Listen
I read the headline, today, with encouragement, ‘We are optimistic’: SIU Preparing to welcome students back to campuses this fall.’ New president Daniel Mahony, was quoted as saying in reference to the goal of SIU, ‘to have students back on campus and to offer face-to-face, on-the-ground education this fall, and we are optimistic that we will be able to do so.’ President Mahony believes that the University will reach phase 4 of Governor J.B. Pritzker’s plan by August. ‘Phase 4 allows schools and universities to provide on-the-ground education with approved safety guidance.’ Southern Illinoisan
Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale is of paramount importance to our students and to the people of our region. It is the economic engine that propels Little Egypt. Creative thinking is needed now more than ever. For the present, social distancing and face masks and hand washing…are the best preventatives that are available. Our finest virologist and epidemiologist and scientist…are on the case! I would ask, when you are scheduled to have surgery…do you bring along your, trusted minister, to perform the procedure? Or, if you’re, or my, life hangs in the balance…will we seek our favorite politician to diagnose our illness? In our society of extremes…is it a good thing that we stay home bound until a vaccine is produced, even if it takes a few years? Or, is it something to rejoice over when a state Supreme Court overturns a governor’s stay at home order…and the bars immediately open their doors and become packed from wall-to-wall?
The 1918 Spanish flu had much the same guidance given by the medical professionals of that day…masks and social distancing…were they being political and inflating the danger of the pandemic…over 50 million people died?
If there ever was a more inappropriate or untoward time to point fingers at others or to recriminate or castigate members of our human family in regard to how they are dealing with our 2020 pandemic…I do not know when it was. Each of us entered these uncharted waters with our own sets of problems and worries and sleepless nights…and now we need the comfort and understanding of others…as we ride out this earth shattering storm. This is not the time to yell fire in a crowded theatre…and it is not the time to ensure that we violate every medical and scientific suggestion that has been given us for our survival…
Over many challenges I have learned that the way through any trial or tribulation is a cool head and an honest heart. Empathy has brought me peace in troubled times. The ability to place yourself in the shoes of someone that you disagree with, and to understand why they feel the way that they do.
Listening is a gift. I have not know a plethora of gifted listeners in my life. I have had the pleasure of knowing some. We are all seeking someone who will listen to us. Someone who has the time, and who cares enough, to hear our fears and hopes and dreams. Someone who is not listening to respond with their solution for our problems…but someone who loves us…for who we are…
Note: Photos are colorized from the Spanish flu and courtesy of Google Search.
Where the Poor and the Rich…Break Bread Together — The Jazz Man
Jesus was a progressive. It is chilly in Southern Illinois. An intermittent rain is falling and the sky is overcast. I think that the weather probably reflects the way in which a lot of us feels with the knowledge that we are in our 2020 pandemic for the long haul, as Pastor Kerry reminds us. […]
via Where the Poor and the Rich…Break Bread Together — The Jazz Man
Oh…Deer!
I had the semi-unique experience today of photographing a deer, close up! Now mind you…I have been walking the campus of Southern Illinois University for 42 years, and in that time I have but a handful of opportunities to witness the noble grace of a deer…and subsequently have the chance to snap photos. They are somewhat nervous creatures, at times. However, deer are plentiful in my, Southern Illinois, neck of the woods.
I can recall, when I was a boy, that if you saw a deer, you told everyone that you met! It was almost a life changing experience! But, I must admit that the witnessing of this deer…made my day.
We need a good dose of nature in our lives, and especially during our shared pandemic experience. While we sit isolated in our homes, and social distanced from our family and friends…the deer…wondered what I was looking at…
There is always an abundance of wildlife on campus…but they are bolder than previously. When they see me, they seem to be thinking…where have your been…and could you kindly return to your den…
Have you ever listened to squirrels chitter? If you stand quietly and listen…they carry on a robust conversation…
We will make it to the other side of this terrible virus. And, we will realize that the earth is our shared home. There are many living creatures that are waiting for us…and playing while they wait…and enjoying the cleaner air and clear water.
Emotions…Can Be Deceiving — The Jazz Man
The popular singer and actor, Frank Sinatra, sang ‘I did it my way!’ I have conducted much of my life according to Frank’s advice. It feels good to be the captain of your own ship! I have found that when I agree with a leader’s admonishments for my wellbeing, I think…what a smart woman or […]
Mother’s Day
‘Hit the deck…you rubberneck!’ This was the commandment that my mom woke me with each morning, before school. I thought that all mom’s must utter a similar, colorful, alarm to their children. The first time my buddy, Steve, stayed overnight with us…he was amazed at the wake-up call! Mom was the most compassionate person that I knew…and she had a hot burning temper…if ignited! We had a party-line telephone, and at times we we were either interrupted by other members of the party…or we would hear the phone, click, and know that our colleagues were enjoying a cheap form of entertainment by listening to our conversation. At times, another line member would pick up the phone and ask how long we were planing on talking, as they had a need for the phone. So, one day our telephone rang and mom answered it. We had been experiencing issues with our phone access…and she uttered, ‘Speak ass…mouth won’t!’ Needless to say, I was speechless…and mom felt that she had given them what they deserved!
I mentioned to mom that my second grade teacher had shook me when she became upset with my poor arithmetic skills. She responded that she would visit her for a talk, tomorrow. The next day, after school, mom visited with my instructor. When I asked her what had been said, she responded that she had told my teacher, if she ever laid a hand on me again, that she would, ‘ have her to answer to!’ After that, I did all right in the second grade.
Mom loved to go to the ‘Honky Tonk’…now and then. She enjoyed dancing and her favorite drink was a ‘sloe gin fizz.’ She had been a switchboard operator at the Conrad Hilton Hotel in Chicago. Mom worshipped her mother, Grace, who was a life-long christian. When mom became a christian…she gave it her entire heart and soul. She did to speak much about her faith…she lived it. If she knew of one of her friends or neighbors that was in need…she was there to help. Two of her best friends in Eldorado were women that the town had forgotten. They were not only marginalized…they were made fun of…by many. One of the friends was named, Rosie, and the other was called, One-Eye. I never knew One-Eyes name. She had lost an eye in her youth and was impoverished. She was the kind of person that mom was proud to associate with and to be seen with…and to break bread with. Rosie was a woman who lived alone and had no friends…and she loved our former president, JFK. She was a woman of some physical substance and her constant apparel was what was called a moo moo. She wore bobby socks and had the misfortune of some missing teeth…and a unique laugh. She had no automobile and did not know how to drive, and mom took her to the grocery store and to doctor’s appointments and she had dinner at our home…on a regular basis. She did the same for her friend, One-Eye. While others forgot these ladies…mom loved them and included them in her life. When mom would witness someone who was a loner or disenfranchised due to being somewhat different from, what was considered the norm, she would say, “Poor kid,’ and seek ways to let that person know that they were loved.
I just got out of Zoom Church. Pastor Kerry preached a wonderful sermon. Jonathon commented that he enjoyed what Kerry had to say. When I inquired what part…he responded that when he preached that he believed that God had it all worked out…in that there were many ways to God…not just one! I said that I enjoyed that very much…and have believed the same…since I became a christian…
Mom passed away from Alzheimers Disease…and even when she was almost non-verbal…she could sing every word of Amazing Grace…
Commencement In The Pandemic
It was Commencement today on the campus of Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale. As I walked along the quiet paths of the beautiful surroundings…I heard the sounds of joyful people. I looked around to see a family and their graduating child. There, the new alumni of SIUC was in her cap and gown, posing for photographs to commemorate the special day. They were snapping photos near the fountain that is in front of The Student Services Building. As I was taking a picture of a resplendent tree, along the side of Anthony Hall, I could hear the same jubilant banter…that I enjoyed a few minutes earlier. When I looked around…the same family was on their way to take additional shots near Anthony. As I walked toward Morris Library I witnessed another, happy, family as they beamed their approval and love and pride in their graduate!
So, I was traveling toward…
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Pen Pals
This flash fiction story was originally drafted on a 1946 Smith-Corona typewriter.
Charlie had received a brand new fancy pen as a Christmas gift. Now he was in need of some paper and a pen pal. Who would make for the perfect pen pal? That was the serious question. Charlie thought about writing to his mom or dad. But he talked to them every new day. Mom and Dad were definitely not pen pal material. The boy was a hopeful romantic. What he needed was a young lady to write to. Now that would be amazing and astounding.
Sadly, Charlie did not believe most of the girls at school would appreciate his artistic endeavors. Twelve is often times an immature age. Charlie needed a mature young lady to be his pen pal. Then he thought of his friend Rebecca.
Rebecca was like a rainbow after the storm. She was chocolate…
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A Cardinal On Campus — The Jazz Man
There is a chill in the air on this early day in May. It rained all of the morning, but now the sun is shinning bright. Although I walk the campus of Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale, on a daily basis, I seldom see a cardinal. And, when I do see one they never remain […]
Someone Is Watching…And Listening
Have you heard it said that, ‘No man is an island?’ As members of a rather insular society, we have become accustomed to living in our own heads. Much of our western culture is based on the legends of the cowboy and the cowgirl who blazed the old west and took up squatters rights on a little parcel of land and transformed it into paradise. We are proud of pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps and carving a life for ourselves out of the hard Caliche clay. We Americans are a rebellious lot. We embrace the slogan of the great state of Missouri, ‘The Show Me State. So, as the years have gone by and we have heard so many urban legends of there being a person, that is skulking around the next corner, that is planing on doing us bodily harm…we have morphed into a country of loners, and tribes, and a people that seek only those who look like us and believe like us…and who practice our form of religion/politics. Our government was formed by our founding fathers to be a government of compromise. This fact would be illuminated in our three, equal, branches of government. We fled a king! We sought refuge from a one man, or one woman rule. We wanted to do our own thing. We desired to make our own rules, that were based on the English Common Law.
Our 2020 pandemic is having a transformative effect on our human need for others. As we see, and feel, the weight of truly being alone, we desire the company of others…that the cruel disease has temporarily removed from us. I think that in our solitude we are more together…than ever before. I spoke with my friend, Rob, today, and so enjoyed our conversation and our mutual agreement. When I have a mental image of one of my friends…I want to see them. We humans need each other. Communicating with another person enlightens and encourages and emboldens us for the journey of life. Often when we travel, my fondest recollections are of the people that I met and connected with. I relished the mystery and the pristine ancient beauty of Edinburgh, Scotland…but I remember the kind gentleman that I spoke with in the first restaurant that we visited. The Ghost Tour that we took of Edinburgh, during a rainy evening, was fascinating and frightening…but I recall the young woman who was dressed in the attire of a ghost and the garments of the forlorn. Our thoughts can seem scattered and dispersed…until we have the opportunity to share them with our friends or family…and then our mission becomes concise and clear.
We are a unique creation. Often…we do not want to be bothered…or troubled….or to share our concerns and thoughts and problems. The comfortable axiom of, ‘not my problem,’ is our credo…until we realize that your problems are my problems…and my joy is your joy! I am listening to the incomparable Norah Jones, as she sings Trying To Keep It Together.’ That would be all of us. We seek the answer in our own sweat equity! The real solution to our loneliness and sadness and tears…is each other…
Have a Good Day — The Jazz Man
I was in the drive-thru of the SIU Credit Union yesterday and today. It is a pleasant place to visit and see fellow human beings, through glass. The staff at the Credit Union has always been friendly…but in the midst of our 2020 pandemic…I am noticing it more. Their kind greeting when I pull up, […]
The Happy Traveler 