Springfield boy
To earn his readers’ indulgence, a writer must take care that articles about himself be of exceptional literary quality or recount exceptional experiences, preferably experiences that impart wisdom that can be shared or—better, in my opinion—anecdotes that can be appropriated as one’s own.
These sort-of reminiscences about my life in Springfield satisfy none of those criteria. Those expecting confessionals also will be disappointed; my personal column-writing maxim was to never write about anything I did not find interesting, and never, ever write about anything that really means something to me.
My youth in Springfield was anything but unusual, which recommends it as a subject because anyone who grew up in that town from the 1950s, or any town like it, will find things about my experience of the place that resemble theirs.
See also The author for more about my working life.
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A trek across a cornfield and hundreds of years "Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times November 13, 2014
Life with Illinois governors around the corner
“Prejudices” Illinois Times July 11, 1980
The Krohes play Johnny Appleseed and get it wrong
"Dyspepsiana," Illinois Times, July 24, 2014
I try to be sophisticated. In Atlantic City.
"Prejudices" Illinois Times November 10, 1983
Gardening lifts up the author, then lets him down
“Prejudices” Illinois Times August 25, 1983
The author ponders the problem of home
“Prejudices” Illinois Times July 23, 1987
A Memorable and Happy Occasion
I pass up a chance to be 17 again
“Prejudices” Illinois Times May 23, 1991
A Springfield alderman slanders us eastside boys
“Prejudices” Illinois Times July 7, 1988
I look back at public school and see myself
“Prejudices” Illinois Times March 5, 1987
Memories of a grand Springfield hotel
“Dyspepsiana” Illinois Times December 3, 2015
Making a small world bigger and the big one smaller
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times July 30, 2015
Leaving home does not always mean losing it
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times March 20, 2014
Comic Timing
As a drummer, I prove to be a very good writer
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times December 19, 2013
My Life as a Guide at the Lincoln Law Offices
I become part barker, part sheep dog, and part player piano
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times November 5, 2009
Unicorns on the Sangamon
The scarcity of Harvard grads in Springfield
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times December 23, 2009
Age-inappropriate Literature
The rewards of reading books before you are ready
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times January 14, 2010
Looking back on high school sports rivalries
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times March 31, 2011
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