Author Archives: Mrs. Fitz

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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.

Irritation Illumination

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Mrs. Fitz

A kind person recently noticed I wrote a novel and asked me “Where do you get your inspiration?” “Irritation,” says I. “Huh?” says kind person. Says I, “Think of irritation on a continuum, with petty grievances at the low end … Continue reading →

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What’s So Funny?

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Mrs. Fitz

I think humor is anything that causes me amusement, generally incongruity, exaggeration, satire, irony or buffoonery. I tend to overlook that “humor” was coined many moons ago to describe a person’s temperament that is out of balance. I’m reminded what … Continue reading →

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Uniformity

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Mrs. Fitz

Anticipation functions best when it’s specific, such as awaiting a precise phone call offering the dream job or a text message from the hospital stating all tests were negative. Anticipation is among the powerful emotions, ranking right up there with … Continue reading →

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Ranch dressing

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Mrs. Fitz

Decades after Mom and Dad first moved our family of four into our Elmhurst ranch house, it occurs to me we didn’t live ON a ranch. We lived IN a ranch on land that might have BEEN a ranch before … Continue reading →

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More is less

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Mrs. Fitz

The basement of our ’50s ranch house in Elmhurst mirrored our upstairs like the Taj Mahal’s reflecting pool mirrors that place. It doubled our living area. This allowed space for a clothesline to use in inclement weather, a workshop Dad … Continue reading →

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Weenie Hallows (archive)

Posted on October 25, 2014 by Mrs. Fitz

In our holiday-happy suburb in the holiday happy 1960s, Mom stitched Trick-or-Treat costumes with the caveat that one outfit did the work for three of us: Eric the Elder, Michele the MustFit, and Mark the Shark. Not all at once, … Continue reading →

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Mousey

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Mrs. Fitz

Cartoon doofus Mickey Mouse originated in 1928. Musclebound Mighty Mouse debuted in 1942. Both showed up on our suburban living room TV during the 1960s. Mickey’s television show, cleverly called The Mickey Mouse Club, showed those of us in grammar … Continue reading →

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Debating debate

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Mrs. Fitz

Protagoras lived before debate was invented, so he invented it. In Greece. He did this while he was wondering whether virtue could be taught; but never figured that out. What he did figure out was that words are powerful and … Continue reading →

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Worth

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Mrs. Fitz

The Pullitzer prize, Academy Award and Best Seller list do a fine job of comparing what is produced to what is the BEST ever done.  As a journalist who likes to watch major motion pictures and read good books, I … Continue reading →

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The art of the cart

Posted on August 23, 2014 by Mrs. Fitz

Shopping for something needed is not shopping. This is restocking. Shopping with a companion is not shopping. This is socializing in motion. Shopping to buy something is not shopping. This is known as spending. As those adroit at the art … Continue reading →

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