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Some years ago, Reader’s Digest carried a serial called “My Most Unforgettable Character.” Each issue was a story about some person and the influence made upon that writer. Merriam-Webster has more definitions of character than Van Camp has Pork ‘n Beans. They go all the way from “…moral excellence and firmness,” “… a person marked by notable or conspicuous traits,” to “… a graphic symbol”–and then some. But I’m thinking of  “…moral excellence and firmness.”

And I’m thinking of my maternal grandfather, who for me represented moral excellence and firmness. He was truly a country gentleman. I grew up across the road from his home, and a stone’s throw from his country store. During WWII his store had a side room that housed my dad’s barbershop, operated Friday nights and Saturdays; the rest of the week my dad farmed. The closeness of the store and my dad’s shop found me toddling around the premises often.

After The War, Grandaddy built a larger, brick general store, complete with a meat market, walk-in cooler, and hardware section. Across the front of the store, above the awning—black letters on a white background was emblazoned in letters two feet high—T. JEFF VEAL, SR GOAT TOWN GA. As the concrete floor was being poured, he had his youngest four grandchildren stand in doorways — two in each doorwar– and embed our footprints.

It was in that store where I witnessed the core of his character. One day, a salesman popped in, jovially greeting everyone. Grinning and glancing around, he asked, “Are there any women in here?” Grandaddy knew the man was preparing to tell unsavory jokes. Looking straight at the salesman he said calmly, “No. But there is a gentleman here.” Immediately, the salesman’s countenance changed. He took out his order book and turned to the business for which he came. I have never forgotten that scene.

Another vivid memory also arises from the post-War era. Our little Methodist church was part or a four point circuit; meaning we shared a pastor with three other country churches. Often, after worship was over, and the minister and his family were preparing to leave—with whichever family had invited them to Sunday dinner; Grandaddy would quietly say to him; “When y’all finish dinner, come over to my store.” Some time in the afternoon, He never opened his store for business on Sundays—yet Grandaddy would meet the minister and his family at the store. He would load them up with groceries, and other necessities, saying “I hope this helps a little.”

As Grandaddy’s family grew, so did his reputation as a trustworthy neighbor. In those days, it was common that any drunk black man would be caught and put in jail. Often Grandaddy would be awakened in the middle of the night by a man’s family, asking him to bail out a family member—which he did readily. “Mr. Jeff,” as he was known could always be counted on.

I recall a passage from the Book of Proverbs that I consider a genuine description of Grandaddy’s character; A good reputation is better than much wealth;
    high esteem is better than silver and gold.

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2023

July 2020, one of my first vignettes in Fridayswithwillis.com, was about the Constellation Orion. We can only speculate that the first human who gazed into the skies was awestruck. However, the Psalmist gives us a glimpse into human wonder at the immeasurable Universe.

Orion is a prominent constellation located on the celestial equator and visible throughout the world. It is one of the most conspicuous and recognizable constellations in the night sky. It is named after Orion, a hunter in Greek mythology. (Space.com) On clear Spring nights in Northeast Atlanta (such as tonight as I write this), Orion beams brightly in the Southwest sky. When all other heavenly bodies are dimed, or cannot be seen for whatever reason Orion silently sings its silent sonata.

Even at 1,359 Light Years away from Earth, Orion is clearly visible to the naked eye. Monica Young, of “Sky & Telescope,” said that on the week of September 15, 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope gave us  “…a clearer picture of the giant stellar nursery…” –The Orion Nebula. By way of this magnificent telescope, not only are we learning more about the Orion Nebula, but also hundreds of thousands more compositions (nebula, planets, galaxies…the list goes on) in the Universe.

The strongest affection and utmost zeal should, I think, promote the studies concerned with the most beautiful objects. This is the discipline that deals with the universe’s divine revolutions, the stars’ motions, sizes, distances, risings and settings . . . for what is more beautiful than heaven?”~Nicolaus Copernicus, Astronomer

Humankind from our beginning has always looked with wonder at the skies. Our ancestors, until fewer than a thousand years ago, thought the plane of Earth was a huge circle, physically bounded by the horizon; hovering over this plane was a dome, spangled with myriad lights—some of them gods or havens for gods—each controlling some aspect of life on earth. Astrologers tried to divine actions and plans attributed to those gods.

Astronomers, on the other hand, dug deeply into the science of the heavens. Even with their early instruments and observations, they laid much of the foundation of what became the first human landing on the moon; the James Webb Space Telescope, only confirms and expands their early discoveries. James Webb, NASA, and our Astronauts who walked on the Moon do not face Excommunication from their church, nor criminal prosecution from their government, as the first astronomers did: they are celebrated! Of course we cannot know for sure, but some speculate that the Star of Bethlehem, sought by the Wise Men of the East, may have seen the Orion Constellation.

Those early skygazers simply echo the Psalmist, looking into that vast unknown; it is almost as if they too ask, “… what am I, that you acknowledge me?” Maybe it was Orion and Pleiades that gave perspective to their lives. Jesus himself pointed out his listeners that God cares for and provides for us. Acknowledging our magnificent, massive universe did not escape notice by the fathers of our faith. The Book of Job extols the wonders of Orion, and the Pleiades. Not once but twice! The prophet Amos stands in awestruck wonder pondering the starry skies, having learned their names from his forebears. We gaze in wonder at the heavens, with our ever intensifying studies; we simply build on foundations and trails laid by those early stargazers.

©Copyright Willis H. Moore

Today is St. Patrick’s Day. I easily remember March 17, because it is the birthday of my Cousin, Glenda. We grew up together in Deepstep, GA. When her dad became a Methodist minister they moved—as Methodist clergy do. When I was a sophomore in college, I worked with him part time at his church, and part time in a State Park. He treated me like his son and I learned a lot. In alabyrinthian way, that summer is how I met Paige. Five years later I married her. But that’s another story.

There are many stories about St. Patrick, whose death we recognise today—with green and gusto! (As it turns out, it is not like any Wake you’ve ever seen; it is uproariously celebrating—kinda like a New Orleans funeral). There is green everywhere. According to folklore, you get pinched on St. Patrick’s Day for not wearing green because green makes you invisible to leprechauns. Leprechauns like to pinch people (because they can!). So. Wear the Green! If you are a stickler for exactitude, Shamrock green is a strong, highly saturated color with the hex code #009E60, also commonly referred to as Irish green.

As green rules the day, multitudes of stores promote green merchandise—parades on St. Patrick’s Day are awash in green. Some cities, located on rivers, pour potable coloring in the river, turning it green for the day. Wearing of the green is ubiquitous on St. Patrick’s Day—not because folks are afraid of being pinched by a Leprechaun, but mainly to enter into the festive spirit of the day.

Leprechauns in Irish folklore are tiny people with powers for good and evil. Sometimes considered cranky little old people whose main contribution was making or repairing shoes for other mystical people. They were considered to hoard gold, keeping it hidden from greedy folks. The legend has it that Leprechauns have a pot of gold. “If you catch a Leprechaun you can have the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. First you have to catch him. Then, there’s the rainbow’s end…..

According to The History Channel Saint Patrick, lived during the fifth century, is the patron saint of Ireland and its national apostle. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at 16. He later escaped, but returned to Ireland and was credited with bringing Christianity to its people. Part of Irish folklore, St. Patrick is revered for driving snakes out of Ireland. My guess is that having brought Christianity to the Island, which in turn drove out much evil and trouble.

People tend to revere anyone who brings dramatic improvement to life and community. It was true of Moses, and David of the Old Testament, and, of course Jesus. While Christians do understand Jesus as Divine, throngs of others simply came to him for his wonderful works and miracles. Beyond the fables about St. Patrick, his followers found him to be true to the ways of God, in the manner of Simon Peter, the disciple of Jesus.

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2023

From the moment the idea emerged, “They said it couldn’t be done!” Who are “they”? Almost every wag, wight, or wizard who heard about it. What is “It”? —The Golden Gate Bridge.! It did take years of calculation, engineering, trial-and-failure, persistence, heart ache , and pressures against it; many died in the process. It was done! It is real! I have crossed it —several times.

However, I am more in awe of Nature’s Engineers— beavers; who don’t wait around for charts, calculations, and certification; they jump right in (more accurately bite in) and get the job done. There are colonies of Beavers living naturally, and happily here in Metro Atlanta—hiding in plain sight—within earshot of some of the busiest freeways and construction sites in the area.

Geologists say that millions of years ago, North America was home to untold millions of beavers; every river, creek, branch, or trickle had beaver dams. Beaver dams basically built our landscape; wetlands, water corridors, earth contours, and natural habitats for myriad species of thriving wildlife. The National Park Service says 200 million beavers remain in the lower 48 states alone; that does not include Canada or Mexico. A geologist recently told me there are only about six hundred million beavers left in North America. These numbers seem large; they delude. Beavers’ value is even larger.

Beavers are the “Engineers” who crafted the beauty of, and livelihood for, our great outdoors. Crafting multiple dams in the flowing waters, created dams, wetlands, contours, and lush habitats. Although Beavers are not on the “Protected” list, they are immensely valuable to our environment.

Beavers play an incredibly important role in our world, altering and shaping the landscape. As nature’s “engineers,” they build dams that provide deep water that protects them from predators, gives them access to plentiful food, and provides underwater entrances to their dens. Their tree-felling and dam-building activities create wetlands that provide homes for many other fish and wildlife species. Wetlands support almost half of the species on earth and nearly 50% of North America’s threatened or endangered species rely upon these aquatic environments for their survival. —U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service

When I lived in Southeast Georgia, among miles of pinetree farms, beavers loved it. The Timberland owners and companies were annoyed by the beaver dams that kept cropping up creating wetlands and ponds. I saw occasions where landowners dynamited beaver dams to drain ponds—-beaver habitats. I was amazed at how quickly those water rodents rebuilt their dams. Actually, “Dams” is something of a misnomer; often their structures did dam up a stream, creating beaver pond.s

Beaver dams were homes for the beavers. What looks like a pile of sticks limbs and mud actually houses a beaver family. Their entrance is under water. The beavers dive into the water, come up under the floor of their dam; into a dry floor of their safe home, nursery, bedroom, protected by all that detritus. A double entry, has its own escape hatch—my term. (Click the link in this paragraph and scroll to the model of a beaver dam and interior).

Beavers are an excellent example of how God cares for all Creation. We are here to care for ourselves and all living things. Each living thing is important to God, and therefore important to each of other. On another occasion Jesus pointed out a comparison of God’s care by demonstrating the difference between our value of wildlife and human beings. Each one in God’s creation is important and has intrinsic value.

©Copyright Willis H. Moore

It is rather humbling to realize that each of us is about 60% water; Yet. That fact does not mean you are without substance. It does underscore the reality that water is essential for life. Per US Geological Survey, even your bones are 22% water;

Not all water is potable, as you likely know, for whenever there is a water-main break, Watershed Management notifies everyone within the affected area; boil water for consumption (and sometimes for personal care), use bottled water for drinking and cooking. Microbes and other contaminants find a comfortable home in water, sometimes posing lethal threats to living organisms.

The Ancient Mariner was condemned to sail the sea alone. Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote these immortal words—“Water-water everywhere, nor any drop to drink…” (The Rime of the Ancient Mariner). The essential need for, and the key role of water, does not mean that all water is consumable. That very predicament is writ large across the national news as I write this. A train derailment, spilt burning toxic contaminants into soil and water. The overarching concern seems to be how much and how long local wells and water supply will be affected.

On the other hand, we have come a long way clearing our streams and lakes of toxins as well as other contamination—there is still a long way to go, but steps are underway. Boating and swimming in, and camping beside rivers and streams are pleasant outdoor adventures; made possible and inviting through conservation efforts of leaders whose compelling visions are being realized.

Good, clean water is not a luxury; it is a necessity. We are learning from many past mistakes. I grew up on the Fall Line in middle Georgia. I remember two artesian wells in our community, one of which was on my greatgrand father’s farm. These wells were drilled, I was told, “…for the War Effort….” We called them “flowing wells.” For years they flowed freely—each from pipes a softball could roll through. Decades ago, in South Georgia near the Golden Isles Freeway, there were numbers of artesian wells; those too, flowed freely day and night. Most of those wells are now dry, or nearly so. The water table has dropped dramatically.

The Children of Israel, escaping cruel captivity in Egypt, found themselves in darkening circumstances in the wilderness—-due to the lack of water. It posed a crisis not unlike the one they had faced at the Reed Sea, being chased by Pharaoh’s legions. Moses convinced these pilgrims that God still cared for them as he appealed to God on their behalf. In the interesting dialogue between Jesus and his cousin John, it is made clear that river water be instrumental in commissioning Jesus into his earthly ministry.

In the Bible, water is inseparable from life; Both creation stories in the Book of Genesis (chapter 1 and chapter 2) begin with water, and its relationship to land and its inhabitants. For Christians the rite of Baptism, water is a metaphor for God’s blessing.

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2023

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Is there any greater treasure than a book? Paige, my late wife, and my daughter, both logged many hours as Elementary school teachers; were laser-focused on books. They said, “give a child a book Any book, and it unlocks myriad galaxies—for life.” Some folks try to ban books. Banning a book is like daming up a stream just because you don’t want it to soak your shoes. I have always loved books. I saw a Meme on Facebook–a stylized picture of a bookmobile emblazoned with “The Banded Book Bus—-headed to conservative neighborhoods.”

My grandmother, an elementary school teacher, sent books to me and my sister on special occasions—birthdays, Christmas, Easter, or for no reason at all. When I was a student at Emory University, my constant expense, beyond tuition, was books—- (other that textbooks.)! I keep at least one book in my car, in case I have to wait somewhere; and there are books everywhere in my house.

Decades ago, Johnny Standley had a comedy routine called “Little Bo Peep,” in which he did a running, humorously torqued commentary on Little Bo Peep, ending each line, saying “—It’s in the book!”—each time leaving the audience in stitches. A good book—even entertaining books authenticate much of life’s experience. Of course, simply because “Its in the book,” doesn’t make it true, accurate, or enduring per se. Nevertheless, reading can do wonders for a person’s mental, emotional, and social processes.

I find it interesting that banning a book tends to whet appetites for reading that very book. Psychologists call this phenomenon, “paradoxical intervention”. It can be accidental—as in book banning—or intentional, as when a parent cannot stand a child’s new hair color, praises it—in hope it will drive the kid to change it—hoping to annoy the parent by doing that very thing.

Of course you wouldn’t stuff your reading time with trash, anymore than you would go into a grocery store on a limited budget stuffing your cart with shiny, cheap, trashy material. Books are like that; the budget you have is time. A day has only 24 hours, and no one knows how many days one has. So, choice enters the picture. At my age, and I’m older than dirt, I am still learning to read–better, more efficiently (not “speed-reading” a contradiction in terms), and more productively.

The best books enlighten the soul. It is interesting that the eyes serve a major role in character development; what you see, and process becomes a part of you; —depending on how you process it. In turn, the eyes reflect your character—the person you have become. Jesus pointed that out. The concept is underscored by Psychologist, William James; A (person) is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts. Ponder that!

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2023

Quadragesima–is Latin for “Fortieth” and represents Lent, the 40-day period leading up to Easter—observed by more than a dozen Christian denominations. The season commemorates the 40 days Jesus endured Satan’s temptations while in the wilderness. Three of the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke describe this encounter. The Liturgical calendar of these denominations observe Lent in various ways of conformance, practice a variety of Spiritual Disciplines.

A typical practice is that of fasting; even ways of fasting vary. A mild, but not the most extreme sacrifice, is fasting, giving up food; pausing one’s favorite excess, such as chocolate, coffee, desert, etc. I grew up in a small rural Methodist church—the only seasons of the Christian year we observed were Christmas and Easter. I learned about Lent in high school; a fellow Methodist from the town church observed Lent by fasting, sacrificing her favorite indulgence, chewing gum. Yes, it WAS a sacrifice for her!

But I digress. The season of Lent, throughout Christianity, presents a plethora of opportunities for observing of the season. Lent always begins on Ash Wednesday, 40 days before Easter—date of which is determined by “the first Sunday after the full Moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox.” The math gets complicated: six days are added to the 40, because in the liturgical calendar, Sundays are not counted—they are Holy Days.

Now we get to the fun part. (if you’re not already having fun!) Before Ash Wednesday, comes Shrove Tuesday, sometimes called “Fat Tuesday”—Mardi Gras, French, for Fat Tuesday. Its meaning has to do with ending eating rich foods before entering Lent with its focus on fasting. Shrove has to do with confession and absolution in preparation, mainly, for the spiritual discipline of fasting. Another term for Fat Tuesday, is Pancake Day—Pancakes were a natural—for that helped empty the cabinets of flour, sugar, and, I guess, syrup—to avoid the temptation of breaking fast. (Pancake houses commandeered the day through calling for a National Pancake Day),

Mardi Gras carnaval is celebrated the world over. Traditions, activities, and the focus of Mardi Gras vary from country to country—and from community to community. Some are closer to the original meaning than others. New Orleans is most likely the most flamboyant celebration in the United States.

The strong spiritual component begins on Ash Wednesday. Here in Atlanta it is common to see, at any time of the day, people with the black smudge of a cross on their forehead. The ashes are the reminder that from dust we were created, and to dust we will return. Some churches have early morning Mass, or other worship services; others spread throughout the day. Where there is a cross in the sanctuary, it is draped with a purple drape, signifying a time of penance.

As for the spiritual discipline of fasting, fhe Gospel of Matthew, goes into detail about Jesus’ fasting in the desert; he successfully deals with all the temptations of Satan. Matthew devotes a third of chapter 4 to the ordeal. The Gospel of Luke, devotes 13 detailed verses to the dialogue between Jesus and Satan; there, too, Jesus stands firm, due to his 40 day gauntlet. The Gospel of Mark, in its classic brevity, devotes two verses to Jesus’ desert trials. In every Gospel account it is clear that the time Jesus spent fasting in the desert, gave him the spiritual strength to overcome the power of Satan. It is no wonder that fasting takes front and center for the spiritual disciplines of the season of Lent.

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2023

Wildlife (not wild life)— Management vs Elimination. You may have noticed that we (humanity) are invaders; wildlife (including insects, etc.) was here first. We invaded their territory and mostly they are not happy about it. Oh, dogs seem pretty happy about it, and cats, well, it depends. However we all are learning to get along—-some better than others. In recent centuries, humanity has taken over a great deal of hature’s habitats; our roadways, cities, agriculture, timber, and development—increasingly encroach on all habitats.

We are accustomed to seeing squirrels, pigeons, all manner of birds, and such in cities and suburbs. Here in Atlanta we see deer, turkeys, beavers, racoons, and coyotes, (those fox-like animals that you used to see only in wild west movies) they are quite common here. As a result, specialized pest control industries have grown up— for deer, rodents, bats, bees, and bears. I repeat, they all were here first.

This contest between humanity and other living things is from the beginning. When God created everything (whether you hold to the story of six days, or to the story of 6 K Billion years)—the story is the same; we are late-comers. moving into their habitats; new neighbors or invaders? Since the dawn of creation, all living things have had to learn, over and over again, how to live peacefully. It ain’t easy. It is necessary.

The Department of Wildlife Damage Management at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, acknowledges our dilemma: People value wildlife for a wide range of reasons. Protection, enhancement, consumption, preservation and aesthetics all have their proponents. Regardless of one’s primary philosophy, there tends to be general agreement that management of damage is necessary when too many of a particular species create negative economic impacts, or health and safety concerns.

These days I’m dealing with that matter of Wildlife—Damage Management vs Elimination—on a much smaller scale; At last, we got a handle on rats that invaded from outside. What a convoluted process! But successful—and $$$. What I now face is a front lawn, thoroughly ploughed by a colony of Moles (That’s the Pest Control guy’s pronouncement!) This task can be manageable. He said.

But I digress; in in my humble opinion, pest control is on lower scale of management. The truth is, we all need each other. We really do. And we need to live in harmony in marvelous symbiotic relationship with all Creation. The Prophet Isaiah describes what has come to be called “The Peaceable Kingdom.” It sounds as idyllic as much as it seems impossible. Yet the Scripture says otherwise; Nothing is impossible for God. Think of things once called “Impossible: Human beings flying, voices transmitted across the earth, human beings walking on the moon, —in reality we live with, and often because of, a world filled with the “impossibles.”

My message is as much to me as to everyone; work on recognizing and appreciating the symbiotic relationship my little plot of earth has with all we who share this green (so far) planet. The Rev. Dr. Albert Schweitzer, noted musician, scientist, and missionary to Africa, held dear “Reverence for life;” —to the point of not killing an ant. Some people don’t go that far. But it gives pause for reflection on the reality of All Creatures Great and Small;—The Lord God loves them all!

All things bright and beautiful
All creatures great and small
All things wise and wonderful
‘Twas God that made them all

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2023

In Case You Missed It, Groundhog Day was yesterday (February 2). Usually I make my annual pilgrimage downtown, pick up a couple of Groundhog sandwiches, and eat with my little Cajun friend at the church. We eat, and catch up on each other’s families; then it is back to work. This year medical appointments and continuing education classes preempted that celebration of Groundhog Day. What are “Groundhog sandwiches,” you ask? Well, it isn’t quite clandestine—they are sandwiches made of ground hog—–widely known as sausage.

I learned that novelty name for sausage from a Methodist church somewhere in Kansas. That church held annual “Ground Hog” dinners as fundraisers; their Groundhog suppers served sausage, pancakes, syrup, etc., and coffee. Crowds from far and near came to enjoy , good food, time together, and the novelty of the day.

I don’t know of anyone now who uses the idea—but I celebrate Groundhog Day annually with ground hog sandwiches. However, many Groundhog celebrations do occur far and wide. I think the most widely known is Punxsutawney Phil; famous for annual TV and intense news media. That little woodchuck in Punxsutawney, PA generates great anticipation in his search for his shadow.

Groundhog Day emerged through centuries of celebrations anticipating Spring. Among the first were Celtic celebrations in early February anticipating Spring. February 2 falls halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It offers a natural occasion of hope from the dead of winter into the dawn of spring. The “Groundhog” image emerged from a German Badger tradition. A significant German population in Pennsylvania helped migrate the term “Groundhog” —a misnomer—from Badger, to Woodchuck, to Groundhog .

Myths and rituals are difficult to disentangle. Myths can help keep a culture vital. By myth, I do not mean fairytales or falsehoods; Merriam-Webster defines myth— a story usually of traditional ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon. Such myths usually offer texture, context, and often humor, to events. Some myths become cherished traditions; in the case of Groundhog Day, North American fun celebrations. Almost no one actually believes that Punxsutawney Phil can give an accurate prognostication of the weather. He can’t. But isn’t it fun!?

Human beings have always tried to foretell future events. Ancient kings usually had some kind of Seer, diviner, or futurist on the Royal Staff. Prior to Samuel anointing Saul King, Saul and his cohorts determined that they should search out a Seer to guide them. The Prophet, Isaiah warned about turning to necromancers to conjure up guidance, instead of seeking wisdom from God.

Followers of Jesus and his disciples often sought to get predictions of the future from him . Jesus pointed out the futility of telling the future. Basically, he said use your powers of observation and your common sense for daily living. The annoying, repetitive scene in the 1993, comedy-movie “Groundhog Day,” was funny—that scene had every day exactly the same! The message of the movie, according to the Chicago Tribune is this;  Life is a gift … you can choose to use it selfishly for personal gain, or you can use it to help others. The choice is up to you.

So maybe you missed celebrating Groundhog Day! Today is now. Live it. Enjoy it! –Have some fun next year on Groundhog Day. Call a friend—or several. Invite them to enjoy some Groundhog Sandwiches with you and friends! And to see if Punxsutawney Phil finds his shadow!

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2023