Heat.

As I sit here looking out through the windows in my home, one of two things are happening: It’s really foggy outside or the windows are completely filled with condensation due to the difference in temperature inside versus outside. Actually it’s both but the second option is right.

It has been quite a while, but the heat has hit the Midwest and it has it hard with temperatures supposed to hit 95 degrees. But as many of us know, it’s not always the heat---it’s the humidity that creates the misery.

Having grown up in one of the worst climates I have encountered, I was blessed to live through “St. Louis summers.”  I still remember playing baseball in the blazing sun, where we went 0-15 my first year; as we stood in the outfield for 2+ hours waiting for that third out to finally happen (this was before sanity hit and a team could only be out for a limited time) some of my teammates would literally keel over. I always saw this as something good thing for them as they got to return to bench for water---I suspect the parents thought differently as their kid was on the ground.

Many people are talking about the heat here and its understandable…we just don’t have this type of weather often. The usual temperature for this time of year is in the low 80s with moderate humidity. If you are ever considering a visit to the “Windy City,” now through fall is the time to come. It is spectacular---except for this week. (But then again---if you are used to this weather, it’s like being at home.)

This morning, while I am walking to the office, I will see people in a variety of clothing options; you will have women in very light outfits and men in everything from business suits to shorts. There was a time, not that long ago, when suits were it. There was really no other choice. I still can’t believe the number of years I wore suit on some of the hottest days imaginable.  Whereas the heat is unbearable at this time, I can assure you come January we will remember these days in a very fond way.

The photo above is the ultimate heat. This past weekend, about 10 or so houses down, a garage caught on fire. Now, this is going to sound morbid, but I have longed to shoot a fire; not the kind found in a fireplace the real ones. Sunday I was outside doing lawn work and I heard sirens---not that uncommon---but I knew something was up when I looked to sky and saw thick, black smoke pouring upward. I grabbed my camera and ran---my neighbor was kind enough to say he had never seen me run so fast---and started clicking away. If you think the pictures were all for me, I am happy to report they were turned over the insurance company---I felt a little of the heat was taken off me as I am sure some people thought it was insensitive. I saw it as a hopeful once in a lifetime event.

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It’s our secret.

I don’t remember when it started, but somehow I came up with the notion that the tooth fairy resides in Iowa, the Easter Bunny in Kansas, and of course Santa Claus on the North Pole. My youngest will look at the map of the U.S. and when I say, “there’s Kansas and Iowa” a big smile comes on to their faces.

But there’s more. Now I have learned there are many new witches and fairies being added to the line up of fictional (shhh) friends out there. I learned of the “shoe fairy,” who brings new shoes to kids when their old ones have worn out, is the latest fairy to join the fairy tale union of givers. I have learned she lives in California---no shock. I would have to believe this would be popular in our household with all of the girls who live inside. We also have the “switch witch” who comes around the night of Halloween to switch candy for a gift---when did she come on to the scene?  What I am wondering is when is money actually going to start to grow on trees? When it does, I intend to own a forest.

Growing up is a lot of fun when you are watching it happen as an adult. We always compare notes with friends when a loose tooth pops out of a child’s mouth. I remember, and this was probably around the time when I used to walk 6 miles up hill both ways to school, when we would receive a dime or maybe a quarter for a lost tooth. Do that today and you will get a look that suggests the tooth fairy must be broke or really pissed off at you.

Recently, and I will not disclose who it was for---not my child---I know of a young girl who at age 7 finally gave up her pacifier.  She went to bed with all of her pacifiers under her pillow and woke up the next morning with an ipad in their place.  I said, “I am going to place my pacifiers under my pillow to see if it works.” The good news is, she has kept it up and no longer uses them—the bad news is, it doesn’t work for adults.

I do love the excitement kids have when they know that something special is waiting for them when they wake up---the most important thing to do? You need to remember to place whatever you are going to place under their pillow that night. I have done that before---not fun when they wake up.

The photo above was taken last week when our youngest had her front tooth “finally” wiggle its way out of her mouth. With pride she stood in front of the window at Wrigley Field where she proudly showed off her tooth and “space” where the tooth had been. It’s funny, just like the Cubs that night, who blew a 2 run lead in the 9^th inning, there turned out to be a big gap.

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The latest attraction.

No matter where you travel around the U.S. or the world, there are usually things to see. From the wealthiest nations to the poorest places, if you are looking for something to talk about when you return to your home, you can find it.

Our oldest daughter (at home) is now in Rwanda; I still can’t believe she is there, but after receiving an e-mail from her yesterday I know it was a very good thing that she has explored lands that are probably as far from home as she can possibly get.  In her e-mail she spoke of the fruits and vegetables that are the staple of her diet; she did say she was tiring of the food but was in love with what she was experiencing in her travels. I assume she will just have a burger when she gets back home---but she can never relive what she has seen as the other side of life. She also said she takes showers with a bucket---and cold water---oh this must be a shock.

I have been asked where I would like to travel? Most people think because I am really into photography that an exotic place would be high on my list. Actually there are several places in the U.S. that I would like to see before I venture off to other areas of the world---some are very obtainable, others are a bit trickier. For instance, I would love to photograph at Yankee Stadium from where the sports photographers are found; I am not a huge Yankees fan but somehow being able to shoot photos in an iconic stadium is very appealing to me.

I would also love to shoot in the painted desert and venture to see some of the rock formations in Utah; these would not take long to accomplish, it’s more of a situation of getting there. But there is little doubt the number one place I would like to shoot pictures would be Mt. Rushmore. Not from below---but from the side. If not this, I would like to shoot the Joffrey Ballet--- talk about being at the opposite ends of the spectrum these two “landmarks” would be incredible to capture. One is doable, the ballet is probably not; I have tried….no luck.

The photo above is one of the newest attractions here in the “Windy City.” It is only fitting because of Marilyn Monroe’s skirt being blown upward in this famous re-creation of her film, “The Seven Year Itch;”given the looks on many of the passerby’s faces, and the way they have stood underneath it looking upward, they are just fine with this new addition to our town!

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Hmmm…tastes like chicken.

The other day some of us were talking about the strangest foods we had ever consumed.  There were some really odd ones that would never cross my lips, and there were some that I had actually eaten---once. We are talking well beyond beef, fish or pork here so if you think you are going to get grossed out, I would suggest coming back tomorrow.

One of the guys travels to Asia off and on and was describing some of the availabilities found in markets. I asked him did he really ever eat dog? He said, “Yes and it was not as bad as I thought it was going to be.” I guess the pup had just been bathed or something. He went on to tell me he has been offered rat (he passed) and various types of fish that not only did I not have any idea what they were, but it sounded like it would be something I would pass on.

Others talked about eating Vietnamese, various parts of the cow that I am sure you know what I am talking about, and real Indian food. Well, I know one thing about Indian food and it’s that I don’t like it. The sauces, in combination with the texture  of the meat and spices, leave me looking at the door and wishing it was closing behind me. A few of us had had alligator (I have had it) buffalo, and one guy had lion.  I didn’t even know you could consume lion---I always thought it was vice-versa.

Many years ago, when my Mom met my wife for the first time, I learned of my mother’s culinary likes and dislikes. We still talk about this story every time we order calamari. We were at a restaurant and when ordering appetizers, the question came up, “Would anyone like to get calamari?” We eat them sometimes and once you get over the way they look, it’s really not bad…in fact, they’re good.

Well, my Mom must have either never had calamari, or had it once and it did not bring up fond memories. Right after the question, as she was drinking some water, she sprayed it all over. Just like one of the comedy scenes when people spray their water after hearing something funny or disbelieving. Needless to say, since it was the first meeting of the two women in my life, we passed on it. It is still a memory of my Mom I will never forget.

The photo above is of one of one of our daughters; of course her ice cream cone does not taste like chicken, but there is something about biting into something you don’t know that makes you stop and wonder---“Why am I eating this?” For me, the next time I am served alligator, I think I will eat it again, because it really does taste like chicken it just doesn't cluck.

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A bunch of hot air.

Lately here in Chicago, and most definitely St. Louis last weekend, I experienced what summer is all about---hot, humid weather. There is little doubt St. Louis has won out with some of the most humid and hot weather I have experienced. I wouldn’t say it’s a reason not to travel there, but if you know you are going, prepare because it will be there waiting for you.

While I was there, I took a walk with my son who lives in an area close to the city; I showed up in shorts and a light shirt---he had on jeans and a t-shirt. I looked at him and said, “Do you ever wear shorts?” He said, “I have gotten used to wearing jeans in this kind of weather.” I thought, “I could never get used to this again and I lived there until I graduated college.” In the end, after a fairly long walk, he even admitted he wished he had worn shorts---that’s my boy.

We may not have as hot of weather where I live, but we are blessed with politicians that make up for it with plenty of air coming out. Recently I read in the paper the number of credit cards held by individuals in Chicago government offices, are being cut from 300 down to 50. I am sure the mayor has one, and very high ranking officials in the CTA, Chicago housing authority, and other important offices around the city that require credit card usage. This may come as a shock but some people have been using credit cards for non-city related charges. I know I was just as surprised as you were---who would have thought?

But as bad as our politicians seem to be, they must be worse in New York; it turns out the young man who caught Derek Jeter’s 3000^th hit will have to pay taxes for the gifts he received. There goes being a nice guy. He did say he hopes if he is taxed that friends and family---who will likely be using the seats---will help him out. I bet they will---blood is often thicker than hot air when it comes to Yankees tickets.

The photo above was another one taken at the Lisle “Eye to the Sky Festival.” It seemed only fitting that in a Chicago suburb, the hot air would be plentiful. As we know here in the “City of Big Shoulders,” there is plenty of it to go around.

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“When are you coming home?”

“There are places I'll remember

All my life though some have changed

Some forever not for better

Some have gone and some remain

All these places had their moments

With lovers and friends I still can recall

Some are dead and some are living

In my life I've loved them all”

John Lennon/Paul McCartney

For many parents and children in the world, knowing when a person will be home, or seen again, is a very common question. There were times, yes many decades ago, when people didn’t move far from where they grew up. Things are much different today as we are scattered throughout the country and the world.

But even though a physical presence may not be something that can happen as frequently as we would like, we can always keep the moments that made us who we are in our hearts. It’s often said that you can never go home again, and in some ways that’s true; but there is always something about going to where you have been---and invested a large part of your life---that can never be forgotten. I think for many of us we all live for these moments.

Recently I went home to visit my Dad; yes he is getting older, but I can say with absolute certainty, he is probably the nicest, kindest person I know and is doing well for what he has been through. It’s very obvious he misses my Mom, as we all do, but he is finding his way at this time without her physically in his presence.

While I was there I said to my Dad, “I want to go see Mom.” Before I got the words out, and you have to understand my Dad does not hear well anymore, he said, “That would be nice.” It was. We didn’t spend a ton of time at the cemetery but long enough for me to have a conversation (yes it was in my head) and know that somehow, someway, she knew I was there. If not, she made me think she knew I was there.

This month, on July 28, 1980, I packed up my 1977 yellow Camaro and moved to Chicago; it was a big move for a kid who didn’t have a job, was not sure how it would go being so far from home, and whether it was the move for me. There have been times when I still ask myself the same question, but more than 30 years later, I know I can still go home. It’s just a different place then when I left it more than half a lifetime ago.

The photo above was taken in Lisle, IL at the “Eyes to the Sky Fair” a few weeks ago. Whereas you will likely see other photos of balloons in upcoming “Snap.Shot’s,” I know just like in the Wizard of Oz, when you click your heels three times, and hop on a plane, car, or even hot air balloon, you really can go home again.

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Fans.

There are many different types of fans. You have those that are fanatics about a certain topic such as baseball, poker, or an actor;  you have fans in the home that cool it to a level that is acceptable and lowers your heating and cooling costs; or you have ones that are dotting the landscape and do something--- but I am not sure what. I believe they help generate power for electricity, but for some reason I think they are run by electricity. Again, I have no idea.

A long time ago we used to have fans in our classrooms to help circulate any air that was available to be circulated. The cooler air rarely reached the back of the room, and in St. Louis it’s surprising bodies were not found slumped over at the end of class. The place to be was in front of the fans---meaning you had to sit in the front of the classroom--- but it was okay and it didn’t matter that your papers and other items blew around. You just felt better.

Then there are the fanatics; sure most people see fans as those who are in stadiums, but now with social media like Facebook and others, you are asked to become a “fan” of a brand, cause or whatever they want you to "like." It might be something important like curing cancer and/or liking Coke---or innocuous like "The Gap." The “fan” icons are popping up all over the social media sites---I guess it's a popularity contest.

There are some that I don’t understand---is it really important to be a fan of a cleaners or dog shampooing business? I guess so because they are there. I know I have become a fan of such important brands/causes as Nikon cameras, the company I work for, and a few others. As far as I see it, what the heck? As long as I am not liking or following something creepy or illegal, I am in a good position.

The other fans, or wind energy I guess you would actually call it, have become part of the rural landscape. The other day when I was traveling back from St. Louis to Chicago, I stood in a graveyard off of Highway 55; there I was, with a grouping of stones, and in the distance were these massive fans. What was interesting was how in a period of less than 50 years, this land had changed from two-lane roads (it was Highway 66) to a technological landscape. I wonder what the people who are buried just a few hundred yards away would think?

The photo above is of a dilapidated barn with one of these huge turbines behind it. Although the barn was there first, I suspect the owner of the land knew that by letting them build these massive structures, it would allow him to continue to farm his land. The good news is, I guess in the end it helps to keep the bugs away from the plants.

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