It was great to see Will in town on a short visit last week! We had a lovely time grilling steaks and eating in the back yard and hearing all about life in Manhattan (which sounds fantastic!) Hi to V, we missed you!

Last week we went down to the Adler Planetarium. We saw the amazing view of the lake and city, a movie about how to tell where the edge of the solar system is, and a really great exhibit of astrolabes and other  navigational devices that would make an excellent companion…

Miles's group did a performance as the Beatles last week in their show. Here's his costume before the show. The teacher gave them all wigs but really his hair was already pretty appropriately styled. By the way, that's John's job interview tie and my job interview jacket he's wearing. Sarah–that's…

I'm going to attribute the blooming of the black and brown eyed susans wholly to encouragement they got from readers! Thanks! The black eyed susans are shorter and have larger flowers. They come back every year. The brown eyed susans are tall plants (though I think these are especially tall…

Liam had his last day at Columbia College summer camp today. We all went down to watch their movie trailers and performances, which were great! Liam played the role of the butler who murdered all the guests at a party.  Funny because in Miles's play this spring, he was also…

Maybe it's because this July is the coolest in 118 years but these black-eyed susans are sure taking their time. They've been at this stage for weeks! But today this one showed signs of opening. Maybe tomorrow… Bee balm, thanks to Mrs Capper at Newberry! The two cherry tomato plants…

Miles and Will both took the day off camp today and we went to Ohio Street Beach. They swam and played in the sand and I waded around and read an entire issue of the New Yorker. Great day!!! This is taken from a viewing point in Olive Park /…

We started off the 4th of July at the Chicago History Museum celebration. In a glorious mish mash of people and time, Abraham Lincoln read the Declaration of Independence (because he was very influenced by it), descendents of Burnham and Bennett gave addresses to honor their great-great grandfathers who wrote…

I really don't think I've been up in the Sears Tower since I was about 15. So when we heard that they opened The Ledge on a weekend when we had visitors in, it seemed a good time to go back. Look way up at the top, see the little…