Nick Vrtis

These rules were written as part of the wonderful trip notes that my brother Mike wrote after a road trip he took.  It was Mike, my older brother Chuck, my 82 year old Dad, and a cute little cocker spaniel named Lady. Good title for a movie… “Three men and a lady”.. Rule one – … Read more

Technically, this is a ‘funeral’ story. But it is also a family tradition story. And a pretty accurate story of what went on in our family too. Sort of a politically incorrect way of weeding out those who weren’t serious about their relationship. And yes.. it is a typical conversation that you could hear at … Read more

Mike wrote this shortly after Mother’s Day 2009 The older I get, the more I realize how deep the celebration of Mother’s Day runs. For me, as a son, it was just a chance to tell Mom that I’m glad she was my Mom (and to rack up a few Brownie Points!) But as I … Read more

On Monday I drove down to the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, just south of Joliet on US 53. It was Memorial Day, and I figured it was about time I paid my respects to Russ Niemann, a friend from work who died last June. The name might sound familiar, as I’ve quoted Russ often in … Read more