Memorial Day approaches, an almost unique holiday for us. We do not celebrate with joy; rather, we honor fallen soldiers with wistful sadness in our hearts. Part of that sadness stems from the fact that so many of us know, or knew, some of those we honor. We honor those brave men and women who gave what Lincoln termed "the last full measure of devotion." We honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country -- or rather, for us. Given what they did‎, mere words seem inadequate. We

Life turns on a dime. On April 12th, my dear Marybeth fell while stepping over the dog gate. Down she went, landing on her left hip. Unable to move, we called the paramedics, who lifted her from the floor to the ambulance. Later that day an x-ray revealed a break. Surgery followed and soon she was home facing 16 weeks of physical therapy and recovery. Her entire calendar wiped clean. Life happens. When it does, our plans become insignificant to the circumstances of the moment. Our home is 102

Recently I subscribed to the More Perfect podcast . Across its three seasons, the podcast takes a deep dive into the Supreme Court and the Constitution. When was the last time you read the Constitution? In all its flaws, like the 3/5 Compromise, it is nonetheless a brilliant document. In the Framers’ attempt to form a more perfect union, they assembled a document with clear intention in its structure. For example, the order of the first three Articles declaring the branches of government: the

On a rainy May afternoon, I took my daughter Iris and our black dog Shady for a walk down to the confluence of Bass Creek and the Rock River to see our regal new neighbors -- The Pelicans! They moved into the area in early April and still haven’t flown north. There’s something affirming about having pelicans for neighbors. If these glamorous creatures have chosen this stretch of muddy river, well, it must be a good place to live after all. I must have chosen well! White Pelicans on the Rock

A couple of years ago, NPR announced a writing contest for what makes life nicer, resurrecting a challenge it ran in 1972. The idea was to write a non-commercial ad pitching something that’s free and brings joy. I got inspired. I used to help my mother hang out the wash in our backyard in Memphis, and I think I enjoyed it back then. I certainly have fond memories of it now and truly love this domestic chore. So I wrote an ad for clotheslines. It wasn't selected -- maybe because a clothesline isn

Useful? Useless? Worthwhile? Worthless? Those words have been on my mind recently, as I prepare to join my high school classmates for my 50th reunion. Just a few months after my graduation from Genoa-Kingston High School, I would head off to the University of Illinois. Four years later, I would earn a degree in journalism which I never had the opportunity to use during my 40 years of working life. A graduate degree in education from NIU would briefly open the door to classroom teaching, a middle

Midway through Captain Marvel , Carol Danvers asks Nick Fury how he is doing. He responds, and I am paraphrasing: “Before today I would have said there’s no such thing as life on other planets, but I just sat through an alien autopsy. I can’t un-see that.” The cliché that Fury intimates is something that we are all familiar with: seeing is believing. It is the same proof Thomas demanded of Christ: he must first see. Thomas wanted proof. Both Fury and Thomas had the advantage of being able to

In an attempt to escape this past brutal winter, my son and I braved the elements to visit the Art Institute of Chicago. Besides Chinese New Year activities, we admired the armor in the Deering Family Galleries. "What's that?" my son asked. It was a mace. After explaining that it was used in battle to bash opponents over the head, my knowledge was all used up . Swords, lances and firearms get more exhibition space. Perhaps maces were not used that much in battle? Some quick online research

In November 1963, I was told by the Dean of my college that Governor George Wallace of Alabama had requested a meeting with “his boys” from Alabama. My parents had recently moved to Alabama from Illinois. This meeting was days before President Kennedy was assassinated. Wallace had just been elected governor with the pledge: “Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, and segregation forever.” He was starting a third party run for President. His scholarly presentation to the filled athletic hall

Several weeks ago, I was watching an interview with historian Michael Beschloss as he was discussing his latest book, The Presidents of War . As he was talking about our continued divided times, he quoted the last line from the Declaration of Independence, which reads, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” For those of you who don’t remember, each man