopping at P.N. Hirsch…then Muckley’s Ben Franklin Dime Store for school supplies,’ Billy B. asked. ‘It seems like yesterday that we began our summer break and then was the 4th of July…and now school begins in less than two weeks,’ Darryl sighed. ‘This year my dad is going to be my teacher…The Wiz will be calling on me for the correct answer to the lessons…I will have to do some studying,’ Darryl worried.

‘Sometimes…I feel like I am still in Maine…I wake up from a nap and I am on the rocky shore surrounding Pemiscott Lighthouse…I can see the OS grinning at me from the Lighthouse Windows…,’ Chet whispered. ‘Funny that you would say that, Chet, but I too find myself walking on the rocky shores of Maine with Neva J. and Billy B. and Darryl…and we are still enjoying our Maine Holiday,’ Jane said with a tear on her cheek. ‘Last evening…I was at the Bar at Ocean Point Inn and Donavan was preparing me one of his special mixed drinks…when I asked him how could I still be in Maine…he winked and said that once you get Maine in your blood…you never leave,’ Neva J. commented as she had a faraway look in her eyes.

‘How about this for a revelation gang…I was at Mt Desert Isle this morning and they were filming the Storm Of The Century and Stephen King asked me to sit next to him as he advised the Director regarding the script,’ Billy B. laughed. ‘Could we be trapped in a Stephen King novel,’ Chet mused. ‘This probably sounds ridiculous…but yesterday I could have sworn that I saw Stephen King outside the Orpheum Theatre…and when you think about it…how do we know about Stephen King in 1963…or are we Time Travellers,’ Darryl smiled with a sly grin.

‘I believe that our Time Travel and our inability to really leave Maine…has something to do with the Pounds Hollow Water,’ Chet proclaimed! ‘It may be a bit of a Black Hole on the Earth and our swimming in it…and especially floating on it…facilitates its’ magical powers,’ Jane said with a wink. ‘When we are floating on the magical waters of Pounds Hollow…we seem to travel to wherever we are thinking of…only with additional ruffles and flourishes from the Mysterious Black Hole,’ Darryl postulated. ‘Let us return to the Hollow…for a reset,’ Neva J. said as she led the charge to the 57′ Chevy.

‘The water feels wonderful and it is as peaceful and serene as ever…but how did we arrive at P.N. Hirsch Department store…’

Patsy Cline sang, ‘Ain’t it funny how time slips away.’ In September 2021 we journeyed to Maine and had a wonderful holiday. It is almost September…again. I was reminiscing about my old friend, Doug. Many years ago, we were teenagers and shared a house in Elkville, Illinois with a few other young men from our little church. We shared expenses and between us all…we ate…a little…no need for a diet in those halcyon days. I was already acquainted with some of Doug’s brothers and sisters and his mother and father. Doug was a seeker and became a dedicated Christian. I enjoyed listening to him preach on several occasions and deliver exciting and interesting and well-researched sermons. Doug became the manager of the Downs and Son Furniture Store in Elkville. He was not only motivated but he was motivational and inspiring. Doug and I enjoyed many talks regarding the Christian faith and I was amazed at the positive changes in his life. His captivating personality and Servant-Leadership were admired. We lost track of each other for well over 30 years…today I am thinking of my old friend…when we were both…so young.

‘I simply love sitting next to the Ocean and watching the boats come in and out of the pier,’ Jane mused. ‘Perhaps some of those boats are Lobstermen and they are loaded with lobster traps for our beloved Maine delicacy,’ Chet remarked. ‘I have eaten lobster every day that we have been in Maine,’ Billy B. boasted.

‘Camden is my favorite Maine Town…did you see the brass seal heads that I purchased at the gift store,’ Darryl asked. ‘I am especially fond of the Porcelain Bull Dog that opens into a little box…I bought it at Wiscasset,’ Billy B. said. ‘Maine is magical and mysterious and I still do not understand what happened to us at the Pemiscot Light House,’ Jane said. ‘I saw the Old Sailor watch us until we got into the 57′ Chevy and drive off,’ Chet said. ‘I thought that he was a bit creepy…if you ask me,’ Neva J. offered. ‘He told me as we were leaving to say hello to his friend Steven King,’ Jane remarked. ‘Well, you do realize that Mr. King does base most of his novels in Maine…and that the film called, The Storm Of The Century, was filmed @ Mt. Desert Isle,’ Darryl said. ‘The Old Sailor told me to watch out for long falls…and then he laughed and revealed a snaggle tooth and no other teeth in his mouth,’ Chet said softly.

‘Those were some good kids,’ Steven said as he pulled off the hot Old Sailors’ Mask…

There is a cool breeze on the Writing Porch this morning. Yesterday I walked the streets of my town, Carbondale, and was reminded that there was a Heat Advisory…and I felt the reason why. The Advisory is still in effect today…but apparently not this morning. As they often say in television serials, ‘When last we left our intrepid travelers…,

‘Maine scratches me just where I itch,’ Chet said. ‘I had the wildest dream after we had our lobster lunch…I dreamt that we had climbed the winding stairs to the Pemiscot Light House and that there was an old sailor watching from the large windows at bodies on the rocky shore,’ Chet continued. ‘Whose were the bodies,’ asked Jane. ‘They were ours…and it was a very real dream…and then I woke up and we were stopped by the Maine State Police who warned us that there had been a terrible car wreck…just after we crossed the State Line…there were five bodies covered with sheets,’ Chet continued. ‘Well…the five bodies that were covered with sheets were five Crash Dummies and it was a Safety Simulation that the Maine Police were performing,’ Darryl chimed in. ‘Thank goodness…I was wondering if I was still dreaming,’ Chet said with a relieved sigh. ‘How far to Ocean Point Inn,’ Neva J. asked. ‘I am ready to relax by the Ocean and enjoy one of Donavons’ Special mixed drinks.’ Neva J. laughed.

‘So this is the Penthouse,’ Billy B. proclaimed as he carried the 4th suitcase up the steep stairs. ‘Oh come quickly…there is a deck on the second floor and you can see the Ocean perfectly,’ Jane called out! ‘Let us proceed to the Pemiscot Lighthouse…since only one of us has been there in his dreams…so far,’ Billy B. laughed. ‘You know dad, who is often called The Wiz, told me the same story that Chet dreamed about…only with different characters and taking place in the last century,’ Darryl mentioned as the 57′ Chevy Convertable pulled up with the happy five from Eldorado as its’ passengers. ‘There was a shipwreck in 1892 and five people were cast upon the rocky shore,’ Darryl continued. ‘There does not seem to be anyone to take our money for us to purchase tickets,’ Jane remarked. ‘Not good…not good at all,’ Chet whispered. ‘Woof…woof,’ Mylo barked. Now our intrepid travelers knew that the little Maltese was named Mylo due to MJ the proprietress of the Lighthouse gift shop telling them. ‘Glad to meet you said MJ and how many tickets will you need?’ ‘Five please,’ Neva J. said. ‘Look at these old postcards…here is one of the shipwreck in 1892 and the bodies flung upon the sharp rocks,’ Chet noted.

‘Now you must hold on to the rail…as it is a long way to the bottom,’ said the old wizened sailor as the intrepid travelers stood out on the narrow balcony of the Pemiscot Lighthouse…in order to have a better view of the Ocean and the rocky shore. ‘Has anyone ever fallen from this height and lived,’ Jane asked. ‘Not yet…,’ grinned the Old Sailor…