Having long since lost track of how many Substitute Teacher posts there have been, it’s probably safe to say enough to put a small fence along the side of the yard. Today, that fence? She is extended.

Let’s see….do we invite Erik to help the Substitute Teacher foul this nest or invite The Committee? Well, how ‘bout both? A Thanksgiving Two-Fer…..(Erik does remain as Honorary Chairsoul of The Committee….he hasn’t resigned, been expelled or replaced, so off we go!)

ST = Substitute Teacher       Erik = Mr. Thanksgiving       C = The Committee

ST:       You smoking again, Erik?

Erik:     Smokin’ hot, dude.

ST:       I meant a cigar.

Erik:     OK, let me light one…..Groucho!

(Not too long ago we discovered Erik’s cigar supplier has been Groucho Marx from time to time.)

ST:       Today is Thanksgiving in the USA, we need seriousness. So, along those lines, let me ask, how do you like the book?

Erik:     (In Darth Vader’s voice) Luke, I am your father…you know it to be true.

ST:       [I knew it…] OK, get it off your chest, tell the joke.

Erik:     Once upon a time an old lady lived in a shoe.

ST:       That’s old, tell a modern joke.

Erik:     Once upon time, an old lady lived in a pair of Electric Green Converse All Stars.

ST:       The redux of the JFK interview was cool, wasn’t it?

Erik:     Yep, and more to come on that subject. Y’all sit tight.

ST:       I assume The Committee is right there with you?

Erik:     Yes, and I have assumed the position.

ST:       Pass no gas, please.

Erik:     Oh, thanks for reminding me……that’s a prank that hasn’t been pulled in a while…..now I need a target!

ST:       Readers of your mother’s book?

Erik:     So much methane, so many people…

ST:       OK, we need to get serious…

(Erik suddenly appears in a professor’s tweed jacket and necktie inside a college classroom)

ST:       OK, Professor, pick today’s subject, if you will.

Erik:     Quantum theatrics.

ST:       Wouldn’t that be mechanics?

Erik:     Quantum theatrics is the study of the reaction to quantum mechanics. In other words, how hysterical people can become when confronted with the most boring ass bullcrap subject imaginable, like quantum mechanics.

ST:       Can you provide an example, Eri……er, Professor! Can you, professor?

Erik:     (Adjusting his necktie) Certainly…..(now using a Bugs Bunny voice)  “No. I won’t study this shit. I’m gonna drop this course. What the heck was I thinking?”

ST:       OK, enough professor stuff, let’s get back to the serious questions.

Erik:     (Taking a long pull on his cigar, now back in the clothes he wore at the beginning of his visit) Shoot.

ST:       Tell us about browsers in bookstores who notice your mother’s book, maybe read a little about it inside the cover, not just the title, yet do not buy it. What do they think? We know any story or subject, like quantum physics and mechanics, repels and attracts. The attraction of your mother’s story I believe we all get but tell us; what goes through the minds of the unconvinced or the mildly interested who don’t feel any appeal to the story? I got the impression from The Committee that some people seem perplexed a medical doctor is the author. Is that in general or a just a few?

Erik:     It’s just a few. It’s the novelty of the subject for most….some have heard of the concept, think it’s like religion and they don’t like that. Others are already looking for something different.  It’s progressive momentum…..more and more will find appeal. Right now the seeds have germinated. Sprouts to follow.

ST:       I sense skepticism there will always be.

Erik:     Yeah, and there has to be. Nothing can make sense to everybody….nobody’d be human and shit would be all screwed up. Somebody has to scream “bullshit!” once in a while. That’s what makes others pay attention.

ST:       Does it work this way in Heaven?

Erik:     Hell yes. Disagreement and contradictions happen all the time. Shouting “bullshit” is a heavenly act. I act often.

ST:       I have no doubt and in fact, total confidence in your ability to attract attention and resolve doubts.

Erik:     Well, thanks man but you’d be shocked to see how stubborn some souls can be. It’s a ton of fun. Well, I should say, you’ll be surprised when you remember, when y’all get back home and remember how hard headed some of us are.

ST:       Do you have this reputation?

Erik:     Sometimes, and I’m proud of it! But seriously, stubborn humans are a lot easier to deal with, for other humans. Heaven should be spelled S-T-U-B-B-O-R-N.

ST:       I feel The Committee chomping at the bit, to weigh in here.

Erik:     (In Darth Vader’s voice again) Remember your father Luke, and listen to The Committee…

ST:       Esteemed Committee, does Chairperson or Chairmaker or Chairwrecker Erik resolve these issues of stubborn resistance well?

C:         We shall say, the concept of stubborn and resistance that creates it, these are but human word descriptions of inclusion and acceptance. There can never be and there never will be agreement and congruence on any thought or subject. There should not be. Divergence is the essence of togetherness; attention placed upon differences serves to illuminate and emphasize the links, the bonds and the connections between souls. The differences are the results. A great challenge you all face as you encounter divergence, disagreement and we marvel at the learning, progress and growth humanity gains from it. This process moves at light speed in this current moment on Earth, and the gains resulting you will all appreciate the way we do, upon our return and review. Our admiration of humanity for grappling and wrestling with this cannot be described. You all do it so well now.

ST:       That’s nice to hear, I would think conceptual conflicts and disagreements have negative aspects.

C:         No, however this view can be present and is the motivation, the stimulus to exchange of ideas and eventual growth.

ST:       Can examples be supplied?

C:         Much discussion revolves around marriage, the physical environment of Earth to suggest just two subjects. The evolution and progress of ideas, whatever they are, lift and expand humanity and with it the universe. We beam with proud admiration as we show you off to the universe.

ST:       Wow. OK, tell us about the stubborn souls, the resistance in Heaven. What’s that all about?

C:         We suggest a reminder of the matrix connections that exist with all willing and participating souls. There will always remain the very few unconnected souls, as those souls themselves choose to see things. These are very few and all are observed and always welcomed to reconnect. The remaining vast majority – and this includes all of you on Earth, who serve as focal points, junctures of the links, the connections of utmost, paramount importance and significance for the universe – all of us in this majority enjoy willing ease of communication. Acceptance of ideas and uniqueness of view is enhanced in Heaven and the recognition of links or connections between souls strongly creates cohesiveness. These do not imply or bring about agreement; to the contrary, strong and nearly instant links supply the opportunity to be respectful or intrusive, considerate or abrasive, either approach achieved with equal ease. The experience and understanding of many souls is vast and we do say, the relevance of such knowledge is easily brought to bear, where there is an absence of social shame, embarrassment, reluctance, aggression or any of the many emotions that humanity offers as part of social intercourse. Absent these aspects of interchange, ideas and concepts quickly run up against the ying of their yang, or the yang of the ying.

ST:       Can you tell us about one such subject, as it might relate to Earth?

C:         Nuclear energy. Scientific understanding of effects remain largely undiscovered by Earth science. The use of this energy for intended beneficial or destructive purpose is not unique to Earth. Many planets have stumbled through or managed well, the discovery of it. Great experience and knowledge there exists and as the agreement to stand back and not interfere in Earth affairs remains effective, much heated discussion and conversation occurs. General agreement there is to halt destructive or negligent use of this energy as such could affect the universe, for Earth generally does not recognize its place and ability to affect or influence the universe, yet possible detrimental use of effects limited to earth remain covered by the pact of non-interference. Vigorous disagreement takes place on this subject.

This but one small example.

ST:       How do hard differences of opinion get resolved?

C:         They sometimes reach no resolution and as often as convergence occurs, it does not. This is the way of the universe and the fabulous laboratory of Earth supplies experience and understanding of conflict, disagreement and diversity as do few places in the universe. Masters of negotiation and compromise does Earth produce. Proud we are of our team and you remember not yet how good you are and how much better you shall all be when graduating from the School of Earth.

ST:       Erik, Esteemed Committee, our thanks to you all on this important day in American society, a day to express gratitude and appreciation. I speak for myself only but know also I shall have company of sentiment, that we appreciate all you do for us and want to offer our thanksgiving now and always.

C:         Be well; our love to one and all.

Erik:     (Blowing out cigar smoke and speaking with a hacking cough……) Yeah, me too!