The haunting music of the street balladiers could be heard all along the boulevard du Temple. The high-arching trees, the chestnut trees, were Winter barren. It was January 1847, and each evening the gay boulevard was filled with Parisians waiting for the box offices to open. It was, of course,
From the vault – December 12, 2013 (revised): A response to Donna Crane’s column of December 19, 2019, Unplugging one day each week a salute for stress 24/6. Once upon a time, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas were separate events. Now, however, they are connected to each other by an economic
The build up to the holidays is in the process of winding down. A reality check indicates the best aspect of all holidays is time spent with family and friends. Sharing time and activities exceed any material aspect of any holiday. Seeing the glow of children reacting to the bright
Even in the darkness of Winter, Old Man Moon reminds us that light will follow the darkness. When I hibernate, just like the bears, the bees, and box turtles, I read. It is quiet and warm and my mind can go many new places. The Top Ten this year will
For this week, I thought I’d table the piece I’d planned to write and cash in on the Christmas holiday, even though I’m a day late and a dollar short…the story of my life. With nothing better to do, I began thinking over Christmases past and which ones were memorable.
When I watched everything leading up to the impeachment, I grieved for our broken Nation, where we have taken sides to the extent that we can’t even hear one another any more. In lock step each Democrat spoke of Donald Trump’s actions being precisely what the Founding Fathers feared when
The year is 1574 and the Hotel de Sens in Paris is welcoming Christmas guests. It was where the great lords of the Church lived and they seemed to have been, almost without exception, a rascally lot. The Cardinal of Lorrraine lived here. Some historians insist that Henry IV’s death
A significant part of the holiday spirit is in giving, especially to those less fortunate. Food pantries, charities, shelters, are sites and subjects of many individuals who have caught the spirit of giving. May we continue to understand its significance and continue selfless service. Large organizations and individuals make the
Ben Franklin was a Founding Father and in his 84-year old life, America’s best scientist, inventor, diplomat, writer, and business strategist. He was the only man who shaped all the founding documents of the United States which were the Albany Plan of Union, the Declaration of Independence, the treaty of
Because I was writing about pets (last time, I mean) I thought I’d continue. Humankind is finally learning about animal intelligence and behavior. In the past, animals were generally thought of as something dumb, disposable, targets for hunters, creatures in the way of progress. How could we build large environment-polluting,
On balance our communities offer more than odes to the holidays with Santa, lights, and, celebration. We all must take a break from the real world and indulge in light-hearted celebration. References to holiday celebrations will come into view here farther down and later this month. There are a few
Imagine three Celtic artist monks, secluded in the scriptorium of Iona, or in eastern Scotland, or in a new monastery at Kells, County Meath, Ireland. They welcome in the year 800 A.D. in days filled with extraordinary artistry and commitment. The Book is written on prepared calfskin (vellum) and contains
In 1937, Mr. William Randolph Hearst, newspaper-publishing tycoon, appeared before a committee of the U.S. Congress and requested that it introduce a bill prohibiting the growing, selling, and distribution of hemp. He was very disingenuous in his arguments because the hemp plant produced cannabis, a.k.a marijuana, which, he claimed, was
A Chicago performer started Tuesday’s Aurora Counts 2020 in the Gallery of the Paramount Theatre with a song. The refrain was from the Frank Sinatra song, “Chicago” and substituted the word Aurora for Chicago. He tossed his hat into the air at the conclusion and one of the approximately 200
By Donna Crane Beauty and the Beast Broadway Series musical at The Paramount Theatre in Aurora could be described in one word: Fabulous! The story begins when a haggard old woman knocks at the door of a vain, young prince, and asks for shelter in exchange for a rose. The
Many thousands of years ago, Memphis and its area was settled by indigenous peoples. By the 17th Century, the Chickasaw Indians migrated to the Memphis area. The European-American city was founded in 1819 and incorporated in 1826. Cotton was king and large plantations developed on the work of enslaved Africans.
I suppose you’ve heard there are two types of persons in the world: You’re either a cat person or a dog person. As with my political affiliation, I’m an independent person, or maybe I should say, an animal person. My sister and I grew up with both cats and dogs,
Finances cause concerns, strains, in governmental bodies. The Aurora Public Library (APL) in recent years has been subjected to scrutiny and speculation. Much of the consternation is in possible increases in taxes. The APL earlier this week was expected to seek an increase in the tax levy. Along with likely
It was November 22, 1963. The world as Americans knew it was about to change. It began as a Sun-filled Autumn day in Dallas, Texas. The crowds were enthusiastic in welcoming president John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Mrs. Kennedy. The motorcade proceeded slowly through the Dallas streets. No one could imagine
Thinking-out-loud department: • Donna Crane’s recent column about women in government in America got me to thinking deep thoughts. Here’s one thought to explain why there are such low numbers of women in government. Sociologically, the United States is stuck in the 19th Century. Men ruled the roost, and women
