chicago

Back at the Ranch

November 26, 2017 at 9:02 am by Claudia

Hello from the cottage.

A long day of travel yesterday, of course, with an Uber ride to O’Hare, the flight home, then the shlepping. That’s what I find the most tiring; I had two small rolling suitcases (Don currently has the large one) plus my handbag and a coat and I had to constantly start, stop, adjust my handbag, take my coat off, put it on, grab the suitcases by the handles to go up and down stairs, and maneuver through subway turnstiles to make my way back into the city. As it was unseasonably warm and I had layers on, I was uncomfortable and just wanted to get home.

But, I caught the 5:00 bus and my friends Rick and Doug picked me up from the bus station. And when I got home, my plants were in pretty good shape. The monstera (split-leaf philodendron) and the pilea were drooping quite a bit. Watering was my first priority and I’m happy to say that this morning, every plant looks revived and healthy. Two weeks away is okay in the winter. It would be more problematic in the spring and summer when plants require more water.

I’m glad to be home. I’m going over to Rick and Doug’s place for brunch this morning. Rick is making French Toast, one of my favorites. Doug’s daughter is visiting and it will be nice to get to know her.

Unfortunately, Don lost his voice on Friday during the matinee and, even though he planned to go on that night, the music director pulled him from the weekend shows because he has to be better for Monday’s recording of the cast album. Also unfortunately, my best friend and her family came to the show on Friday night, so I was texting and calling her at the last minute to tell her Don wouldn’t be appearing.

So, they didn’t get to see Don in the musical, which was the whole point of going. Laural is in the theater so she understood. But Don felt badly; he really wanted to do that performance for them.

The company manager found an ENT doctor and Don saw him yesterday morning. He has an upper respiratory infection and is on meds and isn’t talking for the whole weekend, so we’re texting and/or face-timing with me doing all the talking and Don nodding yes or no.

Say a prayer or two for him, okay? He has to be better for that recording tomorrow.

I have to run to the grocery store this morning to stock up on food. I’m ready to eat at home for a while. Dining out is fun but when it’s every day, I get tired of it.

What a blessing it has been to travel to New Orleans and Chicago and spend quality time in both places. Don will be home a week from tomorrow and we can settle in for the month of December.

That will be nice.

Closing with a shot of nighttime Chicago, taken my last night there.

Happy Sunday.

A Fond Farewell to Chicago

November 24, 2017 at 10:38 am by Claudia

I have had the best time here in Chicago. From start to (almost) finish, it’s been simply lovely. Family, friends, seeing the sights, my birthday, Thanksgiving with the cast of Escape to Margaritaville – my cup runneth over.

I’ve always loved Chicago and now I love it even more.

A christmas tree in Grant Park.

This building, which sets my architectural loving heart aflutter.

This Art Deco-y font on the marquee.

My best friend of 53 years. Laural and I are true-blue; we know each other on a deep level that transcends time. We met at Macy’s (which I keep referring to as Marshall Fields – wishful thinking,) had lunch in the Walnut Room (she treated for my birthday) and talked for 5 hours. We could have continued but she had to get home. A perfect day with my dearest friend. She and her family are coming to the show tonight.

A low-key day yesterday, with an afternoon walk, and then dinner with the cast of Escape to Margaritaville. Dinner was at a local restaurant, where we dined at beautifully set round tables in a private room. I cannot say enough about the beautiful souls that are part of this production. Kind, funny, talented, good – there is no drama, only love.

On our way to the restaurant, we noticed Chicago was getting its red and green on:

Alison Luff, the female lead, took this candid picture of us.

It might be my favorite picture of Don and me. Alison is incredibly talented and a beautiful person inside and out. Thank you, Alison.

Oh, Chicago, thank you for your hospitality and the chance to explore you. Thanks for housing my family and best friend, so that I could spend time with them. Thanks for your soaring, gorgeous architecture and your Art Institute, for your park, for your bridges, for your great restaurants and theaters. I’ve had a wondrous time.

My friends, I have an early flight tomorrow, so I most likely won’t post. We’ll get back to normal posting on Sunday.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Happy Friday.

Catching Up

November 22, 2017 at 8:00 am by Claudia

Thank you so much for all the happy birthday wishes! You are so kind. I had a lovely day with my husband and we had a yummy dinner at a favorite local restaurant before Don had to run out the door to get to the theater. Between Facebook, Instagram, and this blog, my cup runneth over! But the best just might have been a little boy singing Happy Birthday to me via a message on my phone. This Auntie was smiling from ear to ear.

On Monday I walked across this bridge to meet my nephew at Christkindlmarket – which is a lovely open air market celebrating Christmas, German-style. We had about an hour to talk with each other before he had to go back to work. Eric is my brother’s youngest son and he is such a lovely person.

Here we are. I am so grateful for this time with my family. We all live so far apart that getting together is impossible most of the time.

Today, we stopped by the Art Institute so that we could see the Edward Hopper and American Gothic and some of the other paintings in the Modern Wing – and the Chagall Windows, which blow me away every time I see them.

Skaters were out and about in Grant Park.

And I visited the Bean:

This is one of my favorite things in Chicago. The Bean reflects the people standing nearby and the skyline as well. It’s stunning.

We thought we’d have more day time hours together, but along with the Put In rehearsal last week, there is no show on Thanksgiving and only a matinee on Sunday, so those shows have to be made up. Consequently, Don has a matinee tomorrow and one on Friday, as well. Sigh. But tomorrow works out well because I’m having lunch with my best friend anyway.

Suddenly I only have four days left here! On Thanksgiving, we’re having dinner with the cast. That will be fun! And on Friday evening, my best friend and her family are coming to the show. And then, I’m up early on Saturday morning and a long day of travel lies ahead.

When I get sad about leaving Don, he reminds me that he’s coming home a week later.

Oh…right! That’s okay then.

They replaced the router in this apartment today and the WiFi is working again.

I will be glad to get back to my basic diet – I’ve gained weight during these trips to New Orleans and Chicago. Don is going have to adjust to meals at home. I know I’ll have to rein him in.

Oh boy.

Happy Wednesday.

Back at the Ranch

A Fond Farewell to Chicago

Catching Up

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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