BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF "NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND" Today is the seventh anniversary of my blog, "Nature in Chicagoland," and I’m so happy to have written more than 260 articles about woods, wetlands, prairies, lakes, and other natural areas in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana. I’m pleased that my articles on "Nature in … Continue reading Celebrating the Seventh Anniversary of My Blog, Nature in Chicagoland
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF "NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND" When our friends pass away unexpectedly, we’re often just left with memories and—in the instance of my friend Dave Fode—a little sand and a few photographs from a trip we took together with our nine- and 13-year-old sons. In August 2019, we camped at Pictured … Continue reading A Handful of Sand and Photographs Keep Memories Alive of a Special Friend and Our Trip to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND I wrote many stories about nature destinations in 2023, but I also explored other topics that were near and dear to my heart including writing about the artistic achievements of my friend Dave Fode (who passed away suddenly in 2022), paying tribute to a beloved … Continue reading The Most-Popular Non-Nature Stories at Nature in Chicagoland in 2023
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND Today is the one-year anniversary of the sudden passing of my friend, David Fode, a talented artist, who was an even better person. We were friends for nearly 40 years. Beyond simple friendship (which is really never that simple and which takes a lot of … Continue reading Celebrating the Artistic Excellence of My Beloved Friend, David Fode
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND My father died on January 16, 1997. Sometimes I feel like it was just yesterday; other days it feels like forever ago. My father was my best friend and, despite that, sometimes I find it hard to convey my feelings about him, as well as … Continue reading 7 Stories About My Dad on Father’s Day
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND I wrote many stories about nature destinations in 2022, but I also covered other topics that were near and dear to my heart including stories about the sudden loss of one of my best friends, my father and other family, a visit to the Flight … Continue reading The Most-Popular Non-Nature Stories at Nature in Chicagoland in 2022
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER & AUTHOR OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND UPDATED NOVEMBER 2025 To paraphrase the Bible, of dust we were made, and to dust we will return once our time ends on earth. This fact is immutable, but I think we all long for some type of permanence after we die. If we lived … Continue reading Remembering My Community of Saints on The Day of the Dead
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER & AUTHOR OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND Dave (right) and I at his wedding. I still don’t believe it. I might never believe that one of my best friends is gone. I loved Dave like a brother and always will. I met Dave almost 40 years ago as a high school freshman … Continue reading Remembering David Fode
My dad's desk circa 1990s (copyright Andrew Morkes) My father’s roll-top desk is massive. It has seven large drawers and 25 smaller drawers of various sizes. It’s mine now. As he lay dying in late 1996, he decided that I should get his desk because I was the traveler in the family (the desk disassembles … Continue reading George’s Desk: A Story About My Dad on Father’s Day
BY ANDREW MORKES, AUTHOR OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND I'm taking a break from nature to celebrate my son Liam's 12th birthday. I wrote this short essay when my son was age six. I still repeat this mantra daily. Also, please check out my essay, On the Joys of Carrying My Son, for my reflections on … Continue reading “Good Night. I Love You, Liam. God Bless You. Have a Good Sleep.”