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!