Luckiness

We've been lucky to have been visited by a number of lovely folks in the last month.

First Auntie M and Uncle David took a short trip to Chicago and treated us to dinner at the Honky Tonk BBQ.

 
And then the Millards--Casey, Tom, Ben, and Hap--all came to stay for a long weekend.

 

We hung out.  They played a show with Dan at Transistor.  And then we threw a big party for all of their friends (and ours. . . :) ) on Saturday--replete with shrimp boil, watermelon, salads, scape dip and so on.

Ben took this last picture.  Rock Photographer Millard credit.

We're unbelievably lucky to have such good people in our lives--both local and far away. . . and it's nice when the faraway ones stop in.

Walk on the Beach

On the yearly family vacation at the Outer Banks. We usually stay in the quiet still of the Southern end of Hatteras Island, but Hurricane Irene damaged all of the routes in in ways that we hope aren't permanent or crippling.

So, this year, we headed north to Duck. Duck is not our kind of town--more expensive, while being really packed in tightly. None of us quite understand why it's considered so fancy except for the exorbitant pricing. Yesterday, I saw a 4 oz. bag of pistachios for $8.99. One red pepper at the big grocery store? $2.99. Silly.

But it's still the Outer Banks. It's still the Atlantic. It's still fresh seafood and time with the family. So, we're gritting our teeth and having a lovely time.

The first day was overcast and a little drizzly, but if it's not outright pouring, there's no excuse to stay inside during vacation. So, Ma, Pa, and I headed out to the beach for a long walk to the pier.


Pelicans are out in full force travelling south in big groups. A big Noreaster was blowing on our first full day and the pelicans were mostly gliding.

Even the dunes want to extract a price from you in Duck. He he he.
Seriously, though, unexploded ordinance? Terrifying. We stayed on the beach. I'm hoping, though, that this is the length to which wildlife folks are now going to protect birds' and turtles' nests--scary signs to keep you out of breeding grounds.

The Core of Army Engineers builds piers that look an awful lot more stable than the piers on the rest of the island. So straight and solid.

Lots of cool stuff blown up on the beach by successive storms. . .

Chicago Tourist

Dan's mom is in town this weekend. I love having people visit, because it reminds us to be tourists in Oak Park and Chicago. And since the last two days have been gorgeous--mid-70's and blue skies as far as the eye can see--it's been an extra delight.

Dan took Mom to see Frank Lloyd Wright homes yesterday. Today, we took the train in to the city to see the Millennium Park and the Art Institute--and took an impromptu side trip to the Cultural Center along the way.


the world's largest Tiffany dome. . . in my town!



That's Susan and me a little right of center, reflected in the Bean. I have on a red top with my hand up in the air.


This was Susan's favorite building, the pointy roof on the right. There's a wide porch at the top of the building covered by striped fabric awnings that were rippling in the breeze off the lake. Susan and I have decided to purchase the penthouse, and then you can come and visit next summer!




Noon time concert in the park. The band was half-surf rock band and half klezmer band.



Lurie Garden in all of its summer glory.



This building on the northside of the train on the way home. Abandoned industrial building covered in festive graffiti that almost made it look like something was happening there. An urban circus?

The Very Brilliant Hollie Chastain

I had a great Christmas--wonderful time with family, nice to be out of town, and I received more than my fair share of amazing gifts. But one of my very favorite-est gifts has to be Hollie Chastain's print, "Something We Shouldn't Be Doing."

My sister gave it to me. . . and unlike most of the art I buy or am given that languishes in a pile for a year before I get it into a frame and hung on a wall, this one was framed right away--beneath a gorgeous deep grayish brown mat. I swear it glows. It makes you stop and think about years ago. It makes you dig deep down into your memory and dig up warm and nostalgic impulses. It's a joy to have in my home.

Check out the very brilliant Hollie Chastain's work in her etsy shop, and treat yourself to one of her prints. You'll be thrilled that you did.

More Cincinnati

Carriage House Farms LLC

The "vineyard." Clearly there's a lot more growing these little grape vines need to do, but they're on their way. And for now, they make a pretty walkway down the center of the "truck garden".

Maybe the family farm shouldn't be on this list because not everyone can visit it. But it's a draw for me and it's an appealing reality of Cincinnati and lots of smaller cities--in that there's nature and farmland nearby. Cincinnati is an incredibly green town--in the traditional sense, meaning tons of trees and green expanses. And then right outside are these beautiful gems: family owned farms, wildlife preserves, huge public parks within a 10-20 minute drive from home, instead of an hour.

There are city folks who faint at the sight of mud or bugs or views unobstructed by tall buildings and cab stands. But for those city folks like me who like a mix of rural and urban, maybe the smaller city makes more sense? We'll see. . .

good news 5

now i know the good news here at the start has been small and maybe a little too personal (except for that dog who has a best friend, of course. he's a total stranger to me). . . but just one more:

i'm an aunt.