The birds are singing. The grass is green. Blue sky is overhead with wisps of white feathery clouds. This is what living is meant to be. No hurry, no worry. Time for deep thoughts by Jack Handy. Hope for the future and forget the trials of the past. Baseball season begins today.

‘I think it is time to enter the magic mirror that Neva J has in her bedroom,’ Jane said. ‘We have not had a time travel adventure for a while,’ Jane continued. ‘Perhaps we can find the answers to life’s persistent questions,’ Jane mused…

‘Come in, I have uncovered the Antique Mirror,’ Neva J said with a wink. ‘It has our reflection in it, but we are different,’ she noted. ‘The bedroom looks Victorian and our clothes are from that era,’ Neva J said with surprise.

‘I wonder if we are looking at a parallel universe,’ Chet said. ‘I have read about the concept in physics where the universes travel in tandem until actions by humans cause them to vary from each other,’ Chet postulated. ‘Perhaps someone turned left when their counterpart turned right,’ Chet offered. ‘Maybe the United States elected different Presidents, causing a change in the mirror image,’ Chet considered.

‘Perhaps Hitler did not come to power in Germany,’ Billy B offered. ‘What if the Industrial Revolution did not happen or the proliferation of the Internet,’ Billy B considered. ‘What if people in the parallel universe never had television and thus read daily,’ Billy B said.

‘Have I got a deal for you,’ D said. ‘I have some miraculous liniment that will heal everything that ails you,’ D continued. ‘I take it myself daily and have no pain,’ D noted.

‘My goodness, what a snake oil salesman,’ Father said. ‘Amazingly, he makes any money with his jumbled syntax and strange pronouncements,’ Father continued. ‘He reminds me of a Carnival Barker,’ Father said.

Be all that you can be. With the right guidance, you can realize your full potential. Follow the leader. Many Christian churches have devolved into the Power Of Positive Thinking or a Tony Robbins seminar. Nothing wrong with positive thinking. Something is wrong with making the humble message of Christ a treatise for getting rich quickly.

There is an easy road to seeking a mentor to guide you in life’s journey. Mimic the mentor, and you will be successful like they are. Turn your thinking skills off and do as they do. Chris Hayes writes of the assault of attention capitalism on our minds and hearts, reordering ourselves and our politics.

So as we sit around the fine restaurant table with the resplendent tablecloth and accompanying accouterments we are compelled to peer at our cell phones. We must see what our internet influencer is doing.

I have never sought a mentor. Colleagues and friends have influenced me but my progress or lack thereof is not attached to another human. Obsession with a great leader results in cultish behavior. Ask the Lemmings how their follow-the-leader mentality is working for them.

I have been involved in church work for 57 years. I held some church positions but never wanted my fellow congregants influenced by my example. When I found some were watching I pointed them toward Christ Mentorship, not my poor facsimile.

Religious glitz and political glamour have deceived many. In a fish bowl, we see our reflection. We are not going to be rich by listening to a convincing speaker. The power of positive thinking means different things to different people.

‘Hello, why are you good people sitting next to the restaurant in the rain and cold,’ Preacher asked? ‘Have you no home, are you hungry,’ Preacher asked? ‘I will go in and order us food to take away and you can join me at my home for dinner and a shower…a good bed to rest your weary head,’ Preacher smiled and grabbed their outstretched hands.

‘I am sorry I took your seat at the head of the table, it seems right that you sit there,’ Elder said. ‘Your words are needed at the Board meeting,’ Elder said. ‘I can not follow you…you are eloquent,’ Elder said.

‘But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.’ Isaiah 64:6

I finished the second season of the show Severance on Apple TV +. It is a science fiction about people working at Lumon. Upon entering the 7th floor each morning they forget everything from their civilian life and only know what is happening during their workday. Leaving the elevator at the conclusion of the day they revert to their ‘Outie.’

Severance explores how we identify with corporate culture. We have work friends and relationships separate from our home outside. I have known people who never retired due to being afraid of what their lives would be without work.

Our psyche is fragile and malleable. We tend to agree with our peers. Identity carries over into other relationships. The more we hear a lie the more truthful it sounds.

‘I am working late again tonight,’ He said. ‘The Boss is counting on me and I can not let him down,’ He continued. ‘I am working for recognition of my efforts and the satisfaction that I am integral to the operation,’ He explained.

‘It seems you work many hours you are not paid for,’ She commented. ‘It would be nice to see some money for your efforts,’ She said. ‘I do not know your Boss nor his wife yet he seems to keep impinging on your time with me and your kids,’ She said with a frosty glare.

‘Boss introduced me to the CEO the other day and told him what a good employee I was,’ He said. ‘The CEO told me that the organization needed more staff like me,’ He smiled with the honor. ‘The Company could not make it without me,’ He pleaded.

‘Look, I received a gift bag from the Boss,’ Coworker said. ‘It has Snickers Bar and some jelly beans in it,’ Coworker happily said. ‘Did you get a Snickers Bar or Jelly Beans from the Boss,’ Coworker asked?

The times were dark, and the times were light. Despair was pervasive, and hope was resplendent. Suffering happened, and joy abounded. Life with all of its shades, twists, and turns.

We are broken but unbowed. Afraid but bold. Destroyed yet intact. The Teacher bore in his body the marks of his suffering. His message was peace in the face of hate.

Confusion reigns among the destroyers. The good life is meant for good people. Good people is a moving definition. It rains on the just and the unjust. Destruction leaves rubble. It is hard to live among the potsherds.

‘There is a Preacher in the woods that is drawing a crowd,’ Jane said. ‘He speaks of love and acceptance,’ Jane continued. ‘Not just the poor and homeless but middle-class people who have been fired for no reason since the first of the year are gathering to hear his kind words,’ Jane explained. ‘The Preacher speaks of hiding from the coming storm,’ Jane somberly mentioned.

‘Easter is almost here,’ Chet said. ‘I enjoy the sunrise service and the snacks after,’ Chet said. ‘The message of Christ’s resurrection resonates with me at the sunrise service…something about being there before daylight and watching the Sun come up,’ Chet winked. ‘Christ loved everyone not just the privileged,’ Chet noted. ‘Dad made his living by bricklaying and worked from dawn till dusk…he began as a Hod Carrier which was back-breaking work,’ Chet reminisced. ‘His skin was brown and wrinkled from the Sun and he believed that the promise of the United States extended to all in our nation,’ Chet concluded.

‘Gather around and make yourselves at home…my woods is your woods,’ Preacher said. ‘Fear clenches our hearts if we are different…we must normalize caring about people who are different than us,’ Preacher said.

Sunshine returned this afternoon. 2025 is strolling along. The second quarter is soon to arrive. ‘In 1903, Peter Rabbit was the first fictional character to be made into a patented stuffed toy, making him the oldest licensed character.’

‘I am so looking forward to the Easter Egg Hunt in the woods,’ Jane said. ‘There will be over 100 people participating,’ Jane continued. ‘I remember Peter promising to meet us in the woods for the Easter Egg Hunt a year ago,’ Jane reminisced. ‘Peter is a curious fellow with his blue jacket and mischievous air,’ Jane laughed. ‘Last year he tricked President Biden at the White House Easter Egg Roll and brought the house down with his stand-up comedy,’ Jane giggled.

‘Peter R is a wise rabbit,’ Chet said. ‘He attended Oxford University and read history,’ Chet noted. ‘Much of what we think of Easter came from him,’ Chet winked. ‘He thrives on being underestimated and has often got the upper hand by low expectations,’ Chet said. ‘Peter sharpened his wiles with Mr. McGregor,’ Chet smiled.

‘Line up for the Easter Egg Hunt,’ Mr. Ranger said. ‘The person who finds the golden egg wins,’ Mr. Ranger said. ‘This year we are joined by Mr. Musk who is evaluating our Woods and how we operate it,’ Mr. Ranger continued.

‘I have some good news due to all of the bad publicity I have been receiving, I have placed a check for 1 million dollars in the golden egg,’ EM said. ‘The lucky person who finds the egg will collect the money today and have a lovely Easter,’ EM smiled a crooked smile. ‘I have pulled myself up by my intelligence and ingenuity, you can too if you follow my example,’ EM proclaimed.

‘I found the golden egg,’ Washerwoman said with tears in her eyes

‘I found a golden egg also,’ Laid Off Federal Employee proclaimed.

‘I can not believe my good fortune…I have a golden egg also,’ Homeless Child said softly.

‘I would not have believed it if I had not seen it with my own eyes, Peter, you convinced 100 DOGE staff to each sign a check for 1 million dollars and we painted the eggs gold this morning before daylight…simply elegant,’ Peter’s Assistant said.

Peter Rabbit smiled and munched a carrot.

Gusts of 50 mph. Now that is wind. ‘We have more wind than we used to,’ said the old man to the old lady. ‘Too many beans,’ the old lady answered.

So there is wind, and there is wind. I think windmills would be highly functional in our neck of the woods. You can not see it, but it rules.

An Ill Wind blows from time to time. The animals know it. Mylo knows it and answers with a bark. We know it and yet look for the cause of our unease. Wars for no reason. Domestic disputes with no cause. Political strife that affects everyone.

There is magic in the wind if you listen. Angels blow in with the Windy Express. Fear turns to hope. Darkness is blown away. Clouds of despair evaporate under the revealed Sun.

The Voice can be heard in the wind. Slow and melodious with the certainty of purpose. Calming and assuring of your sense of place and who you are. Acceptance of the unique creation and talented person you have become.

The wind is spent in cruel words. Hurtful diatribes toward those not like us. Imaginations travel on the wind. Presumptions blow into our minds. Conspiracies take hold of our hearts.

‘The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind,’…

‘Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.’

We live in prisons of our own making. Eyes are watching. Wear this kind of hat and that kind of shoe. Purchase a car that will impress. Buy more homes than you can afford. Introverts must become extroverts. Step outside your comfort zone into the forbidden zone. If you are uncomfortable in the banned zone act like you are not.

Introverts are closeted extroverts. We all should be extroverts the loud among us proclaim. Reach out to people who do not want to be reached. Wear the extrovert mask of excitement rather than the quiet mask of reflection and sense of place. There really is a square hole for our square peg.

Baby Boomers unite. You need a nice home and two nice cars. You need to golf. You must climb the financial ladder of success. Vacations are fun even if you are not into them. You kids must attend the best universities. Cocktails are fun. Cigars are enjoyable. Church is for people like you. The modern-day club of the elites. Preachers must not preach too long and not offend.

Poor folks are poor for a reason. Have they applied themselves? Are they self-motivated? Don’t they have a rich uncle?

The Sun is setting on our country. It must be the poor among us fault. The goal of Christianity is to be rich like Christ. This is what the preachers tell us. Christ owns the cattle on a thousand hills and the mountains. Jesus will make you rich if you pay your tithes. God has two camps of humans. One is damned for Hell and the other is special and select.

Weary eyes look out on a splendid world. How do I measure up? I do not fit the mold of many expectations. Let me be who I am…let me do me.

‘You are welcome here,’ Preacher told the Gay man. ‘I love you for you not a facsimile of you.’Preacher said. ‘The world has an abundance of cardboard cutouts of what is considered normal…do not be deceived,’ Preacher said comfortingly. ‘I watch the confusion and fear, it is not the expectation of the Creator,’ Preacher whispered.

This is the big one winter ends this week and spring begins. New life is blooming. Hope is a bright prospect. Warm weather and Easter promise. Daffodils and the hint of lilac in the air. Resilience returns to the old bones and they can live. The broken can be repaired voiceless can sing. ‘Let the weak say I am strong…let the poor say I am rich.’

I have seen many things in 67 years. Departments and organizations were quickly destroyed by layoffs. These weakened departments no longer able to perform their core mission were then privatized causing many to lose jobs. Wisdom and safety are inherent in long-term employees. When they are removed the institutional foundation crumbles.

Buds will soon become leaves filling bare limbs. Shade is under the abundant leaves of the trees in the woods. Brown grass is becoming green. Bears are waking from their winter slumber. The sound of the turtle dove is again heard in our land.

Chaos is the control word. Disruption that can not be reliably measured due to its rapidity and scope. Millions are in danger. Measles is on the rise. Take more vitamin A official tells us. Cut the phone lines to Social Security to save money…applicants must apply in person at a Social Security Office…close the offices…

Manic minds create manic policies. Nature is logical politicians not so much.

‘Come in and visit with me if you have mental anguish and anxiety,’ Preacher said. ‘God loves all his creation just look at the order and grace of nature,’ Preacher noted. ‘I am not afraid nor anxious, we will shelter from the confusion. Perfect peace is God’s plan,’ Preacher said.

‘Come in my friend I have not forgotten you, I have a sense of place and hope for your anxious mind,’ Preacher said.

‘A leprechaun is a diminutive supernatural being in Irish folklore, classed by some as a type of fairy. They are usually depicted as little bearded men wearing coats and hats who partake in mischief. Wikipedia

‘Goodness who was that that ran by, Jane said with amazement. ‘It was a little person dressed in green,’ Jane added. ‘He had a red beard and threw me a gold coin as he passed laughing merrily,’ Jane giggled with delight…

‘Why that is Shamus our house Leprechaun,’ Chet said. ‘Shamus gets up early on St. Patrick’s Day he has a lot of stops to make,’ Chet winked. ‘Shamus visits several pubs a Guinness that he drinks ‘Down In One’ and then he guesses the weight of both women and men…he always guesses the lady’s weight much less than it appears for which they reward him with a big kiss,’ Chet laughed.

‘Shamus gave me a four-leaf clover after midnight,’ Billy B said. ‘He told me to wish for anything that I wanted today and he would grant the request,’ Billy B continued. ‘Shamus said that Harper would be by later today with the booty of gold,’ Billy B danced the Irish Jig.

‘Sure and begorrah I loved JFK he had the heart of an Irishman,’ Shamus said. ‘We visited often and he was a lusty devil but a fine leader,’ Shamus winked. ‘Joe Biden was a man of his word and loved we Leprechauns,’ Shamus said. ‘Joe promised help for Ireland and he delivered,’ Shamus noted as he line Danced with Harper. ‘Now Trump told me to visit him today and he would have a pot full of Gold for me in the Oval Office…when I went to retrieve it there was a gold-colored pot with gold-colored sneakers inside,’ Shamus frowned.

‘Sure and begorrah the President has a bit of the Irish in him as he tricked a Leprechaun from the old school,’ Shamus noted. ‘Tomorrow when he wakes up with my Yule Brenner haircut…he will understand that it is not good to fool Shamus…

The temperature has dropped in Little Egypt, which is Common for this time of year. Many have the sniffles. Health is a moving target. One eye is on emerging buds, and the other is on late snow. Life is quiet. Pleasures are small with a world of wonder inside them. We live on a little blue orb. When we star gaze, we time travel. Much of what we see has ceased to exist.

The ant is industrious. He lives in a colony. Humans do not enter his mind. He cares about the other ants. They work as a team. We are moving monoliths.

‘Let’s go to the Sunday Matinee at the Orpheum Theatre,’ Chet said. ‘The original Frankenstein is playing,’ Chet added. ‘Sundays are quiet at the Theatre with everyone out enjoying their last weekend day,’ Chet observed.

‘You know I feel like I am part of the Theatre on Sunday,’ Billy B told Chet. I am in another world of Frankenstein, Dracula, and Barberella, Billy B laughed. ‘Lost in John Wayne’s world and Moses parting the red sea,’ Billy B winked.

‘Often I feel lost in Eldorado,’ Jane said. ‘It has a lot of people and stores and the most lovely Christmas decorations along Locust Street,’ Jane happily said. ‘I am so small and the world is so big,’ Jane mused.

‘I love to watch the humans, they are interesting with their manic actions,’ Sam said with wide-eyed wonder. ‘They sit in buildings all day and watch movies at the Orpheum on Sundays,’ Sam said thoughtfully. ‘I wonder why they need additional input in their lives,’ Sam asked?

‘They take off much of their clothing and enjoy the Sun burning their flesh in the summer, then they cook their animals and eat them with barbecue sauce,’ Dave observed. ‘When they die their loved ones put them in a nice box and shut the lid and seal it…then bury them in the ground with a sculpted rock adorning the spot,’ Dave said with a wink. ‘They seem illogical but sweet,’ Dave said with a sigh.

‘Put it in drive and let’s head home…Alpha Centari is a long way and I told Marge I would be home for dinner,’ Sam said…