Author: Ron Stempkowski
Things I Know After the First Big Holiday
I spent thanksgiving in Southern California with my in-law family. As much as I was looking forward to the trip, part of me was dreading it–the “unknown” part of it. I didn’t e... Read More
The Stuff of Dreams
(PadLo is ready to hit it!) I’ve only had a handful of dreams about Ken since he died–and against all my hopes, they didn’t start until the last couple of months. I suspect my subcon... Read More
Towels, Trips & the Hope Diamond
It’s hard to remember a time I didn’t live in Chicago. The city feels as much like a treasured friend as the corporeal ones I’ve made since moving here twenty years ago. It offers a ... Read More
A Birthday Milestone
It wasn’t until late last night while snuggled on the couch that it occurred to me that PadLo’s birthday was sometime in October. I checked out ohpadlo.com and realized not only was I corr... Read More
Taking Down Summer
Today was another gift from Mother Nature. It was clear, sunny and warm–particularly for late October. I made a list of the tasks I wanted to complete today during the course of the week on the ... Read More
Dinner with a Friend
I received an email last week from Kathy Buckley. She is a stand-up comedienne and motivational speaker, and she was someone Ken loved very much. They met in 2004 when we lived in Los Angeles at a Dis... Read More
The Season of Change
Autumn is afoot. There is no doubt. The rich golds, oranges and reds are beginning to top most of the trees–in spite of the 80-degree weather we’ve been having the past week. It’s al... Read More
The Good Kind of First
Since I DVR everything I watch, it’s rare that I catch a commercial–which is why I’m so out of touch on pretty much everything. But the other day I was distracted while watching the ... Read More