On Being Old--21--More Cndy

The other morning a grey pallor from the overcast sky hung over my drive to work. With the temperature in the upper 50’s—a heat wave for November—the light drizzle splattered the windshield of my car causing white streaks and made seeing difficult. The rain [too hard to keep the wipers on full tilt but too strong for the intermittent action] was going to make for a long drive today.


Fortified with a cup of coffee from the E-Z Pantry, I started my thirty-five mile trek to Carpentersville. As I approached the expressway the light rain became a torrential downpour. However, the inclement conditions did not impede the speeders who zipped by me splashing yet more water on my windshield and taxing the efficiency of the wipers. What a fun drive, I thought carefully sipping my coffee.

Before reaching the Ohare Oasis the rain abated, and behold in the western sky appeared the “backal”[the opposite of the frontal] of the storm. Upon reaching my exit the sky turned a brilliant blue, the rain stopped, and the air fresh and clean.

The treetops of the forest preserve spread out before me like undulating and rolling, brown and gold hills.

My first thought—my candy for today. What started out as a gloomy day developed into the bright outlook. Thank heaven for those wonderful pieces of candy. They’re everywhere; we just have to look for them.

Ciao

On Being Old--20 Cape Cod Caper-Day 5

The final day started with another delicious breakfast buffet. I don’t think I’ll ever learn not to eat so much at a buffet. Later we boarded the bus for the short drive to Quincy Market for some free time—only a couple of hours—before we depart for the airport.


Our first stop was at Faneuil Hall, the Cradle of Liberty.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We walked up to the Great Hall on the second floor. We walked around the room feeling elated to be in the same space once occupied by such notable historical figures as Samuel Adams, Daniel Webster, Jefferson Davis, and Susan B. Anthony.


The National Park Service cooperates with the City of Boston to preserve the building. We were again treated to a most informative talk by one of the rangers.


 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

We rambled around the area.  Unfortunately we couldn’t go too far along the Freedom Trail.  We wander through the market area and found an ornament for our Christmas tree—we collect ornament from all the areas we visit.  At the groups meeting place we were treated to a little reenactment of the British regulars’ changing of the guard.

Our time in the Boston area is over.  We met some new friends; we saw new sights; we saw the area where our great nation had its roots.  This may have been our first trip to the area, but it will certainly not be our last.  As we walk back to the bus, we turn around for one last look at the Quincy Market.

Ciao

On Being Old--19 "D" Day plus Six Weeks

Things are coming together. The city inspector reviewed the work and gave us his final blessing. Randy, the electrician, installed the light over the stoop by the front door and the new lamppost. Wednesday found the man to put up the tiles over the counters on our doorstep.


The following day the tile man finished up, while the painters started painting the living room. This evening Mark, Dianne, and Al joined us to discuss the building of the stained glass for the shadow boxes for the ends of the island. We’re really getting into the ditty-gritty.

Only one picture today. I’m saving the final pictures for the completed project.

We’re expecting the cabinet hardware in at the end of the month. The new doors will be here about the 8th of December. Rosemary and I have begun the massive clean-up. It was so much easier taking everything down.

Next week is Thanksgiving week, and no one will be traipsing around our house. I wonder if we'll be lonely without all the different people in the house. I guess we can invite some passers-by to keep us company.

So until the final pictures, Ciao.

On Being Old--18 "D" Day plus Five Weeks

The week started with a problem. We received a phone call from Mark. The man who was to cut the granite for the island wanted us to see the stone. We re-scheduled our plans to meet Mark at the shop. During the drive to 44th and Cermak in the city, we wondered what the problem was.

The shop was typical of a stone cutters—water and stone dust everywhere. We saw one man working on one of our side countertops. Ayalla took us to the slab for our island. “See,” he said. We looked in bewilderment. What was he talking about? “Rub your hand over these spots,” he told us. We felt a slight depression. He then had us look down the length of the slab from the side. Sure enough there were splotches of areas of matte-like finishes in the lustrous slab’s finish. We stewed until Mark came. He said the defects would drive him crazy. We had the same feeling and did not want the stone.

Mark and Rosemary made plans to meet at the store where we first picked out the slab. On the way home we wondered how much time we were going to lose.

The next day while I was at work, Rosemary and Mark picked out a new top, Ayalla dropped off the defective stone and took the new one. He installed the side counter tops.

The following day Rosemary phoned me at work. Her message—they were installing the slab for the island. I couldn’t believe my ears. Ayalla must have worked all night to get back on schedule. Hooray, for the team!

Thursday was incredible. We had painters finishing the kitchen and foyer walls; we had plumbers installing the disposal, connecting the dishwasher, and making sundry connections; Ed and Randy, who I think have been living in our basement, worked on cabinets and various wiring connections for the rest of the day and through Friday.

Saturday morning found Randy at our doorstep ready to hang fixtures, etc.

It has been a hectic week, but much progress has been made. For us still more decisions to be made. Our heads, in a continual spin, kept rotating as we entered the hardware store to select knobs for the cabinets.

Ciao

On Being Old--17 Cape Cod Caper-Afternoon of Day 4

The first stop this afternoon is in Lexington.  Here we drive around the square where the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired.  The monument honors those who were killed in this first skirmish.  Lexington is a small town.  The bus doesn’t stop here; we travel on to Concord.  But first a stop at the ranger station at Minute Man Historical Park where we treated to a wonderful presentation about Paul Revere’s Ride and the subsequent fights along the way.

The main site in Concord is the Rude Bridge where the “shot heard around the world” was fired.  The colonists were backed into this area by the regulars, when they heard the shooting and saw the smoke from Lexington.  They started to advance on the regulars and a shot was fired.  From that point on the war escalated.  As you enter the area you first see the monument where the first man was felled.

We crossed the bridge to yet another memorial to the brave farmers of the colony who resisted the British regulars.  A most impressive and serene location.

The park ranger pointed out the events of that April 19, 1775, fateful day.  These people were very conversant regarding the revolutionary war period.  It was a great pleasure to see the enthusiasm of the re-creators of the period.  Again we had a pleasant and informative afternoon.

We made it back to Quincy for a wonderful meal with our travelling companions at Anthony’s Pier 4.  The meal was fantastic and just the right topper for a great day of sightseeing.   The halibut was prepared to perfection.  No wonder this restaurant has hosted many presidents, heads of governments and artists.

Ciao

On Being Old--16 "D" Day plus Four Weeks

The transformation begins. The beginning of the week opened with yet more decisions. We opted for a light stain on the floor, but after seeing a natural finish that required only a coat of polyurethane, we decided to change. Mark recommended leaving the house for the night because of the foul smell associated with the coating. Didn’t need an arm twisting.


My first choice for our over-nighter was the InterContinental in Rosemont—a relatively new hotel. We stopped for a little breakfast and then checked into the hotel. Beautifully appointed and very modern. Our room on the top floor had a great view of downtown Chicago. After relaxing awhile, we faced a decision—can’t get away from them—do we work out or go to a movie. After checking with the concierge regarding the movie schedule, our choice wasn’t difficult…to the movies.

Our schedule was a bit tight, but we opted to walk to the Muvico Theatre—you see we did get in our workout. We chose to see “Secretariat”. A wonderful choice, a very feel good movie. A box of pop corn awaited us at the candy counter—a freebie from the hotel. We settled into the plush seats with no one else in the theater [our own private showing]. Our little date was just what the doctor ordered. We felt great and leisurely strolled back to the hotel.

We wandered around the hotel looking at all the art works before settling down for in the lobby bar for a glass of wine for Rosemary. Not being a drinker, I decided to have a glass of port. Did we mellow out. Had to take the libations back to our room to finish.

After a bit of a nap we went to the Capitol Grill for dinner. Normally we don’t eat much red meat, but today being special, we both chose a small filet preceded by a half dozen oysters and bowl of the best lobster bisque we have ever tasted.

The getaway was what we needed. We are rested and ready to face the dust and dirt of our home.

The cabinetry came in, and Ed and Mike have begun the installation. The room is beginning to look like a kitchen. We are up in the air about a small hutch in the center of the room. Looking at it being semi-finished doesn’t appear to be what we expected. Mark will complete it so we can decide.

The next decision is the shape of the granite top for the island. So we have our homework for the weekend. Anyway, things are really starting to happen—visual happenings.

Ciao

On Being Old--15 Cape Cod Caper-Morning of Day 4

     Our adventure begins today in Boston at a stop along the Freedom Trail.  The bus drops us off for a short photo op alongside the Trinity Church.  An impressive view of the Trinity Church reflected in the glass wall of the Hancock Building greets us as we depart the bus.

The next stop—the Old North Church—remember, “One if by land, two if by sea.”

Along the way our docent, Fran, informs us of various historical facts. She is a fountain of knowledge.

At the church a guide narrates the events from back in 1775 of Paul Revere’s ride.  I’m impressed with the knowledge and informative style of all the lecturers we have encountered.

On our return to the bus with the Old North Church in the background, Fran points out the narrowest house in Boston—only 10 ½ feet wide.

Onward to the Charlestown Ship Yard and the USS Constitution.  Upon climbing the ramp from the dock to the ship, one is instantly impressed with the thickness of the ship’s hull and immediately understands the nickname of “Old Ironsides.”  The ship is maintained in excellent condition, and the pride of the ship’s personnel is evident in their eyes.

       After the shipyard tour we are delivered back to Quincy Market for some free time and lunch.  Had a pleasant dining experience at a small pub where we tasted a local brew, Sam Adams, and joked with the waiter about the  differences and similarities between Boston and Chicago.

Ciao