Hope rings supreme for a good life. We look for the silver lining through the darkness and the gloom that besets us. As the saying goes you can win more flies with honey than with vinegar.

I was watching a documentary about my favorite President JFK. I thought I had seen it before but it seemed new to me. President Kennedy suffered physically for all of his life. Yet he presented as a vigorous man. He often anticipated that he would soon die yet looked on the bright side. His ability to project his optimism onto the electorate endeared him to millions. He fought the battle of poor health with a victor’s vision.

I have a dear friend who has experienced more than her share of illness yet she reveals nothing but a sunny can-do attitude. She is effective beyond her position in life and reminds me of myself.

The rocky shoals of life are treacherous. It is easy to succumb and be beached on the jagged rocks. Yet for those who persevere, there is a reward in standing against the night.

Actually, most great people overcame great obstacles. I have never seen my dear friend Bill without a smile on his face and an encouraging word for all he meets. Knowing him I realize that everything is not always coming up roses in his life. Yet when you meet him you can not tell of the struggle.

My pastor of many years ago battled liver disease. He was a kind and compassionate man. I saw him at his sickest and he was concerned about others.

We do not know what our fellow travelers are going through. Kindness is the answer. Understanding should be our creed. People are not what they appear to be. Robin Williams committed suicide and he was one of our greatest Comics.

What is the mystery of this test we call life? How can we succeed? Love for others comes from suffering. Hope for a better day is birthed in pain. We are all broken as the singer Leonard Cohen said…that is how the light gets in…

‘A statesman or stateswoman is a respected, skilled, and experienced political leader or figure. In most respects, a statesman is the opposite of a politician. Politicians are thought of as people who will say or do anything to get elected or to gain power.’

‘A statesman or stateswoman is a politician or a leader in an organization who has had a long and respected career at the national or international level.’

We are in sore need of statesmen and stateswomen. What passes for political leadership today is as if we have entered Alice In Wonderland.

I have over the last two nights watched two movies regarding Christian Nationalism. A frightening subject if you are not in the clique. Christian Nationalists demand that our country be returned to the real Americans. In a Country founded on diversity who are these elusive ‘Real Americans?’

Religious freedom or the lack of religion is enshrined in our Constitution. The separation of church and state is another guarantee of the Constitution. If the Christian Nationalists get their way and we become a Theology Government…which theology will govern us?

Will we be governed by the theology of acceptance or the theology that demonizes those with whom they disagree? Not long ago we were dismayed by other countries that demand that their citizens follow the strict precepts of their faith leaders. Shall we follow the admonishing of some politicians who demand the destruction of those who are not like us? Shall Jesus don his Superman suit and smite all his adversaries with the sword? Will enough blood be shed that God and his correct religion are satisfied that we have it right?

I was alive when Pentecostal churches were thought to be on the fringe. I vividly recall the non-denominational churches being questioned as to their validity. I witnessed the founding of the Moral Majority. Folks not in denominations felt left out of the political milieu. Winking eyes and skeptical grins greeted Evangelical people. Television programs such as the Praise The Lord Club with Jim and Tammy Faye Baker began captivating viewers of their program. Jimmy Swaggart the cousin of Elvis Presley wept often and preached the old-time gospel. Soon it became apparent that if anyone was prospering by their Prosperity Doctrine…they were. The outsiders…had arrived!

With the political reigns of power, it is time to return our nation to God. But what god are they bringing us to?

Believing that you are one of the few chosen is a rush. God picked you out of the great unwashed to be his child and be saved. His creation is destined for the fires of Hell but you and your friends and family will be saved.

Jesus has a meek and mild gospel. Jesus was inclusive. Jesus loved the poor and those who had no voice.

The statesman and the stateswoman say freedom for all is the promised right of the pursuit of happiness. Humility is the road. Servant leadership is the call…

We all want a bedtime story. We may be old but a bedtime story is our goal. It comforts us from the harshness of life. Often the Story seems more real than the brick and mortar of our lives.

‘Pull the covers up and fluff your pillow and I will read you a bedtime story,’ Neva J said to Billy B. ‘There was a kingdom of happiness and hope just over the river with a king who loved his subjects,’ she read. ‘The king had decreed that no one would suffer or be afraid in his kingdom,’ Neva J continued…

Chet, do you know where we are,’ asked Billy B with surprise and wonder? ‘Neva J was reading me a bedtime story and now we are here in this lovely place,’ he continued. ‘It looks like Grandma A is walking over the hill in front of us she turned around and beckoned that we follow,’ Billy B said.

‘The colors remind me of the old movies filmed in Technicolor where the hues were vibrant and seemed to plant themselves in your brain,’ Chet said in amazement. ‘I see Dad sitting on a boulder with a big smile on his face,’ Chet said with a tear in his eye.

‘I feel like I am beginning anew,’ Jane exclaimed! ‘I am no longer old and I feel like a kid,’ Jane continued. ‘My favorite Teddy Bear is walking by my side and he is talking with me,’ she laughed.

‘I took some giant grapes from a vine overhead and squeezed the juice into my wine glass and it is Merlot,’ Neva J noted joyfully. ‘I see your Dad with his motorcycle outfit on and he is standing by his Harley,’ she said wistfully.

‘Remember when we were young and all was possible,’ Daryl said. ‘I desire to paint En plein air,’ Daryl observed. ‘The Wiz is walking behind us he says that all of this is real should we choose to accept our mission,’ Daryl shared.

‘The landscape reminds me of the painting AP on my iPad,’ Chet said. ‘I have never seen such vibrant colors,’ he noted. ‘Is this Heaven,’ Chet asked?

‘Welcome newcomers,’ said Angel. ‘I have been waiting for you,’ he continued. ‘You have traveled far this land is your land,’ he continued. ‘Many find the colors a bit overwhelming at first but soon become acclimated to the kaleidoscope of shades, Angel said.

‘Are we dead and this is what awaits us,’ Neva J asked? ‘What I am seeing reminds me of what I saw as a child in a dream,’ Neva J said hopefully. ‘Grandma A and I often collected blackberries in the woods when we did not have anything to eat this is what the woods looked like to my young eyes,’ she said.

I like blackberries and blueberries also,’ Chet exclaimed! ‘My knees are not aching and my back feels strong,’ Chet said with amazement! ‘I feel like a kid again,’ Chet rejoiced!

‘This is the real life,’ The Wiz said. ‘Each of us has been observing the world through our own prism of our life events, we see our surroundings through our sufferings,’ he explained. ‘Meanness and cruelty have caused us to bastardize the gift,’ The Wiz noted.

‘I see children reading under the shade of a fig tree,’ Jane said. ‘There is no television internet or conspiracy theories only learning of God’s Grace,’ she laughed heartily!

‘Each of you travelers see this land as your faith has imagined it and colored by your ideas of God,’ Angel said with a benevolent smile. ‘You are all unique creations of a magnificent Creator,’ Angel continued. ‘No one experiences Heaven in the same way,’ Angel said with a wink. ‘One may see Frankenstein smoking a cigar and drinking a brandy while the other will see themself lying in a meadow surrounded by sunflowers it is God’s plan for his creation,’ Angel explained.

‘Are you saying Heaven is different for each of us and is customized for our tastes as unique creations,’ Billy B asked? ‘We are that important to the Creator that he has an individual plan for each of his human creations,’ he said.

‘Yes he told you that the hairs of your head are numbered why would he not have a specific plan for those he loves,’ Angel said. ‘Some of you eat chicken other fish and some are vegetarians…each of you has a specific picture of the perfect life,’ Angel said with certainty.

‘This is the best Merlot I have ever drank,’ Neva J said pouring a second glass. ‘Grandma A often told me of God’s unfathomability and his plan for us,’ she said. ‘He loves his children and we are all his children, she said with satisfaction.

‘Hit the deck you rubberneck,’ Neva J proclaimed as she did each morning! ‘You went to sleep before I could complete the Bedtime Story,’ she said.

‘Eye has not seen nor ear heard neither has it entered into the heart of man the things that God hath prepared for them who love him.’

Yesterday on my woods walk I experienced two squirrels frisking about me as if I was not there. They may have become accustomed to me. The rhythms of the woods are soothing. Or as Robert Frost said,’ The woods are lovely dark and deep…’

‘Billy B do you want to play,’ Mr. Squirrel asked? ‘We have been waiting for you all morning,’ Mr. Squirrel continued. Later we are going to the Lodge for an all-you-can-eat chicken dinner,’ Mrs. Squirrel said with a wide grin. ‘We love Sunday dinner at the Lodge,’ she added.

‘Ahoy Mates,’ Mr. Toad announced his arrival. ‘Who is in the mood for some chicken…I know I am,’ Mr. Toad proclaimed! ‘I have not had any chicken since last Sunday,’ he continued.

‘Coming in for landing,’ Mrs. Raven called out. ‘Roger is a bit late but will join us at the feast,’ she informed. ‘

‘Little Reggie could not find his Sunday suit,’ Mrs. Raven explained.

‘What is the hold up…time is burning,’ Ralph Rooster proclaimed! ‘It is all you can eat chicken dinner and I am powerful hungry,’ RR said. ‘Nothing much better than fried chicken,’ he said with a grin.

‘When did you develop a taste for chicken,’ Mrs. Raven asked? ‘RR you do realize you are a chicken,’ she asked?

‘What the tarnation,’ RR proclaimed! ‘I simply thought that I liked chicken because it is delicious…not that it was one of my own,’ RR cried out!

‘What a lovely table look at the beautiful view,’ Billy B noted with satisfaction. ‘There comes Deidre Deer,’ he announced.

‘Greetings all have you ordered yet,’ Deidre asked?

‘What may I get for you,’ Wanda Waitress asked?

‘I will have the venison,’ RR said…

Home stirs up a plethora of memories. The luxurious taste of Bacon Lettuce and Tomato sandwiches. The happy look on Neva J’s face when I returned from school each day. The secure thoughts I had when I listened to the Joey Bishop show as I dutifully lay on my bed to obey the arbitrary bedtime set by my stepfather. How the water felt in July while swimming at Pounds Hollow. The comfort of Christianity I experienced as a roadmap for life.

We endeavor to recreate home. We know it when we feel it. Home gives us our sense of place. Life is optimal when we are home.

I love the song ‘The Green Grass Of Home’ with the lyrics, ‘The old hometown looks the same as I step down from the train, and there to meet me is my Mama and Papa. Down the road, I look and there comes Mary hair of gold and lips like cherries. It is good to touch the green, green grass of home.’

The song is about a condemned prisoner who longs for the green grass of home. He remembers it as he will be buried there.

We thought of Home yesterday as we celebrated the 4th of July. We have a passionate stake in the continued success of our Home. Countless of our brothers sisters moms dads and children lay beneath the green grass of our land. We are inextricable from our Home.

I hear Uncle Merle laughing his jovial laugh. I see Dad teaching me how to ride a tricycle. MJ Jonathon Aaron and I proudly look at the old photo of the CCC Camp with my father-in-law Beryl and Uncle Merle before they fought in World War II. Dad fought in the Pacific. He wore a motorcycle hat and a leather jacket and carried a concealed weapon when we lived in Chicago. He rode a Harley. Neva J and I rode with him with me sitting in the middle between them. Neva J’s family called Dad Junior. They loved Junior. He was a hero to them. Uncle Bill would smile from ear to ear when he saw Junior as he worked his tongue in and out of the gap in his front teeth.

No one need tell me about the importance of the 4th of July…I lived it for 66 years.

At times a smell or phrase brings us Home. Life is full of challenges but has many rich experiences that form our sense of self. From time to time I read a passage of scripture in the service at our church on Sunday. The Bible is Home for me. When I read a passage I am the boy sitting by the coal/wood stove in our kitchen in Eldorado. It was so hot in the kitchen that the pages curled on my Bible. The fascinating stories captivated my imagination.

When I read scripture…I am Home…

‘Did Earl really buy firecrackers in Missouri,’ Chet asked? ‘I hope the police do not catch us when we fire them up,’ he continued with a look of anticipation. ‘What about Roman Candles did he get some of those and some Cherry Bombs also,’ Chet asked?

‘Well he bought $50 of fireworks and is as excited as a kid,’ Neva J said. ‘He even brought home some snakes and sprinklers,’ she added. ‘I think he hopes to recreate the War For Independence,’ she laughed.

‘We will set up the display in the backyard and stage the show beginning with the smaller light displays first and ending with the coup de grace,’ said Billy B with animation. ‘I have invited Dennis and Lanny,’ he continued. ‘Earl asked ‘Big Un’ to come,’ Billy B said.

‘Look at the brilliant lights in the sky,’ Neva J exclaimed!

‘I feel like dancing,’ Big Un proclaimed!

‘Who is that coming over the hill,’ Chet asked. ‘It is so dark that I can not make out their clothing but I do see the glint of steel they are carrying,’ said Chet.

‘I have been hit,’ Big Un said as he fell.

‘They have red coats on,’ Neva J observed. ‘The gunpowder smoke is making breathing difficult,’ she coughed.

‘Halt by order of the King,’ the man with the red coat announced. ‘King George III says to put down your arms and proclaim allegiance to him,’ Redcoat proclaimed!

‘We do not owe allegiance to the King…we are a Freeland,’ Billy B announced!

‘Not anymore,’ Redcoat replied…

Mylo wants out of his playpen at 5:00 A.m.: sharp. At first, I thought it was a small burden but now I look forward to it. I open his door and make the coffee for Jonathon and me and he soon joins me on the couch where he quickly goes back to sleep. From 5:30 until 6:00 I watch The Flintstones and pursue my email; 6:00 I watch Me TV’s Toon In With Me, an antique cartoon show. This morning Bill, who is one of the two hosts discussed the Mandela Effect between vintage cartoons.

Bill asked if the audience remembered the beginning of Disney movies having an opening depicting Tinker Bell flying over the Disney Logo and taping her magic wand whereupon magic dust appeared showering the logo. Then he noted that is a false memory held by countless thousands of people. This attestation caught my interest as I remember seeing what apparently did not happen…

Bill went on to say that many people recall watching the funeral of Nelson Mandela years before he died. Another misremembered memory is the children’s book The Berenstein Bears which was never The Berenstein Bears but rather The Bearenstain Bears. MJ and I both remember Tinker Bell spreading her pixy dust over the Disney Logo and the Berenstein Bears as does the actor George Takei of Star Trek fame.

Other instances of mass false memories are the Lindbergh Baby never being found when in fact the remains were and the death of Billy Graham before he died.

Why do thousands and indeed millions share in a false memory? Theories abound including a glitch in the matrix based on the theory that some scientists believe we live in a computer program that malfunctions periodically. Or are there alternate universes and they bleed over into each other?

Are we participants in Group Think or a Hive Mentality? Have we all made the same mistake in memory when our false memories agree over humanity?

The 4th of July was a mile marker for the summer holiday when I was young. June was a distant memory and school stood in the road of fun like a monolith. July warned that if you are going to do something special for your school report ‘What I Did During My Summer Vacation’ you had better get to it.

‘I am so excited about the 4th,’ Jane said with glee! ‘We are going to SIU and see the massive fireworks display,’ she added. ‘I hear that their fireworks are as good as Washington D.C.,’ Jane said.

‘You know President Kennedy will be there to speak,’ Chet said. ‘The Cuban Missle Crisis has changed him he is looking for a way to get out of Vietnam,’ Chet continued. ‘Kennedy is a war hero and understands the devastation of battle,’ he said solemnly.

‘Many politicians love a war and the opportunity to exert their perceived power,’ said Billy B. ‘I never trusted Nixon, and Neva J says that he has a character deficit,’ he continued. ‘Neva J had a dream where Kennedy was assassinated and Lyndon Johnson became President engulfing the country in thousands of lives lost in Vietnam,’ Billy B said quietly.

‘What would have happened if the Supreme Court ruling regarding the President of the United States having unlimited immunity for his official acts had been former Presidents Johnson and Nixon,’ asked Chet? ‘What if they attempted to have limited Nuclear War…and succeded,’ Chet continued. ‘Nixon could have laughed off Watergate and chalked up his crimes to official Presidential business,’ Chet said with a tear in his eye.

‘I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.’ Jane said. ‘How can we have ‘Liberty and Justice For All, when our President is above the law that governs the rest of us,’ Jane said as the group of friends remembered their youth…

Today the Supreme Court said that a President of the United States has full immunity in performing his official duties. They noted that the former Presidents’ attempt to overthrow the 2020 election by attempting to influence the Justice Department was a part of those official duties. They said he is presumed immune until a study proves his actions were personal, not official. I am not concerned about the former President I am concerned about any President given the set-apart status of being above the law…

We left England to escape being ruled by a king and we are returning to that model. Former President Nixon told interviewer David Frost in the 70s that when a President does something it is the law. Folks who like the politics of any current President feel secure that their President will certainly do nothing untoward. Democrats and Republicans are human. Power corrupts and ultimate power corrupts ultimately…

Becoming enamored with a personality is folly. The Rule Of Law has enabled us to keep this perspective. Now the President is above the law…

Nero was immune how did that work out? Hitler was immune how did that work out.

We may think that we have seen the worst…we may just be getting started. Avarice and depravity know no limits…