Author: Ron Stempkowski
Magic Time
Ken loved candles. Once he found the battery operated flickering candles at Costco, our apartment was soon filled with them. They had timers in them, so they “lit” each evening at roughly ... Read More
The Further Adventures of the Unwitting Gardener
Spring has finally sprung in Chicagoland–after a long and crappy winter. The uptick in the weather coincided with a week-long staycation. And gnawing on my work-free agenda has been getting the ... Read More
Who's the Crybaby with the Puppy?
Spring is slowly awakening in Chicago. Finally. Although it’s always such a tease. 70 one day. 30 the next. Rain. Wind. By the time it stabilizes, it’s practically summer and we’re j... Read More
Enjoying My Kind of Town
There are so many fun things to do in Chicago I’m ashamed to say I don’t take advantage of what the city has to offer nearly often enough. True, winter is typically a time for Midwesterner... Read More
Honoring a Hero of My Heart
I still check Ken’s email. I’m not sure why. I just like knowing it’s still there and active. And it’s still something I monitor on his behalf should anything of substance ever... Read More
Remembering the Beginning
I woke up yesterday morning to what was the twelfth anniversary of when I met Ken–when my life changed direction in the subtlest yet most dramatic of ways. I knew it was coming but as it got clo... Read More
The Funny Lattice of Five
It’s difficult to believe that sixteen years ago today, with a stomach full of butterflies I reported to 1616 N. Wells with my bestie Kathy for our first class at the venerable Second City’... Read More