Memorial Day… Let’s remember what it’s really all about…

Traditionally Memorial Day has been synonymous with things like

Picnics

Being Poolside

Planting Flowers

And…

Memorial Day Sales…

All these things are fine.. in fact we live in such a great country that we almost take for granted that most people live this way.. when the reality is most people don’t.

It is on this day in particular that we need to stop and remember what this day should REALLY be about…

Those brave men and women that fight/fought for OUR freedom.

Here .. and abroad.

From World War II

The Korean and Vietnam Wars

To present day freedom fighters.

On this day…

We should leave all political ideologies on the roadside….and take time to remember that…

Freedom… isn’t Free!

Respect for those that stand up for what they belive in

even if it means dying for those beliefs

Let’s not forget there is someone out there keeping watch … with their life!

Keep them in your prayers.

Thank You to all those who currently serve.

Thank You to those who gave their life in service

RAIN… RAIN….RAIN….

It has been so dark and gloomy around here !

UGH !

Nothing but rain ..rain … rain.. the past few days…making everything so gray.

It wasn’t that long ago it was bright.. sunny and warm!

A couple of days ago...As I looked out the window … I thought Wow.. my eyes are really starting to go…. basically because I thought I saw a rock moving in the lawn!

Upon further inspection.. I saw that the rock was actually a turtle !

I mean what up?… first on our trip in North Carolina.. while on vacation .

Now again..( That one looked like a snapper to me..!)

I hadn’t seen a turtle in many many years.. and now two in less than a month…

What does it all mean?….

This guy wasn’t having any of me..

Every time I tried to hone in on him.. he would turn his head..or retreat inside completely.. Hmmm ... Come to think of it...I do believe it was a male.

I finally took and my shot.. and bid Mr hard body a fond farewell..

He looked up at me as if to say…” Really Lady?”

While in the back yard I decided to snap a photo of the sign Mr R had made for my dad’s grapevine.

It always makes me smile.

I have to say.. I really have been trying to take more photos….

Surprisingly it isn’t always easy to make time to do this…as much as I enjoy photography.. I just don’t MAKE the time to get out there and practice..

Maria and I have really enjoyed our classes so far..but if I am being totally honest..

Tuesday’s class quickly went from Basic Photography to advanced Trigonometry.. at least that’s how if felt to me..

Whenever I see numbers.. especially numbers with letters and in fractions.. I think MATH.. and that my friends.. is when the lights went out in Georgia.
Somewhere between my f stop and my aperture.. I blanked out..

I think Maria understood what was going on a little more than I did.. but I could still smell the fear..

We have decided to make weekend field trips to practice.

This weekend we plan on going to Ann Arbor.. There is ALWAYS something interesting if not wild and wacky to capture there .

For now...I think I will stick to EASY shots of good ol Joe Pesce.

At least…Until I really got the nuts and bolts of it all.

Have a Great..(DRY)...day! & don't forget...

Go out there and make some memories!!

Chicago… Day 1 1/2 & 2

I wanted to post a couple of other photos from day one..

It was late in the day.. but I think the pictures turned out kinda cool.

This sculpture is lovingly known as the bean…..The next morning was part II of our

“ Odyssey”

Early the next day we headed over to Navy Pier

Navy Pier is really such a great place.. and early in the morning.. it’s even more beautiful.

This dapper sea Capitan was busy readying his craft.

Such a nice guy…

We both agreed that he probably has one of the greatest jobs around.

Everyday he gets to dress up… Ride around on a beautiful ship.. and make people happy…

Perfect !!

The morning was crisp and clear.. and even slightly less…

Maria and I explored the pier and played with our cameras a bit.

We tried our best to incorporate a couple things from our (1) photography class.. * Shooting into the light.

Depth of Field.

Of course we HAD to take a ride on the Ferris Wheel…

What a GREAT .. GREAT DAY !!!

It wasn’t very long before the crowds started to flow in.

People watching..

I LOVE candid shots.

The time spent at the pier was awesome !

But we decided that before too much more time could pass..
We really should stop off at Harpo Studio’s

I never thought I would get the chance to stand there..

let alone with my daughter!

The main reason for being in Chicago was yet to take place!

It was all like a dream..A beautiful beautiful dream.

The time spent with Maria.. was just as fantastic as the Farewell Show itself..

Maybe more so..

So…. In the end..We made memories for sure..

Thank You Oprah

Thank You Chicago

Thank You Maria.

Thank You Mr R (For always cheering me on..& giving Maria this chance of a lifetime)

Thank You God… You bless me in so many ways !!!

Day 1 of......Chicago.. Chicago !!

You gotta love Chicago

I mean it's got that New York big city Feel..
without being quite so daunting..
Every time I visit..
I love it more and more.

We got in pretty late Sunday night..
and barely got a look at our room..

All I saw was that great big beautiful KING size bed..
It was love at first site!

In the morning ...
This was the view from our window on the street side.

Bloomingdale's!!

Too bad I'm not a shopper..
because this may have qualified as a sacred shoppers Pilgrimage.

The other window.
(The one you see Maria near)
Looked like something circa 1930's
Mob Land escape route..
Needless to say.. that curtain remained closed..


We were up and at it pretty early...
it helped that Chicago is an hour behind Detroit.

We decided to get to it.. and see all that we could see...

Being that our hotel was about 3 blocks from Michigan avenue..right near the center of it all..
we decided to hoofed it .. and take some pictures.This is what Bloomies looked like at street level.

( With only one Photography class under our belts we already felt like Ansel Adams
and Annie Leboiewz)

There was SO much to take in..

In spite the nippy weather.. there were tons of flowers planted in pots and flower beds..
all along Michigan Ave.

I'll admit.. it was rather chilly.. but with the sun out..
everything took on a beautiful glow..


We found out that Shedd Aquarium was pretty far to get to by walking ..
so we decided to hop into a cab and head over..

They don't call it the windy city for nothing..
Shedd Aquarium is right along the water... and the winds in that particular area were fierce !This place was awesome!!!!

We were there during the Jelly Fish exhibit!

Now....For some reason...
This statue reminded me of my son...

Once inside...
I tell you.. I felt like a little kid again..
going on a school field trip.

Everywhere we looked there were interesting things to see..


This guy has two sets of eyes..
two on top
and
two on the bottom !


Speaking of eyes..
Can you see something looking at you?

The bright color of this fish was unreal !!!

This one.... just looked so sad to me..

Maybe because he wasn't as flashy...

This little guy completely blended in to his surroundings..

So cool !

We took in a dolphin show while we were there...
and while it was fun...
I had more fun watching all the people around me... especially the family in front of us..
The daughter was mesmerized with the show..
and
Her rock candy.

Baby brother was just plain tired..

Maria and I agreed ...
The Jellyfish were by far our favorites..
So graceful..

So beautiful !!!
We probably could have stayed half the day there.. just watching these
beautiful creatures..
But..
We had to get a move on if we were going to get the most out of our City Pass Booklet.
( Which is really the way to go if you are planning to be hitting the museums)

Before we headed over to the Field Museum
we needed a little fortification..
Lucky for us
There was a Hot Dog Stand set up right in front with
REAL
Chicago dogs!!
NOTHING like them!!!!
We sat outside on a bench and enjoyed our delicious lunch

As a few friends drop by...



Others just DROPPED...
IF.... you know what I mean.

Here is a quick picture of Maria just outside the
Adler Planetarium..

We had to work fast .. for fear that the vicious winds would blow us into Lake Michigan
(Crazy Crazy windy there)

Our pass allowed us access to the Field Museum
This bag o bones was the first thing to greet us..
They call her SUE.

She is Very Impressive!

As were the American Indian totem poles..

This case held statues and masks..
I found it amusing that in this case along with average figures holding babies.. another holding what looks like a tablet..there is also a statue of a gentleman toting a knife...
sans pants..

Shall we say...
Hanging loose and free.
( I think the Chicago Times printed a modern day version of this not too long ago)
ANYWAY...


The thing that made me laugh was not the nakie man..
but the look on the large mask behind him.. and the other statue to the right of him
seemingly shielding his eyes from the view.

As you can see..
My brain is a sometimes scary place to be...

OK.. enough Dummy
On to the Mummy (s)
They had lots and lots and lots of mummies...

I hate to say it..
but somehow.... Mummies make me sad...
I mean.. these were once human beings who were alive !
They lived life and loved.. and now they were being peered at from behind glass...
Ugh...


This ...
however did cheered me up

This kid had no idea I took his picture..
he kept squirming on this rack to get comfortable..
Good Luck..

We could have stayed at these three spots the entire day.. and still not seen everything there is to see..
but
We wanted to make full use of City Pass booklet.. and headed over to the Willis Tower..
(Formerly known as the Sears Tower)
THIS....
Was UNREAL !!!
Maria was loving every Minute of it...Me....
Not so much..


But Hey.. I did it..

(Face your fears.. that's what they tell me...)


All can say is..
WE PACKED IT IN !!!
Major.

The day was coming to an end ... and all we had eaten was a waffle for breakfast
and the Chicago Dog combo.. at lunch
So we decided to head out in search of some grub and a place to rest our barking dogs.

I remembered a GREAT place Mr R and I had gone to on our last visit here..
but could not remember the name..
I only vaugely rememberd the location & proxcimity to the ( haunted) hotel we stayed at.
(Yes..... You can read that story HERE)

The doorman gave us instructions on how to navigate to that general area..
We decided (foolishly) to walk it..
Now.. while there was constantly something interesting to see Everywhere we looked there were reminders that we were hungry.If you are hungry..
Chicago is the place you want to be..
Just about very corner has some kind of culinary treat.
Each one was like a siren calling to us .. to come in..

But we held fast to our goal..
7 grueling blocks later..
we found it

Mecca..
Millers Pub!


It 's been there since the dawn of time..
and
from the looks of all the celebrities and sports figures who's pictures line the walls..
Others have thought the same as us.

Millers.. is the place to be.

At this point of our long day....

An Ice cold beer was definitely in order.What would a cold brew.. and a delicious meal
Maria /Fish & Chips
Me/ Chicken Pot Pie
be without splitting a heavenly slice of Tiramisu ?
We were exhausted... but happy..

Time to finally hail a cab... and head for the hotel.

What a day..
One that I will never ever forget..
and the best was yet to come!

Often throughout the day.... I would sit in wonder and amazement.
and think....
IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?

It was...
It did..
and.
I am so grateful for it all...


BUT THERE IS MORE !!!


To be continued....