‘I swear the Christmas lights and decorations in Eldorado are unparalleled,’ said Neva J! ‘I do not recall Chicago being any more festive than our little Southern Illinois town,’ she continued.

‘I think that I am receiving the miniature pool table from Western Auto this Christmas,’ Billy B said. ‘Neva J asked me where I was going to set it up and I replied in my bedroom of course. ‘Then she mused how they would get to the bathroom as they often cut through my two open door holes…that was without doors to facilitate a shortcut to the water closet,’ Billy B grinned.’ ‘I said that the extra steps would be good for her…which she frowned at,’ he concluded.

‘Well, with your little Black and White TV and a billiard table you will have your own apartment,’ Chet winked. ‘How about the Daniel Boone Action Figure…did you find one at the Ben Franklin Dime Store,’ Chet asked?

‘When we did not have the money for the Daniel Boone figure when he was there and now that Neva J has it in her Christmas Budget…he is gone,’ Billy B said with a frown. ‘Nevertheless, after I saw the movie The Hustler with Jackie Gleason playing the legendary pool shark Minnesota Fats…I have been hooked on shooting pool,’ he noted. ‘You recall when we were at the Eldorado Billards Hall that we thought that we saw Minnesota playing in the back of the Hall…it is my dream to play him on my new miniature pool table once I receive it for Christmas,’ Billy B exulted!

‘Minnesota Fats is big time…he was not at the Eldorado Pool Hall…that was Fleshy Frank who is our local Pool Hustler,’ Chet laughed. ‘I think that he lives in Hollywood or perhaps in New York City,’ Chet remarked.

‘He lives in Dowell, Illinois and it is about 50 miles from Eldorado and just outside DuQuoin, Billy B said. ‘He has two Cadillacs parked in his driveway,’ he continued.

‘You remind me of Paul Newman’s character in The Hustler…you are too good for old Fats…I am known as the best…but I can not master Mini-Pool,’ Fats said…

‘Will there be smoked ham this year at Grandma A’s,’ Billy B asked?

‘Not just smoked ham but turkey and oyster dressing and I am making my famous Roast Beast and Coffee Cake for the event,’ Neva J chuckled.

‘I hope Aunt Wanda brings her divinity…it is so light and creamy that it melts in your mouth and not in your hands…as M&M’s are fond of saying,’ Jane said with a lilt in her voice.

‘I personally am looking forward to the pecan pie…I love pecan pie,’ Chet said with a satisfied smile.

‘Cousin Gene will be there and he will be talking about his Monster Magazines and Universal Studios Monster Masks…I believe it is Halloween all year long for him, Daryl noted.

Upon arrival at Grandma A’s comfortable home with the pipe organ and the chickens in the backyard…there was a door erected in the front yard just before you climbed the steps to her high front porch. The door was festooned with cutouts of turkeys, pilgrims, and Indians and their sitting down to enjoy the first Thanksgiving dinner together. The Door was elaborately carved and appeared ancient.

‘It appears that we must walk through the open majestic door in the front yard to ascend the steps to Grandma A’s,’ Chet remarked. ‘I wonder who placed it here…it is a Door with a purpose,’ Chet continued.

‘The Door looks just like one that I saw at Plymouth when we went on holiday there this summer,’ Jane said with some wonder in her voice.

‘Greetings I am William Bradford…please allow me to introduce you to my friend Squanto.’ ‘Where is Massasoit he must meet you kind folk,’ William continued.

‘My goodness where am I, Jane said as she rubbed her eyes? ‘I was just speaking with Massasoit and Squanto and William Bradford… ninety Indians were sitting at a table with the pilgrims and enjoying a hearty Thanksgiving Dinner at Grandma A’s!

Suddenly Squanto entered the classroom where Jane Chet Billy B and Daryl were and he said,’ Pass the turkey, please…and some more maze…

So I went to church today. I don’t write or speak of my faith as often as I did in the past. Although I’ve been believing in that ancient carpenter …

So I went to church today. I …

We had a delightful visit with our niece Paige last night in celebration of her birthday! It was a wonderful time because Paige is a delightful person. She brightens any room that she is in. When I see Paige I see her wonderful mother, Tara. She cares about others and can project that care simply through her lovely smile. Paige was with us in Maine in 2022 and her laugh and positive attitude made my trip! I remember her laughing at my telling of a great waiter at Taste Of Maine who often described the offerings at the restaurant with the expression of ‘Yum!’

Happiness is often found in the eyes of others who spend time with us listen to our stories and cares and never seem bored. Really our time is the only thing of substance that we can give. When we are alone at times we feel a bit lonely. When someone wants to know us and give of their most precious commodity…time…we are renewed and refreshed and rejuvenated.

I ponder the meaning of possessions. We work our entire life to acquire them only to say goodbye to them at our passing. I was watching a person on a detective show on Acorn TV the other night who commented to his colleague that when his father died he set about going through his possessions and found that most of what his Dad had…was junk. Now I am certain that his Dad’s possessions did not seem like junk to him…but his son had difficulty in discovering the meaning of a life of collection of significant things to the soul of his father. Indeed we see our world through our own kaleidoscope. Events that touch our hearts and stir our brains cause us to search for a physical manifestation of the spiritual event.

Recently we changed televisions and therefore TV stands. Housed in the old gargantuan Entertainment Center were years of collections of stuff that had significant emotional appeal to us at the time of their purchase. A very much pared-down amount of the precious stuff went to the new TV stand and the rest went to the utility room…probably for the boys to go through at our demise.

Thanksgiving is almost here. Today I was in my usual spot…the Woods when I noticed quite a bit of dung on the ground. Now I am not an expert but after some time exploring I can determine certain manure and this was horse. Not long after there came a line of horses with their riders attached. I moved off of the path and the procession stopped and stared at me for a moment…then proceeded. The lead person of the horse line asked that I speak to each one that went by for them to individually determine that I was a human. Thus I assumed that I was a Horse Whisperer. As I greeted each horse with a Hello…Hello…they nodded and the riders smiled or laughed a little. I told one of the proud animals that they need not worry as I was just an old man in the woods…whereby the horse stopped dead in his tracks released more manure and then proceeded.

Animals intrigue me. They have their own analytical systems culture and language. They are many steps ahead of us humans in a multitude of ways. We wonder what our mission in life is while the animal kingdom is settled on that question and happy with the answer. We hope for more gold for our watch fobs and diamonds for our fingers while the horses I saw this morning were happy for a Horse Hello and a moment to study the curious Old Man in the Woods.

Two weeks from now I will be seeking Santa Claus. Santa has continually been a presence in my life since he visited my home on West Street in Eldorado many years ago. There he was looking like a benevolent giant standing at my front door. Neva J greeted him as if he were an old friend. When he asked me what I wanted for Christmas I was speechless. I was akin to Ralphie in the Movie A Christmas Story when he finally got the opportunity to tell Santa all about it. At times it is a long journey from the words that are in our heart to our tongue.

Black Friday meant a trip to St. Louis to see the Christmas Bears at Famous Barr’s Signature Store. They were frolicking and building gingerbread houses. They were trimming the Christmas Tree and wrapping Christmas gifts. Joyous Noel was in the air. They were animatronic and they were wonderful!

MJ baby Aaron and I traveled to the DuQuoin Walmart to purchase Aaron’s first Christmas Tree. The holiday possibilities were endless. We bought a big one and it looked real and we put Victorian Ornaments on it…that were made out of pressboard and were magnificent. We saw handmade Nativity Scenes in the Mall and thus traveled to the kind lady’s home who made the wonderous creations and purchased one. It was $100 and worth every penny…we still have it.

St. Charles, Missouri this year for Black Friday. Tiny Tim Mr. Scrooge and Santas from all over the world and history will be present along with roasted chestnuts Christmas Carloers and even a marching band.

The temperature in Little Egypt has turned seasonal once again. The brown leaves have made a thick carpet on the Woods floor. Autumn will soon be two-thirds over. Hope springs in the creation’s breast as we look toward the sleep of winter and then…

‘Wisdom involves a healthy dose of perspective and the ability to make sound judgments about a subject while knowledge is simply knowing.’ We hear countless examples of knowledge but little wisdom. I watched the Republican Debate last night and I witnessed one of the participants spout seemingly rote memorization of what he perceived as knowledge while he fell to attempting to marginalize the only female moderator of the three present as well as the only female debator of the six present and finally criticizing Nikki Haley’s daughter…then he ran out of women to misogynist against. If this is supposed to be accepted as wisdom then we are on another Earth than the one I grew up on.

The ability to acquire a lot of money is often equated with wisdom. The acceptance of churlishness and misogyny and demonization of others who are different from us is applauded as the ‘Real America.’ The most cutting insults, name-calling, and back-biting are something to be striven for in our new normal.

Bloodsport is the name of the game of success…until it is our blood. We want to be treated with respect and in a balanced manner. We all want recognition of our shared humanity. We seek love and acceptance. We hope that when others meet us they will see in us our value and appreciate our contributions to our shared journey.

Jesus asked the woman who was about to be stoned where her accusers were. After he wrote in the sand they departed one by one the scripture tells us. None of us want to have someone write in the sand our faults and missteps.

Wisdom when encountered is memorable. At times it seems rarer than hen’s teeth. When you see it…you feel it…you know it. Wisdom heals division. It reunites the broken. Wisdom is a balm on the wounds of our soul…

‘So, Mr. Mole, you really have not seen God after dying and coming to heaven,’ He asked? ‘That is one of my most anticipated meetings when I was on the other side of the Great Hill…we write songs about it and hymns…and poems too,’ He continued.

‘Oh for ‘heavens sake…’ can’t you just believe…look around at the lovely scenery…the majestic Woods…the Technicolor…we have been searching for Him too…but he is an elusive Rascal,’ Mr. Mole exclaimed.

Mr. Mole, Ratty, and I have been up and down the river in our little boat, and at times we almost catch a glimpse of him…but then the Shadow evaporates and we are back where we started,’ Badger explained.

‘Sometimes I hear him in the early morning when the birds are singing their hearts out, said Mr. Mole.

‘Well, I must snap a photo of him to prove his existence…the Woods is so lovely that he must be here somewhere,’ He said.

‘Camera shy…he is,’ said Mr. Mole. ‘I had my Polaroid Big Swinger and almost got a photo once and a cloud came up and obscured my view…then I discovered to my amazement that what I thought was God was a beautiful sunset on the horizon,’ he continued.

‘I see God in the eyes of Mrs. Badger…until she chases me out of the Den with her broom,’ Badger ruminated. In any case, we must continue on as this is only the first stop for you and it will be dark if we do not seize the day,’ Badger extorted.

‘You mean this is not the place we have been waiting for…the great destination…the halcyon of halcyons,’ asked He.

‘Hello…Hello…could someone help me over the Great Hill,’ the beggar asked? ‘I am so tired and very happy to see someone out here as I have been living in the Woods for 5 years with no company,’ the Old Man said.

‘Any news of God…we are looking for him…have you seen him,’ asked Mr. Mole? ‘We almost see him and want to meet him and even snap his photo…but he seems to be around just the next corner,’ Badger said.

‘Follow me over the next hill and I will show him to you,’ the Old Man said with a wink.

Before the intrepid explorers was devastation and ruin. There were sick kids and crippled dogs and every type of malady and even hunger. Amid the suffering, the Old Man sat down and began to tell a story of God.

‘My goodness this place does not look familiar,’ He said.

He had been walking in the Woods and in an unfamiliar area as well. The trees seemed opaque and the leaves were pastel in color. ‘I should have gone to the eye doctor last month but I thought that I could make it another year,’ He thought. ‘That last hill was a doozy and I was a bit out of breath…but in a good way…after all, I did close my ring on my iPhone,’ He thought some more. ‘The Woods has transformed into a Technicolor movie somewhat like The Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston portraying Moses,’ He said out loud to the surrounding animals.

‘Pardon me…kind sir…were you speaking to me,’ Badger asked as he locked the door to his den. ‘I heard that you were coming but you are somewhat early…nevertheless, this is usually true for your kind,’ Badger continued. ‘You look a bit lost…was it the last great hill that did you in,’ Badger asked?

‘Well I did feel a little faint but still good and I closed the ring on my iPhone,’ He answered. ‘I considered getting an Apple Watch for Christmas but instead, She and I decided to get a 65-inch Television and we now feel like we are at the Theatre,’ He said with a smile and a wink. ‘I noticed a marked change in the terrain after climbing the great hill and the colors are so brilliant much like our new TV,’ He added with a satisfied smile.

‘Well my friend…you have crossed over to the next phase…and I will assist you in your acclimation to it,’ Badger said with a matter-of-fact tone.’ ‘Hello Mr. Mole…we have been waiting on you,’ said Badger.

‘I simply could not find my spectacles…I can not see a thing without them,’ Mole said with a determined and squinting gaze at He and Badger. ‘Did you you tell him yet, Badger, Mole asked?

‘I really do not know if He is ready for the truth of his current circumstances…He seems to be very happy with his success in closing his ring on his iPhone,’ Badger groussed.

‘Well He will not need an iPhone here…we are more advanced than that little piece of plastic…it will never replace books as far as I am concerned,’ Mr. Mole proclaimed with earnest delight. ‘You must tell him to not pull at E.T. and attempt to call home,’ Mr. Mole continued.

‘You see my friend…you have crossed over the great divide…you have boated down the river Jordan…you have in essence bought the farm,’ Badger said to He. ‘It takes some years to acclimate to the reality that Heaven or the afterlife or whatever you choose to call it looks a bit like where they came from…without the iPhones and the suffering of what humanity does to itself when it is bored or tired or just jealous of each other, Badger continued.

‘Did you bring news with you of how God is doing…we have not heard from him in some time…we miss him although we never saw him but rather heard stories about him and how he loved us,’ Mr. Mole said.

It is a picture-perfect Sunday. It was a bit cold and now it is a bit warm. Such is life. I traveled to Eldorado yesterday and visited the Eldorado Museum. They had a vintage toy collection which was outstanding. One of the items was a baby buggy from the 1800s. Also Fischer Price before plastic. I returned with four commemorative coins from the centennial celebration of 1973 when I was still in high school. They were buried in a time capsule that year and I recall thinking that 50 years was a lifetime…and lo and behold I have lived to see it!

The last days of the colored leaves are upon us. Aaron MJ and I are watching the Enfield Poltergeist on Apple TV +. This happened in Enfield, England between 1977 and 1979 and is a fascinating documentary that uses the original tape recordings with the actors lip-syncing the words. The Hollywood movie Conjuring 2 was based on the Enfield occurrences. Some judge the paranormal events to be staged while others assert that they are real. The tape recordings are chilling…

Thanksgiving is fast approaching whether we are ready or not. Similar to my centennial coins of 50 years that seem like yesterday I am amazed that 2023 has raced by. Busy days are happy days and they are quick days. We want to believe in the Enfield Poltergeist as we know in our hearts that there is more than we can see without our eyes and hear with our ears. We are spiritual beings in houses of clay.