JCS
@theotherprofessor.bsky.social
English professor at Illinois State University focusing on Victorian Studies, Children's & Young Adult Literature, Visual Culture, Comics & graphic novels, Literary Fairy Tales, and Lewis Carroll. http://ghostofthetalkingcricket.squarespace.com
Gate won't close
Railings froze
Get your mind off wintertime
You ain't goin' nowhere."
-- Bob Dylan
It is a snow day here in Normal, Illinois. Good time to stay indoors and make cookies. Waiting until tomorrow to shovel out.
Railings froze
Get your mind off wintertime
You ain't goin' nowhere."
-- Bob Dylan
It is a snow day here in Normal, Illinois. Good time to stay indoors and make cookies. Waiting until tomorrow to shovel out.
November 29, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Gate won't close
Railings froze
Get your mind off wintertime
You ain't goin' nowhere."
-- Bob Dylan
It is a snow day here in Normal, Illinois. Good time to stay indoors and make cookies. Waiting until tomorrow to shovel out.
Railings froze
Get your mind off wintertime
You ain't goin' nowhere."
-- Bob Dylan
It is a snow day here in Normal, Illinois. Good time to stay indoors and make cookies. Waiting until tomorrow to shovel out.
On November 26, 1864, Lewis Carroll presented the hand- written and self-illustrated "Alice's Adventures Under Ground" as a gift to Alice Liddell. Carroll would revise the manuscript into "Alice's Adventures In Wonderland" published in 1865.
November 26, 2025 at 5:19 PM
On November 26, 1864, Lewis Carroll presented the hand- written and self-illustrated "Alice's Adventures Under Ground" as a gift to Alice Liddell. Carroll would revise the manuscript into "Alice's Adventures In Wonderland" published in 1865.
The upcoming Christmas season in Bloomington/Normal, IL will be a little less bright with the passing of Michael Holtz. Holtz was known far-and-wide for his extravagant holiday display that featured over 1000 molded figures on & around his house. Viewing his house at night was a family tradition.
November 25, 2025 at 3:07 AM
The upcoming Christmas season in Bloomington/Normal, IL will be a little less bright with the passing of Michael Holtz. Holtz was known far-and-wide for his extravagant holiday display that featured over 1000 molded figures on & around his house. Viewing his house at night was a family tradition.
Many thanks to Dr. Patricia Kennon of Maynooth University, Ireland for her presentation, "Asexuality in Young Adult Literature" to the graduate students & faculty specializing in Children's & YA Literature in the English Department of Illinois State University. @isuenglishdept.bsky.social @
November 18, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Many thanks to Dr. Patricia Kennon of Maynooth University, Ireland for her presentation, "Asexuality in Young Adult Literature" to the graduate students & faculty specializing in Children's & YA Literature in the English Department of Illinois State University. @isuenglishdept.bsky.social @
"If I can make it there, I'm gonna make it anywhere.
It's up to you, New York, New York."
John Kander & Fred Ebb "Theme from New York, New York"
It's time to start spreading the news.
It's up to you, New York, New York."
John Kander & Fred Ebb "Theme from New York, New York"
It's time to start spreading the news.
November 5, 2025 at 3:23 PM
"If I can make it there, I'm gonna make it anywhere.
It's up to you, New York, New York."
John Kander & Fred Ebb "Theme from New York, New York"
It's time to start spreading the news.
It's up to you, New York, New York."
John Kander & Fred Ebb "Theme from New York, New York"
It's time to start spreading the news.
"Goodnight Moon" came by our house for Halloween. Margaret Wise Brown would approve.
October 31, 2025 at 11:17 PM
"Goodnight Moon" came by our house for Halloween. Margaret Wise Brown would approve.
"Well," said Mrs. Zuckerman, "it seems to me you're a little off. It seems to me we have no ordinary spider."
-- E.B.White "Charlotte's Web"
-- E.B.White "Charlotte's Web"
October 19, 2025 at 3:18 PM
"Well," said Mrs. Zuckerman, "it seems to me you're a little off. It seems to me we have no ordinary spider."
-- E.B.White "Charlotte's Web"
-- E.B.White "Charlotte's Web"
Good attendance at the "No Kings" rally in Bloomington/Normal, Illinois. Thanks to all the organizers and people who participated. Just one of many rallies held today in the United States.
October 18, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Good attendance at the "No Kings" rally in Bloomington/Normal, Illinois. Thanks to all the organizers and people who participated. Just one of many rallies held today in the United States.
Statement from the Indiana University-Bloomington Student Government on the censorship and firing of Director of Student Media by the university.
October 16, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Statement from the Indiana University-Bloomington Student Government on the censorship and firing of Director of Student Media by the university.
"Life is Complicated" an exhibit of Chris Ware's comics, paintings, and sculptures will be on display at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Museum in Columbus, Ohio from 22 May to 29 Nov. 2026.
October 14, 2025 at 8:21 PM
"Life is Complicated" an exhibit of Chris Ware's comics, paintings, and sculptures will be on display at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Museum in Columbus, Ohio from 22 May to 29 Nov. 2026.
Happy Birthday to singer/songwriter John Prine, born October 10, 1947. Simply one of the best.
"Come on home.
Come on home.
No you don't have to be alone.
Just come on home."
"Summer's End" - John Prine
"Come on home.
Come on home.
No you don't have to be alone.
Just come on home."
"Summer's End" - John Prine
October 10, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Happy Birthday to singer/songwriter John Prine, born October 10, 1947. Simply one of the best.
"Come on home.
Come on home.
No you don't have to be alone.
Just come on home."
"Summer's End" - John Prine
"Come on home.
Come on home.
No you don't have to be alone.
Just come on home."
"Summer's End" - John Prine
Happy Hatter Day, Oct. 5, to all that celebrate. John Tenniel's illustration of "A Mad Tea-Party" from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" (1865) featuring the Hatter's stylish topper.
October 6, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Happy Hatter Day, Oct. 5, to all that celebrate. John Tenniel's illustration of "A Mad Tea-Party" from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" (1865) featuring the Hatter's stylish topper.
Looking forward to tomorrow's "Defying Gravity," the final session of "The Wonderful World of L. Frank Baum's Oz and Its Adaptations" course, offered as part of Illinois State University's Academy of Seniors. There could be some singing.
September 29, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Looking forward to tomorrow's "Defying Gravity," the final session of "The Wonderful World of L. Frank Baum's Oz and Its Adaptations" course, offered as part of Illinois State University's Academy of Seniors. There could be some singing.
Lively discussion on the darker literary versions of Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" focusing on Farmer's "A Barnstormer in Oz" and Maguire's "Wicked" as part of "The Wonderful World of L. Frank Baum's Oz and Its Adaptations"offers in the Illinois State University's Senior Professional Program.
September 23, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Lively discussion on the darker literary versions of Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" focusing on Farmer's "A Barnstormer in Oz" and Maguire's "Wicked" as part of "The Wonderful World of L. Frank Baum's Oz and Its Adaptations"offers in the Illinois State University's Senior Professional Program.
Looking forward to my second session in the 4-week "The Wonderful World of L. Frank Baum's Oz and Its Adaptations" today as part of Illinois State University's Academy of Seniors.
September 16, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Looking forward to my second session in the 4-week "The Wonderful World of L. Frank Baum's Oz and Its Adaptations" today as part of Illinois State University's Academy of Seniors.
"Forget it, Donald. It's Chicago."
September 8, 2025 at 8:06 PM
"Forget it, Donald. It's Chicago."
Looking forward to offering the first session of the 4-week "The Wonderful World of L. Frank Baum's Oz and its Adaptations" scheduled for tomorrow, Sept. 9, morning as part of Illinois State University's Academy of Seniors. The first session will be discussing Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz."
September 8, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Looking forward to offering the first session of the 4-week "The Wonderful World of L. Frank Baum's Oz and its Adaptations" scheduled for tomorrow, Sept. 9, morning as part of Illinois State University's Academy of Seniors. The first session will be discussing Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz."
Happy International Dog Day, August 26, 2025, to all those dogs out there.
August 26, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Happy International Dog Day, August 26, 2025, to all those dogs out there.