Southern Illinois is comprised of small towns and villages. Many of the towns that surround Carbondale which is the home of Southern Illinois University have a group of people who truly know each other. When they see someone who is not from their town…they know it. Many years ago MJ and I were having dinner with some friends and it was not in Carbondale. In the little restaurant, we sat down with them and everyone in the place looked at us. Ray stood up and introduced us and mentioned that we were from Carbondale and then they slowly went back to their food.

I passed an African American gentleman this morning as I was visiting Cobden and he looked to be of senior status. When he saw me he said, ‘Hot enough for you?’ I answered that it was and he laughed because we were both in on the inside joke. Little towns and hamlets are nice. There is room to grow and explore and develop a sense of place and self.

Our good friend Emily from Vermont visited us this week. She mentioned that Vermont is one of the smallest population states in the Union. When folks think of Illiois they automatically think of Chicago where I was born. However much of Illinois is rural and dotted with people here and there. If anything Carbondale seems to be getting smaller. Business are closing on a regular basis and restaurants are having a difficult time staying afloat. Our University Mall which was once a booming enterprise is now a shadow of its former self. Tom’s Place which was one of only two five star restaurants in our region closed on July 1st. SIUC is less than half the population of when I was working there. Yet Little Egypt is a picturesque place to live. Indeed people that move here often never leave. The feeling is a bit like living in another century. Good and hard working people who mind their own business and who will lend a helping hand when needed.

Stress is lessened in Little Egypt. Giant City State Park is in our backyard. Southern Illinis University has woods on the campus. We are much like the noted butter…Land Of Lakes. Students from Chicago come the Carbondale to experience an alternate life style that often becomes their life.