A Day Away

On Monday, my friend Lena and I went to Michigan City, Indiana to spend some time with our friends Gail and George.

We took the South Shore Line from Millennium Park.  The route of the train is not overwhelming.  It goes from here to there and a little farther.  The ride was slow but uneventful.

They met us at the station. Lena thought she would get some coffee at the station.  She was disappointed.  

George conducted a tour of Michigan City, with a running narrative by Gail.  They are excellent hosts and great at showing off their city.  

I lived in Michigan City in the fifties for  several months.  It certainly has changed.  As a child, we would play in the woods on the back of the sand dunes, climb to the top and roll down the sand front.  All the dunes along Lake Shore Drive are now built up.  The woods have roads and houses. There is a community called Beachwalk that is built on a former sand quarry.  They constructed a wooden boardwalk to cross the wooded dunes. The buildings are a pastel mix. Cute, but not in a bad way.

Delicious lunch at their house.  Who knew you could use Old Bay Seasoning for something other than boiling shrimp.  Gail grilled chicken seasoned with Old Bay and served it on a wonderful salad.

They share their home with Oscar and Tom, two lovable cats. 

Tom

Tom is a sleek, black beauty sitting on his perch with a great view of the lake.  

Oscar at rest

Oscar loves everyone and has great markings.  Check out the striped tail.

Next was off to taste wine.  We drove over to the wine country in Michigan. Three stops, 15 tastes of local wines and beautiful scenic views.  There is something to say for peace and quiet.  On the way home we got caught in the most amazing thunder storm.  The news said it was four inches in less than an hour.  The storm was over when we got home.

Rest then dinner out.  The Galveston Steakhouse is recommended if you are in Michigan City.

After dinner we went to the beach.  Let me explain a basic fact of life when you live in Chicago, THE LAKE IS ALWAYS EAST.  In Michigan City, that rule is not true.  The sun sets in the lake.  Totally wrong, but beautiful.

And what is a visit with friends without the group picture?

Thanks Gail and George, we had a great, exciting, relaxing, peaceful, tasty time.

Hello again

Long time, no blog.

Let's see if I can get this thing rolling again.

Nothing much has changed.  That pretty much covers what has gone on since last we meet.

More recently, last night we went to the redtwist theatre.  (Why can't they use the American spelling? They are on the north side of Chicago.)

There we saw "Look Back in Anger".  It was an amazingly great presentation of a sad, angry, dramatic,  I've-seen-it-once-don't-need-to-again play.

My good friend Laury Libin came to town to see it and encouraged his friends to join him because Baize Buzan, a lifelong (her life) friend was starring.  She did a spectacular job, as did all the other members of the cast.

It was a great night of theater, but not up-lifting or inspirational, unless thinking that your life ain't so bad was the plan to the playwright.  

After the performance,  our group of eight, including Baize, her mother Monika, and other family and friends went to Francesca's, just across Bryn Mawr from the theater and talked, ate and laughed until the fellow washing the floor got to our table.   

Laury and I marveled at the up-scale changes to our "old neighborhood". Bryn Mawr used to be a minor commercial street, around the corner from the old Edgewater Beach Hotel.  It started to go down hill but never got really bad.  It is now clean, cared for, and thriving.  Good job, Chicago.

A Busy Week-End

Last week-end was a memorable bunch of days.

Friday, August 17th was a beautifully clear day, warm, but not too hot. And it was the practice day for the Chicago Air & Water Show.   
Gene had court in the morning and on the way home, we decided to try out the Clock Tower Cafe that opened in Lincoln Park.  It is right on the golf course, and far away from noise of the traffic on Lake Shore Drive.

We were having a quiet, relaxing lunch on the deck of the cafe, when the jets started.  Too cool.  This is the only photo I was able to get.  They move so fast, that be the time you find them and aim, they are out of the frame.  But great fun to watch.



On Saturday we had our regular lunch with Abraham and then I was meeting Lena at The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art (Intuit) where we were going to participate in a yarn bombing.  When we got there, the leader changed it to a flower happening.

We used all sorts of arts & crafts materials and created fanciful flowers that we attached to the lamppost outside the museum.

Sunday, the 19th was my birthday and my brother happened to be in town so we met him for lunch at McCormick & Schmick's in Old Orchard.  Fred's friend Al joined us.  Here is a snap of Fred.  The rose is from Al's garden.  A delicious time was had by all.

Blatantly lifted cartoon

The truth of blogging in four squares.

Crow Follow-Up

Today I learned that the crow, known to us as Crowley, was found by and rejoined his crow family.

According to Lisa, a building employee, Crowley stayed in the garden for a little while, then went to the parking area.  When traffic appeared, he flew onto a car and then onto trellis work.  He stayed on the vertical trellis for about 6 hours, looking like a decoration.  As it got dark, he settled into a planter on the wall.  The next morning, after much cawing and commotion, he left with his family.

It is nice to have a rescue story with a happy ending.

Being The Bird Lady Strikes Again

I'm the "bird lady" in our building.  Any and all injured, dazed or confused birds are brought to  me for TLC. 


Today I was given a young crow with an injured toe. The bleeding has stopped and he (?) is asleep on a towel on my bathroom sink. I am sure that he is able to fly.  The window is WIDE open and he has no inclination to fly away, even when standing on my arm at the window sill. I think that rest is the best thing I can do for him now. What food will he want?  Grapes and small bits of rye bread are being ignored.  A little chopped meat was equally unwelcome.  

He made himself at home, tucked his head under his wing and took a nap.  Time passed and we had our dinner and returned to check on the bird.  Not on the sink.  He flew to the window sill where he has now been for the last three hours.

If he is still there in the morning, I think I'll treat him to a trip to the zoo.  (If he enjoys that, then we can go to the Shedd Aquarium.)

Two plays in two days

This week has been quite theatrical.  On Thursday I was the guest of my friend Joan to see the Goodman Theater's production of "Camino Real".  One review called it "Tennessee Williams at his bleakest and most violent"  It surely was.  The staging was amazing, the lighting was spectacular, the acting was without fault, even the music was appropriate for the situations.  None of that made you want to like the play. Here is a lifted photo of the memorable lighting and set design.

Joan and I suspected that they presented it without an intermission to be sure that you sat through the entire show.  I do not regret seeing the play, it was an unforgettable experience, I just wish it had been more uplifting.

Tonight, on the other had, Gene and I joined Mark and Nancy at the Polarity Ensemble Theatre's production of "Tom Jones".  WOW, was it fun.  There was a cast of 17, in a space that seats 52.  We were pleased to be among the attendees.  There was never a dull moment. Described by the producer as "an adaptation of the 1749 Henry Fielding novel by David Hammond. This is a big, sexy, funny romp of a play."  And that it was. We were amazed at how much can be done with minimal props and many doors.  I'm glad we went, it washed away all the gloom the the previous day. Sorry I don't have a photo for you, but I've included the Polarity logo.