The Old Man stood in the woods today. Tinkleing and cracking surrounded him. Nature was conducting a symphony. You can not hear it indoors. Televison masks the unique sound. It is not covered in social media. Politicians do not speak of it, and billionaires can not find money to make from it.

We lived simple lives in our past. Laughter, warmth, food, and friends were enough. We walked in most places and were healthier because of it. As we got more we had less…

‘I want to get my boat out but it is a little early,’ Herbert said with a frown. ‘I will soon be sailing again with not a care or concern,’ Herbert continued. ‘I grow tired of our new home…it does not have a boat or an ocean to place it on,’ Herbert bemoaned.

‘When you are sailing…which is every day…you complain of the Sun and wind,’ Lovely said. ‘I solace myself in the winter with the knowledge of our lives being better than many others,’ Lovely noted with a smug smile. ‘We give to our chosen charities and that is enough…let the poor go to work,’ Lovely observed as she poured another Dirty Martini.

‘I tell you Sammy I work from dawn to dusk and can not seem to acquire what my parents did,’ Tony said. ‘I have been working two jobs for years to keep Prissy happy and give her what she believes she is entitled, no matter what I do it is never enough,’ Tony continued. ‘She brags on this guy and that Prick and never gives me a kind word…comparing us to those who have two new vehicles and a McMansion,’ Tony sighed and lit another stogie…

‘Reverend Prospero says that you can not outgive God…which I believe…I don’t understand why giving to God included the Rev. having a new BMW and a mansion with another Beach Condo in Florida…where he is during this Ice Storm,’ Seymour said. ‘The winter wind blows in our home around the old windows,’ Seymour noted with sadness. ‘Abigail and Annie are cold while I keep telling them that God will provide…but the recipient of all my god money is in Florida on the beach,’ Seymour whispered bitterly where the girls could not hear him…

‘Are you alright my dear,’ J asked? ‘We will be there before long,’ J said. ‘It is so hot and dusty…a trip I wish we did not have to make,’ J noted with a frown.

‘We will stop at the Hotel to see if they have any rooms…’ M said with weariness…