Perspectives: Recent Episodes
Northern Public Radio
Local community members share their outlooks on the news, events and personal challenges in 90 second essays. To learn more, visit https://www.northernpublicradio.org/topic/Perspectives
David Gunkel points out two sides of a political coin tossed around this election season.
Joe Mitchell looks at offensive comments made in the waning moments of this presidential campaign.
Dan Kenney reminds us we can do so much more than just walk by when we see someone in trouble.
Rick Brooks urges people to attend a community event at Illinois Valley Community College about housing the unhoused.
It's time to bust out that winter coat from the back of the closet. Rosie Klepper says make sure you check your pockets.
Nia Springer-Norris learns from a friend the best way to help her beloved Asheville, NC is by giving...cash.
Andrew Nelson finds himself looking across a figurative English Channel this November, 84 years after the Coventry firebombing.
Some might call it a run-on sentence. Wester Wuori packs his thoughts on the election into one big one.
Sometimes, life is like a Hieronymus Bosch painting. And Frances Jaeger says it's not so bad on top of the hay wagon.
You've seen all the jokey memes about eating pets. They're funny. But Deborah Booth says there's a very good reason not to laugh.
Lynnea Erickson ponders the classic question "what would you tell your 16 year old self?" and gets an assist from a cabbie.
The connection between Devo and the upcoming election? Lori Drummond-Cherniwchan goes there.
Deborah Booth says former Congressman Adam Kinzinger personifies the tectonic shift in Republican politics.
Sure, AI can write you a poem in an instant about anything. But Tom McBride says the true miracle is that low-tech device lining your bookshelves.
In 1939, a group of refugees tried to dock in the U.S. Frankie DiCiaccio asks people to turn their eyes toward a new human disaster in the mking,
Chris Fink's encounter with a bull snake takes a turn. And a twist. And another turn...
Nia Springer-Norris has learned some valuable lessons from her grandmother, starting wtih cheese.
Gerrymandering and third-party rules are teeing Scott Summers off this election season.
While temperatures rise in every way, Connie Seraphine asks us to think about the cooling powers of making loving connections.
Joe Mitchell finds the movement to make VP Kamala Harris the Democratic nominee for President inspiring.
Tom McBride contends that sometimes, caring too much can HURT democracy. Let him explain...
Nia Springer Norris has been traveling a lot lately — and has a new appreciation for home.
Bob Evans looks at what it means to be an American — and how we can hold up our end of the bargain.
When she moved "up north," Paula Garrett learned about the magical vegetable some call "pie plant."
Marnie O. Mamminga's family may miss the potato salad this year, but they've gained something more delicious.
Lynnea Erickson Laskowski says it's not too late this month — and in life — to celebrate Pride.
NIU J401 student Tatiana Kowalski gives up the thing we assume students love most: social media.
Joe Mitchell says Juneteenth is a time to reckon with our country's past and embrace a brighter future.
Jonathan Shelby says video games may not be as bad for you as some would have you think.
Rosie Klepper sends greetings from Cicada Land, a.k.a. her yard, and encourages others in her situation to be patient — you might miss them when they're gone!
A Bluetooth record player is going to turn Joe Flynn's summer around, and he'll tell you why.
It gets a bad rap, but Maille Grant is here to tell you retail therapy is fine...in moderation.
One is loyal, one is independent, and Evan Mellon says to chill out and appreciate cats and dogs for what they bring to our lives.
Bob Evans revisits his thoughts on the real reason for Memorial Day. It's not just the unofficial start of summer.
Lynnea Erickson Laskowski suffered a double loss with this English Premier League championship. But she's OK.
Universities are sending another crop of graduates out into the world. And David Gunkel is worried about them.
Rachel Cormier considers nature vs. nurture when it comes to walking in her mom's footsteps.
NIU student Jonathan Dumois explains how an unconventional game led to an conventional career.
NIU journalism instructor Jason Akst took his JRN 401 students on an adventure this semester — writing and recording their own Perspectives at WNIJ.
Dan Kenney says more and more counties are subscribing to the "non-sanctuary county" movement.
Rick Brooks experiences his own Ubuntu revelation regarding his alma mater: "I am because we are."
Dan Klefstad says there are a lot of reasons to get to your local bookstore this Saturday and beyond.
Suzanne Degges-White doesn't fall into the simple Introvert/Extrovert categories. Do you?
Voting by mail has its plusses, but Katie Andraski says there are things she would miss on election day.
Bob Evans takes a look at what could be the biggest problem for Democrats this election season.
Kyle White says DeKalb County has at least 20 food pantries — and that inspired him to get to know his neighbors and clients.
Nia Springer Norris is afraid that her life-long love affair with the magazine is over.
Things in America always turn out for the best, right? Andrew Nelson shares his thoughts.
Is it David Gunkel or AI David Gunkel? Deepfake technology is getting dangerously good...and easy to use.
Joe Mitchell says a former president's recent venture is a lesson in capitalism, not Christianity.
Beth Ganion says this month is a great time to remind people that if you or someone you know needs help, there are resources nearby.
It's National Poetry Month and Connie Seraphine shares the words of one of her favorite poets, Mary Oliver.
Sure, you can get your recipes online, from YouTube, or even an old-fashioned cookbook. But Deborah Booth finds those methods lacking.
Rosie Klepper finds that her old friends are no longer waiting for her in the waiting room.
It's a message that's been around for thousands of years, but Dan Kenney says it's as important as ever for all of us.
Kittens are adorable, but then Lou Ness learns about the dreaded four-letter H word. They're still adorable.
Why do we spend so much energy and, well, money, launching ourselves into space? Joseph Flynn shares some good reasons.
This primary election eve, Bob Evans takes a look at the huge chasm between America's two major parties.
Francisco Solares-Larrave has a new appreciation for skilled cashiers...also, the unskilled ones.
Places of worship tried to help the homeless. And then, as Scott Summers learned, the Zoning Police got in the way
From personal experience, Rick Brooks supports Illinois legislation that legalizes euthanasia in some cases.
Frances Jaeger says a Libertarian billionaire really misses the point of Tolkien's classic trilogy.
Tom McBride knows his world would be a little better with a lot more Taylor Swift in it. So he says.
Deborah Booth asks, "Who would have thought we’d still be talking about a law passed during the Grant administration?"
David Castro and Mario Gomez teamed up to suggest ways everyone can get more connected to their communities.
G.K. Wuori spent twenty years in college admissions: He says it's time for universities to give admissions officers back a valuable tool that was recently taken away.
Suzanne Degges-White does not enjoy shopping. But there was something about this past weekend...
Steve Vaughan says heroes like Harriet Jacobs and Jeremiah Durham belong in all of our history books.
Katie Andraski muses about the convergence this year of Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day.
Bob Evans compares the actions — and inactions — of Congressional Republicans to a biblical figure.
There's no memory-prompt quite like a smell. And Lonny Cain follows his nose down a delicious rabbit hole of memories.
This Perspective addresses sexual abuse and may not be suitable for all listeners. Lou Ness says she finally understands the chain of abuse that afflicted her family.
It's Black History Month. And the inevitable protestations give Joseph Flynn an idea...
Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and Melissa Sloatman has found a meaningful new way to celebrate.
Have you heard the one about the non-musician who joined a band? Chris Fink is living the dream.
No matter what you are facing, says Nia Springer-Norris, there's someone who knows what you are going through.
Morrissey, Dahl, Bukowski, Rowling: Dan Libman has some ideas about what to do with artists who disappoint.
Andrew Nelson remembers an Iowa principal and ponders the new roles of students and educators.
David Gunkel's feeling nostalgic for the snow days of his childhood. But he knows the sledding hills and lazy TV watching were a privilege.
Joe Mitchell wonders why the two leading candidates for the U.S. presidency are so...well, old.
From the most exotic creatures to your backyard buddies, Connie Seraphine basks in the mysteries of nature.
Maintenance isn't just for cars and teeth. Francisco Solares-Larrave explains the art of maintenance for our society.
Deborah Booth says there's a primary election coming soon. And before that, a chance to learn more about candidates in the 76th IL House District.
Frances Jaeger looks at a 19th century tragedy as an example of what can happen when budget cuts are made without enough thought to consequences.
Linh Nguyen wonders why marginalized communities have to compete against each for for resources? She saw this demonstrated again in debates about DeKalb's migrant bus ordinance.
Rosie Klepper has advice on a way to cut back on those heating bills this winter — all while gaining a best friend.
Economic stagnation generates economic insecurity. Bob Evans wonders if we'll respond in time.
American university students are taking fewer language courses than ever. Francisco Solares-Larrave says that's not good.
Nia Springer-Norris weighs the sides in the recent lawsuit against ChatGPT and other generative AI products.
An annual ritual has been stymied by the weather — and the ice fishermen of Wisconsin are quietly mourning.
Did you get the annual holiday letter? Rick Brooks says, "Here you go. It's a good one!"
Lynnea Erickson Laskowski says we grieve constantly. So why hasn't it become more natural?
There was always one present left under the tree when Susan Goldberg was growing up. It became a lesson in compassion.
Don't be annoyed by the sounds of the season. David Gunkel has three good reasons you'll survive.
Sure, you can learn a lot from a big bird — and not just the one on Sesame Street, according to Tom McBride.
Shopping can be a lot this time of year. But the memory of the perfect gift keeps Deborah Booth powering forward.
Dan Kenney says trees can teach us the most important thing: we are all connected and dependent on each other.
Colleen McDonald has some ideas about how you can show appreciation for the people behind the instruments.
You deserve a little self-care this time of year, right? But Suzanne Degges-White says it's probably not the answer to all that ails you.
It's Giving Tuesday and Paula Garrett says it's more than donating money to your favorite causes.
Lynnea Erickson Laskowski ponders life as an American woman as she heads back home for the holidays.
If there's one thing that could make sweeping the chimney worse for Chris Fink...well, it happened this year.
If you think political violence is justified, Andrew Nelson has a 26-second film he'd like you to watch again.
In observing politics on the street in Poland, David Gunkel is reminded of the fragility of democracy everywhere.
Lynnly Buchanan rebuts Wester Wuori's Perspective that claimed Gen-X is the real Greatest Generation.
Connie Seraphine invites you to look at the whole truth when it comes to the Israeli/Gaza conflict.
How one responds to ordinary unhappiness, says Tom McBride, separates the Macbeths from the Willie Nelsons.
Deborah Booth says there are a number of reasons our current president deserves praise.
Why the lack of diversity in teaching? Frances Jaeger says it's a consequence of stagnant salaries.
How do you measure wealth? Suzanne Degges-White says it's much more than what's in your bank account.
It's almost time to move your clock back an hour! Paula Garrett hopes to catch some extra Zzzzzs...and maybe head off into some Rapid Eye Movement adventures.
Bob Evans contends some actions by national Republicans threaten the Constitutional system.
Frances Jaeger sees another McCarthy-style witch-hunt in today's politics...and she's not willing to dismiss it with an eyeroll.
Joseph Flynn says there's something that most people don't have to think about...but should. Where ya gonna go?
Lonny Cain has a challenge for you — and it's going to change the way you see the world.
You already know that being out in nature is good for your mental health. But Connie Kuntz asks, "what about my mental health?"
Sure, AI knows what to say, offers Nia Springer-Norris, but only humans can provide the oomph.
The world is full of judgment and hate...but Lynnea Erickson Laskowski has a not-so-secret weapon.
Marianna Ruggerio says when it comes to math and science, adults owe girls more than just sparking their interest.
David Gunkel says the end of the writers' strike is just the beginning of a dramatic struggle between workers and AI.
Angie Walker, Rockford's Homeless Program Coordinator, shares news that affects us all this World Homeless Day.
Joe Mitchell tells us about the role of unions in bettering the lives of people of color.
Amy Doll shares her appreciation of a 60-year-old Illinois law that's practically poetry.
Deborah Booth shares a fascinating, and largely forgotten, story from our nation's history.
What happens when you're finally free of "foot prisons?" Connie Kuntz tells you what freedom is really like.
It seems like a practical plan for Lou Ness, upon discovering a rodent issue in her home...
Talking about aging and death is frowned upon in our society. Paula Garrett wants to start the conversation.
Lynnea Erickson Laskowski says we all know victims of abuse — and we also know abusers. We can't excuse or tolerate their behavior because they're our friends, brothers, or TV stars.
Are we trying to understand our political opponents or just telling them to "bite harder?" Connie Seraphine takes a lesson from a dog named Spot.
The annual fall ritual of firsts and lasts for parents has Wester Wuori thinking about his two decades in the role.
This International Overdose Awareness Day, Nia Springer-Norris wants people to remember their loved ones who have overdosed — and learn how to administer Narcan.
Deborah Booth gets up close to an exciting transition she had only heard of, never seen.
Dan Kenney looks back at a disaster recovery effort that started 77 years ago that could give hope to people suffering today.
Dan Kenney looks back at a disaster recovery effort that started 77 years ago that could give hope to people suffering today.
It's that time of year when social media feeds fill up with a certain kind of adorable/annoying images. Suzanne Degges-White says to have fun with your First Day photos.
The nights are cool, the garden is winding down — Lou Ness appreciates the last sparks of another summer.
Joseph Flynn wonders what four criminal investigations of a former president say about our country.
Chris Fink teaches a writing class in the wilderness every summer — He reflects on how they all got there.
Paula Garrett makes an unexpected trip to Georgia and finds unexpected beauty on the off-ramps.
Environmental reporter Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco is heading a little east after three years with WNIJ.
What do you know about barbed wire? Jessi Haish LaRue says this invention may have kept cows in their place, but it also changed a tiny town's fortunes.
Have you seen Oppenheimer yet? Andrew Nelson says it reminds him of something that's going on now politically.
It's back-to-school time and David Gunkel says we all have something important to learn.
Frances Jaeger's four most powerful words can set you off on a journey. There lies the power...
There are some kids who will never know the joy of finding a souvenir keychain, license plate, or mug with their name on it. And Wester Wuori says that's OK.
Connie Seraphine hosts the second half of her family's reunion — But will spaghetti dinner and firefly chasing be exciting enough for the grandkids? Spoiler alert: Yes.
Josh Dettman remembers his dad with a Neil Young lyric: "The King is gone but he's not forgotten."
Deborah Booth thinks that a certain Congresswoman's latest political stunt is outrageous — and maybe illegal.
All great TV detectives have something in common. And no, says Tom McBride, it's not their curiosity, pipe-smoking, or wise-cracking skills.
Dan Kenney tells us about the latest effort in America to centralize governmental power into the hands of a few.
Lori Drummond-Cherniwchan crunches the numbers and determines it's not mental illness that is responsible for the outrageous number of gun deaths in the U.S.
Suzanne Degges-White is thinking about "The Golden Rule" and how it plays into living a good life.
Hyperpartisanship has led to one of the ugliest symptoms of our social dysfunction, says Bob Evans. And it proves that one of mom's key commandments is wrong.
Joseph Flynn talks about preferences. And by preferences, he means affirmative action, legacy admissions, and race.
Wester Wuori channels his inner Clark Griswold — and enjoys his family vacation anyway.
The pen is mightier than the sword? Rosie Klepper says that's just too much pressure for the bearer of the pens.
Andrew Nelson asks "Does part of your patriotism include fighting for equal access to 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' for all citizens?"
It's a story of two tragedies on water: Joe Mitchell says we are due for real discussion of classism.
Nia Springer-Norris reminds you that the most dangerous echo chamber is the one that we live in.
When the world's troubles seem overwhelming, be like Connie Seraphine: Find a peaceful moment to reset yourself.
Frances Jaeger knows three dogs who manage to retain their faith in humans, despite their traumatic starts in life. Do we deserve them?
A French shopkeeper's smile offered Susan Goldberg a lesson in patience she embraces today.
You aren't imagining things. Deborah Booth says people really are driving like maniacs. Aren't they?
Are you one of the folks complaining about how there's nothing to do this summer? Rick Brooks would like to have a word with you.
The Juneteenth holiday wasn't taught or celebrated in Dan Kenney's schools growing up — so he had to teach himself.
An absurdly large number of Americans are now wandering in the jungle of their own fantasies, says Taylor Atkins. And they can learn a lesson from a Japanese soldier who wouldn't quit.
Suzanne Degges-White wants to know what you are doing this summer...and will it be as great as when you were a kid?
Teachers face titanic struggles these days. Lori Drummond-Cherniwchan has an idea about how the community can help.
Oh no. Your favorite pizza joint closed down. But if you're as lucky as Rosie Klepper, the dough will rise again.
Fighting the good fight will take a lot out of you. Joseph Flynn turns to some old friends for advice on R&R.
Paula Garrett says a recent tragedy on an Illinois highway can show us the devastating effects of our farming techniques.
There's a book purge going on at Marnie O. Mamminga's house. But unlike those making headlines across the nation, hers are on their way to happy new homes.
Lynnea Erickson Laskowski says "Don't Say Gay" laws are forcing shame and self-hatred on a whole new generation.
We all come from somewhere. Susan Goldberg ponders the factor that changed her father's life journey.
There is a phrase that Melody Dominguez takes with her wherever she goes: “Respect for the rights of others means peace.”
Whenever Andrew Nelson delves into the tragedies of history, he wonders how the ideologies behind those tragedies came to be. He finds the answer is tragically easy.
Will the writers strike have a Hollywood ending? David Gunkel wonders who will write it.
Surgery and recovery kept Connie Seraphine from enjoying her favorite time of year — and now she's making up for it.
As the nation waits to see if we'll default on our bills, Joe Mitchell says it's a good time to remember a budget is a moral statement of priorities.
What can we do to stop mass shootings in a country that seems numb to bloodshed? Wester Wuori has an idea...and he doesn't like it.
Replika AI is sexually harassing some users. Nia Norris says there's a lot to unpack when it comes survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
It's time to face facts. Corinne Sosso says nobody wants your styrofoam cups or take-out containers.
Paula Garrett says "look up!" There are once-in-a-lifetime encounters waiting to be experienced.
Dan Kenney asks, "What kind of elected leadership style do you want? Authoritarian or democratic?"
It doesn't take much effort for Lou Ness to imagine a world where politicians are primary care physicians.
As we once again ask, "How could it happen here?" Suzanne Degges-White reminds us that we can get help for "violence fatigue."
Public officials at just about any level have to follow strict ethical guidelines: Rick Brooks says it's high time the Supreme Court joined them.
We all want to matter. But at what cost to today's society? Bob Evans presents the case of Jack Teixeira.
Writing isn't easy. So Joseph Flynn asks you to consider the plight of the television writer.
A floating laboratory continues to churn out important scientific discoveries. But in part two of his Perspective, Reed Scherer says the whole program is on the chopping block.
In a two-part Perspective, Reed Scherer takes a look at the president's latest funding proposals and what that could mean for a project that provides key information about climate change.
Frances Jaeger bids farewell to the morning host we've all woken up with for the past three decades.
Our world is full of good and generous people, says Lynnea Erickson Laskowski, and now is the perfect time to show it.
Is social media a tool or are we a tool of social media? Milandy Horan considers what we do with our precious time.
How is April the hottest month of the year? According to Elizabeth Bach, it's prescribed burning awareness month!
What rolls through your mind as you sit in your car waiting for a two-mile-long train to release you from your side of the tracks?
Rosie Klepper has a thing for bagpipes. So another wheezing pipe of spring gets a pass from her.
What happened to two state lawmakers in Tennessee was an affront to democracy, says Joe Mitchell.
The signs are all lining up, so Connie Seraphine is celebrating spring by fostering a healthier ecosystem.
The loss of someone you don't even know can hurt profoundly. Wester Wuori remembers The Youngest Old Cat Lady.
Another sign of spring lands in the Northwoods, and Marnie Mamminga wonders just how they do it.
You've heard the phrase and maybe even taken part in one of this month's sexual assault awareness events. Nia Norris remembers the person who taught her it can happen to anyone.
Florida students may get a whitewashed version of Rosa Parks' brave civil rights protest. Deborah Booth says textbook publishers need to show some courage, too.
You've heard that "many hands make light work," right? Corrine Sosso applies that old chestnut to our landscape.
Suzanne Degges-White introduces us to "chaos chasers" and how they fulfill their need for community.
Spring comes whether you are rich or poor, says Dan Kenney, but the experience of spring is not equal.
Remember when everything around you seemed so big and important? Tom McBride says, "Grow up."
One diagnosis does not fit all, says Kelsey Cunningham. And it's time for the medical world to recognize and act on that fact.
Where does your mind go when you hear the call of a distant train? Lonny Cain tells us what it says to him.
History shows that banning and burning books leads to destruction. Joseph Flynn wonders what we are going to do about it.
Are you a turntable aficionado? Paula Garrett revels in the still-popular vinyl platters during a visit to her local record store.
The pandemic changed us in so many ways. For Francisco Solares-Larrave, even his shopping habits may have been permanently altered.
Our Perspectives contributor Jim Kline died earlier this month. Today would have been Jim's regular on-air slot. His friend John Seraphine steps up to share his thoughts on what made Jim so special to the people in his life, including WNIJ's listeners.
Don't let the minimalists get you down, says Lynnea Erickson Laskowski from her cluttered, colorful, happy cubicle.
Corinne Sosso encourages us to take our stewardship seriously — keep those pizza boxes out of the recycling bin!
Marnie O. Mamminga celebrates women's basketball as it is today by remembering what it was like when she was a kid.
Your family is much bigger than you ever imagined. And Tom McBride wants to harness the power of family to solve crimes.
It's Women's History Month and Nia Norris takes a look at the anti-violence movement in Illinois.
Many of us have a mail-in ballot in our hands already for the April 4, 2023 election. Deborah Booth has advice on becoming an informed voter.
Frances Jaeger is following an ever-growing gallery of what she calls "Republican Pinocchios."
We all need a place to go where everyone knows our name, according to Suzanne Degges-White.
Have you heard? Dan Libman wants to make sure you know who's visiting your local public radio station.
Bob Evans looks back at the most recent State of the Union address and is gravely disappointed...with the GOP.
What do Slim Pickens and Scott Horsley have in common? Let Rick Brooks answer his own riddle...
Lynnea Erickson Laskowski says there's much more to love than a romantic partner and a box of chocolates. Why aren't we celebrating all of the other loves in our lives?
Think you know George Washington? Andrew Nelson encourages you to dig deeper. Check out his reading list at the end of today's Perspective.
Fixing the problems with one technology, says David Gunkel, can often mean bringing in more technology.
Connie Seraphine says we all may have been affected differently by COVID — but these experiences could help move humanity forward.
With all the hair-on-fire drama surrounding gas stoves lately, Scott Summers says, hey, there's actually something to this argument.
Like a Genie in a bottle, love for Marnie O. Mamminga's granddaughter poured from the past and present on her 16th birthday.
If a camera that can see a golf ball 20 miles away makes you feel small and insignificant, Tom McBride is here to restore your pride in humanity. Maybe.
Deborah Booth says it's 1912 all over again for the GOP as it deals with splits in the party.
As our nation mourns Tyre Nichols and those who came before him, remember that racial violence — like domestic violence — is rooted in power and control.
Every time we make inferences about a whole group based on a single story, says Milandy Horan, prejudice is born.
Jabari Cox says you can learn a lot about oppression by taking a deep dive into your own culture.
"Just wait 'til you get old!" warned Paula Garrett's father. Well? Plus, Paula shares her inspirational reading list.
Bob Evans says Kevin McCarthy's fight to become U.S. House Speaker was caused by more than a personality clash.
The rhetoric around the assault weapons ban is hot — and Lou Ness says one word that doesn't belong is "sanctuary."
One of the best Christmas gifts Lonny Cain received was from himself: A letter of evaluation. And he scored pretty well!
In a world of bad bosses and quiet quitting, Lori Drummond-Cherniwchan wants you to meet...Buv.
Frances Jaeger examines the so-called Great Resignation through the lens of the little people.
To pretend that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would not have supported today's anti-racism movements is ludicrous, says Joseph Flynn.
Jim Kline doesn't believe in horoscopes, but he does believe in the science behind one star seen long ago.
Lynnea Erickson Laskowski is steamed after a bank snafu — And it reminds her that not so long ago, women needed more than good credit to get a credit card.
You can learn a lot about people by watching them like, well... like you'd watch a cat, says cat-observer Francisco Solares Larrave.
It’s one thing to be an unpalatable, unhinged and ill-educated human being, says Andrew Nelson. But it’s another thing to vote for such a human being.
What are the pros and cons of large language models, like ChatGPT, in a university setting? David Gunkel asks a bot.
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens? Meh, they're all right. But Wester Wuori's favorite things are a whole different story.
The latest World Cup is history but there's still something about it that sticks in Taylor Atkins' craw...
Your kids don't share your interests? Deborah Booth says don't be disappointed, they're finding their own way.
The Charlie Brown Christmas Special has been a holiday classic for decades. But for Nick Glover, it's the soundtrack that brings on the merry.
The holidays can be very stressful. Nia Norris says to think about how difficult this time can be for people in abusive relationships.
It seems so long ago, but Marnie O. Mamminga takes us back to special moment during the pandemic when the bells rang out.
Winter and the holidays got you down? Suzanne Degges-White says it's time to light a metaphorical fire.
Winter break turns campuses into ghost towns. But Kara Regnier remembers those who can't go home.
It has been an exhausting few weeks for Queer Americans. Frankie DiCiaccio says it's complicated, even with passage of the Respect for Marriage Act.
Lonny Cain remembers a song from childhood — a song that's about a lot more than a blue tail fly.
Paula Garrett has a new strategy for changing the direction of conversations that are heading nowhere she wants to go.
Want to improve your quality of life? Pam Clark Reidenbach recommends giving to your favorite local nonprofits!
Once upon a time, a child was born into a family when they needed him most. Jim Kline picks up the story from there.
Knowing when to walk away and knowing when to run are very important life skills, says Frances Jaeger and a beloved country singer.
Kelsey Cunningham says the quality of health care shouldn't depend on the color of your skin.
Andrew Nelson says America still needs workers — and not necssarily the kind holding a four-year-degree.
With a rail strike looming, Dave Rathke says we've been working too hard for too long — and it won't be politicians who save us.
DNA tests aren't just for humans any more. Rosie Klepper considers solving a mystery in her own home.
It's National Family Caregivers Month. Have you ever thought about how your childhood experiences may impact the care you provide your ill loved ones? M. Courtney Hughes has.
What if Michael Jordan was the only basketball player on earth? Tom McBride has thoughts.
It was more than 100 years ago this month that one of the nation's worst mining disasters happened in northern Illinois. It still resonates with Lori Drummond-Cherniwchan today.
It's been a really tough few months. Coach Suzanne Degges-White has advice for pulling off an upset victory.
You think you know the works of Jane Austen, right? Well, Francisco Solares-Larrave says not so fast, if you've only watched the films.
Mid-way through the dark days of November, Katie Andraski points us toward the light at the end of this tunnel.
On this Veterans Day, Lonny Cain says it's important for people to share stories of their military experiences. But are we listening?
Paula Garrett trades in her distaste for winter's darkness for an appreciation of twilight.
It is essential for the furthering of society to always embrace the humanity of others, says Joe Flynn. But how?
Show us your "I Voted" sticker! Lynnea Erickson Laskowski says participating in democracy is a small act of courage and faith.
Bob Babcock says the more input there is into creating a successful society, the greater the probability that success will happen.
Did the pandemic kill our ability to appreciate a smile? Melody Dominguez says not as long as we keep it real.
You don't need to know your bass-orenos from your hula poppers to appreciate what a person's tacklebox can tell you about them. Or so says Chris Fink.
Joe Mitchell says blind allegiance to a political party doesn't leave room for critical thinking.
It's that time of year when the dead are honored, showcased, and sometimes feared. But Connie Seraphine has a better idea.
Emily Klonicki explains why the well-being of our youngest residents is so important — and has a way for you to help now.
So what do you do if the country is on an express elevator, going down? Wester Wuori knows what to do.
No, it's not because they haven't met the "right person." And no, they won't "just grow out of it." Kelsey Cunningham wants you to know asexuality is real — and there's nothing wrong with it.
"Pink slime journalism" isn't new, but Deborah Booth tells us it's more brazen than ever. And it's as disgusting as it sounds...
From Iago to Deep Throat, Tom McBride warns to keep an eye on the one passed over for promotion.
It may not be glamorous, but change has to start somewhere. And Elsa Glover says there's no shame in dishwater.
Dan Kenney wonders if Americans have what it takes to maintain our democracy — especially when it comes to "virtue."
This time of year means one thing to Rosie Klepper — just don't jump the gun on your dream pumpkin.
Have you ever been in the middle of a heartwarming moment and thought, “This is going to be a memory I treasure in the future”? Suzanne Degges-White says there's a name for that.
Retailers are amping up sales this week, way ahead of the traditional shopping season and "Black Friday." Jabari Cox has some advice for the wary — and weary — online shopper.
This is the month we "celebrate monsters and ghosts..." Katie Andraski observes the slipping of the seasons into darkness.
Bob Evans says it's time to shed some childish notions about the magical powers of capitalism.
A search for her favorite Dominican foods leads Milandy Horan to a realization about immigrants and what they're made of.
Show Lonny Cain a glass that's half full and he'll ask "half full of what?" You know the type.
What are the signposts in your life's trajectory? Paula Garrett weighs in from a deserted beach.
It's a difficult discussion to have with family... but now Jim Kline is left wondering if he really wants a memorial service with prizes.
We are all connected. And every now and then, those connections are pure delight. Lynnea Erickson Laskowski shares her recent discovery involving her hometown.
Andrew Nelson asks, "If most adults would not want to return to their youth, why are some of those adults now targeting the most vulnerable kids in our midst?"
NIU professor David Gunkel says the U.S. isn't keeping up with the rest of the world when it comes to teaching kids how to code.
After a recent bout of COVID, Connie Seraphine lost her sense of smell. Now she's fighting to get it back using a technique called "Smell Retraining Therapy."
September 20 is a day to not only encourage others to register to vote, but to check your own registration so you won't miss the chance to vote in November!
Don Gillingham looks at how productive summer learning can be — and how the pandemic may have changed learning for the better.
Students are eager, even fierce, about the prospect of voting this fall. Deborah Booth says there's one good reason.
Don't wear white after Labor Day and never ever get caught in a straw hat in the off-season. Elsa Glover asks "what will set us off in the future?"
Chile did it, Guatemala did it, Peru did it, even Illinois managed to prosecute its corrupt leaders. Francisco Solares-Larrave says America has no excuse.
No one's being hush-hush over quiet quitting any more — especially not Suzanne Degges-White.
There's a roadside marker you may have passed dozens of times traveling up and down the state of Illinois. Lori Drummond-Cherniwchan took the exit and suggests you do, too.
DeKalb County is on the verge of adding more solar to its energy portfolio. Katie Andraski says the plan isn't all sunshine and rainbows.
Fall is the busiest time, harvesting and preserving the garden bounty, cleaning the windows, sweeping the... hold on, Lou Ness has a major announcement.
America can't resist opening our box full of misery over and over again. Joseph Flynn wonders what's left in there.
It's so hard to say goodbye to a furry friend. But Paula Garrett does her best to ease the transition for a beloved cat... and herself.
G.K. Wuori says it's time our political figures learn who's a good boy — and how to be one themselves.
Take Jim Kline out to the ballgame — this weekend, at least, for the Little League World Series.
Why can't a Finnish leader have a fun night out with friends? Lynnea Erickson Laskowski says it's an all-too-familiar tale.
A bear, 30,000 blueberries, and Optimal Forage Theory. Chris Fink puts it all together.
Andrew Nelson tries to teach kids an important lesson about responsibility but keeps running into reality.
A requiem for the Gideon Bible? Frances Jaeger says hotel nightstands will never be the same.
We learned a lot of new skills during the pandemic. David Gunkel says some of them are worth keeping.
A family facing tragedy, a phone call, and another reminder for Joe Mitchell that America isn't there for its working poor.
Didn't he just bring that baby home from the hospital, wonders Wester Wuori in his parental Perspective.
Deborah Booth wonders why she doesn't have to scrape so many bugs off her windshield any more.
A family trip to Paris! Elsa Glover finds something deeper in the ooh-la-la of the City of Light.
Tired of all the world's troubles? Dan Kenney is too, so he's shifting his view toward what's actually working.
Why are we here? Why are YOU here? Margaret "The Pegster" LeMieux says "choose your adventure."
There are a lot of factors to take into account when deciding whether or not to have a child. Katie Andraski shares hers.
In June, Republicans voting in the Illinois primary stood at a fork in the road — Bob Evans says it was a defining moment for the party.
A few kind words from a stranger can change your day. Or in Lonny Cain's case, they can change your life.
Recent photos from the James Webb Telescope can steer bleak political conversations out of the spewing and into new realms of our imaginations.
The abortion debate hits home for Jim Kline. He wonders how a loved one's miscarriage would be viewed in today's climate.
Our universe is breathtakingly big...and pretty. Lynnea Erickson Laskowski says now we have the pictures to prove it.
Ever make a wish and then it came true? Francisco Solares Larrave has a cautionary tale for you.
David Gunkel wants to talk about guns. But not in the usual way people talk about guns.
Who's the smartest kid on the farm? Connie Seraphine appreciates the talents of her farm's youngest residents.
Feel like someone’s watching? Frances Jaeger says maybe that’s part of living in a for-profit, private sector Panopticon.
Marnie O. Mamminga asks "what happened to kindness, compassion, and love thy neighbor as thy self?"
Kelsey Cunningham proposes embracing the new lease on time learned during the pandemic.
Wisdom comes with age, right? Tom McBride says there might be a very good reason for that.
Deborah Booth says the recent Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade will hurt poor families.
While celebrating women's freedom to play sports, Anissa Kuhar cries foul about the loss of another right.
History shows music can bring people together — and Nick Glover says it goes beyond the notes on the page.
With liberty and justice for all. Dan Kenney examines these important words this Independence Day.
This Independence Day, Wester Wuori contemplates how he now lives in a country where his daughter has fewer rights than her mother and grandmother.
Got passionate opinions but marching's not your thing? Never fear, Suzanne Degges-White has tips on affecting change in your own way.
Frankie DiCiaccio says it's time to unite because abortion and bodily autonomy are linked to other civil rights.
Our scents are primal, says Katie Andraski. So what do you do when your scent is canceled?
As America is about to celebrate its independence, Bob Evans says "the trail of our history is littered with violations of our deepest principles."
Just when our world's problems seem too big, Elizabeth Bach of the Nature Conservancy Illinois steps up to say there's something meaningful you can do close to home.
Expect to feel the heat this summer, and Robert Ullrich says it won't just be the weather. So he invites us into his American Government classroom to explain.
We need to pay more attention to what nature is trying to tell us, says Lonny Cain after his recent trip to Yellowstone.
Twenty years ago today, Jim Kline pushed off on a life-changing journey across America.
Johnny Depp has created some endearing characters during his long career — but Lynnea Erickson Laskowski says that doesn't mean he earned a pass in the courtroom.
The Civil War, World War II, and today: Andrew Nelson says they are points in history where we have come close to losing our democratic republic of the United States of America.
Monty and Rose, Chicago's beloved piping plovers, are gone, but David Gunkel points to the hope they left behind.
The League of Women Voters is bringing the public together with community leaders to examine violence and seek solutions.
Farm cats deserve love, too! Connie Seraphine blows up the myth of the cold, unfeeling feline.
The first step in treating a problem is admitting you have one — And Wester Wuori says our country is failing when it comes to gun violence.
Pastor Joe Mitchell says, "There is something deeply hypocritical about praying for a problem you are unwilling to resolve."
Laurie Elish-Piper asks us to consider the words of Nelson Mandela: “The true character of society is revealed in how it treats its children.”
Deborah Booth says the majority of Americans want common sense gun reforms — and only the power of the vote can take down the power of the gun lobby.
Elsa Glover urges her fellow teachers to turn off that alarm clock — and savor at least a few mornings.
Kristi Correa says if we don't learn to manage our emotions, they can control us. And that could be a key to reducing violence in our society.
Summer is a break in the routine of school, but Don Gillingham implores you to not to let it shut down your life-long learning ambitions.
Thanks for the memories, but as Katie Andraski points out, sometimes it's better to forget.
It's bigger than barbecues. With Memorial Day just a week away, Bob Evans reflects on what the "holiday" truly means.
Shocked and outraged by the latest mass shooting? Welcome to the worst version of one of Joseph Flynn's favorite films.
One million COVID deaths. Lou Ness says it's time for our country to truly mourn our loss.
Open your eyes and really take in what's around you. Lonny Cain wants to talk about the things we build.
Put down your weapons and give in to the golden lawn invader. Paula Garrett sings the praises of the underappreciated dandelion (and recommends some related reading!).
Jerry Paulson shares his reasons to get out and about in Winnebago County forest preserves this year.
Basketball superstar Brittney Griner is being held in Russia on drug charges. Joe Mitchell says the politics behind her treatment go much deeper than Russia vs. the U.S.
Think about your relationship with alcohol. Wester Wuori says it's a vicious cycle for Americans.
Why do people vote for authoritarian leaders? What's the infatuation with fascism? Taylor Atkins has some thoughts.
Remember that moment at this year's Oscars? No, not that moment. Deborah Booth remembers an act of kindness between two legends you may have missed.
Students at Elsa Glover's middle school are learning how to tell their own stories — and so can you.
Is April truly the "cruelest month?" It might feel like it, but don't give up. May is coming!
Families can have a lot of pets over a lifetime, but a pet usually only gets one true family. Madison Conklin reflects on what we bring each other.
That "new normal" we've been living in for the past couple of years? Suzanne Degges-White says it's time to figure out your "new now."
An exhibit at the Princeton Public Library examines The Four Freedoms. Rick Brooks wants to know what freedom means to you.
A restrictive pandemic-related immigration rule is about to expire. Bob Evans says Congress is not prepared.
Who on earth is that old person? Don't worry, advises Tom McBride. That photo looks nothing like you.
Feeling oppressed these days? Francisco Solares-Larrave puts on his serious hat and tells us what it's like to live under a real dictator.
She's fierce, powerful, and has a job to do. And Wester Wuori says what the world needs now is Louise, the peregrine falcon, and the five eggs she's tending high above the city of Rockford.
Choosing the right school is an investment in time, talent, and treasure. Don Gillingham says the state is trying to help parents with their choices.
Wouldn't it be great to be able to fix that slightly outdated phone instead of getting a new one? David Gunkel says "right to repair" legislation could be the answer.
What do you value? Connie Seraphine says now is the time to commit your time and resources to making a better world.
"America has enough money to take life," says Joe Mitchell. "So why don't we have enough to maintain life?"
A conqueror, an actor, and the future of the planet. Tom McBride brings it all together for us.
Bill Gahan takes a look at indoctrination and propaganda with, and without, totalitarianism.
Faye Licari's yard was an overwhelming blank canvas — until a neighbor gave her some practical advice about dreams.
Dan Kenney says we need to recognize and honor the trauma people have experienced or are experiencing.
American ingenuity has led to some of history's greatest achievements — But as Francisco Solares-Larrave notes, silver bullet solutions don't always lead to the best outcomes.
You've heard of "toxic positivity," right? Suzanne Degges-White has another "mixed blessing" for you.
Remember the first bird that caught your eye and turned you into a life-long birdwatcher? Marnie O. Mamminga does.
Peace doesn't preserve itself — Bob Evans says there are many lessons to take from the war in Ukraine.
Social media soldiers, savvy world leaders, and brave Russians standing up to their leader — Lou Ness looks at who's on the right side of the war in Ukraine.
Justice delayed is justice denied — but Joe Flynn says this week, Congress finally did the right thing.
The war in Ukraine isn't about oil, says Reed Scherer, but it's financed and driven by it.
Is spring overrated? Paula Garrett finds the silver lining in those late winter storm clouds.
Know what a "floating capital" is? Doesn't matter, says Tom McBride. Just delete that ancient history.
The world is bigger than any of us — and Lynnea Erickson Laskowski is about to jump in with both feet and her whole heart.
It's Ash Wednesday and Connie Seraphine finds meaning in a song sung by an unlikely character in a surprising place.
Today's politicians could learn a lot from a 19th century Illinoisan — And Jim Kline says it might not be the one you're thinking of.
The teacher shortage is at crisis levels — and Andrew Nelson says treating teachers like "thought criminals" is only making things worse.
There really is one simple trick to making life better for you, your kids, and even your teens. Just ask Susan Goldberg.
Feel like the world is moving too quickly? David Gunkel says to flip that — our most pressing problems are moving very, very slowly.
As we emerge from the pandemic, what have we learned? Don Gillingham says hopefully, we've learned something about how education can grow and change.
Got a credit card? Then Scott Summers says you've probably felt the impact of one court ruling made decades ago — and now it's time to change it.
It's Black History Month — Joe Mitchell says to look to the people who have contributed to every aspect of American culture.
Technology's great 'til Frances Jaeger reminds you what's behind the death of the snow day.
It's time for a tune-up, and Francisco Solares-Larrave is feeling like a pretty well-oiled machine.
Limiting the vote limits the power of all people — Lou Ness says America needs to face its ugly history before it can move past it.
Yes, a world of gluten-free products has made life better for many people. But Rosie Klepper thinks the wheatless advertising may have gone a step too far...
Lonny Cain has already wrapped a present for himself for next Christmas. He'll let us peek under the wrapping.
Marva Collins said, “Education is painful and not gained by playing games.” Joseph Flynn looks at psychological distress, education, and political games through her lens.
Live voice transcription can provide moments of comedy. But David Gunkel says it's not so funny for some people.
Encanto reminds Lynnea Erickson Laskowski of the gifts we gain from our most difficult experiences.
As we settle into the new year, Kyle Horn shares some words of advice from philosopher Ted Lasso.
It's a beautiful moonlit night in Sri Lanka and it's your turn to entertain your new friends around the bonfire. Rick Brooks surprised himself.
Two years into a pandemic, Connie Seraphine manages to find small, positive connections just about every day. But it can take some work.
The nation's blood supply is at its lowest level in a decade, and Frankie DiCiaccio would love to help. But...
Free, fair, and accessible elections? League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford member Carol Davies says that's what it's all about.
Pets — can't live without 'em! Francisco Solares-Larrave ponders who was the first to decide it was a good idea to live with them.
A road map can help get you where you're going. Marnie O. Mamminga is hoping for one that can take us even further.
Sometimes there's a spark of inspiration — and sometimes there isn't. Elsa Glover says that's OK.
There's no need to hide it. Dan Kenney says democracy is being dismantled right out in the open, where everyone can see.
It takes more than a new calendar to get Katie Andraski on track in the new year. Doors are opened.
What is executive privilege? Bob Evans would like to start the new year by facing the truth of the matter.
Remember the early days of the pandemic? Lou Ness does and appreciates what you've done to get us this far, at least.
It's a time for starting fresh. Paula Garrett reflects on beginnings with memories of "science and awe."
The longest lines Joe Flynn has seen this holiday season haven't been for a chance to see Santa.
This Christmas Eve, Jim Kline ponders three 2,000-year-old miracles that brought us to this day.
What's on your list of classic holiday movies? Lynnea Erickson-Laskowski shares what tops her list and the lesson Scrooges of any stripe can take from it.
For the love of the goose, don't call them "sky carp." It's all a matter of context, says Chris Fink.
Andrew Nelson tells politicians where to go, if they invoke comparisons to a horrific time in human history.
SF looking for SM, available immediately through the chilly season. Only NPR listeners need apply!
Students in a Northern Illinois University environmental studies class share what they learned from local water protection professionals this semester — and how you can help protect your area aquifer.
Joe Mitchell says if you need money to celebrate Christmas, you might be doing it wrong.
Looking for a slightly less-stressful holiday season? Frances Jaeger tells Santa to dial it back a notch.
Northern Illinois University student and WNIJ intern Allyson White had a semester like no other. She shares her handy tip for thriving.
Dan Kenney says we know how to cut poverty and hunger in our country. So why aren't we doing it?
On this 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, we pause to remember the pain and suffering. And we pause to hope we can find peace in the midst of our own turmoil.
There's time to prepare for the tough questions your infant is going to throw at you in a few years. Consider this a public service announcement/parental advisory from Tom McBride.
Suzanne Degges-White says it might sound cheesy, but it really is the thought that counts.
Miss your old neighborhood grocery store? Christyn Rittenhouse sure does. But she found a big ray of hope in the resurgence of co-ops.
It's been called "the cruelest tax," and Bob Evans says Democrats need to focus on it for the mid-terms.
There's a magic syllable that might just be able to relieve your pain a bit, says Lonny Cain.
On the day traditionally spent in the kitchen with the gobbler, Frances Jaeger is in another room tending the gurgler.
Words matter. Lou Ness weighs in on the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict and the grief that can't be brushed aside.
Northern Illinois University professor Joseph Flynn reacts to America's reaction to the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict.
Is your dining room table ready to return to its pre-pandemic glory? Marnie O. Mamminga polishes the silver and celebrates the real meaning of Thanksgiving.
You wouldn't have seen that flying proudly in someone's yard back when Jim Kline was a kid.
You've got to be in the right place at the right moment — and Chris Fink was, when the mulberry tree let loose.
The plague, the 1918 flu, smallpox — We can learn a lot about our future from our past. Andrew Nelson has a modest proposal...
Some lessons are tough. Some lessons are sweet. Luckily for Rosie Klepper, her math teacher believed in the sweet kind.
COVID has complicated what was used to be an open-and-shut decision for teachers and professors in classrooms everywhere.
There's a shortage of qualified Early Childhood teachers — but Laurie Elish-Piper says there's good news that can help turn that around.
Meet the first-year college students. Tom McBride says the life experiences of an 18-year-old might be a little different from your own.
As more information about the January 6 riot in Washington emerges, Deborah Booth finds the work of the officers on the ground "awe-inspiring and heartbreaking."
Love, hate, or tolerate, face masks have become a way to express yourself. Kitty whiskers, anyone?
Some things are feeling more "normal" as we transition through this pandemic — and some are not. Elsa Glover points out how confusing that can be.
Remember "The War on Poverty?" Dan Kenney does and wonders how far we've come in the past half century.
A warm summer night and vintage hotrods stir a sense of nostalgia for Bill Gahan — just not his own nostalgia.
What happens when you run out of the good candy — during a pandemic? Rosie Klepper knows.
It's early in the Biden administration, but Bob Evans says the president must walk a fine foreign policy line when it comes to China.
There's only the tiniest fraction of native prairie left in the so-called Prairie State. Holly Jones says it's time to protect what little is still here.
Two recent tragedies afford Lou Ness the opportunity to appreciate life in a very real —and realistic — way.
Have you heard about the class on Drake and The Weeknd? Don't scoff, says Joseph Flynn.
Dominion over the animals? Jim Kline prefers to honor the relationships between all animals, including humans.
It's Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Lynnea Erickson-Laskowski wants us all to understand our role in it.
Chris Fink joins a ragtag team of adventurers as they — saiddle? paddail? — their way down The Great River.
Who's to blame for the ongoing pandemic? Andrew Nelson explains that it's a lot more complicated than you think.
When Facebook went down, it took an even more important service with it, says David Gunkel.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Joe Mitchell says men need to be better allies.
Deborah Booth urges Democrats and Republicans to get off the sidelines and pass voter rights legislation.
A Yellowstone grizzly was lucky enough to catch a rare site this summer — human strangers being kind to one another!
Eighteen months into the pandemic, and Suzanne Degges-White says our country still hasn’t found equilibrium with the no longer so very “new” normal. In fact, folks seem to be having a few more public “come aparts” about things than a year ago.
The new Texas abortion law is not just unconstitutional, it's anti-constitutional, says Bob Evans.
Joseph Flynn remembers the day 20 years ago his world stopped — like it did for so many others.
Unite or perish: Andrew Nelson says a 401-year-old lesson is key to our nation's future.
There's a special kind of melancholy for parents who lose their "first day of school" rituals. Just ask Susan Goldberg.
A new school, a new year, a pandemic? Hannah Tallacksen can't wait for her third grade life to get back to normal.
How do you help your community's most precious resource thrive? Susan Fumo says you invest in their education.
What's it like to have nearly your whole teaching career fall under the cloud of a pandemic? Fingers crossed for third-year Rockford teacher Caleb Wells!
After 25 years of shuffling kids off to their first day of school, Lynnly Buchanan thought she was looking forward to the end.
Have you caught the new Netflix series, "The Chair?" David Gunkel says something very important is missing.
What are your survival tips in these times of crisis after crisis? Connie Seraphine shares hers.
Love your neighbor as yourself? Joe Mitchell wonders why so many Christians set this teaching aside during the pandemic.
When Deborah Booth's neighbor suffers a mysterious illness, the vultures lose their roost.
Northern Illinois University professor Reed Scherer sends us an S.O.S. on climate change from his research ship in the Norwegian Sea.
The first day of school is a time for fireworks! Elsa Glover celebrates the possibilities.
We've changed over the last year. Suzanne Degges-White wonders if we can trust each other again.
Sometimes a true professional finds us when we are at our lowest. It happened to Katie Andraski.
Bob Evans says while Americans focus on political disputes here at home, we are missing the big picture abroad.
Get up early or stay up late — just get out, look up, and enjoy the Perseids, says Marnie O. Mamminga.
Hip hop turns 48 soon — Joseph Flynn tells us how this musical genre went from fad to phenomenon, then gives us his top 20.
Sometimes, being sturdy and stubborn isn't enough. Emily Porter says your air conditioning is at stake as officials duke out energy legislation in Springfield.
Someone is sending secret messages to Chris Fink in the wilds of Minnesota. Can he decode "Sandscript?"
Andrew Nelson acknowledges the hardest-working people in America — who don't get the respect they deserve.
With billionaires going where no billionaire has gone before, David Gunkel asks you to remember the good girl who did it first, more than half a century ago.
"Emotional Climate Change" could be heating up — or cooling down — your environment at work, church, and just about anywhere humans interact.
Reduce, reuse, recycle, restore — Rick Brooks revisits two little letters that are doing remarkable things.
Can dogs and cats have careers? Probably not. But then again, there was Tom McBride's cat, Franklin.
Voting rights are under attack, so Deborah Booth says there might be another way to preserve and protect them.
Two years ago, Jodi Ritter shared her Perspective on what she had learned from her two-year-old. Now, the mother and son are back with new insights.
Dan Kenney sees opportunities for society in a post-pandemic world — but we need to act quickly.
Independence Day is more than picnics and fireworks, according to Bob Evans. Consider it a commitment ceremony.
Is it un-American to uncover uncomfortable truths about our nation's history? Joseph Flynn takes on that issue in today's Perspective.
Four out of five television doctors recommend this when your life hits rock bottom. At least Perspectives author Lonny Cain says so.
Singer Britney Spears' continuing fight with her father for control of her life reminds Perspectives author Tom McBride of some fateful power battles of the past.
$0 premiums? How will these insurance companies make any money? Don't worry, says Perspectives author Karl Winkler.
Perspectives author Lynnea Erickson Laskowski discovers an important story about surviving sexual assault — in a surprising place.
Commentator Jim Kline inters two family members in what he calls "most hallowed ground," Arlington National Cemetery.
Commentator and teacher Andrew Nelson says "no whitewashing, no demonizing, just the truth" when it comes to teaching history to children.
Perspectives author David Gunkel takes one small step onto the standup stage — and one giant leap out of his comfort zone.
Another Father’s Day is upon us. While it won’t get the commercial hype Mother’s Day receives, it’s still an important day of remembrance.
I woke up at 4 a.m. and went to my screened-in porch to read, but I gave up a few minutes later. The birdsong was so loud, I couldn't focus on my novel.
Many years ago a man looked at the bare trees of late November and said to me, "The leaves won't come back for half a year." He was miserable about it. But now they have come back. The oaks and maples are no longer denuded. "Spring has sprung," as the poet said, "and the grass is ris. I wonder where the birdies is."
My husband has carried a Swiss Army knife in his pocket ever since I’ve known him. It comes in handy when he needs to open packages, tighten screws, and sharpen pencils.
My travel plans squelched for the foreseeable future, I was elated when my traveling buddies from California posted a memory on Facebook. We’d traveled to White Horse Station in the Yukon Territory to view the colorful night sky at the Northern Lights Resort. There, in addition to the aurora borealis, we were introduced at breakfast to the Eierschalensollbruchstellenverursacher, a clever German device for removing just the shell cap of a cooked egg.
It’s always satisfying to perfect a skill. No matter the skill, it takes a lot of practice and desire. It’s funny though. There is no one perfect way to do anything -- we each have our own sense of perfection. Once we master a skill, we raise it to perfection by adding our own personal touch.
Growing up, my family and I went to church often. Raising a large family and moving from out of town, church gave my young married parents a social and moral start to their new lives together. We loved it. They taught Sunday School every Sunday, met their lifelong friends, and assured that all seven of us kids went through Lutheran Confirmation.
Every year about this time, most of us feel the summer season crack open with a variety of Memorial Day celebrations and a hunger for the pleasure that only a barbecue, good friends, and camaraderie around a fire pit can satisfy.
I never thought of I’d be a cat person until Onyx wandered onto our lower field. Bruce and I were pleased to finally have a cat to control the mice and rats. Onyx edged closer to the barn. He acted two faced, sitting on a stump and hissing. Then he’d meow like he wanted to be friends.
Today is Memorial Day, an almost unique holiday for us. We do not celebrate with joy; rather, we honor fallen soldiers with a wistful sadness in our hearts. Some of that sadness stems from the fact that so many of us know, or knew, some of those we honor.
As Memorial Day approaches, I found myself thinking back to when I was a child and marched in the Memorial Day parade. In my American Legion uniform, I proudly marched down the street. It was 1957 and close to when the Allies across the world defeated fascism, ending World War II. Europe and Asia were in shambles.
The 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision reversed the “separate but equal” doctrine and desegregated schools. We tend to hold that as proof that our nation turned around race relations and a true testament of our willingness to do what is right. But that is not the whole story.
I feel bad for most people. They have never had one of the greatest joys in life: getting to know a lot of teenagers really well.
Some books don't need to be lengthy to have a powerful impact on the reader. Elegy for Mary Turner by Rachel Marie-Crane Williams is one of those books. Small in size and short in length, its typography, illustrations, and paper are unusual. But it chronicles a horrific crime in Georgia one hundred years ago.
Guidance keeps changing all the time. Wear a mask outdoors, you don’t need to wear a mask outdoors! Student desks should be 6 ft apart in the classroom…well, maybe it is okay if they are 3 feet apart. Don’t touch your pets if you have COVID. Didn’t you hear about that tiger that got COVID from his zookeeper? Well, actually, maybe your pets won’t give you COVID.
I’m reading The Three Lives of James Madison: Genius, Partisan, President, by Noah Feldman, which takes a deep dive into Madison’s role in creating the Constitution, the tall task in getting it ratified, then figuring out how to take that plan and put it into governing practice. The process was messy, contentious and in great danger of failing to provide a stable replacement for the Articles of Confederation.
What images come to mind when you hear about May Day celebrations? May Day baskets with flowers or treats left on someone’s doorstep? May Pole dancing, an ancient fertility ritual? Or Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” connecting May Day with Midsummer rituals? Perhaps a Stephen Foster song, “The Merry, Merry Month of May.”
Christmas 2019, my husband bought us a record player. In January, we traveled to Tacoma to see old friends I had not visited in 23 years. In my mind, both things go together because old friends and old music offer a particular kind of comfort.
Last week, at a press conference Governor Pritzker shared his plan to re-open the state of Illinois. This plan was developed with the help of Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of Illinois Department of Public Health. Two major milestones of the plan are that 50 percent of adult state residents are vaccinated, and a steady decline in hospitalizations, mortality, and infection rates for a 28-day monitoring period. After almost 18 months, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel.
Many have lost loved ones, jobs, health, and freedom during this pandemic. I’ve lived some of these misfortunes over the past year. It’s hard to generalize about the ways so many lives have been disrupted because they vary.
Everybody knows that movies are moving pictures. And people go see them in order to see, well, moving pictures. The dialogue generally exists just to advance the plot.
A rogue wheel, loosened from a truck, bounced madly across the tollway in front of us as we headed east on I-88. Had we been a little closer, it might have slammed into our car. It was a vivid reminder, as though we needed another one, that we are not really in control of our fate.
High hopes! I had high hopes -- high apple pie in the sky hopes! I was going to go line dancing, learn how to play the ukulele, visit my granddaughter in California a couple of times (Toddlers grow so fast!), take a sailing cruise in Italy with a friend. After all, COVID-19 was little more than an annual flu -- from far, far away and would disappear, almost like a miracle. What? Me worry?
Occasionally, our regular Perspectives contributor Elsa Glover decides to share the voices and opinions of other teachers or students with WNIJ's listeners. Today, Elsa brings us the wisdom of Kaneland 6th graders Chloe Sullivan and Katilyn Schuhler.
Reading the history of food and agriculture in Mark Bittman’s book, Animal, Vegetable, Junk. I have been thinking about how events in history, given our hindsight, seem to have set in motion a domino effect of unintended consequences. How a choice which made sense at the time can later seem a tragic mistake.
I just found out my Aunt Janice passed away. She wasn’t really my aunt; I think she was a second cousin, but no matter, she had a talent for always showing my parents and me a memorable time whenever we were with her.
It is amazing to think that it’s been over a year since we began our mad hunts for toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and Lysol wipes -- back when Zoom calls were still a novelty. We’re at a very different place now in the rolling tide of pandemic time.
Give DeKalb County is next Thursday, May 6, which gives you a week to do your research before you vote with your dollars.
Does your political life feel like you’re slogging through piles of horse manure? Perhaps my perspective about cleaning the barn will bring an image to mind that might help.
The President convened a commission to consider "reforms" for the Supreme Court. This was a dreadful mistake, for two reasons.
In the arsenal of what keeps us alive, food comes to the top of the list, right next to water and oxygen. Thankfully, we all have choices. Another new exciting choice is coming to McHenry County: The Food Shed Co-op, owned and operated by its owner/members. Food Shed will offer a significant percentage of products from local vendors.
Happy Birthday, WNIJ! I remember when I turned 30 - well sort of. My recollection of when I started listening to WNIJ, however, is clear. In the 1990’s I was living down under in Sydney, and my mate in Geneva would mail me tapes of WNIJ broadcasts -- yes, cassette tapes! Programs like the Saturday Blues that Dan Klefstad curated and hosted, along with NPR news and arts features. My passion for radio kicked in, and I volunteered at a community station.
Years ago in my hometown, there were only three churches: the Presbyterian, the Methodist, and the Baptist. The three ministers met every month, but there was little to discuss in such a tiny town, so they decided to liven things up by gathering to confess, to each other, their besetting sins.
Do you remember when Al Franken resigned from Congress? A photo came to light (distributed by the subject of that photo who disagreed with Franken politically), in which Franken, a sitting Congressman, is making a joking gesture about touching the body of a sleeping woman. He’s not actually touching her, but his hands hover above her and it is clear from his smile that he and all those around him consider this a hilarious prank. When this photo surfaced and stories from a checkered past began to emerge, Al Franken was, let’s say, strongly encouraged to resign.
As a specialist in Caribbean literature, I teach about slavery every year. When we read the Cuban novel, Sab, or watch Tomás Alea Gutierrez's film The Last Supper, we study the organization of plantations, how sugar cane is cut and processed and the vocabulary of slavery.
The Eanes School District of Austin, Texas is in crisis mode. Letters have gone home, and counselors have been made available.
In April sometimes, in the morning, looking into the limbs of the catalpa tree from my upstairs window, I see strange creatures that don’t seem to belong. I see...wood ducks. And then I suddenly don’t need coffee anymore. A duck in a tree is better than caffeine.
After a summer of unrest, protest, conversations, and prayer vigils, the trial for former Minneapolis police officer Derrick Chauvin is now underway. The former officer was captured on video where, for more than nine minutes, he appeared to kneel on the neck of a handcuffed George Floyd. Mr. Floyd was taken from the scene unresponsive and would eventually die from the injuries.
It has been so pleasurable to see the mud-brown grass of winter give way to the lush, green grass of spring. The robins are also happy; pulling hard on their lunchtime worms. The only difficulty is that green grass grows. Regular haircuts are needed and if you receive some badly timed monsoons, it can be hard to coordinate cuttings, leading to a cowlick-y and unruly lawn. Such is the case with my yard. What started out as mild, short tufts of grass has progressed to full-fledged toupees and comb-overs. The grass is long and lank. When my beagle goes outside to take care of business, she wades into tummy tickling grass. Even Zoe thinks this is weird.
It's spring! Time to shake off those winter blues and enjoy feeling the warm sun once more.
On April 6, Illinois voters are electing new mayors, school board members, township supervisors, city council members and more, and are weighing in on referendums. What do you think about raising chickens in your back yard? How about your neighbors?
America celebrates National Library Week April 4th through 10th with the theme “Welcome to Your Library.” As a retired school librarian and a current trustee of the Batavia Public Library, I believe this theme is especially appropriate. It reminds us that everyone is welcome at the library and encourages us to discover what is new.
As a white male in his 60s, I have many things I may need to apologize for. All my discarded plastic or all my contribution to climate change.
March 29th is Vietnam War Veteran Day and while I was not deployed in Country because no female soldiers were allowed to qualify with a weapon or serve as combat soldiers, I did serve.
I am a somewhat elderly gentleman, retired from my profession, and generally in good health -- with one exception. I am afflicted with macular degeneration, an age-related malady that leaves me, more or less, legally blind. However, I find that there are ample compensations.
Collective trauma is the term used to describe a shared emotional response to a devastating experience. This past year presented more than its fair share of traumatizing events. From COVID-related fear and grief to horror and outrage at race-related tragedies, our collective well-being has suffered in unexpected and overwhelming ways. While there are no easy resolutions to the trauma, we can take steps to heal ourselves and our communities.
“You talk too much,” my mother said, one arm on the steering wheel, the other holding the rim of the window. “People just aren’t interested.” Wind smeared hair in my face.
The wise philosopher Yogi Berra once urged, "When you come to a fork in the road, take it!" Republicans may need to take that fork, and soon.
Pedestrians are not treated well on Rockford’s roads. Especially during winter, when sidewalks go unshoveled, walking is a dangerous activity, and those poor souls without a car nor bus fare can expect to dodge daily vehicular mayhem.
Recently, hundreds of new voting regulations have been proposed in state legislatures across the country, once again reigniting an old fight steeped in prejudice and racism.
The time is nearing for my only daughter to leave the house and seek her fit into the world. My heavy lone concern is the health of our dear Mother Earth that we are giving her.
I recently happened upon one of my favorite words -- serendipity -- in an essay by Garnette Cadogan where he shares this definition, “a secular way of speaking of grace.” I associate this phenomenon with unintended but somehow focused luck. One of my serendipitous stumblings led me to the job that would be the highlight of my career and connect me to a lasting circle of friends.
Until recently, I had never heard the term "playful bigotry." It was used by a writer commenting upon the death of a famous right wing radio personality. Apparently, he-who-will-NOT-be-named used it to great effect in his daily verbal tirades.
My eyeglasses are like a school of fish that swim through the house. Just yesterday I knew their secret hiding places. Where are they today? It’s morning, and I have my coffee. Now it’s time to read something. No glasses. I yell out to the house, as my father did before me, Who stole my spectacles?! No answer. There is never any answer. My voice must spook the fish.
I woke up at 1:15 in the morning and reached for something boring to read so I could go back to sleep. It was a mistake.
As I sit here writing, I am surrounded by grief pamphlets, newsletters, and books. All of these are meant to be helpful as my family approaches the third anniversary of my oldest son’s death due to suicide. We don’t know why, or what he was struggling with, or how we could have helped. But I have learned a few things.
Southern diarist Mary Chestnut wrote the following in the ever-escalating period leading up to the Civil War: “We are divorced North from South, because we hated each other so. If we could only separate politely, and not have a horrid fight for divorce.”
This week it was announced that six titles by Dr. Seuss would no longer be published due to racist imagery and sensitive situations. The announcement was immediately called out and criticized with headlines like “Dr. Seuss gets canceled.” But let’s be clear about what actually happened and what it means.
These days, where is your attention most directed? And does that matter? I’ve been pondering these questions for some time. Recently I read an article about “attention,” from Charlie Warzel in the New York Times. He lifts up Michael Goldhaber, a former theoretical physicist who had a revelation in the mid-80s that the enormous access to news, opinions, and forms of entertainment were more than one could handle. And this was before the arrival of the internet, streaming, and other social media platforms.
On February 22, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed Illinois House Bill 3653, a historic, and some would say controversial, piece of legislation that takes aim at police and criminal justice reform. This bill was written, and supported, by the Legislative Black Caucus, after the death of George Floyd. The bill has its flaws, but I believe it is a good start towards addressing racial and socioeconomic disparities in the judicial system. One of the most notable features of the bill is the elimination of cash bail by 2023.
It was 3 a.m. Since I couldn't fall asleep again, I got up to check whether it was snowing. Thick flakes were drifting from the sky and a deep blanket of white had covered our front yard. As I was admiring the smooth surface of snow unmarked by tire tracks or footprints, our neighborhood fox walked by.
We are all aware of the color blue, but what’s going on in our brains to make us conscious of the color blue?
It is not possible to overstate the evil inflicted by the United States upon African Americans and their ancestors. The depravity of slavery, Jim Crow Era lynchings, rapes, and intimidation, continued economic warfare and a criminal justice system designed to control citizens of color with brutality. Just a partial list. Yet proclaiming, “All men are created equal!”
To mark Black History month, Mrs. Shershen’s 8th grade choir at Harter Middle School is exploring Langston Hughes’ poem, “The Dream Keeper” through song. Its beautiful melody wrapped around my heart. More so, the poetry mesmerized me.
It is the desperation, fear, and hatred in their faces that follows me. The pained shouts. The hand-to-hand barbarian combat. The use of blunt objects and murder weapons that were at hand. January 6th leaves me with troubling questions like a family member after a suicide.
Since we cannot go on vacations, my wife decided to explore new ways to be adventurous and, on a whim, she brought home a small jar of Marmite.
Whether or not you consider yourself a “news junkie,” the headlines of the last couple of months have been impossible to ignore and you may have spent way too much time scrolling through social media feeds following depressing and distressing stories. But did you know that three minutes spent reading bad news in the morning can ruin your mood for the entire day?
In the winter, the barn doors stick. It’s as though the ground grows up and grabs the bottoms, but it’s the sun melting snow on the roof and the water drips, freezes, sticking the doors to the ground. I jar and jiggle them loose.
President Biden's record setting number of executive orders his first few days in office was actually just an extension of a trend established by his predecessors. Some observations:
In 1960 author John Steinbeck traveled across country in a customized camper with his poodle Charley.
Do you own any Mammy salt and pepper shakers? Do you know where they come from? Running now through April 9 at the Pick Museum of Anthropology at Northern Illinois University is an exhibit called Hateful Things. It’s a traveling exhibit by the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia, which houses over 9,000 artifacts.
It’s February, the polar vortex is breathing down our necks, and I can’t stop dreaming about swimming -- preferably in water at least 65 degrees, but I’d give it a go even at a few degrees lower. Some of my friends consider me a cold water swimmer, and while I may bask in their acclaim, I simultaneously feel the imposter syndrome kick in. Real cold water swimmers would find temps in the 60s balmy.
When I had the privilege of being a teacher, I tried to stress the importance of logic in evaluating information and making decisions.
Over the last few weeks, I have witnessed the astonishment of white folks surprised by the insurrection at the nation’s capital on Jan 6th. White fear and violence are threaded throughout US history, which people of color have known and survived for over four hundred years. White violence in the US began with the colonization and genocide of native people and has continued through the systematic exclusion and murder of people of African, Asian, and Latinx descent, among others.
This week is National School Counseling Week. The theme is All in for All Students. Right now, I want to share a powerful story with you.
Don’t tell the insurance man, but last week I started a chimney fire, my first ever. I know enough not to walk away from the fire in the process of building it, but for some reason I did anyway. When I ambled back to the wood stove, I saw that the stove door was cracked, and the stovepipe was hemorrhaging smoke. Then I heard roaring coming from the chimney. The stovepipe thermometer read zero. How could that be? In the middle of a fire cycle, the thermometer might read 500 degrees. It only goes to 1,000. That’s when I realized the needle was buried.
On July 11, 1864, Lt. General Jubal Early, leading the Second Corp of the Army of Northern Virginia on a desperate raid aimed Washington D.C., sighted the dome of the U.S. Capitol. That raid failed, along with the last best chance for a Confederate flag to fly inside the walls of the Capitol for the next 156 years.
This week marks the 100th anniversary of the robot. Not any particular technological device or engineering marvel, but the very word and concept.
A farmer brought to his farm a six-week old Great Pyrenees puppy, bred to protect sheep from predators. After Bilbo had settled into his new home, he was taken to the barn to see how he’d react to the sheep. They were eating hay in the attached feed lot, but one large ewe decided to enter the barn. When she caught sight of this newcomer, she began to advance on him. Little Bilbo turned to walk away to the other side of the barn. But the ewe kept closing in, trying to smell him, and finally blocked him from escaping. Slowly, but with determination, the puppy turned to face the large ewe, his little head almost touching the ewe’s shin. The sheep paused, did an about-face, and headed to the feed lot to rejoin the others.
I was looking for oatmeal in the cereal aisle. When I looked up after putting my canister in the cart, I saw Farina on the top shelf.
I have always been drawn to poetry -- the carefully chosen words that paint pictures, capture the depths of despair or describe soaring feelings of joy, sharp edges of loss, flutters of hope and optimism. A poem can say in a few perfectly chosen words, exactly what I’m feeling or thinking or living. And I snip those lines and stitch them into my mind, like a patchwork quilt, full of colors and memories and feelings and truths. And when I need comfort or courage or clarity or hope, I pull these lines out, and they speak to me.
I believe it was divine order that the national observance of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday and the end of one of the most divisive presidencies in U.S. history happened in the same week. King marched with Black sanitation workers in Memphis to uplift their humanity and promote wage equality. The former president incited an insurrection on the U.S. Capitol; a domestic terrorist attack had to be the most predictable in American History.
Years ago, I was shoveling snow next to my neighbor, who never spoke to me. Suddenly the snowplow came by, just as we had finished our driveway jobs, and ploughed us in with thick, crusty snow. My neighbor said, "Who do they think they are? Darth Vader?" He was furious. He never spoke to me again.
For the 81 million people who voted for change on November 3, yesterday’s inauguration of President Joe Biden was deeply satisfying. The challenges are immense and the fissures dividing people wide, but we know that this man cares deeply for the people of this country and will do his best. He’s been preparing for this for a long time and has spent recent months recruiting an impressive team of professionals to find ways to address the multiple crises we face.
Recently the radio show 1A had a segment on the Electoral College. I was fortunate enough to have my input included during the discussion.
Tomorrow we witness the passing of presidential power from one man to another. I am hopeful it will be peaceful and that our nation will maintain its bonds of unity. I’m banking on it.
Over the past four years, and past four months, with each new disturbing piece of reality connected to this outgoing administration and each new assault on democracy, I find myself asking, what would Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. say?
Since Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, people have been blaming others. A recent example:
Though my own heritage is a wee bit more Scottish than Irish, I feel a deep connection to all things Celtic and I recently watched a new movie set in Ireland. Not wanting to give too much away, the story involved a ragtag group of folks coming together as a community to help the lead character get back on her feet.
Rep. Andy Kim could simply not bear the rotunda looking like an abandoned parking lot, so he donned gloves, grabbed a broom and waste bag and began to clean up. The insurrectionists had wreaked havoc and desecrated The People’s House, a place Kim loved. Rep. Kim is a child of immigrants who loved the United States and its ideals, in the aftermath, before the vote, he was the lone person cleaning up after the carnage.
Even though we're done with Christmas, I'm stuck back on the story when Gabriel told Mary she was favored of God. He said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you. She was greatly troubled at this saying and tried to discern what sort of greeting that might be" (Luke 1: 28 – 29, ESV).
Naturally enough, our domestic problems consume almost completely our attention; but life does not permit us to compartmentalize. We must address both external and internal threats simultaneously. Some external threats are so grave that they create internal threats. A partial "laundry list" must suffice here.
Politics is a game. It seems that way because there are winners and losers -- and rules.
If you like to traipse in the woods, or if you have a child or a dog that sometimes bounds off the trail, you too have been plagued by a pox known as beggar’s lice. You might know this nuisance plant by an alias: sticktight, or stickseed. My wife Breja, who hails from Iowa, calls them simply weed seeds. She is the only one in my family who knows how to rid clothing of them.
As 2020 closed, millions of Americans rejoiced in the conclusion of what could arguably be one of the worst years in recent history. The nation navigated its way through controversies, challenges, and corruptions -- real and perceived.
Since Trump lost the election, I’ve been more or less successful in quelling the ire and disgust he provokes. I can feel how unhealthy it is and want to re-enter the field of positive energy in 2021. But his parade of pardons, although expected, is making it difficult.
The ecologist Aldo Leopold once said that the months from January to June are a progression of distractions. The start of 2020 was the beginning of a deadly, pervasive distraction which took the lives of 300,000 Americans.
2020 was a year of loss. But as we look back on the year that was, we can also use this moment as an opportunity to identify what is valuable and what we will need to do to ensure its future. We obviously do not have the time to provide a full inventory, so let me focus on one thing that might escape attention—music.
Every holiday season, there is usually the dreaded tradition of political debates. Even with this year’s holidays being different because of COVID, one still might be afraid of political talk over a family ZOOM.
Since her divorce from the richest man in the world, MacKenzie Scott has done something unusual. She pledged to give “the majority of her fortune back to the society that helped generate it.” She promised to get started soon, then delivered more than 6 BILLION DOLLARS in the past year.
While my religious beliefs are deeply, deeply suspect to anyone who is a devout practitioner of any one of the world’s religions, there is a profound biblical lesson that should inform the civic behavior for everyone in these fractured United States of America. That lesson comes from the concept of “being a neighbor” from the “Parable of the Good Samaritan.”
Christmas is here -- and how we need it! If you’re like me -- and most human beings on this planet -- we’re longing and waiting for our lives to brighten! When can we crawl out from under the heavy weight of darkness of unrelenting bad news?
I’ll be honest, I didn’t pay attention much in high school government class. I did enough to pass the class and eventually graduate. I did start paying attention when I got my first real job and noticed how much less my net or take home pay was compared to gross pay. From that point on I researched, read, and educated myself on the federal government, specifically the when, where, and how of taxes.
Not long ago, I attended a Zoom meeting with my state senator and twenty-some faith leaders, on COVID-19 and mitigation impacts on faith communities. My colleagues grieved limits to pastoral care, and how damaging isolation is to the vulnerable and struggling. One pastor finally admitted his doubts about mask effectiveness and explained that those who wish to wear masks through worship are seated separately in the sanctuary, while everyone else removes their masks.
Last Christmas, my wife gave me a bluebird nesting box as a present. I attached the box to the trunk of a a tree, out on our prairie, in late April of this year. And it was now time to see if we had a nesting pair of bluebirds.
When I was nine years old, my parents signed me up for a little child’s magazine called The Weekly Reader, which included a weekly cartoon with three frames.
A quiet drama unfolds on Thursday afternoons at Huntley Middle School in DeKalb. One after another, cars turn off Fourth Street to line up in the parking lot. Well before Barb Food Mart’s 4:30 start time, the cars are snaking around the lot. And they just keep coming. The Depression era breadlines are back.
A few years ago, my ten-year old neighbor was excited about a recent accomplishment. "Now, Susan," her mother admonished, "Don't brag." My comeback was swift: "It's not bragging if you did it."
Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs has his own set of rules in which to live on the long-lasting TV show “NCIS.” Each rule was created to either prevent a problem or to get out of a problem.
Today the Electoral College meets. Another failsafe in the long process to the transition of presidential power. This year it is more significant given the rabbit-hole our country was drug into 6 weeks ago.
New Year’s Eve is three weeks out and I’m wondering if I made any resolutions last year that I’ve misplaced along the way. It was actually last December 31st when the first official COVID case was reported. If that seems like a million years ago or just yesterday, I get it.
As the Northern Hemisphere pitches towards the dark time, we hang lights on trees inside and outside our houses. I think about how Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.”
According to legend, Santa leaves lumps of coal in the stockings of naughty children. This year he may need 536 of them, one for every member of Congress and a lump for Trump. How have they been naughty? Actually, they have been shamefully negligent. They abandoned millions of Americans by allowing all but two of the pandemic aid programs to expire. The last two expire the day after Christmas.
Like many of you, I grew up with the mantra the United States is the greatest democracy in the world. But what I never realized is how precariously fragile our democracy is. We've taken this for granted, as we have always comfortably assumed that no one would willfully poison our democratic waters, least of all the president.
December 5th is World Soil Day. Why does something as ordinary as soil deserve a day of celebration?
As it turns out, this is a sequel to my previous perspective. Before Bluella, my VW Golf, delivered me back home, I was already contemplating Road Trip part two to spend more time with my family before the holidays and the onset of winter road conditions.
The numbers on the blood pressure gauge said it all -- 200 over 95. It was April 1st, 2002, but this was no April Fool's joke.
Perspectives are determined by where we have come from, dictate where we want to go moving forward, and can create or destroy our own empathy towards others.
The holidays can be brutal. The stress, the expectations. The loneliness. The cold, and the lack of sunshine.