Open Mic Night 2018: Guy Gorney

Community News: Aug, 21, 2018

Check out upcoming events in the Joliet area, as well as the awesome things people are doing.

Local health events: Aug. 21 through Aug. 28

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/20/local-health-events-aug-21-through-aug-28/annfayb/

Morris native earns Doctor of Dental Medicine degree 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/20/morris-native-earns-doctor-of-dental-medicine-degree/abh7iua/

Linden Oaks opens Outpatient Center in Mokena

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/20/linden-oaks-opens-outpatient-center-in-mokena/augbhpr/

Bilingual OB/GYN joins the Will County Health Department Community Health Center 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/20/bilingual-obgyne-joins-the-will-county-health-department-community-health-center/ax89ikm/

DuPage Medical Group (DMG) opens 7 new clinics for physical and occupational therapy

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/20/dupage-medical-group-dmg-opens-7-new-clinics-for-physical-and-occupational-therapy/aisgdxh/

OB-GYN joins Edward Medical Group in Plainfield

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/20/ob-gyn-joins-edward-medical-group-in-plainfield/aa7nzd6/

DuPage Medical Group welcomes new doctors

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/20/dupage-medical-group-welcomes-new-doctors/atjpvl3/

Advanced Urology Associates opens Morris office

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/20/advanced-urology-associates-opens-morris-office/aoal50v/


Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//


Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/


Sign up for The Munsonville Times

https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times

Illustration by Christopher Gleason for "Staked!"

Found This Gem of an Interview This Morning

While weeding out old blog drafts, I found this lurking around in an email folder.

It's a Q&A with my daughter Sarah Stegall from 2011 before we published the first BryonySeries book. 

Some quick back story: Sarah and I had been on the "outs" for a number of years, up until 2010 when she requested a copy of the first manuscript to read. My niece was the first to read it (by request) after I shared the news with my family one holiday that I'd written a book and a had contract with a small press. My niece loved it so much, she gave it to my sister to read, who passed it to my mother who passed it to my father.

When Sarah asked to see it, I couldn't pack a copy off fast enough. That, I felt, was the real test of the story's strength. She's the reason for my first website, this blog, the CD, the Facebook page (she did all the posting once upon a time) the Twitter account (she started all of the above projects), the chapter headings art on all of the books (they were her idea), and the driving force behind cookbook submissions and organizing Vamp Fest, the release party for the first book, which raised nearly $1,400 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

She's helped with copy editing, cover design, finding a replacement artist when another became ill and had to bow out, deciding I should write a children's series based on Bertrand the Mouse, and probably had her hand in more components that my brain isn't remembering right now.

In turn, the skills she learned helping me out long distance (she lives in North Carolina) gave her the foundation for the management job she has today. It was a marvelous partnership.

The Q and A below perfectly captures her enthusiasm for the project, both as a reader and a collaborator. For people who have not read the book or the series, she sums up the enchantment perfectly.

I originally ran all twenty questions in four installments. I offer it here in its entirety today. Enjoy!

1)      Do you normally read vampire stories?

Not normally, although I did read the Twilight series twice and I'm working my way through the Anita Blake series (the main character, Anita, is a vampire slayer, zombie riser, and in a major conflict between Master of the City [head vampire] and the next in line head werewolf).

2)   So why did you request a copy of Bryony, followed by Visage and Staked?

Simply because I love to hate. I was assuming it would be cheap writing and was surprised by how well I liked the manuscripts. Then I wanted to read the whole story. I hate being left in limbo.

3)      What was your reaction the first time you read it?

Denise has no idea what she created and how perfect the story is for today's crowd.

4)      You had just finished Twilight around the time you read Bryony? Is not Bryony just another Twilight?

Absolutely not! Other than the fact Bryony has vampires in it, it's not a sappy love story. It's more like the ultimate plot, deceptively intertwined between characters and books.

5)      I have heard you read all three books at least three times. Why?

The first read was to get through them, the second time to catch all the things I missed the first round, and the third was to actually enjoy the books as they are meant to be. I guess every read I learn a different aspect I missed previously.

6)      Why did you become involved in the Bryony cookbook project?

I wanted to be involved in something good. I love to cook and I'm always recipe hunting, so I figured I would be a positive force behind the project.

7)      Why is the cookbook a good idea?

The BryonySeries mentions food quite a bit and some of the dishes are rather entertaining. I felt readers like myself would want to try and recreate these dishes themselves.

8)      Is the Bryony cookbook just another collection of recipes?

In some ways yes, but overall not really. How many cookbooks floating around your kitchen feature eclectic recipes from the Victorian Era and the 70's?

9)      What made you take the initiative in designing the Bryony Facebook page?

It started as a gift; I created it on Mother's Day, 2010, but ultimately I was already thinking big. I wanted to have my hands dirty in all things Bryony.  

10)  What elements did you add as you developed the page?

I themed it out so readers could expect their favorite posts, pictures, songs, and so forth. I try to keep posts different and funny so readers don't lose interest.

11)  How did you wind up with the Bryony website?

When I created the FB page, I was disappointed because we didn't have a coinciding website to further direct readers. As a reader, when I become interested in a series, I check out all that the series has to offer online. Where was the website? Where was the blog? Ugh, so frustrating.

12)  Why was creating the Bryony website important to you?

It meant I nabbed the project from someone I'm not fond of, but more importantly, I felt I was contributing to getting projects accomplished. In my head I was crossing off my own checklist and I was racking up new experiences left and right. We needed a website and I was eager to learn how to make one.

13)  What will people find on the website?

Mass information involving the team behind the book, additional links directing readers to other sites, interactive pages where they can submit their own short stories, view unique pictures, eventually listen to the theme song and purchase related merchandise, and possibly be able to play different types of games.

14)  Why are those elements there?

To draw readers into the world Denise has created with the BryonySeries and to immerse themselves in all things Bryony. We want readers to be able to get their fill. I don't want anyone left hanging.

15)  What else do you hope to add?

Anything that is demanded. Our site features a guest book where comments and questions can be left. Oh, and games. I have all these nifty ideas for games and nobody that knows how to design them.

16)  Last fall, when the author was hospitalized, you did some guest posting on the Bryony blog. What did you write about?

Coffee, dreams, DNA, updates, a short story, a funny story from the eyes of my three-year-old, and an interview.

17)  How did you come up with ideas?

I wasn't entirely sure what the rhythm was behind the blog so I tried to keep in theme with Bryony, without it actually being Bryony. Everything I posted was indirectly related to vampires or the book.

18)  What group of readers might enjoy Bryony?

I don't think it can be pinned down to just one age bracket or just one type of reader. Bryony offers a little for everyone. My 75-year-old grandpa read it (loved it) and my twenty and thirty something friends have been hounding me for my copy of the manuscript.

19)  Why will they enjoy it?

It's an exciting, thrilling, story. Some elements are left up to the reader to weigh in on, while other parts leave you reading twice as fast to get to what you think is going to happen, only to find out it's cleverly deceptive and the story changes. For the main character, Melissa, she is back and forth between 1975 and the Victorian Era. Readers can look forward to their favorite time era depending on what interests them. Also, food and music are nicely intertwined throughout Bryony.

20)  Tell us about James Onohan and his contribution to the overall project. Why made you seek out and persuade this composer to join the Bryony team?

James is my greatest mistake (for the book, I never make mistakes in real life). While researching out of date music, I stumbled across a song of his on Youtube. He composes all his music and the song I was hearing sounded like it ran off the pages of the book, straight into my ears. His sound mimicked exactly what we were missing. I immediately emailed him and after a brief correspondence, he agreed to jump on board. Currently he is composing the book's theme song, (a huge part of the series) and working on ten new compositions for a CD to go along with Bryony.

Community News: Aug. 18 and Aug. 20, 2018

Check out upcoming events in the Joliet area, as well as the awesome things people are doing.


Gotta Do It: Aug. 19 through Aug. 26

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/14/gotta-do-it-aug-19-through-aug-26/ans9on6/

Local pet events: Aug. 20 through Aug. 27 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/17/local-pet-events-aug-20-through-aug-27/aqy8j3m/

Pets of the Week: Aug. 20 

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/13/2bf66602b9834217ae8d8d70a181ff0a/index.xml

Lincoln-Way Central AP science tackles world topics

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/07/lincoln-way-central-ap-science-tackles-world-topics/atl842z/

Lincoln-Way West pediatrician visits classes

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/07/lincoln-way-west-pediatrician-visits-classes/alhuqnf/

Joliet Montessori School adds staff 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/04/12/joliet-montessori-school-adds-staff/av3gog/

Lincoln-Way East students participate in annual bridge building competition

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/07/62b413d78b5043a98b307a6d762ed2c9/index.xml

University of St. Francis offers college-specific visit days in fall

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/09/university-of-st-francis-offers-college-specific-visit-days-in-fall/anxvat0/

Joliet Montessori School gets re-certified by global group

JMS remains the only dual-certified #Montessori school in Will County

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/07/joliet-montessori-school-gets-re-certified-by-global-group/ay3q6if/

Lincoln-Way Central students participate in annual Bridge Building Competition 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/07/lincoln-way-central-students-participate-in-annual-bridge-building-competition/alny3k6/

Joliet Central High School students learn about entrepreneurship

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/07/joliet-central-high-school-students-learn-about-entrepreneurship/at7yiyx/

Frankfort students learn through websites 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/07/frannkfort-students-learn-through-websites/anlcdpr/

L-W Central wins robotics competition

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/07/l-w-central-wins-robotics-competition/a4ymndv/

Joliet Police Department receives award of excellence 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/07/police-department-receives-award-of-excellence/awksg22/

L-W West student is elected Key Club lieutenant governor

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/07/l-w-west-student-is-elected-key-club-lieutenant-governor/a7zchtk/

Advanced placement count soars at Lincoln-Way school

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/07/advanced-placement-count-soars-at-lincoln-way-school/auoq2nq/

Local students graduate in 2017 and spring 2018 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/06/local-students-graduate-in-2017-and-spring-2018/agig472/

Troy mathletes repeat 1st place win at math competition

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/07/27/troy-mathletes-repeat-1st-place-win-at-math-competition/ambw39m/


Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//


Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/


Sign up for The Munsonville Times

https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Art Lovers: This Post is for You

A new and unique exhibit is coming to the Book and Bean Cafe for the months of September and October.

The exhibit will feature the work of four Joliet artists: Matt Coundiff, Terri Ellinger, Topher Gleason, and Sue Midlock. The artist reception will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Book and Bean Cafe, 3395 Black Road, Joliet. 

All four work in very different styles. 

Matt works mainly in colored pencil and market and is also a tattoo artist.

Terri specializes in watercolor, gouache, pencil, colored pencil, mixed media and ink, and creates custom portraits of people, places and pets.

Topher uses watercolor and ink.

Sue, a vampire author, works in a variety of mediums, but for this show, she will be displaying her photography.

The only connection between these four artists is that they have all created art for some of my different books. For this reason, the exhibit is called, "The Art of the BryonySeries," because of all the art displayed, although not featured in any of the books, will echo the styles.

Much of the art will be available for sale. Cash sales are accepted at the register. For other payment methods, contact the individual artists directly. Additional flyers will be available at the cafe with the artists' email addresses.

In addition, all four artists are taking commissions. So if you have an idea you'd like to bring to life, or if you are a local author and need a book cover or interior illustrations, these four artists have experience.

For more information, email my at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

Sue's Diner: Boiled Parsnips and Carrots

The Munsonville Times was so impressed by the spread John Simons served for his wedding to Miss Bryony Marseilles that the newspaper listed each item.

Here is one of the recipes served. Easy to make, colorful to serve. 

Weather too hot to think root vegetables? Try them col.

For the recipe, visit the Sue's Diner page: https://www.bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner

From "Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles From 'Bryony'"

All proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties. www.bbbswillgrundy.org.

Order the cookbook at www.bryonyseries.com.

Steward Setback Saturday: Expand Your Cache of Ed Calkinsisms...

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Expand Your Cache of Ed Calkinsisms...

...by memorizing - and then entertaining - your family and friends with these:

http://www.irishabroad.com/Culture/proverbs/

Community News :Aug. 17, 2018

Check out upcoming events in the Joliet area, as well as the awesome things people are doing.

Local arts and entertainment Aug. 17 through Aug. 24

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/15/local-arts-and-entertainment-aug-17-through-aug-24/a2fjz8o/

Joliet day camp program assists youth in making the right choices 

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/16/20e11dd210e341ce96b9be61848d41c2/index.xml

Chairs from Trinity’s New Lenox Woodworks will decorate downtown Frankfort as part of chamber’s Fall Festival

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/17/chairs-from-trinitys-new-lenox-woodworks-will-decorate-downtown-frankfort-as-part-of-chambers-fall-festival/apshxk7/

Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District holding fall Tree and Fish Sale 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/17/will-south-cook-soil-and-water-conservation-district-holding-fall-tree-and-fish-sale/a3ef3i6/

Frankfort event to benefit 2 groups that serve people with cancer 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/17/frankfort-event-to-benefit-2-groups-that-serve-people-with-cancer/axjfscg/

IDNR IRAP program accepting applications for archery deer hunting on private property 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/17/idnr-irap-program-accepting-applications-for-archery-deer-hunting-on-private-property/a3p9nhi/

My Joyful Heart to host golf classic

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/17/my-joyful-heart-to-host-golf-classic/ale6ooy/

Around Town: Our Lady of Mount Carmel 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/17/around-town-our-lady-of-mount-carmel/as9c12h/


Check out the following newsletters:

Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//


Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/


Sign up for The Munsonville Times

https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Aug. 12 through Aug. 17

Very busy Friday, so just a couple quick updates and then the stories.

Proof copy for Cornell Dyer and the Necklace of Forgetfulness is here. Along with editing the fifth book of Before the Blood, I shall be reading this. Rebekah has already noted a couple of formatting issues, so we already have one more round to go.

Taking another at-home writing retreat first weekend in September and will most likely disappear from social media. This will fill in the chinks of scenes, etc. that didn't get written during July's retreat.

In a couple of weeks, four local artists who created artwork for several of my books will be exhibiting their work at Book and Bean Cafe during the months of September and October. The artist reception will be 6 p.m. Sept. 27. Please come out and support them with a few minutes of their presence. All four do very different types of work.

Then on Oct. 11, WriteOn Joliet member and man of a thousand voices Duanne Walton and I will be doing a dramatic reading of Snowbell at 6 p.m. at the Book and Bean. Don't know what that is? More information is here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/snowbell. The performance should last about thirty minutes. And it's free.

LOTS of new members and new initiatives from WriteOn Joliet including a new website we're almost ready to unveil. If you're a writer, check us out. If you're a reader, check us out.

The BryonySeries newsletter is very close to a real launch date. Reasons for the delay? Newsletters suddenly because the fashion in 2018, and we wanted to let some of that settle before we launched ours. Also, it's a bit different in scope, and we wanted time to plan, as well as learn and work with the template. Finally, since I was asked to write a newsletter for The Herald-News (and then launched a second one, the LocalLit short story newsletter), it seemed wise to concentrate on those first.

Keep reading for more information on my professional work and where to find what on social media.

Non-bylined features:

Monday through Saturday I assembled my non-bylined works - brief posts and calendar listings - into one convenient file and posting them on Facebook in the evening, so readers can easily choose the ones they want to read.

 One can also find those event listings, the Gotta Do It calendar, as well as the pets, health, faith, and arts and entertainment calendars, under the sections tab on the left hand side of http://www.theherald-news.com/. Click on "features" and the topics drop down.  Gotta Do It runs under "people."

Community news? Again, under the sections tab, under features, and by topic. Updates are posted on these days in print and web (and some only on web on other days as I have the time): Monday (pets), Tuesday (health), Thursday (faith), Friday (arts and entertainment), and Sunday (people).

Social media:

Daily updates: I do post the briefs and calendars on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I post curated content relating to the BryonySeries at @BryonySeries. And assorted related content at www.facebook.com/BryonySeries. And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to jon WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/writeonminooka/?ref=bookmarks. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

Upcoming events: 

These are listed here: https://www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at www.bryonyseries.com.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Training people for better lives

CrestHill personal trainer builds motivation with the muscle 

“He was just one of those people who shine so brightly,” Brian Breen, a former employer, said of McCants. “I said, ‘You should own your own business.’ What you provide your clients goes beyond showing them the machines and how to get healthy. You’re a living, breathing evangelist. People will pay to spend time with you. Just being around you will make their lives better.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/07/17c4fe951b304dc3b10e95ac945b0afc/index.xml

An Extraordinary Life: With a genuine love for all people

Grundy County man helped people from all over the world become U.S. citizens

"I think the main things that stick in my mind are his genuine love of people, his sense of humor, and the way he cared about everybody," Ron Romero said about his father Robert Romero. "He gave everybody a chance."

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/12/290763ecd8e84554b20241dc8376d0b3/index.xml


Forgetting about cancer for a week
Camp Quality in Frankfort lets kids with a cancer diagnosis be just kids for a week 

"They knew what it was like to go through a X-ray or what it means to get blood drawn or a spinal tap done, unfortunately things they have to learn what they are at a young age," Sami Henderson, 19 of Joliet, former cancer patient and camper and current volunteer, said. "One of the great things about camp is that it made me smile and forget about what I was going through for a couple of days."

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/13/20fadd8ee5b64977b0ae34bc816eff42/index.xml


Tom Kelly's New Lenox offers Irish comfort food, trendy sandwiches

We started with the pretzel appetizer, and the plate came with two options for dipping sauces: cheese and spicy mustard. I'm also a mustard fanatic, so that's what I went for first. It certainly lived up to its name — flavored with horseradish, the dip brought some heat. The cheese dip was very tasty, as well, and included pimento.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/13/4bd8e67440504b45962cb05cd4aa68c8/index.xml?page=1

'We trusted God for a miracle and that's what we received'

Lockport woman quickly recovers from a stroke and 3 aneurisms

The neurosurgeon also told her family to expect a long recovery – if she survived the surgery, Lisa Johnson-McFarland said.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/01/c3182c0029774700943cdf0802dfbd2c/index.xml?page=1

Dressing for successful fundraising

Benefit fashion shows are still in style for these 2 Joliet organization

"It's a girl's day out," Past President Dorothy Stanfield of Plainfield, co-chair said. "Who doesn't like fashion and clothing and handbags?"

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/15/fbdfacc4c416420b89f9df8231fadd7a/index.xml

Artworks: From raw metal to useful

With books and videos, Joliet man taught himself blacksmithing 

"I liked the idea of taking something raw, a form of metal, and turning it into something useful and artistic," Dave Rura of Joliet said.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/14/1d3f71a54fca426c826570bfcfc8741c/index.xml?page=1

LocalLit author spotlight: Norm Cowie of Chicago is back

If you liked his "were tick" story, you'll enjoy Tuesday's story. Don't subscribe to the free short story newsletter? Information is at the bottom of this article.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/16/96656299dfb844a5bfee3fcaf418f497/index.xml

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Community News: Aug. 16. 2018

Check out upcoming events in the Joliet area, as well as the awesome things people are doing.

Local faith events Aug. 16 through Aug. 23

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/15/local-faith-events-aug-16-through-aug-23/a5977tb/

Joliet church gives 40 kids a day in the country

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/15/0955e9b1656d49e1b8b53e86b4520cd2/index.xml

Registration open for St. Mary Immaculate Parish School in Plainfield

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/08/registration-open-for-st-mary-immaculate-parish-school-in-plainfield/a66pict/

Scholarships available to new students at St. Mary Nativity School in Joliet 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/08/scholarships-available-to-new-students-at-st-mary-nativity-school-in-joliet/ab67n3y/

Coal City church seeking vendors

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/08/coal-city-church-seeking-vendors/aw9oeuk/

Joliet and Crest Hill churches accepting religious education registration 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/08/joliet-and-crest-hill-churches-accepting-religioius-education-registration/an3czpa/

Check out the following newsletters:

Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//


Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/


Sign up for The Munsonville Times

https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times

Illustration by Christopher Gleason for "Staked!"

BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: Vampire bat food sharing (explained by David Attenborough)

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Vampire bat food sharing (explained by David Attenborough)

Community News: Aug. 15, 2018

Check out these great recipes and other food resources!

Roundup of food pantries in Will and Grundy counties 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/08/roundup-of-food-pantries-in-will-and-grundy-counties/aqyb8uj/

RECIPES

Make taco night into an easy one-dish meal with a beef bake 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/14/make-taco-night-into-an-easy-one-dish-meal-with-a-beef-bake/a2fur1w/

Chuck roast sings after a slow grill and some smoke flavor 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/14/chuck-roast-sings-after-a-slow-grill-and-some-smoke-flavor/aohuxzn/

You really can't go wrong with cake, cream and strawberries 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/14/you-really-cant-go-wrong-with-cake-cream-and-strawberries/acj5fnd/

Roasted broccoflower with shiitake

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/14/roasted-broccoflower-with-shiitake/a8xr1fi/

A stir-fry with easy-prep ingredients done in under an hour

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/14/a-stir-fry-with-easy-prep-ingredients-done-in-under-an-hour/ak72s11/

Cinnamon/lemon/almond cookies

https://www.bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner

NEWSLETTERS:


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Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff

Open Mic Night 2018: Rich Spear

Community News: Aug. 14, 2018

Check out upcoming events in the Joliet area, as well as the awesome things people are doing.

Marseilles nurse receives breast cancer care at Silver Cross in New Lenox

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/13/marseilles-nurse-receives-breast-cancer-care-at-silver-cross-in-new-lenox/adt3yh0/

Longtime PE and health teacher in Plainfield retired

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/13/longtime-pe-and-health-teacher-in-plainfield-retired/aowvy47/

No more sleepless nights for #Frankfort man after treatment at Silver Cross Sleep Disorders Center 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/13/no-more-sleepless-nights-for-frankfort-man-after-treatment-at-silver-cross-sleep-disorders-center/aeac0jg/

Longtime volunteer at Silver Cross in #NewLenox ‘Rings the Bell’ to celebrate successful cancer treatment

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/13/e06c5cccd4fa4363a1e929dbd982691c/index.xml

Trinity Services, Inc. breaks ground on permanent supportive housing development in Northlake

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/05/trinity-services-inc-breaks-ground-on-permanent-supportive-housing-development-in-northlake/apbyk1g/

Joliet area residents receive $27K in free dental care

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/13/joliet-area-residents-receive-27k-in-free-dental-care/au7ev4a/


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Illustration by Christopher Gleason for "Staked!"

The Upside of a Crisis

Lately, I've been sifting through the drafts folder of this blog, looking at posts partly begun or, more the case, studying titles that are nothing more than titles and wondering about my intent.

This is one I titled on Oct. 14, 2010. And the other day, I stumbled upon this Bible verse: 

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,  yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." Habakkuk 3:17-18

I can't say exactly what I intended to write that day. But I can certainly guess...and perhaps guess why this post was never written.

In August of that month, I had my eighth surgery (I've had six C/sections, one adrenalectomy, and the eighth to repair damage from the other seven). Recovery was fine for a couple weeks and then I had a HUGE flareup of hives (I've had chronic hives since 2002).

It sounds simple, but it wasn't. First of all, it's a chronic immune disorder, and I can't describe how awful the combinations of chemicals being released in one's body feels. I remember a nurse at one point taking my blood pressure and backing off a bit, because she could "feel" them.

A couple different medications were added to the regime. My body reacted pretty badly to them, and they didn't help the hives. Right around Oct. 14, could even have been Oct. 14, in the late afternoon, my doctor decided to hospitalize me.

I called my husband to tell him, and he said he was just going to call me. He had lost his job. And he wasn't laid off.

His job was half our income. And our insurance would be gone in two weeks. We had two weeks to figure out my health issue (which took another two months). He never did get another job; and we eventually lost the house his parents had built.

We've done a lot of rebuilding since then. 

But during that time, when our fig tree didn't blossom, and we didn't have fruit on our vines, and the produce of everything we had built on that property (including the places we remodeled and added to accommodate a youth group we ran for four years) stopped yielding, and our fields (and sometimes our cupboards and refrigerator) had little food, and we were cut off from our folds, and our herd of cats went to live in a small apartment, we never NOT rejoiced in the Lord.

Some days, rejoicing in the Lord was all we had to rejoice in.

We...I...didn't think about it that way at the time. It was a dark time. I remember telling one son how good God was to prepare us for death by giving us little deaths and losses along the way...

But seeing this verse brought that time to my attention in a particular way. Even when everything (and everyone) else fails us, we can still in the Lord, we can take joy in the God of our salvation. 

That is the upside of a crisis.

Community News: Aug. 11 and Aug. 13, 2018

Check out upcoming events in the Joliet area, as well as the awesome things people are doing.

Gotta Do It: Aug. 12 through Aug. 19 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/08/gotta-do-it-aug-12-through-aug-19/ayouno6/


Local pet events: Aug. 13 through Aug. 20

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/10/local-pet-events-aug-13-through-aug-20/ap96obm/


Plainfield student wins Will-South Cook SWCD scholarship 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/07/24/plainfield-student-wins-will-south-cook-swcd-scholarship/ao7np6m/

VVSD board of education names executive director for grades PreK to 5 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/07/24/vvsd-board-of-education-names-executive-director-for-grades-prek-to-5/ai84ag5/

Thomas Jefferson Elementary class keeps on learning

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/07/24/thomas-jefferson-elementary-class-keeps-on-learning/ani0iai/

Lemont student wins Will-South Cook SWCD scholarship

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/07/24/lemont-student-wins-will-south-cook-swcd-scholarship/axfuj7g/

Ravina Thakkar of Plainfield awarded $5,000 Vertex All in for CF Scholarship 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/07/31/ravina-thakkar-of-plainfield-awarded-5-000-vertex-all-in-for-cf-scholarship/ab6wkol

Annual 'Golfing for Wishes' fundraiser to benefit Make-A-Wish Illinois

Event is Aug. 17 in Joliet 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/01/annual-golfing-for-wishes-fundraiser-to-benefit-make-a-wish-illinois/asxuarp/

Joliet Zontians give to Joliet Central Fearless Females Z Club seniors

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/03/joliet-zontians-give-to-joliet-central-fearless-females-z-club-seniors/au3hz8n/

Coal City funeral home receives award 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/03/coal-city-funeral-home-receives-award/ab4ld66/

Local students named to dean's list for spring 2018 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/07/30/local-students-named-to-deans-list-for-spring-2018/a83mk9c/

Joliet ReStore to host 3rd annual ‘Homes for the Hounds’ 

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/12/joliet-restore-to-host-3rd-annual-homes-for-the-hounds/a7xdgal/

Will County State’s Attorney Glasgow hosts two-day training session on recognizing, investigating animal cruelty

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/10/05126fb883744662a3ff993f6b95c451/index.xml

Pets of the Week: Aug. 13 

Click on the caption of each pet to read its description and how to adopt it.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/08/08/a4669590626046a383ba7cbb370929c8/index.xml



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Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff