Ron Stempkowski, Author at ron stempkowski

The Dewey Decimal Diaries

Posted on May 9, 2023May 19, 2023 by Ron Stempkowski

I made up a new word: volunteaming. I’ve decided it means “the state of immediately feeling like part of a team while volunteering.” Read on, and you’ll see why. My mom and I o... Read More

Walking in the Present

Posted on May 2, 2023May 19, 2023 by Ron Stempkowski

I spent a lot less time outside this winter. Without my winter-loving Mongolian snow beast, there was no reason to suit up (or boot up) and play in the snow. Though we didn’t get much snow this ... Read More

Retreating

Posted on April 25, 2023May 19, 2023 by Ron Stempkowski

I renewed a commitment to myself this year. I took some time and intention to remind myself that I’m a writer. And writers are writers because they write. So, I’ve worked to build a content calend... Read More

A Night to Remember

Posted on April 18, 2023April 18, 2023 by Ron Stempkowski

Since saying goodbye to my sweet puppy girl in December, she, Ken, and Quantum have been on my mind even more than usual. Though Ken and Quantum never met Kallie, they are intimately connected to each... Read More

Grateful for the Tribe

Posted on April 11, 2023May 19, 2023 by Ron Stempkowski

Looking back over my life, I realize I’ve always been someone who looks to find “my people,” those who I feel organically connected to in some way–great or small. And those I&#... Read More

Enchanted Ravenswood

Posted on April 4, 2023April 4, 2023 by Ron Stempkowski

I loved living in Ravenswood, a neighborhood on the north side of Chicago. Even the name was evocative of some kind of old-timey place rife with history and magic. I lived in a giant one-bedroom apart... Read More

New Year’s Day & Message in a Bottle (on my mantle)

Posted on January 4, 2023January 4, 2023 by Ron Stempkowski

I love a ritual—especially one that involves handwriting, nostalgia, memory keeping and self-reflection. In January 2022, I started a new ritual, aptly titled “New Year’s Day Cards.” At the en... Read More

The Puppy Who Saved Me

Posted on December 11, 2022October 31, 2025 by Ron Stempkowski

Getting a puppy is a big step. For anyone. Getting Kallie was an even bigger step for me. Because bringing her into my life was the first big step I took toward moving forward after Ken’s death. The... Read More

Beyond the Garden of the Gods

Posted on September 5, 2022September 5, 2022 by Ron Stempkowski

I met up with my buddy Matt in Southern Illinois for our third annual camping trip the weekend before Labor Day. I’d picked the far south location because of its proximity to Cairo, IllinoisR... Read More

In the Groove

Posted on June 1, 2022June 1, 2022 by Ron Stempkowski

The older I get, the harder it is to mourn a life I didn’t have. -Me, today June 1, 2011 was also a Wednesday. I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t checked the calendar just now. As I s... Read More

5 of 34
« Previous
1
…
3
4
5
6
7
…
34
Next »

ron stempkowski