No Jello in Heaven Please

The cityscape rapidly transformed itself as we approached Chicago’s predominantly Polish community. Storefront marquees advertising Polish-specific goods stood out in the bright noonday sun while babushka wearing women scuttled through the entranceways.  I was entertained by a shop owner who looked to be chasing after his own shadow as he swept the sidewalk in front of his establishment. The neighborhood possessed a unique character all of its own.  They were a “salt of the earth” type of people with a strong sense of cultural pride.

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Once Upon a Time

The old man at the end of the bar hung over his glass of Rock and Rye Whiskey like a wolf guarding its kill.  Wearing tattered bib overhauls and an open crown fedora, he reminded me of GrandPappy Amos from the TV series, The Real McCoys. 

Chasing Tale

My boyhood was full of curiosity, imagination, and adventure. It was fueled by the obsession of my buddies and I to debunk the tall tales spun by our not so reputable peers from town.

Sound the Alarm

Silent night, Holy night.

All is calm…

Well, not quite.

Not at all, actually.

…

The Guardian

 

It made perfect sense to Jake. Who would serve better than the one who illuminated his long dark nights? His guardian angel so to speak, faithfully stationed at his bedside warding off closet hobgoblins and long-legged beasties. With his warm red glow penetrating the night, no spirit dared stir in his light… 

Do What?!

I’m so stiff in the morning these days…I should have taken better care of myself.  Starting a daily exercise plan might be a good idea. Maybe a little stretching or yoga would help.  I think I’m going to start off slow though by simply bending over and touching my toes…or a least pointing at them. 

Us

We met in mechanical drawing class, fall of 1968. She sat at the desk in front of me.

She worked hard on her drawings, usually getting “Cs & Bs.” I shot rubber bands at her butt, blamed it on the guy next to me, and copied her drawings—I got “Bs & As.”

The teacher warned her to stay away from me, telling her, “He’s trouble.” He may have been right.