Rain is falling. My kind of weather. Much better than frozen rain. This month has been a real winter month. I recently talked with some workmen and understood the reality of dancing on a razor’s edge. Friendly helpful people who live close to the economic edge. One told me he had no heat in his home since the Ice Storm. The pain of hard living had lined his young face. He scurried up a tall ladder with no fear as did his colleague. He was a great communicator. I looked for people like him when I was Superintendent. I wanted to hire people who would appreciate the career they had been afforded.

Our country is full of people who dance on the razor’s edge. We cast the blame for our condition on the poor… immigrants and those who are different than us. Hardworking poor people were my neighbors and friends growing up in Eldorado. The kindest souls were those with little and shared what they had. Forgotten people. Referred to as people who have no voice but they do not expect anyone to hear their voice should they speak.

Working poor ask little. They were raised to not expect to receive something for nothing. Poor people work more than one job to make ends meet. The government is for someone else. It does not do anything for them. They are not connected to who is President or Senator.

Churches do not know the poor. When they enter the gates of the Temple it is difficult for them to find a friendly face. Their clothes are rough. Their demeanor is hardscrabble. The poor are searching for the Jesus who loves the little children…all the little children of the world.

Poor people revere the educated. Higher education was for those who had the means. Education is for the smart of the land…not the ditch diggers.

Politicians speak to the poor at election time. They promise them a leg-up and opportunity. After the election, the promises are forgotten. This happens on both sides of the aisle. So many do not register on the people to care about meter. A lot of us drive old vehicles held together by prayer and twine. My uncle Gene ate beans as his primary protein he had no money for better fare. Grandma A trusted in her Bible and the minister in her church. Why not…the American Experiment was not working for them.

I love the poor…I see myself. My Director Phil told me when I was working that he understood why I relied so much on my own devices to succeed. He was more right than I like to admit. I believe in my Guardian Angel. I have always been the fellow looking in the window at the celebration…

It takes a while. Slow and steady wins the race. Experience is a worthy teacher. Time reveals hidden things. Please yourself first. Others will be pleased with your authenticity.

We seek the approval of our peers. We want to fit in. Why do I think differently than the group? Perhaps I am wrong… The puzzle of Becoming Yourself has many pieces. Many are sky blue.

Thoughts are wide and deep. They are powerful. Words are thoughts spoken. The real you leaking out. Thoughts are home inside of home. We may be at an event with thousands and enjoying a soliloquy of one in our head.

We look for a leader who will tell us the approved phrases, seeking the thoughts of others while ours are hidden. Responsibility for actions is heavy stuff. It is easier to say the leader or boss told me to do it. Authenticity is rare and priceless.

Amid AI, we see one human. The human captivates our attention. Humans are made of blood and bone, while AI is computer-generated. Humans fail…but are they not beautiful…

It has been a nice day in the neighborhood, with moderate temperatures and blue skies. Monday is a good day. Mondays are a significant part of life. Aaron’s Tree Removal comes in the morning to clean up the massive limbs that fell in our yard during the Ice Storm of 2025. So far 2025 is noteworthy.

Having been a Christian for 57 years, I have noticed a variety of definitions of that term. I first became intrigued by the Bible Storybooks in Ferrell Hospital while waiting to see Dr. Ferrell. The stories were beautifully illustrated and compelling renditions of the life of Christ and his love. I understood what strife worry and pain were and thus became drawn to the life of the Peacemaker and friend to the poor…which I was.

We are seeking the Quick Fix. No more poor but rich…not in spiritual matters but in the pocketbook. Now we look for The King of Retribution who will slay our perceived enemies. The homeless hungry and marginalized sit silently in the shadows waiting for the Bible Storybook Jesus to speak for them and give them a sense of place.

I was reading a good friend who spoke about the Church People who come to the Bar after Church on Sunday are the rudest of the people she has served. Eliteism will make you that way…

Church People are often shunned by the hurting hungry and lonely. Why would they seek more of the pain of life they currently feel from their place of no voice and one who cares about them? Many churches after they unzip their Halloween costumes are Nationalism Clubs.

‘We say we want freedom and then sign up for servitude,’ Woman said. ‘We love the scripture regarding the lion laying down with the lamb until we do not like the current flock of lambs,’ Woman continued. ‘As Archie Bunker bemoaned to his wife Edith that no affirmative action program gave him his job at the factory until she reminded him that his uncle got him his factory job,’ Woman laughed a laugh of sadness.

‘Life is hard and full of work and ambition,’ Man said with pride. ‘I pulled myself up by my bootstraps and made something of me,’ Man boasted with his chest puffed out. ‘That is why we are installing a rod iron fence around our property to keep the undesirables out,’ Man cautioned.

‘Sally’s house was destroyed in the fire a mile from our home,’ Child said. ‘Their house was twice as large as ours,’ Child continued. ‘Sally’s mom died in the inferno,’ Child said weeping.

‘We are all in the same boat in a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty.’ G.K. Chesterton

‘He lives in the Magic Woods,’ Billy B said. ‘His wisdom is unparalleled,’ Billy B continued. ‘The Book speaks of golden streets in His City and many Mansions,’ Billy B advised.

‘Should we look for the glitter of the Golden Streets and the magnificence of the Many Mansions…perhaps we should wear our sunglasses to ensure eye protection from the brilliance,’ Chet laughed.

‘It is believed that the Kingdom is at the far end of the Rainbow and that pots of gold are everywhere you look, Jane said with gold stars in her eyes. ‘Everyone has more Mansion than they know what to do with and rooms to spare,’ Jane observed. ‘The Strong King is ultimately powerful and all must bow the knee before they enter his presence…he brooks no Bad Speech,’ Jane warned.

‘The King…He is the Great Leader, and we must obey,’ the Excited Woman proclaimed! ‘Look at his beauty and magnificent presence,’ EW said with a glazed admiration. ‘If he is not God, he is God’s gift to us,’ EW cried tears of manic laughter and frightening joy.

‘I love this country church,’ Chet said. I have a sense of place and purpose when I am here,’ Chet noted. ‘Not as it once was now many do not know of its location…they pass it for the eye-catching vision of the Golden City of the King,’ Chet said quietly.

‘Truth is spoken here by the lowly and poor,’ Billy B said. ‘The Homeless have a home here and the voiceless have a voice,’ Billy B said with a victory of Spirit. ‘An Old Man with a white beard preaches in this little church…he prefers that his name is not known,’ Billy B wistfully said…

‘The Old Man says we should think of him as the forerunner of one who is greater,’ Neva J said quietly. ‘He says that one is coming whose shoes he is not worthy to unloose,’ Neva J continued. ‘The Old Man tells us to look to Heaven and not to him,’ Neva J cried tears of joy…

Convictions bring courage. Convictions grow from empathy. Empathy is not a sin. Sin is a lack of empathy.

History repeats itself. There is nothing new under the sun…just different players in the cast.

As we search for the light…we must be the light.

Bad manners will always be bad manners. Hate is wrong. Prejudice bigotry and misogyny are wrong. Hate comes from a great cavern in our souls. Feeling small and unappreciated can develop into hate. Being led by Wolves In Sheep’s Clothing and manipulated to fulfill their desires is soul-crushing.

Morality meant a lot when I was a child. The lack of it was not worn as a badge of honor. The marginalization of poor people is not something to be emulated. Cruelty toward fleeing frightened people and their children is nowhere to be found in the Bible. Sanctuary is Christian. We have forgotten who we are and where we came from.

‘We must rid ourselves of these people,’ Chief said. ‘This is our land given to us by the Creator,’ Chief continued. ‘They have different ways than we do and their clothes are peculiar,’ Chief observed.

‘Let us welcome them and help them with their crops,’ Chief’s Wife said. ‘Perhaps they will bring us good,’ CW continued. ‘They are kindly folk fleeing oppression,’ CW said with a tear in her eye.

‘A merry heart doeth like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.’ Proverbs 17:22 KJV

It is a lovely winter day. This is the year we celebrated New Year’s Eve. Almost a month gone. Our lives are full of surprises. Home is first in our hearts before it is in our actions. I watched our dear friend Jennifer last evening so happy and genuine. She uplifted my New Year Spirit.

We are amid the Grand Experiment—life! Every day is an adventure, and every kind word is a mitzvah. Our world awaits us. We should be so immersed in the joy of living that when we transition to death it will be a big surprise. What will the next hold for us if it is this wonderful in this Universe!

People are waiting to help you. There are always Helpers lurking about. As I walked the somewhat warmer Woods this morning the Park Staff waved vigorously at me. I am the Old Man of the Woods.

I have become old and now realize that no one has all the material things they desire nor travels to every location on their Bucket List. The joy is in the journey. Our world is full of loving and wonderful human beings. We are deceived by the algorithms that bunch people of ill will together. They are in the minority…humanity will win!

We are not a failing nation full of ne’er-do-wells. For over 32 years, I was privileged to be associated with the Building Services Department at Southern Illinois University. Kind intelligent, and hard-working colleagues who worked at their School as if the University’s success depended on them. Human beings from over 70 countries. Friends who helped others daily. We laughed often and with abandon. We cared about our precious students. We listened to their problems and fed them when they were hungry. There was no stronger department at SIUC!

Before I had the internet I was fascinated by the concept. All of the world’s knowledge is at my fingertips. It would be like having the Library of Congress at my disposal. Wolves came in in sheep’s clothing.

My dear friend Jeff tells the best jokes. I laughed until my sides hurt when I was with him. He owns his own business and carries a load of responsibility yet has time to laugh. Let us all be like Jeff…

Fear is real. If you have not been afraid you will be. It is no fun. Your stomach develops knots. Your head hurts. Hands sweat and anxiety take control. Fear can develop over time or come on suddenly. Many things cause fear. Fear for your imminent future is one.

People should not have to fear being who they are, and we should not fear detainment while we are at church. We all fear the knock on the door in the middle of the night…it is not funny when it is you and your family.

‘They deserve it,’ the Throng says with passion. ‘If they were not like they are or illegal they would not suffer like us True Americans,’ Throng continues. ‘Free Speech for Real Americans,’ the Throng chants.

‘Open up in the name of the law,’ Law Enforcement says. ‘You are guilty of illegal speech against the Leader,’ Law Enforcement continues. ‘You are a subset of an accepted religion that has violated the country’s

Free Speech requirements…you lectured the Leader and did not apologize,’ Law Enforcement informs as they cuff the Episcopalian Bishop.

So it goes as we navigate the Winter Of Our Discontent.

The Hostages rushed the Police. They beat the Police with batons. They defecated in the Citadel of Democracy. Now all are free.

How do the Police feel…

Today is the first day of the rest of your life. This is often said but rarely considered. What a profound gift! There really is the proverbial… Do Over. The Shackles of Christmas Past in which Marley’s Ghost presented himself to Scrooge can still be removed.

What is your vision for you? How can you become your best self? Now is the time for all good men/women to come to the aid of their country… Are you a writer…then write. Are you a singer…sing like no one is watching. Become the Fairy Tale version of yourself.

‘A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.’ Become so immersed in your passion that the storms of time seem far away.

‘Hello, young lovers wherever you are…,’ love with purpose and conviction. Be glad for someone who cares about you…it is rare.

A still small voice speaks to us from time to time. Listen. Often you hear it once and when unheeded by the cares of life… become silent. The Voice presents itself again…years later…and you remember.

Standing for your beliefs is amazingly freeing and empowering and provides a sense of place. Voice is a prized possession. Often words lodge deep in the hearts of the listener. Begin Again by being you in all your glory. Authentic and true…on a mission from God to bring peace and aid those who have no voice.

This is not the beginning of the end but the end of the beginning. Today is bright and cold. January is known for the latter. Have you ever been cold in the summer? Such is the winter of our discontent. We seek the warm coals among the ashes. The vision in obscurity. Hope for the hopeless as Jesus taught us.

Laughing comes easy to the chosen. Rejoicing in the shared goals of our friends. It is comfortable to have an enemy. It is good to be the King. The Show is the Purpose. We smile and our mouths hurt. We are conditioned. A Day of significance for insular thoughts. Preachers say lofty prayers. The Sadducees did so as well.

The undocumented have to go is our clarion call. What about the undocumented white people? Questions are not welcome in the Forum. Acceptance is vital and expected.

Facts are fungible. Who needs them when we have the Fever Dream of a troubled mind…

The poor take comfort in the people who are beneath them. They are not on the bottom rung.

Hope reigned supreme in the Woods. All was right with the world in the forest. The Old Man walked with purpose under the cold blue sky. No judgment or recrimination…only mercy.

Jesus said let him who is without sin cast the first stone and then he knelt down and wrote in the sand. There was more than one political persuasion in the audience of stone throwers. Surely there were diverse economic levels in the hurlers. Yet they were up for a little game of Pitch… How do we deceive ourselves when we blame one political party or religion for our discontent…

Cold is the word for the day. It is 19 degrees but it feels like 4. Spring is on its way. We are still thinking of peace on earth and goodwill toward men. Christmas was less than a month ago. I saw a squirrel scurrying and wondered if he was cold. The ground was soft yesterday but hardened this morning. Water like a stone we Presbyterians sing from our hymnal.

January is on its way to completion. Even winter months go quick. One day at a time is my philosophy. Yesterday is past and tomorrow has not arrived. Sunday is the world for today. Seconds turn into minutes minutes into hours…hours into days…days into years. The Bible admonishes us to number our days.

We look for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow when it is in front of us. The laughter smiles and warm feelings make up our memories. It is not peace through strength but peace through contentment. Glad for the day and our part in it. Happy in the moment. Living the Feature Length Movie of our life as it flicks by on the theatre projector…one frame at a time.

Many frustrated people become political and religious leaders…beware. Listen to your heart when it does not agree with the crowd. Follow your Guardian Angel. Break the mold. Be different when different is right for you…

Calm thoughts are a sense of place. Fever Dreams lead to unhappiness.

The Old Man in the Woods looked slowly around. The deer birds and wild turkeys were content. The trees were happy in the bitter cold. Sky was his roof ground was his floor. Mr. Woodpecker tapped a merry tune. Roaring water flowed from the hills to the valley from snow melting. The symphony of rushing water was overwhelming. The natural order of things was mesmerizing. No glossy office with a Resolute Desk. No trappings of power designed to impress. The United States was begun by rebels. People who wanted a change from being ruled by a King. Farmers, tinsmiths, candlemakers, and printers came to the faraway country for a better life. A place where they were the government. A place for life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. A country where the common man had a place at the table. They fled the gold and brass the pomp and circumstance for the common wooden table and straight wooden chair. No foolishness no slick words…Thomas Paine called it Common Sense…