The Great Melt has happened. This time last week, we were snow-covered; now, we are not. Walk without fear of falling. People are winter scurrying. Groceries to buy movies to see and a long weekend. Winter has a distinct rhythm. Slow and deliberate are the paces. Hope springs as we search the winter sky. Things change.

I have been reflecting on work and home life. For many years, work has occupied the majority of my days. Work has its own society. You have your work friends. The structure of your work days is not governed by home life structures. Even work rewards are kitschy when evaluated by the outside. Work becomes its own comfort. Many folks do not know what they would do without the structure pace and environment of work. They are Masters Of Their Domain whereas at home they are a bit lost. Often retired people become depressed at the loss of their halcyon days at work.

Severance is an intriguing show I have been watching on Apple TV+. The premise is that on one floor of the Lumon building staff have an implant in their brain that causes them to not remember anything of their time on the job when they are home and nothing of home when they are in the office. One of their rewards for success is an Egg Party where they are served Deviled Eggs. In the first episode of season two, they watched a staff video on a three-lens rear projection television that was simplistic and yet inspired the viewers to attain further kudos from the bosses.

At the conclusion of last season on Severance three of the Lumon staff overrode the brain implant for a few minutes. One found she was part of the family who owns the business and the season ended with her warning the audience she was supposed to brag about Severance by yelling that they were not happy as ‘Inies’ and were tortured at work. Another of the enlightened ‘Inies’ found he was a frustrated painter and that the man he loved at work had a partner at home.

Work/Life Balance has always been hard. Where we are creating who we are. Vagaries are abundant in life. Life is messy. Facebook says it is Complicated.

The artificial hierarchy at work is difficult to replicate at home. Rewards are a bit simplistic at work. We become accustomed to them in our artificial fish bowl. We want the certificate…the gold watch.

The ground was soft as a sponge as the old man walked. There were no political parties or churches. No leader telling the woods what to do and when to do it. Time moves at its own pace. It does not consider the opinions of the audience.

Small we began. Little baby in our high chair. The world looked mysterious. Big faces were friendly funny and kind. Everyone seemed to speak to us as if we were a baby…

Sometimes we would say things we understood clearly but sounded like di da or my name is Tan Tan… People laughed when we spoke clear thoughts…again as if we were babies. When I was young I boldly proclaimed that I did not want a ‘shoit’ for Christmas attesting to my need for toys. Aunt Vema laughed and oft-quoted me for many years following.

Today we speak our needs reactions and wants to God…he smiles and understands that we are developing.

The Great Ear hears all. Sounds of laughter freedom and fun and moans of pain suffering and loneliness…the most difficult to hear. We live in our covered huts but the Spirit knows. Guardian Angels are all around. Sometimes you can get a quick view of them as they scurry by…a bit of a blur.

It is warmer today. The snow is melting. Spring is coming. Looking at the winter afternoon sun…I think of home. The soft shadows over the white snow with many hues of color in the pristine sky. What a planet.

Quiet thoughts for quiet people. Some do not yearn for the crowds the hustle and bustle of the arena. Debate is not our style. Listening and thinking before talking is natural. Somewhat like the methodical days of winter. Ice forms then snow. Limbs break then the clean-up. What seemed overwhelming turned into reflection and renewal.

Manic Actors fill the stage. With just enough praise they have become the vision of the words of praise they hear. Power is a powerful aphrodisiac. We love the sound of our own name and our voice. Soon we believe our own hype.

Squirrels look out of their dens. The earth looks as good as it should. Soon the grass will grow. Mr. Toad and Badger…Mole and
Ratty is sitting by the fire as Mr. Toad tells them about his adventures in Motor Cars. Ratty is dreaming about ‘mucking about in boats.’ Badger listens with the wisdom that only he has. He hands Mole his much-needed glasses to see the dancing flames of the fire.

‘It is a facsimile of our world,’ Badger said. ‘There is the pursuit of happiness but no happiness,’ Badger continued. ‘Humans seek the approval of miscreants,’ Badger said with his bass voice. ‘They buy boats and never use them…a terrible waste,’ Badger concluded.

‘Nothing suits my soul more than a good book and a warm fire,’ Mole observed. ‘The rhythm of the woods is my pleasure,’ Mole continued. ‘I have few worries and keep my accounts on a tea napkin,’ Mole laughed heartily until his glasses fell off his nose.

‘I need excitement in my Toad life,’ Mr. Toad proclaimed. ‘There is a rush from driving a motor car,’ Mr. Toad danced about. ‘I have so many thoughts…they are like irons in the fireplace…I do not know which one to grab first,’ Mr. Toad said with a wink.

‘I am back from our boat…all is well with our winterizing of it,’ Ratty observed. ‘The lake is melting nicely…if we are going to ice skate we must do so soon, Ratty informed.

We seek the righteous among the profane. Shall God’s love be manifest through hate? Life is simple…without the ruse of conspiracy…

Life brings us happy surprises. We go about our work-a-day world or retirement-a-day festivities, believing that nothing changes. Change is always happening. As MJ says we are not as young as we used to be.

There is a desire to manage life in the moment. During my time as a manager at Southern Illinois University taking work-life one day at a time was excellent for solving problems. We do not live in the microcosm of one day and what we desire does not come to us in 24 hours. Patience is the key to many knotty issues becoming untangled.

Time is our friend. The heat of the moment yields to the wisdom of thought. As a young man, I wondered why I did not advance in my career. Upon reflection, I see myself as Assistant Superintendent of Building Services at 29 years old and wonder, as the Jamaican gentleman parking our rental car in Philedelphia when he said to me…What you cryin’ about man?’

The snow has lingered long for Southern Illinois. I can not snap enough photos. I enjoy winter photography. Each picture is a freezing of time. Such is life with its panoply of events appointments and plans for the future with little regard for the present. Each day is our snapshot…there is no dry run and rehearsal for the performance. Hopes and dreams are best meant to transpire over many days. The snow will leave…it will return.

Life is not about keeping score. Who won…who lost? We have to be bigger than a basketball or football game.

We introverts need time to think. Pondering what we are told is a panacea to our soul.

Type A personalities wonder why we are not running faster. We say slow and steady wins the race…

We are playing chess. Each move is important each move counts.
What is the end result we hope to achieve and how will our moves facilitate our goal.

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…

So here we are, and the beginning has begun. Almost two weeks in, we are now immersed in our Happy New Year. The New Year is what we make it while we dodge the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. I never liked Dodge Ball; it hurt. Nevertheless, here we are, and our future depends on how well we can move when possible or absorb the spherical missile when it comes directly to our solar plexus. The reason we fail to realize our New Year Dreams is the Dodge Ball Diversion.

Dancing is a skill. Necessary for a sudden surprise. Life can be like combat where you are under enemy fire as you advance on the Hill of your desire.

Life is not for the faint of heart. Many admired people suffered greatly. The Glamour Shots are staged…life is down and dirty.

President Joe Biden will leave the stage in a little over a week. He has been praised for his accomplishments and damned for his mistakes. Neither the highest praise nor caustic indictment describes him. He like we is no more than a man in the arena dodging the balls and attempting to move forward for people.

I took a job in leadership at Southern Illinois University. Many were unhappy with the direction of our department. At first, I was praised as a breath of fresh air. As time goes by a leader makes unpopular decisions. Before the conclusion of my 25 years, the criticism was equal to the praise.

Each morning brings a new opportunity and a new challenge. Mistakes are wonderful. Mistakes illustrate motivation. Mistakes are the fuel of progress. We move forward by falling down and getting back up.

For mistakes to be wonderful we must learn by them…

It’s another snow day at Southern Illinois University, the third this week. MJ and I enjoy them vicariously through Jonathon. The ice has been plentiful. 2025 has provided an Ice Palace like I have not seen since childhood. This event happens while Los Angeles is burning. In a large country, there can be different worlds.

Four days in the house—four more than usual—card games, blogs, and thoughts about big things for a little mind. Our reality is in our heads, and thus, communication is a failure. I speak from my perception, and you hear from your perspective. We recently experienced Christmas, when we attempted to meet in the middle. We need a little Christmas all year long.

My good friend reminded me that we Baby Boomers, ‘Were The Shit.’ She made my day.

So our motivation is the same as Annie’s…Tomorrow…Tomorrow…Tomorrow.

The great thing about life is that it has the same challenges and more as when I was a kid. It never gets boring. It gets better the more we fight against Bullies and prevaricators.

There is meaning in making others feel comfortable wanted and seen. Light enters our spirit when we share our candle with our neighbor who holds an unlit candle. My favorite part of our Christmas Eve Service at Church is the singing of Silent Night in a darkened Sanctuary while we share the light with our neighbors.

‘A drunk man knocked at the door. Upon answering the door the man told his friend in the house to please come out and give him a push. Rain was pouring down and it was the middle of the night. The man of the house shut the door and returned to bed. The man’s wife cajoled him to go out and help his friend as his friend had helped him in a similar circumstance just a few days ago. The man dressed and exited into the cold rain. ‘Where are you at…I am here to help you,’ the now very wet and cold man from the house beckoned.’

‘I am over here sitting in the swing…can you give me a push…, said Drunk Friend?

Push Story is from Garfield Hug Blog

Help others without examination of the reason…as Jesus has helped us…

More snow is coming. Three to five inches tonight and tomorrow. A hard winter for Little Egypt. The crunch of ice is memorable, especially for an old man who broke three ribs. Living on Earth is a joy and a scary burden. Los Angeles is burning. Apocalyptic Burning. There are numerous fires surrounding homes and the people who live in them. They do not know where to go, what the safe exit is, or where they are safe from fire.

Former President Carter demonstrated a focus on living well. He did not lie. He did not cheat. He played by the rules. President Carter lived his long life helping the poor. A stellar example in troubled times.

When leaders use the misfortune and suffering of people to make their political points we have chaos.

Life requires focus. Leaders must judge the people fairly. Do not hold your breath in our present distress. We sought Statesmen and Stateswomen…now we have Panderers and malcontents. Truth is conditional. Promises are made to be broken. The poor are at fault for our condition while the rich are a blessing sent from a god focused on money.

The Golden Rule is really Golden. Treating others like you want to be treated is vital. Money is a small component of living a happy life.

I had a pastor who often said some people are like baby geese who eat and never look where the food comes from. I never cared for the analogy but lately have seen a preponderance of people benefiting from politicians who they call ‘Demons.’

As a manager/administrator at Southern Illinois University, I was criticized for not being harsher with those whose colleagues believed they deserved the wrath of discipline. Thoughtful management is not always popular with the populists.

Mr. Tortise told Mr. Hare,’ Slow and steady wins the race.’

‘We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.’ Jimmy Carter

The old man of the woods made his first meager steps into the Ice Palace. The glistening beauty was stunning. Nature was quiet under her blanket of ice. The trees did bow. The crack of the fallen could be heard in the distance. No hikers. No explorers. A pause.

We need a pause. A reset. A pondering of our present distress. The frenetic fury of change has left us crippled. We are maimed by self-doubt. The business of living has sapped life. Empty vessels seeking fulfillment. A halcyon time for conmen charlatans and thieves. We look behind us searching for answers.

Cold focuses the mind. Ice freezes movement. ‘Please, sir, I want some more,’ Oliver Twist said. ‘Desperate with hunger, and reckless with misery,’ he asks for another bowl of weak porridge.

So it goes…when will we follow the pristine example of our dear departed President Jimmy Carter and live the Christian message of humility and service? Shall we be recognized for our rhetoric or our lived reality?

We are the star of our story. Many of our actions directly result from how we see ourselves. Will we break free from our frozen condition to benefit our children or will we feel best doing the things that suit our needs?

Happy New Year… giving this greeting on January 9, 2025, is still alright. Much will happen to us during our New Year. We hope to lose some weight. To be better people. We engage in the pursuit of happiness. Each day is a chapter in our book. Some chapters are support structures for the plot. Other chapters are critical plot turning points.

‘This year I will make each day count,’ Chet said. ‘I shall keep a diary to ensure I am moving toward my goals,’ Chet continued. ‘By the end of 2025 I shall have written my book,’ Chet said with a wink and grin. ‘I will write of our capture in the Ice Palace…our failure to accomplish our journey due to our frozen condition, Chet said giving a preview of his work.

‘Who will be the main character,’ asked Jane? Where is the Ice Palace located, Jane continued? ‘Will there be a Sloth…I love Sloths,’ Jane laughed.

‘Funny you would mention the Sloth as he inspires me,’ Chet responded. ‘Mr. Sloth is looked upon as lazy or not producing what he is capable of but I see him as a methodical thinker,’ Chet explained. ‘Mr. Sloth is always about his business of improvement with a smile and a song…on his timetable,’ Chet grinned.

‘Ice Palace is ruled by an evil Princess who distorts reality and causes her subjects to lose time, Chet said somberly. ‘Once a person fails they tend to fear trying again and thus become ensnared in the Ice Palace where they feel safe and secure but fail at their calling,’ Chet said. ‘Each of us has a Calling… God-given talents for others to benefit from…Ice Princess robs us of those gifts,’ Chet said with downcast eyes.

We were the ‘Shit’ we thought. We were never going to get old. Never trust anyone above 30 until 30 came and left like the last Bus to the coast. Determined to change the world we set forth. Now we watch the snow and ice through our picture windows.

We grow old too fast. From one Christmas to the next is but a moment. Excited to become adults we stretched our wings and flew a little. Some of us were afraid of heights. The Greatest Generation told us to mind our money. Buy a home. Go to College. Question Authority. We learned that committee work is democratic but tedious. It takes time to hear many voices. School Boards and City Councils were tiresome with their lengthy curriculum and sewer needs discussion. The House of Representatives poured coffee and the Senate cooled it in the saucer. It has not been long since we all used saucers.

Power Corrupts. The Greatest Generation told us Boomers. We assumed that they were all like Nixon and his Watergate cronies. The Vietnam War disillusioned us. Yet the Constitution served us well when Nixon fell. He understood that his Party would not back him in criminal activity. We were still able to be shocked in those halcyon days.

‘Germany was the Weimar Republic established after World War I following the collapse of the German Empire; however, this democracy faced significant challenges and instability, ultimately allowing Hitler to rise to power and establish a dictatorship.’

‘The Weimar Republic experienced significant political instability due to extremist groups on both the left and right, economic hardship, and resentment over the Treaty of Versailles.’

Jeff and Margo made candles. Michael made leather Bible Covers. I enjoyed Gefilte Fish and Matzo for breakfast at the Commune. I showered in the shower in the cornfield with a wash tub on top to hold the water and no shower curtain. I wondered if I would stay forever young…

The path seemed clear. Christ was returning to Earth…we were living in the last days. Now I am old and waiting for the other shoe to drop.

We look into the sun as an outfielder looks for the long ball. Something is coming. Change is afoot. A Billionaire believes he speaks for the masses…most of us can not hear him…

Who shall we send to govern us? Shall we send the Academic…the preacher…the teacher…or the richest among us? Surely the richest have demonstrated their command of Capitalism… As Tony Soprano told Dr. Melfi…’It is about the motherfucking cock suckin’ money! We seek the living among the dead…

‘I have returned to the house of my fathers,’ Billy B said. ‘My great grandmother a Cherokee Indian lived a sense of place,’ Billy B noted. ‘Love each other Grandma said…love the Earth…love freedom…