This is jumping around chronologically a bit, but it only seems fair to start with a definition of derecho, since it’s in the title. A derecho is a system of severe thunderstorms that move straight in one direction, namely from Iowa to us, and in this case last Monday. All day it was really hot and there were a lot of warnings about intense afternoon storms, so we put away anything that seemed particularly lightweight or loose from the back yard, like smaller potted plants. Once the storm got really close, the weather radar showed a storm just about to hit, our phones all lit up with emergency messages about sheltering in a basement, and the wind and rain hit. It was very intense but our tree, the house, and the new solar panels all stayed in place! Phew!
The intense part of the storm itself lasted about half an hour, then after bit of really letting it pass by, we went out for a walk to check out the destruction. There were so many trees down, fortunately our car didn’t get crushed like the one below did.
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We had the trap door in John’s office replaced with an insulated version and it’s making a big difference already in terms of less heat coming down from the attic. Showing the after then before here – I didn’t take a picture of the opening before but you can tell from the old door on the right, the new one is a big improvement.
Things we’ve seen in the last couple of weeks:
Lots of bunnies at Humboldt Park. They can squeeze through those little rectangles in the fencing! 
A mural I like on our morning run route 
The el. I’m under the el way more than on it these days. 
The restaurant formerly called Bite near us has closed and reopened as a pizza place – facing the alley rather than facing Western as Bite did. There’s a walk-up window for ordering pizza to go and also a few tables in the patio area. And really nice pizza! 
Another visit to Northerly Island, this time to a little pier with “I’m beautiful, you’re beautiful” written on the railing. 
McCormick place is so nearly hidden by the landscaped hills on Northerly Island. 
Panorama of the lagoon area 
The wall to the right was the original exterior wall to Meigs Field. This east-most side has a lot of new rock in there shoring up the edge now. This is looking north, with Lake Michigan on the right and the lagoon on the left. 
Nice mural near a great cocktails to go bar, Lost Lake in Logan Square.
Last Sunday we had a big feast here – Miles, with some help from John, made ribs and Liam and Kat were on salad duty. I was on hospitality duty, that’s usually my thing! It’s more of a management role, haha.
This last weekend John and I a) happily found that our existing bike rack fits the new car and b) drove to Palos Heights for a mountain biking ride. It was nice and shady, and we felt we did pretty well, despite it having been a long time for me and John being on a cross bike rather than a mountain bike. We saw two great blue herons.
Also this weekend, we had a really amazing takeout dinner from Elske, with this lovely red wine (with super cute label!).
And to end on a celebratory note, big birthday shoutouts to Jeff and Frankie already this month, and Rory later this week. HB everyone! Here’s Frankie’s present, a cat named Martha!
Great post! I’d never heard of the word derecho before! Looks like you’re making the most of summer when it isn’t stormy!
Thanks for the birthday wishes Cindy, Martha is making progress in her new home, she’s beginning to venture out a little more 🐱glad ye escaped any damage from the storm…your rib feast looked delicious!