As a kid, I always looked forward to the Champaign County Fair in late July. I loved the rides: the bumper cars, the tilt-a-whirl, and the potato sack slide. I loved the food: the corn dogs, the elephant ears, and all things fried. I loved the grandstand shows: the tractor pulls where my family would sometimes compete, the motorcycle races, and the demolition derby. And I also loved the games where you could win a prize: the ring toss, shooting…
For people who know I have twins, a common question I get asked is: “Are the twins letting you sleep at night?” Max and Theo have been good sleepers for some time now. They let Erica and me get a good night’s sleep most nights. What they don’t let us do is rest any minute they are awake. These boys have a lot of energy. They are always moving but don’t yet understand the risks associated with many of their…
The 1980s seemed to be peak suntanning culture in America. In movies, the cool kids had a deep, dark tan. The ads for sunscreen focused on getting a nice even brown. In the summer, it seemed like everyone was grabbing some rays, and in the winter, tanning beds were a thing. I got caught up in the craze. I never visited a tanning salon, but I also rarely used sunscreen. I don’t think the sun’s harmful effects were clear to me…
After I wrote about the boys’ birthday, a few people asked me what their favorite toy was. It’s different every day, but without question their current favorite toy is the one their brother is playing with. And we often experience a meltdown when their brother does not relinquish it to them. The toy could have been sitting at the bottom of the toy chest for months, out of sight and out of mind. But as soon as their brother has…
When people ask how I am doing these days, I often respond “exhausted.” My job keeps me very busy and I enjoy it, but it’s not why I’m tired. Our twins are almost 3, and although I love them very much, I suspect they might be stealing energy from me. I don’t know how else to explain how at the end of the day, they seem to have so much, while I have so little left in the tank. They…
I recently spoke with an employee of the park district and mentioned how much I enjoy our neighborhood parks. She asked me which one was my favorite, and I realized I didn’t really know the official names of any of them. They all have names to honor important people, but for me, the location is more important. For my boys, each one has earned a nickname based on a special feature in or near the park. We frequently choose between…
Mila, our family dog, passed away six months ago. It came soon after I last wrote about her. I thought I would share this news sooner, but Mila’s passing has been more difficult than I imagined. I was in the first grade when my friend’s dog bit me on the leg. I had a fear of dogs for a very long time, and it would be fair to say that I was not a dog person. When I met Erica,…
A friend recently asked if I ever had a job I didn’t like, because I seem to like all of those I have written about. I’ve shared stories about walking beans and detasseling corn, bagging groceries and stocking shelves at the IGA in Rantoul, teaching English in Taiwan, and my time as Champaign County Auditor. I learned something new at each one, and found some more fulfilling than others. Sometimes we work out of necessity. I needed to work a…
Like many kids, my older brother went through a period where he didn’t like going to school. He became pretty creative about finding ways to skip class. School was so close, he didn’t even have to cross a street. On the way, he stopped at a relative’s house and never made it to school. When Mom found out, she started driving him. I hadn’t started kindergarten yet, so I went with them. One morning when we pulled up to school,…
I enjoy driving through downstate Illinois this time of year when farmers are planting in the fields. It means spring has arrived and reminds me of riding on my grandfather’s tractor as a kid. It gives me a sense of optimism. Farming is an annual gamble. A lot of time and money goes into putting a crop in the field. There could be a drought, or a flood, or tariffs could drive down the price of corn and soybeans, and…