My Mt Rushmore

 Trump is threatening to send troups into the streets of Chicago.  Another manufactured "crisis" calculated to spread his power.  I wish the young men and women in uniform could be greeted by and introduced to these home grown heroes. 

Here's my Mt Rushmore of great Chicagoans.

Harold Washington

Chicago's first black Mayor.  He was a leader for all of us with the charisma and dedication to address real change in our divided city.

Leon Despres

The Hyde Park Alderman was a voice in the wilderness throughout the stifling Daley years. Made us aware that there was another -- and better --way.

Quentin Young

Chicago's doctor for all of the people.  The first to fight for single-payer health care.  "Everybody in, nobody out" was his cry.

Flint Taylor

This "lefty lawyer" was determined to find justice for Fred Hampton and the victims of the Jon Burge torture tragedy.  Grit and patience have paid off.  But oh, the cost along the way.

Tarot

 I’m exited that my friend Kathy sent me a copy of her new novel: “Interview with the Tarot Reader”.  Looking at the cards on the cover, I had a memory from a time long ago.

My mother was a young widow who was left to support two frightened, sad children.  A woman used to come over and lay out funny cards on the dining room table. Then the two of them would get deep into conversation. I thought it was “weird” and decided that the woman was the “witch lady.”

Now, I have a more compassionate view.  Faced with so much uncertainty, maybe the cards helped my mother envision a path into the future.

I wonder if Tarot foretold business success.  Because that was indeed her destiny.