Author Archives: Mrs. Fitz

About Mrs. Fitz

Hello! I'm Michele Fitzpatrick, a Chicago writer. Like our town, a work in progress. As a journalist, teacher and writing coach I think all of us live our stories and sharing them creates moments that remind us we're connected. And that is enough.

Awkward Position There are some geographically challenged who can get lost looking for milk in the refrigerator. For us (them), the global positioning system is reason enough to buy a car. A trip that jaunts from start to finish without … Continue reading

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Toddler talk

During the 1960s, toys my two brothers and I played with did not talk. We imbued them with speech, imagining ourselves as brave, smart, funny and wonderful. We made-believe. Our toys went along with this plan. Today my grandbabies play … Continue reading

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Elms, again

Not long ago, an elm tree decided, on its own, to take root and grow in my brother’s garden-y back yard. This, despite Dutch Elm disease, a global virus that obliterated 200 years of elms in 60 years (1930-1990). My … Continue reading

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Intend to pretend

Pretending is something we do. Children are particularly good at it. Novelists do it for a living. Some folks make up pretend people, avatars, to play a pretend game. We may dress in such a way, talk in such a … Continue reading

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Transistor resistor

Recent purchase of a cherry red transistor radio was not nostalgic. Its appeal was a slit on its side into which a thumb drive can be inserted for the listening pleasure of family music captured on that thumb drive. It’s … Continue reading

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Puppy the dog

My language skill set consists of English. I hear evocative sounds in other languages but don’t comprehend their meaning. This is why I can’t remember the name of my neighbor’s dog, who is about four years old now. I have … Continue reading

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Learning curve balls

Preschool children get grownup attention for things they should be doing, according to grownups: grow at a certain rate, socialize or walk or use the potty at a certain age, go to bed at reasonable hours. They receive less attention … Continue reading

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LEGO Lesson

Sales at the 85-year-old Danish LEGO Company recently dipped 5%. Some folks conjecture children now prefer video-digital-electronic anything rather than  individual blocks that offer freedom to make whatever it is they wish to make. It is possible the company now … Continue reading

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Amazing grazing

A food store recently opened in our Chicago neighborhood. Happy news for those of us who like to eat. It is clean, well stocked and brightly lit. And much much more. Every aspect of food consumption apparently has been analyzed … Continue reading

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Small gains

The playground in our Chicago neighborhood is generally populated by three-year=olds whose primary similarity is height, about 27 inches. Their names suggest imaginative growups to come. Lemon, Jersey, Atticus, Sparkle, Nimrod, Aspen sound like folks interesting to know. Their colorful … Continue reading

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