Post Thanksgiving

As I write this, it is a dreary, rainy, starting-to-get chilly Saturday afternoon. But since I don't mind these kind of days once in a while, I was in a good mood to clean out my laundry room, aka the catch-all room. Also, this being the 'breather' weekend, when you can catch your breath a bit before jumping into the Christmas season, it is a good time - and a good day - to regroup.

And what else to think about as we launch into the holidays is - shopping. About a month ago, I received an email from a friend with a simple message: let's try not to buy a lot of stuff this year, let's make this a useful gift-giving and receiving season and let's keep it local. We all read a lot about buying local - and I do try to support our local businesses as much as possible. Also the message in that email was that - everyone needs haircuts, why not get a certificate for a local barber or hair stylist? Cleaning service? So many things that people really need - rather than buying more 'stuff.'

Last week, for example, I needed a new watch band. I parked right in front of Linnea Jewelers on Ashland and inquired about a watch band for my watch. Denise Rose, the owner, is always on hand to help and advise. They had exactly what I wanted and my errand was finished in no time flat. Since I had a great parking spot, I walked into the new shop uptown, Alixandra. They happened to have a sale going on where if you bought two tee-shirts of a brand I particularly like, you could get one free. Great deal and easy access.

One of my friends gave me a $5 gift card for Fannie May as a congratulations on the birth of my baby granddaughter. I walked to Fannie May at the corner of La Grange Road and Burlington and picked out my $5 worth of candy - incidentally, what a fun gift to receive! Then I made a stop at Hallmark, just five doors west of Fannie May and picked out my November birthday cards.

I should also add that before the time change, my husband said, "Let's walk uptown for breakfast in the dark." (always the romantic, he is) - We walked up to Cafe Calbay on a rainy morning and had a superb breakfast. I am ashamed to admit it, but it is the first time I was ever there and I thoroughly loved it. The place is bright, a throwback to the old places that were always most comfortable to us. I also noticed how many people come in for a 'go cup' of coffee, as the Cafe is located directly across from the La Grange train station.

And I also stop frequently at Veni Vidi Val. Val has been in business for 20 years, 7 here in La Grange. Prior to her moving the shop to La Grange Rd., she was located on Michigan Avenue. Her selection of gift items, clothing, purses, scarves, trinkets and Thymes bath and beauty soaps and lotions is always changing. It's a perfect spot for a gift for a friend....or a gift for yourself.

All of this with no hassle of following someone to his or her car at Oakbrook Mall, hoping they are leaving so you can snare their spot; only a five or seven minute ride and easy access with the owners of the shops eager to serve you - let's keep it local this year!

Happy Days

I was standing in line at the post office about 10 days ago as I often am - I have to deposit postage checks for my customers and so must wait my turn. It was one of those glorious early fall days when you feel the chill but are happy because it is crisp and clear and the day is what they call '100%' sunshine with an almost unbearable blue sky and not a cloud in sight.

A pleasant-looking gentleman was standing in front of me and I can describe him only as 'tweedy.' He looked the type to be wearing a well-loved wool tweed jacket with patches on the sleeves, though I could not attest as to what he was wearing that day. He kind of smiled and looked at me.

"It's a very very nice day," he said.

I agreed, and went on to say that I am happy to feel the chill in the air, that I like cold weather.

"Ah, you must have cold weather genes," he said. I said in fact I was born and raised here and my folks were from Sheboygan, Wisconsin so my genes may in fact have something to do with my weather preference. I asked where he was from, as I detected a slight accent.

"Canada, but from the western side where we do not have extremes in weather - not like here where you fear for your life sometimes..but I suppose if you are dressed for it, it is okay."

We were now nearing the counter, and at his turn, he mailed a package. I couldn't wait to get up to my post office buddies and tell them my news:  that my baby granddaughter had been born two days earlier. I was practically brimming over with the news, that is probably why my tweedy friend began to speak to me.

I walked quickly to the counter, before my new friend had left. I burst out, "She arrived!  Charlotte Mae weighing 8 lbs 8 oz and beautiful!" as I whipped out my phone to show John and Eddie.

Charlotte Mae Owens one day old

Gran laur with Charlotte

Uncle Sammy with Charlotte Mae - only minutes after birth

Beautiful granddaughter and daughter Lizzie 9-22-2011

My Canadian friend was still there and looking at the photos as well. He then told me that he, too had just become a grandparent, that his daughter had delivered a baby boy just six days before. Like my daughter, his daughter had been at Hinsdale Hospital and he told me of the photographer that came around and took photos of the baby and that they were 'quite nice.'

We walked out together, me practically bouncing with each step, still talking about how excited we all are, how beautiful she is, how happy I am that everyone is healthy and so happy to welcome a new life into our family.

He stood at the top of the steps, and said, "I, too feel lucky."

Watching TV in 2011

Just a rhetorical question:  what is the fascination with these bloody, macabre TV shows? Plots involve people breaking the law, clearly, but with reason.

A couple of summers ago, both my stepsons came to visit. They are the same age and they both were raving about two shows we had never seen:  "Breaking Bad" and "Dexter."  When they told us the plots of each, we were wondering to ourselves, 'why would anyone want to watch something like that?' but we listened and it was hard to discredit their enthusiasm. Both are intelligent, well-spoken individuals, one a writer and marketing coordinator, the other in public relations for a major computer manufacturer.

"Breaking Bad" is a series about a high school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with lung cancer. After the diagnosis, his main concern is being able to provide for his family, a son who is in high school and his wife, expecting their second child. His knowledge of chemistry is genius and he runs into (literally) one of his former chemistry students who is dealing meth and making lots of money.

Walter, the main character, figures he could whip up some mean meth and does so with Jesse's (the former student) help. It turns out that it is killer meth, the best on the market. Their adventure begins.

Okay, based upon that, are you going to watch this show? We thought there was no way we would be able to sit through this, having tried to watch such things as "Old School", but we gave it a try. We didn't even know what 'breaking bad' meant! I think it is the modern-day way of saying going bad, falling off the deep end/

We totally love this show!

Which brings me to my question:  what is it about this show that keeps us watching?

The plot is great, a high school teacher becoming a meth cook. The characters have their flaws, we love them. The viewer is rooting for Walt and Jesse. They are hapless and get into situations that they never should have been able to get out of - but they somehow do get out. They are making about $7 million dollars a year - each. Jesse is a user, he has lots of ups and downs and Walter needs him as his assistant. There is conflict at every turn, including Walt's brother-in-law being a DEA agent.

Dexter - we have checked out season by season from the library. We are on season three. "Dexter" is aired on Showtime and we have only basic cable. But borrowing from the library costs nothing and you can put a hold on the entire season of a TV show.

Dexter is a serial killer with a code. He is very strict about his code and kills only people that desire to die. He is a vigilante, but a quiet one. He also works as the forensics expert specializing in blood at the Miami Police Department and his sister is a cop too! Again, great conflict, as we are wondering when someone is going to find him out. But the series goes on, he gets out of his tough spots and you are happy to still see Dexter on the screen.

And this show is bloody - somehow we got by this and I at least have no nightmares as a result of watching "Dexter." Also, when you watch a whole series with episodes back-to-back as we do, you know these characters and find yourselves talking about them during the day. "I wonder what Deb (sister) is going to do now?"

We like the writing, we are captivated by the characters, are we vigilantes at heart? Are we living vicariously through these characters?

Suffice to say, never in a million years would I have thought I would like these shows based upon the plot outlines. But not only do we like them....

Oh, gotta go - "Breaking Bad" is about to start - 9:00 p.m. on AMC.

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.