Slings and Arrows and Faint Praise for What I Do

A newspaper column doesn’t offer the immediacy of social media comments. Readers must take the time to send an email. Here are some of the comments I receive:

Your column is what I read first when the NS Journal arrives. Thank you! Writing a short blog to my family every morning, I know the pressure of regularly coming up with something meaningful. I’m glad you are continuing after your move to Duluth. Margaret, 8.9.25

I welcome your work for the paper's article on press freedom. This morning, I spoke with a friend about the decline of the circulation of newspapers, and we agreed it is something to fear. Greater still is my fear of the unwillingness of some to speak up on the "ongoing censorship of local media," as you wrote it. I hope you will continue to speak truth to power. I don't even need to always agree with you (Colbert is funny/engaging), but I do want to see you and others crusade freely. Kevin 8.6.25

I look forward to reading your columns every Friday. While I do not always agree with all of the content, you do make logical presentations.

Your article regarding fads was on target. As another "crotchety old man" (74 years old), I, too, have learned to reject fads and not blindly follow the crowd. George, 8.5

I just read your column, The Long Way Home in The North Shore Journal this morning (7.31). I sure hope your paper considers entering your article in the MNA Better Newspaper Contest. Laura MNA 7.31.25

I am slow, but I always read your Northshore Journal entry, a reward after every other piece of mail has been dabbled with, recycled, and the table is clear. So, only now do I learn of your exit from Colvill. I was most relieved to learn that you will continue to write The Long Way Home, or I might suffer serious depression. I love your way with words, the humor, the intelligence, the "common sense", the sentiment. Geri 7.29.25

Sorry to hear that you will no longer be contributing to the Cook County tax base. I wish your family well in your new chapter. Being selfish, my first concern was losing your weekly column. I truly hope your contributions continue. Reading the paper to find your column was the only mail I enjoyed getting. Kevin 7.11.25

Wow, another great column today in the Northshore Journal, Steve. How to make sense out of good, decent neighbors supporting such indecent, cruel policies and tactics? Thanks, Dennis 4.25.25 I'm just getting to my regular consumption of your column, this one dated 4/4/25. Thanks for your provocative articles. Kevin 4.18.25 Just a note of appreciation for “The Long Way Home”. Joan and I look forward to reading it together every Saturday morning in the Northshore Journal. Many things are becoming more difficult for us to enjoy, now that we have entered our 80s, but your writing is a delightful exception. We can so often relate to your experiences, from the Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, to cars of the 50s and 60s to being cranky about what passes for good governance in our country these days. Your column gives us a touch of humor, nostalgia, and togetherness. Jerry & Joan 4.12.25 Thank you for taking an interest in telling our story, Steve. We appreciate your time and the exposure this will bring to our new business. Please stop by and say hi this spring. Thanks, Dan 4.10.25 After reading your last article in the Northshore Journal, I thought I would write to comment on some of your statements. Then I remembered that if you can not say something nice, do not say anything at all. So, thank you for the entertainment. Rob 3.3.25

I really appreciate your essays and the messages they contain. Most recently, the one about getting the money out of politics. Phill 2.20.25

I’m a few years older than you and agree wholeheartedly. 70 should be the oldest a person should be to hold elected office. Thanks for your writing. Tom 2.16.25