One of my favorite pictures from the older boy’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor last year is this one, of him and a little boy he used to babysit. So cute, right?? That little boy (Jake) has been very vocal about how much he looks up to my son; it’s really very, very sweet and would melt the coldest heart. Jake decided to write a letter to his hero and send it to his college post office box. I wish I could see his face as he reads it*. (You can click on it to enlarge if you’d like.) *Even though I can’t be there when he reads it, I’m…
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What Does Christmas Have To Do With a Tornado?
After getting a story starter from Kate McGroarty, the Museum of Science and Industry’s roommate for the month, I sniffed out the rest of the story of how one of the focal points of a current major exhibit came to be. I had the extreme pleasure of speaking with Kurt Haunfelner, the Museum’s Vice President of Exhibits and Collections. Here is the story, paraphrased, since I’m not that fast of a typist while listening to a really nice person who is telling a very interesting story. Besides the fact that I was thrilled as a fan of the Museum to get this backstory, it made me nostalgic for all of…
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Halloweekend
The older boy’s college hosted their annual Family Weekend this past Friday through Sunday, so Jim and I made plans to go up there. (The younger boy originally–before he was struck with a three-day fever–had school on Friday and a full weekend of activities himself, so we left him in the great care of Aunt Julesie.) Actually, Jim had to be at work on Friday, so he planned to take the train in the evening, and I got to spend the day with the older boy by myself. It was a great day, a great weekend. I won’t bore you with all of the details (especially because I am sharing…
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Resisting Temptation For The Greater Good, Sort Of
My boys have had a mostly typical brotherly relationship with each other. When they interact, the older boy can be bossy and critical and the younger boy can be annoying and defensive quite often. They take turns instigating trouble. (They actually get along–or at least tolerate each other–more than they think they do, but it can get a little ugly at times.) It is sometimes very reminiscent of what was going on when I was growing up with my younger sister. Though Julesie and I do have some really great memories (just a few include playing Barbies, watching “Donny & Marie”, recording ourselves making radio shows, and that day in…
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McMels Gone Wild*!
My high school friend, McMel, came for a visit last weekend. Actually, she didn’t come for a visit, technically: she came for a two-day seminar, sent by her new employer. I was thrilled to find out that the seminar wouldn’t be in the city after all: it was in Oak Brook, which is only about fifteen minutes from my house. That location made it easy for me to pick McMel (and her super-nice co-worker) up for dinner both evenings, and then take them to the airport for their flight home on Saturday. Getting together with old friends is a priceless experience. Sharing a history, especially history from the teenaged years,…