(This was posted on “About” on Sunday evening. Moved here by Chena. Folks, please don’t post on “About!”)

Amy and I wish we could be there to talk with Niilo and you all. It would be strange to not get a Niilo mini-essay in response to a provocative comment; I hope he is storing those up for a better day soon.

Among our thoughts that Niilo might enjoy hearing are that, at the Folk Festival a couple of weeks ago Charlie Hunt (mandolin) and his wife (accordion) played a Finnish folk song; I think it was “Metsan Kesaiilta” (sorry, I can’t do the umlauts, and the spelling is likely wrong). I don’t know if Niilo knows the musicians, but he probably knows the song. Maybe Gary already reported this. It was good talking with Gary while he was here, and catching up on the Koponen clan.

Amy helped me convert an old red linen tablecloth into a flag today. We will fly it Thursday, May Day, and raise a glass to our comrade.

I just remembered something Niilo told me long ago, about his meditation practice in Meeting: As I remember it, he said that he would visualize and sense the circle (which I think he said included others not physically present), and then embrace each person, one by one. Please ask Niilo if I remember that right. There are so many of us, it’s a huge task!

Our love to you all,
John & Amy