A Time for Hugs or Humbugs

Well I am feeling the Spirit.  The Holiday Spirit is everywhere.  It is a little harder to feel it when we live in California or Florida but it is there if you look for it.  One of my favorite Christmas stories is "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens.  I love the gradual change that takes place in the heart of Scrooge but more than that, I love the indictment of society that he represents.  

His reaction to those men who come to him for a donation to the poor is to say "are there no workhouses?"  and "let them die and decrease the excess population".  I see that attitude everywhere and it strikes at the heart of why we have such a divided country and world and why most people live lives of quiet desperation.  

I hope that you can look around and see the generosity and human kindness that is also in the world.  It may be a challenge, but I have faith that it is there.  Be of good cheer and be the one who brings cheer to others. 

 Remember Tiny Tim who says, "God bless us, everyone."

Jack Caselles

 November 8, 2022

Well, here I am again.  

The truth is that I don't believe that anyone is reading these little messages, but I feel that I need to put down my thoughts on occasion, if for no-one else to read but me.  I have been reading a diary I wrote back in August of 1983, while on a solo vagabond trip to France and Spain.  It speaks to a sense of freedom that I had to go anywhere and the feeling of self worth that it brings.  It also speaks of the longing I had to be with my sweet Vera and our children.  To paraphrase a line from a book, how sweet were my memories then.  

Since my last entry, we have sold our old house and our wonderful RV.  We tried to adapt to SeniorLiving and now rent a home a mere block away from our old home.  The plan was always to buyahouse in a nice community, fix it up, raise our children, wait for the value of the home to rise to a point determined to provide us with comfortable retirement.  The plan worked.  The children gone, the price where we wanted it to be and so we put it up and away we went in our 33' Winnebago.  If you are waiting for the other shoe to drop, it didn't.  Thanks to my dad for teaching me the skills to put together

a plan to take care of my family.  

Today is election day.  This is the day that our overwhelming government has to provide its citizen the right to "voice".  But this is not just a voice to complain or spread ridiculous ideologies, it is a duty and pleasure to take part in our Democracy.  We live in a country and maybe a world that is self indulgent to the point that we think we can determine what is or is not the truth.  A fact is a fact no matter how many people say the contrary!  The world is not flat!  Nearly half of the population of these United States, believe that a man who defies all social and moral principals is qualified to determine what is truth, moral, ethical or medical.  

I am saddened to see so many of my friends die.  Ever since the early days of my youth my friends have died.  George Pierner, Barbara Pope, Arnie Page, Marc Trummel, Jim Wyatt just to name a few.  Friends who are gone, not because of age but of a wealth of other reasons.  I thank God for long life, I can do nothing to be worthy of His gifts.  I just hope that He can use me and that I can stay the course and run the good race.