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.

A New Skill

On Saturday, my friend Lena and I took a class in Split-Ply Braiding at Sifu Design Studio.  An old craft from the Tibet, Nepal, India area.  Basically, with the use of a tool called a gripfid, you open 4-ply cord and pass another cord through the opening.  Change the order, location or direction of the piercing and you can produce fantastic patterns.  Here are a few of the items made by our teacher, Michele O'Reilly.

First, two bracelets -

Two three dimensional items, a "vessel" and a thing.

And here is result of my class, my very own, designed by me, made with yarn dyed by Michele, bracelet.  I hope you like it.  I am very proud of it.  

The pattern at each end is called Serpentine and the center section is also Serpentine but the work is turned over at the completion of each segment.  

SPRING

In my last post I said that we were having a hint of an early spring.   It is no longer a hint.  It is a fact.  (I've lived here all my life, so I know things can/will change.)  Spring is here.

Spring flowers are blooming.  There are bright yellow daffodils along the expressway, forsythia are exploding in their golden glory, trees are budding, the willows are changing colors.  Life is wonderful.



Speaking of changing color, tomorrow the Chicago River will turn green for the St Pat's Day parade.  But they got a head-start at the fountain in the Daley Center Plaza.

Just in case you need to see what is in store for us, here is tonight's 7-Day Forecast.

WOW!!