Home stirs up a plethora of memories. The luxurious taste of Bacon Lettuce and Tomato sandwiches. The happy look on Neva J’s face when I returned from school each day. The secure thoughts I had when I listened to the Joey Bishop show as I dutifully lay on my bed to obey the arbitrary bedtime set by my stepfather. How the water felt in July while swimming at Pounds Hollow. The comfort of Christianity I experienced as a roadmap for life.

We endeavor to recreate home. We know it when we feel it. Home gives us our sense of place. Life is optimal when we are home.

I love the song ‘The Green Grass Of Home’ with the lyrics, ‘The old hometown looks the same as I step down from the train, and there to meet me is my Mama and Papa. Down the road, I look and there comes Mary hair of gold and lips like cherries. It is good to touch the green, green grass of home.’

The song is about a condemned prisoner who longs for the green grass of home. He remembers it as he will be buried there.

We thought of Home yesterday as we celebrated the 4th of July. We have a passionate stake in the continued success of our Home. Countless of our brothers sisters moms dads and children lay beneath the green grass of our land. We are inextricable from our Home.

I hear Uncle Merle laughing his jovial laugh. I see Dad teaching me how to ride a tricycle. MJ Jonathon Aaron and I proudly look at the old photo of the CCC Camp with my father-in-law Beryl and Uncle Merle before they fought in World War II. Dad fought in the Pacific. He wore a motorcycle hat and a leather jacket and carried a concealed weapon when we lived in Chicago. He rode a Harley. Neva J and I rode with him with me sitting in the middle between them. Neva J’s family called Dad Junior. They loved Junior. He was a hero to them. Uncle Bill would smile from ear to ear when he saw Junior as he worked his tongue in and out of the gap in his front teeth.

No one need tell me about the importance of the 4th of July…I lived it for 66 years.

At times a smell or phrase brings us Home. Life is full of challenges but has many rich experiences that form our sense of self. From time to time I read a passage of scripture in the service at our church on Sunday. The Bible is Home for me. When I read a passage I am the boy sitting by the coal/wood stove in our kitchen in Eldorado. It was so hot in the kitchen that the pages curled on my Bible. The fascinating stories captivated my imagination.

When I read scripture…I am Home…

‘Did Earl really buy firecrackers in Missouri,’ Chet asked? ‘I hope the police do not catch us when we fire them up,’ he continued with a look of anticipation. ‘What about Roman Candles did he get some of those and some Cherry Bombs also,’ Chet asked?

‘Well he bought $50 of fireworks and is as excited as a kid,’ Neva J said. ‘He even brought home some snakes and sprinklers,’ she added. ‘I think he hopes to recreate the War For Independence,’ she laughed.

‘We will set up the display in the backyard and stage the show beginning with the smaller light displays first and ending with the coup de grace,’ said Billy B with animation. ‘I have invited Dennis and Lanny,’ he continued. ‘Earl asked ‘Big Un’ to come,’ Billy B said.

‘Look at the brilliant lights in the sky,’ Neva J exclaimed!

‘I feel like dancing,’ Big Un proclaimed!

‘Who is that coming over the hill,’ Chet asked. ‘It is so dark that I can not make out their clothing but I do see the glint of steel they are carrying,’ said Chet.

‘I have been hit,’ Big Un said as he fell.

‘They have red coats on,’ Neva J observed. ‘The gunpowder smoke is making breathing difficult,’ she coughed.

‘Halt by order of the King,’ the man with the red coat announced. ‘King George III says to put down your arms and proclaim allegiance to him,’ Redcoat proclaimed!

‘We do not owe allegiance to the King…we are a Freeland,’ Billy B announced!

‘Not anymore,’ Redcoat replied…

Mylo wants out of his playpen at 5:00 A.m.: sharp. At first, I thought it was a small burden but now I look forward to it. I open his door and make the coffee for Jonathon and me and he soon joins me on the couch where he quickly goes back to sleep. From 5:30 until 6:00 I watch The Flintstones and pursue my email; 6:00 I watch Me TV’s Toon In With Me, an antique cartoon show. This morning Bill, who is one of the two hosts discussed the Mandela Effect between vintage cartoons.

Bill asked if the audience remembered the beginning of Disney movies having an opening depicting Tinker Bell flying over the Disney Logo and taping her magic wand whereupon magic dust appeared showering the logo. Then he noted that is a false memory held by countless thousands of people. This attestation caught my interest as I remember seeing what apparently did not happen…

Bill went on to say that many people recall watching the funeral of Nelson Mandela years before he died. Another misremembered memory is the children’s book The Berenstein Bears which was never The Berenstein Bears but rather The Bearenstain Bears. MJ and I both remember Tinker Bell spreading her pixy dust over the Disney Logo and the Berenstein Bears as does the actor George Takei of Star Trek fame.

Other instances of mass false memories are the Lindbergh Baby never being found when in fact the remains were and the death of Billy Graham before he died.

Why do thousands and indeed millions share in a false memory? Theories abound including a glitch in the matrix based on the theory that some scientists believe we live in a computer program that malfunctions periodically. Or are there alternate universes and they bleed over into each other?

Are we participants in Group Think or a Hive Mentality? Have we all made the same mistake in memory when our false memories agree over humanity?

The 4th of July was a mile marker for the summer holiday when I was young. June was a distant memory and school stood in the road of fun like a monolith. July warned that if you are going to do something special for your school report ‘What I Did During My Summer Vacation’ you had better get to it.

‘I am so excited about the 4th,’ Jane said with glee! ‘We are going to SIU and see the massive fireworks display,’ she added. ‘I hear that their fireworks are as good as Washington D.C.,’ Jane said.

‘You know President Kennedy will be there to speak,’ Chet said. ‘The Cuban Missle Crisis has changed him he is looking for a way to get out of Vietnam,’ Chet continued. ‘Kennedy is a war hero and understands the devastation of battle,’ he said solemnly.

‘Many politicians love a war and the opportunity to exert their perceived power,’ said Billy B. ‘I never trusted Nixon, and Neva J says that he has a character deficit,’ he continued. ‘Neva J had a dream where Kennedy was assassinated and Lyndon Johnson became President engulfing the country in thousands of lives lost in Vietnam,’ Billy B said quietly.

‘What would have happened if the Supreme Court ruling regarding the President of the United States having unlimited immunity for his official acts had been former Presidents Johnson and Nixon,’ asked Chet? ‘What if they attempted to have limited Nuclear War…and succeded,’ Chet continued. ‘Nixon could have laughed off Watergate and chalked up his crimes to official Presidential business,’ Chet said with a tear in his eye.

‘I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.’ Jane said. ‘How can we have ‘Liberty and Justice For All, when our President is above the law that governs the rest of us,’ Jane said as the group of friends remembered their youth…

Today the Supreme Court said that a President of the United States has full immunity in performing his official duties. They noted that the former Presidents’ attempt to overthrow the 2020 election by attempting to influence the Justice Department was a part of those official duties. They said he is presumed immune until a study proves his actions were personal, not official. I am not concerned about the former President I am concerned about any President given the set-apart status of being above the law…

We left England to escape being ruled by a king and we are returning to that model. Former President Nixon told interviewer David Frost in the 70s that when a President does something it is the law. Folks who like the politics of any current President feel secure that their President will certainly do nothing untoward. Democrats and Republicans are human. Power corrupts and ultimate power corrupts ultimately…

Becoming enamored with a personality is folly. The Rule Of Law has enabled us to keep this perspective. Now the President is above the law…

Nero was immune how did that work out? Hitler was immune how did that work out.

We may think that we have seen the worst…we may just be getting started. Avarice and depravity know no limits…

Well, never let it be said that I do not plan ahead. MJ has ordered a new laptop computer and now I want a new one. Apple Laptops are decreasing in price and I want to strike while the iron is hot. Quick calculations have revealed that with MJ Aaron and Jonathon’s birthday and Christmas gifts to me in October and December I will have enough to buy the Precious…

I will soon be retired 14 years and have blogged nearly every day since 2014. I am also writing a story with my brother Brock that is fun! I am an aficionado of laptops Ipads and Iphones. When I was still working I marvelled at colleagues who had laptops. It seemed like the cartoon of my youth The Jetsons.

I am in the ‘Ber Months’ as soon as July arrives. Certain quirky things boost my morale. Maine in October my birthday at Bartolinos in St. Louis then the big Kahuna Christmas. When I retired my retirement gifts were the first-generation iPad and big screen Macintosh desk computer. I do not ride a motorcycle nor have a boat but I like computers.

As I sit on the Writing Porch I know I am pursuing my passion for writing. If I am not writing I am thinking about it. I used to hear writers speak of characters in their stories doing unexpected things in the narrative. I did not understand what they were talking about…now I do.

Could it be that I am a character in another writer’s story? Although it took me a long time to become dedicated to writing is the plot progressing as now I think of little else? I was a movie connoisseur for the first year or two of my early retirement but now it has fallen away to writing.

Speaking of writing machines I was fascinated with an old Royal typewriter Neva J had when I was a youngster. I pondered how pleasant it would be to write my novels on the ancient machine. Then came the invention of the Word Processor. MJ and I purchased one at Montgomery Ward for $600. No more whiteout when the incorrect key was struck. Mrs. Barton and Mr. Feazel encouraged me in high school to write. Dr. Burns at college. It may not be that good but it is mine and I am proud of it.

I love coming up with concepts and thoughts that I have read nowhere before. Originality is paramount in the writing craft. Writing today has proven that there are new themes and thoughts to share.

How did the authors of our Constitution feel as they penned the bedrock document of our nation? What did the disciple John think as visions swirled about him as he wrote the Book Of Revelations? Written words have power. They command our attention. Since Guttenbugh invented the printing press we have paid close attention to the ink and paper before us…

‘I have the answer to all of your problems, follow me for more information,’ Elixir Salesman said. ‘I have been a success in every country in the world and have healed countless people of everything from ingrown toenails to cancer,’ Elixir Salesman continued. ‘Do not listen to anyone but me as they tell you nothing but lies,’ ES proclaimed!

‘Let us go backstage and see what Elixir Salesman does between shows,’ Jane suggested. ‘I think he could sell ice cream to Eskimos,’ she continued. ‘I hear another show behind the stage,’ she continued.

‘I hear the distinct sounds of the Snake Charmer flute,’ Chet said. ‘Look there is the Swami and the snake is just emerging from the giant basket,’ Chet said in awe. ‘My goodness the snake has the head of the Elixir Salesman and he is smiling,’ Chet marveled.

‘Wisdom is know of her children,’ Ancient Wiseman said. ‘I have lived long and now I am old but, ‘I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging for bread,’ Ancient Wiseman said. ‘By my long life I see the danger that is coming around the corner,’ AW said with a smile and wink.

‘We enjoy the Production Pagentry and a Whodunit,’ Throng said. ‘We have drank the Elixir and see the light,’ Throng announced passionately. ‘Elixir Salesman told us that Elixr takes a while to work to be patient,’ Throng continued. ‘He told us to not listen to Ancient Wiseman…too old…too slow…stutters,’ Throng rejoiced.

‘Yesss,’ said Snake as he watched from afar…

‘I can not believe we will see Santa Claus in July,’ Billy B said. ‘He sent me a note and said he would pick us up in front of the Orpheum Theatre this afternoon,’ he continued. ‘He said that he wants to talk about Christmas and its meaning,’ explained Billy B.

‘We need to pack our winter clothes as it is cold at the North Pole,’ Jane advised. ‘I am looking forward to some hot chocolate and Christmas cookies,’ she said. ‘I thought Santa spent his summers in Florida’ Jane said with a puzzled look.

‘I may be wrong but wasn’t Santa Workshop festooned with red and green candy canes the last time we visited,’ Chet asked? ‘I do not recall the broken dolls and rusty tricycles,’ he noted. ‘There are bags of birch rods at both sides of the front door,’ Chet grimaced.

‘Come in my friends,’ The Assistant said as his unusually long tongue rolled out of his mouth. ‘Santa has been waiting to talk with you,’ SA said as a foot and a cloven hove showed beneath his holiday regalia. ‘You will excuse me as I have not had my morning coffee yet,’ SA bleated…

‘What do you need of us sir and where is Santa,’ Neva J inquired? ‘We waited by the Theatre and suddenly the sky turned dark and the wind began to howl,’ she continued. ‘We saw a vision of destitution hunger and want,’ then the sky cleared and we are here but no Santa,’ Neva J stated emphatically!

‘Well that is the problem Santa wanted me to speak to you about helping him promote the love of Christmas to aid in the message of evil coming from politics,’ SA said. ‘You see although I am not as adorable as St. Nick I am his assistant and we have ridden on the sleigh together for centuries,’ SA continued. ‘I can promise birch branches and a good swat for every politician who lies this year,’ SA said with a sly grin and determined stare…

‘Santa is not playing around this year,’ Chet noted as they once again stood in front of the Orpheum. ‘I wonder if Santa knew of our visit with SA,’ Chet mused.

‘Ho Ho Ho…Merry Christmas in July,’ Santa said as he exited the Theatre. ‘I thought that we were going to watch It’s A Wonderful Life what a great Jimmy Stewart movie,’ Santa continued as he smoked his pipe and the smoke encircled his head like a wreath. ‘Has anyone seen a man that looks like a goat around here, he is my assistant and he went to park the sleigh,’ Santa chortled and winked…

The temperature has dropped and I feel Cool and Chill today. It is a good feeling. Often I forget how laid-back life can be if I do not take myself too seriously. As the author Erma Bombeck wrote, ‘If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing In The Pits?’

Throughout my working life, I did not know how stressed I was. With one eye on protecting my colleagues and the other on producing excellent work products the job never left my mind. Assumptions have ruined many good people. We fret and fear that others may not like us or misunderstand us when it is likely that we have not entered their mind.

MJ and I were in Lowe’s this morning. The gentleman who waited on us was friendly and thorough. He took his job seriously. He mentioned that I had a Southern accent. He said that my voice was pleasant. I like hearing such compliments as I have always feared that my voice sounds cartoonish.

A black dog with a grey muzzle was in my place at the Woods today. She was lying on a picnic table with a roof overhead to shelter her from the rain. She barked as I approached as if to say, ‘Find your own shelter.’ I thought live and let live and found my seat outside the shelter.

We are preparing to have some staining and painting done. The lady who came to estimate the project was friendly and efficient. Her demeanor caused us to go with her quote because we trust her. A lesson when hiring folks to do customer service.

I recall Elizabeth from many years ago at the Kentucky Oaks Mall. She had such a way of describing the Gnome Statues made by the Artist Tom Clark that she brought them to life. Once Elizabeth told her story about each Gnome they seemed to jump to life and say buy me and make me a part of your family…

At Southern Illinois University our Custodial colleagues captured the hearts of the community we served. We took our student workers to lunch and had them to our homes for holidays. Chancellors and Presidents mentioned us as examples of the epitome of love for our University and dedication to its success.

Life looks different when you look at it calmly and with an eye for miracles. They are around every corner. They are in front of us. Guardian Angels watch us while we sleep. The hairs on our head are numbered and I have less to count. We seek the Creator. We take our place in the greatest drama of the ages. The frogs croak on the pond in the woods. All is right with the world…

As we departed our church fellowship hall this past Sunday MJ and I encountered an African American man in a wheelchair. He had one leg with the pant leg tied at the knee. We passed and spoke to him whereupon he asked if I had 50 cents for him to go to a local store and buy some baloney. I gave him more than his request and wondered what store sold baloney for 50 cents. I have been asked for money but never 50 cents. When I gave him some money he rolled out the door and towards the market.

The degradation of poverty is real. I have often thought that a dollar is a lot of money when you do not have one. What goes on in the mind of a hungry person? How does it feel to be so hungry that 50 cents is a big ask?

Proud we are that we have worked hard and succeeded in our capitalist society. We pulled ourselves up by our bootstraps and discovered the blessings of America. Some faiths teach that to serve God is to become wealthy. That train does not stop at all stations.

When I was growing up I knew a lot of poor people. I was one. I wore shoes year-round but the kids the next street over saved their shoes for school and church. For a significant time after I moved out on my own, I survived on sparse rations and my clothes hung from my frame. I was working 12 – 16 hours per day. I understood the meaning of 50 cents.

When our land is beset by economic travail we seek the poorest among us to blame for the dilemma. If it was not for the fruit pickers we would have more. Have you ever picked fruit for a living?

Not long ago a couple of men got out of their pick-up truck and began to retrieve the rubbish from the trash cans. I greeted one and he stared at me. I have emptied rubbish for a living and some stared at me rather than speak.

Not everyone who extends a needy hand is a con. Many live in Dante’s Inferno while we live in Heaven on Earth…