What now? My quandary resembled de Kooning’s Untitled XI — one of his “20 new canvases”completed at 71 years old. What’s next? What is my passion? My answers and inspiration come from going outside myself… the Art Institute of Chicago my muse. I put … Continue reading
A Matisse week in May, kicked back, socializing, and Chef Craig Boroughf’s adaptation of a Chicago favorite! Ready and easy in minutes… What with Mother’s Day…et.all… Salty, sweet and snappy. Just like your mother! Matisse Chips *Recipe adaptation of West Town Tavern Potato Chips courtesy of Susan Goss, Executive Chef/Co-owner, West Town Tavern, Chicago, IL … Continue reading
My love affair with radishes began when I was six years old and pulled my first baby radish from our city prairie garden. The green leaves popped early, their tiny tips of red tinge bursting warm though the hard dirt. I tugged at the leafy stem. Once out, it looked like a tiny red carrot. … Continue reading
I am working on the final draft of my book in progress, Italian Handful. I went to the Art Institute Chicago where I could sit in the Ryerson and Burnham library (very silent and the seats have cushions) to read my manuscript undistracted, cover to cover, both feet on the ground, without a pen to … Continue reading
The Last Sunday of Summer. The afternoon air tinged with damp. The hum of energy and anticipation, furtive glances of you’re-too-late mixed with smiles of recognition, smart phone connections, looking, eating, reading, drinking, talking, laughing, watching, and waiting… The first concert under the baton of Grandissimo Maestro Riccardo Muti, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s new music … Continue reading
“You know, sometimes it is the artist’s task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left.” Itzhak Perlman Lake House I look at the willows sighing the wind reaching, strong, flowing, thick— witness of time sweeping fantasy spent. Moving packing, burning, the unresolved, postponed— put in the attic, … Continue reading
Set the clocks back… if only we could set time back, would we, how far? The days of summer with their promise of warmth, growth, entertainment—gone. Autumn is harvest—reap, sort, discard, pass on, and keep. The trees shed their last leaves, nests abandoned as the birds migrate, and the North Pond’s stillness in the Hunter’s … Continue reading
I’ve been seeing stars in Chicago all week! The week began with a fundraiser Monday evening at North Pond Restaurant in Lincoln Park starring the Jersey Boys, on their night off! “Chicago’s own” Lou Canellis the Bears Sports Announcer was Master of Ceremonies. The Jersey Boys wove their magic. They were personable, lively, and fun. … Continue reading
In the Midwest, August is the month for peaches and The Chicago Air & Water Show, the largest spectator event in the United States. I was having some friends over, to eat, drink, and view the stellar feats of The United States Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels as they fly, twist, … Continue reading
Decorated cake contest brings out the artisans of Arlington Heights, Illinois, to honor the 200 year anniversary of Abraham Lincoln born in 1809. Continue reading
Italian Handful 