Stress is hurting our health. We have been stressed for so long that we no longer recognize it in its Halloween costume. The Old Man watches from his perch in the Woods while car after car passes, looking at autumn leaves, while no one gets out to walk among the trees. No time for walking. We must get back to the busy business of living.

Even squirrels fall out of trees. Every adventure has its moments. There is the Thanksgiving Turkey to buy and the oyster dressing to make. We work to do the expected. The Christmas Trees are on display. There are the Hallmark Ornaments to buy. We are sleepy during the day and wide awake at night. Our little voices tell us what we missed during our sleepy day. We focus in the darkness. Tomorrow we shall be better prepared. When we dream, we are running and wake up out of breath. One day, we will stop and smell the roses. But then again, first we will have to plant them, fertilize them, and of course, water and protect them from an early frost.

‘One day at a time,’ the Old Man thought. ‘Most things are not challenging when you have done them for decades,’ the Old Man said to his companion. ‘Are you excited about Halloween? ‘ the Old Man asked. ‘There is going to be a Halloween Picnic in the Woods, the Old Man continued. ‘Will your friends join us in the revelry?’ the Old Man asked. ‘Mr. Frank N. Stein is bringing Mead and cigars,’ the Old Man winked. ‘Frank makes his own Mead,’ the Old Man laughed. ‘Frank and Wolfy run their own Mead House by the creek,’ the Old Man advised. ‘When Frank’s Bride has a few, she sings karaoke,’ the Old Man winked. ‘At times the Bride jumps on the bar and dances,’ the Old Man observed with a wide grin.

‘I think a little friolity will do us good, we inhabitants of the Wood,’ Mr. Badger said. ‘I will ask Mr. Mole and Ratty and Mr. Toad, who loves to sing,’ Mr. Badger said. ‘A time to forget our troubles and enjoy our friends,’ Mr. Badger noted. ‘I will bring my new pipe and some Harvest Blend tobacco,’ Badger laughed.

‘Listen, my friends, and you shall hear the story of Toad and Badger enjoying their pipes,’ Mr. Toad sang. ‘I swear, Badger old bo,y what is in this tobacco?’ Mr. Toad asked. ‘It makes me feel quite light without a care in the world,’ Mr. Toad said with a lisp. ‘I wish I had my motorcar with me so I could take us all for a grand ride in the Wood,’ Mr. Toad danced on one foot and then the other. ‘Is there a bit of Turkish Blend in the bowl?’ Toady wondered just before he fell off the picnic table.