Sparkly Things

We're on our second sparkly, light snowfall. The kind that makes diamonds in the sunlight, and something even more stunning in moonlight. It has been magical, and impossible to capture with a camera.

And yet I try. I almost got a good shot of the snowflakes perched on this leaf.

There are fewer berries left hanging this winter, though I don't know why.
The old sled is standing by the front door to greet any who stop by.


Another year has rolled by, another volleyball tournament in Chicago. The city lights at night and the sunrise from the 29th floor were spectacular.

All is calm, all is bright. Hope you are snug and warm and seeing beautiful things of your own.
My heart is lightened by the solstice's arrival, knowing that we get a minute of daylight back every other day or so starting tomorrow, the magical full moon eclipse and meteor shower, even though the snow will keep me from seeing them, and the spirit of the season. Peace to us all.

My kind of mini vacation

My Canadian friends came to visit. We took the train into Chicago to meet more friends from Indianapolis for a day filled with fun and adventure. And teenagers.
And a chalk chicken.
We rode trains, walked busy streets, rode water taxis, busses, and walked some more, all the way out into the lake on Navy Pier. That's short little me in the middle, a very good friend on the left and my skinny daughter on the right.

Millenium Park. Very scenic. Very touristy. Perfect.
We splashed in the fountains. It spit rain, but never got us as wet as we got ourselves.

We saw stained glass museums, and mosaic tiled walls so intricate they hurt your eyes. Pictures don't even begin to get it right.
We spent some time with the world's largest Tiffany dome. Brilliant. My favorite thing in the city, maybe.
There were rides, beer gardens, elephant ear vs. funnel cake experiments, cotton candy, and mostly good friends and good times.
It was a very, very good day. Too short, maybe. Everyone had fun, nobody got lost.

Chicago. My kind of town. A short train ride from the cornfields, user friendly, something for everyone, visually stunning, easy in, easy out. Expensive, maybe, but worth it.

A Room With A View

Chicago skyline twinkling at dusk and at night. I should have spent more time looking out the window, but I was busy being a mom at a volleyball tournament. So it goes.

The city had but a dusting of snow, compared to our foot or more in the suburbs. What a difference 40 miles makes.

It is good to be home, even if the view isn't quite as mesmerizing as the city lights. It's peaceful and quiet, just the way I like it.

Happy New Year.

My resolutions are simple: Sleep, exercise and laugh more. Drink less alcohol and stop falling down and hurting myself - these activities are not related, just coincidental. I also intend to read more, and begin to seriously organize and downsize the clutter and stuff that surrounds me. Easier said than done until the kiddies are grown, but I can begin.

Here's to beginning, again.

My Me Day

I took a me day and rode the train into Chicago.

It was cold and crisp, dark in the canyons of the skyscrapers,

but lovely, eye candy everywhere I looked.

I walked east, to the lakefront, where the sun was warm,
the sky blue, the city whitewashed in light.

I visited the Art Institute's new Modern Wing.

I took in a tour, a few seminars and a had few hours to wander.

And ponder.

So much of the art is born of deep love and deep loss.

Much of it mystified me until I read the artist's notes.

These are some of the things that moved me.

Visually, I enjoyed looking at them.

Intellectually, I loved learning what they represent and why.

I will tell you about this one, as best I can remember.

The wedding dress is a vessel, waiting to be filled with love, empty and unattainable to same sex couples. The wallpaper is shocking: calm colors and peaceful sleeping scene contrast the brutal image of a lynching. The kitty litter represents the medium to absorb the shit that is wrong in our society.

I was almost moved to tears three times.

I laughed out loud twice, not the artist's intention.

I stopped in my tracks and stared, more times than I can recount.

Mesmerized.

I saw Picasso, Klee, Matisse, Warhol and so much more.

And.

I saw the city from some new vantage points,

I think the city itself is art.

I took too many pictures, of course.

It was a good day to be me.

I feel more centered.

I have pretty pictures in my head

and on my blog.

I can go back any time I want to.

So can you, just click the Art Institute link.

Take some you time, explore the museum panoramas by clicking the rosettes, or click the upper right AIC icon to see more brain candy.

Enjoy.