Sunday Salon: We love the wild onion

 Good morning my friends!  Well, we arrived back in Orlando yesterday after four days in Chicago (the name, by the way, was derived from an Indian term meaning "wild onion").  It was a whirlwind of fun with our business associates and friends, but I fear my body wouldn't be able to stand too many more days of that kind of behavior. 

The weather was gorgeous...highs in the 70's, versus your typical misery of 95 degrees in FL.  We did alot of walking, a little bit of shopping on the Magnificent Mile, and some sight-seeing.  We had to take a peek at the new 26-foot tall statue of Marilyn Monroe on Michigan Avenue.  Yes, she is wearing panties.  We rode the massive Ferris Wheel on Navy Pier, walked through the Lincoln Park Zoo, we visited the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows (featuring some great Tiffany stuff), and went on an architectural boat tour down the Chicago River. 

We did alot of eating and drinking, including one night when I got my absolute favorite dish on earth...Dover Sole.  We went bar-hopping and dancing.  One night, when we were having drinks at Ditka's and listening to their very talented one-man show, we spotted Dennis Farina (famous for his portrayal of cops and mobsters in TV and movies) and moved in on him.  His wife was gracious, and he seemed pleased with the attention.  At times like these, I thank God for the invention of IMDB and Wikipedia.  We knew his shoe size before we went up to talk to him.
 

That was a big highlight, let me tell you what.  Such a handsome guy.

And all the while we were carousing, my poor parents were shuttling and feeding my children, dealing with
So did I get any reading done at all?  Yes, actually I did!  I finished Jaquelyn Mitchard's "Second Nature", which was good (but not as good as "Deep End of the Ocean").  I have now started my much-anticipated review copy of Marisa de los Santos' "Falling Together", which releases in early October.  That woman makes magic. 

On audio, I did finish "Does the Noise In My Head Bother You?" by Steven Tyler.  Now THAT was entertaining.  I learned more from that book than a year of high school I think.  I reveled in informing all my friends all kinds of trivia, from the cost of a camel to unmentionable things Jimi Hendrix did with a microphone.  I now have just started listening to "Between Shades of Grey" by Ruta Sepetys, and the jury is still out on the narrator.  She is sounding a little too high-talking and shrill but maybe she will grow on me. 

Sending out prayers and support to all my friends living on the Eastern Seaboard, and hoping that Irene leaves everyone with power and minimal damage.  We've lived through some hurricane horrors down here, so please know that I can empathize.  As I've been telling everyone, if you have batteries, wine and propane, you are good to go.

I've been attempting to keep sort of up with your posts but I've not been very consistent.  I will be back in action next week.  Besides hiding indoors and watching the world blow by, what is everyone up to today?