A week ago, today, we enjoyed breakfast at the Donut Hole. My first experience with the culinary marvels of the restaurant revolved around their pastries. Ron had brought the sundry delights to us for breakfast, on several occasions. They have a unique and sinfully delicious confection that looks, somewhat, like a horseshoe. The first day of our marathon three day visit to the establishment, Ron pointed out a cinnamon role…that was a large as some peoples head! That morning I partook of the corn beef hash and eggs and hash brown breakfast. But, one week ago today I ordered the eggs Benedict that were carefully placed on two crab cakes that ultimately rested on a english muffin. The crab cakes were to die for!
I must speak more fulsomely regarding the corn beef. It is scrumptious and plentiful. It also is Kosher. Of our three days visitation to the Hole of the Donut…I had the corn beef hash and eggs and hash browns twice. I am ready to return.
So, after a great breakfast, it was time to explore. Ron had mentioned that he wanted to check the Waterford store to see if they had begun their 75% off sale that they had spoke to him about. MJ and I have loved Waterford crystal for over 30 years. For many of those years it was my Christmas tradition to purchase a Waterford piece for MJ. We settled on a stunning lamp…at a fraction of its full price. And, then, we returned to the condo whereupon I returned to my balcony perch. to watch the ocean, and the rest returned to their card game. Not long thereafter I began to hear murmurs about a, fabulous, vase. When I inquired as to whether MJ wanted the vase in question…she said that she was just kidding…but that if she won the card game…we would buy it. She won the game. I am very pleased with both of the unique pieces and our finding them…made my Florida vacation, complete.
A few years ago we visited Waterford, Ireland, and toured the factory where the crystal pieces are manufactured. The tour was fascinating and the craftsmen and women were friendly. I recall our tour guide singing, ‘You take the high road and I will take the low road…,’ her singing was lovely and haunting.
When we Baby Boomers were young, there was a television show called, Mission Impossible, that was about a secret spy organization that worked internationally. The actor, Peter Graves, who lead the team of suave and sophisticated government agents, would listen to a, reel to reel tape recording of the mission of the group…should they choose to accept it, and the tapes would self destroy in a matter of seconds after the message had been heard. We even remember when Leonard Nimoy, Spock, was one of the spies on the show. Of course current audiences are familiar with Mission Impossible due to the multi-million dollar movie franchise, staring Tom Cruise.
A new decade has arrived. I have been retired for 9 years. It seems like yesterday. I remember my boss, Plant and Service Operations Director, Phil Gatton, saying the most complimentary things about me…and my thinking that I would like to meet the person that he was talking about. I had a sketch of a speech, prepared in my mind, to give…but…when Phil finished speaking, it dawned on me that my career was over. For over 32 years I had lived Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale. With my best efforts to stifle the waterworks…I could not help shedding a few tears at the imminent change in my life. I had thought about the University on my holidays and weekends and when I was sick. I had been witness to the Campus at its best…and at its worst. Retirement had seemed like a pipe-dream…and unattainable! Then, like watching an approaching train, from a long distance off, it had arrived, seemingly in a moment. I looked around at life long friends and so many of them had been an encouragement to me. I grieved for the people that I had not been able to help and the initiatives that I had to leave unfinished. I…suddenly….understood that I was traveling…in a day….a journey that had taken decades to develop and fulfill. I understood that Act II had arrived.
I have always believed that one person can change the direction of large organizations. A person that is not afraid to speak truth to power, has unlimited potential. When I was young I was keenly aware that I was one of, ‘the little people,’ but I discovered that we little people make up the world. There is a false construct to the hierarchal structure of society. Rosa Parks decided that she was going to sit at the front of the bus….and changed history!
We had a lovely New Years Eve dinner, last evening, at Kokopelli restaurant in Marion. As I sat and enjoyed the delicious cuisine and the beautiful surroundings I reflected on the grace of God that my family and I have enjoyed for many years. I have not merited it…nor do I deserve it.
Jonathon and I had a New Years Day walk around Campus Lake. There were numerous people on the same journey. It is over 50 degrees and the sun is shinning and the birds are singing…and our lives are open to the promise of the future. Many of the Christmas decorations still adorned the woods trees, and they wore them with pride and honor. There were several ducks swimming on the placid lake. They quacked out…Happy New Year!
When I first retired, many people asked me what I was going to do for work, now? They seemed disappointed when I responded that, I was going to enjoy living! It seems to me that life should be about more than working for money as a means to the meaning of life and the ultimate fulfillment thereof.
Now, here it is. As the seconds clicked by on the clock we slipped into a new year.
‘I want us to be doing things, prolonging life’s duties as much as we can. I want death to find me planting my cabbages, neither worrying about it nor the unfinished gardening.’ Michel de Montaigne
I was made aware of the above quote, a few evenings ago, while watching the movie, Anesthesia. The character, of a university professor, that the actor Sam Waterston was portraying…whispered in the ear of a man who answered his pleas for help as he lay dying from stab wounds…to tell his wife that he was, ‘planting cabbages.’
And, so, what cabbages will you be planting in 2020?
We have had a long and rich history of attending movies between Christmas and New Year. The habit began in the latter 80’s and continues to this day. This was my plan to continue the joy of the Christmas Season throughout the, over week long vacation that I enjoyed before Christmas and thru New Year’s Day.
When I began working at Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale I was amazed at the paid holidays that occurred; soon after I started on October 10, 1978. In November we were the recipients of two days, paid holiday, for Thanksgiving. Then, in December we received two days holiday for Christmas and two more for New Years. I could not believe my good fortune! The jobs that I had, prior to SIUC, which were; factory worker, furniture store attendant, World Book Encyclopedia Salesman, building a church, foreman of a contract cleaning service, and carpet installer, had no mention of paid sick leave or vacation or holidays. This was a totally foreign subject to me.
There were 3 or 4 days that we, faithful few, went back to work between Christmas and New Year…but there was almost no one on campus. SIUC Interim President, Hiram Lesar, made the wise decision to close the campus, and allow the faculty and staff to take their accrued vacation for the days that fell between the paid holidays. This was during the Carter Presidency and the saving of fuel by turning down your home and office thermostats was emphasized by Jimmy. He, even, had television commercials, that shown him wearing a heavy cardigan as he sat in the, chilly, White House.
SIUC President, Albert Somit, made the bold move to allow the Campus to be on holiday from Christmas, or before, and thru New Year’s Day! We loved him for it!
So, Steve and Faye, and MJ and I determined that we would see some movies during our glorious time off. I remember our setting out, one cold evening, to see 3 separate movies. Now this requires some dedication and fortitude. I recall that we watched 2 movies at the University Place Theatre, then owned by Keratoses, and the 3rd of the evening we took in from seats in the balcony theatre at the Varsity.
Now, the attendance of these movies with our dear friends, Steve and Faye, was a vey big deal to me. We had all come up to together and been poor as church-mice…and subsequently realized the blessing of employment at Southern Illinois University and the resulting effect of a middle class life style and the possession of some disposable income….In order to attend some holiday movies!
In the early 90’s we were going to see the movie, Godfather III, and I had a splitting headache! Have you ever had such a headache that you were in severe pain and sick to your stomach…at the same time? Faye gave me the most wonderful pain pill…that took all of my pain away….Almost instantaneously….and put me in the Holiday Spirit! Godfather III, is still my favorite of the Godfather Trilogy.
It seems as if it were only yesterday when Al Pacino walked out of the movie screen to come and sit next to me in the darkened theatre. He told me, ‘I knew it was you, Jay!’, but thankfully there was no kiss of death. As Al walked back into the screen and the movie…I considered that this was a very special flick…indeed!
Photo by Melissa Jansen van Rensburg on Pexels.com
Faye and Steve came to our, little, house around Christmas, each year…and we visited their house on New Year’s Eve. We had two Boston Terrier pups Their names were, Bruiser and Abigail. We had left them, unattended, and free roaming in our four room house. This was during our early experiences with dogs, which has now stretched to 30 years, and when we took a break from our New Years Eve reveling at the LaBrier’s, we drove over to our abode, which was just on the next street in Elkville, Illinois…and we found an abundance of torn up magazines and toilet paper and doggie droppings…too numerous to mention!
So, we saw, Uncut Gems, today. Adam Sandler is a wonderful dramatic actor. The movie was rated with four stars…and it deserves them all.
I reflect on how much things have changed…and yet how much they remain the same.
And it came to pass in those days that a decree sent out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house of David. To be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.’ Luke 2: 1-7. NKJV
I often reflect on our christian response to the scriptures in Luke chapter 2. We are firm in our belief that if we had been the innkeepers at the time of Christ’ birth, that we would have welcomed Joseph and Mary into our hotel and offered the best room and bed that we had. We know what an honor it would have been to have the Savior of humanity….born in our establishment. We are certain that with our heightened spiritual sensitivity, we would recognize the mother of our Lord. Apparently…the Innkeeper did not?
I read a posting on Facebook that implored God to send fire and pain to all of the Democrats. I am assuming that the person is equivocating a modern political party with their idea of the mixing of the secular and the spiritual? Has the words of Jesus become the hateful and demeaning and intolerant words of a political leader?
Is it an even trade to give up a dedication to the gospel of Jesus…for proximity to political power?
I wonder if Joseph and Mary were covered with the sand and dirt of their journey to Bethlehem? The sweat stains and the odor of their arduous trek was apparent. They were exhausted…with a little donkey…and little money…and they needed someone to recognize their humanity.
What if Joseph had explained to the Innkeeper that his wife was bearing the Son of God? Do you think that would have sealed the deal?
Mary and Joseph were disheveled and had the appearance of living on the bottom rung of society. If they appeared at the door of your home..with the welcome mat on the porch…and the Christmas Tree…brilliantly lit….And the Christmas gifts, wrapped in the most lovely of holiday paper and tied with ‘Victorian Bows’…and the commemoration of the birth of Jesus….Peeling from you stereo……would you invite them inside?
‘Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me; what hast thou done? Jesus answered , My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate said unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.’ John 18: 33-40. KJV
It was a gray and cold day on Christmas 1981. There had been snow flurries all day, and now it was sleeting. Joe had been amazed at the, new computer technology, such as Atari and Word Processors. Jane asked him what he would like to have for his Christmas gift? Joe responded, heartily, a Texas Instrument computer that you could hook up to a small television that would serve as a monitor.
Their newborn son, David, was fast asleep in his crib…and Joe had done all that he knew to do, to plug up the holes and cracks in their little house. The 20 mile per hour wind had a below 0 Fahrenheit chill factor!
Joe and Jane and little David, had enjoyed a delicious holiday meal at Bert and Mae’s house, in DuQuoin, Illinois. There was Jane’s brother and sister and their spouses. There was TJ and Tick Tock and Wayne…who was focused on getting back to his home in order that he could watch wrestling on the TV.
Mae made the most wonderful sage dressing and Joe helped himself to three portions. Also, the pumpkin pie was to die for! The house was old and drafty, just like Jane and Joe’s was, and Jane’s parents had to make use of space heaters to help ameliorate the chill. Bert was still employed as an inspector at Turco Manufacturing. Turco was the largest manufacturer of swing sets in the United States. Mae had recently retired from a dress factory in Pickneyville, and both of them always made Joe feel welcome. Mae baked the most delicious chocolate chip cookies!
Joe had began working at Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale in 1978. He had started as a Building Service Worker I, which is a janitor, and he was ecstatic to be making a decent living. He and Jane had started their life together, financially embarrassed. The grocery budget was $25 per week and included a staple of potatoes. On his first day back to his night shift job, after he and Jane’s three day honeymoon, Joe was overjoyed to see two cheeseburgers in his lunch pail! When he remarked to his bride that he enjoyed the sandwiches very much…she told him to not get used to them because their grocery budget would not sustain the purchase of meat.
As Christmas night fell…Joe was enjoying playing with his new Texas Instrument computer. Just the idea that he had a computer, in his home, was outstanding! When he finished toying with his new toy, he began reading a book entitled, Hunger In America. As he read of the devastation of poverty and food insecurity throughout the United States, he went to the refrigerator to scope out a snack. Just as he feared…the ice box was, virtually, empty. Although he was working at SIUC, their grocery budget was still…thin. What little extra money that they could glean…had gone to Christmas presents, with the focus being on baby David.
As they were walking through the Carbondale Mall they discovered the most lovely of Christmas Nativities. It was not only handmade but hand-painted! The nice lady who fashioned the nativities told them that she would paint their creation in any color that they desired.
Joe and Jane and David had gone to the DuQuoin Walmart, with the express plan to buy a family Christmas Tree, and the ornaments to place upon it, along with a skirt for the tree and some garland, which David later called ‘garlett.’ Jane and Joe wanted to ensure that each Christmas, from David’s first, and soon to come, Daniel’s, first…henceforth would be be memorable…and a celebration of the magic of the season and the birth that it commemorates!
So, there was no holiday leftovers, since they had enjoyed dinner at the in-laws, and he returned to his book on Hunger. Joe pondered that…he and his little family were not far from the people he was reading about.
Joe felt a peace in his heart and a surety in his spirit that his life had improved, immensely, and the promise of the future had limitless possibilities!
The wind was especially chilling along Michigan Avenue. December the 5th was winter in the Windy City. Billy Bump and Carl and Steve and Susie, were on their way to see the new release of the Disney movie, Lady and the Tramp. The bright lights of the city and the Christmas Carolers along with the Salvation Army workers and their kettles, at every store front…created another worldly atmosphere that was compelling and unique!
As they entered the massive theatre and walked under the strobing lights of the marque…Billy and Carl were a bit overwhelmed. As the movie played, Billy fell in love with Lady, and felt good about it! There were intricate carvings on the walls of the movie palace, and ornate sconces and angels and gargoyles and mystery.
Billy became sleepy and sat on Susies lap, who was 15 years old…while he was 6. The combination of being close to his human girl friend and watching his canine paramour on the gigantic screen….was Christmas nirvana!
After the movie the happy group, chaperoned by Jane, who was Billy’s mom, and Ivy who was Susie and Steve’s mother, began to walk toward a nearby restaurant to enjoy a holiday meal and reminisce about the outstanding movie. The throng of people who were shopping for Christmas gifts created a crush of humanity. Billy had hold of Susies hand…but he lost his grip, and soon everyone and no one looked like his mom and his friends.
Suddenly a grizzled and tired woman grabbed his hand. Billy looked up to see eyes that appeared to have witnessed more suffering than any human should have to. The woman asked him what his name was and he responded that it was, Billy Bump. He then asked what her name was, as she seemed to be very kind, and she responded, Abigail.
Abigail asked Bill B. if he was lost and he said that he was. She went on to inquire where he had come from and he pointed to the brightly lit theatre marque. Abigail then asked where he and his family were going and he said, to a nearby restaurant. Abigail took his hand and started walking to Cunetto’s House of Pasta, which was next door to the theatre.
Outside Cunetto’s, they’re was Jane and Ivy and Susie, in an apoplectic state as they frantically searched for Billy. However, Carl and Steve…seemed nonplused! When Abigail took Billy to Jane and she saw that he was safe, she said, “Praise the Lord,” and asked Abigail to join them for dinner.
Abigail demurred and noted that she was not dressed for a fine eating establishment…but that she would be grateful for something to take away and eat outside. Jane insisted that she join them, and so she did.
Ivy asked Abigail how she had become homeless? Abigail told the table, the following. She and her husband had met in the Peace Corp and had worked for four years in Cameroon. They had returned to Chicago and both obtained teaching positions in the Chicago Public School System. They had an apartment near Michigan Avenue and were in to and involved in all things regarding their city, Chicago!
Abigails husband had a stroke at the age of 29, and his subsequent health care had caused them to have to move to a walk-up in the south-side of the city. Two years later he had another stoke that took his life.
Abigail was laid off from her teaching position during a teacher reduction. She had been without work for three years. Both Abigail and her, late, husband had been orphans…and had attended college on government assistance. For the past year…she had been living on Michigan Avenue or nearby streets, and working occasional jobs when they became available.
Jane, Billy’s mom, announced to Abigail that she was coming home with them…and she must not say no! Tears welled up in Abigail’s eyes. She not only accompanied the Bumps home but she showered and dressed in some of Jane’s clothes, as they were close to the same size, and slept on the clean sheets of the guest room bed.
Abigail became Billy’s nanny…until she could resume her teaching position. She instilled in Billy a love for writing, as she was an accomplished writer.
Abigail never married again…as her life became entwined with the Bump family.
Billy B. is now an old man…but he still talks daily with his former nanny and his beloved friend, Abigail!
The third grade class was all abuzz with the excitement of each student wearing their Halloween costume to school! It was cold…unseasonably cold for October the 31st. Also, there was 4 inches of snow on the ground! Snow on Halloween was not so unusual in the early 1960’s. What made the day, even, more special was that the teacher, Mrs. Molinarolo, who had lived in Japan, was dressed as a Japanese Geisha.
Carl, who had of late been referring to himself as, Chet, was dressed in his famous Lost in Space Robot costume, and with his perfect rendition of, ‘That does not compute,’ he was gathering crowds wherever he went!
Billy B. had arrived as Frankenstein…courtesy of his cousin, Gene, who had allowed him to borrow both the full head/mask and the Frankenstein hands. Frankenstein kept proclaiming, ‘smoke good,’ as he carried an unlit cigar that his dad…had left behind.
There was Blackbeard the pirate and Lady and the Tramp and…Snow White with a few of her dwarfs!
The little grade school had the kindest custodian, Mr. Watson, he was a quiet man but he had a lot of wisdom. The class had convinced him to be the King for a Day…and he wore a golden crown and a purple robe…and the third grade students did all of the cleaning at the school…under Mr. Watson’s benevolent supervision.
Mr. Watson was so proud of his son, Bernie, who went on a few years later to become a teacher at the school.
Soon school was dismissed and it was time to engage in Trick or Treating! Billy B. and Carl…or his alias….Chet…began their perusal of the neighborhood. Billy B. was especially proud of his plastic pumpkin collection receptacle! He gleefully announced that. ‘I will collect one millions popcorn balls…tonight,’…but that was simply hyperbole! Although, popcorn balls were a staple of Halloween treats in that day and time.
They knocked on the door of the Cooks home…that was on the corner of West street…where Billy B. lived. The Cooks were known to be the richest people on the block and their brick home belied the fact that they had money. Billy’s mom had told him that she had heard that their home cost 10 thousand dollars…and that was a lot of money in 1963! The door opened and there was the First Lady of the United States, Jaqueline Kennedy, and coming up behind her…was President Kennedy! Mrs. Kennedy was resplendent in a light blue suit and wearing a pill box hat and white gloves. JFK was wearing a dark suit and his wide Kennedy grin! Both were gracious as Billy B. stuttered and said…trick or treat….
The First Lady reached into a plastic pumpkin Halloween container…that was identical to Billy B.’s…and handed them, both, a full size Hershey’s chocolate bar…a Baby Ruth…and a Payday candy bar. As Chet and Billy’s mouths were open wide with astonishment….President Kennedy proclaimed….’Wait just a minute….I think that we have our giant popcorn balls…;and he handed each of the boys….two apiece! Then…Jackie said in a beautiful whisper to Frankenstein and the Lost in Space Robot…’Please do not tell anyone that you saw us…we are taking a min-vacation before a campaign trip to Dallas, Texas…next month………
I enjoyed a walk through Southern Illinois University’s Campus Woods earlier today. It was majestic and serene, as always. A gaggle of geese were happily honking as the squirrels were gathering nuts.
I have always loved the Robert Frost poem from which the title of this blog is taken. How often we need a walk in the woods to re-set our compass and to renew our goals and fellowship with God’s creation.
And so I have an affinity for the fall and the woods and the ‘vintage monsters’ and science fiction movies of my youth.
Autumn is a perfect time to reflect on our pleasant memories and to plan new and enriching endeavors to exite our imaginations and energize our spirits!
We must work to outrun the guy, below, until it is our time to exit!
The Jazz Man 