Where does the time go? It seems like yesterday that I was rejoicing in my favorite months of the year…the ‘Ber’ months and now they are all completed but one. September was our annual Maine Holiday and then October brought my 66th birthday November Aaron’s 42nd birthday and then Thanksgiving. Christmastime has arrived…

I just finished another fascinating Stephen King novel entitled Holly. Two of its main characters were retired professors and I identified with them as during my career I was friends with many professors and developed a bit of a feel for the academic community. I also am retired and in my golden years. Rather than reveal the premise of the book away although it is revealed soon into the reading…it caused me to think of the old adage…what goes on behind closed doors…

We blue-collar folks and those of us who have experienced the other side of the tracks…have a bit of a hero worship for the elite of our society. As I heard an acolyte of a former President say, ‘He is the leader and so he gets to do whatever he wants.’ We are certain that our betters know what is best for us. Or as a good friend told MJ many years ago they really did not want to chart their own path and enjoyed a leader doing their thinking for them.

The irony of our society having more information at our fingertips and less understanding of facts is compelling. We all have been provided our megaphone and work daily to see who can speak the loudest.

MJ and I saw the most spirit-lifting short Christmas Special, Hannah Waddingham’s Home For Christmas on Apple TV+. I look for an event or if I am lucky two that renew the Spirit of Christmas in my heart…this show has done the trick and then some. Hannah’s wonderful voice and the passion with which she sings are inspirational!

O Little Town of Bethlehem calls us to see each other as brothers and sisters on the same journey. The Star in the east is leading us to where the baby lay in a manger with no crib for a bed. The story of Christmas is the story of the equality of humankind. None better than others nor none less than their neighbors.

Few will remember what we knew how much money we had or how fine our home and car were…they will remember how we made them feel…

Our smile is long remembered when given with love to our fellow man and woman and when we offer our heartfelt smile to those who receive few…it is indelible in their memory.

When we leave…our smile will remain…

So many of our days blend together into a melange of bitter and sweet. When asked what we had for dinner last night we may not be able to recount our delicacies. But holidays we remember.

‘I can not wait to taste your mom’s Famous Coffee Cake, Steve said. ‘She makes me feel so welcome that I often feel that she is my mom too,’ he continued.

‘Neva J is just that way,’ Chet chimed in. ‘She has been treating me like a member of the B family for as long as I can remember, he smiled.

‘No matter how lonely I feel like I am part of the family when Neva J is with me,’ Jane said with a laugh. ‘And she has the best Merlot Wine to quicken our Holiday Happiness,’ she added.

‘Neva J is a practitioner of the old adage that Life is for the Living and as long as we are drawing breath we are in the contest,’ Billy B noted. ‘She heard that Mrs. Westbrook had nowhere to go for Christmas dinner and she quickly invited her to dine with us,’ Billy B added.

‘Not only did she invite her for Christmas dinner but she purchased a brand new holiday dress and ensemble and ordered her a food order to be delivered each month of the New Year,’ Jane said. ‘Neva J told her that she must take Sunday dinner with us from now on and we are all going to the movies at the Orpheum Theatre the day after Christmas,’ Jane continued with tears in her eyes.

Knock…knock…knock came on the front door of the little house in Eldorado. At the door was an old man with a long white beard to ask if Neva J was home. When she came to the door she and the old man spoke for some time and she laughed heartily and hugged him before he left.

‘What did the Old Prophet tell you,’ Chet asked?

‘He thanked me for keeping the Lord’s commandments of loving others as he had loved us…’ she answered.

‘Where is she…have you seen her…she was just here,’ asked Jane?

‘There seems to be nothing left but her smile,’ Chet answered with a wistful gaze…

As Ripley would say in days gone by…’ Believe it or not…’ Christmastime Is Coming. ‘LeRoy Robert Ripley (February 22, 1890 – May 27, 1949) was an American cartoonist, entrepreneur, and amateur anthropologist, who is known for creating the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! newspaper panel series, television shows, and radio show, which features odd facts from around the world.’ Wikipedia

We mark our years with our holidays. Christmas is a significant marker. It is the year’s end. It is hope for the new year. Christmas is more about how it makes people feel than their individual religious affiliations. It is a bit about our shared humanity.

We have a lot of darkness in our world…Christmas is a time for light peace and love for our fellow humans who are on the same journey that we are on.

Money provides a temporary false security. As I heard a commentator on television say when discussing the end of the world…’ the end of the world is going to come for each of us in a matter of a few decades.’

So we struggle with our identity and our mission in life and at times we become a bit sidetracked by signposts along our journey that say ‘This Way To Success’…or we see…’ Follow the Arrow Toward a Happy Life’. when indeed we were already on the road to a happy life, the profound secret is that happiness comes from within and no one holds the key to our happiness.

Alcohol nor drugs prescribed or not, create a worry-free and stress-free life. Happiness comes one day at a time. It comes with the smallest joys and the peace of staying on track. Happiness comes quietly and with the solemn beauty of a lit candle and a tinkling bell and
Christmastime is coming again…Believe It Or Not…

‘The Woods are lovely dark and deep,’ Robert Frost told us…and they are cold today. I remember enjoying the woods in the cold because the frigid temperatures produce a quiet environment. I did not remember how cold feels when you are not used to it. I wonder where the colorful leaves have gone that were everywhere a month ago.

The 2023 Christmas Tree is up and all of the usual suspects of Christmas decorations are in their prescribed places. Carpets of leaves cover the ground. I am enjoying a White Russian that is doing quite well warming my old bones.

Black Friday morning we shopped at Kohl Department Store. It was jam-packed and full of people and I remembered years gone by when our University Mall’s parking lots were all full and it was difficult to find a parking place.

Blue Sky Winery was busy on Friday and they had live music. One of the singers looked familiar and MJ thought that the gentlemen looked like they might have performed with the Rolling Stones. Their music had a well-traveled feel and their faces revealed a lot of life lived.

Yesterday on Small Business Saturday Jonathon and I visited Cricket & Red Brick Antique Store and I purchased a vintage doll…yes, I am an old man and I bought an Old Doll. The box she was in was original packaging yellowed and fragile with age.

‘I love antiques,’ said Neva J. ‘I found three more glass dolls to add to the collection,’ she continued.

‘Did you see the antique full-length mirror in the back room of the store,’ Jane asked with a wink and a smile? ‘As I was peering at myself in the mirror I saw a scene behind me which was not the Antique Store,’ she mentioned with a slight shudder.

‘My goodness we are in the woods and it is cold,’ said Chet with a perplexed look in his eyes. ‘I see the Antique Store at the end of a long tunnel…and there is snow on the ground…and a carriage coming upon us,’ Chet continued…

‘Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow.’

‘My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake.’

‘The darkest evening of the year.’

‘He gives his harvest bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound’s the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake.’

The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.’ Robert Frost

Thanksgiving was coming from afar as we looked down the track and saw its smoke…now it has whisked by and the Polar Express is visible on our horizon. We put up the Christmas Tree this morning, and all Brooks except Mylo participated. Yesterday we shopped local and Aaron bought me a Hallmark Christmas ornament of Chevy Chase playing Clark Griswold in Christmas Vacation. The movie’s premiere seems like yesterday but it was 34 years ago. Chevy Chase recently turned 80… MJ and I saw it in the theatre and it was a Christmas that we indeed ‘needed a little Christmas!’

Christmas is my favorite time of year and has been so since I was a wee lad. Laughing Santa took center stage in my youth and he does once again with an exact replica of my childhood friend that Jonathon gave me for Christmas a few years ago. He has a joyful countenance on his rubber face and a crank on his back that when turned utters…’ hee…hooo…haa…unintelligible noise akin to a dying duck in a hail storm… The Laughing Santa that I had in the ’60s’ sounded the same way…after a little egg nog.

Aluminum Christmas Trees were all the rage in the 1960s. Then you had to purchase a light to shine on the tree that either changed colors as it rotated or was a stationary light that was usually blue. This may have been the Christmas Tree in Elvis Presley’s home when he sang Blue Christmas…

Jonathon and I are off to Cricket & Red Brick Antique Store in Cartervile to ascertain if they have any Vintage Christmas Treasures that we can not live without…

Tomorrow we stop and reflect on all of the blessings we have. The richest of these blessings is life. We will break bread with family, friends, and hopefully the stranger in our midst. Old grievances must evaporate and hope must rule.

Bearers of Light…we are if we will receive the calling. Dispelers of sadness…dryers of tears…is our mission. Often the saddest of people smile the broadest.

The Christ Child is calling our name. He was born in low circumstances, and the day’s religions took no notice of the special event. Our bodies deteriorate but our souls are ageless. Let Thanksgiving be a communion of souls who need a friend.

The heart sees a bit better than the eyes at times. Let us see each other through the kaleidoscope of love…

It was a bright November morning. ‘We are going to Grandma A’s for Thanksgiving,’ Billy B said.

‘I am coming along don’t forget…I will bring the Oscar Mayer Weiners,’ Chet said with a smile.

‘I hope President Kennedy is alright in Texas…it is said that they do not like him down there,’ Neva J wondered aloud. ‘He is the best President of my life…at times I think that he may be better than FDR if given a second term…you know FDR was elected four times,’ Neva J continued.

‘Dad says that he likes Goldwater from Arizona for President,’ said Jane. ‘I think Jackie is beautiful,’ she added.

‘Rosie has framed pictures of both President Kennedy and then of the President and Jackie on her living room wall,’ Chet added. ‘Mom says that she likes Kennedy but not well enough to put a photo of him on the wall,’ Chet said with a sigh.

‘I can not wait for that Turkey and dressing…oyster dressing…and a piece of my Famous Coffee Cake,’ Neva J laughed when she thought of her baking prowess.

President Kennedy will get us out of Vietnam…he will withdraw our troops and our boys can come home…he is for Peace,’ Rosie said with tears in her eyes.

‘President Kennedy has been shot in a motorcade in Dallas,’ Walter Cronkite said on a Newbreak on CBS.

Time stopped…

I was listening to a piece in the Washington Post where the author was commiserating regarding how much she knew when she was 33 and what she knew at 69. She mentioned that when she was 33 she often celebrated a profound event by going out to eat and now at 69 she might skip flossing in honor of the special occasion or skip her hip exercise for one night. Her words have more truth than I realized when I was 33. We had high plans for driving to St. Charles, Missouri on Black Friday. Upon reflection, we decided to shop locally and enjoy lunch at one of our many wineries.

Local means more to me each year. Businesses are closing faster than you can say White Christmas in our town and the reason is not exactly clear. I am wondering if our poor Mall which is but a shadow of its former self will still put up its Christmas decorations. I love the little family-owned businesses. A place where you can see and touch and try on what you are pondering purchasing.

I miss the business owner who knew my name and cared that I came into their store. Giant City Lodge still has that family feel. It is operated by a wonderful family and they remember me Jonathon and Aaron and seem always glad to see us. Cricket And Red Brick Antique Store is another local business where I always feel welcome.

Most of the Holiday accouterments are bought…I picked up some Kalua for White Russians and sourdough bread for the table. Families will gather on Thursday. Many will take the celebration for granted. Many have a refined palate and require only the best of Thanksgiving delectable. Many will wonder how it feels to sit at a Table Of Plenty…

Laughter will be in large supply…and the enjoyment of family and friends… The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be on TV…and football after the feast…sleep will play with our eyelids and we will think how blessed we are.

Some will sit alone on a heating grate and open a can of pork and beans or perhaps a McDonald’s Hamburger…and give thanks for the goodness of God…

Five days till Thanksgiving. Shopping local this year. A winery for lunch. Christmas Tree on Saturday. It seems like this just happened, but it was a year ago. Last year I was so pleased to have attained senior citizen status…now I am on my way to 70…

Jonathon and I were talking with our friend at Giant City Lodge and he mentioned that he would turn 66 this year and Jonathon said, ‘Just like Dad.’ Then when he heard that Jonathon was almost 40 he noted that his daughter is the same age. We were happy to be on the right side of the dirt…

The Holidays provide us pause. We have time to reflect on our past and our future. We think about what we might do differently in the New Year. Santa Claus gives joy to millions at the simple thought of him. He provides gifts for all of the good girls and good little boys. A lot of us do not receive gifts often. We travel through the year with many dark clouds just over our heads. What will we eat for dinner…can we stay warm in the cold…who will love us…

John Lennon told us in song, ‘So it is Christmas and what have you done…another year older and a new one just begun.’ Soon the bell of life tolls. We hear the small ring before it gets louder and louder and louder. We deny the sound but we know it. We want to spend another Christmas with our loved ones…how will they proceed without us…who will drink the Dirty Martinis?

‘So you have arrived at your destination,’ He said.

‘I have no luggage and nothing in my pockets, You said.

‘Here is the list of those who you helped on their journey,’ Doorman said.

‘The list is blank…it is a blank sheet of paper…this must be a mistake,’ He said.

‘No mistake…the lack of record is accurate…please take a chair in the Waiting Room….’ Doorman said.

‘The Preacher is a captivating speaker, He said. ‘His words were like a balm for my soul, He continued.

‘Preacher likes fish…I saw him take seconds on our fish dinner and he asked for more mashed potatoes,’ She said.

‘His group was friendly and not pushy like so many in Christianity seem to be these days,’ He mused.

‘Sad Tom was there and told me that he felt much better after listening to the Preacher’s words,’ Chet offered. ‘I enjoyed his theories of how we should love each other as we love ourselves,’ Chet continued.

‘Matilda told me that he does not have his own church but that he preaches on the street corners of Chicago to the homeless and after the sermon he feeds everyone that was in the audience…with no visible means of doing so…it is a mystery like so many questions surrounding him, Jane said.

‘It is going to be cold for Thanksgiving…I saw a man the other day sleeping on a sheet of ice and people passed by him on both sides,’ Chet offered.

‘Well…I would invite him to our church but his clothes are a bit rough as our his assistants…they all appear to be blue collar with rough faces and tattoos and some have nose and lip piercings,’ Neva J explained. ‘I heard him say that he did not have a place to lay his head,’ She mentioned.

‘Preacher looks like a man who has seen the world…his eyes are sad but his voice is like the sound of the Ocean…his touch like the kiss of my mother when she tucked me in at night…like hope for the hopeless,’ Jane said as tears coursed down her cheeks.

‘I heard him say that the future of the Earth depended on just a few people caring about each other and helping their neighbors,’ She said. ‘Did you see Old Abagail who is missing an eye…open the dry socket of her missing eye and show all who wanted to look that she now had a brand new eye,’ She asked?

‘I assumed it must be a glass eye…eyes do not grow back…and she stinks,’ They said. ‘Perhaps the Preacher should have materialized a bar of Lifeboy Soap for her as well,’ They said with a smirk.

‘We all stink if we do not have the facilities to wash in…often in well less than a day,’ She answered.

‘I spoke with him after his speech and he said he was tired…so many of the Christians do not want him around and when he does enter one of their churches and sits on the back pew he is more often than not asked to leave do to his appearance,’ Chet sadly whispered.

‘He cried when asked about peace on earth…and said in a hushed tone that it was up to us…,’ Billy B said.