2008 Chicago Flower & Garden Show

At Navy Pier

We went to the show as part of the group from a local garden center. They had two coaches for 100 people. We left Hawthorne Gardens at 8:30 AM. It was a cold, rainy, gray Sunday.

The doors opened at 10:00 AM and this is the first garden in the door. Notice the fog in the corners of the fountain. The electronic fog emitters were very popular in many of the gardens.


This was the Autumn quadrant of a multi-season garden. I liked the grid by the shed and plan to make one against our fence.


This is the Summer quadrant. It was very lush and reminded me of Ann's garden in Hoboken. A lot of beds and just a maze of paths.


I liked this Sea Thrift and plan to plant an area by our water garden.

I liked the colors in the border and the low growth. This would fill in along the fence in the back.

This is a waste of space in my book. The Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago constructed this. The GeoGarden is to honor Buckminster Fuller. It is sod cut and elevated to hint of a geodesic structure. It looked sad on the second day, it should be all brown by the tenth day.

Bucky was many things, inventor, futurist, ecologist, designer, etc. He chaired the Department of Design at Southern Illinois University- Carbondale in the 1960's and 70's. I doubt this would have received a passing grade.

This was a high volume water fall that has no pond. It terminates in the gravel.

This planter was attractive. I wonder how they would look in real life. The plants are out of season and therefore forced for the show. It is strange to walk around looking at Spring, Summer and Autumn plants.

We were done at 3:15 PM and due at the bus. They handed out cheese, crackers and water as we boarded the bus. Once in the bus they served wines and beer. We arrived home at 4:45 PM.

Grandpa Has A Play Date

I got to sit for Cora Saturday. She was excited when I came in the door and instantly changed to disappointment. Cora was running to greet her Daddy and I wasn't him. But after several minutes she warmed up and started with the books and toys.

Cora likes to get really close for the camera. Training for Mr. DeMille I guess.


As you can see, she has scratched her little nose. Still, she is perfect.


Then she started getting really close. I think maybe she is 'Moth Girl" and is just drawn to the bright light.



I think she enjoys having burned out her retinas and trying to focus on the spots.

This is about as far away as she got from the camera.

Cora loves Elmo. She loves to carry him around and watch him tell stories and sing. And she was fascinated monitoring the action on the screen of the camera.

You'll have to play this one more than once, I bet. Cora gave me a series of two-eyed winks. Which she promptly quit when I picked up the camera. There is a single "wink" at the beginning of the video.

Julieanna explains why it is so hard to capture a video or photograph of Cora more than a few inches away.

Another First!

Here is Logan Elizabeth and her doting Dad and Mom. Logan is ready to celebrate her FIRST Birthday!



"Are you ready, Munchkin?"


Let me get this hat adjusted. It just doesn't feel right when someone puts a hat on you.


Now what do I do with this? Why are you all singing?


Now that the fire is gone, can I taste it? It sure is sticky.


What are you saying? You encouraged me to.

I am not a MESS! I was just eating and sharing with my puppy, Buckley. You don't love me.

Of course we love you! You're a mess in the very best way.

Let's move on to presents.

I SAW the card, Mom. It was okay.


This is way better! I really love the easy-tear paper. How did you know pink was MY color?
And the stuff is pretty good too.


I LOVE blocks. They are so good to chew. And I really like to fling them in every direction.

Happy Birthday!

It's the thirty something lady.

We've known Tricia since she was a young girl. We watched her grow up, marry our oldest son, and have two great kids. When these times arrive I realize why I am old.

I have kids who are pushing middle age with kids of their own approaching their teens. That is a milestone for all of us.

I think of Tricia as kid. That is just plain wrong-headed! Although she and Drew have the energy of kids, they are really adults in their own right.

So Tricia finally had time to work in another big day only one day late.

I'll Grant You ONE Wish

Another bonus day with Her Majesty. Daddy brought her over and entertains her while Grandma heats some soup and makes a grilled cheese for her baby.

Grandma got out a couple toys new to Logan. Showed her twice where the button was and Logan was in business granting wishes.

Being in business and doing business are not the same. Logan can be stingy with wishes. She will flash a big smile to win you over at her discretion.

Here Logan had a few minutes of Daddy's time before he left for work. I love watching these little love-fests.

Way Back When ...

We had a mid-Winter gathering of the "volleyball" group. We started many nearly 40 YEARS ago. Playing at the church, camping and gathering in good times and bad. Rejoicing in blessings and mourning at losses. Dear friends who have reared our children together and bragged about our grandchildren. And now our children are friends as well. They are responsible for planning this event.

February 8th we met at Shipshewana, Indiana at Splash Universe. The water park features a Lazy River shown here.


It was a balmy 85 inside while outside it was 20 and snow still lay on the ground out our window.


Our room was bright and pleasant. Very comfortable.


Also featured were twin water slides, baby pools, hot tub and a snack bar.

This is the 500 gallon tip bucket in action!

It Must Be Baby Wars!

Yes! We still had our regular Logan Day on Wednesday.

Logan shows off the bristle block ring to Grandma.

Grandpa showed her how to make it and it was very pretty.

A Bonus Logan Day

Kyle and Sarah needed some extra sitting help and we won. Well it was by default; but we looked at it as winning. So miss beautiful came in all smiles on Monday!


Logan's always happy to be with her folks. But she generally has a pretty smile for any of us.


Then it is time for a Daddy-Daughter communication session. That girl doesn't want for love.

Grandma is beaming of joy, getting an extra day of sitting with Logan.

Logan plays the ever popular busy keyboard and rocks to the music with Grandma. She loves to dance.

Mom and Dad go to see "Coraline". The old folk get to watch the wee one a spell. They warned us that she has had a couple of bad days. And they "forgot" their cell phone. We loaned them one of ours and said, "Go on and have fun. She'll be fine."

Grandpa gives a finger puppet show for the real Cora.
Cora was a doll. Not quite as perky as usual, but very pleasant and I enjoyed her company very much. We marvelled over someones idea of what animal these strange crocheted finger cots might be. (Someone seems not to have been in touch with reality). But it only matters that we could play together.


Cora played music on the activity seat and encouraged Grandma to dance while seated. Grandpa was kind enough to keep those fun sights just for family. Cora did like to see it and laughed with Grandma.


Then Cora had some quite time with books (Of course. Whose daughter is she?). She did like the classic "Pinocchio".

It's Logan Day!

Oh! I like to read Cheerios. What page was I on?


Yes, here it is. Mamamama mama ma.

That formula was just right, Grandma. It makes my tummy happy.

Let me see that jar, please. I'm not sure I like it.


"Is this spaghetti?" Or maybe, "This string tastes better that lunch."

Logan was really into moving furniture today. Whether it was stools at the kitchen counter or the sofa stool, she just had to move it. Heaven forbid it gets hung up on the carpet.

If Mom and Dad were thinking they would teach her to push the car and save some money!

Cora's a Toddler!

We still have ten inches of snow! It hasn't really snowed since about the 10th of January; but, the temperature has been below freezing. Well below ZERO a lot of the time. Love this Winter weather!

Geoff and Julieanna brought Cora to our house on Sunday. They were going out while we sat for her. She is getting to be a big girl these days.

Cora is a real toddler. She enjoyed walking around and around the hallway.

Cora and Grandma played finger puppets. You know the educational crocheted ones with pink dogs, etc. I can't identify more that two.

Are You Faster Than A Toddler?

Cora was teasing Grandma after lunch. And relishing it immensely. Grandma was too slow. You may note that Cora entertained both Grandma and Grandpa. She would beat Grandma and then check to see if Grandpa enjoyed catching it in pictures. Of course I didn't get a 'picture' and switched to video. Cora was puzzled that there was no flash when I used video.

Blue Man Group

Sally dragged me to the show. Thanks to Garmin it was easy driving. Got there an hour and a half before the show started. Parked in the LAST spot in the lot next to the Briar Street Theater. As we walked out they put up a sign "Additional Parking 1/2 Block North." We went in and picked up our tickets before going to find a place to eat dinner.

The theater had a good list of places to eat. Many have theater specials. Buy a glass of wine get one free, 15% off the entire bill, 20% off food, 10% off any day of the week, etc. We picked one we liked, not by offer. We went to Jack's on Halsted.

Interesting architecturally. I am always amazed the way places utilize old buildings and find them acceptable with second rate workmanship in fit and finish. Which is not to say that it didn't look nice and up scale. Prices were pretty middle of the pack. Sally had a cream of tomato soup, a whole wheat penne, chicken and portobello. I had steak and fries with spinach. We got out for $52.

The oddest thing about the place was that no table had salt or pepper on it. Not one in the whole place! So stop at McDonald's and pickup some packets before you go. We were done and out about a quarter 'til seven. And only five minutes North of the theater!

Our tickets were in Row K middle section. I would HIGHLY recommend Row K or L. It put us right at eye level with the performers and thirty feet away. The performers are very good at displaying emotions and feelings with their eyes. It is pretty loud but otherwise very enjoyable.

The best part was that Sally laughed a lot. It is chock full of subtle humor. At the end of the night I enjoyed it too.

They of course park Chicago style. You know when they park you like any parking lot; but then fill the aisle after you walk away. Why is it that the last one's in, the ones that block the whole lot, don't come straight back to the lot after the show? Being in the last space at the back I was able to squeeze by the putz in the aisle and go out the back alley. We were home a little after ten o'clock.

Oh Jiggers ...

Grandpa, save me from the 'NoNo'

As Cora tries to climb in my lap for protection from Grandma, who has just told her no no.

An excellent attempt to talk. She is a jabber jaws. And she CAN walk and talk at the same time!
It's great fun to sit for Cora. She interacts very well and picks up new actions easily. Maybe next time I'll teach her to drive.

Back To Christmas Day

I didn't take many pictures on Christmas. I spent more time just celebrating the company.



I think Tricia enjoys playing with the babies. Perhaps she realizes how very quickly they will be grown up .


It was a pleasure to just observe as Drew played with Alex's Nintendo DS. Alex is growing up!


A Handsome young man with a winning personality.


Ashley enjoyed her DS also. WOW! What a long way from PONG!


The much anticipated Turner Family arrived and made the day complete, as the whole family could be together.

Kyle and Sarah have a wonderful 'toy' in Logan. She is a charmer who shows that she is lavished with love.

The 'Matriarch' herself. You can tell by the look why I don't take more pictures. She is 'saying', "Why do you have to do that?"


Cora is very different than her cousin Logan; but every bit as loved and loving. She "talks" differently with much more tongue in her speech.