Blog Articles

Little Black Sambo, Uncle Remus, Amos and Andy

"I know that I am not the only person who heard the stories during early childhood. About the little black boy who is chased by tigers around a tree until the tigers turn into a syrup. Uncle Remus telling tales about Brer Rabbit, Brer Bear, Brer Fox, and the briar patch while singing “zippa di … Continue reading Little Black Sambo, Uncle Remus, Amos and Andy →

Merichka’s Poorboy: My Only Constant in Life

“In 1958, I discovered Merichka’s poorboy steak that had been in existence before my birth and had been waiting for me. From that point on, this garlic-laden steak sandwich accompanied by a salad with house dressing would be the only constant during my life.” Stretch Kennedy How things have changed over a lifetime! For me, the … Continue reading Merichka’s Poorboy: My Only Constant in Life →

It’s Not Just Racism. It’s Fear of the Unfamiliar.

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. →

“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 →