California Days

After a week’s return from the East coast, I flew to the West coast! The purpose of the trip was to assist daughter Emily on her first business trip with 10 month old Penelope. The four hour flights to and from went surprisingly well though she slept only about an hour. She adapted well to all the events of the trip with the slight exception of the rental car child’s seat! We were first in the “Silicon Valley” surrounded by Tech firms. Emily’s visits included Motorola, Apple, and Google. We stayed in the town of Sunnyside which had a delightful downtown area filled with a variety of shops and restaurants. Dining “al fresco” was a real treat coming from the cold Chicago area. We toured the impressive Stanford University Campus and Penelope and I enjoyed the large park near the hotel with the mountains in the background and a noontime soccer game by area workers. Friday night we were in Davis, west of San Francisco, home of UC Davis and my niece Anna and nephew Evan who have found it a great place to live. Anna’s walking tour of the campus and town were a testament to this. She served us a wonderful dinner outside in the backyard of her rental house. With good wine and conversation, the evening ended all too soon. The next morning we sampled the large Davis farmer’s market where I purchased some locally grown almonds before the drive back to the San Jose airport for the flight back to Chicago. (Note: The rental car center elevators have the same voice as the one here at The Admiral.) It was a real treat to spend time with my granddaughter and daughter away from our everyday lives. I hope we’ll have the opportunity again.

Finishes and Starts

My good intentions to complete my recent trip to the east coast somehow were lost in catching up with life back in Chicago. Now I am preparing to leave on another trip which came up rather suddenly. I'll be accompanying my daughter and granddaughter to California, caring for Penelope while Emily attends meetings in the Palo Alto area. Driving back to Illinois from the east, I enjoyed the beautiful reds and yellows particularly in Pennsylvania. It's the first fall colors I've seen in recent years. Coming into Chicago via the Skyway, Dan Ryan, and Lakeshore Drive was easy compared to my Sunday drive through Washington DC. I learned my lesson to look at a map instead of trusting the GPS entirely. It really wasn't a problem as I was able to reacquaint myself with the city I visited so often with Les in the 90's. The trip provided me with three of my favorite activities, dulcimer playing, bicycling, and sailing. The sailing aboard friends Don and Elizabeth's 38' foot sloop ADRIATICA was very special.(Elizabeth at the wheel pictured) The Chesapeake is a wonderful body of water to sail with great anchorages, one of which, Still Pond, where we overnight-ed. The second night we went into a dock at Woonton Marina and had a delicious dinner at the Harbor View restaurant with their friends Fred and Joyce. Both nights featured a rousing domino game, always great fun. Afterwards I was able to have wonderful visits with former neighbor Kathy, cousin Jim and his wife Jane and college classmate Cathy and her husband Bob. I am so fortunate to have these wonderful friends who welcome me into their homes (and boats) as my wanderings take me to their locations.

History Lessons

Today we rode from our Inn outside Rock Hall to Chesterton, founded over 300 years ago with many original buildings still in use. We took a self guided tour through the historic district which occluded buildings used by Washington College, the first college chartered in this country after revolution. Afternoon ride took us to eastern neck wildlife refuge established in 1962 part of the Atlantic flyway for bird migration. We also visited St. Pauls Episcopal Church over 300 years old whose grave yard includes the graveof Tullah Bankhead. The scene here is the waterfront view of our Inn

Sailing Day

Today we had a special treat, sailing on Chesapeake Bay aboard historic working Skipjack. Captain Ed harvests oysters Nov to April and does chattering the rest of year. We rode our bikes 10 miles to St. Michaels were we boarded. Our 5 hour trip to Rock Hall MD included much history of the area & oystering by our knowledgable captain. I also enjoyed watching how he handled the sails. Upon arrival we biked to a delightful B & B Inn at Huntington Creek where we will stay 2 nights.

Countryside

Today's bike ride took us out to farms near Easton. The roads were peaceful with small hills. We were most challenged by head winds. Our tour leaders fed us a delicious lunch under the trees of a family dairy farm and creamery. After lunch one of the owners gave us a history as well as explanation of the workings of the farm and the process of making artisan cheeses. It was quite fascinating to learn about the needs and care of the cows to create their natural products. Tonight a member of Easton's Historical Society gave us a tour of the original areas of the town. Their most famous resident was Frederick Douglas.

Oxford

Bicycled 18 of the 30 miles on today's tour. My right leg a problem all summer was acting up and I decided not to push it. Nevertheless it was a delightful day sunny and cool. Visited the town of Oxford over 300 years old was where we caught a ferry to continue riding to St. Michaels for lunch (rock fish) and docent led tour of Maritime Museum. Oxford known for it's fences with a small hole at the top of each picket, is having a fund raiser with artists doing a painting on 4 pickets as shown in the photo. We walked the small town checking them out before boarding the ferry. So much history in this area.

Bike ride

Today begins the bicycle phase of my fall adventure riding a rails to trails in Easton Maryland. It's a large transition from the week at John Campbell which ended with our ensemble performance of Danny Boy and an outstanding performance by our instructor. Tearful farewells and I headed for Raleigh NC stopping at Barbers Apple Orchard near Waynesviile suggested by roommate Claire. I bought honey crisp apples, apple butter, and an apple turnover which ended up being lunch. The drive to Raleigh was pleasant with signs of color change. I walked around town of Black Mountain which has 2 stores selling mountain dulcimers but couldn't find the stand I wanted. I arrived about 4:30 at my cousins house in Chapel Hill. It had been several years since we'd been together so we had lots of catching up. This morning after touring their spectacular garden I was on the road again. Sunday a. M. Is a good time to travel with light traffic. Still it was over 6 hours with only one stop. We are staying at the historic Tidewater Inn, a lovely hotel with a great crabcake. Tomorrow could be 30 miles. Hope I'm up for it.

Beautiful Day

It's been a beautiful day here in the mountains being with 7:45a m Morning Song today with David Brose a folklorist who led us in a "hootenanny with songs we all remembered & great imitation of Bob Dylan. Lots of laughter started our day. Worked on Modes on dulcimer class made simpler by our great teacher but still a bit complicated for my brain. Afternoon played songs & laughed a lot. Tonight will be attending gourmet dinner prepared by cooking class of which roommate Pam is a member. Photo is view of blacksmith shop which we can see from our room.

Practice practice

In addition to dulcimer class we have done walking tour of campus, visited local water color artist studio, school workshop for bead making, and shoe making and participated in weekly hoedown with contra,square & circle dancing.
In dulcimer we worked on adapting our choice of music to the dulcimer as well as practicing for Friday presentation. Whew!

John Campbell School

Today was the first day of class--7 hours of dulcimer! Learning lots, having fun meeting great people in beautiful mountain setting.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

A trip planned a year ago before scheduling my recent move will take me to the East Coast. This time my destination is the extreme southwest corner of North Carolina where I will attend a mountain dulcimer workshop at the John Campbell School of Folk Music. My instructor will be Janita Hall of Blue Lion instruments, from whom I took classes in 2011 at Western Carolina University. My Florida neighbor, a summer NC resident and part of my Florida dulcimer group will be coming and sharing a room. I look forward to the challenges of the class though wish I had more time to practice. The mountain setting should be delightful. Unfortunately when I took my VW, Ruby, for pre-trip servicing, a serious problem of corrosion was effecting the coolant and oil which had become mixed. Belts also needed replacement. At least hopefully Ruby will be up for the trip. From NC I will go on to the Eastern Shore of Maryland for Judy and my annual VBT bicycle adventure. In addition to riding, we are scheduled for a sail on a working skipjack. I’ve sailed the area on our PARTNERSHIP and also visited by car. Seeing an area by bicycle is always a new perspective. I’m also hoping to catch a sail on ADRIATICA with friends Elizabeth and Don as well as visiting other friends and family in the DC area. So hopefully in the coming week there will be more to write about than grandchildren and moving tales!! Below are a photo of my new home The Admiral at the Lake taken from the lakefront bike path and a view of the bike path near Oak Street Beach. On weekends the path and the beach are wall to wall people. It was delightfully empty on a Monday. I look forward to more rides.

New Home

I’m slowly but surely getting settled in my new apartment. With the large windows and open plan of the kitchen/living room, it seems quite spacious to me. The furniture fits but there is a problem with all my file boxes and plastic bins. I don’t want to take a photo till there is a bit more order. I’m looking at furniture type file cabinets or a possible credenza to go behind the desk. We haven’t been assigned our storage “cages” which hopefully will happen this week. That should at least allow me to remove some of the bankers boxes and totes which will help. The food is delicious and I enjoy sitting with different people and getting to know them. Almost every day someone new moves in. I’ve also taken advantage of the shuttle service to various stores and events such as the Dame Myra Hess concert at the Cultural Center which featured an outstanding young pianist. We celebrated son Michael’s birthday at a fancy city restaurant followed by dessert at Emily’s. It is wonderful to be a part of family occasions. Emily, Penelope and I shopped at Ikea Sunday (what a crazy place) and she made use of my wagon to bring home a storage unit for their new place. Michael had to work Monday so Karen and the 3 kids came for a visit and the featured BBQ lunch. Carl, age 12, announced he wanted to be old so he could live here. We took the short walk to the beach on Lake Michigan and they all enjoyed the water and sand on a beautiful day. Earlier in the day I had a great bicycle ride along the Lakefront path. It was crowded with walkers, joggers, roller bladders, strollers and other bicycles but somehow it all worked out and everyone was very courteous. I can get the path across the street from my building so it couldn’t be more convenient and it is much better than street riding!

Change

Change is in the air. Chicago nights are cool enough to add a blanket. A glance at the calendar shows fall will be here very soon. My time in my temporary 3rd floor apartment will end in a few days and a new chapter in my life will begin. I will be moving into a brand new one bedroom apartment about 2 miles away in a Senior residence, The Admiral at the Lake. Some construction is still taking place and about 35 units of the 200 are occupied. I’ll be considered a “pioneer”. Saturday a social was held on the 6th floor rooftop garden. I was so busy meeting people that I forgot to take photos. However I’ll be sure to include some views in my next post. Chicago’s annual Air and Water Show was part of the reason for the party though most people were enjoying the camaraderie of the beautiful location and day. I was able to see part of a stunning performance by the Navy’s Blue Angel team who at time looked as though they might fly right into the adjacent building. The neighborhood has been abuzz with their practice runs this week bringing memories of Stuart’s annual November airshow. The building upper floors have wonderful views of Lake Michigan. There are many activities that I had hoped to do during my time in this neighborhood. Fortunately I will be close by and still very convenient to public transportation. Even better I think some of my new neighbors are interested in joining me for those activities. I’m amazed at the wonderful choice of restaurants and shops in all the different surrounding areas. There’s little need to go out of the area. My dulcimer class finished with a performance by all the classes on stage at the school where I had heard a wonderful concert by The Henry Girls, an Irish group I saw last year at Milwaukee’s Irish Fest. They have wonderful harmonies and now are joined for part of the show by The Fox Hunt, a bluegrass band from West Virginia. It was a very entertaining evening. My own performance the following night was less than satisfying though my other 5 classmates and instructor hopefully covered my wrong notes. I really enjoyed the group and hopefully will be able to take another class in the future. I’m including a couple of photos of my empty apartment. It seems spacious for a one bedroom. The test will be if the furniture fits! Stay tuned! (Also the pool which will be used for water aerobics!)

PLAYING TOUR GUIDE

Last week I welcomed bicycle friend Judy to Chicago. It was the first time she saw more than OHare airport! I picked her up there which was a first for me in a long time. We sampled dinner at my future home, The Admiral, and then took the bus to join Emily, Brett and Penelope at the Wednesday Grant Park concert at the spectacular Pritzker Pavillion. It was amazing that we were able to meet up in the very crowded lawn audience. A beautiful night with a bright full moon, we toured the highlights of Millennium Park before catching the El train back to my temporary digs. Thursday we used the buses for a trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo. Judy has served as a “small mammal interpreter” at the National Zoo in Washington and I practically had to restrain her as she was ready to interpret the Zoo’s collection to the many day campers and stop them from banging on the glass enclosures. We had a delightful lunch at the historic Brauer café overlooking the south pond which has been added to the zoo property with a boardwalk along side. It is a wonderful skyline view frequently featured in photos. Our evening took place in Lincoln Square with a wonderful dinner at Bistro Campange followed by my dulcimer class which we exited early to attend a great performance by the Pine Leaf Boys, a Grammy winning group from LaFayette, LA. To our delight the floor was filled with dancers doing the Cajun two step. Watching them was such fun, but I knew from my visit to Cajun country with Roadtrek friend Judy (April 2011), that dance was not for my two left feet. A delicious gelato toped a fun day. Friday we had tickets for the Chicago Architectural Foundation Chicago River Boat Trip at 11 a.m. The El train delivered us in plenty of time. It was a beautiful day but would be hot on the top desk. Surprisingly the breeze and shade from bridges and towering buildings, made it quite tolerable. The Docent interpreter was wonderful. I’ve taken the ride 4 or 5 times over the years but each trip is different and I always learn new information about the city. One of the “first and probably only time” events was the photo Emily took of the boat from the 42nd floor apartment they are temporarily occupying at Marina City. After the ride Emily suggested we bring our lunch up to the apartment. The view was phenomenal. From there I led a walk to visit the public sculpture around the Loop sticking our noses into some of the historic office buildings and Chicago Public Library as well. We were programmed to reach the Harris Theatre at Millennium Park by 5:30 to queue up for entrance to a free concert by the Grant Park Symphony at 6:30. They moved the event inside as Lollapalooza was happening in the park with many music venues ( and many thousands of people). Sitting in the air conditioned theatre with great acoustics we thought we had the best venue and the performance was excellent. Last stop was Giordano’s for Chicago Style Pizza accompanied by a Chicago beer, Goose Island 312. Then it was back to the El and the apartment. I was amazed I could still climb to the 3rd floor when we arrived. Saturday morning we sampled nearby Andersonville, visiting a Mediterranean grocer and the Swedish Museum and partaking in the Scandinavian cooking at Ann Sathers. By 2:30 Judy was in her wedding finery joining her friends at a church not far from my apartment for the wedding of their son. She then went onto the reception and accommodations at a hotel near O’Hare. I went home and took a nap! (Photos by Judy)

Family Gatherings

In July 2 weekends have involved family activities, one of the benefits of being back in the Midwest. July 14, granddaughter Katherine and I drove to Madison Wisconsin to celebrate nephew Meko’s fifth birthday. Meko was born in Ethiopia and came to the USA only 2 years ago but is fully into Spiderman and other super heroes which was the theme chosen for his party. A pontoon boat served as our transportation through a canal separating the lakes, followed by a speedy ride across Lake Monona to a park where the party activities lead by 2 energetic park district employees gaving the 8 boys and girls craft activities and games. It was a hot day but no one complained and the creativity of the group was wonderful. The following weekend was the family gathering in the small town of Rock City, IL. Niece Jamie and her two boys ages 1 and 3, came from Hawaii, nephew Luke with his twin girls, age 16 months, from Denver, and niece Sarah with her 14 month old son, from New York, along with daughter Emily and baby Penelope, and sister Gayle with Meko and sister Aster which in addition to spouses and other family and friends made for an active crowd. The family women managed to talk late into the starlit night with tongues loosed by good wine. Another highlight of the week was the “soft” opening of the Admiral where I met a number of future residents as well as staff members. Several spoke to the feeling of community. Many are returning to the site, now a totally new facility, where they had previously lived in the original Admiral. They told of gatherings on this same patio to celebrate special occasions. I went away with the feeling of belonging to a very special group. The last weekend of July Emily and Brett made their move to the Marina City apartment where I stayed in February. They'll be there a couple of weeks until their house closes. My car came in handy for the move and I enjoyed "Poppy" time while they packed and hauled. Ginny and I saw a wonderful performance of Crowns at the Goodman Theatre. Centered around the African American traditions particularly the love of hats for Sunday church. I hadn't been in the Goodman since it relocated and was very impressed with the facility. Sunday was my turn to work with Poppy at her swim lessons. She enjoys the water but I had difficulty getting myself to duck her in the water. She looked so startled "how could you do that to me?" When we were in Madison, I helped Katherine with her swimming and she really took off swimming underwater. I hope to get her to swim lessons to learn how to handle herself in deep water. So where did July go? Only 3 weeks until my move to apartment on the corner second floor of the photo below!

July in Chicago

View from my third floor landing.  Owner has wonderful gardens despite the drought Garage is the building in rear and I have a space there for my car, Ruby.

Apartment building was built in 1914. This is the living room.

close up of original stained glass

The street where I live,

Penelope chilling out after her swim lessons.

As has been sung “it’s a hot time in the old town” but so far I am doing ok with my 2 window ac units and getting out in the morning for activities.  I am loving the tree lined streets in my temporary neighborhood with their wonderful shade lowering the temperature as I walk on errands or to public transportation.

Since I am in a third floor walkup, I also try to group my activities to minimize the climbs up and down.  I’ve taken a temporary membership in the Galt Life Center, a fantastic health club/rehab facility connected with Swedish American hospital.  It’s about 1 ½ miles but I usually opt for the bus.  The water exercise classes are frequent and varied and I’m enjoying the indoor pool much more than I thought I would.  It may be partly due to the design which allows me to look up through a window to see trees as well as people exercising on the indoor track.  The pool is primarily 4 feet in depth and classes are large with a mixture of ages, both men and women.  Water exercise was very important to me in Florida so I am happy to have found a good substitute.  Another Florida activity, Zumba Gold, is also offered at Galter and I am attending that once a week class, as well as Tai Chi Chuan.

The Old Town School of Folk Music is about a mile away and I do walk there for my Thursday night group lessons. The instructor gave me a couple of lessons last fall in her Warrenville Studio which helps but I still feel a bit at a disadvantage as the others have just finished another 8 week session with her and are more accustom to her strum techniques which are quite different than previous instructors and the way we played in my Florida Group.

I am enjoying my time with my granddaughters. Penelope 7 ½ months is rapidly developing with crawling and trying to pull herself into a standing position.  She’s in to everything she can get to and proving to be a challenge as her current home is preparing to be moved with boxes everywhere.  They will have a temporary move until their new home is available in August which is a repeat of my situation so I understand the difficulties of it magnified by jobs and baby.

Katherine, 4 ½, and I will venture forth to Madison Wi this weekend for nephew Meko’s fifth birthday.   The following weekend is a family gathering in Rock City (pop 300) for the Annual Rock City Days (see blog July 2009).  Not sure if we are in the parade this year.

Lots of events in the city and hope to add some of those to my life in the coming weeks.  I’m looking forward to playing tourist with bike friend Judy the first week of August.  So while I’m limiting my road time this summer, I am keeping on the go!

Views from my Penthouse

My new temporary dwelling is on the north side of Chicago in a 3 flat building on a tree lined street.  It is close to many public transportation options of which I hope to make good use.  My side street is Winemac which I learned today at a nearby Park of the same name was the Potowadami Chief who sold the area that became Chicago in 1939.

Katherine runs through the "Whale" at the Ty Warner interactive fountains (related to those Beanie Babies)

Admiring host Ginny's beautiful Gardens 

Attended concert for children at Cantigny.  Kids had great fun singing and dancing

Daughter Emily did a yeoman's job hauling my stuff to the third floor while I took charge of baby Poppy who was not happy to have mom out of sight and 4 1/2 year old Katherine who was spending the weekend with Grandma. Hopefully I can post some photos of some of our activities.  Googles changes to blogger are giving me problems.  Please let me know if you are having any problems accessing it.

Life in the north begins

Granddaughter and her friend enjoying summer time play in the grass using flashlights, bark and rubber bands

Car packed and ready for drive north.

After 2 1/2 days of driving the Interstate I arrived in Clarendon Hills at the home of my long time friend and generous hostess, Ginny.  I'd spent the last 16 days living in her Florida condo continuing to sort my belongings make more trips to thrift shops to donate.  Finally I crammed everything else in Ruby including the front seat and the bicycle Georgia on it's new rack in the back.  First night was in Macon about an 8 hour trip.  Second day lots of rain and heavy traffic to Seymour IN which thought would be 9 hours but turned into 11 hours.  I did spend some time redoing the bike rack after getting through Atlanta.

I was disappointed in how the moving company stacked my belongings in the storage unit I'm using for 3 months.  Son Michael and daughter in law Karen though did an excellent job of rearranging a tight area and creating some room for some of what I had brought in the car.  It also gave me a chance to enjoy my granddaughter Katherine.  I particularly loved how she and her friend were enjoying outdoor play creating imaginative projects.  I thought this is what summer should be.  Playing out on the soft grass.

Moving time

My "stuff" took up a small area in this very large truck seen delivering it to my storage unit.

Below a Great White Egret seems to be staring in my window "Where is she going?"

Transitional Time

Granddaughters Easter Greenfields of Geneva

Top Floor to be my summer residence

Using up ingredients makes for creative cooking

I spent 2 weeks in Illinois in April.  For the most part the weather was kind to me.  Part of my time was in Rockford assisting with preparing my brother's condo for selling.  It was a monumental task dealing with 30 years of accumulations but with lots of good helpers we were able to do the job, leaving the repainting and carpeting and minor repairs yet to be done.  I also started working on valuing his coin collection and on my return I hope to find some buyers.
Easter  was spent with daughter Emily and baby Penelope, son Michael, wife Karen, and daughter Katherine for brunch at a retirement facility in Geneva Illinois.  It was the first view for my family and my first view of the beautiful finishes.  I had selected an apartment more than a year before but since that time much has changed.  Primarily I discovered how much I enjoy the city of Chicago and all it offers, particularly the ease of getting around on public transportation.  In the end we all agreed I should pursue the idea of living in the city, if only in the short term.
I contacted another retirement facility Admiral at the Lake still under construction and am now considering that possibility which would be an August move in.   Meantime I had a buyer for my Florida condo which now seems like a certainty but leaves me homeless.  Fortunately Emily located a sublease in Chicago, Michael checked out a storage place near him for my worldly goods (more than I should have) and by late June I should have a place to lay my head albeit a climb to the third floor to get home!
So in addition to packing boxes, I'm trying to use up foodstuffs.  I really enjoy the creativity of cooking when I can take a few ingredients and make something.  I started this while living on the boat with limited ingredients and no convenient shopping.  Tonight I made a quiche using frozen spinach, thawed and drained, baby portobello mushrooms (on their last legs) fresh tomato slices, a remaining pie crust,shredded cheese (cheddar and mozzarella) 3 eggs, around a cup of half and half the remnants left from a winter neighbor,  a couple spoonfulls of Dijon mustard and some ground nutmeg mixed with the eggs.  Baked at 375 for 30 minutes, it was delicious.  Tonight I also made barley vegetable soup and recently Kahlua brownies, and cranberry upside down gingerbread with more "leftovers"  Unfortunately I think my larder will outlast my occupancy but I am taking up temporary quarters at a friend's nearby condo for a few weeks before heading north.  I am savoring every water exercise and zumba gold class here, but through the wonders of the internet looking for new activities in my new location.  More later when I'm back on the road.

FAMILY

Family Gathering 1958.  Philip is in middle row on far right.

My most recent trip back to Illinois was to enjoy my granddaughters, ages 3 months, and 4 years and assist in any way as daughter Emily returned to the workforce after maternity leave.  It was amazing how the baby had changed in the almost 2 months I’d been away.  She’s demanding when hungry, and very social with lots of smiles and chatter the rest of the time. My son’s four year old also had added many more large words to her sometimes grown up sounding vocabulary and mastered skills with her IPad!

Midway in my visit though came word of the death of my brother, age 63.  He was discovered by my other brother and one of my sisters.  By all appearances it had happened quickly, either a diabetic coma or a heart attack and occurring not long after he had optimistically bought a new TV and signed up for a new cable contract.

Journalist sister Gayle wrote a wonderful obituary, the link to which I’ve listed.  At tragic times such as this, family and friends are what get you through.  A small service held in my brother Jim’s home brought memories of happier times as we shared stories with those gathered.  Photos, including the one above provided by cousin Kathleen, added more stories.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rrstar/obituary.aspx?n=philip-worland&pid=156183410

In looking for words of comfort to use at the service I came across Khahil Gibran’s writing on death and used the following excerpt:

“For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and melt into the sun?

And what is it to cease breathing but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand see God unencumbered?

Only when we drink from the river of silence, shall you need to sing.

And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb

And when the earth shall claim you limbs, then shall you truly dance!”

May Philip be at peace with a soul that dances.

Sights of the Season

One of my top activities is attending Martin County Library System all day Book Mania featuring fascinating authors.  This year one my favorite mystery writers, Nevada Barr, whose protagonist is a female National Park ranger with the story set in various US National Parks, was part of a panel and after signing my books posed for a photo!

Stuart's waterfront music stage has a new cover and is the site of Sunday music groups.  Bring a chair and look out over the St. Lucie River enjoying the beautiful breezes.

Schooner Lily moors in downtown Stuart and has many admirers who are walking the waterfront.  Hopefully I will take ride before the season ends.

Back to Florida

After a wonderful family filled Christmas spent with both my granddaughters, Katerine age 4 years and Penelope, age 4 weeks, I left behind my accumulated wool clothes and as in previous years, co-piloted my friend Ginny in the drive south.  This year with unseasonably mild weather we took the shorter route through Chattanooga.  Arriving mid afternoon on the 31st, my 70th, we were treated to dinner at one neighbors and a party at anothers complete with a cake that featured a photo of me on a bike trip.

Me with the "Grands"

Katherine in her special Christmas dress enjoys the trampoline with Uncle Denni

Enzo who I visited in Ithaca in July is now quite the "little man"

My time in Chicago showed me again how convenient the city is as I commuted daily by bus to Emily's condo to assist (mostly holding) with baby Penelope.  The weather was unusually mild which also helped my enjoyment.  Step grandsons Carl and Josh and granddaughter Katherine joined me on their first day of Christmas vacation.  We did the traditional visit to what was Marshall Fields department store, site of my first job in Chicago in 1964! viewing the windows along State Street and the 2 story tall tree.  Under Macy's ownership, it was a disappointing display remembering all the handcrafted ornaments and special animated windows of the past.  Lunch was in the Frango Cafe on the store's 7th floor and everyone loved the traditional frango ice cream.  We rode the bus to Emily's where they met their new cousin also known as Poppy and each had a chance to hold her.
Christmas Eve I moved to Mike and Karen's to enjoy the family festivities through the Christmas morning Santa excitement.  Michael was on call and the boys would go to their Dad's in the afternoon, so Katherine and I set off fo the Worland family gathering at sister Margarets with an overnight and second day celebration to enjoy.  There were 4 babies under one year old, plus Katherine and her two Madison cousins.  It was a fun time particularly since brother in law Denni is so great about playing with the kids who were able to enjoy the trampoline in the great weather.  For me, it has been one of the best Christmases ever and brought home again the importance of being near family.