Perspectives

Connie Seraphine shares a lesson from watching animal behavior.

Francisco Solares-Larrave has a reminder for us this election season.

Dan Kenney reminds us we can do so much more than just walk by when we see someone in trouble.

Tom McBride remembers what it's like to look at the world with a child's eyes.

Rick Brooks urges people to attend a community event at Illinois Valley Community College about housing the unhoused.

Suzanne Degges-White says it's not just a black-and-white world.

Katie Andraski employs a shield called "wonder."

Bob Evans contends there is a method to the madness of the Trump campaign.

It's time to bust out that winter coat from the back of the closet. Rosie Klepper says make sure you check your pockets.

Joseph Flynn reflects on the election and us.

Lonny Cain shares a little something he wrote when he was 17 — and it holds up today.

Paula Garrett's visit to Cahokia Mounds stirs some deep memories.

Nia Springer-Norris learns from a friend the best way to help her beloved Asheville, NC is by giving...cash.

You'll never find a salamander if you're looking for one, says Chris Fink.

Lynnea Erickson shares her thoughts on October and the past.

What does GWAR have to do with Plutarch? Let's let David Gunkel explain.

Andrew Nelson finds himself looking across a figurative English Channel this November, 84 years after the Coventry bombing.

It's a heated political season and Connie Seraphine's yard signs are a victim of it.

Some might call it a run-on sentence. Wester Wuori packs his thoughts on the election into one big one.

Tom McBride says it's the journey, not the destination, when it comes to love.

Joe Mitchell has thoughts on the recent execution of Marcellus Williams.

Mary Gardner shares her story of The Beatles, a riot, and the power of the truth.

Rosie Klepper contends there's nothing like a great new pair of glasses.

Sometimes, life is like a Hieronymus Bosch painting. And Frances Jaeger says it's not so bad on top of the hay wagon.

Marnie O. Mamminga bids a reluctant goodbye to summer.

You've seen all the jokey memes about eating pets. They're funny. But Deborah Booth says there's a very good reason not to laugh.

Suzanne Degges-White says students who feel valued show up!

Joseph Flynn wants you to remember that words really can hurt you.

A fall walk inspires thoughts on censorship for Katie Andraski.

Bob Evans wonders about The Pose and The Picture

Lonny Cain imagines a very important year in the life of his parents.

What did we talk about before Netflix? Tom McBride ponders.

Andrew Nelson finds George Washington's "farewell letter" applies to today's politics.

A kitten named Corey has Paula Garrett thinking about life's big changes.

David Gunkel says to look at Germany before you look into building your own walls.

Nia Springer Norris chooses between hot mess and creating the image she wants.

Lynnea Erickson ponders the classic question "what would you tell your 16 year old self?" and gets an assist from a cabbie.

Marnie O. Mamminga embraces the mess — in the kitchen.

A summer in the north woods is defined for Chris Fink by a haunting sound.

The connection between Devo and the upcoming election? Lori Drummond-Cherniwchan goes there.

Rick Brooks revisits a long-overlooked tribute to soldiers

Rosie Klepper is itchy.

Scott Summers joins a march in Chicago with an important goal in mind.

Sharon Nicola has a message for veterans regarding the Medal of Honor.

Wester Wuori shares his reaction to HBO's The Young Pope and The New Pope.

Connie Seraphine takes back a word that's being abused this political season.

Deborah Booth says former Congressman Adam Kinzinger personifies the tectonic shift in Republican politics.

A well-rounded education can come in handy in everyday life. Just ask Frances Jaeger.

Sure, AI can write you a poem in an instant about anything. But Tom McBride says the true miracle is that low-tech device lining your bookshelves.

When people don't trust facts, how can you build community? Dan Kenney has some ideas.

In 1939, a group of refugees tried to dock in the U.S. Frankie DiCiaccio asks people to turn their eyes toward a new human disaster in the making,

Rosie Klepper notes that this country is not built to her scale.

Katie Andraski loves the feral ones.

Bob Evans says President Biden's judicial reform proposals are bad for democracy.

Know thyself? Sell thyself! G.K. Wuori is searching for his brand.

Chris Fink's encounter with a bull snake takes a turn. And a twist. And another turn...

Lonny Cain is planning a dinner party — with dead authors. Who would you invite?

Joseph Flynn takes a look at the big role DEI is suddenly playing in the presidential campaign.

Paula Garrett notices an increase in soul-selling lately.

Nia Springer-Norris has learned some valuable lessons from her grandmother, starting wtih cheese.

NIU student Zach Bertram discusses the cons — and cons — of group projects in college.

Gerrymandering and third-party rules are teeing Scott Summers off this election season.

Lynnea Erickson shares her thoughts on perspectives.

Andrew Nelson takes a look at "very fine people" historically.

The grandchick of Monty and Rose brings a song of hope to David Gunkel.

While temperatures rise in every way, Connie Seraphine asks us to think about the cooling powers of making loving connections.

Joe Mitchell finds the movement to make VP Kamala Harris the Democratic nominee for President inspiring.

Wester Wuori finally got around to reading a weighty classic and shares his review.

Frances Jaeger feels like Orcs have gotten hold of her trilogy.

Deborah Booth has questions about the shooting at former President Trump's rally.

Technology takes a toll on Rosie Klepper.

Dan Kenney says important change doesn't start in your head.

Need some good news? Rick Brooks has a suggestion.

Hate crowds? Sure about that? Let's run it by Suzanne Degges-White

Tom McBride contends that sometimes, caring too much can HURT democracy. Let him explain...

Katie Andraski learns about her grocery clerk's big future.

Nia Springer Norris has been traveling a lot lately — and has a new appreciation for home.

Bob Evans looks at what it means to be an American — and how we can hold up our end of the bargain.

Kyle White builds a zucchini bread bridge over our cultural divisions.

Lonny Cain gives us his two cents on the value of a penny.

When she moved "up north," Paula Garrett learned about the magical vegetable some call "pie plant."

Marnie O. Mamminga's family may miss the potato salad this year, but they've gained something more delicious.

Lou Ness has a new best friend — and her brain does, too.

Lynnea Erickson Laskowski says it's not too late this month — and in life — to celebrate Pride.

Be careful of the past you're yearning for, says Francisco Solares-Larrave,

Andrew Nelson has thoughts about what's really patriotic for this Independence Day.

NIU J401 student Tatiana Kawalski gives up the thing we assume students love most: social media.

Frances Jaeger says it's not what you wear or what your chromosomes say.

Ryan Frye says people with autism don't need to be "cured."

Connie Seraphine learns she can talk with the animals...the birds, at least!

Wester Wuori says science deserves all the credit.

Joe Mitchell says Juneteenth is a time to reckon with our country's past and embrace a brighter future.

Jonathan Shelby says video games may not be as bad for you as some would have you think.

Deborah Booth says a former president has joined an exclusive new club.

Rosie Klepper sends greetings from Cicada Land, a.k.a. her yard, and encourages others in her situation to be patient — you might miss them when they're gone!

What's your work anxiety dream? Tom McBride shares your pain.

Dan Kenney wants you to ask yourself a question.

Katie Andraski puts down her book and checks in with her neighbors.

Summertime is here — and Suzanne Degges-White says it's time to choose your adventure.