‘Did you know that when you are dead, you are dead for a long time?’ Jane said. ‘We are alive for a second on the Big Time Clock,’ Jane continued. ‘I am excited about visiting Lemp Mansion,’ Jane laughed. ‘Do you think we will see the Lemp Family Ghosts?’ Jane wondered aloud. ‘I have read that members of the family committed suicide in the Victorian structure,’ Jane said. ‘Their Brewing Company was dominant in the United States beer market before Prohibition,’ Jane informed the group. ‘They were noted for their Falstaff beer,’ Jane mentioned. ‘The Mansion is haunted by the Lemp family,’ Jane said. ‘To think we are staying overnight, what courageous folks we are,’ Jane exclaimed.

‘Well, that was a great dinner. I don’t know what the ghosts think, but I enjoyed it,’ Chet laughed and rubbed his round belly. ‘Let’s explore our rooms for the night,’ Chet offered. ‘The restrooms appear to have original fixtures and are cold,’ Chet noted. ‘I heard footsteps, but I thought we were the only people staying tonight,’ Chet wondered. ‘Could it be the Lemp Ghosts?’ Chet asked with a macabre grin.

‘I saw a woman sitting in a rocking chair. When she turned to look at me, she looked amazingly like me,’ Neva J said with some trepidation. ‘She winked and said nothing,’ Neva J said. ‘There is Merlot on the dresser and wine glasses with the Merlot decanted,’ Neva J observed. ‘Do you think the proprietors do this for all of their guests?’ Neva J asked. ‘I must admit, with a glass or two of the Merlot, I feel strangely at home,’ Neva J laughed as she poured another glass of Merlot. ‘I think I may have visited here when Bill and I came to St. Louis right after the War,’ Neva J mused. ‘You know, the more I think about it, we visited a Brewing Warehouse, and I fell and sprained my ankle,’ Neva J recalled. ‘The Brewing Warehouse was just down the block from Lemp Mansion, ‘ Neva J giggled from the Merlot. ‘Bill said he had never been so afraid and that when I fell he saw a ghost push me,’ Neva J winked.

‘I am glad you are finally out of the restroom, Chet. I saw you go in there over an hour ago,’ Billy B said. ‘You were with us talking about Neva J’s strange experience, and then you were gone to the restroom,’ Billy B continued.

‘I have never left the side of the bed and have been a part of the discussion since we came upstairs,’ Chet insisted. ‘I was afraid when I saw you leaning out of the bedroom window,’ Chet continued. ‘You looked as if you were contemplating jumping,’ Chet noted.

‘Will someone help me get the girl that looks like me out of my bed? I am sleepy,’ Jane asked. ‘We are either in a dream or this place is haunted with us,’ Jane proclaimed! Let us leave, although it is the middle of the night,’ Jane pleaded.

‘You kids go ahead; you can come back for me too much Merlot and warm covers,’ Neva J said drowsily.

‘Whew, I am happy to be out of the Lemp Mansion. There is a hitchhiker along the side of the road; should we pick her up?’ Chet asked. ‘Oh my God, it is Neva J,’ Chet said with fear!

‘Have you heard of the ghost dressed in a Bunny costume?’ Jane asked. ‘Colchester Overpass, the site of the 1970s Bunny Man,’ Jane mentioned as one she had heard. ‘The Bunny Man attacked people in the area,’ Jane continued. ‘The Mothman in Point Pleasant, West Virginia is another,’ Jane noted. ‘Two people saw a tall, grey man-sized bird with hypnotic red eyes near a WW II munitions site,’ Jane said. ‘The collapse of the Silver Bridge in 1967 was associated with the Mothman when 47 people lost their lives,’ Jane explained. ‘What about the story you tell Billy B about the ghosts of Anthony Hall?’ Jane asked.

‘Well, a Malaysian student custodial worker was assigned to clean Anthony Hall, which was the home for University Administration on SIUC’s campus,’ Billy B noted. ‘One night after she had finished her cleaning and was checking all floors to ensure the lights were out and the office doors locked, she found a woman sitting quietly with a long black skirt and white blouse, with her hair in a bun on the back of her head. When the Malaysian students spoke to her, she said nothing and looked her way,’ Billy B recounted. ‘The student was so frightened that she refused to go back to Anthony Hall. The word spread among the Malaysian community, which was the majority of Building Services’ student custodial staff, so no Malaysian student would work in Anthony Hall,’ Billy B explained. ‘Anthony Hall began as a Women’s Dormitory, and the crew leader took me into the attic to show me photos stored there of women dressed just as the Malaysian student described,’ Billy B said softly.

Perhaps we are living in an Urban Legend. Our political leaders manifest crude behaviour. The quest for gold is lifted on a high pinnacle. Morality was a prerequisite for a spot in high office until we found one who eschews such simple behaviour. The message of Christ has been co-opted to christian/nationalism. We make fun of the poor and needy. As Gordon Gecko said in the movie Wall Street, ‘Greed is Good.’ A blanket of blackness has clouded our understanding. We cower in fear of the Mothman, Bunny Man, and the Ghost of Christmas Past.

The Anthony Hall incident was real in every aspect; I did not see the Ghostly Woman. The Malaysian student was afraid. University Administration required me to write a report of the incident. News of the Lady from the days of Anthony Hall being a dormitory and a spirit from that time visiting the building in the 80s spread across Campus.

I have been in the City several times but do not remember a significant stormy night until Sunday. The thunder clapped and clapped again. Lightning moved across the sky. Rain beat against the hotel window. I realized cities get storms too. Staying on the top floor, it was exciting.

‘Is it true that creatures are coming out of the storm drains?’ Chet asked. ‘The storm has flooded the sewers, and there is no place for them to go,’ Chet continued. ‘Some are near the Arch playing badminton,’ Chet winked. ‘Some creatures are playing chess in Forest Park,’ Chet continued. ‘Still others are waiting for the Art Museum to open, Chet informed with a little dance.

‘The City is suffering under the relentless rain,’ Jane said. ‘It has rained for a month more under the City. Dwellers are about town in the coffee shops, the Theatre, shopping for Christmas,’ Jane continued. ‘They are quiet, not speaking but watching the folks of the Topsoil,’ Jane laughed. ‘They seem wise as most introverts do,’ Jane mused.

‘The kids from below are everywhere the streets playing handball, sitting on the Brownstone stoops watching and waiting,’ Billy B offered. ‘They carry themselves with maturity beyond their years,’ Billy B noted. ‘Now and again they surround a person and stare,’ Billy B said.

‘Two worlds always two worlds,’ Neva J said with feeling. ‘Our Earth has two worlds, one hidden and one revealed,’ Neva J continued. ‘The world below our feet was always there, but we cared not to pry,’ Neva J observed. ‘Thus we know nothing of the inhabitants who are obviously cultured and quiet,’ Neva J said. ‘Shadow people watching us from afar now watch us up close, studying us, perhaps our doppelgangers,’ Neva J proffered. ‘We have been busy with our acquiring of riches, power, accoutrements of success; they have been waiting and watching,’ Neva J explained.

Back from St. Louis and fun at the Museum. I purchased Head – Footer with Owl, a collectible depicting a torso-less hybrid creature wearing a turban with an owl nesting on top. ‘This surreal walking head originates from the bottom of the left-hand panel of Bosch’s The Hermit Saints Triptych.’

Being in the Art Museum and the little collectible made me think of the coming of fall. Time to consider one day at a time. What a wonderful mixed-up world we live in. Hieronymus Bosch’s Art causes me to reflect on the vagaries of life. One day angels, the next not so angelic. Then the little minions doing their bidding. At times we are the minions.

I saw a beautiful woman ravaged by disease in her wheelchair. Her family loved her, cared for her; she was a vital member of the group. She was enjoying Sunday Brunch in the land of Bosch. Good and bad side by side. We are members of the Agony and Ecstasy Club. Today we are up; tomorrow we are down, but do not count us out.  

The evening clouds have a light pink hue. They are ribbons across the pale blue sky. It is cooler this evening. The Wood Duck loves it. The Northern Cardinal sings for joy of living.

I have a birthday coming. I am victorious when I achieve the special day. I have made it through this mystery for another year. If we read about a character in a story who did not know if she or he would live another day, did not know what was going to happen from one moment until the next, did not know if the massive stone was going to roll down the hill to crush her or him, we would feel empathy; that is us.

The hottest day of the year. It only seemed a little hotter than the day before. The Texas Workmen who installed doors on the writing porch a few years ago said our humidity was like none they had encountered. I heard it is hot in Texas.

Talent is all around us. Much of it is unrealized. I thought that this morning when I listened to several folks from Presbyterian Churches speak. Kind, concerned people. I could feel their sincerity over the Zoom Meeting. We introverts do not speak up often. We are bound by our preferred code of silence. When we do, it is a beautiful thing. Blogging is my preferred way to communicate what is on my mind. All those thoughts have to come up for air. It is a life-affirming exercise.

Still waters run deep, I have heard. A leader can not lead without empathy. If you can not feel what others are feeling there is no understanding. When the President says that our soldiers should have been deployed longer, as some our commiting suicide while others contemplate it is a lack of empathy.

Greatness is not contained in riches, power, or size; it is in the character of the nation’s leaders and people. It has been said, I do not care how much you know until I know how much you care about me.’ Christian/Nationalism was not Christ’s message. His message was to love the stranger in your midst, the widow, and the orphan. Looking the other way when passing the beggar on the street is the opposite of the gentle teachings of Jesus.

‘Neva J, I am so grateful for you inviting me to dinner in your home,’ Rosie said. ‘I usually eat a TV Dinner or a Pot Pie and watch television until the test pattern comes on,’ Rosie continued. ‘I do not talk much; there is no one to talk with,’ Rosie said. ‘I appreciate you taking me to the grocery store in your car; it is such a hot walk to the little grocery a few blocks from my house, and they do not have many items,’ Rosie explained. ‘People pass me and look the other way as I stop and rest a bit in the heat,’ Rosie noted. ‘Sitting here with you and your family makes me feel accepted and loved,’ Rosie cried.

The birds are singing, although it is the hottest day this year. They sing that it is all good when you are a bird on Brooks Pond. Through the fog of humidity, we can see September coming. The beginning of the BER Months. My favorite time of year. The curtain of darkness falls earlier each evening. Halloween with Jack O’ Lanterns and s’mores, hayrides and ghost stories will soon be here. The Monsters of my youth have become comforting when I witness the monsters re-emerging in some political leaders. Checks and balances are vital in a successful democracy. They are essential in a well-run church. They keep out the Banality of Evil. When evil looks like efficiency and common sense, forgetting those who need help, prepare for the worst. ‘I was just doing my job. I was a soldier; I was not a policymaker. I secretly opposed the Banality of Evil, but I had to obey,’ the Workmen of the Banality of Evil said. ‘Look away, nothing to see here, do you not hear the operatic music?’ the Footsoldiers said.

Well, the first week or three days of school are over. A perfect time to combine summer and fall. School was half a day; now a swimming adventure is the order of the day. The classroom was like a furnace with the box fans blowing hot air on the hapless students. Not much air conditioning in 1962.

‘We will forget summer is over; we can still swim until Labor Day and swim we will,’ Neva J proclaimed! ‘No teacher will stop us from our appointed destination,’ Neva J continued. ‘I will pack plenty of Merlot and Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs, the dogs kids love to eat,’ Neva J laughed. ‘We will pile into the 57 Chevy convertible and hope it does not rain,’ Neva J giggled. ‘You know, I bet the teachers were no more ready for school to begin than the kids,’ Neva J mused. ‘Where did the summer go?’ Neva J asked. ‘No study or homework today,’ Neva J shouted.

‘Look, there is Mr. S without his three-piece suit sunning himself on the beach,’ Jane said. ‘He looks blissful and at perfect peace,’ Jane continued. ‘He does not look as stern, more placid and human,’ Jane laughed.

‘Wolfman is putting on suntan oil. ‘Wolfey has been a regular at Pounds Hollow since he moved to Eldordo; he is quite the Casanova when the moon is full,’ Jane observed. ‘During the daytime he teaches Physical Education and Driver’s Education, but in the night he howls,’ Jane laughed.

So these are the days of wonder and mystery,’ Chet observed. ‘We can do anything we set our minds to,’ Chet noted. ‘Frankenstein is going to join us for Oscar Mayer wieners,’ he loved them and Merlot, Chet winked. ‘Frank is attending classes with us this fall, studying Psychology,’ Chet observed.

It is evening again. We quiet folk watch the sky. We watch the hills. We are following hope. It is an elusive partner. At times, there it is in its glory, while at other times it hides behind the clouds or in the shadows. Often hope can be found in the shadows. When life appears bleak, a bit of hope sticks its head out of the hidden place.

Hope walks with the Old Man in the cool of the evening. Mr. Mole and Mr. Badger join them. They speak of great ideas and plans. How to live a life of peace and hope. Forgetting the bad and focusing on the good. The Shadow Men are there. Standing along the side of the woods path. Waiting for a moment of influence, a time to concoct a conspiracy theory. They have the stones, the stumbling stones. Many racers for Hope have stumbled. The Shadow Men watch in the evening light. Hope smiles at the Shadow Men, and they nod in return greeting. Both have purpose and mission. Both perform on the stage of life, and we are thespians too.

‘Let’s keep moving,’ Mr. Mole said. ‘We must continue our journey home before the Shadow Men become bold,’ Mr. Mole continued. ‘Their purpose is to slow our progress and discourage us,’ Moley noted. ‘I have seen friends stop for years to talk with the Shadow Men, drink tea, eat cakes,’ Moley noted.

‘A Shadow Man told me to slow down and smell the roses, no need to worry about arriving home,’ Jane said. ‘He said, ‘Listen to my leaders and do what they say; soon I will have nothing to fear but fear itself,’ Jane laughed at the borrowed quote. ‘The Shadow Man said Hope is oversold and sought too much; it is a lofty concept that does not square with reality,’ Jane continued. ‘Shadow Man offered me a cup of tea and some shortbread cookies,’ Jane explained. ‘He said that the promise of Hope was realized in the President, the New Way of christianity Christian/Nationalism,’ Jane said with anger. ‘Trust and Obey; there is no other way. Do not think too much, as your heart will deceive you. Let the President do the thinking,’ Jane laughed.

Another Heat Dome. It may reach 100 degrees on Saturday. Unusual for our neck of the woods. It does not seem that hot. Uncomfortable is the word for the day. We, the people of the fall, are waiting and anticipating. We know what is coming. We understand who we are. We will not be deterred by a Heat Dome in August. Mylo is lying in the sun. He enjoys the radiant splendor for a short while. Then Mylo returns to air-conditioned comfort. He was born to it.

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In the halcyon days of the Old Man’s youth, there were no air conditioners in school. We were hot and sweaty. Sleep exhaustion from the hot classroom. The joys of summer beckoned from the open windows. It was last week we frolicked at Pounds Hollow and floated on our backs in the deep water. There were dreams of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Captain Nemo called out to us to trim the mainsail. We were the Captain of our ship; we were the master of our souls.’ There were sea monsters to vanquish. We traveled with Ulysses on the Odyssey. The Cyclops was an awesome sight. He spoke several languages and saw all with one eye. The Sirens were compelling; their song was hypnotizing. We thought about staying with them but did not. Off to school we must go, our parents said with unusually giddy faces. Neva J said each day of August How many more days to school with a rapturous grin. We had a few firecrackers left. We lit them. We had an unused snorkel; we used it. Tomorrow is Friday, and we will pay homage to summer lost at the Orpheum Theatre.

‘Look over there, it is Captain Nemo walking down the hall, Chet said with passion. ‘I passed the Cyclops this morning on the playground, and he bid me good morning, Chet said. ‘He was reading the Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer,’ Chet grinned. ‘Mr. Cyclops said that I had eluded him this summer but next summer would soon be here,’ Chet continued. ‘Mr. Cyclops offered me a job as his assistant sheep herder and a good straw bed in his cave,’ Chet noted. ‘Mr. Cyclops was a bit misunderstood as his visage and heft belied a good heart,’ Chet explained. ‘Yes, he ate a few of Ulysses’ soldiers, but they were but ants to him, Chet explained. ‘He loved the classics; he was an art aficionado,’ Chet proclaimed. ‘Mr. Cyclops loved his sheep; he had a massive library,’ Chet noted. ‘He was a good Cyclops, Chet observed.

Jane looked to her right, and Mr. Cyclops was sitting in a desk next to her. He smiled and spoke a familiar greeting used among friends. Mr. Cyclops sought the world of the kids. They had inspired him. Also he was told that he could easily be named to the basketball team.

The big event today was school buses. A lot of school buses. A heat factor of over 100 degrees and the start of school. The merging of seasons. Kids thinking I was free last week. The drummer’s tympanic beat changed. From the Caribbean sound of summer to the timpani of order and revelry. A rhythm that requires adjustment.

The Old Man hears Christmas music. It happens from time to time around Brooks Pond. The source of the music is unknown, Mr. Beaver told the Old Man. It is said that a little child lived near the Pond a long time ago, and he loved to listen to Christmas songs. Nicholas often would play Christmas hymns on the first day of school. The songs made Nicholas feel at home in a strange land. He loved The Little Drummer Boy. Nicholas had a snare drum that he played daily. He had the brushes that gave it a soft sound. Nicholas was playing his drum on his way to school when he saw a bad man. Nicholas beat his drum loudly with a staccato syncopation and frightened the bad man, who the Custodian jumped on, and the police took away. There is a statue of Nicholas at the school holding his drum and his Maltese dog at his side.

Another sunset earlier than yesterday. Heat popping like bacon frying in the skillet. Talk of things to come. Last-minute school supplies to get. Need colored pencils, drawing paper, and a tenor saxophone like Boots Randolph. Yakety Sax. The classroom is hot from early morning. Windows open and box fans are blowing hot air. The teacher is doing the same but must not tell her. Yes mam and no mam rule the day. The teacher seldom smiles; she is hot. Not hot like the kids say today; she is sweating.

The Late Show is a good cool respite. Joey Bishop and Regis Philbin are yucking it up. Guess they do not have to go to school. Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon live in glamorous Hollywood. ‘Swimming pool movie stars,’ the Beverly Hillbillies sang. Short school days this week; teachers’ workshops heat malaise. Equations are tough. What is wrong with arithmetic? Poor folks’ rich dreams. The Cooks have an in-ground swimming pool, we heard. Looked through a hole in the fence but could not see. A dog licked our eye.

The hallway is long. Mr. Watson buffs the floors until they gleam. He is a quiet man. The doors are propped open on each end of the hall to get airflow. The spirits of former students walk the shiny floors and say hi to Mr. Watson.

A movie is in order Friday night. Frankenstein will be on the silver screen. He will have thoughts on the return of school. Frankenstein is an introvert. He had a wife but could not feed her; she did not like the pumpkin shell. The Orpheum will be bustling with kids hot from school and ready for the cool theatre.