"Where did the Drapers go? Oh, well, maybe some OSers would like to come for a picnic."
Those of us who live in Chicago are accustomed to crowds of people, honking horns and rattling el trains, skyscrapers releasing workers at days' end. Last night's picnic in the park was a slowing down amid the city pace, along the lake that bumps against Chicago's shore, nudging a reminder that nature lives here, too.
Sailboats lined up along the horizon and some OS friends gathered along the shore, brightening the summer evening.
Kris T. Parker was a friendly, familiar face, and she graciously introduced her spouse Bill, and Aaron Warren (whose cash for clunkers piece had earned an EP that day). They were laying out a lovely spread and invited me to try caprese salad on a stick, fragrant cheeses, pasta salad, fresh peach tea with limoncello. Aaron’s peach upside down cake held center stage.
'Kris' and Bill
Aaron Warren
I hung balloons and spread my blanket as Philosophical Dad and his family arrived. Tim and Vicky allowed me a cuddle with baby Abby, and I turned this way and that to keep her eyes out of the sun. This was all new for her, and her bright eyes and lovely smile were matched only by her folks’ admiration for her. You can read about Tim's take on Abby's view over at his blog.
Philosophical Dad and Abby
Vicky and Abby
As they set up their chairs, and opened sandwiches, I opened an assortment of containers from the Middle Eastern Bakery. Garlic and Red Pepper Hummus, Babaganoush - spicy and plain, olives, feta, pita, spinach and artichoke and eggplant pies.
Dolly Baruch approached with her chair, and unfolded it to join us.
Specular rode up on his bike, and unwrapped more lovely cheese and a bottle of wine.
As we talked and ate and laughed, jimmymac walked up swinging his cooler, and sat down to enjoy the gyros he’d picked up on the way.
jimmymac and Dolly
Good food, a warm evening, a breeze under the trees. We talked about babies and families and dogs and food and sports and politics and journalism and writing and os and Chicago until the moon rose orange and full over the lake. Clamored to capture the brilliance with our cameras.
The baby fussed and the family left. Specular rode off on his bike. The rest of us packed up our blankets and food and tucked them away in our cars to head over to the Full Moon gathering. We’d heard the drums for awhile, but as we approached the circle of fire twirlers we saw there were not only drums, but a tuba, a trumpet, a flute, tambourines, shakers, dancers. We pulled up our chairs to join the circle of spectators. In the center of the gathering people were handling fire. Twirling it, swinging it, juggling it. There were flaming hula hoops and fire breathers.
I didn't get a shot of the moon creeping over the trees, illuminating the group twirling fire in the grass. I'll have to pull that image from my memory, tucked away as it is with the other images of this Chicago evening, among OS friends.
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Comments
The evening was cool, the insects sparse (I saw my first firefly this year), and NoisyNora deserves full props for having organized the evening and the balloons, and even for the beautiful full moon (chose the right evening, despite JimmyMac's ignorance of the phenomenon of a new moon each month!).
Great fun. Whoever plans the next one - get busy! A nice autumn retreat at a forest perserve shelter anyone??
Dolly - Good idea - sounds like maybe you should organize the next one. I'll take full credit for the moon and following its cycle, but will share credit for the fun conversations and sense of belonging you all brought to the gathering.
Sorry I wasn't able to come. This was, as I figured, much more fun than what I was doing!
Drive on over Rob, we don't bite, and Chicago's actually livable this time of year.
Roger - your presence would surely have been a lagniappe.
LandP - I thought the food was worth mentioning. For even better pictures of the firetwirlers, check out Kris T. Parker's blog.
I forgot to mention Dolly's contribution to the picnic. She brought a bag of Cheetos, which she said was an OS reference. Now I have to go check the archives for Cheetos posts....
glad to hear you'll be practicing for the fire show. we know from Mook you've handled your share of flaming things.
HB - are you nearby? I wisht you'da been there, too.
Steve - yes, next time for sure!
Rob - I hope you will look us up when you're in town. I'll use my pull with the moon to make it full again, or we could at least aim for full bellies.
Juli - how could you let life get in the way of picnics? Geez, what are ya, some sort of mom/wife/employee/daughter/homeowner/person with responsibilities?
bikepsychobabble - hope you're feeling better today. We missed you.
Seriously, it was a great night out with some great new friends!
AW
Aaron - It was good to meet you and your cake! And I like the picture, so don't go crawling back under that bridge.
That's the link to the cheetos posts - no wonder nobody knew, it was the topic of a lot of conversation a whole year ago! How soon we forget!
Re hosting an OS event - NO,NO,NO,NO - I am the worst organizer in the world, my memory has gone with the wind and I get so anxious I'll not sleep for a week before or after.
But I'll certainly try to come to the next one wherever it may be and whoever the organizer is.
Dolly - thanks for the link - I'll check it out. And, ok, we won't pressure you to plan something. Just glad to know you'll come.
fireeyes - I guess you're not too far away. Hope you can make it to Chicago sometime, and join us.
Nope, sorry, too late. You can tell Rob not to jealous, but you can't tell me. La la la la lalalalalalalala I can't hear you!!!!
:-)