The temperature has dropped 35 degrees. Quite an overnight change. Colder tomorrow. Sweater weather. Nature brings comfort in purpose even when it is erratic. We look for things we can count on. We set our lifeclock on the seasons of life. Surprise is energizing in small doses.

First, the Straight of Hormuz is open, and before the day is ended, it is closed. Presidents govern by executive order… the next President rescinds those orders and writes his own. No way to run a railroad. Increasingly, we understand that a troubled mind is a poor rudder of safe direction for our nation.

The Old Man has spent his life in church. It has been a great comfort …a safe place. Church lifts the spirit and enables another mile. Gathering with a community of faith that seeks to live out Christ’s message is unparalleled. Not a message of recrimination or revenge…a message for the poor and forgotten.

‘When I look at the painting of Christ looking down from a mountain at Jerusalem, I feel safe,’ Jane said. ‘His face reflects deep reflection,’ Jane continued. ‘What a short time we have on Earth to find our way,’ Jane continued. ‘Why do we fight with each other?’ Jane said with tears in her eyes. ‘We are only passing through,’ Jane observed. ‘God loves us and wants to tuck us in bed and pull the covers up to our neck…he wants us to feel safe,’ Jane observed. ‘Jesus did not speak from revenge or fear…he did not pit people against their neighbors…he turned the other cheek,’ Jane softly noted. ‘Words of peace bring peace…words of healing bring healing,’ Jane said.

‘The mother deer gathered her young to her side before they crossed the road,’ the Old Man observed. ‘The squirrels laughed as the wind increased…they had seen it all before,’ the Old Man noted. ‘Little frightened the Woods Creatures,’ Old Man observed. ‘They heard about the President and his rhetoric…his promise of revenge…his obsession regarding his reflection,’ Old Man continued. ‘The Frog Quartet sang a song of safety…a song of security… a song of love… a song of peace,’ Old Man said softly with a smile.