This area encompasses the southeast side of Chicago and northwest Indiana. It is heavily populated. Maybe a couple million people. A lot of industry. A lot of degraded natural areas. Hard working people with modest homes and lifestyles. Many are religious. They have worked for everything they have and never expected any more than that.

Many of the people no longer accept pollution in their environment. They stand up and complain. Their world has already been abused, but they are against it getting any worse.

There are also poems here about events in the area, some good and some bad. Also some good and some bad individuals. This book is about the past and the present. Explanations and observations. Some tragedy, some light. A neutral outlook tempered by a love for nature, animals, and humanity.