One of my favorite movies is Never Ending Story. I am going to tell you I was only watching it because of Hank. Regardless, it is an exciting tale that unfolds as a young student, Bastian, reads the book and imagines himself as part of the action. Atreyu the hero, on a mission to save the Empress from the Nothing—the obliteration of Fantastica. The Manipulators are the power behind the Nothing. They want to replace fantasy with lies to manipulate and control the human race. It is not a big stretch to see this story playing out in our world today.

Atreyu must wade through the bleak Swamps of Sadness, a literal and symbolic representation of depression. He meets and is aided by many unique characters. Falkor, is a luck dragon, with a perpetual smile-he often flies to the rescue. Artax is the noble and trusty steed. Moral, the Ancient One is a giant turtle, the wisest being in the kingdom. My favorite is Pyornkrachzark, a giant rock who is a rock biter living on a diet of only rocks. The rock guy faces death as he sinks into a pool of water and advices Atreyu to stop trying to save him and look away so he does not see him go under. Self-sacrifice—novel concept.  I think you will like the happy/melancholy ending.

The rock theme was actually prompted by the continual stream of rock placing trucks in my neighborhood. What ever happened to railroad ties and quarried stone? I searched diligently to find out home much money is invested in these decorative and constructive boulders each year. No one appears to measure the economic impact of this flourishing use of nature’s bounty. I did discover that landscaping adds real value to your home, you could say that rocks.

Finally, Frozen came to mind, I guess I can say I only watched the shows because of Clio and Margie. It is another, American like Saga. A country built on a solid dream and undermined by those who took advantage for the sake of money and power. The Trolls live in the Valley of the Living Rock and disguise themselves as stones for protection. If you have not heard the “Fixer Upper” song, worth a listen.  In the same tale, the Earth Giants are one of the four elemental spirits in the Enchanted Forest. When asleep, the giants appear as a part of the rocky river bank.  The truth revealed, history, freed the enchanted forest and saved the kingdom.

The recent Indictment of our own twice impeached  “Nothingness” is only the first step in proving no one is above the law. Nothingness and his followers are not that interested in the truth or learning from history. Let’s work to turn the tables on the Manipulators. 

Our Kingdom is built on the unshakeable belief in “Liberty and Justice for all.”  Rock solid.

Enjoy the week end.   Mike


Enjoy the week end.   Mike