It’s a rainy morning here in Chicago. Unfortunately, it’s been rather gray and cloudy since I arrived. There were a couple of mornings where the sun emerged, but by about 11 am, the clouds had taken over. I used to come here every January when we were auditioning students for the MFA program and it was always cloudy, cold and windy.
We’re staying in a neighborhood called River North, just north of the Loop on the other side of the Chicago River. Yesterday, I walked to the area by Navy Pier to investigate the Whole Foods in that neighborhood. (We needed some stuff.) There’s nothing I like more than to walk in a city and explore neighborhoods. I learn a lot that way.
I also cleaned the apartment. This is the kitchen. I’ll try to take more photos on a sunnier (fingers crossed) day. That’s a fish hanging from the light that was made from a palm frond – given to Don by someone he worked with in LaJolla. I’ll try to take a picture of that as well, because it has the most beautiful turquoise and green colors.
I’m sleeping surprisingly well, given the fact that we’re in a smaller queen sized bed that is shoved into an alcove – not unlike a tiny house. Walking a lot makes one nicely tired.
The lions in front of the Art Institute. Chicago readers: Didn’t these guys wear Cubs caps during the World Series? I seem to remember that.
Across the street is Symphony Hall.
I always stop for Art Deco.
Tonight is Opening Night, so yours truly will be attending the performance. And heads up, Chicagoland: The cast will be marching in the Thanksgiving Day Parade! They prerecorded their song while they were in Houston.
Don says the audiences are great and, though tired, everyone in the cast is having a great time.
Beware: the Senate Republicans are trying to repeal a major part of the ACA by sneaking the repeal into the Tax Plan. They also want to cut 23 billion dollars from Medicare. Make your calls. #resist.
Happy Wednesday.
Your good, happy reports from Chicago help to get our minds off all the bad news! Thank you for that.
I was there in front of the Art Institute almost 20 years ago to the day. My best friend had just been diagnosed with metatastic breast cancer. But our group flew on up to Chicago for our much planned
National Council Teachers of English meeting. Such a bittersweet time. But your posts are reminding me of the good times in Chicago with our very sick friend.
BTW we have a great example of a green Art Deco building in Ada. It was once a Clinic, and years later an oil company bought it for its offices. It is fabulous really.
You all have lots more fun and happy times! Becky
I love Art Deco – always have!
If you’d like to see this beautiful building go to The Sugg Clinic Ada, OK on the internet. It is amazing that our small town has this beautiful piece of architecture.
I really like staying in River North because it is so convenient for walking and walking and walking. When you were at the Art Institute, and out and about, did you slip over to the Chicago Cultural Center to marvel at that beautiful Tiffany dome? Such wonderful opportunities for photography everywhere in that city.
Hope the opening goes well. I can only imagine the level of tired Don and the cast have hit at this point. I know the audience reaction must buoy them, but still they must be tired in their bones. Take good care of one another.
No words for this latest trick to try to gut the ACA…No words…
Peace,
Leslie P.
They are all exhausted. I’m hoping rehearsals will be at a minimum after tonight’s opening.
It looks like the trip is going well. I am excited for you to attend another opening night. Enjoy!
This will be my fourth viewing of Escape…
River North is a beautiful (and expensive!) neighborhood. Sorry our weather has been so crappy, so far. Doesn’t look like the sun is going to peek out again until Sunday. Yes, the lions wore Cubs batting helmets during the World Series last year. :-)
Yes, it hasn’t been the sunniest of times. Today is dismal! I had to come back to the apartment to get out of the weirdly warm yet damp weather.
Hope you have a grand time tonight! As far as the republicans are concerned….there are just no more words. We must resist. Enjoy your day! ;)
We must. I just made my phone calls to my Reps and Senators.
That is such a wonderful neighborhood and it looks like he is in a nice apartment, too. Yes, I am quite sick of these damp and cloudy days. I think with all the cement and steel downtown it makes it feel even colder. It sounds like you are getting out and exploring. Enjoying your pictures. And I do remember the lions in Cub hats. I think they had the batting ones they wear??
I can only imagine how tired Don and his cast-mates are at this point. I am sure he is so very happy to have you there with him these days. Every day is better when you can share it with someone! Enjoy your Wednesday.
I will. I’m a bit over this gray and rainy weather, though!
I am feeling crappy today so you have lots of fun so I can enjoy reading about it tomorrow Claudia!
Okay! Feel better, Nancy!
I am inspired that despite being tired and even exhausted, performers always give their all to their craft and to their audience. Enjoy tonight!
They do. I’ve seen them perform despite being injured or running a fever or having pneumonia. I once kept going and finished an entire show after breaking my wrist onstage at the top of the show.
I love walking in cities too. So much to see that way. I just sent my message to my representatives on resistbot. Tired of their sneakiness. xo Laura
I just called them. I’m so sick of their utter lack of compassion for the majority of Americans.
Although I don’t think I’d ever want to LIVE in a big city, I LOVE visiting them & am so jealous of your recent treks to Nawlins & Chicago. You’re getting to see so much! And of course, holidays in big cities is always a lot of fun. Once my mother became an empty-nester, she used to take the train from Rochester into NYC every December – for years – with 3 high school girlfriends [the 4 of them were known as the “club girls”] for a weekend of holiday sight-seeing, dining & shopping. They’d all save up & stay Fri & Sat nights at a really nice hotel [I seem to remember their favorites being the St Regis & the Carlyle], walk, shop, visit Rockefeller Plaza, do the whole 5th Avenue thing etc etc. Always had the best time. We’d hear stories about the trip for a solid year – until the next one! They’d love it even more now too, I think. Since the Internet it’s so much faster & easier to make travel plans, scope out new restaurants & shops etc. Nice apartment too, by the way. Very Chicago, if I might say… Peace.
#Resist
It’s trendy looking, that’s for sure. The windows are floor to ceiling and the view is great!
Claudia, Thank you for the pictures of Chicago. I love those lions. I love the Art Institute. There’s something glamourous about Art Deco. Blessings to you and Don, enjoy your sweet time together. xoxo, Susie
Thank you, Susie.
Thank You for the photos of Chicago. Those buildings are amazing.
Marilyn
You’re welcome.
I love seeing Chicago through your eyes. I’ve only ever stopped over at the airport.
we always had to circle to wait to land as I recall… and it was always raining!
which actually I love.
and oh… art deco! swoon!
as to the calling of reps and senators. . .
our particular esteemed leaders here publicly stand before the world and call global warming
a hoax! and we gave you Pruitt too. no thank you. or should I say so sorry!
BIG OIL is in all their pockets. or should I have said they are in BO’s pockets?
follow the money.
it’s all so disgusting. and it is now becoming frightening.
but you and your posts are a bright little light! thank you!
It’s very frightening! Thanks, Tammy.
I’m happy you have gotten in so much sightseeing despite the crappy weather. As long as it’s not cold, I’m okay. I worked for several years downtown, and quickly learned all of the underground walkways. It’s quite an mazing system, but not so scenic!
I didn’t know until this post that your apartment is in River North. To think it was once called Smokey Hollow, referring to the factories and coal bins. Now it’s high-rises and a huge nightspot destination.
So—please have a look at an email I sent. Short notice but I’m hoping you can find an hour or so.
Jane x
Thanks, Jane.