The autumn wind gusted this morning. The Old Man listened to classical Christmas music. He thought of many things. He thought of a sense of place and a peaceful mind. A quiet mind creates peace. It is about receiving the world as it comes. No preconditions. No form to pour the concrete in. Quick to listen and slow to conspire. The peaceful mind is not troubled by what others think.

All our loved ones are with us. Their spirits are nearby. We feel alone, but are not alone.

‘Let’s have a Halloween Party that includes those who are left out,’ Billy B said. ‘A party for those who are seen but not heard,’ Billy B. continued. ‘Every member of our class is important,’ Billy B. continued. ‘Some of our classmates feel left out and lonely,’ Billy B. noted. ‘If we included them, we would have the benefit of their character, whimsy, and voice in our midst,’ Billy B. proclaimed.

‘I attended the Frankenstein movie at the Orpheum Theatre Saturday with Tommy L.,’ Chet said. ‘Tommy L. has a lot to say, and it is all interesting,’ Chet said. ‘Turns out Tommy L. is an expert on monster movies and Frankenstein in particular,’ Chet smiled. ‘His Dad is a Professor at Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale,’ Chet informed. ‘Tommy L. reads Physics and can explain it where I could understand it,’ Chet noted. ‘Tommy L. reads at a graduate student level,’ Chet said with a wink. ‘He is a lymerick master,’ Chet said with a chuckle.

‘Let us light the candles for Billy B.’s Birthday Cake,’ Neva J said with a lilt in her voice. ‘He is eight years old and full of precocious vigor,’ Neva J noted with a little dance. ‘It is 1965 and the world is his oyster,’ Neva J announced. ‘He is an old soul,’ Neva J advised.

‘Billy B. dances to his own drummer,’ Jane observed. ‘He watches as most introverts do,’ Jane continued. ‘He lights up when someone speaks to him and is an easy friend,’ Jane said. ‘He likes to take Polaroid Photos with his Big Swinger camera,’ Jane laughed. ‘I will say that still waters run deep,’ Jane noted.