Time Passes

Much has happened since last we met. Travel, medical issues, knitting, life.

We took a road trip. I love road trips. No airport bothers, keep your shoes on, be on your own schedule, no hurry-up-and-wait. Gene's high school in Palm Beach planned a multi-class reunion in January, the perfect excuse to get out of two weeks of Chicago winter. We rented a PT Cruiser, at first I wasn't thrilled with the choice, but grew to love that car.



We managed to leave just before a big storm hit Chicago and stayed ahead of more bad weather. One of the neat things about travel at this time of year, is watching the seasons and vegetation change, from snow covered bare trees, to a hint of green, to planted, growing fields and finally the tropical setting of southern Florida.


Ours was a very leisurely drive. We stopped at a favorite winery near Bloomington, Indiana. Oliver Winery has a varied, delicious, and reasonably priced selection. They also have a friendly, helpful staff and beautiful landscaping.

Here we saw the first greening. Spring will happen again this year.



Some landscaping outside their shop.



Our next planned stop was the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. This was a stop of parental pride. Our son, Abraham, wrote the computer game "Pit Crew Challenge" that is featured at the museum.

The cars were awesome. The movie about the history of the Corvette showed how the first 50 cars were literally hand-made. This is a recommended stop if you find yourself in Bowling Green.

** TO BE CONTINUED **

Dear Blog

Dear Blog, please do not feel that I have abandoned you. I have been occupied with several other things. I joined Face book and Abe got me involved with an amazing collection of 10,000 computer games and puzzles.

Thanksgiving has come and gone. We had seven guests at our table, In my humble opinion, it went very well. The meal was tasty, the table talk was interesting and it is always good to have friends join us. The leftovers were delicious and none went to waste.

Winter has come to Chicago with a vengeance. Cold, snow, ice, sleet, the whole works.

I made a sweater for Gene. He wore it for Thanksgiving, just a little unfinished. It was completed in time to go to the Zemil's post-Thanksgiving open house the next day. It was a fast knit. I used a two yarns, both alpaca. The charcoal strand was an eBay bargain and I won 17 balls of the light strand in a raffle.



I also made a scarf for our friend Jeremy. Every Thanksgiving he delivers his delicious, home-made pies, apple and key lime this year. He said he is wearing the scarf everyday. Unfortunately, The pies are but a pleasant memory.

A Day with The Glass Menagerie

Yesterday we went to the Steppenwolf Theatre to see an amazing production of The Glass Menagerie. After the performance, we had late lunch with three of the four members of the cast and some of their other friends. We met James Alfred, who plays the son, last week at Marcus and Perpetua's wedding.





Oh right, did I mention that the cast is all Black? Only a few minor changes were made to accommodate this change from Tennessee William's script. The mother still spoke of going to her D.A.R. meeting!

Fall in Chicago

I know, I'm supposed to post some more pictures from the summer, but today was the epitome of a beautiful fall day in Chicago, so here are some I took today.


A colorful tree in Lincoln Park with the Waveland Field House in the background.


The sun over the lake at the far end of Belmont Harbor.


A beautiful day for a walk in the park.

Photos, as promised - Part One - Galena

My photos have now been moved to my new laptop, and I'm able to share them.

Here is the Official Highway Marker about Galena Illinois:



This is a lovely house just outside the Galena floodgates.



The farming areas around Galena have a tendency to look like jigsaw puzzles.

Where has the time gone?

My brother Fred mentioned that I had not blogged for a few months. It is nice to know that he checks.

Much has happened since last we met. I'm officially retired. We've do a little close-in travel. The Cubs are in the play offs.

Travel included a weekend with the Mensa Gourmet group at Joan's home in Loda, Illinois. On our annual trip to "The Lake" we enjoyed great food, superb wine, a relaxing pontoon boat ride, excellent conversations and cheap shopping. Previously, at the benefit for the The Harbour, (Joan and Nancy are/were active on the Board), we bid on and won a night at the Timber Creek B&B in Paxton, Illinois, near Joan's house. It worked out perfectly. Rather than driving home after the dinner, we stayed there and came home leisurely on Sunday.

Every year we meet up with my extended family at the DCI finals. This year was extra special. My brother is an alumnus of the Chicago Cavaliers, now the Rosemont Cavaliers. They celebrated their 60th anniversary by organizing an alumni corps, no age limit, just a love for the corps. It was fantastic. They played with joy, enthusiasm and an overwhelming feeling of Cavalier spirit. They were great. The next night were the Finals. The Phantom Regiment from Rockford Illinois won with a dazzling performance.


Our third trip was relaxing weekend in Galena, Illinois. Our friend Kishore knows how to do a picnic. Tandoori chicken was cooked outside, a table full of tasty salads, noshes, and special treats were served but we all ate inside his home on good china with silver and crystal. It was good to see old friends at a happy occasion. North western Illinois is rolling hills and views that look like calendars or jigsaw puzzles. A pleasant place to spend a weekend.

Photos to follow

Catching Up

Things have been somewhat busy here.

My knitting continues. Scarves and afghan squares mostly. And of course, Ravelry. The Top Chef pool concluded, my chef Richard made it to the final show, but not all the way.

We had a delightful evening with friends at “The Kid from Brooklyn, the Danny Kaye Story”. It is a high-energy musical about you-know-who. The entire cast is only four actors. Two play DK and his wife Sylvia Fine. All the other characters, I guess about 16, are played by the other two actors. Not deep, but not meant to be. Enjoyable, musical, energetic.

The Gourmet Group met for another delicious meal. Phyllis was a wonderful hostess and her deck and garden were perfect for eating outside.

Something unexpected was said here the other day. I used the words “Gene" and “gym bag” in the same sentence.

Book Club read “The Double Bind”, most of us liked it. Some thought that the twist at the end was a cheap trick. Check it out.