The regular Sunday afternoon phone calls to my mother ended just over a year ago. Mom passed last March. Years before, my parents retired and moved a thousand miles away from Chicago. I called on Father’s Day and Mother’s Day. These phone conversations and the many others had an endearing sameness to them When I…
You and I are inundated by narratives day and night. We are implored to spend our time, money, and allegiance in response to them. Their goads come at us through the mail, and via emails, radio, TV, and social media. Here are only a few of their associated rallying cries: “Today Only!” “Act Now!” “Call…
The following took place during my thirteenth year . . . A week before Christmas Day, a gaggle of us self-conscious teenagers loaded into three cars. We headed to Elgin State Hospital, formerly called the Northern Illinois Hospital and Asylum for the Insane. Our church’s youth group leader had decided that, in the spirit of Christmas,…
“There is no question in my mind that very significant powerbrokers around the world have either planned to take advantage of the next pandemic or created the pandemic.” – Dr. Michael Yeadon, ex-Pfizer VP Sixty years ago, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, in his farewell address January 17, 1961, warned the nation: “. . . we…
At the cross. At the burial. At the empty tomb. Three wait-and-see days. Three women. The gospel according to Mark begins with the ushering in of “the good news of Jesus the Messiah, God’s son” (Mk. 1:1). Composed of short narratives that could be easily visualized by those who heard its reading, Mark’s terse and…
“I can see people,” said the man, peering around, “but they look like trees walking about.” A blind man gains partial sight. He interprets the forms he sees via his prior limited understanding. Did he know at this stage that his perception was off? The gospel according to Mark is composed of short narratives that…
“Late last month the Boundary Waters was named a dark sky sanctuary by the International Dark Sky Association, a nonprofit that works around the world to reduce light pollution and protect night skies. It’s one of just 13 such designations in the world. To qualify, a place has to have exceptional starry nights, and a “nocturnal environment…
Years ago, now, I read the folk stories of Hans Christian Anderson to my two youngest. Storytime included The Ugly Duckling, Thumbelina, The Little Match Girl, The Princess and the Pea, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and… The Snow Queen. First published in 1845, The Snow Queen centers on the struggle between good and evil as taken on…
Intersectionality Wins the Day “For years, they’ve said Chicago ain’t ready for reform. Well, get ready, because reform is here,” announced Chicago’s first openly gay and African-American female mayor Lori Lightfoot during her inaugural address. Lightfoot defeated Preckwinkle in the runoff election, becoming mayor-elect of Chicago. on May 20, 2019. The mayoral election results confirmed…
In fourteen hundred ninety-two Columbus sailed the ocean blue. He had three ships and left from Spain; He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain. He sailed by night; he sailed by day; He used the stars to find his way. A compass also helped him know How to find the way to go. -Columbus…
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