Last Chance

Haven't I been telling them for years? Come to Chicago! We've got a world class city here folks. People travel here from all around the world to see the grandeur, the art and architecture, the famous streets and stores, the lake that looks like the ocean, such that the city has actual sandy beaches right here in the middle of the country. But no, twenty-two years and I could count the visitors on just my fingers, no toes needed. Well this time, the suggestion was firmer: you are running out of time, because we have soaked up as much mid western love as we can, and we are ready to move on to a new coastal adventure. Not sure the exact date of departure, but sometime before the weather turns colder in 2015. So let's do this town together one more time.

This summer we had two sets of company in quick succession: reunion of high school besties on my side, and reunion of childhood besties/first cousins on his. I was so occupied with being hostess and tour guide and enjoying myself in the bargain, that the photos caught on the run or in a few quiet moments in the hotel room will have to serve as the evidence of what I said: this is a special place with a kind of energy that will either invigorate or suck you dry. Luckily for us, it has inspired and refreshed and now we are ready for a city of more personal dimensions. But that is a story for later.

The images here aren't necessarily in a chronological (or logical order), but represent moments on the fly of playfulness, companionship with company, strangers, and the city itself. It is a place that invites awe: so often you must look up to behold it, but also, it invites participation.

We see ourselves reflected in an iconic sculpture.

Sometimes we are lost in the image.

Sometimes the image seems illusive to capture.

The view in summer is complicated with foliage and people. Winter, though difficult on some levels, is the ideal time for broad expanses.

Unless you stand on a bridge high above the fray.

Short among the tall, but I can aspire to their heights.

From the river, a juxtaposition of old and new. The best way to view the history of architecture and commerce: a river tour.

Trump's tower was just as easy to spot without the monster sized letters. It was far more pure and beautiful a design without.

But this water garden in a plaza at its base is peaceful and low key, and  invites even those of us without the "bucks" to pause and reflect.

A typical architectural tour boat ready for a spin.

I can never get enough of Marina Towers, either day or night views.

Too busy enjoying my company and my food experience, this shot of a typical food station at "'Eataly" is the only one to survive the day.

Back at "Cloudgate," aka "The Bean," I take delight in images and the joy of other visitors as we each dance the same dance with reflection, distortion, and imagining.

For just a moment I feel so connected to the joy of art, the crowds, and the city.

The "Crown Fountain" by Jaume Plensa bears the images of hundreds of real Chicagoans on its two 50 foot towers with cascading water and a shallow wading pool that draws children and delight.

About every five minutes the face of the moment becomes a gargoyle as it "spits" water from its mouth onto the waiting crowd of little ones.

The Art Institute is a favorite stop and this summer we twice attended the amazing exhibition of works by Surrealist, Rene Magritte. But almost as surprisingly arresting was the free exhibit of sculpture and mixed media painting by local artist, Hebru Brantley, called "Parade Day Rain." It will be on display at the Cultural Center through September 23, if you plan to be in town.

A view of an apartment balcony along Wabash with the resident in residence brought out my longings for the soon to be relocation to city life.

In recent years we always stay at the Hotel Monaco with the pillowed window seat views of Wabash and Wacker, the Chicago River, Marina City, Trump Tower, the el train, and my favorite city clock with a winged father time, and his lantern.

The Water Taxi, an efficient way to travel in this city that seems to have enough roadway taxis to accommodate every person who desires one.

A magic hour.

Inside the room, a mellow vibe and a goldfish. Unfortunately, this one did not survive the night. Just like in the stories where parents don't wish to traumatize their children with the reality of dead pets, my "fixer" had the floater replaced while I showered unaware of the switch.

The elevated train performs its wheel squealing turn around this bend all day and (seemingly) all night.

The girl in her window seat, the man relaxing with his Internet browser and some mellow music from "Austin City Limits" on the tube. Perfect down time after a frenetic day.

Darkness descends on a beautiful summer evening.

In this bowl there is no real day or night.

But out here the magic begins. Standing at the base of the towers across from the famous "House of Blues," we prepare for a bit of ten pin fun.

A favorite restaurant, but not this evening.

A hotel that can't settle on a name or an owner, although seemingly it has kept the same identity through recent changes. The cool and modern lobby of what was for a time the Hotel Sax.

And just next door our destination, an upscale bowling alley with music, food and alcoholic libation, a party for rent (along with the shoes.)

And so ends the day, watching the pleasure boats, and floating parties as they pass below on the river.

Surveying the dramatic skyline and taking in the energy of this beautiful night.

Magic!

The company has gone and we are on our own, taking a breather at a local historical park. 

A profile I love and that brings me peace of mind.

This is a popular place for weddings, but today we are alone enjoying the mature plantings in and around the gazebo and gardens.

Pretty soon I will be surrendering my own personal gazebo and garden for the life of sharing public spaces. I am sure there will be some sadness and nostalgia, but I doubt there will be regret. My last summer of "suburbia" is almost under my belt now. Pretty soon we are off to pay a visit to our prospective new home. I look forward to sharing that story with you soon.

Is It Retirement Yet?

Unfortunately not; but some days I am so ready. So is my husband, of course, but for different reasons. Like being tired of working sixty hour weeks at a crazy, difficult, dirty industrial job for the last forty years (that after making it home intact from a crazy, difficult, dirty jungle-fought war.) No, I can't compare my pain to his, since I actually retired from my last full-time job (teaching middle school home economics) twenty years ago this June. I have been a privileged "kept" woman since.

Dave tries out the concept of retirement: Nope, not quite ready.

The retirement I want is where we get to move on to a new adventure, together and individually, to have new surroundings and experiences, and think about life in new ways. Our destination, on hold for a while yet, is the gorgeous Pacific Northwest, with the city of Portland as our likely base of operation. We have been there: we are smitten. You can't talk us out of it (at least, I hope not.) But we'll have to settle at the moment for a late summer vacation there and continue to plot and plan.

Enjoying the beautiful campus of Furman University in Greenville, SC

These ducks were excellent "posers," but alas, I had come with
 companions and there was no time to draw.

Meanwhile some very close friends who have shared our life in both Maryland and Indiana did indeed find a way to retire early and skipped out on the "Lake Effect Snow Belt" we call Michigan City to move to the year round warm climate of South Carolina. For me, a tad too Southerly. I'm a Northerner, a coastie, and a cool weather kind of girl, but after the winter (and spring we've had so far) it was wonderful to thaw out with a week of Southern climate and hospitality.


We set out on our road trip in the midst of all those torrential rains of Easter weekend, nervously crossing the Ohio River to see Louisville somewhat submerged around the edges already. We were hydroplaning on bridge surfaces, and large trucks were menacing (passed one that had made it into the median just short of the other side of the highway.) The news had daily reports of evil winds playing havoc with threats of more to come. I kept wondering why it had to be so crazy just when we most needed some uneventful and laid back time. For a week we traveled on the edge of disasters, but were blessed to personally skirt it all.

I had decided to start a journal specifically for trying out and saving patterns and textures. I found these individual doodle blocks to be the perfect size before-bed project for a hotel room. Something I may carry on at home.

Although Lexington, Kentucky is the midpoint of our mileage and a stopover, this time we had to pass on the horsey delights of the wonderful Kentucky Horse Park, and the pre-Derby races at gorgeous Keeneland. If you have experienced neither and love horses, put them on your travel wish list. On our last trip through I got to meet (among others) the horse that played the role of "Seabiscuit" in the movie with Tobey Maguire, and when the crazy cocktail-party-in-heels at Keeneland was standing room only, I got to stand at the railing next to the winner's circle.

I finally started my practice of journaling on this trip. Yeah! I used the little accordion fold ones I showed you last time. This one is for all "coffeehouse" related subjects.

First time drawing flowers in their natural setting. I was also standing most of the time, and trying to create a pleasing composition on the spot. Unfortunately I had to do the painting a couple days later from photos. You can only keep friends waiting so long, and the hot weather was defeating my enthusiasm as well. This one will be all about gardens.

Our brief stay in Greenville was a foray into summer (before knowing spring), and as lovely and fun as was the experience, it was also a reminder of why I don't want to retire South: I hate humidity! I don't do sultry well (at least not in that sense!) I also require a bigger town with more variety of scene within and without. A little edgier. A small scale big city set between a mountain and an ocean, well you get my drift.

Posing outside our friends' house. It was too warm in SC, and we only had a couple opportunities for wearing them later in the week. To this date, no comments from strangers!

But I totally understand our friends' love affair with their new home. Number one is their proximity to Furman University, and its welcoming attitude to townies, and especially seniors. They get to call campus home to attend the arts, walk the gardens, but further, to study, tuition free with the same respect and involvement as the paying clientele. Oh, the joys of a well endowed university. My friend is planning a two year course in photography for only the cost of materials and lab fees. I am quite awed at this opportunity.

Back home I couldn't wait to get back to my needle and cloth. I can tell I'm going to be a fool for embroidery. This is a detail of the heart sampler I'm working on.

I am hoping and dreaming that such situations will arise for us when we finally make it to the next phase. Meanwhile too much busy reality intrudes from the here and now. Yes, formal art study would be grand, but this home schooling business isn't such a bad thing. Gives me a chance to build my "portfolio," find my preferred medium. Every day is a gift and life is the best school. So what should I work on next? Time to get back to Carla's "Silly" lessons. No time to talk about Asheville today. We'll save that for our next chat. Later, fellow travelers!