<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[RSS Feed]]></title><description><![CDATA[RSS Feed]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com</link><image><url>http://direct.ecency.com/logo512.png</url><title>RSS Feed</title><link>http://direct.ecency.com</link></image><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 20:01:20 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="http://direct.ecency.com/created/illinois/rss.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Sporting memories:  Getting cut from a team despite being one of the better players ]]></title><description><![CDATA[There was a time when I was in high school where my father got relocated and I had to move to a completely different area where i knew no one and had to enroll in a school system where none of the people]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/hive-101690/@sports.guy55/sporting-memories-getting-cut-from-a-team-despite-being-one-of-the-better-players</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/hive-101690/@sports.guy55/sporting-memories-getting-cut-from-a-team-despite-being-one-of-the-better-players</guid><category><![CDATA[hive-101690]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[sports.guy55]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 02:50:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/YpihifdXP4WNbGMdjw7e3DuhJWBvCw4SfuLZsrnJYHEpsqZFkiGGNCQN31WZMXZkqBj9tTFtSSGfaba8RYR2op2gZ8NPCgYmEjmSKCQ7pnLCDaxYRmvdNFreHrrKDmPXwzDsx4UJ3ufhqzhJ5ojNbSuMg817ZiKZJQZgFXhwDTEE?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[One of those days where nothing works ]]></title><description><![CDATA[I've been quite proud of my accomplishments in the world of distance running lately and have been seeing great improvements in my ability to go long distances without it even seeming as though it is at]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/hive-176853/@normie.fitness/one-of-those-days-where-nothing-works</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/hive-176853/@normie.fitness/one-of-those-days-where-nothing-works</guid><category><![CDATA[hive-176853]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[normie.fitness]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 14 Feb 2026 06:58:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/BgxWBRxjvNho1d5owNvLc9kLkZETgqoQLu9zcBbNBbDDEp9W4DbuZJuf3nPx37UfveTpVxeULLcKz6iotfKCyeQfQy8zXU1cYYkE4eZLurhGHYt7dvqxkwCLoZaD8VV8KyAh3JbZbtxK54mJKZtYxJtGkPxiLqs7P4Q6pwj78kuCtCe?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[My longest continuous run to date - and it wasn't difficult either ]]></title><description><![CDATA[I'm just loving seeing this improvement and how when I am finished I don't really even feel like it was all that difficult to accomplish. I guess the whole sticking with something even though at first]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/hive-176853/@normie.fitness/my-longest-continuous-run-to-date-and-it-wasnt-difficult-either</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/hive-176853/@normie.fitness/my-longest-continuous-run-to-date-and-it-wasnt-difficult-either</guid><category><![CDATA[hive-176853]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[normie.fitness]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2026 04:51:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/BgxWBRxjvNho1d5owNvLc9kLkZETgqoQLu9zcBbNBbDDEp9W4DbuZJuf3nPx37UfveTpVxeULLcKz6hqZUngWsbNTDBfdFYchdgtL94cZDMfQTQ98n3YeQFdL5ChgEyusFraDcH3PE3tJfueupXpqg7tgthJGehKLfvQ4kg7wXcfzJi?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[My 10K runs are getting faster without me trying ]]></title><description><![CDATA[There are a lot of cliches out there about practice making perfect and the more you do of something the easier it becomes but for me lately, I haven't actually been actively trying to do better, it is]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/hive-176853/@normie.fitness/my-10k-runs-are-getting-faster-without-me-trying</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/hive-176853/@normie.fitness/my-10k-runs-are-getting-faster-without-me-trying</guid><category><![CDATA[hive-176853]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[normie.fitness]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 03 Feb 2026 11:21:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/PB8ro82ZpZP4DncqPTS8PmFp86r4AD2R8m5bsfpvrQeBQsqcWYEqdFymoecRxUytouacgjuVTWxbHfMMnWDJ53cCMM6b2m21tmjPXJeiZncq2rAr?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sublime Sunday - Reverse Sunset]]></title><description><![CDATA[Winter is here with nice sunset colors. I was lucky to see this happening before all the color was gone. Sadly my phone didn't quite catch the real colors and turned them more purple. I was scrambling]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/hive-152889/@sketch.and.jam/sublime-sunday-reverse-sunset</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/hive-152889/@sketch.and.jam/sublime-sunday-reverse-sunset</guid><category><![CDATA[hive-152889]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[sketch.and.jam]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 23 Nov 2025 23:48:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/YpihifdXP4WNbGMdjw7e3DuhJWBvCw4SfuLZsrnJYHEpsqZFkiGGNCQN1RXUf7EBJgT89oyewU39BxtRgQjX14M3oy9qoeSe3meTyYExbeVsqwgb1mjvwYNzXsU8A138NgdN8tdcuRHTdGR5W7uyjU8SCiQgP9ndakYzG59H6bZQ?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Capitol building of the state of Illinois]]></title><description><![CDATA[. The Illinois State Capitol building in Springfield is a magnificent structure. I can share some facts and points of interest, but it's really the photos that show how impressive the building is. ​ The]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/hive-125125/@melinda010100/the-capitol-building-of-the</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/hive-125125/@melinda010100/the-capitol-building-of-the</guid><category><![CDATA[hive-125125]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[melinda010100]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 12 Nov 2025 15:15:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/2FFvzA2zeqoVPgRCnRzbu6rj6tCWHWVCA9ZaKB4ZqHhnWLnV7uWmzNBHWjk9yc6c5Vcr5aNXzHctsrruG4NwdNMf6weJ68LRc88LXR5SRzCNmMHpwKowA9oEbKB2v?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Illinois Firefighters Memorial]]></title><description><![CDATA[This 14 foot tall memorial, in Springfield, Illinois was erected in 1993 in honor of the fire-fighters of Illinois who have given their lives in the line of duty and to those who heroically serve with]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/hive-190931/@melinda010100/illinois-firefighters-memorial</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/hive-190931/@melinda010100/illinois-firefighters-memorial</guid><category><![CDATA[hive-190931]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[melinda010100]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 11 Nov 2025 15:16:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/2FFvzA2zeqoVPgRCnRzbu6rj6tCWHWVCA9ZaKB4Zq6yFySdJ1iQn1JsgkZ1wLPyV9L3vsDeZQmbp88vj2AULpjC5NXoHB8tsmmTyU9SDeGEiE83uPpztdWmFHkNVc?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Wednesday Walk - Giant City]]></title><description><![CDATA[Here is a walk at Giant City State Park in Southern Illinois for this #wednesdaywalk by @tattoodjay This park is at the very bottom of the state of Illinois. This is a large state park with lots of trails]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/hive-155530/@sketch.and.jam/wednesday-walk-giant-city</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/hive-155530/@sketch.and.jam/wednesday-walk-giant-city</guid><category><![CDATA[hive-155530]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[sketch.and.jam]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 01 Oct 2025 11:06:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/BgxWBRxjvNho1d5owNvLc9kLkZETgqoQLu9zcBbNBbDDEp9W4DbuZJuhNfno5jXhJrkPEY9dYFXybichFHBsVhZco8125PJ2ZdeURoyp3opEEUZMdfXzYKndFxL6rv53tQbXrr4KnxCk7VW2LcKfSSNdJbd5wbxyjJPyscPNcLqgdmg?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Morton Arboretum (2025)]]></title><description><![CDATA[It's great to be back! While it has been a while since my last travel post, since that time I've visited a lot more museums, zoos, and other attractions and I have a massive backlog to whittle down!]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/travel/@byzantinecat/morton-arboretum-2025</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/travel/@byzantinecat/morton-arboretum-2025</guid><category><![CDATA[travel]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[byzantinecat]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:12:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/2dk2RRM2dZ8gKjXsrozapsD83FxL3Xbyyi5LFttAhrXxr16mCe4arfLHA9hEwg5cnKhjQ7uucRzjEUg6MkKNNJaScyUtbrS9cEXrXRkBCXD8fKZadeyo5BT86Z3htxW5G8CU7XmZS8LWdHPuZXDa3PbsATLHyowchDYMysT1SE?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[DEFIANT Rogue Texas Democrats: FBI Joins the Roundup!]]></title><description><![CDATA[On August 7, 2025, U.S. Senator John Cornyn announced that the FBI will work with Texas authorities to help locate Democratic state legislators who fled the state in an effort to block a redistricting]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/texas/@buzweaveryoutube/defiant-rogue-texas-democrats-fbi-joins-the-roundup</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/texas/@buzweaveryoutube/defiant-rogue-texas-democrats-fbi-joins-the-roundup</guid><category><![CDATA[texas]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[buzweaveryoutube]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 08 Aug 2025 01:49:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/S5Eokt4BcQdk7EHeT1aYjzebg2hC7hkthT45eFWYWvuo2no3Y54Tbt93JdzVyfQxL1pAReE?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Grand old historic homes]]></title><description><![CDATA[I wanted to share photos of a few more of the grand old homes in Elgin, Illinois This lovely old town has its own distinct history and identity, but now it is considered a suburb of Chicago. The downtown]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/hive-125125/@melinda010100/grand-old-historic-homes</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/hive-125125/@melinda010100/grand-old-historic-homes</guid><category><![CDATA[hive-125125]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[melinda010100]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 10 Jul 2025 19:58:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/2FFvzA2zeqoVPgRCnRzbu6rj6tCWHWVCA9ZaKB4Zpk4AVqro7oJJxhuTrZDQ3yf4HLvjFvJSmBo2n5XjneuqjtWgrB3oeJSizjzTVsigNRFnui8FAaCe2goDWxEfG?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Lovely homes in Elgin]]></title><description><![CDATA[A weekend photo tour of Elgin, Illinois. Elgin is located 35 mi (56 km) northwest of Chicago along the Fox River. It has a population of around 114,000,. Probably most well known for Elgin watches, the]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/hive-124452/@melinda010100/lovely-homes-in-elgin</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/hive-124452/@melinda010100/lovely-homes-in-elgin</guid><category><![CDATA[hive-124452]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[melinda010100]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 07 Jul 2025 01:43:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/2FFvzA2zeqoVPgRCnRzbu6rj6tCWHWVCA9ZaKB4ZpvSJt1Lb6LLgF3eH597F9t9sBH5qTf4BDvgfMz9MBmQUyEYXCvW2fuHNcXWFJ1g2eMFqdM1yR8tPK6nT5ZJSS?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Autumn at the Lighthouse]]></title><description><![CDATA[A few months ago I posted about the Grosse Point Light. It is a lighthouse on the shores of Lake Michigan in Evanston, Illinois. It is a beautiful place to visit in autumn and provided many photo]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/hive-125125/@melinda010100/autumn-at-the-lighthouse</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/hive-125125/@melinda010100/autumn-at-the-lighthouse</guid><category><![CDATA[hive-125125]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[melinda010100]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 09 Nov 2024 22:56:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/2FFvzA2zeqoVPgRCnRzbu6rj6tCWHWVCA9ZaKB4Zqkw9831gdvKdpSqZ8Nvtwv9r9PFxq1kRuybWDdgySsdXid6rvYxPRqx7e7BqaksXvj5CtH7mKZvVsYupbFtY6?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Art Institute of Chicago (Part 2)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Glad you decided to stick around! This is post #6 of 8 about my Summer 2024 visit to downtown Chicago: B1: Chicago Overview, CityPASS, & Millennium Park B2: Field Museum of Natural History B3: Shedd]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/travel/@byzantinecat/art-institute-of-chicago-part-2</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/travel/@byzantinecat/art-institute-of-chicago-part-2</guid><category><![CDATA[travel]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[byzantinecat]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 27 Sep 2024 18:04:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/YpihifdXP4WNbGMdjw7e3DuhJWBvCw4SfuLZsrnJYHEpsqZFkiGGNCPxU9kPsEcFoYFGEW5JLQqvnthoTV5MD73nqfuFkfczb78cnePyD5ApzELF5rmDYVYzbrKaBrYG1xTc5vv6xFuo24Ab3xezFP5ffhgry9sLbzyF7pqiw3Qi?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Art Institute of Chicago (Part 1)]]></title><description><![CDATA[How do you do? Welcome to the fifth of eight posts chronicling my Summer 2024 exploration of downtown Chicago museums and other attractions: B1: Chicago Overview, CityPASS, & Millennium Park B2: Field]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/travel/@byzantinecat/art-institute-of-chicago-part-1</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/travel/@byzantinecat/art-institute-of-chicago-part-1</guid><category><![CDATA[travel]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[byzantinecat]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 27 Sep 2024 17:52:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/YpihifdXP4WNbGMdjw7e3DuhJWBvCw4SfuLZsrnJYHEpsqZFkiGGNCPxU9kPsEcFoYFGEW5JLQqvnwLkAfgfdYRjBvKBXL3Vag3K9WJCj9DhaBxMamLL9JRdFYgc99Ho8ApA5twNv8cHVe4SrnNP84Sow5xs37ysXLauoU9Vcguk?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Grosse Point Light]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Lady Elgin sank after colliding with the lumber schooner Augusta in Lake Michigan in 1860. The shipwreck was the most deadly in all of Great Lakes history. Though the exact number of victims is unknown,]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/hive-14396/@melinda010100/the-grosse-point-light</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/hive-14396/@melinda010100/the-grosse-point-light</guid><category><![CDATA[hive-14396]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[melinda010100]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 12 Sep 2024 22:59:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/2FFvzA2zeqoVPgRCnRzbu6rj6tCWHWVCA9ZaKB4Zpp2AEF1Bh32NnxgAAMUcoqWnszZXLuiXbXm6zMc7gpYCGzyoMi3BcFzrDKi6mWhqqW7ow55J4zJhnPyggTWLe?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Museum of Science and Industry]]></title><description><![CDATA[Hiya! Welcome to the fourth of eight posts detailing my Summer 2024 foray in downtown Chicago: B1: Chicago Overview, CityPASS, & Millennium Park B2: Field Museum of Natural History B3: Shedd Aquarium]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/travel/@byzantinecat/museum-of-science-and-industry</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/travel/@byzantinecat/museum-of-science-and-industry</guid><category><![CDATA[travel]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[byzantinecat]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 01 Sep 2024 14:40:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/YpihifdXP4WNbGMdjw7e3DuhJWBvCw4SfuLZsrnJYHEpsqZFkiGGNCPxU9kPsEcFoYFGEW5JLQqvmN9pz4dcs1qhyNCAwEnp3ek2aAdugkG4noxu4KFd6WvmdRhY4JwE25iNMM3SA1CSFeicuofYkDHoHLq24AhUKjT6x77XRkTQ?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Shedd Aquarium]]></title><description><![CDATA[Greetings! This is the third of eight posts sharing my recent adventures in downtown Chicago during the Summer of 2024: B1: Chicago Overview, CityPASS, & Millennium Park B2: Field Museum of Natural]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/travel/@byzantinecat/shedd-aquarium</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/travel/@byzantinecat/shedd-aquarium</guid><category><![CDATA[travel]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[byzantinecat]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 30 Aug 2024 21:42:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/YpihifdXP4WNbGMdjw7e3DuhJWBvCw4SfuLZsrnJYHEpsqZFkiGGNCPxU9kPsEcFoYFGEW5JLQqwMzQTF3bgo5iqCaafB2kPQAs7RsFoTzST5npd3R9zQEND5f4g2ZNXdqgyAkUyjepxGKQZF8BirJbTapURn9dSYB8ydBGLiXCz?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Field Museum of Natural History]]></title><description><![CDATA[Hello hello! This is the second of eight posts detailing my recent adventures in downtown Chicago during the Summer of 2024: B1: Chicago Overview, CityPASS, & Millennium Park B2: Field Museum of Natural]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/travel/@byzantinecat/field-museum-of-natural-history</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/travel/@byzantinecat/field-museum-of-natural-history</guid><category><![CDATA[travel]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[byzantinecat]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 28 Aug 2024 06:52:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/YpihifdXP4WNbGMdjw7e3DuhJWBvCw4SfuLZsrnJYHEpsqZFkiGGNCPxU9kPsEcFoYFGEW5JLQqwY3fmdnm18ce1yJC2MDZe6XskAkj8B9Ub1rAJpKsBdG3v4iYtz21JpszNG9HkCQMamnH3cMtjNYh9ghsLkqJrkMx49RWnA99Y?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Chicago Overview, CityPASS, & Millennium Park]]></title><description><![CDATA[Nice of you to stop by! I traveled to Chicago, Illinois during the Summer of 2024 and during my time there I visited many popular tourist attractions and museums. Many of these I had also seen during past]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/travel/@byzantinecat/chicago-overview-citypass-and-millennium-park</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/travel/@byzantinecat/chicago-overview-citypass-and-millennium-park</guid><category><![CDATA[travel]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[byzantinecat]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 27 Aug 2024 03:22:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.ecency.com/p/YpihifdXP4WNbGMdjw7e3DuhJWBvCw4SfuLZsrnJYHEpsqZFkiGGNCPxU9kPsEcFoYFGEW5JLQqwZdUx95Xx8fHNz8BfC61gawf42oYHQxbF9HENMWArUNqctWhq6rvX9CyPUKBMnjbQUMmpAWECJPZqfeXTjcCeWbxcgzpWexuk?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item></channel></rss>