Grace Smith

OK, things are getting a little out of hand here. Not in a bad way, though; on the contrary, things just keep getting better and better. I’m not just talking about My New Boyfriend, also known as MNB — although, of course, he’s in the subtext of everything in my life now. It was a […]

The funny thing about my life is that things rarely go as planned. I confess that lots of times I don’t even have a plan, but I really don’t think it makes any difference whether I have one or not. Take last weekend: Friday afternoon, my best friend, Christine, called. She just moved from L.A. […]

Note to editor and everybody else: You may think I’m suddenly only writing about My New Boyfriend (MNB), but I promise that this isn’t really true — except for this week. So if you’re one of those people who is annoyed by talk of love and all that mushy stuff (and I was right there […]

Six months ago, I wrote down my New Year’s resolutions. I figure now is a good time to take some stock and do some reflecting. Not really. I’m not in the mood for anything that deep at the moment. It’s summer, for crying out loud — reflection can wait for the bitter chill of winter. […]

I went to the Route 66 Drive-In a couple of weeks ago, the first time this summer. Boy, the drive-in is the quintessential summer experience for me. When we were kids, we went to the drive-in, my brother David and I, in our pajamas with our pillows and blankets, and we watched the movie for […]

I recently met Kevin Hughes, an officer with the Illinois State Police. He came to “Grace Talk #1,” and I felt well-protected, knowing there was a law enforcement official in the audience. In case there was a shoot-out. I keep thinking Kevin’s title is Grand Quartermaster Brigadier General, but that’s completely wrong. It’s Master Sergeant, […]

This is your last opportunity to see Grace Talk #1 (8 p.m. Saturday, June 12, at Stella Blue). Grace Talk #2 debuts at the end of July, but if you wait for that, you’ll leave the show saying, “Gee, I wonder what she talked about in Grace Talk #1. Too bad I missed it.” I’d […]

Last week (which feels like approximately 100 years ago), I wrote that “Grace Talk #2” would take place on July 9-10. This was grossly erroneous and wildly premature. This is because I’ve decided to do an encore performance of “Grace Talk #1.” One night only, your final chance to see it, at 8 p.m. Saturday, […]

Many things to report: • My one-woman show, “Grace Talk #1” went better than expected. The place was packed Wednesday night, and even more people turned out on Thursday. And they laughed. The really great thing: If you saw me up there and I looked like I was enjoying myself, it’s because I was. Boy, […]

What a weekend. It was so big that it oozed over into Monday. Which can get messy. I’ve been busier lately than I anticipated. My big show! I needed a stage. And lights! I didn’t have lights until this Monday, but luckily my friend Mike Taylor is coming to my rescue, lighting-wise. Thanks, Mike. Last […]

I’ve finally sorted all of the Very Exciting Contest entries into piles all over my living room. Most fall into two categories. First, people crave more community involvement. José Santiago sent a lovely handwritten note saying that everybody should be required to do something or go somewhere he/she has never done or been. He gets […]

I want to thank all of you who sent me your ideas for improving our lovely city. Some were brief — “Cut down on noise polluation” (I assume they added the extra “a” for effect) — and some were mighty long and serious. Last week I mentioned the many complaints about other Springfieldians, but other […]