The Old Man observed that the last day of autumn was lovely. A warm southerly breeze was blowing. Squirrels were playing in the trees. A young woman was holding on to her partner’s shoulder. The Woods was quiet. It is the weekend before Christmas. The Old Man’s favorite season is in its last day. It seems it just began. The trees wave their arms in naked glory. Winter makes its debut tomorrow. Winter is the Old Man’s second-favorite season. Never a summer fan, he likes the cool and cold. The sublime quiet of winter is calming and gives a sense of place. Winter lets you know that you’re not in charge. There are forces greater than I. We are here on a lease from the landlord. One day, the lease will be up.

The Old Man keeps Christmas all year. Santa is smiling from the shelves daily. There is only so much negative words and mean actions that can be absorbed before a change occurs. ‘The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.’

‘Mom, when will Santa Claus come?’ Herschel asked. ‘I have given him my wish list, and he assured me that he would visit our home,’ Herschel continued. ‘I want a Red Ryder BB Gun just like Ralphie received in the Movie A Christmas Story,’ Herschel said. ‘I promised I would not shoot my eye out,’ Herschel laughed. ‘I hope Santa did not forget,’ Herschel murmured.

‘I want peace on earth,’ Helen. said. ‘If Santa can bring peace on earth, I will be happy as if I had received a Thumbelina doll,’ Helen grinned. ‘Although my backup request was for a Thumbelina doll and a Barbie doll, along with peace on earth,’ Helen laughed. ‘I have no desire for a Red Ryder BB Gun, although Hershcel can talk of little else,’ Helen commented. ‘Barbie is new this year, and I pointed out to Santa that if he would see fit to bring me one, when I become old, Barbie will be worth a lot of money on eBay,’ Helen giggled and danced.

‘It will be difficult to pull off the peace on earth request of Helen, but we can start with having a dinner each week for the homeless in our town,’ Mom said. ‘If there is to be peace, it must begin with us,’ Mom said. ‘Also, I purchased the last new Barbie, which is selling like hot cakes,’ Mom did an Irish Jig.

‘Well, I would like a bit of peace on earth too,’ Herschel said. ‘I weary of the fighting and hidden agendas of many I encounter,’ Herschel continued. ‘We humans are best in the study of war and think little of peace,’ Herschel noted. ‘We have enough nuclear bombs to destroy the world many times over, and we mistakenly call the war plan deterrence,’ Herschel proclaimed. ‘The old words speak of beating our spears into pruning hooks: ‘They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.’For a backup plan, I would love to have a Red Ryder BB Gun and a Daniel Boone Action Figure that looks like the actor Fess Parker, who portrays him on television,’ Herschel said with feeling. ‘Isn’t this what we are celebrating, the birth of the Baby Jesus in the manger surrounded by the animals of the stable Wisemen and Shepherds who followed the Star of Bethlehem, Herschel asked. ‘We are all made of the same stuff,’ Herschel said. ‘We are brothers and sisters,’ Herschel observed.