People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” Martin Luther King Dear Grandkids: You are living in a wonderful country (U.S.A.) that has been fortunate with countless advantages and cursed with … Continue reading It’s Not Just Racism. It’s Fear of the Unfamiliar.
Author: braidwoodguy
Born and raised in Braidwood, Illinois. Worked in secondary and higher education since 1962. Have 5 kids and 14 grandkids. Avocation is writing and genealogy.
“Frannie-Lewie U”: The Merger That Was Denied
"The faculty at Lewis and St. Francis were on board with the merger that we kiddingly referred to as Frannie-Lewie U."Dr. Joe "Tippy" McFadden, Lewis Dean and Faculty Member Between 1967 and 1971, Lewis College and the College of St. Francis laid plans that would have merged the two Catholic institutions into one university that … Continue reading “Frannie-Lewie U”: The Merger That Was Denied
Job Transitions Equal Family Disruptions
“Thanksgiving 2020 is far better than Thanksgiving 1986!” Tom Kennedy Life is a series of changes: marriage, family, births, deaths, seasons, and jobs. We have no control over most of these changes. Death of a family member or close friend, the transition of spring to summer and fall to winter - they all descend upon … Continue reading Job Transitions Equal Family Disruptions
Celebrating Two Years of braidwoodguy.com
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” Socrates It was two years ago when I published my first blog article: https://braidwoodguy.com. I had kept journals for many years prior to that time when it occurred to me that my handwritten documents might be worth saving for my kids and grandkids. I knew that any letters written … Continue reading Celebrating Two Years of braidwoodguy.com
“Grandpa, where were you when President John F. Kennedy was shot?”
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities Dear granddaughter Matilda: You asked about the day that President Kennedy was assassinated. … Continue reading “Grandpa, where were you when President John F. Kennedy was shot?”
Swimming Against the Current of Tribalism
Confessions of an unorthodox earthling hoping for cooperation and collaboration. "...we live on a cosmic speck of dust, orbiting a mediocre star in the far suburbs of a common sort of galaxy, among a hundred billion galaxies in the universe." Neil deGrasse Tyson The term “earthling” has become a favorite of mine. At a time … Continue reading Swimming Against the Current of Tribalism
Water with a Personality
“I was still water, held by my surroundings. I am now a river, carving my own path.” Scott Stabile Kankakee River Dam, Wilmington From my earliest days I was aware of two bodies of water: the strip mine pits (lakes) in Braidwood and the Kankakee River in Wilmington. My whole world revolved around these two … Continue reading Water with a Personality
“If your world doesn’t allow you to dream, move to one where you can.”
(Billy Idol) Grandson asks: “Why did you choose to move to Denver after living in Illinois your whole life?” Dear Evan: You, along with many of your cousins between the ages of 20 - 26, already know how difficult it is to decide on the right career and job after college. On the one hand, being … Continue reading “If your world doesn’t allow you to dream, move to one where you can.”
Musings by an Earthling at 960 Months
“…Come, my friends. 'T is not too late to seek a newer world. Push off, and sitting well in order smite The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths Of all the western stars, until I die. It may be that the gulfs will wash us down; It may be we shall touch the Happy … Continue reading Musings by an Earthling at 960 Months
What have I learned from grandkids?
Lexi asks, “Grandpa, have you learned anything from the 14 grandkids?” Dear Lexicon: You ask a poignant question, one that I have pondered consciously and subconsciously for the past 25 years. The quick answer is “Yes, I have learned a ton about being a better human being.” My evolution continues as I witness your maturity … Continue reading What have I learned from grandkids?
Braidwood Beginnings 