So, I was musing on a good Halloween story when it dawned on me that I experienced one last year in Maine. We were there with Marcy and Brock. Staying in a home built before the Civil War, the chilling ambiance was ideal. This was our third of four Maine Holidays in a row. We were pumped, as the kids say. Arriving in the evening after dinner at Taste of Maine, MJ and I were the first to enter the ancient dwelling. To get to the Civil War House we drove down a winding road that was easy to miss. Hello…Hello, I distinctly heard. Then I heard MJ responding Hello…Hello. The first Hello did not respond. Then I called out Hello…Hello…Hello and MJ answered Hi. Where was the Property Manager I thought…that must be who was calling out to us…probably here to greet us as the new guests.

Silence.

The Civil War House had a strange basement. If you were not too tall, a trapdoor led to it. I was too tall.

There was no air conditioner. The doors did not lock properly. We opened all of the windows. As the eagle cried out from its nest on the river. We spoke of ghosts and ‘Hello.’

There were pictures throughout the Civil War House. You could see the kids grow from children and be photographed with their children. The Matriarch and Patriarch grew older. I counted 40 coffee cups with family names inscribed on them. The paintings aligning the walls looked on.

The disembodied Hello could not be found. It was with us during our stay. Just around the corner or perhaps in the basement…

There are two ways to walk the journey back to Jerusalem. Unconfident or Confident. We are both. At times we roar like a lion and then purr like a kitten. Mylo’s moods change throughout the day. He is bright eyed and bushy tailed in the morning and grumpy in the evening. Up for play and adventure during the day and bristling at touch in the evening before bedtime. I heard Jerry Seinfeld say that before he gets out of bed in the morning he feels unconfident that he is up to the challenge of the day. When he arises and begins to move about his confidence returns.

Life requires get up and go even when our get up and go has got up and went.

‘I hate to speak in front of an audience,’ Billy B said to Chet. ‘My hands sweat and I feel queasy,’ Billy B continued. ‘Speech class is not a good place for a person like me,’ Billy B mused.

Just get up in front of the class and forget that there are people watching you,’ Chet advised. ‘Pretend they are monkeys in a zoo and that you are the zookeeper,’ Chet laughed. ‘Once you begin your speech the joy of the story will flow,’ he winked.

‘I could not believe my good fortune,’ Billy B told Jane. ‘As I began to speak it was as if someone else took over and I became energized by the positive feedback from the class,’ Billy B exulted! ‘My fears scattered,’ he smiled.

‘Confidence makes the difference,’ Chet laughed. ‘Believe you can do it and it will be done,’ he continued. ‘Nothing succeeds like success,’ Chet proclaimed!

It is fall weather today and cooler tomorrow according to the forecast. I love it! In Maine, I told Margo that I had been writing almost daily due to her inspiration. She mentioned my little characters. I did not realize she had been reading my blog.

So Maine causes me to write. Everything causes me to write. My years as a daily writer have been happy. Writing is good therapy for introverts.

I heard writers say that characters take on a life of their own. I have found that to be true. I experience writing ideas throughout the day and night. I am like many seniors I sleep in spurts.

Brock and Marcy are coming and I am excited! It is like two Christmases close together. Brock and I have matching tattoos and we look alike. I see our Dad when I see him. Dad was like many of his World War II generation. He fought for his country and then had to negotiate life. The latter was more difficult.

Maine has become part of my soul. It is magical and mystical to me.

Writing expands my vision. Life opens like a kaleidoscope. The possibilities are endless. Hope on steroids.

The future is more exciting than the past. We have just begun. ‘Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for them that love him.’

We live in a small box with high walls and no windows. Our voice resounds off of the walls. An echo chamber. If we kick the walls down, there is so much to see, feel, and comprehend.

Life is vast. It is complex. Understanding is attainable if we look and listen…

Soon I will be 67. I embrace it! At times I wondered if I would see 60. If you are depressed despondent or afraid you have had the plot hidden from you. Joy is the Journey. Hope is the motivation. Love is the guide…

I am prone to philosophy. On our recent visit to Maine Jeff told me that I was a Philosopher when I was a kid. In those days, my pastor told me I had an Old Soul.

As I enjoyed Jeff and Margo’s presence I was whisked back to our youth. Life events look so far away when you are young. Numerous roads to travel. So much time in the hourglass.

MJ Aaron Jonathon and I walked the paths of Mt. Desert Isle in 2009 and enjoyed the lovely breakfast the proprietress fixed us. She had wine for us on Sunday. We sat on the massive front porch. Maine was intriguing. I hoped we could return one day. That was the first of seven journeys to the Granite State.

Emily graced us with her presence again this year. What a lovely person. Kind considerate and a good listener. Emily brightens any room that she enters.

Jeff is a success in business and in life. He cares about others. He helps those he meets. I remember the first time I saw him as he exited the door of the little church we attended and swung on the awning brace…full of energy and the joy of living. He still is full of energy and makes a mean stir fry…

Margo is a compassionate intellectual. She is a joy to be around. I have heard it said that ‘Still waters run deep.’ MJ and Margo’s friendship began when MJ was her typing teacher. Later Margo introduced MJ as her teacher and now her friend.

So we peer into the looking glass of time and we see what manner of man or woman we are. What formed us. How our world molded us. Life seemed to hand us random samplings that we constructed our journey from. Days seemed ordinary but they were extraordinary. Life was routine until we looked behind the veil to discover there was a plan. The journey is long we thought. The path is too short.

Margo, who is from England, reminded me that New England adopted most of their town names from England. Bath is one of our favorites. Last year Brock and I got Lighthouse tattoos at Bath. Bath is fun to visit. They have a great Brewery. We had some delicious pizza. Jonathon bought me a stuffed Beaver commemorating one of our favorite movies Naked Gun.

We set out in search of our mission…Leaf Peeping. Upon being advised that we should travel inland to see the best in leaf splendor we set sail. First to Augusta the capitol of Maine. Jeff bought us a lovely cup of coffee in Augusta. The Barrista was among the friendliest I have met. She told us of places to go and things to do with a refreshing genuineness.

Hallowell was a bit mysterious. A picturesque village with Halloween decorations displayed. It had an old-world air. We were Leaf Peeping and Antiquing. I saw the most delightful Einstein Concrete Sculptor I wish I had purchased. The leaves were beautiful. The peaceful climes of Hallowell were overwhelming.

Maine is a mystery. It is liberal and conservative. My friend at the cigar store loves Maine and says his favorite part of the Granite State is that people leave you alone. At the beginning of our Ghost Tour of Boothbay, the guide mentioned that she had seen me in Wiscasset the day prior. She carried a lantern and wore a red coat. Our guide noted the Kennedy Family had attended church in Boothbay. Her stories were chilling.

The little towns that we visited have a feeling of what you can see with your eyes and the hidden world of the past.

October 10 is a holiday in the Brooks home. Forty-six years ago today I was offered a position at Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale. A job offer that changed our lives. When I found the University I found home. I was in the background and liked it due to my natural introverted proclivity. SIU brought out the best in me although I am still an introvert. Doors of opportunity opened wide for me. When I got the chance to help others I did. I love to offer opportunities to those who have no voice and are forgotten. Southern Illinois University has Opportunity emblazoned over every entrance…if you can see it…

We are back from Maine with our dear friends Margo and Jeff. It was a lovely week of fellowship and fun. Our arrival began with my recounting the story of The Massage. Margo and Jeff were with us ten years ago when it occurred. As I told the story Jeff laughed until he cried. I was reminded of George Costanza in Seinfeld. George contended that he usually had one good line in meetings that captured the attendees’ imagination but that he buried it in gaffs and blunders before the meeting was concluded. Costanza vowed once he delivered the winning line he would leave the meeting and enjoy his witty performance.

Boothbay, Maine has been our destination of choice for our past four visits. It is such an interesting hamlet.

One of the highlights of Boothbay was a Ghost Tour. Our guide was outstanding. I think we saw a ghost or two.

The above photo is of my friend Jeff and me with Jonathon’s reflection in the window pane. We have been friends for over 50 years.

Maine is peaceful and kind. The air is light with hopes and dreams.

When I am in Maine I feel I can do anything. The creative vibe is strong. Time seems seamless. Beginnings and endings meld together.

Happiness…we seek it here we seek it there. It is before us behind us and surrounding us.