Category Archives: Uncategorized

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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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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Big foot

Posted on February 16, 2014 by Mrs. Fitz

Female shoes have taken a disturbing turn toward gigantic. Quizzical. Once, platforms on shoes that inched you up adapted the uneven gait for a person suffering with a club foot. Once, high heels embraced the arch of a lady’s foot … Continue reading →

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Floating

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Mrs. Fitz

A football game and a dance in one day equals high school Homecoming. During the 1960s, each class at Immaculate Conception high school in Elmhurst, Il built a float for the parade to herald the game and the dance. Float-making … Continue reading →

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Gone-ness

Posted on November 21, 2013 by Mrs. Fitz

There should be a better word for the times between, times like almost in love, nearly retired, or soon to be a parent. Or, the time after loss, such as when someone’s house is demolished by a tornado. We’ve got … Continue reading →

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Binds that tie

Posted on November 1, 2013 by Mrs. Fitz

In our Chicago suburb during the 1960s, certain phrases reminded our family of five we shared more than the three bedroom ranch house: 1. “That’s your color, baby.” 2. “I guess the man who did it died.” 3. “Think fast.” … Continue reading →

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Reason #6 Why Folks Don’t Write

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Mrs. Fitz

There are many reasons why folks don’t write. Lack of talent isn’t one of them. Writing what you know, is. Following the advice to “write what you know” stalls many writers for three reasons: 1. You KNOW a lot. Oceans … Continue reading →

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Think-a-Loud (archive)

Posted on September 28, 2013 by Mrs. Fitz

When I left the Chicago Tribune newspaper to become Managing Editor at an educational think-tank, I found it quizzical and lonesome that my new coworkers spoke a variation of the English language heretofore unbeknowst to me. Three words in particular … Continue reading →

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Grandpa’s Hat (archive)

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Mrs. Fitz

  It was his granddaughter’s kitchen. She and her husband liked old things, such as the house, and they hung the hat there. It looked right, an old farmer’s hat on an old farm kitchen wall. And Grandpa didn’t need … Continue reading →

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