My sister-in-law, the Artist

My sister-in-law, Lois Eakin is an artist. She is in fact a professional artist, since she has sold some of her paintings. They are beautiful and I am not just saying that because we are related.

A few weeks ago we traveled to Mineral Point, Wisconsin to deliver some of her pieces to Longbranch Gallery for an art tour. Lois developed her website about a year ago and the owner of Longbranch saw her work and asked if she wanted to participate in the gallery tour. Of course, Lois said yes.

The four of us drove to Mineral Point on a Sunday afternoon. It is a nice drive if you take the backroads you can see a bit of the Wisconsin countryside. We hauled the guys' bikes up with us, as they were going to bike into Mineral Point from Gratiot, WI - about a 20 mile trip - while we drove on and delivered the paintings.

Mineral Point is an old mining community in the southwest part of Wisconsin. We stayed a few years ago at the Mineral Point B & B which has a wonderful restaurant and a brewery where they serve their own beers. And it is the only place you can get that beer. The terrain is hilly and there are still some old miners' cabins in the city. They have a great website where you will find lodging, things to do, places to eat and places to browse and shop: Here is the link: Mineral Point

Longbranch Gallery had sent out a postcard mailing to its customers that featured one of Lois' paintings. A woman from Hinsdale who had received the card called the gallery, stating that she was interested in purchasing some of Lois' work. The customer was in Mineral Point for that week and was going to drop by.

As Lois and I were having lunch at the brewpub, we talked about whether we thought we would ever make big money with our art - she painting, me writing. We both thought no, not big money but there is a lot of adventure in trying. Lois also said she had plenty of inventory now, and she could take her time with her next painting endeavors.

Well, the customer showed up and true to her word, she wanted some of the Eakin originals. She bought five on Sunday and then came back later in the week and bought another two for her sister's home.

So much for the inventory. Lois is back at the drawing table - er, painting easel.

http://www.loiseakin.com/

P.S. It turned out that the bike trail is not so good for bikes anymore: the ATV group has put down large-chunked gravel that makes it almost impossible to ride a bike or even walk. The guys called us from a tavern only about 5 miles from their drop-off point. But we discovered a lot of places to rent an ATV for a fall trip.

A Neighbor

The relationship you have with a neighbor is like no other. Outside of the neighborhood, you may never talk to the guy across the street or have coffee with the woman who just moved in. Your neighbor could be a teacher, a lawyer, a writer or a corporate honcho. Your neighbor may be an unsung hero.




I talk with Jim Zwit practically every day, because he is outside with his dog Polly as I am walking my dog Mitch. We talk about the Bears, the Sox, the dogs, the kids, graduation of children, grandkids, traveling, flowers and anything else that is in the local news. So, when I opened the Chicago Tribune on Sunday, I saw an article with a picture depicting the Viet Nam Wall with pencil etchings highlighting some names. There was also a young man in combat gear, smiling for the camera. I spied the name ‘Jim Zwit’ – unusual name, could this be my neighbor?



I turned the page and there was his photo: his story is a wonderful remembrance to his war buddies and also a wonderful Memorial Day story.



Through the years, he has tracked down his war buddies’ families to tell them what happened to their loved ones. There is one family that he was unable to contact: the family of William Ward. It is this story that is so poignant about the quest.



After I read the article, I brought the paper to Jim. He told me that he allowed the Tribune to interview him on one condition: that the article was not about him. He also told me that throughout the day on Sunday, May 30, the day the story appeared, he received numerous phone calls from strangers, applauding his efforts. One call in particular stood out: a 90-year old war veteran called Jim to tell him that he had tried for years to find the families of his war buddies. Both men had tears in their eyes and voices as they spoke.



You can read the article by Mary Schmich and also listen to the video interview of Jim. You may have to copy them into your browser, but it is well worth the visit.

Here are the links:



articles.chicagotribune.com/.../ct-met-schmich-0529-20110529_1_memorial-day-soldiers-elusive-memories



http://www.chicagotribune.com/videobeta/c4d446f6-c566-498c-a61f-57e231be26ee/News/Vietnam-vet-I-ve-looked-for-your-family-for-35-years-

The Constant Cardinal

Living in the Midwest, we all applaud the burst of spring with the flowers, the scents, the warmth and sun. We love it.

Lovely lilac bush at my driveway - more than 50 years old!

With the beginning of spring, there is also the chattering of the birds early in the morning. The expression ‘up with the birds’ comes to my mind every morning as I hear our feathered friends greeting one another at 4:30 a.m. They sound like they are in our bedroom, when in fact they are in a cluster of trees in the yard. It sounds like there are a thousand birds. Every morning, I wake up at the first ‘peep’ and then drift back to sleep, to be awakened by the twittering of many birds and their friends. In the mix, I can hear the shrill trill of the cardinal – seemingly to be king of the hill or tree.



Somewhere around 5:30 a.m., the group moves a couple of blocks away, still audible but subdued a bit. Once again, I close my eyes and sleep another hour.



The Cardinal, our constant friend, stays here all day. He is high up in the tree or on the phone wire, trilling the entire day. I had heard it is their mating call, the males calling out for a female to please come and rescue him from his perch. And by now, the 11th of May, I think he needs to chart some new territory – she does not appear to be coming to this neck of the woods. May I could import a nice girl cardinal for him.

Village Church Craft Fair

The Village Church of La Grange Park is sekking crafters for the craft fair to be held June 11, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  It is $25 for a 12 x 12 outdoor space.

For an application, please leave information at 708-354-0900.

Election April 5, 2011

This year in La Grange Park, there was something new:  a political party was formed as a result of some candidates not being endorsed by the La Grange Park Caucus. The Caucus has been in existence in our village for over 70 years and has provided an equal voice to residents throughout the village. There have been times that a candidate was not endorsed by the Caucus and decided to run as an independent. This is not the same as a party-backed candidate.

I have the utmost admiration for the residents in La Grange Park who put forth their individual efforts and funds to send informational mailers to all registered voters in the village. Their letters and newsletters gave an unbiased view of the differences between a Village Caucus and a Political Party and also outlined in detail what the mission is for La Grange Park and how some of the opinions put forth by the political candidates did not match the mission for our town.

There are 8,000+ registered voters in La Grange Park. In a local election, your voice is truly heard: every single vote counts. Scott Mesick at 1416, Patty Rocco at 1406, Susan Storcel at 1405, Tim Hayes at 1394 and Jason Vitell at 1226, it was a well-run and important - and close - ! election. On a local level, it is democracy at its best - we each have a voice - we need to use it!

What Time is It?

Daylight Savings Time. Again. One less hour of sleep. Is it just me or does it bother everyone? Try as I might, I feel like I have jet lag all week without the vacation or flying part. Yes, I know - it means summer is on the way, which is a good thing.  We will be out on our bikes, no jackets, no boots (thanks goodness - this had to be the winter of worn-out boots), enjoying the sunshine - it's just this week that kills me.

Even though presumably it is only one night that we lose an hour, my biorhythm, my cicadian cycle, whatever you want to call it is out of whack. I try to fool my body and my mind by sleeping in an extra hour on the Monday after the time change. It doesn't really help. All I had to show for that was really puffy eyes and a general grogginess that lasts all day long. Plus this morning I was wide awake at 4:00 a.m. old time, 5:00 new time.

My husband tells me there is no such thing as new time and old time - I beg to differ.

There is no answer but to wait out the week. By next weekend, especially if we get some spring weather, all should be restored to the good old summer - time. Then when we go back to Standard Time, yes, we have that extra hour......

Hablamos espanol

One of my neighbors told me about a class he is attending in intermediate Spanish.  It is an interesting group of people, all ages, both men and women.  They are looking for a few more folks to add to the group.  This is a great time to take on a new challenge.

Spanish language students needed for an adult class.

We are six people, intermediate level, seeking to improve our Spanish skills.

We need others to join in order to round out the class; four more ideally.

We meet 9:00 to 11:30 Wednesday at the instructor’s home in Clarendon Hills. Both Spanish conversation and grammar are included.

For more information, contact her via email at carolleehanley1@hotmail.com

Come alone or join with a friend.