rajafacesbothways

Chicago Day 2

My car trunk is filling up with Chicago specialities and still need to make room for Karen's 30 photos for the exhibit. No more hoarding goodies--now time to focus on Kathryn's party tomorrow for 60 people.

We've received proofs of the invites for the exhibit (www.carnegie center.org) along with a proof of the large banner that will be hung outside the building. Unexpected! Going to be tough to wing it....

Racing With the Rain

Encountered dark sky, hail and rain through Kentucky then beat the storms the rest of the trip to Chicago. Throughout Indiana all rivers were swollen and fields covered with water. The economy must be picking up--encountered many trucks on the highways, unlike a couple of years ago.

Karen had tickets to Orchestra Hall for a performance by the Chicago Symphony that included the incredible Hubbard Street Dancers, an unexpected bonus. Musicians need their eyes, ears and fingers--the dancers are more remarkable--their art requires many more body parts. Ouch!

Road Trip

Having completed all the immediate necessary tasks for the exhibit--scanning, selecting, printing, framing, statements, photos identified and invite lists-- I'm preparing to head to Chicago for a CSO concert, to participate in Kathryn''s celebration of being cancer free, and collect Karen's photos. I will also be  delivering powered substances (Weisenberger pizza mix) and replacing it with a summer stash of booze--(Binney's beer and Three Buck Chuck) for summer rooftop gatherings.

I leave Wednesday, return on Tuesday, May 3, for training for the May Primary--in time to swear that I have not participated in a duel since the last swearing in of Precinct Officers. Seems anything else is permissible.

New Kids on Block

New stores have opened on Main Street:

A children's clothing shop is now across from me, filled with delightful designs for wee ones--but not delightful enough to make me wish I still had wee children or grandchildren.

And a sporting goods store for "Stallions" is a few doors down from me. Again, not enticing enough to have a young "Stallion" prancing around my loft.

An unexpected venture from a couple from Alaska. A "Healthy Habits and More" which offers an oxygen bar, health foods, massages and aromatherapy, across from Galvins. I guess if you are from Alaska, Georgetown looks like cutting edge. Actually, there is a lot of "body toning" to be accomplished here.

Not to go unnoticed, Favas has set out two flower pots to decorate for spring:
I wish them all well. But if I was going to invest in any, it would be Favas. I'd still put my money on what sells in this town---frickles, fries and homemade pies.

 

Air and Airways

Look! Up in the air!  A legion of chimney swifts have arrived--more than I have ever seen here, diving and tweeting and enjoying life. Also the first bat whisked past--and not from my building. Finally a night warm enough to enjoy the show from my porch.

I rarely watch anything except PBS but checked the weather on TV to see what awaits us. Tucked between the news and weather were a plethora of ads for adults who have joint pain, stomach pain, various dysfunctional body parts, suffer from dry eyes and leaky groins, are over-weight (since their only moving parts are their restless legs) and men who achieve an erection only when they are alone in a bath tub with a naked (?) woman in an adjoining tub.

How I long for the days when commercials were for refrigerators, racy cars and soap bubbles. As for now, I'm strictly for the birds.

They Have Returned!

Although my loft space still feels like a frozen food locker, we've had a few more 70ish days--enough to bring back the chimney swifts. Guess it's a good example of the level of excitement here but I was thrilled just a couple of hours ago to see them tweeting, darting and showing off like teenage boys in heat. It's kinda an indicator of surviving another winter and the promise of 6 months of arial show time.

Saw an excellent exhibition at UKY Art Museum, Passport to Japan, that included tradiional Japanese dance (Tanko Bushi and Tokyo Ondo) and exquisite  hand embroidery needlework on various silk. No computer skills required--all tiny needles and beautiful designs.

An Even Playing Field

Bird(s) 'n Brain

The last 9 photos of Highway 20 are matted and frames await them. And yesterday I faced the challenge of learning exel and executing it for the invitational mailing list requested by the New Albany Carnegie Center. B-o-r-i-n-g. But finished and hopefully I'll never have to do that again.

Had I died in my thirties I may have been considered borderline brilliant. Computers were as large as my bedroom, off limits and required nothing of me. My left brain was used only to keep my right brain in place but now, old and moldy, it's pushed into action by technology.

Not knocking technology tho. By now you all must be aware of the Decorah Eagles--if not Google it for a wonderful experience with nature.

It's a Start--

Finally 70 degree weather and I couldn't stand it any longer. Went out and got a few plants for the porch.

And once more a fresh "throwing caution to the wind" is blowing in the wind.

Heaps and Piles

When I haven't been shaping up Bob the Bookman's scattered heaps of books and clippings I've been selecting, getting prints and framing photos for the Carnegie exhibit and providing required info for that Center. As Bob's office, which was a disaster, gets shaped up I'm creating my own mess here. My loft is filling up with framed photos returned from the Capital Cellars exhibit and photos for 20/20 Vision.

If I don't become a famous photographer soon I'll need to either quit or rent a warehouse.