Holidays

Time has flown as always and January is a time to catch up as I hunker down inside while outside winter has arrived in Chicago with some subzero temps and light snow. It is my first northern winter in 16 years and I certainly didn't miss these challenges. Fortunately there is no need to go out. In my new home, there’s food, fellowship, and exercise opportunities near. I've threatened to stay inside until spring. I did get a short reprieve from coats and socks as I accompanied my friend Ginny on her annual move to Florida for 4 months. It was strange to not go to my own place, but hearing about condo life, I didn’t regret my decision to sell. I was able to visit with friends, but had to miss many so hope to return in April. On my return, I had my first overnight visit with 13 month old Penelope while her parents celebrated dad, Brett’s, birthday by seeing Book of Mormon followed by a hotel for the night. It was their first time apart since her birth so there was lots of texting back and forth. Penelope adapted well to living here (or so it seemed to me). She makes herself at home and knows where the toys are stored and how to get off and on the elevator. She walked the corridors and met and charmed many residents. She kept up with her 3 cousins at Christmas, a kid oriented holiday with 4 under age 2 toddling around. Sister Margaret’s house was filled with 4 of her 5 kids, their spouses, and friends as well as with sister Gayle’s family of 6 from Madison, plus brother Jim and wife DeAnn and nephews Evan and Alva with his wife Andrea. Rock City had snow and ice unlike Chicago and some did venture out in it. I convinced Emily to host Thanksgiving in her new house and I would cook the turkey at my place. Most of our family in the area, in addition to Brett’s parents were able to come. My Florida dining room furniture worked well in the new location. I tried a new turkey recipe by Ida Garten that was amazing and delicious. Sister Gayle and her family spent the night and Friday we took part in the Chicago tradition of heading for State Street, that Great Street, to see the store windows in the former Marshall Field Store, as well at the decorations and huge tree in the store. Granddaughter Katherine stayed with me for the weekend and we kept busy with activities. On Sunday we celebrated Penelope’s first birthday with friends and families. Emily’s new “old” house was a “happening” place.

It was wonderful to attend many music presentations both here at the Admiral as well as other venues. I baked cookies for a caroling party as well as my traditional pumpkin bread for gifts. All in all it was one of the most enjoyable holiday seasons I’ve experienced in a while and again confirmed my decision to return to Chicago.

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.