Category: Uncategorized

An Address Book Full of Memories

An Address Book Full of Memories I keep my old address book in a wooden bureau beneath the dining room window. The book is almost 20 years old, time worn, and held together with (everyone’s favorite) duct tape. I almost asked for a new one a few years ago. A new address book would be... Read more »
By H. Van Howe,
today at 11:00 am • 

Apollo 8 - 50 Years and Still Wonderful

This post is one of the winners from ChicagoNow’s 20 Best Posts of December 2018 Apollo 8 – 50 Years and Still Wonderful Wonderful.  What determines that something is Wonderful?  Dictionary.com gives some fitting synonyms:  Awe-Inspiring; Brilliant; Divine; Incredible; Magnificent; Miraculous. Wonderful is how our astronauts — Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and William Anders —... Read more »
By H. Van Howe,
December 24, 2018 at 7:00 pm • 

MY CONVERSATIONS WITH A MUPPET

MY CONVERSATIONS WITH A MUPPET Recently I’ve had several conversations with a help-desk support technician.  He’s inherently polite and attentive.  Plus, he is always eager to assist.  His sing-song voice lets me know he’s chipper and ready to tackle anything. There’s just one issue I struggle with… He sounds like a Muppet. His voice is... Read more »
By H. Van Howe,
December 4, 2018 at 11:00 am • 
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IS IT STILL THANKSGIVING IF I DON'T FEEL GUILTY?

Is it still Thanksgiving if I don’t feel guilty? This is the question I ask myself this year, as we plan to take the easy route and place an order for our Thanksgiving dinner – turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans and fresh cranberries – all ordered from a well-loved local restaurant. The question nags... Read more »
By H. Van Howe,
November 6, 2018 at 11:10 am • 

The Worst Part of the Fall Season

Here we are again. Last night ChicagoNow’s editor presented us with a Blogapalooz topic: “Write about the best thing in Chicago during the fall.” There’s only rule on these Blogapalooz topics: write a post in one hour or less.  Of course, I’m late again in responding to the writing challenge.  The excuse I have this... Read more »
By H. Van Howe,
August 30, 2018 at 12:40 pm • 

And, Just Like That, Cher Was Gone

Where did the Cher Show go to so quickly? Hearing good reviews about the colorful and exciting Cher Show showing at Chicago’s Oriental Theatre, I had hopes of procuring tickets for my daughter and myself.  I wanted to treat her to the glitzy world of Cher. She’s the performer who – in my book –... Read more »
By H. Van Howe,
July 31, 2018 at 11:00 am • 
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In Honor of Aunt Grace's Birthday...

A repeat from last year — in honor of my Aunt Grace’s Birthday. Enjoy. Earlier this year I wrote about my Aunt Grace and her commitment to Chicago and its great transit system, the CTA. What I didn’t provide was a little background on Aunt Grace and why she has (retrospectively) become such a good... Read more »
By H. Van Howe,
July 24, 2018 at 11:00 am • 

Family Doesn't Let Family Move to The Villages

Family doesn’t let family move to The Villages.  That’s my statement and I’m stickin’ to it.  There may be some backlash over this post, but I’m ready for it. Because moving to The Villages in central Florida is where I draw the line.  Years back my mom, Dorothy, phoned to tell me she heard great things about... Read more »
By H. Van Howe,
June 5, 2018 at 11:00 am • 

How I Kicked The Ironing Habit

I wore my favorite blazer the other day.  My friend complimented me on its look. “But look here,” I complained. “I recently washed the jacket, but the lapel is sitting funny and not lying flat.” “Try ironing it,” my dear friend advised. Was She for Real? She was trying to be helpful, but I was... Read more »
By H. Van Howe,
March 6, 2018 at 11:00 am • 
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In Defense Of Books And Newspapers

Curl up with a good book. Get lost in a bookstore.  These are classic clichés we hear often. But as traditional expressions, they still ring true. Some of us are old school and still prefer holding a newspaper in hand as they read the daily news. And there are many who prefer a bound book... Read more »
By H. Van Howe,
January 23, 2018 at 11:00 am •