back from the southwest

Ten years in Texas and New Mexico, and I got a little out of touch with what is happening in southern Illinois. We moved our family back over the Memorial Day weekend, and are now in Monmouth, near the Quad Cities and Galesburg, and are waiting to move somewhere in Galesburg in July. We are definitely enjoying the rain.

I may spend some time developing this site, which has always been kind of a tribute to southern Illinois, as well as trains. I am definitely appreciating Illinois, as Monmouth is very familiar in its culture and general atmosphere. The water problem may be opposite - they seem to be getting way too much of it - but in character, it seems comfortable. "Illinois is a lot like Iowa, only more so...." and "Iowa and Illinois are a lot alike, the only difference is, Illinois has a city in it..."

There's a secret that this blog will tell before other people find out. I am returning to Illinois.

The plan is to go to one of five towns: Galesburg, Alton, Bloomington, Quincy, Champaign, and to move about June 1. Why not Carbondale? Lots of reasons. I love Carbondale, but let's just say, lots of reasons. I'm glad I'll be close enough to visit.

The decision may come down to the house. Any of the five appear to acceptable for what we care about, decent school for a couple of high school kids. Also, proximity to kids and grandkids, and health care of various kinds. We've got some specific needs.

I may be able to add to this blog as time goes by; I'm glad it's still here.

Boxcars on Walnut, by the way, is languishing on the shelves; nobody buys haiku. But I don't care; I made it; I love southern Illinois; I love the haiku, and it's the first of several books I've made, so it has a place right there in my heart as a threshold of a haiku era.

More later; I'll keep you posted.