The sky is full of splendor today. I did not know how much I missed the Sun until it was gone. Snow is coming tonight, much like life.

Jennifer and Lee joined us for the Super Bowl last evening. They made it like Christmas in February! Jennifer, Lee, and Annelise are a sweet trio. Their presence lights up a room!

I received a lovely comment regarding my recent blog The Ark. Our Ark of safety is our Earth. We are all in this together. There is no need to fight and feud with our fellow travelers.

We search for a Wise Man. We look for a Seer. Someone to worship. Forever disappointed and afraid. Humans fall short of human expectations. We cheer for our performers our Stars…our icons in the flesh until they fall out of favor…then we Boo…they have ceased to follow the Party Line…the approved text.

Our Ark knows no political division. The Sun is brilliant. The sky is azure blue. We occupants of the many cabins on board are sorely disenchanted with our accommodations. Some cabins are too small while others do not have a Balcony View. There are Cruisers on our deck that do not look like we do. Some people speak a different language. We saw a man holding hands with a man. Many pray differently than we do. Some do not pray…

The highest rank a leader can have is Servant. Servant Leadership is rare. Bluster and Bullying hide a lack of skill. Mean words create mean people. The coarsening of political rhetoric leads to our mutual destruction. It is possible to Bastardize democracy. We create many clouds hiding the Sun. We forget what matter of man and woman we are…

I was out among them today. Three stores and a visit with my friend Jim. Hustle and bustle wondering if more snow is coming our way. Gray skies and misty rain. Often the weather in Southern Illinois. Also, there is more wind than I remember as a youth. I purchased a Valentine’s Day card for MJ and the gentleman checking me out said I am one of the few men that buys their Valentine’s Day card before February 14th. I told him I had learned from being married for nearly 47 years. He said my comment was priceless…

We are all a part of something. We are home somewhere. We are known in the congregation. It is good to be the king and queen of our castle. Problems concerns and hopes are much alike. People are not so different. Media would have us believe that some of us are from Mars and some from Venus…we all live on Earth. More unites us than divides us.

Conspiracy Theories divide us. Paronia comes from the Conspiracy Theories. Us and Them is how humanity is portrayed. Many churches base their doctrine on exclusivity. Most will drown in the flood but we are on the Ark. The Ark is the Earth…we are all on it…

We are like the man who looked upon his mirror reflection and then forgot his visage. Later he kills his brother…blinded to his family…

Snow is forecast for next week. It is winter. Mr. Groundhog told us what to expect. The hints of spring must yield to winter. But time is drawing nigh.

The reality of the moment was compelling. There were family and friends, and Grandma, who had been dead for many years. She was in the pink, drinking Merlot and laughing. Earl announced Mimo’s Pizza had arrived. Aaron was toddling around Granma’s Eldorado home with the basketball larger than him that Earl had gotten for him because he pointed at it. In walked Uncle Gene saying, ‘Get the point…Get the point,’ he wore a beanie with a propeller on his head. Uncle Gene wore a pink ballerina dress with ballet shoes on his large feet. We were in the car outrunning a tornado. Cheetah sat humbly in the car seat as Earl drove frantically zigzagging to outwit the twister. President Kennedy stood in the middle of the stormy road and advised that we had better turn back…he said he had told Rosemary the same thing.

Dreams are real to our sleeping selves. If you do not think so check your heart rate upon awakening. Once a pastor told me that soon I would have a new car. I laughed as I had nothing and did good to keep body and soul together. A month later I purchased a new LTD.

‘Is the dream the real reality,’ Chet asked? ‘Dad told me that he was going on a journey and that I would be the man of the house…he cautioned me to take care of mom and water his garden…I then woke up to find he had died during the night,’ Chet said sadly. ‘Remember when we visited the future and saw our adult selves…old and arthritic,’ Chet asked? ‘Was that reality or is this,’ Chet said.

‘It was the near future…the United States was diminished…authoritarianism ruled,’ Billy B said. ‘People lived in enclaves with others of similar beliefs and ethnicity…guns were everywhere people carried them in their pockets and slung over their shoulders,’ Billy B noted. ‘Russia China and North Korea became our allies…NATO lay in ruins from neglect…the Gaza War had been going on for years with the United States a key player,’ Billy B said sadly. ‘I had this dream in 1965…it is now waking reality,’ Billy B said questioningly…

Love makes the world go around. The Valentine’s Day cards are on the shelves. Cupid is sharpening his arrows. His quiver is full. Holidays help us through the rough times. We need them regularly.

Paradoxically, we Baby Boomers have grown old. Full of life and ready for any challenge, we are now often in the cheap seats watching the circus.

‘I gave Jane a Valentine’s card,’ said Chet. ‘I hope she receives it warmly, Chet continued. ‘She lights up my life,’ Chet exulted!

‘I saw several envelopes containing V Cards on her desk when we went to lunch…she is popular,’ Billy B noted. ‘I heard she is dating the Basketball Team Captain,’ Billy B advised. ‘You know the girls like the Jocks,’ Billy B smirked.

‘Chet your Valentine’s Card was a pleasant surprise,’ Jane said with an angelic smile. ‘I have always admired you and your quick wit and kind demeanor,’ Jane said. ‘I never thought you might like me as well,’ Jane said with wide-eyed excitement.

‘Love is a splendid thing,’ Neva J laughed. ‘It makes your heart do flips and your breathing gets erratic…stars get in your eyes,’ Neva J explained. ‘When I was 16 and working in the Shoe Factory I set my eyes on Billy B’s Dad,’ Neva J recounted. ‘He went off to fight in the Pacific during WW II and when he returned we married,’ Neva J said with tears in her eyes. ‘He was my whole world,’ Neva J said softly.

‘I am excited to be with you at the Valentine’s Day Dance,’ Jane said to Chet. ‘Do you Dance,’ she asked?

‘I have been taking lessons…may I have this dance,’ Chet asked?

Winter is moving along briskly. Hope rises in our spirits like sap in the trees. 2025 is our year! I am watching a documentary on Netflix released in 2025, and I thought, how could that be? It is due to the natural fact that we are moving forward. I purchased some Porter Beer and was happy to find it. It is not available in the warmer months.

Each day is new. Our part informs decisions. We are like early spring flowers…we will bloom soon. Happiness is within our grasp if we will reach for it. Peace with purpose surrounds us. No shackles bind us or hold us down. Mental barriers can be overcome. People of renown came into their own late in life. Old Age is somewhat mental. We are as old as societal norms tell us we are. Shatter those norms!

Separation from media is a good thing. We all do not dance when we drink Pepsi. Real Life is simpler and in line with our circumstances. Our reflections of reality can be seen in the eyes of our family and friends, not the reflections of Facebook.

Political leaders do not define us. I enjoy watching Veep with Julia Louis Dreyfus…Elaine in Seinfeld days. She commented to her Chief of Staff that if the voters really knew the truth that she did not care for them and that it was doubtful she would pass legislation that would meaningfully impact them in any way…they probably would not vote. That is the political reality in the United States.

Incredibly, we become immersed in political leaders and politicians. Many of them would not pee on us if our guts were on fire…

It was 71 degrees in Little Egypt, a record-breaker. The last record for February 3rd was 70 degrees in 1931. This time last month it was bitter cold. It pays to have several thicknesses of clothing.

We engage in rational irrationality. We tell ourselves that drinking is good for us. Eating is a pleasure we deserve no matter our weight. We will live forever…

Churches tell their congregants that hate is good and no one belongs in the USA except real Americans. Their definition of real Americans is Americans who look and act like them. Politicans proclaim the sovereignty of the Executive…the President. A King is the answer in the mold of King David of the Old Testament. Whatever he decides on the spur of the moment is right because God sent him to us as a savior. Christ taught us to love the poor, marginalized, and forgotten. The New King’s Doctrine is more fun and exercises our pent-up fears and prejudice.

I am listening to Annie Jacoben’s book Nuclear War for the 4th time. The term Rational Irrationality is a Nuclear War term. The idea is that when nuclear warheads are fired at the United States we return the same amount or more resulting in a Nuclear Holocaust. No one wins because no one is left…

We say that the tragedy of January 6 was peaceful tourists visiting the Capitol. Police were attacked with numerous grievous injuries and death was not important. The attackers deserve clemency for the misdeed of jailing for their crimes. What is right is what serves the New King. Dissent will not be tolerated…

‘It is a lovely day for February the 2nd, Auggie said. ‘A capitol day for Mr. Groundhog to give us his prognostication,’ Auggie continued. ‘I heard from Matilda that he is in high spirits and ready for this year’s verdict,’ Auggie exclaimed!

‘He is a seer of seers and the prognosticators of prognosticators,’ Abigail certified. ‘I heard from Seymore that Mr. GH was out late last night drinking Grog at his favorite pub,’ Abigaile told the assembled group. ‘The Old Gentleman said that he was getting too elderly for such an annual assignment and looking for a replacement,’ Abigail said with a wink.

‘So is the Old Gentleman in fine fettle or suffering from a hangover…it could affect the weather forecast,’ Bill Murray asked? ‘I have been working with him for one Continuous Day and he has trust issues,’ BM said with a dour look.

‘I have some problems with you people and you are not leaving until I tell you about them…six more weeks of winter for the lot of you,’ GH said with a wicked smile. ‘You have been going behind my back to a meteorologist for your weather,’ GH accused. ‘I give my forecast each Groundhog Day then you seek other sources to verify my pronouncement,’ GH looked on feelings hurting.

‘Theodore I will take the job of Groundhog Day and you can be my chief meteorologist,’ Bill Murray said. ‘On all my weather forecasts I will mention your profound wisdom…and our television station will sell stuffed Groundhogs for kids and kids at heart,’ Bill Murray continued. ‘You can live at my house instead of your Den…we will have Grog each night and laugh at our experiences in Weather Forecasting,’ BM said with a laugh.

‘Will you teach me to play piano like you,’ GH asked BM? ‘I love to dance…will anyone dance with me on my special day,’ GH asked longingly?

Today, the hills were almost alive with the sound of music. Sunshine and moderate temperatures brought many winter tourists to the woods. The simplicity of a flowing stream is lovely. Nature runs on its own clock, and we respond to its rhythms.

We seek the Sun. It brightens our mood. It lifts our spirits. The Sun’s rays warm us and give us purpose. Mossy grass greeted me at the stream edge. Soft like velvet and smiling at the light.

Life brings many surprises. We can not see the future. If we could the lottery would go broke. Joy and sorrow walk hand in hand. They accompany us back to our home. Voices call out to beware of this group or that person when the true danger is the voices calling out. We are malleable. Clay that never hardened. Our form morphs with experience. Laugh lines and crow’s feet…happy and dour we travel through the years. Years flash by like months and months like days.

Fable is nice warm and cozy. Our days are filled with the stories of others designed to placate our minds and make the time fly. Leaders rise up to add to our preferred stories. Stories of how we have been done wrong and who is at fault for our problems. Always popular including in the time of Christ when stoning was a pastime.

Trust issues plague us. One political leader arises and tells us not to worry we are fine and included and loved. The next shuns us and calls us evil…jails us for seeking justice…redefines justice according to his Doctrine…

We are hoisted by our own petard. The bomb we fashion blows us up in the process.

We wait for Godot. While we ponder the meaning of life others define its meaning for us. Later we sadly discover they did not know more than we did. They had ulterior motives…

The Red King looked out on his domain. He whispered in the ears of many people, telling them what they wanted to hear. Once he had visited a person they were never the same.

‘I saw him yesterday lurking in the road…when he saw me looking at him he smiled a wicked grin,’ He said. ‘He had a train of people following him with glassy eyes and slow of step,’ He continued. ‘His face was a semblance of human but not,’ He noted.

‘Mass firings are happening,’ She said with fear. ‘People who have prosecuted evil-doers are now being purged for their legal efforts. ‘Police were hurt and beaten with batons…killed traumatized…now are free,’ She whispered.

‘Listen only to me…I have the answers…I will take care of mine…be mine,’ Red King whispered in the ears of many. ‘We will dance together, ‘Red King smiled and winked. ‘All but me are wrong…fake news…Deep State,’ Red King laughed.

‘Red King stopped Medicaid…I voted for him…he cut my benefits…Mom has no other insurance she is on Kidney Dialysis…they told her not to come in due to lack of funds,’ He said. ‘My brother is told to quit or be fired…he is a federal civil service employee,’ He noted. ‘Civil Service Rules are being cavalierly violated by the Red King,’ He proclaimed!

‘Transexual folks are being shunned and marginalized by Red King…they are not recognized by his government…they need understanding not persecution,’ She said. ‘Black History Month has been abolished in Federal agencies,’ She continued. ‘Red King said yesterday that it was Diversity Equity Inclusion that was responsible for a plane crash…he said we must have our best in these jobs…does he mean white people.’ She asked with tears in her eyes?

‘Listen to me I have the answers… let’s dance while the fire burns,’ Red King admonished…

Rain is falling. My kind of weather. Much better than frozen rain. This month has been a real winter month. I recently talked with some workmen and understood the reality of dancing on a razor’s edge. Friendly helpful people who live close to the economic edge. One told me he had no heat in his home since the Ice Storm. The pain of hard living had lined his young face. He scurried up a tall ladder with no fear as did his colleague. He was a great communicator. I looked for people like him when I was Superintendent. I wanted to hire people who would appreciate the career they had been afforded.

Our country is full of people who dance on the razor’s edge. We cast the blame for our condition on the poor… immigrants and those who are different than us. Hardworking poor people were my neighbors and friends growing up in Eldorado. The kindest souls were those with little and shared what they had. Forgotten people. Referred to as people who have no voice but they do not expect anyone to hear their voice should they speak.

Working poor ask little. They were raised to not expect to receive something for nothing. Poor people work more than one job to make ends meet. The government is for someone else. It does not do anything for them. They are not connected to who is President or Senator.

Churches do not know the poor. When they enter the gates of the Temple it is difficult for them to find a friendly face. Their clothes are rough. Their demeanor is hardscrabble. The poor are searching for the Jesus who loves the little children…all the little children of the world.

Poor people revere the educated. Higher education was for those who had the means. Education is for the smart of the land…not the ditch diggers.

Politicians speak to the poor at election time. They promise them a leg-up and opportunity. After the election, the promises are forgotten. This happens on both sides of the aisle. So many do not register on the people to care about meter. A lot of us drive old vehicles held together by prayer and twine. My uncle Gene ate beans as his primary protein he had no money for better fare. Grandma A trusted in her Bible and the minister in her church. Why not…the American Experiment was not working for them.

I love the poor…I see myself. My Director Phil told me when I was working that he understood why I relied so much on my own devices to succeed. He was more right than I like to admit. I believe in my Guardian Angel. I have always been the fellow looking in the window at the celebration…