Air Show

Last year was a first and today was a spectacular second. My cousin Bob and his wife Sallie invited us to their home in downtown Chicago to watch the Airshow.

They live on the 16th floor of their building which over looks Oak Beach, adjacent to North Beach.

The day started with heavy rain. We were sure it would be rained out;  there weren't a third of the boats on the lake or people on the beach. The.weather in its typical Midwest fashion changes on a dime. We left home in light rain, traveled downtown in rain and then it cleared.  As we drove down Michigan avenue it was hopping with the vibrancy of a big city.

To view the planes at such proximity and range comprises a visual treat. The planes really seem right there as if within reach. The dives, the acceleration the aerobics the precision combine for a memorable event. Along with Bob and Sallie we were joined by Robert and Laura, Mike and Marie, and Paul (who was in town for a short visit.)

Illinois is alright

Cobbler Season

Well you might be wondering where my blogs have gone. It has been an issue of lack of education. I have a new imac, a delicious machine, but some very simple tasks escape my learning curve as of yet. For instance, I took a phone photo of Sallie & Bob eating dinner with us on the deck last night but can't get the photo from my phone , into an email, on to my hard drive and into iphoto. Yes I'm mildly frustrated but i will re-learn working a MAC.


As to Bob & Sallie, delightful company. Rindy fixed a great meal, we chatted on politics, travel, religion, kids and grand kids. We gamed it up with Sallie destroying us in Dixit. Bob of course knew the latin definition of Dixit - Latin meaning " he himself said it". It is a phrase used for a statement which is unsupported by any other evidence than the fact that the person himself said it. - (which in candor I had not known) but is a great name for the game. We appreciated them making the drive out to the suburbs to hang with us for the evening.

I just had a thought and deduced where the image had downloaded. Now to move it where I want it. I am teachable.


Evan joined us for the game. His randomness adds a dimension to the experience and makes it fun. And he is always willing to carry the conversation. We are enjoying having him home for the summer.


As to cobbler - it was the first of the peach & blueberry cobblers that come with summer fruit. Nothing finer as a dessert.

Planes & People

Planes and people what a delightful combination. I had heard of the Chicago Air & Water Show before.


The Chicago Air and Water Show presented by the City of Chicago and Shell Oil Products U.S is the the largest FREE show of its kind in the United States. The show can be viewed along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach as the focal point.

Robert & Laura had attended last year and had captured the essence of the show on a DVD which I had watched at their home. All this still did not prepare me for how spectacular it would be to watch. Maybe it was the venue, maybe the ideal temperature, maybe the company, maybe the food, maybe the show itself, maybe all of it combined - but we had a grand time.

My cousin Bob & his wife Sallie graciously hosted us at their home where we had a 16th floor ring-side balcony view of the event. We were eye-high with many of the planes, were center stage at the Oak street Beach, could go to the 36th floor - roof top view, escape the heat and go inside; and eat and chat with Bob & Sallie, Bob's cousin Barbara, our gang plus a friend Gard, and Robert & Laura's brood.

The pictures really do not adequately tell the story. We had a great day in downtown Chicago.