Many things are hidden, and we do not know how many because they are hidden. We know what we know, but we do not know what we do not know. Wolves wear sheep’s clothing. Gold appearance can be pot metal. Splendor may hide deceit.

‘Preacher says we are going to meet for supper,’ P said. ‘I am sure he will have good news of his ministry and wisdom,’ P continued. ‘Preacher is morose and troubled by coming events,’ P remarked. ‘I hope dinner will cheer him up,’ P smiled.

‘I am happy to have you all around me for our supper,’ Preacher said. ‘It has been a journey that I wanted to make, and yet it has many snares and pitfalls,’ Preacher remarked. ‘Politics has united with religion to form a two-headed monster that serves neither group well,’ said Preacher. ‘God’s message of love and acceptance is drowned out in many parts of society by men’s lust for power, control, and money,’ Preacher whispered. ‘True thoughts and deeds are scorned while avarice and theft are lauded…but then again I was told this would happen when I was sent here,’ Preacher assured.

‘May I have some of that dip you are enjoying?’ Judas asked.

The geese stand languidly by the pond. The cool spring breeze is inviting deep thoughts. Home grows richer as the years go by. The Story is progressing. We are inside the narrative. Other creations will read our Story and marvel.

What compels us? How do we dig into the depths of our souls for answers? What is love, and how is the flame ignited?

The rich and powerful enjoy seeing their name on buildings. They seek a way to be remembered after they are gone. People who have contributed much to an organization through their good works are replaced by names of those who have money. The Story continues.

‘I have been here by the Theatre for two weeks sleeping under the awning and begging for pennies to buy some bread,’ the Homeless Girl said. ‘Most folks pass me by and many do not see me,’ HG continued. ‘I found a blanket in the dumpster that I put over my head when it rains,’ HG smiled weakly. ‘I heard about a Preacher who cared for the homeless and sick, but I have not seen him on Broadway,’ HG commented.

‘Come with me, dear, and I will buy you a meal and take you to a home in the woods where the Preacher is gathering those who want to hear his message,’ Mary said. Preacher is currently away and warns of a big change coming,’ Mary said. ‘His followers are continuing his ministry in his absence,’ Mary said. ‘The poor and forgotten love him and his words of hope, but the rich and powerful fear his message of love,’ Mary explained.

‘Hope deferred maketh the heart sick but when the desire cometh it is a tree of life’…

‘There was a rich man who had more than he needed of everything and a poor man who had a single ewe lamb,’ Nathan said. ‘The rich man steals the ewe lamb from the poor man to feed his guest,’ Nathan continues. ‘The President is engaged and demands the rich man be punished,’ Nathan continues. ‘You are the rich man,’ Nathan tells the President…

‘It is dark in the east,’ Chet said. ‘A darkness that envelops all it encounters,’ he continued. ‘I touched the darkness and it had substance,’ Chet observed. ‘It is a foreboding day for a journey, yet we must go,’ Chet noted.

‘We felt the freedom of hope, the touch of grace that brings light to the dark heart,’ Jane whispered. ‘Standing together we knew the truth separated we doubt ourselves,’ Jane explained. ‘I feel queasy in the pit of my stomach and silent nameless fear that grips many hearts,’ Jane said with a shudder. ‘Is all going to be alright or is this the beginning of the end?’ Jane said.

‘Let us drink a glass of Merlot and rest a bit before departing for the parade,’ Neva J admonished. ‘There will be a great crowd and much celebration…the Preacher is coming to town,’ Neva J exulted. ‘Finally, he will be recognized for his wisdom,’ Neva J observed.

‘He is coming with many of the marginalized and forgotten in the crowd, interspersed with the religious and political leaders,’ He said. ‘His eyes are sad,’ He said.

‘Now we will be free…now our oppressor will lift his foot from our neck,’ a Church Member said. ‘Preacher will restore us to our rightful place and vanquish our enemies,’ the Church Member said. ‘No more hiding from the oppressive government…we will be the government,’ a Church Member promised.

Preacher rode through the adoring crowd in silence with sad eyes. Sounds of victory and hope abated the clouds of doubt. The worm had turned. Now Preacher will be the leader and Politician will be the servant, the throng cried!

‘Take this cup from me…not my will but thy will be done,’ the Preacher said.

Yesterday was fun for all. It was a beautiful day for a birthday. Beginning at the Pink Flamengo, we enjoyed Caribbean Cuisine. Have you ever experienced Jamaican Meatloaf? Jennifer invited me to try some of the flavorful bubbles from her drink. Now I understand Bubble Tea.

After lunch, we went to the coffee shop for a delicious cup of Hazelnut Latte. Jennifer’s treat for the old man. MJ treated us to unique, delicious gourmet candy bars. I still have some of mine. Of course, the finale was the Cigar Bar. This is not your usual Cigar Bar but an ornate relaxation point for a fine cigar and a good drink. The plush chairs and cigar ambiance lend themselves to deep thoughts by Jack Handy. Jennifer Jonathon and Aaron soon began their birthday shuffled board tournament. The competition was hot, and the moves were well thought out like chess. MJ and I sat on the sidelines and knew the world was good. Time passes magically in a Cigar Bar. The smoke swirls upward, and ideas travel through the establishment like gossamer wings.

As the cigars were enjoyed, the old man thought of world leaders past and present coming together in the Cigar Bar to learn about peace.

MJ and my youngest is 41 tomorrow. Where have the years gone? Yesterday, he climbed out of his crib, and I heard his feet hit the bedroom floor. Yesterday, many years ago. His laugh filled the house with mirth. If he had an ice cream cone, his admonishment was, ‘Save some for Aaron.’

Jonathon’s girlfriend Jennifer has added a lovely aspect to his life and ours. Each time I talk with her, I am uplifted by the experience. Jennifer embodies the manners of the old South with her easy smile and quiet wisdom.

Jonathon is a friend to the friendless. He knows and cares about all he meets. He is a silver lining finder…

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, the Bible tells us. Jonathon has a merry heart!

Tomorrow we will mark the special day in the usual way with good food, good drink, and good friends. Jamaican food and a Cigar Bar is the eclectic mix that Jonathon loves, and we are privileged to be along for the ride…

There is a special talent in showing the world a face of hope and joy on days when you don’t feel it. Jonathon is the friend who’s there when many do not answer the phone. With Jonathon, you can count on rising to the top of his list of important people when you need him…

‘It is a good day for a woods walk,’ Billy B said. ‘Storms are promised but not yet,’ Billy B observed. ‘Let us walk among our friends the trees,’ he explained. ‘The powerful are looking the other way as they gain from their insider knowledge of the stock market, we will hide in the sun and the shade with those who seek truth,’ Billy B poetically remarked.

‘I hear there’s a Preacher in the woods,’ JB said. ‘Chet heard him the other day and thought his voice was unique…like rushing water and whip-poor-wills,’ JB said. ‘Many are gathering to hear him in secret under the roof of the woods,’ JB winked. ‘Preacher says love each other and seek peace with all men and women.’ ‘Accept those different than you and learn from them, listen to your heart and not your anger and hurt, Preacher says,’ JB noted. ‘Preacher says that he has been bullied and called names, shunned and marginalized by the powerful and co-opted by the elite for their own political purposes,’ JB said. ‘Preacher says his mom watched him suffer,’ JB said with tears.

‘Mary, Preacher’s friend says he is misunderstood by established religion…they fear him and the message he brings of love and acceptance,’ Jane said. ‘He visited them in their church, but they conspired against him,’ Jane explained.

‘Hosannah in the highest…the Messenger is here riding upon a donkey, let us place palm leaves in his path,’ The Throng shouted! ‘Preacher has the answer for our woes and concerns…he will smite the powerful and lay low those who oppress us…he will avenge the wrongs we have suffered,’ The Throng announced.

‘Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.’ Matt 24:23

Playgrounds are fun. In my day, there were monkey bars. They had no safety padding. The ground was covered with rocks. Accidents happened. There was the merry-go-round. It was great sport to see how fast it could be pushed and still hold on. We held on tighter when a kid fell off due to the centrifugal force. My favorite was the seesaw. Sitting on either side of the painted board seat attached to a metal base, we held each other in the air. Kids with less weight would plead to be let back to earth by others who had heft. The playground was a jungle of survival of the fittest.

Teachers were convinced that fresh air was the panacea for all ailments. At recess, it was time to go to the playground unless it was freezing, and even then, at times. I had a winter hat that had flaps that buckled at the top of the hat, or when extended, buckled under my chin. Winters were cold in the early 60s.

‘Yesterday we were in consternation over our investments, today they are recovering,’ He said. ‘What will tomorrow bring?’ He continued. ‘It reminds me of my youth on the seesaw where Chet would hold me in the air due to his corpulence,’ He said.

‘Yes, the seesaw and playgrounds in general had a joy and dread at once,’ She said. ‘I was full of joy on the merry-go-round until my friends and others pushed it so fast that I could not hold on,’ She laughed ironically. ‘Our playground had happy laughter and in the dark corner someone being bullied with no one to help,’ She noted with a tear. ‘Happy sounds came from many, bitter sadness came from the few selected for abuse by leaders of the pack,’ She whispered.

‘Teacher seemed blind to bullying,’ Chet said. ‘Preferring to let kids defend themselves, it was truly the survival of the fittest absent compassion or justice,’ Chet continued. ‘Even when abuse happened, the Principal smiled a crooked smile and sent the bullied back to class,’ Chet said sadly. ‘On the playground, many felt accepted, loved with a sense of place, while others looked for a friend,’ Chet noted.

‘The athletic ruled sometimes benevolently, other times dismissively,’ He said. ‘If you could hit the ball straight and run fast, you were at home on the playground,’ He noted. ‘Other abilities went unnoticed in the playground pecking order,’ He said.

‘People are being deported without advanced notice, without time to settle their affairs and gather their possessions,’ She said. ‘They are removed from their universities without question by authorities,’ She continued. ‘The accepted group in our country has little to worry about as they laugh and enjoy their lives while those who are different are bullied with no one watching or caring,’ She said.

‘Hold on, stay cool, trust me,’ the President said. ‘I know what I am doing,’ the President continued. ‘Enjoy the better view from the top of the see-saw and try not to fall off the merry-go-round,’ the President admonished. ‘Have I shown you my golf swing?’ he asked.

It is a chilly day in April. Reminiscent of winter. Warm days are coming. On cold days, we remind ourselves of the Sun’s power. What a magnificent home we humans have. In a cold, dark universe, we enjoy abundant life. We have been to the moon but did not stay. The moon has no place for us without technology. Earth is our natural habitat. A walk in the woods reveals our sense of place. The rustling waters of a full creek and the blooming of our native Red Bud trees say we are home. ‘Pull off your coat and throw it in the corner,’ Bob Wills told us. The woods ask us to stay a little longer.

I am on the Writing Porch in the spring chill. It is my place to be. Looking out on our pond and listening to the birds sing brings new life to the old man. The nicest roofing person estimated my needs for roofing after a small leak in our master bedroom during the torrential rains this weekend. He discovered he could fix the problem in a few minutes and charged me nothing. That is extraordinary customer service! My belief in the kindness of others is renewed.

Storms have visited our neck of the woods frequently the last few weeks, and life storms are visiting our nation. We must be careful not to be co-opted for political expediency. This has happened throughout history—it is nothing new. If a political leader cares about you, watch what they do, not what they say. Are you getting poorer when they promised you prosperity? Are you losing your job for no reason but spite? Even Jerry Seinfeld could not return a jacket that he did not want for the reason of spite…

A settled mind brings calm. Purpose brings peace. Today is our life, not tomorrow or yesterday. We must live in the moment. We change. I am not who I was when I was 20. Positive change is a good thing. Bias and prejudice, conspiracy theories, and following an authoritarian leader are destructive. Wrapping the garment of exclusivity around us for warmth leads to frostbite. Trusting in the tender care of a narcissistic despot leads to sorrow.

Spirituality is real. We are spiritual beings in corporal bodies. We seek to see the face of God. We are journeying together on our way home. Our present reality is not all that there is. There is more just ahead and around the next corner. There is peace amid the storm.

‘It seems late for the Circus to start,’ Billy B remarked. ‘I remember the performances being held during the day or evening, not after midnight,’ Billy B said. ‘The elephants look sleepy,’ Billy B observed.

‘I have been told that there is always a mystery performance at the Night Circus,’ Chet said. ‘Something unexpected and strange,’ Chet explained. ‘At one show, the zebras danced with the rhinoceros,’ Chet winked.

‘I have always loved the Night Circus,’ Neva J proclaimed. ‘Once a lady came up to me and said she was me 30 years from now,’ Neva J looked wide-eyed. ‘She appeared younger than I am now and had flowing white hair to her waist,’ Neva J explained. ‘The lady at the Night Circus told me that there were many things I did not understand regarding life in the shadows. ‘The Ringleader appeared with a beachball-sized head and a cupi doll grin painted on his face,’ Neva J shuddered. ‘Ringleader said wrong is right and up is down,’ Neva J whispered. ‘His plastered expression was immovable, his eyes were darting constantly and full of malice,’ Neva J cried.

‘In this corner, we have for your entertainment enjoyment people who demonstrate that they can not compete in the arena of survival of the fittest,’ Ringleader proclaimed. ‘In the middle ring we have races of people who are not Americans, although they have citizenship, see how they gather together for protection,’ Ringleader said with his static grin. ‘In the far ring, we have the humble and basic losers who attest that Christianity means to love everyone,’ Ringleader danced on one foot and then the other.

‘Are we in heaven or in hell?’ Jane asked. ‘Have we lost the plot and veered off onto a side road on the path of life?’ Jane commented. ‘I see the Civil Rights movement alongside the abolition of all things Diversity,’ Jane exclaimed!

‘Avoid the Night Circus,’ the Preacher said. ‘Its beauty is enticing its reality is frightening,’ the Preacher admonished. ‘Pray with me in the woods for a little while,’ the Preacher pleaded. ‘Soon the light will reveal what has been hidden in darkness,’ the Preacher said.

I was not a morning person until I retired. Now, Mylo has me up at 5 a.m. or before. He is a morning dog for a few minutes until he stretches beside me for a morning nap. Morning is a good time for clear thoughts. Perspective is keen. Hope is at its zenith.

Morning brings a clean slate. The chalkboard has been erased and washed. New chalk in the tray. The darkness of the night is illuminated. Ghosts we saw in the shadows evaporate. Night worries have become day plans. Peace comes easy in the morning. Quietly and serene with no bluster. We can do what needs to be done. We can succeed. No one will hold us back.

Unease is on our horizon. The feeling of misstep is with us. Good hard hard-working people are losing their jobs for no reason. People whose skills are needed. Important work is looked at with no pity. Seniors are being hurt. The world’s economy is experiencing an earthquake, and we are the recipients of the shaking. Our leaders promise that we are taxing other countries and that we will get rich from the proceeds. Our leaders are taxing us with massive increases in the price of groceries and automobiles…all consumer goods. We need a little Good Morning.

The outcry of the rich is a massive call. ‘Do not hurt my money,’ Rich proclaim! ‘If you want to be re-elected, stop the madness,’ Rich promises.

We awaken from a nightmare. We rub our burning eyes and wonder if it was a dream…or a terrible reality…