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Author. Advisor. Activist.

Eternal Optimist.

“If you see the world with critical eyes, you’ll see flaws in people. If you see the world with generous eyes, you’ll see people in the struggle doing the best they can.”

– David Brooks

What is

Jillosophy?

A place to publish my work (fiction and nonfiction) so that people other than my mother can read it. An invitation for people to think and learn, and on a good day, connect and engage with others. A showcase for the work of other writers, because there are so many good ones out there who are (despite what my mother says) much more talented than I am. A virtual experience that lifts people up rather than pulls them down. That doesn’t mean everything here will be all Miss Mary Sunshine: I get ticked off about a lot stuff and writing about it keeps me from getting arrested. Readers may even find themselves challenged every so often. But I promise not to be an abusive or dishonest jerk. So please, be honest and be kind. Finally, this site is an authentic reflection of me: who I am and what I care about. ‘Nuf said.

Jillosophy Blog

Most days, I write holed up in my home office, door closed and space heater blasting away (if it’s winter), coffee or Diet Coke typically within reach. I would often read the stuff I wrote out loud to my dog, Piper, who left us in 2024. Piper was almost always asleep at my feet during my writing sessions, rarely responding to my work, other than an occasional tail thump. So these days, I’d love to hear from you, dear reader, whether it’s to challenge me, to tell me I’m full of it, or to offer suggestions or other criticism. And yeah, if you like what I’ve done, that’s always nice to hear. Please, have at it. With Piper away on her celestial journey, I need some new editors.

Fiction

All That I Carry

(The following piece was recently published in Persimmon Tree, an on-line magazine. I hope you enjoy it.) I’m walking barefoot uphill. Under one arm, I carry my elderly mother, my siblings, and assorted friends. Some are silent. Some want to assist, but aren’t sure how. Others offer to help but, too tired to direct them, I politely decline. Then there are those who shout instructions (“Turn that way! Move faster!”), which only elevates my unrelenting anxiety and fatigue. Tucked under my other arm are the other members of my family—husband, kids, grandkids. They cheerfully urge me on and while I

Non-Fiction

Finding Our Way

We’d decided to spend election night in Verona at our daughter’s and son-in-law’s house. The next day was our granddaughter’s 4th birthday, and we reasoned that we’d have two reasons to rejoice. We were wrong. The next day, the only thing we could celebrate was Charlie. But even Charlie, dressed in her princess gown, her wide grin and masses of curly brown hair constantly falling into her sparkling eyes, failed to cheer me up. Fried potatoes for breakfast only added to my overwhelming nausea. Sharing my grief with others who were grieving just like me offered only temporary respite. Finally,

Political

Fear, Anger and Change, Part II

I thought long and hard about posting my last essay. In fact, I’d written it and then let it sit, like a chicken marinating in the fridge. And based upon some of the comments I’ve received, my hesitation about the post was based on a solid foundation. I hesitated to post it because I feared it might sound as if I was plopping an entire marinated chicken on a plate already overflowing with food. The metaphorical plate belonging to a woman, of course. To all women. Because I don’t know one woman whose plate isn’t more than full. And many

DashNettes

by Dasha Kelly Hamilton The lunchroom vibrated its regular din. I was a freshman. Goofy, but played sports. Honors classes, but knew the lyrics to Run-DMC --okay, most of them-- and had some dance moves. He was a senior with more work hours than classes, pressed slacks with dress shoes, and ALL the dance moves. I'd witnessed his poplock devour boys from K'town.

Other Writers

Tilt

by Pat Foran Can you put me on tilt? my leaning son asks. He can’t help this leaning, even though he’s seat-belted and secure in this wheelchair he’s been sitting in living in declining in the past dozen years. He can’t grip the chair’s controls he can’t control his grip he doesn’t have a grip not anymore. His muscles are wasting away, he’s losing strength, he needs someone to put the chair-back back. He needs someone to put him on tilt. Tilting relieves the pressure on his neck his spine his back his butt he’s got no padding there no

Other Writers

The Fault Lines of Midwestern Racism Run Deep

Amaud Jamaul Johnson's Letter to Wisconsin Dear Wisconsin– Dear swing state: Dear battleground and infinite presidential visit: Dear broken-heartland: Dear flyover: Dear Packer fan and Brewer fan and anti-labor leader: Dear Act 10: Dear apple orchard and cranberry bog: Dear Tammy and Ron: Dear Cheesehead: Dear Butter Burger: Dear diabetes and high cholesterol and Ironman: Dear Supermax and overcrowded county lockup: Dear red tape and yellow tape, supper club and polka mixtape: Dear bottle glass and chalk silhouette:

About Jill.

I’m an author, advisor and activist, an eternal optimist and lover of books, gardening, dogs, travel, dark chocolate, good wine and (almost) all dairy products. A recovering CEO, I left the corporate world more than a decade ago, so lucky and thankful to now work with people I like and only on projects that excite or challenge me. And I haven’t looked back.

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