Ice Skating on Braidwood Lakes

The Joy of Skating “Hearts shall dance once again; when canvas of ice is painted with the brush of skates.” Shah Asad Rizvi Winters in Braidwood were tolerable in my pre-teens and teen years partly because of the recreation opportunities that I took for granted for a long time. The snow was an occasion for building … Continue reading Ice Skating on Braidwood Lakes →

Why I Write

8/13/18 “All writers are vain, selfish, and lazy, and at the very bottom of their motives there lies a mystery.” George Orwell Since I have written about many things over the past 50 years, I recently asked myself, “Why do I write.” “Who is my audience?” “What is my purpose in jotting things down?” At first, I … Continue reading Why I Write →

Basketball in Braidwood

In my mind, basketball has always been big in Braidwood especially since the high school team went to the state finals in 1938. Coached by Lou Bottino, the Principal, the Comets lost the championship game to Dundee, 36-29. Remember, it was only one class system so Braidwood had to beat Rockford, Bloomington, and Carbondale to reach … Continue reading Basketball in Braidwood →

Fusing Imagination with Memories

“Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows.”― John Betjeman I wrote this journal entry in 2000 in my early grandfather years. Still a rookie, I was in a juxtaposition between my current world reality and a distant time when innocence went unrivaled and unchecked. Memory Triggers … Continue reading Fusing Imagination with Memories →

Braidwood: Why It Matters

The first 18 years of one’s life may be the most critical time in a person’s development. Everyone knows that the family has a profound influence on character development and the formation of values. I am sure that that influence molded me in ways that even I do not understand, but I do accept. Probably less recognized … Continue reading Braidwood: Why It Matters →

Lucky TK Basketball History

My Improbable Path to the NBA Despite having never played basketball until I was 18, I was indeed fortunate to compete for four years in college. Even flukier, I was drafted and signed to a professional contract in the NBA after college. To assume that I had aspirations in my early years of being a professional … Continue reading Lucky TK Basketball History →

Braidwood Town Proud

9/11/18 Braidwood natives, especially those of a certain vintage, should be able to grasp most of the references in the poem. Others might be unaware of the city’s historical significance. Coal mining began in earnest after the accidental discovery of coal in 1864. Shaft mining evolved to “strip” mining in 1927, but both methods resulted … Continue reading Braidwood Town Proud →

View of Braidwood from Afar

My first eighteen years of life (1940-58) were Braidwood. Despite the fact that during 10 of those years I spent considerable time riding buses and sitting in out-of-town classrooms (St. Rose and Joliet Catholic), the essence of my being was thoroughly Braidwood. In high school, I was always considered the “kid from Braidwood” who was … Continue reading View of Braidwood from Afar →

Just a Braidwood Guy

"Everyone has a story" One of my greatest pleasures is to engage a conversation with a total stranger, at the coffee shop culture, in an airplane, on the bench in the mall, where ever the opportunity presents itself. These strangers tell me their stories. This story, however, is about my experiences over my lifetime. It … Continue reading Just a Braidwood Guy →

The Journey Begins

Thanks for joining me! Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton "You can never tell what your path is, and where it might lead."