Jonathon and I walked Campus Lake today and admired the annual tradition of placing Christmas Ornaments and even garland on the winter bare trees.

As we continued to walk along the pristine path we noticed that the decorations became more plentiful.

I reflected on the many years that I have been walking around Campus Lake.

There were years that I felt inadequate for the job that I had been asked to do.

There were years that I feared that my department would be contracted due to leadership not requiring our best housekeeping efforts from us.

Some Decembers, I wondered if I would be a part of the University Community…this time next year…and I knew that…so many people were counting on me.

And, there were many years that I walked around our beautiful Campus Lake…during the Christmas Season…with a song in my heart…because I knew that we were doing our best…and had wonderful leadership from the top of the organization.

And, so, Place, really does identify with a person…the longer that they have been a part of a geographical area.

You love the people and you identify with their concerns and their worries and their challenges.

Pastor Janice, told me this past Sunday, that she loved my writing…her words meant so much to me…

We really are players in and a part of a master plan…we must play our part well….as the old christian song says…’we will understand it better, by and by.’

Chancellor Montemagno, tweeted, that an anonymous person purchased his lunch yesterday at a local cafe.  He said, ‘that he loved being a part of this community.’

I agree with the Chancellor.  I can not think of anywhere, and I have been all over the world, that I would rather live than right here in Carbondale…in Southern Illinois!

I remember, so fondly, my long lost sister Tammy, contacting me in February of 2012.

I was going through my SIU Email Account, since I was an old retiree of 1 year and 1 month, and I thought that I would pursue it one last time before deleting the account, since is had, primarily, work related emails in it.

When, what did I come upon…but an email from Tamora Brooks and in the narrative she says that she and her brothers and sister are looking for their brother, Bradley Jay Brooks.  She had enclosed a photo of ‘Bradley’ when he was quite young…but the picture did not photocopy.

Tammy went on to say that her father was William Brooks.

I thought to myself that this sounded to good to be true and Mary Jane and I proceeded to the movies.  On the way to the theatre we stopped at our mailbox and retrieved a hard copy letter from Tamora and within the envelope was a photo…that I could not deny.

I telephoned Tammy the next day and we spoke for some time.  She told me that I had another sister, Jolene, and two brothers, Brock and Bill.

I was overjoyed!

Tammy and I even spoke regarding that there were two more daughters from another mother, Billie and Amber.

I immediately was transformed from an only child to having six siblings.

I was beside myself!

Tammy has been doing some genealogical research into our Dad’s Family Tree.  She has been talking with our cousin, Karl, and he has sent her some fascinating photos.

‘This is Dad’s grandparents and girls are his aunts.  The baby boy is Dad’s father.’

‘Dad’s youngest sister, Neoma, who is still alive.’

‘This is Thomas Smothers..Great great grandfather…Our grandmother Verna’s Dad and Effie, her mama (our great great grandmother).’

Tammy is a wonder!

When she sets her mind to investigate, she produces the goods!

I am going to meet her in 2018…no matter what!

My brother Brock and his wonderful family have visited with us a few times and we have joined them in Gatlinburg, Tennessee last April.

They are wonderful people…and it seems that we have grown up together.

I certainly hope that this coming year will be the time for me, the oldest brother, and all of my brothers and sisters…to meet and enjoy each others company…and talk about our heritage.

Have you ever talked with someone or met someone…and seen yourself in their eyes and manner?

When you talk with or meet adult siblings that you have never met…it is a spiritual and ethereal experience to see the resemblance and speech patterns and similar ideas and mirror images of personalities…that are present in long lost sisters and brothers.

Our Dad had three sisters…this is one of them…Cousin Karl’s mother…Doris Janie.

My mom and dad divorced when I was five years old.  Dad has been a spectral image for me.  A few memories…as if from a dream…

My brother Brock and his wife Marcy.

Springfield, Ohio “69”

Our Dad and my sister, Tammy.

Seven years ago, yesterday, was the last day that I worked at Southern Illinois University.

My Director, Phil Gatton, had asked me on numerous occasions if I wanted a retirement reception and I had responded that I, did not.

I told Phil that when I was hired, 32 years and 2 months and 3 weeks ago, no one knew me and my entrance to the University was in no way of note to the institution.  I went on to remark that I thought that it would be appropriate for me to leave in the same manner that I arrived…and that to have a retirement reception…could be embarrassing…when no one attends.

Phil, finally convinced me when he mentioned that Elizabeth Cheek would be very hurt if I did not submit to a reception…as she had asked him repeatedly if he was going to have one for me.

I was humbled and honored when several members of the University Community attended the event.

Often, when I am walking Campus, I walk through the Student Center, for warmth in the winter and cool air in the summer, and I pass the Old Main Lounge, where the reception occurred…and I relive the event.

You probably have not noticed…but SIU is a Big Deal to me!

When I was asked to make a few remarks at the reception…I could not… due to the lump in my throat and the tears in my eyes.

Suddenly it became real to me…that 32 years had gone by…like the blink of an eye.

My, deceased friend, Moses Lestz, told me that when he heard that I had retired…he wept…because it seemed my career had transpired to quickly and he recalled how happy that he was for me when I first was hired at the University.

As I was listening to Phil’s kind remarks and the woman that was replacing me, Kathy’s, great comments, and finally President Poshard’s lovely thoughts regarding our working together and what he felt that I had accomplished…I knew that my time on the Stage had ended and I wondered if I had done enough?

When I left…SIU’s enrollment was thousands more than it is now.

Building Services had many more employees that it does currently.

So many good and great things that have happened in my life and the betterment of my family is the direct result of my association with SIU.

I have watched the, painful, identity crisis that has occurred over the many people that have held the office of chancellor.

SIU must settle on its’ direction and proceed on that agreed path…unwaveringly…and now!

All progress in incremental.

All progress takes time and dogged dedication.

Delyte Morris was President of Southern Illinois University for over 23 years.

The miracle of SIU Normal’s transformation…did not occur overnight.

When I became the Superintendent of Building Services the Dean of CASA telephoned me and said that she had never seen her custodial staff so happy and in unison regarding their support for my being named their manager.

The Dean of the College of Education called me with a request and then told me later that day, that he wished that I would tell him my secret for getting my staff to accomplish what I asked them so expeditiously?

My supervisor, at the time of my being named Superintendent, told me that, ‘my people loved me!’

For years I had the support of virtually the entire department…and we were able to accomplish many good endeavors for our… SIU.

All my success was directly attributable to the wonderful professionals that supported me and gave me strength in the difficult times.

The University Community must decide that they are going to support a leader that will turn the Great Ship around…and steer it towards calm waters.

I remember, fondly, being invited to our good friends Jim and Laura’s house, on my retirement eve.  Two of their lovely daughters, Sarah and Jamie, worked with me in my Campus office over the years.  They are such a great family and it was the perfect way to end my last day…at SIU.

For those of you that follow Advent..you know that the baby Jesus has not arrived yet.

One of the joyful elements of the Christmas Season is the more pleasant interactions we have with those we meet.  There is a feeling, in the air, of excitement and expectation and renewal…that makes our steps lighter and our hearts brighter.

The Salvation Army is out at most every store and the cheering peel of the bell ringers illuminates to us…that this is a special time.

In a world of darkness…Light is coming.

We think of the homeless…we think of those who are in need…we wonder why we are so uptight…when the gift of life is burning bright in our bosoms and…really… we have much more to be thankful for than to be sorry for.

‘And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus  that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David.)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.’   Luke 2:1-7  KJV

And, so Jesus was born to this world in a nondescript and lowly manner.

We, the lonely and the homeless and the unwanted and the shunned…know that we have a place with Jesus…and that we are welcome and wanted.

There is a reason that our sorrowful and needy and suffering human family waits expectantly for the birth of he who has a place at his table for all of us!

As Pastor Janice, asked this morning in church, why does this joyful and expectant feeling end so abruptly in January?

Christ has come and the homeless and the suffering and the lonely and those who are not wanted…are still with us.

”Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!  Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!  Behold, you king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’   Zechariah 9:9   ESV

A week from today we will attend Christmas Eve Service.  This is one of my favorite events of the entire Holiday Season.

One of the most poignant components of the special service….that causes my heart to be full of the meaning of Christmas and all that it stands for is the singing of Silent Night at the conclusion of the evening…and the flickering of the candles, that each of us are holding,..and the knowledge that our world can be better…but it is up to us to make it so.

‘And David said, ‘Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?  Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David.  And the king said to him, ‘Are you Ziba?’  And he said, ‘I am your servant.’  And the king said, ‘Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?’  Ziba,  said to the king, ‘there is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.’  II Samuel 9:1-3

‘And David said, ‘Mephiboseth!’  And he answered, ‘Behold I am your servant.’  And David said to him, ‘Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.”

So, we are all lame in our feet…and we have neither powerful advocate nor friend…but our gift of Christ from his lowly birth in the manger…until now…is a place for us at his table and we are welcome and we can be fed..and we can experience the joy of Christmas throughout the year.

I was just reflecting, today, on what I was doing this time last year.

I remember, fondly, visiting with my friend, Thelma, who I had not had the opportunity to visit with for many years.

My European Buddies, Jeff and Margo, had asked me if I could help Margo’s mother, Thelma, to set up an iPad that they were going to purchase for her for Christmas.  I told them that I would be very pleased to do so.

Jeff, first contacted me while Mary Jane and I were at an Art Show in St. Louis, Missouri..and I was reminded of the wonderful time that we had with them in our tour of the United Kingdom,just, that past August.

When I was a mere lad…and Thelma was just a little older…I spent many enjoyable meals at her table and was struck with her kindness to me.  She caused me to feel as if I was a member of her family.

This time, last December, is the anniversary of Mary Jane and I falling on some ice as we were leaving our lovely niece’s birthday celebration.

When we entered the Winery where the festivities were taking place, the sidewalks and roadways were clear and when we exited there had fallen a nice sheet of ice.

After my fall…I noticed that it was very difficult for me to breath for several minutes…but I was certain that I merely was bruised.

No need for a Doctor.

After a day and night of constant pain and muscles spasms that occurred every minute or two…I decided a Doctor’s visit would be in order.

Three fractured ribs, later, and some good drugs for pain and muscle relaxants, I survived…but there is not a day that I am not aware of my old ribs Christmas Injury.

Jonathon and I walked the SIU Campus earlier today.

I remembered Christmas Seasons from many years gone by on Campus.

Former Campus President, John Guyon and his wife, Joyce, had a Madrigal Christmas Dinner and commensurate celebration for many years at the Student Center.

I recall, with a tinge of nostalgia, my old friend Jo Ann’s Christmas Luncheon that she had for all of the University Community…the Christmas that she was Chancellor.

I recall the renewed hope and excitement that we all felt for our great Learning Institution.

I remember when the University began the policy of closing between the Christmas Holiday and the New Year Holiday and staff received six to seven days of Holiday’s and the Pay to accompany them.  This is still the practice of the Campus and it is a wonderful time to rest and rejuvenate and recharge for the upcoming year.

I was amazed and so very impressed when, Vice President Clarence ‘Doc’ Dougherty, came to Building Services little Christmas Dinner and took the time to shake hands and speak with every Building Service Worker and Building Custodian and Foreman in the room.

I remember driving our brand new Ford LTD, 2 door sedan, to my mother and stepfather’s and we had nice gifts for them and I had a good job as a new Building Service Worker I in 1978.

Before that Mary Jane and I had struggled financially and at one point in our new marriage I had been out of work altogether.  What a Christmas Blessing SIU was to us!

I had a two year tradition of visiting my friend and the Chancellor of SIUC on the last day of work prior to Christmas.  In the afternoon I would go to Anthony Hall and visit Dr. Beggs in his offices at Anthony.

I would find the Chancellor at the receptionist desk…answering the telephone…because he had sent all of his staff home for the Holidays.

On the second year of the two year tradition…Dr. Margaret Winters and her husband Geoff Nathan came in to wish the Chancellor Christmas happiness.

Chancellor Beggs introduced me to both of them and then told them that he and I had a tradition of getting together on the last work day of the year and talking about the past year.

Chancellor Beggs and his wonderful wife, Shirley, made me feel like I was as important as anyone on the Campus.

These photos are of a painting that Chancellor Beggs and Shirley gave me before they left the Campus at the conclusion his two year appointment as Chancellor.

The painting was originally commissioned for Dr. Beggs father and hung in the Credit Union that he managed, for many years.

It later hung in Dr. Beggs College of Education Dean’s Office for the entire time that he was the Dean and then in his Anthony Hall office for the two years that he was the Chancellor of the Campus.

I was humbled and gratified when he and Shirley gave the painting to me.

My home away from home, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, is currently struggling with the idea of massive, structural change to its’ Academic Programs.

Let me be crystal clear…SIU is a majestic and renowned University with a history that is the envy of elite schools across our nation.

The resources and the professors and the national programs are unique and to be desired.

Yet, the enrollment of the School’s Flagship Campus, at Carbondale, has been falling, precipitously, for 20 years.

During my time at Southern I witnessed our wonderful Campus experience almost 25 thousand students.

Now it is slightly above 14 thousand and forecast for another enrollment drop next fall semester.

It goes without saying that something must be done…now!

In the mid 1990’s, my friend Dr. Don Beggs, was named Chancellor for two years.

At the time of Chancellor Beggs tenure as Chancellor there were over 22 thousand students.

Dr. Beggs was admired on Campus and successful in slowly turning around the enrollment during his short window as the leader of our School.

I personally pleaded with, then University President Ted Sanders, to name Chancellor Beggs our permanent Chancellor.

President Sanders assured me and another member of the Chancellor Search Committee that he would do so if there was a grassroots outcry that Dr. Beggs be named the permanent Chancellor.

There was a massive grassroots outcry…and President Sanders did not keep his word.

Our University was fortunate to name Dr. Jo Ann Argersinger as Dr. Beggs replacement.

Chancellor Argersinger was loved by the students and faculty and staff…and there was an exuberance and vitality breathed into our, enrollment troubled Campus, like I had not seen during my career.

Chancellor Argersinger was terminated, ten months into her tenure…for, as Seinfeld would say,…Spite.

Now we have a Chancellor who is seeking a change in the Academic Structure of our Campus.

These are, ‘Just the Facts’ as Sergeant Joe Friday often said to witnesses to a crime on the popular television show, Dragnet.

We have to stop the decline in enrollment or we will no longer possess the wonderful Jewel that is SIU.

Surveys and public and private comments revealed that the University Community was desirous of change.

Chancellor Montemagno was chosen to be a ‘Change Agent.’

There is a vast wealth of knowledge and productive ideas that could benefit our great Campus within the University Community…and with our New Chancellor’s proposal for a New Academic Structure…there has occurred a lively conversation among all members of the Academy…like has not been in many years!

I have friends, whose opinion I value, that have told me that their interaction with our New Chancellor is refreshing and that he is down to earth and accessible and that he has a great affinity for the working people on Campus.

These markers of a great leader…excite and inspire me as they remind me of past University Leaders that had similar characteristics.

Then, I read where others say that the New Chancellor is inaccessible and not willing to inculcate ideas of members of the Community.

I have never met the New Chancellor…but I do know that he must have a chance to exhibit the positive change, needed, as concerning our paramount problem…which is enrollment.

Chancellor Beggs was well on the way to turning around our enrollment problem…when it was not as dire as it is now.

Two years…was not enough time!

Chancellor Argersinger was demonstrating the ability to unify the Campus Community…in and extraordinary manner.

Ten months…was not enough time!

I suggest that all members of the Campus Community and the wider Southern Illinois Community…come together and bring all good will and all good ideas and seek to build on the many strengths of Southern Illinois University in a Collegial manner…which is as it should be at a renowned University?

I have never seen anything positive accomplished by a pubic flogging and embarrassment and a public rebuke of a leader….in the presence of the Community that he has been asked to lead.

A great leader has to have humility and be able to forgive and be able to listen…much more than he speaks.

Indeed, we do not have time to contemplate the minutiae of ever ending philosophical and esoteric arguments.

Indeed, we must have time to fully and freely participate in needed positive change that will directly support increased enrollment at our beloved alma matter!

I love literature and philosophy and political science and history…and this is what University is to me.  Along with inclusiveness and acceptance and spreading a table for all humanity and all ethnicities and all faiths or of no faith…to come together and agree on the supreme desire of advancing the family of humanity.

Good University Governance is a mixture of the dreams of humanity and the practicality of what is needed in the time that we live in…to produce a vibrant School that has the ability to cater to both the English Major and the Scientist…the study of Africana history and the training of Law Enforcement.

Great leaders always are the product of collaboration.

When the members of the University Community are part of the decision making and ‘own the end result’…they will work tirelessly to ensure that the outcome of the ‘Change’ is successful!

I was chatting with my good friend, Jim, earlier today and reflecting on what it takes to produce a professional custodial technician.

Many years ago I was having breakfast at a church convention and one of the ministers, at the church that the convention was being held at, asked me if I had thought of obtaining the needed education to obtain a Professional Housekeeping Certificate?

I noted his kind admonishment and, considered that I already believed that I was a professional housekeeper…in many ways.

I am a full believer that custodial staff, as with any craft, can never have to much training and that certificates verifying that training are important.  However, for a person to become a professional in any field, first, requires a mindset that seeks to improve in all aspects of the discipline.

Having attended the Association of Physical Plant Administrators, week long seminars on four different occasions, I can attest that inspection of what you expect in cleanliness of a facility is vital to the success of the cleaning operation.

Also, facilities management and custodial operations have to agree on the recognized and measurable standard of custodial services that they are expecting.

It is imperative that custodial craftsman has cutting edge technology and are trained in best practices of Housekeeping Operations.

Also, and of extreme importance, is the development of the human being and dedicated career employee, that is fulfilling the indispensable service of building services maintenance.

So often, I have witnessed managers and administrators and University Leaders, treat custodial staff with a gratuitous or condescending manner.

The, common feeling, that anyone can clean, or that there must, obviously be little training or measurement in the work of…the old…or the uneducated or those lacking in motivation…and that ‘our cleaning person is…quaint… and colorful… and skilled in the art of getting out of work’…is sadly still the norm for relations with the community that is served by the skillful custodial employee.

I often pointed out that many of our staff held Bachelor’s Degrees and several Master’s Degrees.

I have admonished both Chancellors and University President’s that they did not fully realize the depth of education and ability that was at their disposal in the Building Services ranks…and that all they needed to do…was think outside the box…a little…to obtain assistance that would be vital to the recruitment and retention of our wonderful students.

For the over 25 years that I served as manager in the Building Services Department at Southern Illinois University I noted, on every occasion that was afforded to me, that the University was fortunate to have the most professional Housekeeping Staff in the State of Illinois and across the nation.

SIU’s Building Services Staff are career employees.  I have witnessed their dedication on numerous occasions, when the custodial budget was cut…as much as a million dollars, that they would not let slip the cleanliness of their University.

I know of many Building Services Staff that skipped their breaks and lunch to ensure that the University Buildings that they were responsible for…remained highly above average in cleanliness…for the students that they loved and respected.

Housekeeping is so often, a seemingly easy cut, for administration, as they attest that they must hold harmless the ‘Academic Mission’ of the University.

The custodial professionals, that it was my high honor to work with for over thirty-two years…accepted the need for budget reductions…but their importance to the ‘Academic Mission’ of the University was paramount.

Housekeeping  Professionalism is a mindset and it’s importance to the mission of the institution that it serves is as important as any component of the facility.

Something that is lost on many administrators is that Building Services Staff are so dedicated to the Community that they serve…that they will subsequently struggle to achieve a high standard of cleanliness even when they are told by management to not do so.

I saw many work slow downs during budget cuts…but the custodial staff…would not take part…because of their professional career dedication to the University and it’ s ‘Academic Mission.’

Cherish your dedicated Professional Building Services Staff!

‘1. Humble Leaders Lead by Listening.

2. Humble Leaders Never Stop Learning.

3. Humble Leaders Don’t Seek Power; It Seeks Them.

4. Humble Leaders Unite – They Don’t Divide.

5. Humble Leaders Delegate.

6. Humble Leaders Forgive.

7. Humble Leaders Admit Mistakes.

8. Humble Leaders Separate Themselves From the Office/Position They Occupy.

9. Humble Leaders Pull-Not-Push- Their Team Members.

10. Humble Leaders Pursue Causes Greater Than Themselves.’   According to, ‘Giant Worldwide’

Leadership has fascinated me since I was a child.

I have known many leaders and often they possessed a great ego and a considerable amount of pride in their abilities.

One of the most transformative occurrences that I have witnessed is a person being elevated to a leadership position and subsequently being humble enough to listen and learn from those that they have been asked to lead.

A leader that understands that the people that he/she has been asked to lead…often have insights and understanding that the leader does not possess.

Servant leadership…can not be faked.  You know it when you see it.

The leader that listens more than they speak is of great value.

Many times, we humans, are attracted to the loudest or the boldest or the most shocking…faux leader.

Have you ever taken the time to listen to the promises of many of our politicians and then gone back, later, to see how many of those promises were kept?

Often, I have witnessed the manager or administrator who once they are chosen for a leadership position…they suddenly become the smartest person in the room.  It is as if they have been endowed with some magic dust or other spiritual ingredients that has caused them to be the ‘brilliant leader’ of a group of sub-par troglodytes.

Indeed, humble leaders inspire confidence in those that they want to follow them.

I have been a part of our Campus, at SIU,  uniting around leaders that inspired us to be our best and to reach for the stars.

It is a wonderful feeling and a creator of tremendous inspiration when a humble leader seeks your assistance and you feel valued and that your contribution to the organization is vital.

I always said, regarding disciplinary action against staff, who’s infraction could be better solved by simply talking about the problem and agreeing on a solution…that I would rather ere on the side of mercy than judgement.

Humble leaders forgive.

The ability to separate yourself from the office that you occupy as a leader is a unique ability.  Leadership is simply a temporary stewardship position and it should be held with a loose grasp…understanding fully that the task will end but the human beings that you affected will be the legacy of your tenure.

Reluctant leaders or leaders that would prefer to sit in the back of the room and not be known by anyone…are refreshing.

Leaders that do not fully realize their abilities and potential but who are gratified when positive things happen to those that they work with…are invaluable.

I often reference former Southern Illinois University President, Delyte Morris, who is responsible for the world renown University that is SIU.  Dr. Morris inspired everyone from the janitor to the faculty and students flocked to his experiment in inclusiveness.

The former Comedy Great, Dick Gregory, said that Dr. Morris was the first white man who spoke to him with respect.

Real and inclusive and humble and a servant leader…is magnetic and compelling and it brings people together and it builds something much greater than the leader themselves.

Amazingly, Bob Dylan, wrote ‘A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall during the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis…and yet it applies for our time.

As I was listening to the television, yesterday, I heard a supporter of Alabama Senatorial Candidate, Roy Moore, expound on the fact that forty to fifty years ago…any mother or father would be proud to discover that Assistant State’s Attorney, Roy Moore, was hitting on their fourteen years old daughter.

Candidate Moore said that, ‘In response to a question from one of the only African Americans in the audience-who asked when Moore thought America was last ‘great’–Moore acknowledged the nation’s history of racial divisions, but said: ‘I think it was a great time when families were united–even though we had slavery–they cared for one another…Our families were strong, our country had a direction.’   CNN

Some people who identified as christians say that they are not concerned about Senatorial Candidate Moore’s being accused of sexual harassment of teenagers and pedophilia…as they point to King David of the Old Testament and Solomon as having moral failures.

New York Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, called on President Trump to resign in light of the numerous accusations regarding his sexual harassment of women.

The President of the United States of America responded, ‘Lightweight Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a total flunky of Chuck Schumer and someone who would come to my office ‘begging’ for campaign contributions not so long ago (and would do anything for them), is now in the ring fighting against Trump.  Very disloyal to Bill & Crooked-USED!’

I love southern people.

I grew up in Southern Illinois!

The pain and the sorrow…and deep remorse…that I heard in a gentleman from Alabama’s voice…today…was poignant.

He spoke of how his deceased daughter told him that she was Gay and that he had said hurtful things to her…and later she committed suicide.

The hurt and suffering and loving Alabama Father said, that Roy Moore calls people like his daughter perverts…and that she was not a pervert…and that he can not vote for Judge Moore.

‘Oh where have you been, my blue-eyed son?

Oh, where have your been, my darling young one?

I’ve stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains

I’ve walked and I’ve crawled on six crooked highways

I’ve stepped in the middle of seven sad forests

I’ve been out in front of a dozen dead oceans

I’ve been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard

And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard, and it’s a hard

And it’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall

Oh, what did you see, my blue-eyed son?

Oh, what did you see, my darling young one?

I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it

I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it

I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin

I saw a room full of men with their hammers a-bleedin

I saw a white ladder all covered with water

I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken

I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children

And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s hard, it’s a hard

And it’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall’     Bob Dylan

Many Fundamentalist desire to have their influence permeate the Government of the United States of America.

Reverend Franklin Graham said, ‘no president in his lifetime had taken such a ‘strong outspoken stand for the Christian faith’ than President Trump and that he needs our prayers.’

I am a christian…and Reverend Graham is not speaking for me.

I just heard a campaign operative for Judge Moore being interviewed by Jake Tapper on CNN.  The person said that Candidate Moore would return our Country to English/Mosaic/Christian Law.  He then went on to say that our Government was founded on the Bible.

When Jake Tapper asked him if he knew that there was a Constitutional Separation of Church and State…he had no response.

When political persons speak of returning our Government to the Christian Faith…they are speaking of their faith…not yours…and what of the millions in our Nation who are not Christian?

Of late, I have been producing more black and white photos.

I enjoy the timelessness of black and white.

Wheeler Hall, which served as the University’s first Library.

Shadows on Allyn.

And, then there is the Castle.

Altgeld Hall, which is modeled after the European Castles that Illinois Governor Altgeld visited during a tour of Europe.

The majestic beauty of the Old Campus is compelling.

‘The Stairway to Heaven”

St. Charles Christmas Carriage.

Altgeld Hall’s Winter Look.