~by Colleen O’Brien A longstanding piece of wisdom says that your eulogy isn’t written after you die; it is in fact written day by day as you live. This is a daunting pronouncement — who doesn’t live with at least a tad of regret or shame? But It’s a good guide for a life worth living. If one is responsible. this…
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
View from my window: Aging or manipulation?
July 12, 2026 I may have had an epiphany this week or I may have used my age for exploiting two situations. I checked the dictionary; epiphany is defined as a sudden moment of insight or understanding. Manipulation is defined as influencing someone unfairly for your own benefit. Yes, I think it was an epiphany. I have not aged graciously.…
Read MoreTwo events on a Saturday
~by Colleen O’Brien The birds are singing wildly – it’s noon on a cloudless prairie day that’s heating up toward 90 degrees. I watch a nuthatch run down a 20-foot oak trunk as if something’s chasing him; a beige dove ducks under a limb, and a vain, unusually brilliantly red cardinal, the male of course, struts along a clothesline so…
Read MoreLetter to the editor: Summer travel with Mme Carlson
To the editor, As summer travel reaches its peak, a truly remarkable Greene County educator has just returned from leading yet another student trip to France. I want to take a moment to publicly recognize and thank Madame Carlson for her tireless dedication to opening the world to hundreds of students. I was fortunate enough to be one of those…
Read MoreAfter the Fourth
~by Colleen O’Brien The Fourth of July this year was perfect nostalgia – a late afternoon potluck in the country, friends and friendly people I’d not met before, interesting and fun conversations, happy children running around, fab food – a Chicago original chip dip of garlic and spinach, 20 pounds of smoked pork, mac and cheese [I think at least…
Read MoreP. Naylor – Invitation to meet Ag Sec candidate Chris Jones at the fair
Greene County knows the value of agriculture. Our farmers work hard, doing the best they can for their land and their communities while the industry demands that they produce more and more. Farmer stress is real as input prices rise but prices for the crops do not keep up. At the same time, water quality, especially nitrates in drinking water,…
Read MoreCapitol Roundup
~by State Senator Jesse Green We love holidays and celebrations. They are important because we are a forgetful people, and we need these events to help us remember timeless truths or milestones that have helped our lives. Our America 250 celebration is no different. This milestone has provided us with an opportunity to grow in our understanding of how our…
Read MoreView from my window – America’s birthday
June 29,2026 The semi quincentennial (pronounced sem-ee-kwin-sen-TEN-ee-ul). or the 250th birthday of the United States, will be celebrated this week on July 4. Historical documents show the “vote” took place on July 2, 1776, was formally adopted on July 4th, but most of the delegates signed primarily on Aug. 2. I recall the bicentennial 50 years ago and taking our…
Read MoreOf patriots and Fatherland
I happened to come across some comments from politicians and political pundits claiming that the “No Kings” and anti-ICE supporters are Patriots. One of the primary signs of the progressive movement is defiance toward the correct definition of words. The movement has led to a reassignment of definitions, like Patriot. Even a suspect left-leaning AI overview will give you a…
Read More“Remarkably Bright Creatures”
by Colleen O’Brien I watched a movie three times in two weeks. And read the book. I haven’t been quite so crazy about a story in a long time — since I read Gone With the Wind five times between the ages of 12 and 20 (when I finally got it that Rhett and Scarlett were not suited.) “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” the movie…
Read MoreAn opening in the clouds
~by Colleen O’Brien As I watched opening day of the Obama Presidential Center in South Side Chicago last week, I at long last grew hopeful about life in these United States. In historic Jackson Park, additional young plantings will grow into shady woods in front of the odd-looking but intriguing eight-story edifice that holds the presidential museum. From what I’ve…
Read MoreCamaraderie and help during sad times
~by Colleen O’Brien I began this story about history’s ability to make much better reading than the daily news. Similar things like the daily nonsense of politicians, government, commentators like me happened in the “old days,” and I romanticize them. Reading the “news” from the faraway past tense gives me the illusion of fiction if not fantasy, and pleasant reading…
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