Yearly Archives: 2012

Houska

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

My Grandma Janda mothered six children in Chicago, worked for Sears Roebuck & Co., prayed her rosary, worshiped the Chicago White Sox and baked houska bread. Making houska became, in her later widow years, what you might call a cottage … Continue reading →

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Remnant state of Illinois

Posted on March 18, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

Living in Illinois is like living on a tablecloth. It’s flatter than a credit card. There are few, if any clumps, divets or elevations, excluding the Kahokia Indian mounds protruding here and there. We make up for this with a … Continue reading →

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Forrest

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

Forrest is the name of a boy about 29 inches tall, one of 14 like-sized children in the first day of the first swimming class I taught at East End pool in Elmhurst, Illinois in 1967. I remember Forest best … Continue reading →

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Write or Wrong

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

Three folk I admire ought to write books but they don’t. In common they are known to me but not to each other. In common they are superior human beings if you measure such by generosity of spirit, ability to … Continue reading →

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Three good things

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

I like things in threes. So tidy. Here’s three facts I like that have little or no relation to each other: 1. This month (Feb.’12) Russian scientists popped through 13,000 feet of ice and reached Lake Vostok in Antartica. This … Continue reading →

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Reason #14 Why Folks Don’t Write

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

There are many reasons folks don’t write. lack of talent isn’t one of them. The notion that writing can’t be defined is. The notion that it’s magic or elusive is bunk. Writing is incredibly define-able. Take any story, any story … Continue reading →

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Hope Floats

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

Boats won’t be back to the harbors hugging Lake Michigan for a while. Chicago isn’t done with winter; or rather, winter isn’t done with Chicago. Diversey, Belmont and other harbors are deserted but not lonely. The empty slips and pokey … Continue reading →

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The Good News

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

The good news about the bad news is that more good news than bad happens. Tisn’t news that news delivers the bad stuff in barrages. That’s it’s job. Been that way since drum beaters alerted tribal brothers that warpainted bad … Continue reading →

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Stairway to haven

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

An impressive number of my aunties have lived with their families in the same houses for years. Decades really. Visiting now marries space WITH time: There’s me-self of today and there is the me of yesterday tagging along, small but … Continue reading →

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Surprising

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Mrs. Fitz

Some people I know react badly when surprise is bestowed upon them. This is because I am one such. My auntie once engineered a surprise party for me on the occasion of my 16th birthday. Only someone of great courage … Continue reading →

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