Category Archives: Uncategorized

During Chicago’s April, citizens sniff a whiff of spring and exaggerate all gestures. We don’t unbutton coats. We abandon them. We don’t venture out. We explode onto sidewalks. We don’t respectfully court springy season. We grab her. Opening day at … Continue reading →

My Dad’s father Linus and stepmother Lorraine shared a house with Dad’s Aunt Fanchon and Uncle Sam in Oak Park, Illinois, less than a hour drive from our Elmhurst house but more alien than Mars, or California. They lived in … Continue reading →

During the 1960s, Mom wore the Jackie Kennedy (Onassis) look with varying degrees of success. She just wasn’t a capri-pants kind of Mom, but she wore the pill box hat, and the cutie-patootie suit like nobody’s business. She was fashion-forward … Continue reading →

I have trouble remembering the name of anybody. For a long time I ignored this handicap yet know it’s sloppy and disrespectful to humanity, who lives here just like I do. Lately, I am inspired to remember the name of … Continue reading →

Wearing uniforms does not level the playing field, as some smart people think. I wore the uniforms of parochial school, waitress, girl scout, cheerleader, lifeguard and the blue-jeaned; thus claim entitlement to state: Uniforms foment the churning need to stand … Continue reading →

Built with the post-war levity for anything new, our ranch house in Elmhurst forgot all about a family room or a den or a jacuzzi. We did have a half-bath which we called the powder room and it was tinier … Continue reading →

The senior women of my Midwestern tribe tend toward lightness in language. This has the effect of living happy, which isn’t altogether true but in some ways, it is. Among their words I have some favorites: Sippeecup.Jumpin’ Jiminiy or its … Continue reading →

During our 1960’s ranch-house years, Dad and I went places by ourselves, while Mom and my two brothers did something else, I don’t know what. We watched a movie at York Theater, where I planned to be urbane. We ice … Continue reading →

It’s disgraceful I can’t recall the name of the beagle who came to live with our family of five in our ranch house in Elmhurst on or about 1962. He left the morning after we welcomed him into our enclave. … Continue reading →

Occupying the passenger seat of any car driving Illinois highways offers the joy of billboard watching. Kareoke radio solos aside, it’s the only joy to be had traveling our flatbread terrain. El Cortez Mexican Restaurant! Simply the Best! We are … Continue reading →