A Poem for Autumn

poem by Brian Bilston

It's Hot!

Last week was the hottest for the summer. Temps were in the 90s all week. I went outdoors once when I finally had to break down and go to the grocery store.

Record highs were set on August 24. Those first two temps -- Willard and IL Water Survey -- are for our city.

The meteorologist also commented that our city hit a record for the hottest "feels like" temperature ever.

It finally cooled down yesterday, but the forecast is for more 90° temperatures in a few days. Just in time for our Labor Day Sunday family "pizza in the park."

Barney's Sidecare

Andy: "I wish we had a psychiatrist in town. I bet Barney would be a real study."

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
The Andy Griffith Show - Barney's Sidecar - S4, Ep16 1964

2023 Free Birthday Rewards

This year's free birthday rewards.

4/17	Denny’s	Free Everyday Value Slam	$6.49
4/19	Panera	Free pastry – bear claw	$3.99
4/20	Perkins	Free Magnificent Seven	$9.99
4/20	Portillo’s	Free slice of chocolate cake	$3.89
4/20	CVS ExtraCare Card	Cash reward	$3.00
4/23	Ye Olde Donut Shoppe	Free 2 donuts	~ $3.50
4/23	Moe’s	Free burrito	$11.18
4/24	Arby’s	Free large shake – jamocha	$4.99
4/25	Red Robin	Free burger – guacamole bacon	$14.99
5/11	Jimmy John’s	Free sandwich	$6.69

I received more rewards -- free appetizers or desserts -- but I did not bother redeeming them. Wasn't worth the effort.

"I Will Turn Methodist"

The title of this entry is one of my favorite lines from "The Waltons."

Grandma is explaining to Reverend Fordwick that she will not share playing the church organ with another woman:

"I cannot share with that woman. I will not resign my organ playing to just anyone. And if you toddy to that Zelma Maynard, then I will resign from this church, Reverend Fordwick."

She walks away, and then turns to the preacher and says:

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

The Waltons - "The Rebellion" - S5, Ep14 1976
Note: Grandma Walton was in the next episode.
Then Ellen Corby suffered a stroke and was in
limited appearances in future episodes.

First Day of Summer

I just liked this art.

The Only Property That Will Last

I read this on Facebook.

When you die, don't worry about your body .....
Your relatives and funeral staff will do it. I know this first hand. I've done it myself .....

They will take you out of the house and deliver you to the funeral home of your family's choice.
     They will take off your clothes  
     They will wash you
     They will dress you up
     They will even apply makeup to make you look presentable
Many will come to the funeral to honor you.
Some will even cancel their plans and ask for leave to go to the funeral.

Your things -- things you hate to be borrowed -- will be sold, donated or burned.
     Your keys
     Your tools
     Your books
     Your CDs, DVDs, games
     Your collections
     Your clothes 

And be sure the world won't stop and cry for you.
The economy will continue.
You will be replaced in work. Someone with the same or even better ability will take your place.

Your property will switch to heirs.
And don't doubt the small and big things you have done in your life will be spoken of, judged, doubted and criticized.
People who only knew your face will say, "Poor thing!"
Your good friends will cry for a few hours or several days, but then they will laugh again.
Your pets will get used to the new owner.
Your pictures will be hanging on the wall for a while, then they will be put on furniture and finally stored at the bottom of the box.
Someone else will sit on your couch and eat from it.

Deep pain in your home will last a year, two, maybe ten ..... Then you will join the memories and then your story will end.
It will end among people, end here, end in this world.

But your story begins in a new reality ..... in your life after death.

The things you once have will lose their meaning. You cannot bring your earthly possessions here.
     the beauty of your body
     last name
     property
     loans
     working position
     bank account
     the house
     the car
     academic titles
     classmates
     trophies
     friends of the world
     man / woman
     the kids
     the family .....

In your new life, you will only need your soul.
The only property that will last is the soul.