Today the last lab to process Kodachrome film is discontinuing the process.  The era of Kodachrome is gone forever. 

It had a special look like no other film, vivid and magical.  It was also unforgiving.  Exposure had to be absolutely correct, or you didn't get that magical look… Read full post »

It's been two weeks since I had arthroscopic surgery on my knee.  I had torn cartilage back in August, which has gotten steadily worse, so I wasn't sure exactly what my doctor would find when he got in there. 

Two days after surgery, when I was able to remove the… Read full post »

And the garden porn cometh .  .  . 

All of these have arrived in the last few days.  There will be more - lovely bits of eye candy to contemplate on the coldest days of the year. Read full post »

These dogs have the right idea.  

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This morning over breakfast, my husband Scott told me about his night at work.  It's part of our morning routine.  Sometimes the stories are funny or uplifting.  Other stories are really hard. 

He was assigned to the paddy wagon, partnered with a decent guy he'd worked with a few… Read full post »

We had a beautiful Christmas.  I hope you did, too.

Horse chestnut

Barberry

Bee balm

Coneflower

Hackberry Read full post »

To Chicago readers - If you know anyone who can help with this situation, I'd like to hear from you.

About two months ago, a couple of dear friends lost their beloved sheepdog to cancer.  He was 12 years old and had been with them since he was a pup. … Read full post »

I've loved spending another year on OS with you all, and I'm hoping we'll have another year of good fun together. 

I've got some good news to share.  Scott and I got married. We decided it was time and went for a simple ceremony at City Hall, with one of… Read full post »

Yesterday's arthroscopic knee surgery went well.  The doctor said the cartilage damage wasn't too bad and recovery should be easier than the last time I went through this (other knee).  I was home by early afternoon.

My aunt lent me a great device for icing the knee to relieve swelling and… Read full post »

Tonight is my last night of freedom for a while.  I've had many injuries over the years, especially to my knees.  Tomorrow morning I'm going in for my third arthroscopic knee surgery, #2 for the right knee.  I won't be very mobile for the next few weeks, and I expect to… Read full post »

Ten years ago I had an accident that changed my life.  It was early on a beautiful summer morning.  I was riding my bike with a group of friends, starting what was to be my first century (100 mile) ride. 

A good friend was leading the ride.  We were all… Read full post »

It was a seemingly ordinary December day.  I waited in line at the dorm cafeteria for yet another unmemorable meal.  The room was filled with the usual chatter about final exams and winter break.  Our campus radio station was background music.  When the news came on, and we heard… Read full post »

Update:  In the last week of the year, we've learned that police have arrested and charged a suspect for the murder of the officer mentioned at the end of this post.  That brings a measure of closure at the end of this difficult year.

----------------------------------------------… Read full post »

As I wrote in my previous post and comments, there's no simple, easy answer to the problems afflicting Chicago and our society as a whole.  I won't pretend to have a complete solution, just a few observations about the road we're on.

As life becomes more tenuous for the "have nots"… Read full post »

This week has brought tragic news for the family and friends of two Chicago police officers.  Yesterday an evidence technician was shot and killed while investigating a crime scene at the home of a former public housing officer, who was also killed.  On Monday, another Chicago police office… Read full post »

It's been a challenging week and year, but I'd like to share a list of things I'm grateful for.

1.  Scott, my kind supportive guy.  I don't know how I would have gotten through the last few years without him.

2.   Not being in a job I hate.  Long-term unemployment… Read full post »

Sorry I haven't posted much lately.  I've been around in comments here and there.  The last few months have been exhausting and somewhat trying.

Back in August, I was in crunch time as part of the volunteer management team for Chicago's Boulevard Lakefront Tour (BLT).  I've also been l… Read full post »

This is for those of you who live in or near Chicago and ride bikes, especially if you're not doing as much riding as you'd like.  How many of you are familiar with the following resources?

Chicago Bike 2015 Plan

Bike Winter - yes, you can ride all year round… Read full post »

I previously wrote about being ensnared by the City of Chicago parking bureacracy.  We decided to challenge the parking ticket for parking in a location designated for resident permit parking only during Soldier Field events, because the sign stating that fact was so well hidden.

Yesterday we go… Read full post »

Early this morning, I loaded up the bike in the car to start a ride from the South Loop.  I needed to preview a route for an architecture bike tour I'm leading next weekend.  I found a parking space near where I wanted to start, found that the meters didn't need… Read full post »

Unlike many women I know, I'm not really into the idea of shopping as recreation.  Unless it's a category or store that I really love (plants, bikes, books), I'd rather just find the best choice for the item(s) I'm seeking, pay for my stuff, and move along to non-retail pursuits.  In… Read full post »

Two for your Friday night - feels good.....

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I have a good friend who grew up in the north but moved to a Bible Belt state 14 years ago.  In recent years, I've gotten a few e-mails from her forwarding messages promoting intolerance.  Sometimes she seems to be questioning the comments of the person who forwarded it to her. … Read full post »

As some of you know, I am among the leadership of an all-volunteer organization of which I've been a member for years.  We've all encountered situations where "adults" refuse to play nice, causing us to end up in the middle of ugly situations.  I'm in one of those situations now.

A… Read full post »