Monday, October 29, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Trip home
I breezed through security at Midway, and had and hour-and-a-half to spare, so I got some fried rice because it looked really good. There is no wifi at Midway (?!?!?!). I will pause while you absorb that.
It's a great view of Chicago as you take off out of Midway, and some interesting lakes, then whole loads of nothing - My flight stopped in Phoenix and I have never seen so many wheelchairs on a plane! A smooth, uneventful flight until we got to the end: We pull up to the gate, pop up to get our bags.... and wait. Then the pilot asks us to sit back down again so they can move the plane back a few feet so they can line up the jetway.
It's a great view of Chicago as you take off out of Midway, and some interesting lakes, then whole loads of nothing - My flight stopped in Phoenix and I have never seen so many wheelchairs on a plane! A smooth, uneventful flight until we got to the end: We pull up to the gate, pop up to get our bags.... and wait. Then the pilot asks us to sit back down again so they can move the plane back a few feet so they can line up the jetway.
Now it's dinner and laundry...
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Ending on a high note
We just had a wonderful dinner at Riva's on Navy Pier with a lovely view of the city - a great end to a wonderful week. It was bleeping cold all day today, and while we did go for a short walk in the afternoon, aside from a trip to the farmer's market, we pretty much stayed inside and painted. Which is OK ;-). A little more painting this evening, then a game of Scrabble and packing, and tomorrow after breakfast it's off to the airport. At least it's 30 degrees warmer in San Francisco!
Jelly donuts and fine art
One thing that they have in Chicago but don't have on the west coast: Dunkin Donuts. Now, I don't particularly eat donuts, but when I'm on the east coast, I gotta go. So after a trip to the UPS Store to ship some of their stuff to Florida, we went for a short walk around the neighborhood, we stopped at a Dunkin Donuts and I had a jelly donut! And it was good! (The walk was short because it went from a high of 80 to a high of 45 overnight -wow. Now I remember why I moved to a warmer place.)
Then after a quick stop for Anna to vote, it was off to the Art Institute. It's a Who's Who of the art world: Picasso, Man Ray, Paul Klee, Matisse, de Chirico, Monet, Chase, Tanguy, Cezanne, O'Keefe, and the list goes on.
There was also a nice sculpture of a bunny that I liked. No, wait, that's apparently a ram. I still like it.
We had lunch at the museum, and they have one restaurant with a view of the city and some sort of art out on the patio - it seemed to be giant plastic figures of an angel, Mary, an egg, a hand, and a skull.
Then after a quick stop for Anna to vote, it was off to the Art Institute. It's a Who's Who of the art world: Picasso, Man Ray, Paul Klee, Matisse, de Chirico, Monet, Chase, Tanguy, Cezanne, O'Keefe, and the list goes on.
There was also a nice sculpture of a bunny that I liked. No, wait, that's apparently a ram. I still like it.
We had lunch at the museum, and they have one restaurant with a view of the city and some sort of art out on the patio - it seemed to be giant plastic figures of an angel, Mary, an egg, a hand, and a skull.
Apparently Guinan has an office here:
It was a great trip despite the fact that Hopper was on loan to Paris. Then it was back to the house to warm up, then off to PJs for dinner - nobody does chicken pot pies like an Irish Pub - then off to the symphony. A beautiful piece in a lovely venue. Then back to the house for Scrabble - and I only lost slightly miserably (20 points), but what can you expect with almost all the E's, 3 U's, a blank, and a variety of N's and T's?
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Jellyfish!
Today was aquarium day! After breakfast, Anna and I headed over to the Shedd Aquarium with the hopes of getting there before it got packed, and we were successful. First stop (and the main goal): Jellyfish. Gently floating moon jellies, messy lion's mane jellies, Japanese sea nettles, purple-striped sea nettles, black sea nettles (which are actually orange), upside-down jellies, sitting on their heads on the bottom, flower hat jellies (not the life of the party), tiny umbrella jellies, spotted lagoon jellies zipping around, Atlantic sea nettles, blue blubber jellies, and comb jellies. I was sketching them with a black ink pen, which takes some getting used to since it's a dark line for a delicate object, but it's good for you to try something new and they came out OK. Here's a few point-and-shoot pictures:
They have this wonderful outdoor seating area, so after the jellies we took a break and had a sit outdoors and enjoyed the view of the city and the (nearly empty) marina.
Then it was time for the reef and corals and some very cool eels and fish of all shapes and sizes. We spent a long time sketching, and there are no benches down there, so we made our way back up, and the crowds of loud had grown, and we decided that it was time to eat a quick sandwich and head out. We walked back along the lake front, and there were a number of sculptures set up, with my favorite being the horses:
The wind was picking up so we made our way to Millennium Park then down to the river walk and a cup of tea. We sat outside for one cup, then sensed it was time to bail before the rain hit, and got home just in time.
Tonight it's dinner at home and likely another Scrabble game - last night I got creamed by over 100 points.
They have this wonderful outdoor seating area, so after the jellies we took a break and had a sit outdoors and enjoyed the view of the city and the (nearly empty) marina.
Then it was time for the reef and corals and some very cool eels and fish of all shapes and sizes. We spent a long time sketching, and there are no benches down there, so we made our way back up, and the crowds of loud had grown, and we decided that it was time to eat a quick sandwich and head out. We walked back along the lake front, and there were a number of sculptures set up, with my favorite being the horses:
The wind was picking up so we made our way to Millennium Park then down to the river walk and a cup of tea. We sat outside for one cup, then sensed it was time to bail before the rain hit, and got home just in time.
Tonight it's dinner at home and likely another Scrabble game - last night I got creamed by over 100 points.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Lunch and Gorillas
It was a beautiful sunny morning in Indiana...
... so naturally we left. Anna and I were attending a Luncheon in Chicago, so we packed up and headed out after breakfast. Out of the woods and into the Industrial Wonderland past billboards for fur and leather, rehab, and lawyers who are "honors graduates with trial experience" and back to Chicago.
The luncheon was the YWCA Leadership Luncheon at which Anna was a previous honoree and this year featured some inspiring stories and quotes like "Lift as you rise," "They'll tell you it can't be done; do it anyway," "If I'm trained as an opera singer an I can start a multi-billion-dollar company, then so can you," and "They asked me to tell a story. As I'm a senior citizen, it's a long story."
Afterward we headed out with the plan on wandering Millennium Park, but it was actually warm so we headed back to the house to change and then walked down to Lincoln Park where we walked along the Boardwalk until we came to the ice cream. The ice cream is right by the great ape house, so yes, mom, I went to see your gorillas (you really should come out here sometime and see this zoo - it's very nice).
Then we slowly made our way back to the house, enjoying the wonderful walk.
As we came into the home stretch, it the sun was setting and the Halloween decorations were lighting up. Then we had enough time to change and put our feet up for a little while before meeting Anna's friend Pam for dinner, where the four of us had some good food and a good time.
I think we're going to break out the Scrabble here in a bit - I actually won last night! - if Anna and I can stay awake.
... so naturally we left. Anna and I were attending a Luncheon in Chicago, so we packed up and headed out after breakfast. Out of the woods and into the Industrial Wonderland past billboards for fur and leather, rehab, and lawyers who are "honors graduates with trial experience" and back to Chicago.
The luncheon was the YWCA Leadership Luncheon at which Anna was a previous honoree and this year featured some inspiring stories and quotes like "Lift as you rise," "They'll tell you it can't be done; do it anyway," "If I'm trained as an opera singer an I can start a multi-billion-dollar company, then so can you," and "They asked me to tell a story. As I'm a senior citizen, it's a long story."
Afterward we headed out with the plan on wandering Millennium Park, but it was actually warm so we headed back to the house to change and then walked down to Lincoln Park where we walked along the Boardwalk until we came to the ice cream. The ice cream is right by the great ape house, so yes, mom, I went to see your gorillas (you really should come out here sometime and see this zoo - it's very nice).
Then we slowly made our way back to the house, enjoying the wonderful walk.
As we came into the home stretch, it the sun was setting and the Halloween decorations were lighting up. Then we had enough time to change and put our feet up for a little while before meeting Anna's friend Pam for dinner, where the four of us had some good food and a good time.
I think we're going to break out the Scrabble here in a bit - I actually won last night! - if Anna and I can stay awake.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Tall Tree in a thunderstorm
Today we went over to Tall Tree, which is a sort of arboretum/nature preserve. We went for a walk through the forest trail, which is a nice hiking path the opens up into a prairie area with some cool old trees hanging out:
Then we went down by the lake to sketch and paint. It had been sprinkling on an off but started to really come down. There's a shelter there so we just headed for cover and kept on drawing when the thunder and lightening started. I mean heck, we had a great view:
Then it was over to the train layout. I mean this is cool - multiple levels (I mean the trains live in the basement of the building and you're on the first floor) and they're re-enacting the history of the American Railroad. Best part is that the plants and rocks are real - they have dwarf pines and cool mosses - so the plants change with the seasons, flowering and changing colors.
The trains weren't running due to the rain, so one of the railroad guys who was standing around gave Anna and I a little tour, then took us back stage to make up for the lack of running trains, so we got to see the workshop and rolling stock:
Then we went out to vote on the scarecrows. Local school groups had made scarecrows based on books that they had read, and I got a kick out of Uncle Sam from the Social Studies class with his head lolling:
Then we went down by the lake to sketch and paint. It had been sprinkling on an off but started to really come down. There's a shelter there so we just headed for cover and kept on drawing when the thunder and lightening started. I mean heck, we had a great view:
Then it was over to the train layout. I mean this is cool - multiple levels (I mean the trains live in the basement of the building and you're on the first floor) and they're re-enacting the history of the American Railroad. Best part is that the plants and rocks are real - they have dwarf pines and cool mosses - so the plants change with the seasons, flowering and changing colors.
The trains weren't running due to the rain, so one of the railroad guys who was standing around gave Anna and I a little tour, then took us back stage to make up for the lack of running trains, so we got to see the workshop and rolling stock:
Then we went out to vote on the scarecrows. Local school groups had made scarecrows based on books that they had read, and I got a kick out of Uncle Sam from the Social Studies class with his head lolling:
Then it was back to the house for a late lunch, and believe it or not the sun came out!
After lunch we went for another walk around the lake here, then painted for a while in the art studio. For dinner we went to the steak house that's next to the Walmart, where I believe onion rings are considered a vegetable (yes, there is an amazing amount of obesity out here).
Tomorrow it's back to Chicago for the luncheon.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Cabin in Indiana
Started off the morning by going for a walk through the neighborhood in Chicago - it was a nice morning and Anna and I got in a good walk before the rain came. On our way to Indiana, we stopped at their friend Leah's place - she just moved to a retirement home and has an amazing view of the city and the lake from her room. She gets around OK, but her house was 3 flights of stairs and the place she is now has zero stairs. It's a nice place and down the road from where her house was so she can still see her old friends and has already made new ones. We were dropping off one of Anna's paintings - the residents get a slice of wall to decorate with the work of their choice, and that's where Anna's painting was going. Some nice stuff hung up there - and much of it by the residents.
Then it was off to Indiana. Past the steel mills of Gary (which I gather is the antithesis of "green") and billboards advertising adult shops, casinos, lawyers, and someone running for county coroner with the refineries burning in the background (and yes, they put things in plastic bags around here - weird). But once you get past that it's gorgeous. Beautiful fall trees. I think the peak was last week but still plenty of color. The cabin is in the deep of the woods with windows everywhere looking out into the trees. Anna's studio is gorgeous - I want one just like it. Windows everywhere, skylights, and custom shelves. Here's the living room:
We drove in through a thunderstorm, but we made good use of the studio for an hour or so waiting for that to clear out, then went for a walk in down to the lake and it was lovely.
We headed out for dinner, and I must say they know a lot more about meat and potatoes then they do about vegetables! But they have peppermint stick ice cream, so I forgive them.
Now it's the Bears vs. the Debate, and I think the Bears are winning. Here's the pictures from the city that I promised:
Then it was off to Indiana. Past the steel mills of Gary (which I gather is the antithesis of "green") and billboards advertising adult shops, casinos, lawyers, and someone running for county coroner with the refineries burning in the background (and yes, they put things in plastic bags around here - weird). But once you get past that it's gorgeous. Beautiful fall trees. I think the peak was last week but still plenty of color. The cabin is in the deep of the woods with windows everywhere looking out into the trees. Anna's studio is gorgeous - I want one just like it. Windows everywhere, skylights, and custom shelves. Here's the living room:
We drove in through a thunderstorm, but we made good use of the studio for an hour or so waiting for that to clear out, then went for a walk in down to the lake and it was lovely.
We headed out for dinner, and I must say they know a lot more about meat and potatoes then they do about vegetables! But they have peppermint stick ice cream, so I forgive them.
Now it's the Bears vs. the Debate, and I think the Bears are winning. Here's the pictures from the city that I promised:
Cabin in Indiana
Thunderstorm! But I don't mind. Absolutely beautiful cabin in the woods. More later.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Beautiful day in Chicago
Well today sure made up for yesterday's flight nonsense. Anna and I went for a walk through the neighborhood and enjoyed the beautiful old houses, fall colors, and ambitious Halloween decorations. It was an absolutely gorgeous morning and walked through Lincoln park and then up to brunch. We got an outdoor table and enjoyed the morning sunshine and had some fabulous food. Then we walked back to the house, and changed and headed out again. We walked up the Magnificent Mile (actually, I think we walked two miles) enjoying the sunshine and the colors in the city. We stopped at an art opening that was quite good, then at the architectural society, before making our way to the Ballet where we met her friend June.
The ballet was magnificent - there were three pieces and the first and third were absolutely stunning. Very colorful and beautiful to watch. The third piece (The Green Table) was amazing and beautiful, and the music was the Chicago Philharmonic. Really fantastic.
The three of us then walked over to Millennium Park and enjoyed the beauty of the park with the city rising in the background. We of course made our way over to The Bean, then made our way under the park to the Park Grill for dinner. We all started with some fantastic tortilla soup, followed by salad and Anna and I split a chicken dish. Wonderful meal and good company. Then it was a walk up to the river, where we caught a cab back to the house (meter drop $1.50; vomit clean up fee $50) and chatted with June for a while before she headed out.
Tomorrow it's off to the cabin in Indiana - and I'll try to upload some pictures - I'm too tired tonight!
The ballet was magnificent - there were three pieces and the first and third were absolutely stunning. Very colorful and beautiful to watch. The third piece (The Green Table) was amazing and beautiful, and the music was the Chicago Philharmonic. Really fantastic.
The three of us then walked over to Millennium Park and enjoyed the beauty of the park with the city rising in the background. We of course made our way over to The Bean, then made our way under the park to the Park Grill for dinner. We all started with some fantastic tortilla soup, followed by salad and Anna and I split a chicken dish. Wonderful meal and good company. Then it was a walk up to the river, where we caught a cab back to the house (meter drop $1.50; vomit clean up fee $50) and chatted with June for a while before she headed out.
Tomorrow it's off to the cabin in Indiana - and I'll try to upload some pictures - I'm too tired tonight!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Getting there is half the fun
So first the flight was delayed by an hour, then they needed 30 people to get off the plane due to a mechanical issue. Um, what? But once airborne, the flight was nice, with a clear view for most of the trip, and no screaming kids. Folks who needed to make a connection were running, but once I got my luggage (which was also delayed) it was smooth sailing into the city.
Tomorrow - fall colors!
Tomorrow - fall colors!
Delayed
We haven't had fog in ages, but of course the day I head out for vacation it rolls in, so I'm delayed by an hour. Ah we'll, time to sketch some weary travelers...
Sunday, October 14, 2012
A few good men
And a few who suffered from the train changing tracks while I was drawing them. These guys came out OK:
Some of these folks weren't so lucky:
I'm packing - heading off to Chicago on Saturday - stay tuned for fall colors!
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