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…’

Christians and many other faiths believe that God created the heavens and the earth…after all, it is in the Bible…right. We look for a church that scratches us where we itch. So often we are in a sack race to prove how pious we can be while running in a potato sack. As we struggle and hop along greatly impeded by our Sack…we point out fingers at those who are running the Christian Faith unencumbered and stopping here and there for a cup of Pumpkin Spiced Coffee. We know that the Creator of our universe and all other universes…is keeping a point-by-point score…and that he is comparing us to our fellow humans in the Potato Sack race…

When others are a bit different than we are…we are sure that they are wrong and if you will give us a few minutes we will find the scripture that supports our draconian view of faith. When we are in the corner supermarket or at a restaurant or in the theatre…we think…thank God I am better than that poor dumb bastard…

The Beggar that is in front of the restaurant or the theatre…must have displeased God and not fulfilled all of their points for the day or month or year…else why would they be in such woefully shape.

We proclaim that the Bible is true…every word…until we find a word that does not agree with our personal theology. When others are sick…it must be God’s judgment befalling them for their not using a Proper Potato Sack at the Holy Sack Race…when we are sick…it is Satan buffeting us to try to convince us to not use the Potatoe Sack that God has provided.

Why would a loving God hate so much of his creation? Why would God require that his suffering human family still use a Potato Sack to hop back to Jerusalem…

‘Well…this is it…isn’t it…the Holiday Season is upon us,’ Neva J. said as she sipped her Merlot. ‘We will be talking Turkey tomorrow,’ Chet responded. ‘I love this time of year and am looking forward to the campout tonight at Giant City State Park,’ Jane said. ‘I think that the Park is spooky in the daytime when it is cloudy and rainy,’ Billy B. added. ‘Remember The Wiz is going to accompany us tonight and he will have a Halloween surprise I am certain,’ Darryl laughed. ‘I have been visiting Giant City every day in October and I find it peaceful and relaxing,’ Billy B. smiled. ‘Yes until you see a ghost or a witch or perhaps even…Frankenstein,’ Jane mused.

There were still many vibrantly colored leaves in the City…but alas some have fallen to the wet ground. Camping on Halloween night requires some inner fortitude. The weather forecast called for a low of 48 degrees and cloudy. The stone building, which was open on both sides, had two fireplaces in it…and two electric light bulbs hanging from the ceiling. When our Halloween Campers arrived they found a Jack-O-Lantern situated under a tree near the stone structure…but there was no one to be seen. ‘The Jack-O-Lantern is freshly carved and appears to be placed for some Halloween ritual or party,’ Neva J. said with a pervasive interest. ‘It has been said that there is a witches coven that has a Hallows Eve Ritual here each year,’ Chet said. ‘What…and we are sleeping next door to the event…did we not reserve the Stone House,’ Jane asked with a quaver in her voice. ‘We did reserve it and the caretaker smiled a toothless smile when he took the reservation…he commented, ‘This will be interesting…very interesting.’

The fire crackled merrily and the hot apple cider flowed smoothly. Hot dogs and hamburgers and candy corn were eaten heartily and every falling acorn was dutifully checked by the torches that Darryl had packed for the event. ‘You do realize that Salem, Massachusetts is not the only enclave for people who practice witchcraft…Southern Illinois has a rich history of those who follow the Pagan Faith,’ The Wiz asked the group. ‘Almost every town and village in Little Egypt has at least a witch or two,’ Chet added. ‘I have heard that they are afraid to reveal themselves during much of the year…but let it all hang out…on Halloween,’ Neva J. said with a glint in her eyes and an evil grin.

‘Mylo is with us and he will protect us…he already has his little red sweater on,’ Billy B. laughed. ‘Yip…Yip…Yip,’ added Mylo. Then the singing…began. The Wiz was the first to go and see what or who was singing. It sounded a bit like the chanting of the witches in the movie Rosemary’s Baby.

‘Where are we…this is not the Stone House…we are in the movie…Rosemary’s Baby…’ said Chet with a shudder. ‘Wake up Chet…you fainted from the smoke from the fireplace…the damper was closed,’ Billy B. said.

After a night of fitfully tossing and turning…morning came. ”I am certainly glad Halloween has passed for another year…I heard singing and chanting all night….noises like someone was walking about just outside the building,’ Jane said. ‘Someone has left their witches hat and broom…and who left the Black Bassinet…

Life is a challenge. I was talking with a good friend recently and I thought of the vagaries of our human existence. As the Godfather said…’Just when I think I am out…they pull me back in.’ I have heard others speak of being tested…and I think…that has been my life. Easy has never been a part of my vocabulary. Those who attest to the easy manner of their life…are often wearing a mask for public viewing.

The strength of the human spirit is astounding. Through illness and reversals and loss…we seem to carry on and more often than not…with a thankful heart and a desire to move forward and see what is around the next corner… The little children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital…have the widest smiles. When we were in Venice a gentleman was sitting just outside the door of our flat and begging for a few coins for food. He had a beatific face…the face of an angel. The love that he showed to everyone rather or not they gave him any money…was inspiring!

Often we can identify with Jacob who wrestled with an angel. Jacob came away from the all-night wrestling match with a hip injury. And…so we wrestle…and ask God for guidance and direction and purpose…and just a little respite from the struggle…

During our rest periods from our wrestling…we seem to forget how blessed we are and how so many good things have come from our lives…and wonder what is next.

More Rollercoaster…the resumption of the Wrestling Match…deep snow and ice…warm days and spring…and the sound of the turtle dove heard in our land…

‘Well…it is just four days until Halloween and we still do not have a good scare planned for the Holiday,’ Billy B. said with some minor exasperation. ‘I think another Hayride is just what we need to create a fun mood for the Holiday celebration,’ Chet noted. ”You know we did a Hayride a couple of years ago and I became somewhat disorientated when we went through the haunted house,’ Jane added. ‘Yes I recall that event but I believe that it was three years ago,’ Darryl said. ‘All the better then…it seems that it is high time to bring back the Hayride,’ Neva J. chuckled…

‘I love the chilly air and the smell of hot chocolate and cider,’ Jane smiled as she climbed onto the wagon. ‘A freeze is a forecast for tonight…and it will be quite a ride before we reach our destination which is the Haunted House near Raliegh, Neva J. smiled as she sipped her infused hot chocolate. ‘I like the addition of the black cat,’ Chet said with a grin. ‘Billy B., how did you get the idea for the Shadow to ride with us on the Hayride,’ Darryl inquired. ‘Not my doing…I thought that it was an optical illusion…or a small hidden light shining on a black piece of cardboard,’ Billy B. answered. ‘There really is no rational reason for the Shadow’s mysterious appearance…Eldorado history says that it appears as a warning of impending doom,’ Chet explained.

Shadow stayed perfectly still…neither moving nor disappearing. Soon our group of Halloween Adventurers was at the Victorian Haunted House near Raliegh. As Billy B. and Jane and Chet and Darryl and Neva J. gingerly dismounted from the Hayride they looked to see if Shadow followed them into the House. It did not…but it appeared to take off the Stove Pipe Hat that it was wearing and place it on the wooden driver’s seat next to the reins used to steer the horses.

This Haunted House is the scariest I have been in,’ Jane exclaimed. ‘The House is much as it has been for 150 years,’ said the strange-looking tour guide. He was dressed all in black and had extremely angular features. He spoke little and primarily gestured when it was time to move to the next room. The original owners of the House had lost their children in a Halloween Hayride when the Horses had been spooked and the wagon turned over and the hay caught on fire from the candles that they were using for light. There had been 5 children lost in the fire and the grief had been so overwhelming that their mother and father had died of broken hearts shortly thereafter.

‘Look…in the corner of the sitting room…it is the Shadow,’ Chet said. ‘Shadow appears to be following us throughout the House as I have seen it in every room that we have entered,’ Neva J. announced with a curious wink.

The tour Guide gave each of the five visitors a Milky Way candy bar and a Snickers. When Jane smiled at him he grinned and winked. As Darryl began to climb onto the Hayride with a small candle for light…Shadow jumped up and blew it out…before returning to his place beside the Hayride driver…

Another day in the Autumn Woods. I believe that I am addicted to Fall. I woke up this morning and the first thought that I had was…I am going to the woods. It was 49 degrees when I left for Giant City; it is only 61 now. My kind of climate! Sixty-five feels alright so far…

MJ and I watched the Watcher over my Birthday on Monday and finished it last night. It came highly recommended by Aaron…and he was right. Just let me say that the series on Netflix will keep you enthralled until the last scene of the last episode. I love a mystery…don’t you? I think that captivates my attention about life…it is a profound mystery. My English friend wrote the other day about the vagaries of faith…and it was a practical application of the tussle between our physical and spiritual selves. Our spiritual self is contained in an earthen vessel. We want to sore with the eagles but our feet are made of clay. We are keenly aware that there is something that is just beyond our sight and our hearing and our awareness…but we look through a glass darkly…

The majesty of nature point to the reality that there is so much more that is unseen than what is seen. I spoke with my brother Brock today which lifted my spirits even more than they already were. He is such an upbeat and positive fellow! When I mentioned to him that I was trying 65 on for size…I told him that age is all perspective. When I retired at 53 I wondered if I would live to attain the ripe old age of 65…it seemed so far off.

Look behind yourself…suddenly…you may catch a glimpse of your Guardian Angel…

‘You know school is not so bad when you consider that we get three and sometimes four recesses a day,’ Chet commented. ‘I love the chocolate milk in the morning,’ Jane said with a gleam in her eyes. ‘Well, I am excited about Halloween,’ Billy B attested. ‘Do you have your Frankenstein costume yet,’ Darryl asked. ‘We went to Sears in Carbondale and purchased it Saturday…and I have a Frankenstein Head from Universal Studio…courtesy of cousin Gene’s collection, Billy B. responded. ‘The Frankenstein Head looks so real that I screamed in fright the other night when Billy B. first tried it on,’ Neva J. laughed. ‘We have Play Practice every night this week at 6:00 P:M:,’ Billy B. noted. ‘We must be fully prepared for our Halloween Performance Sunday night in the Town Circle,’ Neva J. added.

Now Eldorado was a town full of churches and most of them looked on Halloween as a harmless holiday for kids and candy…however not everyone felt that way. Some folks believed that Halloween was the Devil’s Holiday and that it was to be eschewed. There had been some minor protests in the Eldorado Daily Journal regarding having a Halloween Play on Sunday…or what many called ‘The Lord’s Day.’ On October 30, 1963, virtually everyone had their name on a Church Roll Of Membership. It was not unusual for a person seeking employment to add their church membership to their job application. The highest form of civic duty began with church membership.

Orpheum Theatre was having a special screening of the original Frankenstein on Sunday night. This would occur right after the Halloween Play that Billy B. and all were practicing for. In recognition of Eldoradoraidan’s love for President Kennedy…as he had visited Eldorado during his 1960 campaign…the Play was entitled President Kennedy Captures Frankenstein. It was not unusual to find a photo of President Kennedy…and often of both he and his lovely wife Jackie on the living room walls of homes in Eldorado.

The Play was in fine fettle. Billy B. lumbered on stage as Frankenstein…for the last scene where President Kennedy captures him. Darryl called out from the floor floodlights to Billy B. and said, ‘ I can not find my Kennedy Costume…what should I do…when suddenly President Kennedy strode out onto the stage and grabbed Frankenstein…which was not difficult to do in view of the fact that the President was a fully grown man and Billy B. was a little kid…Frankenstein… ‘I so enjoyed my visit to your lovely town that I thought I would stop by for the Halloween Play,’ said President Kennedy. ‘Jackie sends her warmest regards and invites all of you to the White House…in the New Year…

Walking on from stage left…was someone dressed as an angel. The angel whispered something into JFK’s ear and walked off stage. ‘She told me not to go to Dallas next month,’ JFK said…

MJ and I are sitting on the Writing Porch and it is a cool morning. Sixty-Five has dawned…and it feels much like 64. I smile when I hear others say that you are only as old as you feel… However, the Holiday Season has begun for me. From now until the end of the year will whisk by like a weaver’s shuttle. Pastor Kerry preached an excellent insightful sermon yesterday. He discussed how we are a mixture of good and bad. We all have a little Pharisee in us… I could visualize myself in almost every sentence that he uttered. The cartoon with the devil sitting on one of our shoulders and an angel sitting on the other…is perfect to describe our human condition.

I take some satisfaction in being who I am…my authentic self…not a facsimile. As I have aged I have become increasingly comfortable in my skin. I am happy when others like what they encounter and when they do not…I am not troubled…they are meeting the real Jay Brooks.

Faith is an important part of life. I have learned to wear it like a comfortable and favorite garment. The vastness of God and his love for the human family is unfathomable. He does not pursue the petty divisive differences between men and women. God sees the Big Picture…he is a Big Picture kind of Guy. When I see other members of my human family…I am seeing part of God…

Facebook has birthday wishes for me…rolling in. This has become a nice element of my Birthday. Words create mental art. The Bible tells us that a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. A few sentences from someone’s heart create a feeling of love and acceptance and hope in the person that they are being said or written.

Autumn is my season. I have been spending a couple of hours per day at Giant City State Park admiring the leaves and the cooler temperatures. I can go to the same spot and see something different each day. I am not a frenetic person but nature has a calming effect on me. It causes me to focus on renewing my sense of place. I see my role in life more clearly when I am in the midst of the brightly colored and falling leaves.

My first Pastor was fond of saying that a person must stay on track…Old 65 is still on track and searching for a new adventure…

MJ and Aaron returned from an overnight stay with our lovely family; Tara and Mike and Paige and Tyler. MJ told me how much fun they had and how sweet and kind everyone was to her and Aaron. Paige sent me a photo Friday night and told me FOMO… and being the old man I am…I had to request a definition of the acronym. FOMO means, ‘Feeling Of Missing Out’…and she was more than correct. I have known my niece Tara since she was a toddler and I continue to be impressed with her skills and love for her family and those in need.

Brock and Marcy and Jaime and Morgan and Jeb sent me the most wonderful Birthday Card for my Big 65…it made my day! They are such wonderful people. Knowing them has brightened my life.

Jonathon and I went to Eldorado yesterday…searching for Gary South…but we did not find him. We visited both Karel Park and the Eldorado History Museum. A lovely lady showed us all around and even made us coffee. It was a great trip in time… to my halcyon days in Eldorado. I told the ladies that I was five years late for their welcome of the Class of 1970 sign that was outside of the Museum… as I was of the Class of 1975. I was very pleased to see Marlene and Brenda…Dale’s sisters. I told Marlene how I appreciated her kindness and how she made me feel welcome in my first High School Speech Class. I was a freshman in a class of mostly seniors. She was very gracious and I wondered if she was thinking…who is this…

Jonathon bought my dinner at St. Nicholas Brewery yesterday. It was delicious!

Tara and her lovely family have been an uplift to me and to my spirits. When I witnessed the joy that MJ had when she returned from visiting with them…I felt reset and ready to travel on…