It is a balmy 75 degrees this afternoon in Little Egypt. I just received the longest haircut since I was a youngster in Eldorado. The woman who cut my old grey hair did a fantastic job. I reminisced of days gone by when barbers were craftswomen and men. You did not feel like just another head…in the crowd. The young woman asked me what I had done since I retired and I told her that in the first years we had visited Europe and the United Kingdom 4 times. She was amazed and told me that she had never considered going to Europe and I responded that I had not either…for many years.

Paris is a magical city. I was reminded of the great adventure that MJ and Jonathon and I had when we traveled through the Chunnel from London to Paris with our dear friends Margo and Jeff. It had a bit of a dreamlike quality and the Eiffel Tower was spectacular. As we stood in a long line one of the attendants separated Jeff and Jonathon and me from Margo and MJ. Plead as we might he did not seem convinced of the need or efficacy of rejoining us with our party. When we set out from our flat to visit the Tower…we stopped at a local market first to purchase some toilet paper…as our accommodations had none. MJ put the small package in her backpack. Before the Eiffel Tower attendants would let you in line they searched your backpacks. The little man who first searched MJ’s backpack began to laugh and then to gesture to his colleagues to come and see the toilet paper. It was good to provide comic relief for our French Cousins.

Our first evening dinner was a gourmand’s delight. When I asked for a Dirty Martini the waiter assured me that he could make me a lovely Dry Martini…and it was delicious. Each meal thereafter when I asked for a Dirty Martini…the waitress or waiter brought me a bottle of wine… As I stood on the small balcony that was just off the kitchen of our flat…admiring the majesty of the illuminated Eiffel Tower that could be seen clearly…although we were miles from it…when I turn my head to look at the flats across from ours there was a woman stepping out of the shower with her large window opened wide for proper airflow. Jeff told me that the French were much more liberal than many of us Americans when it came to their bodies.

Montmartre was walking through history. We climbed the longest flight of stairs that I have seen. I could visualize Vincent van Gogh walking the streets of the fabled artist enclave. Later that day MJ purchased a painting of Montmartre from an artist on the left bank of the Seine.

Paris was 10 years ago…and it seems like yesterday.

So…I really did not think about traveling to other countries until I experienced it for the first time. What a mind-expanding journey. My empirical appreciation for the diversity of our earth and its inhabitants grew exponentially. Europe and the United Kingdom and Africa were like reading the story of Humanity…one page at a time.

Now it is not there yet…but it has gone over a third of the way toward everyone’s favorite season…winter. Two months left in 2022 and due to the holidays, they go by the fastest. It has been said that opportunity waits for no man. Or…today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. Simply speaking…live in the moment. The lovely fall leaves beckon us to join them…the Pumpkin Spice Coffee is brewing and Thanksgiving plans are underway.

Loneliness and being alone…or feeling alone is difficult all year long but especially at this time of year. When a person who is housebound sees the pageantry and joy of the Holiday Season on their television or remembers happy Thanksgiving or Christmases of days gone by…they feel the burden of different physical rules for them. Many of us are shy or introverted or what we used to call…loners. Loneliness can be as pervasive as any disease. It is damaging to both the spirit and the body.
Fall brings hope for a bright future. The brilliantly colored leaves wave to us as they gently fall to the earth. They seem to be saying…do not fear…I will be back next year…

‘I think that fall is my favorite time of year,’ Neva J. said as she sipped her Pumpkin Spiced Coffee. ‘What does everyone want for Christmas…I am taking orders…here are several copies of the Sears Christmas Wishbook,’ Neva J. announced. ‘Well…I would like a Big Swinger Polaroid Camera, Billy B. said. ‘I want a Daniel Boone Action Figure that looks just like the actor Fess Parker,’ Chet proclaimed. ‘Do you think that Gary S. would like to join us for Christmas Dinner,’ Billy B. asked. ‘I know that he would love to…he lives alone in Parrish Addition and the last time that I visited him he was eating Campbells Pork and Beans for his Breakfast and Lunch and Dinner,’

‘What a feast we have before us…there is Roast Beast and Hasty Pudding and Goose as well,’ Darryl proclaimed. ‘I remember when mama would make divinity candy when I was a lad…it always made me feel loved and warm inside…mama would cut the first piece of divinity for me and place it on my plate and then give me a kiss,’ Gary S. said with a tear in his eye. Neva J. promptly cut the divinity and walked over to Gary S. and kissed him on the top of his head…and gave him the first piece of the Christmas Candy. Gary S. began to reminisce about his days in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and his job at the factory. He spoke of his wife of 30 years who had passed away a few years ago. They had a son who was killed in Vietnam. Their son…was their life. Gary said that before this Christmas he had been dreading it. He was legally blind and had difficulty walking. Gary S. said that he had planned on purchasing a small turkey for Christmas dinner…but that there were no small ones left…’It is hard buying groceries for one person…and I have little grocery money…’

‘Let us sing some Christmas Carols,’ Jane said with a broad smile. They began to sing Silent Night and each person around the Holiday Table held a candle aloft. The smile on Gary S.’s face lit up the room. He sang with a deep bass voice and the resonant beauty of his voice captivated all who heard the words.

‘Blow out your candles and we will turn on the lights,’ Neva J. said. ‘Where is Gary S.’ Billy B. asked. An empty chair was before their surprised gazes.

‘Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares…’