Shiny Things

One would think vacation would be totally in the mumu l.s. column, but one would be wrong. We went to Illinois for my cousin's wedding, officiated by my husband and rife with aunts, uncles, siblings, and cousins. Three nights there, and then 4 nights in Chicago, in two different locations. O plans to move to Chicago someday and live in Marina City (on the right) so he can park his boat in the basement. Hashtag goals. We vacationed hard. And it was good. And exhausting. Highlights included drinks on the river patio of homestead #1 (a cushy hotel that we got on the cheap) with NYC cousins, seeing the Neo-Futurists Pride weekend special edition (with the kids), coffee and croissant on the river walk, an architecture cruise (believe the hype; this is an awesome thing to do), pizza lunch with my monkeys, snacky suppers in the cushy hotel watching cable together, a WHOLE DAY at the Museum of Science and Industry, a rainy morning on Lake Michigan, an afternoon at the Art Institute, a qui

"Green was the silence, wet was the light, the month of June trembled like a butterfly." ― Pablo Neruda , from " Sonnet XL ,"  100 Love Sonnets

Monday started very productively with many things crossed off the to-do list before 9 a.m. It settled into pretty good at-home time, featuring some writing that felt real and good, and ended with great food and fresh blackberry collins and talk and dancing with friends. Also, rain. Maybe my wooded lot (see below) could have a house like this? Photo from here . Tuesday was all finances all the time, trying to get a bunch of stuff organized that has not been organized for too long. Evening came and it was gorgeous and balmy, and I thought for sure I could don the mumu and enjoy wine on the deck, but by the time I got the girl home from soccer it was getting blustery, and by the time dinner was made it was raining steadily. I was sad to have missed the perfect summer evening. Wednesday was a continuation of the finances and two rounds of errands and other preparations for a trip to Chicago. Busy and stressful, but also a walk 1.2 miles home from the car doctors in the bright, mild morning

Friday - Saturday was a lot of music. Kids' ensembles at music camp in the afternoon Friday, Black Violin at Cain Park in the evening. Finale camp concert on Saturday. All lovely, and a great peek at Cleveland Heights life for my brother-in-law from St. Paul. We also had a picnic at home before we went to Cain Park. Waiting to be deviled. Saturday - Sunday I was really under the weather -- a cold? exhaustion? allergies? -- and i laid low as others went about their business. Revived a bit Sunday evening for Reception and some working time. Apparel: Denim mini, burgundy flower print athletic halter / skinny jeans and color blotch soft blouse Writing: A little Reading: A little ... Also began watching the film Inside Job, about the financial meltdown of '07-'08 (research). Dinner: The picnic was St. Angel cheese and apple sandwiches on baguette, deviled eggs, watermelon, Greek salad with orzo, and trifle. Soundtrack: On Friday Brandenburg #3  x2 -- once performed by Z's

Day 4 was puttering until the Coffee Break on The Current (my new obsession), erranding, then coffee shop writing. A lot of resistance to writing, but once I got there it was good. In the afternoon/evening, we had a family trip to the gym, to the pool, and then out for celebratory end-of-the-year fondue. Day 3 was a day of making lists and crossing things off, but not much writing or reading. Two nights of waking at 3 a.m. have taken their toll. Also, today was the day we gave in and turned on the a/c - not very mumu. The time has come for iced coffee and dry pink wines. I've been enjoying being with the kids before camp each morning, though, and talking with them in the afternoon. O is at music camp under protest, but each day he is liking it more. Z tried out for and got a rap part for the camp rendition of "My Shot" from Hamilton. I also enjoyed grocery shopping, because I have been so busy this spring I have done very little. It felt grounded and nurturing. And I enjo

Luxurious puttering, writing, the beginning of the City Fresh season (which means schlepping heavy boxes of vegetables in the blazing heat and talking to people about produce), drinks with friends, and a long, late kids baseball game played under the lights in gloriously cool night air. early growing season wonderfulness: garlic scapes! Oh, and during my morning putter, I got sucked into the Coffee Hour on The Current (KCMP 89.3 St. Paul -- a truly great radio station. Streaming here ). It's a daily themed listener-suggested block. The theme was songs with women's names -- I suggested "Jolene." They played it! Hashbrowns! Apparel: A little a-line skirt red rayon with a black and white Chinese lantern pattern, black wide-trim tank (for work time), gray t with silk screened (by Z) Susan B. Anthony quote. SANDALS! Writing: WIP -- progress on important new scene. There are 5 or 6 more (or 7 or 8?) scenes to write before this draft is technically done ... although I thin