Is It Just Me?

Is it just me or do Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton look like they're about to kiss in this picture from tonight's CNN-LA Times debate?

Frankly, this debate was a little too much of a love fest for my taste. I didn't expect them to claw each others eyes out, but they were constantly falling all over themselves and each other with all the saccharin compliments.

I know that things have been extraordinarily nasty lately and I've thought plenty of it was unnecessary, but this was the last chance for people to understand the differences between the last two Democratic candidates. I'm not sure the differences were highlighted as much as their similarities were. And similarities don't help voters make up their minds.

Luckily for you, I have made up my mind and will be issuing my endorsements on Friday or Saturday, just in time for Tsunami Tuesday.

On the Bright Side of Things

As I was outside shoveling tonight - my shoveling fairies haven't arrived yet so I shoveled not only my driveway, apron and sidewalk, but the sidewalk of 2 of my neighbors as well - I was fantasizing about Spring. Yes, Spring. I was fantasizing about Spring. You have your fantasies, I'll have mine.

Spring is one of my favorite seasons. To me, Spring is a time of renewal. I will get to plant my garden. I have more energy. Flowers start to bloom and the grass is green. The air is fresh. It's all just good.

That led me to come in and see just how longer we have until Spring. And the good news is that we have just 48 more days until the Spring Equinox.

And that's something to be grateful for.

RIP Sheleata Kanatuna 1996 - 2008

Sheleata Kanatuna, a beautiful cat child of Tim and Tony, left his physical body this evening.

Please take a few minutes to visit his memorial at Morgan Terrace. You'll need tissues when you view the Memorial Slide Show Video and the Climb Every Staircase Movie, but take my word for it, you will be richer for the cry.

Mr. Kanatuna will always be fondly remembered for protecting guests' coats at Morgan Terrace parties and teaching the dogs - Long John and Buster Highmen - to bow to his excellence.

Mr. Kanatuna is survived by Tim, Tony, Long John, and Buster Highmen.

Betsey, Ross, and I send our deepest sympathies to our dear and loving friends at Morgan Terrace.

Rather than leaving condolence messages here, please leave your words of support at Morgan Terrace.

Sometimes I Miss DC

There. I said it. Out loud. Well, in writing on the Internet. That's pretty much out loud.

I get asked that question all the time, even 8 years after moving to Chicago. No, I haven't been back. Truthfully, I'm afraid if I go back, I'll never leave.

My heart is so full of wonderful memories of my years in DC and nights like tonight make me realize how blessed I was to live in such an amazing place.

Tonight is the State of the Union address by President Bush (almost 8 years later, I still find it difficult to put those 2 words together). I never miss the State of the Union. Never. I'll be curled up on the couch in less than 30 minutes, glued to the TV.

When I first moved to DC in 1993, my mom helped me find the perfect apartment. I lived in The Massachusetts House at 1234 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Apt. 917 (follow the link and look at the pic of the building - 2 floors from the top, 2nd apartment from the right - that was mine). My studio apartment had what I still believe to be one of the greatest views in all of DC - an unobstructed view of the Capitol Building.

I would lay in bed at night, staring out my picture window and imagine everything that had happened on The Hill that day. The awe of where I was never escaped me. One of the things I learned early on was that if the light at the top of the Capitol Dome was still lit, then Congress was still working. But only when the light was turned off, had Congress called it a day.

Laying in bed that cold night in January 1994, I watched President Clinton deliver the State of the Union. After the Republican response, I remember hearing Tom Brokaw or Peter Jennings (I didn't have cable, so it was one of them) giving post SOTU wrap-up and saying that Congress had called it a night. As I looked out my window to find the light was still on, America may have thought Congress had adjourned, but I knew better.

All Politics Is Local

I don't know what I've done this winter to warrant the Snow Shoveling Fairies to visit my house on a regular basis, but whatever it is, I want to keep doing it. You see, all winter long, almost every time it snows, my anonymous Snow Shoveling Fairy shovels my sidewalk and, many times, the apron of my driveway, too. I don't know who it is, although I have a strong suspicion.

And that leads to my conundrum.

As a strong supporter of the political process, I always vote in every election and I enjoy having yard signs for the candidates of my choice. This year, however, I'm a little concerned about voicing my political opinion.

No, I'm not concerned for my safety and I'm not wavering on my candidates. My concern is far more basic than that. Let me start at the beginning. I live in the heart of GOP Country, and I'm not exactly one of them. As a matter of fact, I'm about as liberal as a person can get. I believe we should all help each other out, that we give far too much corporate welfare to big businesses and the wealthy, and that I should be able to control my own body. My neighbors, by contrast, are all flag-pin wearing, church-going, mom-and-apple-pie loving, vote-against-their-financial-interests Republicans.

And this is where my problem lies.

Do I put out a yard sign in support of a Black Man or Woman for President and risk my sidewalk and apron being shoveled or do I just keep my mouth shut and continue to enjoy my (almost daily) visits from the Snow Shoveling Fairy?

Since neither Obama nor Clinton is going to start shoveling my driveway (or send their lackeys to do it), I think I'll just keep my mouth shut, as much as it pains me.

All politics is truly local.

We Interrupt the Regularly Scheduled Cold and Snow . . .

. . . to inform you that Spring Training is right around the corner.

Pitchers and Catchers report to Spring Training in 22 days and counting.

The rest of the players report a few days later.

Spring and Summer can't be too far away.

Go Cubs!

I'm Famous!

I thought it was a big deal when, as a high school senior, I appeared on the Today Show on January 1, 1989. I thought it was a bigger deal when I had the privilege of working the Green Room at President Clinton's 1997 Inaugural Ball and got to meet all kinds of cool people including Stevie Wonder and Jimmy Smits.

But both of those things pale in comparison to what happened tonight!

Tonight my dear friend Tony published my recipe for Frango Oatmeal Cookies on What's Cooking In The Frisky Kitchen!

Thanks Tony! xoxoxoxo

Turkey, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo, PB&J

Last night, I attended a Chamber dinner at the Sheraton Chicago Northwest. No matter how often I attend functions there, I am always reminded of when I lived there as a kid. Yes, I was Eloise.

When I was 10 and in 5th grade, our house burned down (no one was hurt and we rebuilt the home, thanks for asking). During reconstruction, we lived at what was then the Arlington Park Hilton (now the Sheraton Chicago Northwest).

Life at the Hilton was fabulous. We had a huge suite, an indoor pool, and a restaurant that would cater to just about every whim we had. Every morning, I would call the restaurant and have them pack lunch for Dave and me, which we would then pick up when we stopped in for breakfast.

Dave and I got the same thing everyday for lunch: Turkey, Lettuce, Tomato with mayo on whole wheat for me and peanut butter and jelly for him. Inevitably, our lunch would also include fruit and a cookie as well. Our lunches would always be packed together and we simply divided them up at lunch.

One particular day, we decided to have lunch with Mom, so we took our Hilton-made lunches and walked over to what was left of our house - just 2 blocks from school. She was happy to see us and take a break from supervising the demolition of the remains of our home. Imagine our surprise, however, when we opened our lunch to find one sandwich containing turkey, lettuce, tomato, mayo AND peanut butter and jelly. It seemed that the man I spoke to in the kitchen that morning was new and had misunderstood my order.

Needless to say, we did not end up eating that sandwich. I don't remember what we ended up having for lunch that day, but I do remember it involved a lot of laughter.

And yes, the food has improved at the Hilton (now Sheraton).

Sometimes Only Mom Will Do . . .

Most of the time I like being an adult. I love what I do for a living. I can handle paying bills, doing housework, and all the other things required to maintain a home. I usually even like grocery shopping. And even the scary noises aren't so bad.

But there's one thing that, no matter how old I get, will just plain suck without my mom.

Being sick.

When I was a kid and I was sick, my mom would do what probably every mom did - she took my temperature, made my room nice and warm and cozy with extra blankets and a heating pad in my bed, made me soup, and of course, gave me medicine or take me to the doctor. Usually, her extra attention alone made me feel better. She was the best.

Now that I'm an adult and I'm sick (it's really just a cold with swollen glands, sore throat, mild congestion, aches, and chills, but I feel miserable anyway), I've got to take care of myself. And my motivation to make soup is nil. I'm not hungry. And my body aches too much to walk to the cabinet and get more medicine. And somehow, no matter how many pillows and extra blankets I stuff into my bed, it's just not as cozy as when my mom did it. And then, of course, there's the whole issue about work. I should be working today and I've worked some, but I just feel too icky.

I'm not complaining about being sick. My well laid plan says I'll be better tomorrow. I'm not even complaining about being alone and having to take care of myself. I'm reminiscing about how lucky I have been to have a great mom who spoiled me when I was sick.

FREE Museum Days!!!

One of the things I absolutely love about Chicago is the world-class museums we have here. From the Art Institute to the Shedd Aquarium to the Chicago History Museum, there's really something for everyone. The only catch is that all of it comes with a (frequently hefty) price tag.

Until now.

Free Days at the museums are here!!!!!!!

Museum of Science & Industry
January 12-31 (that's NOW!!!!!!!)
February 29
June 17-22
September 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, & 30
October 31
November 27 (Thanksgiving)
December 24 (Christmas Eve), 31 (New Year's Eve)

Adler Planetarium - the museum is free on these days, but there is a charge for any of the shows
January Discount Week - January 12-18 (that's NOW!!!!!)
January Mon & Tue - January 20, 21, 28, & 29
February Discount Week - February 18-22
February Mon & Tue - February 4, 5, 11, 12, 25, & 26
June Discount Week - June 15-20
September Mon & Tues - September 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, & 30
October Discount Week - October 6-9
October Mon & Tues - October 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, & 28
November Mon & Tues - November 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 & 25

Art Institute of Chicago
Target Free Thursdays - Thursday evenings are free from 5-8pm

John G. Shedd Aquarium - free general admission, special shows are an additional fee
January discount week - Jan. 12-18 (that's NOW!!!!!)
January Mondays and Tuesdays - Jan. 21, 22, 28, & 29
February Mondays and Tuesdays - Feb. 4, 5, 11, 12, 25, & 26
February discount week - Feb. 18-22
June discount week - June 15-20
September Mondays and Tuesdays - Sept. 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, & 30
October discount week - Oct. 6-9
October Mondays and Tuesdays - Oct. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, & 28
November Mondays and Tuesdays - Nov. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, & 25

Chicago History Museum
Free on Mondays

The Field Museum
January 14th
March 10th
April 14th
May 12th
June 9th
July 14th
August 11th
September 8th
September 21st – 26th
October 13th
October 26th – 31st
November 10th
December 8th

My advice, take the week off, pull the kids out of school and hit all the museums. Trust me, you'll be richer for it and they will receive a greater education than they could through textbooks. Travel back in time with a visit Sue at The Field Museum on Monday morning and then visit the Crossroads of America exhibit (make sure you download the free audio tour on your iPod) at the Chicago History Museum in the afternoon. On Tuesday, spend the day at the Shedd Acquarium and since the museum is free, there's no reason not to spend a little dough on the Oceanarium. Reach for the stars on Wednesday at the Adler Planetarium. During the day on Thursday, return to the Shedd Acquarium or Adler Planetarium for a more-indepth visit. Just wrap it up by 5 and then visit the Girls on the Verge exhibit at the Art Institute. Finally, put yourself inside a real U-505 Submarine on Friday at the Museum of Science & Industry.

If you go, wear comfy shoes, stay hydrated, and be prepared for long lines and crowds. Also, pack your own lunch and snacks. Food at these places is notoriously expensive. I would imagine cool free stuff like this won't be a secret for long.