The cold wind whistled through the trees. Nature’s Clock was ticking. The leaves were unparalleled in majesty. The Old Man felt the cold for a bit and then became accustomed to it. He had been there before. So it goes with life. The older you are, the more you have seen. What seems concrete is made of clay that softens in the rain. Politicians are like a summer weed that shoots up toward heaven and soon dries and lies on the earth. Kings seek obedience and servitude, all the while they know not how long their reign will be. Leaders forget they work for the people. Not the lobbyists and special interest groups.

‘I have a mission to enjoy the remainder of the fall,’ Chet proclaimed. ‘It is my favorite season of the year,’ Chet continued. ‘My birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas rolled into one fantastic season,’ Chet danced on one foot and then the other. ‘There is joy in the Autumn Adventure,’ Chet sang to the top of his lungs. ‘It is between Halloween and Thanksgiving, which affords us an excellent opportunity to still invite Frankenstein and Wolfman to our Thanksgiving Dinner,’ Chet laughed a lusty laugh. ‘I have it on good authority that they have nowhere to eat Thanksgiving Dinner and that they would love to come to our celebration,’ Chet assured with a wink. ‘Frankenstein will bring his son and his blushing bride, while Wolfman will bring his new bride, who is a movie star,’ Chet said. ‘We will have a grand time in the Woods with Badger and Mole Toad and Rat,’ Chet announced.

‘I have never eaten such succulent Turkey,’ Frank N. Stein noted. ‘You know we feared no one was going to invite us to Thanksgiving Dinner but hoped that the new Frankenstein movie would help folks not forget us,’ Frank N. Stein said. ‘It portrays me a bit harshly, but I understand box office and all,’ Frank said softly. ‘My Bride and I are so pleased to have our son with us as he is home from SIUC,’ Frank said with a proud smile. ‘He is majoring in Biology and the study of creating life,’ Frank smiled. He wants to follow in the steps of his grandfather,’ Frank N. Stein laughed.

‘This is a great day for a Thanksgiving Dinner in the Woods,’ Wolf Man said. ‘My new bride, Meryl Streep, is honored to join us today, Wolf Man happily noted. ‘She and I have been in love for some time and now are free to display our romance to the world,’ Wolf noted. ‘Meryl has always gone for the bad boys,’ Wolfy said. ‘That is why she likes me,’ Wolfy laughed.

‘Today we celebrate life and allegiance and hope for the future,’ Mr. Badger proclaimed. ‘In a country celebrating division, suffering, and strife, we say No,’ Mr. Badger roared. ‘No, the faux Christian message and lauding of lawlessness,’ Mr. Badger continued. ‘No to marginalization of the voiceless and homeless,’ Mr. Bader noted. ‘Acceptance of the stranger in our land,’ Mr. Badger said with tears coursing down his cheeks.