As life expectancy continues to climb, many of us find ourselves experiencing the struggles and blessings of being caregivers. The responsibility of taking care of an elderly person can sometimes be overwhelming. There is a direct correlation between caregiving and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. This is especially true for adult children who take care of parents with dementia or with a severe disability. For caregivers with little support it is understandable that they begin to

It was the early 2000s, and time for me to cast my vote -- something I had done every election year since college. So I was startled to learn that my name wasn't on the registration list. Thinking I was at the wrong polling place, I drove to the other location, only to be told the same thing. And it was here that I came to appreciate living in Illinois. For all of its financial problems, we are a progressive state which doesn't attempt to engage in voter suppression. A voter registration card

We are once again in the midst of a partisan battle over a Supreme Court nominee. If we are to believe in the two party system, it appears as though there are only two types of nominees available: conservative or liberal; red or blue. As such, I offer this modest proposal: First, nominees to the Supreme Court should be vetted and appointed by a group of duly elected judges who represent each state. Second, nominees to the Supreme Court should not serve life terms. Rather, they should serve nine

The Supreme Court stands between the citizens and an oppressive government. It is the enforcer of the Bill of Rights. The citizens who drafted the Constitution knew from their experience with King George that they had to spell out the limits of government power. The present nomination debacle led me to check my vague notion that only Harvard and Yale law grads were appointed to the Supreme Court. Did you know that for the last 38 years all 12 nominees but one graduated from Harvard or Yale? and

Poets love willow trees. Johnny Cash “taught the weeping willow how to cry,” and Lorine Niedecker wrote, “I’m not young, and I’m not free, but I’ve a house of my own, by a willow tree.” I love the poetry, but sadly I cannot love a willow tree. This summer I told my wife Breja that it was time to axe the enormous willow growing in our yard. Breja objected, as I knew she would: “But you love trees.” “Not all trees are created free and equal,” I said. I was quoting Aldo Leopold. Not only was the

This last June, my wife and I had the chance to get a private tour of the U.S. Capitol from her long-time friend, who is also a long-serving, dedicated, highly capable public servant in the Congressional Budget Office. Over the course of her career, she has testified many times in front of members of Congress and knows the institution well. As we were walking past the numerous hearing rooms, I decided, though reluctantly, to ask her a loaded question, because I was afraid of the answer I would

It might not be marked on the calendar, but this week is the annual Grace Hopper Celebration, an event that has been celebrated every September since 1994. Even if you do not know her name, you most certainly know her work. Every time you use a computer, open an app on your smart phone, or do anything with any kind of digital technology, it is due -- in large part -- to the remarkable innovations initially introduced by Grace Hopper. Hopper was a software developer, and she worked with some of

Anyone in our region who is working at a factory paying less than $13 an hour should start looking for a new job now. In the past three years, the number of jobs available along the rural portion of Interstate 88 from DeKalb to Rochelle to Dixon and then to Sterling/Rock Falls has increased significantly. Right now is absolutely a worker's market -- not an employer market. With the increase in the number of jobs has come an increase in the number of factories with starting pay over 14 dollars an

Are we making good choices? When my son was around three, the teachers at The Growing Place began addressing unwanted behavior with the question: "Are we making good choices?" The first time I witnessed this technique, I immediately thought that not only toddlers needed such a reminder. Many adults, including myself, could use a similar prod to overcome bad habits and be better people. When you procrastinate on an assignment you know you need to get done, then rush it the last minute only to

Our President likes to call people “dogs” – meant as an insult, but is really a compliment. I’ll tell you why. "Humans stay on this earth a long time learning to be good. Dogs stay just a short time as they already are." The unknown source who penned this was likely a person who not only loved dogs, but also learned from them. What can dogs teach us? Perhaps most importantly, they are keen observers, not only of animal behavior, but also human behavior. Perhaps a brief history of dogs can help.