Inspired in Illinois

I was born on the prairies of Illinois, in a hospital just a stone’s throw from the Knox College site of Abraham Lincoln’s Galesburg debate with Stephen A. Douglas. The building still stands, and a plaque on it inspired Carl Sandburg to write a six-volume biography of Lincoln.

Sandburg, too, was born in the ‘Burg, just a block from where my uncles have owned a grocery store for more than five decades.

My parents and grandparents were great storytellers. They always made me proud of my state, its history and its stories.

A course on Illinois literature led me to the classroom of the mentor who helped me see my passion for the Prairie State’s rich literary legacy on the very first night of class, and who, through the years, gave me hope that my words might be worth reading.

I still seek out Illinois tales today and I love to share them. Seeing where we came from, I believe, helps us see who we are.

Check out these posts, for which I was "Inspired in Illinois":

• When the vets came marching in 
• A little blog begins a big new journey 
• Happy 203rd birthday, President Lincoln 
• If the timber could talk 
• The way things ought to be 
• Move over, slow down, don't forget to wave 
• A groovy kid of day 
• No flag, no 'Taps' for this casualty of war
• It's all about enthusiasm
• Oh, deer--not another one 
• No more first-day jitters
• Eager anticipation and antique biplanes
• Back in the 'Burg for a bit
• Rain on my parade
• Head in the clouds
• Round trip ticket, front cockpit
• It didn't used to be this complicated 
• Galesburg's native son celebrated on PBS special tonight 
• Sal Litvak's 'Saving Lincoln': Innovative and entertaining
• About that Lincoln movie

© Ann Tracy Mueller 2013

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