A lovely day. Blue sky and hopeful hearts. Soon it will be time to press forward, but not today. Today, the Old Man reflects on how good it has been. A little Grey Goose vodka is fun. We celebrated Jennifer’s birthday on Wednesday and Saturday. She brings smiles wherever she goes.

Spring is almost here. Spring is the Easter season, which has become increasingly important to me over the years. I love the story of Peter Rabbit. We need stories. Stories help us endure the unthinkable. Stories get us up in the morning and put us to bed, pulling the covers up to our necks each night. Peter Rabbit has wisdom that many know not of.

‘There is a disquiet in the White House,’ Peter Rabbit said. ‘I must talk with the President,’ Peter continued. ‘The President appointed me his special advisor regarding happiness,’ PR continued. ‘I have been planning a wonderful Easter Party where all people are welcome, PR continued. ‘I must tell him that the children of the Earth will be here and are looking to him as a father figure,’ PR said. ‘The President loves his grandchildren, and he must see these children as he sees them, ‘PR noted. ‘Humans are complex creatures, and the President is no exception,’ PR said. ‘When kids are presented to the President, he can not turn away…he must see their little eyes and hear their voices,’ Peter Rabbit said.

Halt the bombing of Iran…the kids asked me to, and I promised them I would,’ the President said.

Life has giant trees. The forest floor is dark due to the natural canopy. What is beyond the tree’s roof? Each day we travel our appointed rounds, assured that our darkenened forest floor is the same for everyone. It is hard to visualize the light if you have not seen it. It is hard to be the light if you have not felt it.

Who can say why we are like we are? Did we roll the boulder up the mountain one too many times? In the midst of our Sisyphus phase, did we stop to wonder, ‘What’s it all about, Alfie?’

‘We need a rule book,’ Mr. Mole said as he cleaned his spectacles. ‘Perhaps some daytrips outside the forest and a guided tour of other exotic lands,’ Mr. Mole noted with a small smile. ‘Once we are on the water with Ratty in his boat, the forest looks altogether different than under the dark canopy of trees,’ Mr. Mole said. ‘Remember last boat trip when the sun shone off the water like a rainbow,’ Mr. Mole asked. ‘It was so lovely and beyond description,’ Mr. Mole exclaimed.

‘I am told this is Sanctuary from those who would harm us,’ Traveler said. ‘Mean faces surround me and keep me awake at night,’ Traveler continued. ‘The faces tell me to go home, but when I tell them I’m home, they throw stones and sneer,’ Traveler said softly. ‘I seek a place to rest and gather my thoughts,’ Traveler explained. ‘I have no place to rest my weary head,’ Traveler whispered.

‘The Great Purge has begun,’ Hollow Man proclaimed. ‘For too long we have allowed the undesirables to reside among us,’ Hollow Man continued. ‘No more…we will purify our country…our blood…our soil,’ Hollow Man said with heavy-lidded eyes. ‘You will know us by our pedigree,’ Hollow Man noted. ‘We are the chosen, the righteous and just,’ Hollow Man danced.

‘It is a brilliant day in the Woods,’ the Old Man said with a wide grin. ‘With the leaves off their branches, you can see the sky clearly,’ the Old Man continued. ‘I am pleased you have joined me on my Woods Walk,’ the Old Man said to Traveler. ‘Where do you hail from?’ the Old Man asked Traveler.

‘I come from a long way and have seen many things,’ Traveler said. ‘I visit people who have become lost in life,’ Traveler continued. ‘It is easy to substitute faith for nationalism or Servant/Leadership for the riches of our world,’ Traveler said. ‘It is easy to miss the forest for the trees,’ Traveler said.

The weather is spring-like. Not long ago, I wore layers of sweaters; now a light jacket is too much. Here we are in March, and soon the first third of 2026 will be over. I still want to say Happy New Year, but it is a bit late for the greeting. Our iconic New Orleans Journey is now in our rear window as we plan for a return engagement. Time is a mystery. We grow older and hopefully wiser. We have money for bombs and nothing for bread. A settled mind and spirit are good medicine. A divided mind leads to chaos and destruction. Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis at the Plaza Frontenac is closing in May. A favorite store to find higher-end clothes, fine cologne, and perfume. A fun store at Christmas with Santa sitting in his massive chair and his elves assisting him as he held an audience with the kids of St. Louis. I remember when FAO Schwarz took over the basement for Saks Fifth Avenue during the Christmas Season. I bought a wonderful cashmere sweater at Saks in 2013. The staff was dressed in business clothing. They were happy and knew their retail establishment inside and out. I assume they planned on retiring from Saks Fifth Avenue. Sixty-five staff will be laid off.

When we drove to the East Coast in the 90s, I found that the multiple lanes coming into New York City tapered into just four lanes as they entered the City. So it goes with life at the moment. We have so many things going on that it is challenging to determine which one has priority. We glorify death and destruction once we decide that the people doing the suffering are the Others. A coarseness has permeated our public life. Some military leaders admonish their troops that they are preparing for Armageddon.

So the people look for meaning in the minds of barbarians. There is neither a plan nor a program for tomorrow. The quick thrill of victory leaves no room for the agony of defeat.

The Old Man walked in the rainy spring woods. The deer walked alongside with smiles on their faces. All was well in the woods. The pattern and purpose of nature were on display. Yellow flowers stuck their head above the soil. Then the Woods Family asked the Old Man why there was more war. ‘Political Leaders have a strange way of demonstrating to their family in foreign lands when they explain that they love them and that is why they are bombing them,’ Delbert Deer said. ‘How can we do evil that good may come,’ Delbert D. asked.

It was a spring day full of promise and light. Easter would soon be here. Pastel colors and a deep breath of fresh air were enjoyable. The Teacher was profound and simple. He loved all he met. His words were easily understood. His actions matched his thoughts and speech. The forgotten and shunned felt comfortable with the Teacher. There was no anxiety in him. When political leaders spoke, the Teacher listened quietly. The politicians’ unrest was palpable. Then the Teacher said peace to the President. The President became quiet and subdued.