Hoosier buddy

racing on an elevated track at the Indy 500


It was kola's turn to hit the road with "mamma." And luckily, our trip was wide open all the way to Indy. I thought I made record time in just under three hours, until our visit to the speedway where I learned time trials exceed 230 MPH. The good news there was that Kola and I were able to do a little shopping.

my mother's day present, 2025


Our real reason for the trip to Indy was so see former neighbors and still friends Laura, Pat, Colin, Brendan and Caroline. It was terrific to see them again, and pick up where we left off.

kola, are you having fun yet?


A special treat


big dipper


little dipper


The time whizzed by - I loved catching up with everyone and extra time out with Laura, for cocktails or coffee. Other highlights were kola finding his feminine side playing dress-up, my time swimming and diving with Brendan, tracking Colin's progress during baseball tryouts, watching Caroline's soccer game, and a dinner party with Laura and Pat's friends. It's always such a joy to spend time with their family and we look forward to going back soon. As we drove away, Kola fought back the tears and said, "mamma, I feel sad. I'll miss Caroline." So today we wrote a letter: "Hi Caroline. Thank you. Happy Valentines Day. Love, Kola."

schooooooool!


first day, first glimpse of his teacher


On his first day of school, Ethan woke up at 6:15 ready to seize the day. He's been increasingly excited about the start of school, looking up his teacher in the yearbook, studying his class list (he knows about 8 of the 22 kids), and savoring every nugget of info. I solicit from other families about his teacher and 1st grade. Although Kola continues his campaign to petition his way out of preschool and into grade school, he was equally as excited on Ethan's first day. Upon pick-up, Kola wore his John Deere hat and carried one for Ethan to wear home, too. He missed his buddy, and had his face smashed up against the school door, eager to see his brother.

Ethan was a font of details after his first and second days, uncharacteristically chatty about things like: the "no nut" table in the cafeteria, that he could choose from "cow milk or chocolate milk," that his teacher is the 2nd tallest in his school, that Zane had trouble opening his supply kit, describing his classroom which features stairs and a pit (if it had a ramp, he surmised, the kids would walk into class too fast), that his desk can open and close...I'm very excited to share in his new discoveries and contagious enthusiasm. A few parents on the playground noticed Ethan's bleached hair from our summer beaching and his growth spurt - it should be worth a few laughs to try on pants soon, since he hasn't worn any since May. Good thing capris are still in!

Kola starts at his school in earnest next week, and is definitely ready to be an upper classman. Shortly into his one-hour open house Wednesday a.m., he made his case for needing to be bumped up to Ethan's school, but seeing old friends and his teacher from last year reminded him of how much he likes his home away from home. The teacher had Kola showing a couple three-year-olds the ropes including the bathroom, meeting room, and reading loft, and he eagerly stepped into his new role as a leader. We're off to the races with soccer and gymnastics, art and french to follow soon. Thanks for checking in! xo bb

Life on parade

Ready to step off


Da mayor with his future CTA Director


Wouldn't you know it, the CTA saved Ethan from the long walk...


In late winter at a UIC department dinner and silent auction, one of Sig's co-worker's wives and I decided it would be a good idea to bid on 6 spots in a parade of our choice as guests of NBC channel 5. I'm glad it worked out for the Bud Billiken parade on the south side on 8/8. We found fantastic spirit and hospitality in the people we met, and were lucky to shake hands with Mayor Daley, Ron Huberman, Pat Quinn, and a few other notables who walked and floated with us near the front of the parade.

Ethan and Kola got the waving down pretty quickly, and when we started to space out as we soaked in the crowd, the smiles and waves the spectators delivered pulled us back in the groove. Although we stepped off with NBC5 and the Chicago Public Schools float, the boys were like moths to the flame when they saw the CTA mini bus riding behind us all. After about 5 blocks, the CTA group encouraged the boys to hop on and were more than happy to share their stash of snickers, grapes, and iced tea. (The first time we were encouraged to eat on a CTA bus!!) We marched from 40th to 55th along Martin Luther King Drive and as I was warmed by the crowd and welcomed by the other entrants, I thought about how different a march this could have been when I was Kola's age (1967.) It's hard for me to believe I was only two years older than Ethan when we moved from the south side.

We stayed to watch more of the parade and were treated to spectacular performances from the Jessie White tumblers, drum corps, dance teams and more. We capped it off with a zoom up to Millennium Park to reunite with friends Nancy and Rick from St. Paul, MN. We perpetuated our awe of the city with our walk through the park and lakeshore, serenaded by sound bleeds from Lollapalooza. Of note - a hot dog and a pop at the Bud Billiken parade: $1.50; a hot dog and a pop at the stand across from the north exit of Lolla: $6 (and I'll bet the hot dog at BB would be way tastier!)

I celebrated my birthday at Lollapalooza, for the fourth time ('91, '92, '08, '09.) Checking my stub from '91, the one-day admission was $27.50 with $2.50 in service charges. 18 years later, $80. But well worth the cost of admission every time. I'll spare you the review of the bands, but am happy to report I've found a few new favorites and rekindled my appreciation for my oldest favorite.

Kaiser Chiefs under glass


Our band of merry travellers


Our congested commute from one stage to the next (well, it IS chicago...)


Perry - ringleader of Jane's Addiction and Lollapalooza, backed by the infamous Dave Navarro


Searing 95+ degree heat did not seem to agitate the crowd, and every few minutes during concerts, I'd get slapped by a cold burst of water from someone swinging their water bottle over their head. The first time it happened, it felt like a burn and my heart skipped a few beats. By the time I left, the back of my clothes were soaking wet. It all went too fast and we saw a lot of great talent. I was glad to have good friends with me who proudly broadcast my b-day, got me a Jane's shirt (we earned it, dodging the mosh pit and holding our ground in the 10th "row.") I found a few "old" friends there by texting, and met a few new people, too. I believe a very good time was had by all, and with great people and band watching, it was an entertaining and enriching view of life on parade. Come to find out the next day, St. Paul friends Nancy and Rick were watching us from the 95th floor of the Hancock over chilled martinis. Got me to pause at the the good fortune I've had to witness such a panorama of Chicago views in my 46 years here. xo bb

Just press >play

Breakfast guest


Take a bow


On the first day, we lost count at 147 (number of times Kola used the words jet ski)


Our guide and cap'n


Lap 2


Not wet...yet


Cracking the whip


All in


Thanking our lucky stars (about :45 minutes early)


We're fresh from one of our favorite annual summer traditions - a visit to Lori/Werner/Adriane's Michigan cottage. From tubing to raft diving, and cocktails to campfires, it's the quintessential getaway weekend. The boys squealed as we pulled in the driveway next to the boat trailer, and I squealed and held on for dear life as Lori drove our age on the jet ski. Highlights included great conversations, DJ'ing (by Werner), baby turtles, fresh summer produce, boat cruises, swim lessons, a great blue heron on the swim platform, and a deep, rich sky teeming with stars.