I know they are having a great summer living at Lake Michigan before everything starts again in the fall. Lucky for me we have a wedding at the end of September so that's probably the next time I'll get to see him.
So until then, after the drive back to Michigan, I got to go back to one of my favorite towns, Chicago. Nine years there and I miss it all the time. ALA was back in Chicago this year. The last time it -- and I -- was there, I heard then Senator and now President Obama speak, my favorite Mayor (and friend of my work, Old St. Pat's) Daley tell everyone how he supported the libraries (and thanked another friend of OSP--Mary Dempsey, then Commissioner of Libraries). I wasn't even working for libraries then but of course, always a user and supporter of libraries. Luckily, in Chicago, they were all over.
So I thought I would share some of my favorite things about ALA and Chicago.
OK...Chicago. Ravinia of course. The Ravinia Festival -- http://www.ravinia.org -- one of the best things that goes on all summer. I had wanted to see the B52s at Ravinia but the Newbery-Caldecott banquet was that night. So that is going to have to wait for another time. Some of the best times I've had have been sitting on the lawn, watching the CSO, Lyle Lovett, Indigo Girls, Mary Chapin Carpenter and James Taylor. So many good shows in the 90s and early part of the 2000s.
Um, baseball. Wrigley. Need I say more? www.thisdayinchicagocubshistory.com. Also the cash only HBA shop on Oak. All the diners owned by the Greek families, that remain open 24 hours. Anything open 24 hours. Brew and View at the Vic (John Travolta triple feature and watching scary movies with this sort of "mystery science theater 3000" bit going on when the audience participates). Sundays at Oz park. All the parks. Discovering new neighborhood bars--local places, good for a chat. All day graduate study sessions with DePaul friends. Concerts at Soldier Field...and turtle races, yes that is a thing. It's a really livable city.
This year ALA was there too. I enjoyed the hustle and bustle, and hopping from hotel to hotel for events. I discovered some new places I'd not been before (Untitled, a real live speakeasy thanks to my brother) as well as old favorites (Cafe Iberico for tapas and Francesca's on Taylor for Italian.) The Movers & Shakers event at the Firehouse. I met some wonderful authors, heard great speakers and sessions and got to bond with friends old and new.
Then back to Michigan. Some lovely days on the beach. The evening with the "couch on wheels" at my brother and sister-in-law's house. It was a fun night. I could have done with some better weather but had so much fun with my family, dance parties with Carson, mah jongg with mom and Kendra, 4th of July with the whole family, visit with my Godmother and some other nice relaxing nights with the doors open, falling asleep to the sound of waves.
Summer has gone by in nearly a blink. I was able to get a redo of the best place in my house (or technically out of the house), my porch, thanks to my aunt who can sew and my great taste in fabric.
I had a great night at the "last summer on earth" tour with Ben Folds Five, Guster and Barenaked Ladies at the Family Circle Cup on Daniel island. So much fun.
So it's August in SC. It's hot. It's humid and we're all scrambling to get stuff done while still pretending that we have summer left. Soon students come back to school and traffic picks up for my morning and evening commute.
But summer is not over yet and a few fun things ahead. And maybe some surprises. Until then...
