Cabin Fever

As ‘Old Man Winter’ strengthens his icy grip, even our cats Charlie, Lola and Magee turn up their whiskers at the prospect of heading outdoors in the sub-zero temperatures. So, as Josie the “chi-poo” (Chihuahua-poodle mix) chews up our couch pillows, we’re all suffering from a little cabin fever and coming up with column ideas about a river gets pretty […]

An Old Tree and a New Year

“Things will go as they will, and there is no need to hurry and meet them” – Treebeard the Ent (as quoted by J.R.R. Tolkein) While strolling through the Forest Preserve one day, in the merry, merry month of December, I was taken, although not exactly by surprise, by a very weather-beaten old living being of immense size. He moved […]

Changing, Changing Again

This time of year here on the Sangamon River, we reflect on a major milestone passed by our planet during its annual trek around our star. A milestone for which it’s been destined all year long. Most of us know that our Earth tilts on it’s rotational axis. And this slight tilt gives us all of our seasons and brings […]

I Can See Clearly Now

A funny thing happened on the Sangamon in the last few weeks: It cleared up. There’s something about clear water. Clear water is clean water and muddy water is dirty water. Period. There’s no way to know what’s under the surface of muddy water. But clear water shows all. And its cool to see what’s down there. My morning coffee […]

Democracy and Community

The Sangamon River these November days is flowing as clear as the results of my recent election campaign for Champaign County Clerk (I lost bigtime). As many savvy readers know (hi, Mom!), I took time away from writing this Notes from the River column to run for County Clerk, an office that for a political scientist like me could have […]