I spend almost every day in the woods. My appreciation for our Earth grows exponentially. An observation from my years of empirical study has illustrated that humans are the species that are out of sync with our home. Our artificial life in the name of progress and money has given us a skewed opinion of what is important.

The joy of living is dependent on our home. Without Earth, we are lost and undone.

My carefree summers were spent at Pounds Hollow Lake. It was there that my love of nature first appeared. I learned that nature did not judge or condemn but was a loving presence.

MJ and I took two Alaskan Cruises and marveled at the Calving of the Glaciers and what that meant for our future. Soon the Glaciers will be gone.

We come from the Earth and to it we will return.

Earth Day is not just for young people. All of us have a manifest stake in our little blue orb.

Earth is our Diamond. We should polish it and cherish it. We will never get another…

Whimsy is whimsical. It brightens our lives. Without it, we might slide into the Follower camp.

‘Come with us we are the Followers, membership forms are at the desk and we even have our own buttons and hats,’ Cracky announced with a wide toothy grin.

‘What are the precepts of The Followers,’ asked Chet? ‘It appears that you have your own club and what then are the dues for joining and the goals of the organization,’ Chet continued.

‘Our motto is Don’t Make Waves and fidelity to mediocrity,’ Cracky explained. ‘Whatever worked in the past will certainly be good enough for now and in the future,’ he noted.

‘We have our own club and we call it Whimsy,’ Jane said. ‘We like to have fun and not take ourselves too seriously,’ she explained. ‘We are playful and unpredictable we seek to drink the juice of each day and let the overflow run down our chins,’ Jane laughed.

‘Of course, being a member of Whimsy does not make us irresponsible as that is the point, we have much responsibility and need a counterbalance to our worries and woes that we find in Whimsy,’ Billy B said.

‘We Followers do what the leader tells us and that saves us much worry and doubt as we do not have to concern ourselves with what we want but only what the Boss wants,’ Cracky said. ‘If the Great Leader told me to jump off of a cliff I would do it without thought,’ he continued.

‘Thoughts and opinions and research is the backbone of we Whimsical and propels us into a thorough enjoyment of fantasy when we get the opportunity,’ Chet noted. ‘At times being whimsical has been equated to frivolous when in fact Story and Poem and Play fuels our serious endeavours, Chet said with a satisfied gaze.

My goodness, it appears there is a serious discussion transpiring, SC said. ‘Can you help me unload my Subaru as I have brought out-of-season toys for all of the children of Eldorado,’ SC continued.

‘But it is only April,’ Cracky said with some wonder in his voice!

‘What better time to be surprised by Christmas gifts than April, I have a special one for you,’ SC said with a wink and a nod…

The Wizard Of Oz was a perennial favorite of my youth. Dorothy Scarecrow Tinman and the Cowardly Lion’s search for the Wizard was a quest that involved the yellow brick road and good and bad witches not to mention flying monkeys. The story had it all.

Wizard Of Oz had all of the answers to life’s persistent questions but he was unattainable and ensconced in his castle away from the little people. He was a massive big head that must be obeyed without question. His assistants demanded obeisance shown for Mr. Wizard. The marvelous appearance of his big knowing head and fiery rhetoric ensured he had all the answers. He was the leader.

As I watched the movie Civil War one of the characters who was a veteran reporter for What was Left of the New York Times told a new reporter that once you meet the human who is the leader it is usually disappointing as they were not the great leader that they portrayed themselves to be. The final scene of the movie illustrates this.

The Emporer loved his new clothes. All his sycophants agreed that he had the most luxurious royal garments. The Emporer was naked.

It is possible to look behind the Wizard Of Oz’s Curtain. Ignore the self-serving comments and bloviating. Look and see if what the Wizard says matches what he or she does. Measure if love is the motivation of the Wiz…or lust. Power is a compelling aphrodisiac.

Is the Wiz a leader for good or a sleepy old man with a child mind and the instincts of the schoolyard bully?

Brock Aaron Jonathon and I remember actor Charlie Sheen saying that people were jealous of him because he had tiger blood and was winning. Sadly in those halcyon days of Mr. Sheen, he was in a world of his own making, and to the casual observer, he certainly was not winning.

Waiting for Godot is tiring. While waiting, we seek our object of enlightenment in the company of those who share our frustrations and worldviews. If we were raised rough we seek others who had the same experience. If we are misunderstood we misunderstand others who are a bit different than we are. Godot is elusive.

Our affinity to join a group that reflects our experiences is powerful. Acceptance is the prize as we want to proclaim…Winning!

‘I wonder why Sally sits alone each day at lunch,’ Jane said. ‘She seems to have no friends and Julia makes fun of her clothing and how her hair looks,’ she continued.

‘I saw her crying yesterday in the cloakroom,’ Billy B mentioned. ‘Her Mom passed away at the beginning of the school year and she must now care for her little brother while her Dad works nights,’ Billy B continued.

‘Have you seen her art, it is exciting,’ Chet offered. ‘Sally paints in the Van Gough style,’ Chet said with a broad smile. ‘It seems that she is friendless due to Julia and her entourage deciding that she was an outcast,’ Chet said with a downcast look.

‘Hi Sally, may we join you for lunch,’ Jane asked? ‘Chet was telling us about your fine art and we would like for you to show your pieces in our local Art Show later this month,’ Jane said as she put her arm on her shoulder.

‘I did not know anyone knew about my painting, I do it in the evening while I am watching Jimmy my little brother,’ Sally said with a tear in her eye. ‘Painting makes me feel accepted, I miss my Mom so much,’ she continued.

‘First prize is awarded to Sally S for her painting…Waiting For Godot,’ the Judge said…

Enjoy the moment. Billions of moments make up our lives. We seek the big event and it is in front of our faces. Moments are the snapshots of our time here on Earth.

I saw the movie Civil War yesterday and it was jarring. The idea of our Good And Pleasant Land being torn apart was difficult to watch. Americans are accustomed to peace and tranquility, we do what we want and act as we please. We assume that everyone is enjoying life as we do. Our favorite restaurant welcomes us and holidays are a basic tenant of our yearly calendar. We worship where we choose, stay at home, or visit the woods for spiritual nourishment.

Constructive criticism is our birthright we exercise it daily.

The sudden report and crack of a semiautomatic weapon is frightening.

I sit on the Writing Porch and feel like I am in Maine. The birds are singing. The Great White Heron is fishing. I have returned from the woods where no one interfered with my daily walk and photography session. I pulled into Aldi’s grocery and the nice lady brought my groceries to my car. Surrounded by peace in a land of many strifes. When these strifes boil over we are surprised and dismayed. Why are there so many unhappy people?

Who is winning? Why must life be a zero-sum game? When you are hungry there is no peace. Persecution brings no peace. Marginalization and prejudice make it difficult to see the Good And Pleasant Land from your blanket that is next to your shopping cart holding all of your earthly possessions.

Live vicariously through our good fortune we say to the poor and the hungry those who have no voice.

We are proud Americans fighting and dying for our brothers and sisters from Missouri, Kentucky, California, and Texas. If you look like the image we see in our mirror and you sound like us you are us.

Who are all of these people who make up the Melting Pot of America? We did not live next door to them nor know their mama or dad. Did we play stickball with them or were they at our high school prom?

We just had our boil water order lifted but our nation is boiling, we all want to partake of the Good And Pleasant Land…

It seems that only yesterday 2024 was a baby in the stroller. Soon she will be middle-aged. Kids grow up quick. Or as Jonathon’s Aunt Marcy told him over the weekend she remembered rolling him in his stroller and it seems like yesterday and now he is 40.

So life passes too fast. ‘Never put off to tomorrow what you can do today because tomorrow may never come.’ As I grow older I learn each day that I do not have the answers to life’s persistent questions. I am humbled by my lack of knowledge. Most communication should be listening and talking is overrated.

We are all fragile. We are all needy. We are all lonely. We live in our heads most of the time. Our life is in front of our eyes and we search for it on one of our bevy of screens.

We are changing. Talk about a pluralistic society but our understanding is limited. Talk solves little unless the words come from our hearts.

Folks have been hidden for too long. They want to be accepted. We all want to be seen. We want a seat at the table.

‘Come home come home it’s suppertime the shadows lengthen fast. Come home come home it’s suppertime were going home at last.’ Ferlin Husky

It has been a warm and pleasant Sunday. The conclusion of Jonathon’s 40th Birthday Weekend with a wonderful visit from Marcy and Brock to put the cherry on top!

A marvelous dinner last night and let me say that the crab cakes were king. When Brock and Marcy come to see us the time flies by so quickly it seems like a few minutes. However, this time afforded us some extra exciting plans. We will proceed with a writing project we first discussed in Maine last fall. The feeling of joyful anticipation was palpable as we brainstormed on the Writing Porch! There will be upcoming illustration collaborations and even media events on YouTube… It will be a Family Affair and will be a life-changing event. Every now and then the Muse sits on our shoulders. You experience clarity as to the next steps a few times in life, and this is one of those times.

Be on the lookout for something completely different and profoundly original.

It is a lovely day in Southern Illinois. We eagerly anticipate the arrival of Marcy and Brock. Or I as I last referred to him,’ Puddin.’ Of course by some stretch of the imagination I had achieved the nickname of, ‘Big Girl’ in Maine and I do not recall just how it happened. We had a wonderful time and stayed in a haunted house. We also had much fun with the word derivative, ‘Feckin.’ I think I had a bit more fun than even Brock, if possible.

So today will be a Holiday At Home for the Brooks. We have snacks, cool beverages, and Killing the Fatted Calf this evening at Global Gourmet.

Last night was the beginning of The Holiday with Jonathon’s Birthday Dinner at the Freight House in Paducah, Kentucky. The Shephard’s Pie was the best that I have had in a restaurant. At times I have taken to calling Aaron 42 and Jonathon 40. Where did the time go? MJ and I have been married for over 46 years and are planning on enjoying another Holiday when we reach 50…perhaps another Fatted Calf and a Dirty Martini.

As I looked at MJ last night I thought as I often do, how pretty she is. She is whip-smart and beautiful and she would do anything for her children. Aaron and Jonathon are fortunate to have such a mother…

In about 2 hours Jonathon turns 40. He was born near midnight and MJ and I thought he might be born on Friday the 13th. He was an explorer from the beginning and soon was climbing out of his crib and the sound of his feet hitting the floor and his infectious laugh!

Jonathon is a patient man. He loves everyone. I have never heard him gossip. He does not judge. When he is hurt he returns kindness. He like his brother Aaron illustrated for me what I wish I could have been at their ages.

Jonathon and Aaron are out with their friends as I am writing. They have a lot of friends. Their Mom is the love of my life and my sons and MJ are my entire reason for living.

I falter a bit but they do not remind me…they are kind and they are good. Birthday Dinner in Paducah tomorrow night and then a visit with Brock and Marcy on Saturday and Sunday or a banner birthday weekend…

Neva J sang the song, ‘We Are Marching To Pretoria,’ often and with gusto during my formative years. It seemed to be a song of inspiration in the 1960s and a motivational song for her to sing to inspire me.

Billy B understood when he heard Neva J sing the Marching song that it was time to get up and get going and do what a good man or boy needed to do. Excuses were plentiful but results were what she required.

Marching to Pretoria was a popular song in the ’60s and was in several school books and sung in music classes of the day.

‘The women’s March took place on 9 August 1956 in Pretoria, South Africa. The marchers’ aims were to protest the introduction of the Apartheid pass laws for black women in 1952 and the presentation of a petition to the then Prime Minister J.G. Strijdom.’

For Neva J the song’s meaning was to get up and make something happen. This included working by the sweat of your brow on many occasions. Manual labor was often referred to as the chosen career for untold midwesterners. College was not our first goal and perhaps not our second or third. There were the coal mines, farming, and many factories in our region where men and women obtained their wages every Friday.

The march to Pretoria was synonymous with our shared march through life with all of its vacillating vicissitudes and vagaries. Through the good times and those which are not so good we march on. Life is movement. Success is getting back up after you are knocked down.

Own your actions even those that in retrospect may embarrass you a bit. If what you have done represents who you are then it is original and unique.

There is no road map…there is the march to Pretoria…