"I'm at peace," I heard a woman say. My husband and I were attending Calvin's 50th reunion last weekend when I overheard this comment. She went on to explain that she was facing a life-threatening surgery. From her story and demeanor, I felt she was saying she was ready for any untoward outcome. I thought …
Continue reading Calvin College 50-year Reunion Celebration 2013
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.... Yes it is! For those of you who remember Mr. Rogers, that was his opening song. And it's mine today as I invite you to watch this slide show of proof that spring has finally arrived in Chicago. My husband went camera happy along Michigan Ave and I in …
Anyone with toddlers knows that the loss of a favorite blanket can become a grandma’s nightmare. But not for this grandma, not if I could help it. Last week my husband and I babysat, actually babyran, our two youngest grandchildren for four days. Eighty-seven hours. Numbers wise, they are our fourth and fifth grandchildren. G4 …
Private painting party for 10. Instructors teach paintings through an easy to follow step-by-step process. These words attracted me to this silent auction item at the recent Mental Health America of Illinois benefit in Chicago. I couldn’t pass it up. Ever since my failed attempt at creating apples that looked like apples (and not flat …
Continue reading Hues & Booze Party – An Evening of Hilarity and Discovered Talent
Investigators dig up clues burned in bomb wreckage Young lives lost in Boston blasts In the world of acts, the urge to help overwhelms Attacks at end of marathon have crossed symbolic line Bystander: I did my duty 6 trauma centers played crucial role No. 1 goal: Find who did it The 'Why not' instead …
You may think writing down these ten things is bizarre. Well, the idea is not mine. It’s an exercise my writing group agreed to do for this week’s meeting, adopting it from “The Time is Now” column in the March/April issue of Poets&Writers. And just having had a scare in which I thought I may …
Continue reading Ten Things I Will Not Think About in My Last Seconds of Life
If you live with a chronic illness, you know that nothing surprises you. You are used to new symptoms arising out of the blue, and you are accustomed to doctors' visits, diagnostic tests, and hospitalizations. About a year ago, I swore off doctors for treatment of my fibromyalgia. Weary of chasing a cure and reaching …
If you like to read, this challenge will intrigue you: write a list of the last five books you’ve read. Then consider what your list might mean to someone else. John Warner figures that out in his weekly Chicago Tribune column titled The Biblioracle. From the lists emailed to him, he assesses what the person likes to read—for …
I’m a senior, not in high school or college, but in life. You could also say I’m a senior in the University of Chicago Basic Program of Liberal Education for Adults, because I’m in my fourth and final year. It is Spring Break, and I’m happy to be free for a bit. Readings this past …
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