This Is Me
I grew up in Arlington Heights, Illinois. It’s one of those places you can’t wait to leave when you’re eighteen and wish you could afford to move back to when you’re thirty. I grew up Catholic, by decree of my father, and left it as soon as the guilt of going to hell for missing one mass didn’t bother me anymore. And when I finally summoned the courage to tell that to my dad.
I went to Hope College in Holland, MI my freshman year. I created lots of trouble there and now they won’t let me back on campus. Then I went to Western Michigan U. and created more trouble. My family and friends were grateful when I got my head out of my butt and returned to the God of my youth (a long and separate story). I stopped drinking like an alcoholic and being a general idiot, and over time learned to behave like an adult. I quit college for a while, got a job and thought about what I wanted to be when I grew up. By the way, I’m still trying to figure that out.
Eventually I went back to school. E. and I met at Trinity College in Deerfield, IL, which is now called Trinity International University for no reason that I can clearly explain. I was transfer student, he was an R.A., it was all very sordid. E. will tell you that he didn’t notice me right away, but it’s lie. He thought I was hot, overalls and all. We were friends, we dated, we broke up, we got engaged, all in perfect order.
This blog is a snapshot of my life, which is blender full of pain, faith, joy, loss, silliness and mundane. Actually, lots of mundane. And little bit of silly.
The legal stuff…
© Kathan Ink 2010. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kathan Ink, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Sep 15, 2010 @ 18:40:49
I think it was long before your time. It closed in 1966 or 67. The name was Hansel’s Delicatessen and it was located at 3 W. Campbell St. Once they repealed the ‘blue laws’ that kept large businesses like supermarkets closed on Sundays, the smaller mom and pop stores disappeared. I loved hanging around the store and learned to cook there. Mom did catering from the huge kitchen in the back.
+1
Apr 28, 2010 @ 14:36:00
I love this picture! And your eyes DO stand out in this one. I never noticed how blue they were before now. If I ever move up your way I want the name of your hairdresser. Your new cut and color really fit your complextion and frame.
Apr 28, 2010 @ 14:36:53
Oh, and I’d love to hear about you joining the HighCallingBlogs.
Apr 29, 2010 @ 14:22:21
Yes, I really like it!! I am excited to network with them.
Apr 29, 2010 @ 14:21:55
Thanks, DS! This cut & color are not really “new,” I did them about a year ago (well the cut changes continually, as is my nature). But I just never had a decent photo of me to put up, so I didn’t! I love my stylist and she’s only $28 for a cut (which is major cheap around here).
Are you planning to move up here and haven’t told me?! 🙂
Apr 28, 2010 @ 10:10:31
Beautiful picture! Nice blurb too! Thanks for inviting us to contribute to the snapshot of your life.
Apr 28, 2010 @ 13:14:55
Of course, I love that you guys contribute – not just to a snapshot, but to my whole life!
Apr 27, 2010 @ 19:20:39
Love the new picture – it is amazing how much it helps to connect a face with a name. I enjoy reading your writing and hope very much that you will not give it up. You are a natural, and besides, we are all having too much fun together! Pictures of me are scattered about in my blog writings.
Apr 28, 2010 @ 07:27:13
PW, I’ll never give up, I think writing has become part of me…even though I do feel like I am struggling to write anything decent right now. And I love connecting with you guys, too!! I wouldn’t be blogging without y’all!
Apr 27, 2010 @ 17:32:13
Wow! I can’t believe how different this picture is from the last! What a cool look – I love the hair. It makes your eyes look SO blue.
I went to Michigan State! It’s always so fun to run across people who know MI. I love it and miss it – I’m in San Diego now.
Apr 28, 2010 @ 07:25:56
You know, my hair has been brown for like 18 mos, but I just never got around to updating my photo. I figured it was about time. But thanks for your nice remarks about it!
I loved Michigan – I still have some friends there. And MSU is a beautiful school!
Apr 27, 2010 @ 16:40:39
Kathan,
Found your blog after reading your comment over at The High Calling. I, too, grew up in a Catholic family in the Midwest (Evansville, Indiana), and left Catholicism for Christian non-denomination at 19. Always great to meet other folks (and writers) online.
Anyhow, nice website, and just wanted to say hello!
Apr 28, 2010 @ 07:24:33
Brock, thanks for visiting my blog! I am excited to be part of the HighCalling network and meet some other bloggers/writers.
Feb 08, 2010 @ 19:22:47
Kathan,
I enjoyed reading your writing so took this opportunity to scoot over from Ann’s page to yours. This looks like a fun place. You’re sure to develop a regular following here. By the way, I grew up in Mt. Prospect. My mom owned a delicatessen in AH until I was a senior in highschool!
Barbara
Feb 09, 2010 @ 07:42:26
Barbara
Very cool to meet another local!! 🙂 I wonder if I know your mom’s deli (not sure when it was)?
Thanks for visiting and for your encouraging words about my writing!! I really appreciate it.
Feb 09, 2010 @ 10:35:47
I think it was long before your time. It closed in 1966 or 67. The name was Hansel’s Delicatessen and it was located at 3 W. Campbell St. Once they repealed the ‘blue laws’ that kept large businesses like supermarkets closed on Sundays, the smaller mom and pop stores disappeared. I loved hanging around the store and learned to cook there. Mom did catering from the huge kitchen in the back.
Oct 23, 2009 @ 17:12:10
Kathan: What fun to see you and read more of your writing.
I’m very excited about all the future holds for you and your memoir IS going to be incredible.
Eva
Oct 26, 2009 @ 13:28:20
Thanks, Eva, for your encouragement, and also for visiting my blog! 🙂
Jul 13, 2009 @ 18:35:22
I love it….keep it coming. It is fun. I feel like we are on the phone or riding in a car talking about E. and turtlenecks. I love you!!!
Jul 15, 2009 @ 17:43:55
LOL – thanks, LD!
Jul 13, 2009 @ 14:58:14
Congrats on the new blog!
Keep up the great writing! I too am a wannabe writer (I have absolutely no writing background, just a bunch of ideas in my head that I would like to put on paper).
Best of Luck with your new career goals!
Jul 09, 2009 @ 12:24:18
Congratulations on your new blog!
I am here, I am reading, I am intersted, and I am listening.
It is also nice to put a face with the name finally. Best of luck to you! I will be right here with you on your new journey. Keep writing, keep posting, and keep feeding the muse.
Your BWW Friend!
Kim