‘The Days grow short when you reach September,’ Frank Sinatra told us. Oh my, how prophetic he was! The leaves are changing, the cool breeze is blowing, and my thoughts turn to October delights and the Old Man’s Birthday. Indeed I have become the Old Man in the poem. I love the Wind In The Willows, Kenneth Grahame’s novel in 1908. It is then the story of Mole and Ratty and Badger’s constant efforts to help Mr. Toad.

I recall my joy in watching an adaption of The Wind In The Willows on the Disney Channel prior to our attending church on Sunday. I think that I enjoyed it more than Aaron and Jonathon.

Our Maine sailing excursion caused me to consider how I would enjoy life on the sea. The vast peaceful ocean would cause me to not worry about the concerns of the land lovers. Of course, there would be the whales and sharks for excitement…and the storms…

My Birthday approaches on October 24. I have become the Old Man Of The Sea. My life-long friend Jeff found my twin in Italy.