I viewed a movie called Omni Loop last night. It had an interesting slant on time travel. The lead character woke up to the news that she had a week to live. She enjoyed time with her family and a trip to the beach…ending with her 55th birthday celebration two weeks early. Then her nose began to bleed signifying her imminent demise. At this point, she took a pill and was transported back to the hospital bed that she was in at the beginning of the week. The process began anew with all of the same occurrences of the prior week. It turns out she had been living her untold long life with these pills. At one point she and a college student were endeavoring to break down the components of the pills to crack the time travel efficacy of them. As this occurred repeatedly, much as in the movie Groundhog Day, she asked her assistant if she did not feel they had been together for a lifetime. The assistant agreed.

So it goes with our seemingly short days on Earth. Have we walked these paths before? If you say no…how do you know? Einstein said the distinction between past, present, and future is ‘Only a stubbornly persistent illusion.’

‘I like our Sauk Village Home…at least we have a nice home this time,’ Billy B thought in his 3-year-old brain. ‘I remember Oxford and the lovely campus,’ Billy B mused. ‘My rooms at University were next to C. S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien…many nights we hoisted a pint at the Bird and Baby Pub,’ Billy B reminisced.

The house was larger on the inside than the out. An anomaly that could not be explained by builders. Within its walls were mysteries. Chet found when he entered the cavernous basement John F. Kennedy was no longer the President and Donald Trump was. Upon climbing the circular stairs he was once again in 1963. Jane and Billy B were children upstairs but old people in the basement. Chet enjoyed comparing and contrasting the generations.

‘Signs and wonders surround us,’ Preacher said. ‘Trust only me…I hear directly from God…I have prayerfully determined what we Chosen must do, ‘Preacher passionately proclaimed. ‘Nuclear War will weed out the chaff…we the wheat will be spared,’ Preacher shouted midst many hallelujahs from the congregation.

‘The Soviet Union has removed the missiles from Cuba,’ Neva J said. ‘We came within a gnat’s whisker of Nuclear War,’ Neva J said with tears. ‘President Kennedy is my hero,’ Neva J proclaimed…

‘Hit the deck you rubber neck…time to get ready for school,’ Neva J joyfully said! Begin again…

It is easy to succumb to the doldrums in the deep midwinter with water like a stone. The merry heart of Christmas is obscured by the dark days and thoughts. We are like the Energizer Bunny needing a new battery. Although the winter days are grey they are valuable. Time to reflect on our path. We travel a rocky road often without rest stops. Life reversals such as the poor Federal Civil Service employees are experiencing are life-changing. We live in a Country that recognizes the legal protection that Civil Service afforded them. I spent my career as a Civil Servant. Work in the Civil Service is for less money but good benefits and some protection. The modern Civil Service replaced the old patronage system where a political leader fired all Civil Servants of the opposing party and placed his supporters in open positions with no recourse by the fired staff. Contrary to recent political belief most Civil Servants are hard-working people with families to support. If we swear we are for the working class the Civil Service is the Working Class.

There is a reason that there are not more poor among us than there are. Laws protecting working people and unions are vital to the upward mobility of the 12-hour work days and tenement housing of our recent past. I served for 9 years as Southern Illinois University @ Carbondales representative to the Merit Board governing University Civil Service. I was the president of the Civil Service Council at SIUC for 5 years. Firing people for no reason or for spite is illegal…

When the richest man in the world can cavalierly fire on a whim…we are all in danger…

My greatest honor was working with the dedicated Civil Service staff of Building Services. These housekeeping professionals loved Southern Illinois University. They fed hungry students on their crews. They invited them into their homes for the holidays. They cooked a massive Thanksgiving Dinner for our 200 + student staff. Civil Service Housekeepers were the face of SIUC to our students. When Our University fell on hard times regarding the recruitment and retention of our precious students…we redoubled our efforts to assist.

As a candidate for Chancellor described Civil Service Staff…’ They are the salt of the Earth.’

‘It is going to be a dinner for the history books,’ Chet said. ‘Jane has bought a new dress and has a Valentine’s Gift for me,’ Chet grinned. ‘I am going to buy a new sports coat and shoes for the epic event,’ Chet laughed.

‘Have you asked her yet,’ Billy B inquired? ‘She may have other plans,’ Billy B noted. ‘She went to the Valentine Dance with you but may be booked for the V Dinner,’ Billy B warned.

‘She told me she was planning on the V Dinner and is waiting for you to ask her,’ Neva J cautioned. ‘She did purchase a new dress and has you a wonderful gift…but don’t be shy…ask her,’ Neva J smiled. The basketball captain has asked her and she declined to wait on your invitation,’ Neva J informed.

‘She is so special and I could not believe she accepted my invitation to the V Dance…surely she will not be so kind to me if I ask again,’ Chet mused. ‘How could she like Fat Man Chet,’ Chet said with sadness. ‘I have always been an introvert…I watch from the back of the room…most people pass me by,’ Chet commented.

‘Hi Chet…you look like a Champ,’ Jane said. ‘What are you doing for the V Dance,’ Jane asked? ‘Would you like to go with me,’ Jane asked? ‘You are my sweetheart…you are the Bees Knees…my one and only,’ Jane winked as she took Chet’s hand.

‘Have you ever seen me do the Irish Jig,’ Chet asked Jane? ‘I have been practicing…I am pretty good…

‘I have a gift for you that I will give you now…and after you open the box you may give it to me…if you want,’ Jane said with tears in her eyes…

The sky is full of splendor today. I did not know how much I missed the Sun until it was gone. Snow is coming tonight, much like life.

Jennifer and Lee joined us for the Super Bowl last evening. They made it like Christmas in February! Jennifer, Lee, and Annelise are a sweet trio. Their presence lights up a room!

I received a lovely comment regarding my recent blog The Ark. Our Ark of safety is our Earth. We are all in this together. There is no need to fight and feud with our fellow travelers.

We search for a Wise Man. We look for a Seer. Someone to worship. Forever disappointed and afraid. Humans fall short of human expectations. We cheer for our performers our Stars…our icons in the flesh until they fall out of favor…then we Boo…they have ceased to follow the Party Line…the approved text.

Our Ark knows no political division. The Sun is brilliant. The sky is azure blue. We occupants of the many cabins on board are sorely disenchanted with our accommodations. Some cabins are too small while others do not have a Balcony View. There are Cruisers on our deck that do not look like we do. Some people speak a different language. We saw a man holding hands with a man. Many pray differently than we do. Some do not pray…

The highest rank a leader can have is Servant. Servant Leadership is rare. Bluster and Bullying hide a lack of skill. Mean words create mean people. The coarsening of political rhetoric leads to our mutual destruction. It is possible to Bastardize democracy. We create many clouds hiding the Sun. We forget what matter of man and woman we are…

I was out among them today. Three stores and a visit with my friend Jim. Hustle and bustle wondering if more snow is coming our way. Gray skies and misty rain. Often the weather in Southern Illinois. Also, there is more wind than I remember as a youth. I purchased a Valentine’s Day card for MJ and the gentleman checking me out said I am one of the few men that buys their Valentine’s Day card before February 14th. I told him I had learned from being married for nearly 47 years. He said my comment was priceless…

We are all a part of something. We are home somewhere. We are known in the congregation. It is good to be the king and queen of our castle. Problems concerns and hopes are much alike. People are not so different. Media would have us believe that some of us are from Mars and some from Venus…we all live on Earth. More unites us than divides us.

Conspiracy Theories divide us. Paronia comes from the Conspiracy Theories. Us and Them is how humanity is portrayed. Many churches base their doctrine on exclusivity. Most will drown in the flood but we are on the Ark. The Ark is the Earth…we are all on it…

We are like the man who looked upon his mirror reflection and then forgot his visage. Later he kills his brother…blinded to his family…

Snow is forecast for next week. It is winter. Mr. Groundhog told us what to expect. The hints of spring must yield to winter. But time is drawing nigh.

The reality of the moment was compelling. There were family and friends, and Grandma, who had been dead for many years. She was in the pink, drinking Merlot and laughing. Earl announced Mimo’s Pizza had arrived. Aaron was toddling around Granma’s Eldorado home with the basketball larger than him that Earl had gotten for him because he pointed at it. In walked Uncle Gene saying, ‘Get the point…Get the point,’ he wore a beanie with a propeller on his head. Uncle Gene wore a pink ballerina dress with ballet shoes on his large feet. We were in the car outrunning a tornado. Cheetah sat humbly in the car seat as Earl drove frantically zigzagging to outwit the twister. President Kennedy stood in the middle of the stormy road and advised that we had better turn back…he said he had told Rosemary the same thing.

Dreams are real to our sleeping selves. If you do not think so check your heart rate upon awakening. Once a pastor told me that soon I would have a new car. I laughed as I had nothing and did good to keep body and soul together. A month later I purchased a new LTD.

‘Is the dream the real reality,’ Chet asked? ‘Dad told me that he was going on a journey and that I would be the man of the house…he cautioned me to take care of mom and water his garden…I then woke up to find he had died during the night,’ Chet said sadly. ‘Remember when we visited the future and saw our adult selves…old and arthritic,’ Chet asked? ‘Was that reality or is this,’ Chet said.

‘It was the near future…the United States was diminished…authoritarianism ruled,’ Billy B said. ‘People lived in enclaves with others of similar beliefs and ethnicity…guns were everywhere people carried them in their pockets and slung over their shoulders,’ Billy B noted. ‘Russia China and North Korea became our allies…NATO lay in ruins from neglect…the Gaza War had been going on for years with the United States a key player,’ Billy B said sadly. ‘I had this dream in 1965…it is now waking reality,’ Billy B said questioningly…

Love makes the world go around. The Valentine’s Day cards are on the shelves. Cupid is sharpening his arrows. His quiver is full. Holidays help us through the rough times. We need them regularly.

Paradoxically, we Baby Boomers have grown old. Full of life and ready for any challenge, we are now often in the cheap seats watching the circus.

‘I gave Jane a Valentine’s card,’ said Chet. ‘I hope she receives it warmly, Chet continued. ‘She lights up my life,’ Chet exulted!

‘I saw several envelopes containing V Cards on her desk when we went to lunch…she is popular,’ Billy B noted. ‘I heard she is dating the Basketball Team Captain,’ Billy B advised. ‘You know the girls like the Jocks,’ Billy B smirked.

‘Chet your Valentine’s Card was a pleasant surprise,’ Jane said with an angelic smile. ‘I have always admired you and your quick wit and kind demeanor,’ Jane said. ‘I never thought you might like me as well,’ Jane said with wide-eyed excitement.

‘Love is a splendid thing,’ Neva J laughed. ‘It makes your heart do flips and your breathing gets erratic…stars get in your eyes,’ Neva J explained. ‘When I was 16 and working in the Shoe Factory I set my eyes on Billy B’s Dad,’ Neva J recounted. ‘He went off to fight in the Pacific during WW II and when he returned we married,’ Neva J said with tears in her eyes. ‘He was my whole world,’ Neva J said softly.

‘I am excited to be with you at the Valentine’s Day Dance,’ Jane said to Chet. ‘Do you Dance,’ she asked?

‘I have been taking lessons…may I have this dance,’ Chet asked?

Winter is moving along briskly. Hope rises in our spirits like sap in the trees. 2025 is our year! I am watching a documentary on Netflix released in 2025, and I thought, how could that be? It is due to the natural fact that we are moving forward. I purchased some Porter Beer and was happy to find it. It is not available in the warmer months.

Each day is new. Our part informs decisions. We are like early spring flowers…we will bloom soon. Happiness is within our grasp if we will reach for it. Peace with purpose surrounds us. No shackles bind us or hold us down. Mental barriers can be overcome. People of renown came into their own late in life. Old Age is somewhat mental. We are as old as societal norms tell us we are. Shatter those norms!

Separation from media is a good thing. We all do not dance when we drink Pepsi. Real Life is simpler and in line with our circumstances. Our reflections of reality can be seen in the eyes of our family and friends, not the reflections of Facebook.

Political leaders do not define us. I enjoy watching Veep with Julia Louis Dreyfus…Elaine in Seinfeld days. She commented to her Chief of Staff that if the voters really knew the truth that she did not care for them and that it was doubtful she would pass legislation that would meaningfully impact them in any way…they probably would not vote. That is the political reality in the United States.

Incredibly, we become immersed in political leaders and politicians. Many of them would not pee on us if our guts were on fire…

It was 71 degrees in Little Egypt, a record-breaker. The last record for February 3rd was 70 degrees in 1931. This time last month it was bitter cold. It pays to have several thicknesses of clothing.

We engage in rational irrationality. We tell ourselves that drinking is good for us. Eating is a pleasure we deserve no matter our weight. We will live forever…

Churches tell their congregants that hate is good and no one belongs in the USA except real Americans. Their definition of real Americans is Americans who look and act like them. Politicans proclaim the sovereignty of the Executive…the President. A King is the answer in the mold of King David of the Old Testament. Whatever he decides on the spur of the moment is right because God sent him to us as a savior. Christ taught us to love the poor, marginalized, and forgotten. The New King’s Doctrine is more fun and exercises our pent-up fears and prejudice.

I am listening to Annie Jacoben’s book Nuclear War for the 4th time. The term Rational Irrationality is a Nuclear War term. The idea is that when nuclear warheads are fired at the United States we return the same amount or more resulting in a Nuclear Holocaust. No one wins because no one is left…

We say that the tragedy of January 6 was peaceful tourists visiting the Capitol. Police were attacked with numerous grievous injuries and death was not important. The attackers deserve clemency for the misdeed of jailing for their crimes. What is right is what serves the New King. Dissent will not be tolerated…

‘It is a lovely day for February the 2nd, Auggie said. ‘A capitol day for Mr. Groundhog to give us his prognostication,’ Auggie continued. ‘I heard from Matilda that he is in high spirits and ready for this year’s verdict,’ Auggie exclaimed!

‘He is a seer of seers and the prognosticators of prognosticators,’ Abigail certified. ‘I heard from Seymore that Mr. GH was out late last night drinking Grog at his favorite pub,’ Abigaile told the assembled group. ‘The Old Gentleman said that he was getting too elderly for such an annual assignment and looking for a replacement,’ Abigail said with a wink.

‘So is the Old Gentleman in fine fettle or suffering from a hangover…it could affect the weather forecast,’ Bill Murray asked? ‘I have been working with him for one Continuous Day and he has trust issues,’ BM said with a dour look.

‘I have some problems with you people and you are not leaving until I tell you about them…six more weeks of winter for the lot of you,’ GH said with a wicked smile. ‘You have been going behind my back to a meteorologist for your weather,’ GH accused. ‘I give my forecast each Groundhog Day then you seek other sources to verify my pronouncement,’ GH looked on feelings hurting.

‘Theodore I will take the job of Groundhog Day and you can be my chief meteorologist,’ Bill Murray said. ‘On all my weather forecasts I will mention your profound wisdom…and our television station will sell stuffed Groundhogs for kids and kids at heart,’ Bill Murray continued. ‘You can live at my house instead of your Den…we will have Grog each night and laugh at our experiences in Weather Forecasting,’ BM said with a laugh.

‘Will you teach me to play piano like you,’ GH asked BM? ‘I love to dance…will anyone dance with me on my special day,’ GH asked longingly?