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!