The holidays are fast approaching, and poinsettias no doubt again will be the most popular seasonal houseplant sold in the United States. There’s good reason: With their rich colors and variety, poinsettias add a festive touch to any home. In addition to the traditional red bracts (modified leaves), poinsettias are available in white, pink, peach, […]
Arts & Culture
Posted inArts & Culture
Movie Review
And so the saga of the messiah Neo (Keanu Reeves) ends with a bang instead of a whimper in The Matrix Revolutions. Too bad. Since the original made its debut in 1999, Andy and Larry Wachowski’s sequels have taken on an air of self-importance. Reloaded, the second entry in the series, caused the curious to […]
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If he shows, he’ll have to blow out 124 candles
In 1908, in his poem “On the Building of Springfield,” the celebrated poet Vachel Lindsay wrote: Let every street be made a reverent aisle, Where music grows and beauty is unchained. At the time of his death 23 years later, Lindsay’s star had faded — and his hope for a Springfield where “beauty is unchained” […]
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Bards of the Sangamo 11-6-03
SonnetI seek the fields, the woods, and gentle streams, In hopes to pass some calm, refreshing hours; But Ah! how weak are all my idle dreams — Love, love alone my bleeding heart devours. Or if mine eye a glance of pleasure shew On some sweet object — hill or circling plain — Quick comes […]
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“The blood of noble patriots”
Last October, I picked up Illinois Times and read Job Conger’s article, “Dying Colors,” about the disposition of the regimental flags that had been on display in the Hall of Flags in the Howlett Building since the 1930s. The subhead read: “Some grand old flags survived the battle, but are losing the war.” Due to […]
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How to serve guests when they’re covered in feathers
This fall consider joining the more than 65 million Americans who enjoy bird watching. You can enjoy the fastest growing hobby in the country (second to gardening) by providing some basic necessities for birds in your backyard. While bird feeders may attract birds in the winter, in order to enjoy birds in your backyard year-round […]
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Knoepfle 11-6-03
evening with television on the screen the hero saves a woman from her ex the filthy sociopath the hero has been divorced on his own for twelve years he wonders should he ask her out or not on a date I consider this with two crackers and some chocolate milk © John Knoepfle 2003
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Bards of the Sangamo 10-30-03
six-fifty-two AM CST through fog this morning two amblers one bipedal his stalker quad gangly legs: ringed tail:bandit mask juvenile raccoon — such an odd sight chasing a backpacked jogger east down Kimbal through August fog and i thought i was only playing his morning a role as schizophrenic . . . — David Pitchford […]
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More than just ol’ Abe
When Illinois Times offered me a column to write about local and regional history, I leapt at the opportunity without so much as a nanosecond of thoughtful consideration. Though I now consider myself to be solidly middle-aged, prudence, caution and foresight somehow escape me yet; too often do I leap and then look. Maybe someday […]
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Movie Review
Who would have ever thought that the crew behind the Airplane! and the Naked Gun movies would actually add a little class to any sort of cinematic endeavor? But writer/director Jerry Zucker and his team of writers do just that with Scary Movie 3, the latest installment in the studio’s horror spoof series. Created by […]
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Knoepfle 10-30-03
lines from “all hallows” when there were stone houses or on the walled hovels even the jointstools were warm at the hearth and the cottage doors they were left open the night long that fell dark when the dead came home that was until the famine and who was left living then if only the […]
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Time to sign up for gardening program
As our summer flowers fade away and leaves fall from the trees, our focus turns to planning for next year’s garden. As you jot down notes on what did and didn’t work in this year’s garden you may also be compiling a list of questions, such as “why did my mums bloom in July instead […]
