Summertime

This July was dedicated to my "get a life" initiative, which involved taking advantage of cultural offerings in nearby New York City and traveling. I know, I travel enough - but this had to be travel that was not associated with ice hockey or music camp.

So, Joe and I went to Chicago. We visited the Chicago Art Institute, strolled through Grant Park, took an architectural boat tour and attended a Chicago Symphony Orchestra concert at Ravinia. We also enjoyed breakfast, our favorite meal and, apparently, a passion of Chicago residents. The city has done a wonderful job bringing art and nature into the street-scape. I could easily have spent a few days wandering through The Chicago Art Institute and the architecture tour made me more aware to my surroundings in Manhattan. The proportion of Chicago is very different from New York; everything was BIG. I returned home refreshed and enriched.

Consistent with my self-imposed initiative, Joe and I attended frequented theater. Finally, I, too, have seen "Wicked!" We saw "God of Carnage," "Billy Elliot" and "South Pacific." Tomorrow I am going to see "In the Heights." I particularly noticed the work of those who do not appear on stage; casting directors, the lighting designers, set designers and pit orchestra musicians. "Billy Elliot" was the standout. Casting "Billy Elliot" must have been a challenge. The actors had to look like miners and, at first glance, they definitely didn't appear to be capable of graceful movement. Wrong. The guy with the pot belly was the most coordinated of all.

Well, ice hockey season is gearing up again. Off I go to be a supportive ice hockey mom. I wouldn't have it any other way; I have the greatest life.