So we saw The Odyssey today. The story of Odysseus and Penelope. You have heard of the Trojan Horse. I have not seen a depiction so interesting. Full of Odysseus and his army from Ithaca. A ingenius manner to enter Troy unawares. A rough and ready hardscrabble life with a plethora of gods for moral support.

Zeus ‘ law was much like Christian grace. Welcome strangers as you would want to be welcomed. Feed the hungry. Of course, when Zeus became angry, he might just crush your ship with his big hand.

Do not eat the Sun god’s cattle, no, not one. Do not hide in the dark hoping he will not see you barbecuing his cow. Listen to the Sirens at your peril. Their song makes you the opposite of happy. Don’t try to string Odysseus’ bow. Only he can string his bow; you will fail like a little child. Circe has good meat. Don’t be a pig.

Mr. Cyclops is a simple creature. He has sheep that live with him in a cool cave. At night, he shuts them in with him behind a big rock. Don’t get caught behind the big rock. Mr. Cyclops likes a snack before bedtime. Stay out of the way of his big hand. He has one cool eye in the middle of his head. He talks, but not to humans; we do not talk with ants.

Odysseus has been gone for twenty years. Seven of those years he spent eating lotus flowers. He developed quite a taste for them. They were gentle on his mind; he slept well, no worries.

Penelope had a castle full of suitors. They ate all her food and drank all her wine. Each of them wanted to be the king. Penelope thought they paled in comparison to Odysseus.

Odysseus had a faithful servant and a faithful dog. The Good Dog was over 20 and refused to die until he saw his master again. His servant loved Odysseus; he was faithful, humble, loyal.

Beggars can be a surprise. Once, The Beggar strung Odysseus’ bow and made the old dog’s tail wag.