Earth Day '08: What Can You Do?

A few simple ideas:

• you can begin recycling paper, plastic and/or glass (start with one);
• switch to CFL lightbulbs;
• turn off lights when you leave a room; or instead of using plastic bags at the grocery store, buy some reusable canvas bags (lots of stores are offering them).

My conservation goal for this Summer is to start a compost bin in my backyard. It'll eventually produce rich nutrients for my garden.

Let's all take good care of God's creation ... the earth and people, too.

My best friend, now an international speaker on pediatric oncology, is a tree hugger, too! Here, she's huggin' a tree in St. Stephen's Green, Dublin, Ireland.

Oprah's Big Give Features Chicago Hope Academy

My daughter, Caitlyn, attends Chicago Hope Academy (http://chicagohopeacademy.com), which is a three-year old Christian high school located on the near west side of Chicago. The founders of the school, Bob & Tina Muzikowski, used to attend our church and had a desire to open a Christian high school in the city for many years. They organized the Near West Side Little League, which grew to be one of the largest little league organizations in the country -- reaching out to kids in the inner city who desperately need avenues like sports to keep them off the streets. It has been amazing to see how God answered prayers by opening the doors to CHA in the fall of 2005. What has been accomplished in these three years has been nothing short of miraculous. Yes, there have been bumps in the road, but God is faithful and He continues to amaze.

Chicago Hope Academy will be featured on this Sunday's season finale of Oprah's "Big Give" on ABC (7:00 p.m. CDT). I'm asking everyone to watch and, more importantly, to pray for CHA and the lives of the young men and women that the school is able to touch in the name of Christ.

Go Eagles!

The Week in Review (So Far)

Well, what a week it was! The city was invaded by a roaming cougar that found his way into Roscoe Village. He met his untimely death at the hands of Chicago's finest. (Photo: courtesy of the Chicago Tribune).

Temperatures finally reached the 70 degree mark and we can now see the layers of Winter grime slowly beginning to fade.

Finally, a 5.2 earthquake centered in downstate Illinois shook people awake up here in Chicago this morning. My mother-in-law told me that she thought it was an airplane rocking the house. I was in a deep sleep, apparently, because I didn't feel a thing. I woke up 45 minutes after the fact and felt very cheated and left out. Ironically, we had a meeting scheduled for the safety evacuation team at work today.

Springtime in Chicago

A tree lifting up its arms in praise of sky blue skies.


The first flowers to bloom in my garden (paperwhites).


Sedum peeking out from underneath the remants of last year's growth.

It was a beautiful day!

40 Years Ago Today ... "Shot rings out in the Memphis Sky"

My First Run in Eight Months

Since coming back to the gym in January, I have faithfully stuck to the elliptical machines. I had wanted to start running in January, but my surgeon told me to continue working on strengthening my left quadricep muscle before I even thought about running. In the back of my mind I knew I wasn't ready, but I did know that I had to get serious about conditioning myself.

Lunchtime yoga on Wednesdays has been a regular part of my post-surgical routine since November. Nathan, my yoga instructor, has told me recently that he has noticed much improvement in my poses, which made me very happy. The women of my family are plagued by tight hips; so, obviously, this plays into our knee and feet problems.

Back to the what I was getting around to say ... I have worked up to a consistent 30 minute cardio cycle on the elliptical machine (2 miles) during the past month. Each day I'm at the gym, I watch in envy as the runners do their thing on the treadmills. I would tell myself that I'd give it a try next week.

This past weekend was the Shamrock Shuffle 8K race -- a race that I have run in for the past 6 years, but I could not run. I wanted to, but could not train. I was not ready physically. My quad was not ready. My knee was not ready. My mind was not ready. My heart was not ready ... or was it?

Since Nathan spent last week hiking throughout Arizona, yesterday's class was spent practicing Warrior II and desert poses. It was a tough class and I woke up this morning feeling the effects of it. I fought with myself to even go to the gym at lunchtime today, but I did go. I decided that this would be the day. I would put aside my fear and just try to run on a treadmill.

I did a 16 minute warm-up on an elliptical machine and then self-assuredly walked over to an open treadmill. It was a newer, gadget-filled treadmill. I put my feet on the tracks to the side and hit "quick start" and off we went. For the first three minutes, I felt awful. I mean, I felt sick because I wasn't sure what to expect ... was my left knee going to explode? Once I got past the five minute mark, I got my breathing into a decent rhythm and calmed myself down. My iPod was cranking "I Will Follow" and everything was coming back to me. I remembered what it felt like and this felt good.

I ran for 14 minutes between 4.5 and 5.0 mph and cooled down for another three minutes. I ran my first mile today in 12:20. I am ready.

Let's Play Two!

Today kicks off the baseball season for our beloved Chicago Cubs and White Sox. The Cubs have a 1:20 p.m. start against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley, but with dropping temperatures (we're around 41 right now), fog and rain in the mix, I'd be surprised if they're even able to make it to the 3rd inning. The White Sox will be facing the Cleveland Indians on the road this afternoon with Mark Buehrle taking the mound.

On a side note, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Chicago Sun-Times had published a little piece that I wrote in today's edition of their "Talk Back" section.

Warped Priorities:
I was appalled to read in Sneed's column on Thursday how Gov. Blagojevich issued his "help me on this" plea to local politicos in his eager attempt to help the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority buy Wrigley Field. What is he doing about the ever-escalating cost of college
education in the state of Illinois? Perhaps he should ask the state legislature to help him on doing something to put a lid on the costs of pursuing an education at the public universities in our state.

Earth Hour: Chicago 2008

At 8:00 p.m., we turned off our lights for one hour. "Earth Hour" was created by the World Wildlife Fund last year in Sidney, Australia (learn more by visiting http://www12.earthhourus.org. According to ComEd, there was a 5% reduction in electric usage in Chicago between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. tonight. It's a start. Be a good stewart of the earth God created.

Worthy is the Lamb

Easter morning worship in Chicago.

"The shackles are undone

The bullets quit the gun

The heat that’s in the sun

Will keep us when there’s none

The rule has been disproved

The stone it has been moved

The grave is now a groove

All debts are removed

Oh can’t you see what love has done?

Oh can’t you see what love has done?

Oh can’t you see what love has done?

What it’s done to me?"

Window in the Skies by: U2

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin.

The inside of St. Patrick's Cathedral (Árd Eaglais Naomh Pádraig). It is the largest church in Ireland, founded in 1191. Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travel's was the dean of this cathederal from 1713 to 1745.

This stone was uncovered below the surface of the traditional site of St. Patrick's Well. Tradition holds that the first converts to Christianity were baptized by St. Patrick there.

Go mbeannaí Dia duit -- May God bless you!

All photos taken in October, 2007 in Dublin, Ireland by Meridith ©

Poulnabrone Dolmen

Picture taken 10/10/07 in County Clare, Ireland by Meridith©

This portal tomb is one of two located in The Burren in Western Ireland. These large stone tombs were built throughout Western Europe during the Neolithic or New Stone Age when the practice of farming was first becoming established.

A New Guitar

"Three cords and the truth."






I think she liked her surprise.

Girl's Best Friend

We have finally reached the end of February. This Winter has been a long, cold & snowy one. I've been sick for most of this month, but I'm hopeful that the first peeks of crocus popping up and the potential of 40 degree plus weather this weekend with rid my body of what ails me.

Despite the congestion and on-and-off cough throughout this month, I managed to keep up with yoga class on Wednesdays, but I ditched the gym up until yesterday. I figured it was time to get back into a schedule; so, I did 20 minutes on the elliptical machine and called it a day.

We had Brody neutered two weeks ago. He still acts crazy ... and he loves the snow.

"I'll see you again when the stars fall from the sky and ...

the moon has turned red over One Tree Hill." One Tree Hill By: U2

My attempt to capture the lunar eclipse in February with my digital Minolta set up on a tripod in our frozen backyard in a star-filled, Winter sky. It was intensely cold, but beautiful to behold.

Seeking God

Our church is doing a 40-day prayer focus leading up to Easter entitled "Seek God for the City 2008." Today's passage just happened to be "Seeking God ... to rescue people enslaved in spiritual darkness." I thought that this picture captured today's theme perfectly ... it's framed in complete darkness, but the light brings forth the hope that is to come.

"And I will appoint you as ... a light to the nations, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon and those who dwell in darkness from the prison." Isaiah 42:6-7

"Jesus said to them, 'For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you.'" John 12:35

Walk on.

Stained glass window panel; picture taken at Christ Church Cathedral, in Dublin, Ireland, October, 2007 ©

Happy Valentine's Day

PICT0047, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

Irish Hydrangea from County Cork. I took this picture while strolling the grounds of Blarney Castle in October, 2007.


"... the greatest of these is love." I Cor. 13:13

Last Weekend ... in 3D

I've been battling a cold for the past two weeks; so, that is my defense for the lag in my posts. I did muster enough energy to make it to down to Navy Pier last weekend to see U2 3D with Janice. It was an amazing way to see the band perform ... would've been so much better if the crowd was more into it, but very cool nonetheless. At one point, it seemed like I was going to get hit upside the head by Adam's bass guitar during one song. I also liked the over-head angle they shot Larry playing drums because it gave you a very different perspective that you don't get to see in regular concert DVD's. Two thumbs up!

I also ended up taking my daughters to see the Hannah Montana 3D movie (because I promised). Caitlyn & Alex are really more fans of the Jonas Brothers, but they seemed to like the whole concert ... Miley Cyrus and all.

Back to this weekend ... we were with Alex down in Crete today while she was cheering at a basketball tournament for the boys' basketball team. (Bruins won 1st place!) Caitlyn is working her first real job this weekend at one of the concession stands at the auto show. Winter refuses to cut us some slack. The high temperature tomorrow is supposed to be 4 degrees with windchills -20 degrees. I'm ready for a little sun ... and a good night's sleep.

"Where you live should not decide whether you live or whether you die ..."

We survived a weekend of below zero wind chills and the AFC and NFC Championship games. Although we were rooting for the Packers to win, we will gladly cheer on the Giants against the Patriots when Super Bowl Sunday rolls around in two weeks.

I actually made a real sit-down meal after church yesterday: baked lasagna, salad and garlic bread. Janice came over to catch up and share some stories from her recent medical missions trip to Haiti.

Last week, I discovered the show Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares on BBC America. I love it! Basically, award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay goes to a failing restaurant and works as a troubleshooter there for a week with the staff in an effort to turn things around. It is not pretty because he calls it like he sees it. If the head chef is lazy, he's not afraid to say it to his or her face. He gives them ideas to change their menus. Ramsay makes a return visit to each restaurant a few months down the road to see how they have fared with the changes. He drops a lot of F-bombs, but they are beeped out. It's very British and great to watch.

Goals for this week: elimination of migraine triggers, make it to the gym three times this week (plus yoga class)

Til Tuesday

The view southbound on Inner Lake Shore Drive, taken on a CTA bus, Jan. 8, 2008, 1:30 p.m.

I'm sitting at work listening to the end of "Creep" by Radiohead and watching the rain fall over the CNA building and the Field Museum. I just read on the Chicago Tribune website that another 15-year-old was shot and killed in Logan Square last night. Does it ever end? Violence continues to perpetuate around the world. God's heart does ache.

1:15 p.m. I leave my orthopedic surgeon's office for what will probably be the last time. There remains a 2 cm. difference between my left and right quadricep muscles. Dr. G is glad to hear that I'm back at the gym and laughed at my holiday excuses because he did the same. He encouraged me to keep working on strengthening the quads and to hold on running until I notice some definite improvement. I'm to follow-up with him in six months if I'm having any problems with the knee at that time. It has been a little over four months since surgery. It seems like I lost a huge chunk of time from July 27th (the day of the final, fateful run) up through physical therapy, but that is now all in the past and I'm ready to make another go at it.

On the way back downtown, I saw a camel while riding the No. 151 bus through Lincoln Park.

"I'm here to make you happy."

It's the 7th day of January and it is officially 60 degrees in Chicago at 9:48 a.m. It may be odd, but I won't complain -- grey street grime and all. As I walked in this morning, I was blown away by the view of the lake front from my office's reception area. It reminded me of that scene from Forrest Gump where Forrest and Capt. Dan are out on the boat in the Bayou during sunset (where Capt. Dan thanks Forrest for saving his life in Vietnam). Lake Michigan was calm and still and framed by pinks and muddled blues.

Today will be my first official day back at the gym (I tagged a membership onto Darrin's Bally's membership). My goal: 10-15 minute warm up on the elliptical machine and then weight training. I'm putting running off until I notice some definite strength improvement in the quads. Wednesday is yoga and I'll repeat again on Friday. Baby steps ...

U23D

Looking Back 2007

2007, December. The days are getting shorter and the nights colder, while flannel sheets now grace our beds. Autumn came and went without any effort to get the garden ready for next Spring. Lots of our plans were put off ... not purposefully, but, sometimes, life just happens and we still can find the beauty in the remainder of the day.

"The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty. Let all the earth rejoice, All the earth rejoice.
He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide and trembles at His voice, trembles at His voice."

The year was filled with the usual day-to-day activities and a few unexpected events. Caitlyn completed her freshman year of high school at Chicago Hope Academy – go Eagles! She’s now firmly entrenched in her sophomore year, with classes including chemistry, Spanish II and world history. Caitlyn made the volleyball team again and is working hard being a Student Ambassador. In July, she had an incredible opportunity through school to spend a week working in Ensenada, Mexico by helping to assemble pre-fabricated homes for some very needy families. The project was part of the Arial Home Initiative, in conjunction with Youth With a Mission. (Here’s a link to pictures and info on the build: http://www.arialhome.org/Past%20Builds.htm;
click on the July 26-26, 2007 link).

Alexandra is now a 6th grader and in the junior high youth group. She participated in each and every sport offered during the school year and has just begun practice for the upcoming basketball and cheerleading season at St. Andrew. Her new passion is skateboarding and before it turned cold, she spent a lot of time in the backyard practicing "ollies" and "pop shove it" off the ramp that Darrin built for her. Alex took 2nd place in the storytelling division of the Chicago Area Lutheran Association’s annual forensic competition in November during her performance of "The Three Silly Billies".

In June, we spent a week out in California visiting Darrin’s sister Dawn and her husband, Larry. We spent a day up at Zuma Beach in Malibu. While the girls and I were out in the surf, Darrin relaxed under the partial cover of an umbrella, but he still managed to get a second-degree sun burn on his ankles. We finally made it down to Orange County to visit Knott’s Berry Farm. The girls got a kick when just the three of us took a drive up through the Hollywood Hills, Brentwood, Beverly Hills and down Rodeo Drive. We wrapped up the week with a trek down to Huntington Beach with Dawn & Larry where we staked out a fire pit near the ocean, swam, ate, made smores and relaxed. The sunset was breathtaking and we were able to watch porpoises feed in the water about 150 feet out.

In September, Darrin and Alex fulfilled their dream of owning a dog by brining home a Maltese puppy which we named "Brody". Lottie is slowly warming up to the new addition to the family. Sometimes it feels like our house is a zoo with everyone running up and down, in and out and away and after each other.

I started noticing pain in my left knee late last year, which I thought was just runner’s knee. I was able to run the Shamrock Shuffle 8K with Darrin and Caitlyn in March, but took two long breaks up through July. During my last attempt to run in July, I made it only three steps before I felt a horrible, ripping-type pain shoot down my leg. An MRI confirmed it was a lateral tear of the left medial meniscus. So, on a Friday in late August, I underwent an arthroscopic surgical repair on my knee. My orthopedic surgeon (the best ever), discovered I also had the start of a tear on the anterior meniscus as well. Darrin, Janice and the girls took exceptional care of me at home and I was able to return to work (with crutches) the following Thursday. I only had six weeks to recuperate from the time of my surgery to the day Janice and I were scheduled to leave for Ireland; so, after a few weeks of physical therapy, I was physically ready to make the journey with Janice to the Emerald Isle to celebrate her 40th birthday.

IRELAND. I’m still thinking about the sights, sounds, people, places ... it was magical, it was beautiful, it was exhausting, it was adventurous. We started in Dublin, staying at The Clarence (Bono’s hotel) across from the River Liffey and near the Temple Bar area for two nights. Lots of walking down Grafton Street, a tour of Trinity College, a viewing of the Book of Kells, took in an evening song service at Christchurch Cathedral and a tour of St. Patrick’s. * A three hour train ride took us to Galway on the west coast. We took a tour of The Burren in County Clare (home of megalithic tombs and portal dolmens) and the Cliffs of Moher (breathtakingly beautiful). The King of Belgium just happened to be on an official state visit and stopped by the Cliffs while we were there. Every county that we visited was different (especially dialects). * Cork had a different feel; a bit edgier than Galway, but very urban. We found our way to Blarney Castle and made the trek up to the top to kiss the Blarney Stone. The view of the estate from the top was worth it, especially with all of the trees in their autumn splendor. * Another long bus ride took us back east, down to Waterford, where we did the Waterford Crystal factor tour. You really get to appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into each piece. Janice and I had to make an Amazing Race-type dash to catch a train back up to Dublin for our final two days. * Back in Dublin, we did more shopping, toured the Guinness Brewery and walked around O’Connell Street. We cheered along with visiting Brits while watching the English beat the French in World Cup Rugby during dinner one night. * Ireland is so rich in history. A history that is worth learning about. Our guided tour of Kilmainham Gaol (jail) left me speechless. You can read about the 1916 Easter Rising to get started. This trip made me appreciate refills on coffee, ice, the 16 oz. beverage size, good signage and transit maps that actually show you which direction you’re heading to. * I’ve posted all of my digital pictures on flickr, which you can view at your leisure at: http://flickr.com/photos/9968241@N04/sets/72157603498499246/.

"Age to age He stands and time is in His hands, Beginning and the end, beginning and the end. The Godhead Three in One, Father Spirit Son, the Lion and the Lamb,
the Lion and the Lamb."

And I remember ... the beauty of freshly fallen snow; early morning prayers with a friend; the joy of freshly brewed coffee at 5:30 a.m.; walking through St. Stephen’s Green; Evening Song in Christ Church Cathedral; Dublin mornings; parents who pray; yearning to run when I couldn’t; a better year of growing hydrangeas; the Danes vs. the Brits at Oliver St. John Gogarty and the "With or Without You" sing-a-long; Looptopia; catching the girls’ sporting events; the climb to the top of Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone; hearing Stewart Copeland’s familiar drumming as The Police finally took the stage at Wrigley Field; watching a sea lion in the water off Zuma Beach in Malibu; body surfing with Alexandra in the Pacific; running with Caitlyn during her first race; the beauty of the Cliffs of Moher and the roar of the Atlantic Ocean below; watching Alexandra chase Brody around the backyard; the noise from the MRI; celebrating the first of the "40th" birthdays of friends; hugs from the 4's & 5's on Sundays; expanding my garden in the patio; the porpoises of Huntington Beach; cicadas; lunchtime spent in the Lurie Garden at Millennium Park; getting the news that Chicago has a chance to host the 2016 Olympics; fish & chips at McDonough’s in Galway; the excitement and letdown of the Chicago Bears; catching up with old friends during our mini 20th high school reunion get together; walking through the damp and dark cells in Kilmainhim Goel; being wheeled into a cold room and feeling the burn of the anesthesia in the IV; hearing a voice that’s still whispering; the stillness of the Burren; the ability to fill my lungs with air to breathe and muscles that continue to propel this still 30-something body; and just how good God is.
"Name above all names, Worthy of our praise, My heart will sing How great is our God."

2008. May the new year bring you much love and peace. I pray that your celebration of the Savior’s birth will remind you of all that He has done for you in giving His life as a ransom for all "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Thank you for being a part of our lives.

"How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God, and all will see how great, how great is our God."
"How Great is our God " by Chris Tomlin

These are Days

PICT0011, originally uploaded by Meridith Louise.

West coast of Ireland, near The Burren.

I'm Thankful For ...

... so much. My Bo, the girls, my family ... the gift of sight, the pleasure of taste ... gifted doctors and modern medicine ... pets to care for, mouths to feed ... friends that pray, a God that hears ... .

May your Thanksgiving Day celebration be filled with all the people that you hold dear.

"Snail" shot at the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland, October, 2007

Marathon Weekend

This Sunday will be the final running of "The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon". Bank of America has just completed its take-over of LaSalle Bank; so, next year there will be a name change for this premier event.

There's nothing like standing on the sidelines cheering on all of the runners. We used to stake out a spot near U.S. Cellular Field -- around mile 19 -- and watch the elite runners (including Catherine Ndereba, Khalid Khannouchi and Paul Tergat) go by first. I'd shout out "Jambo!" as the Kenyans and their rabbits flew by.

There is such an incredible feeling of excitement and energy as all of the runners pass by. You get a chill from seeing the Team in Training and World Vision runners who are running to raise money for cancer research or to help African families and children affected by HIV/AIDS. The rest of the field is made up of different men and women from all walks of life ... young and old, first time marathoners and 10-year veterans trying to set a new PR ... middle-aged women with their names written on their t-shirts who smile brightly and pump their hand up in the air when you shout out their name for encouragement... men wearing pink t-shirts declaring that they are running in memory of a loved one ... bodies with less than 20% body fat to Clydesdale runners. They all pound the flat, fast pavement snaking through Chicago's vibrant neighborhoods -- each destined to reach their goal to justify the months of training.

At lunch today, there were lots of people walking back from the marathon expo with their race packets slung across their shoulders. The sun was shining brightly and there was a definite feeling of hype in the October sky.

I wish I could run. I have a few months to go before I'll feel comfortable enough to get back out there. My knee is continuing to heal and I'm grateful that I finally got it taken care of. I'm placing my sights on running in next Spring's LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K ... wait, I mean the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle.

So, to Barbara P., Michelle S. and the 40,000 other runners who will line up Sunday morning ... run strong!

Hebrews 12:1 "... let us run with endurance the race that is set before us ..."

Two Days

Janice and I will be flying to Ireland to celebrate her 40th birthday in two short days. After physical therapy tonight, there'll be some last minute shopping and then one last day of work. This will be my first trip to Europe ... I'm so excited!

Bits & pieces from the last month:

• began physical therapy three weeks ago and it has helped to strengthen my leg; my surgeon gave me the green light for the trip and asked me to bring him back a picture of my knee on the Blarney Stone;
• inched closer to 40 myself by turning 38 on September 5th; Darrin and the girls gave me an iPod because he was embarrassed to see me with my portable CD player;
• Dawn & Larry left California and moved back home to Chicago;
• the girls are in the midst of volleball season and doing well in school; and
• the garden is winding down; the sedum and pansies are the last bits of color; had lots cucumbers and there are a few tomatoes left on the vine.

I'm determined to be more regular in my posts. Expect lots of pics from the trip.

Introducing the Newest Member of Our Family ...

Brody the Maltese

Alexandra's long wish has come true!

"They say it's your birthday ... "

Today is the beginning of my 38th year of life. I survived the surgery and the awful affects of anesthesia. The knee is getting stronger and the limp is slowly disappearing. I'm so thankful for family and friends, cookie and flower bouquets, my beautiful daughters, fresh tomatoes and cucumbers from my garden and answers to prayer. "It is well with my soul."

IT'S GOOD TO BE ALIVE! (Compliments to Mr. Lin Brehemer)

Clinical Indications:

"Pain and swelling since November of 2006 in this 37 year old runner. There is horizontal tears of the posterior third of the medial meniscus extending to the inferior articualr surface. Articular cartilage surfaces are intact without osteochondral defect or bone marrow edema. The lateral meniscus is intact as are the cruciate and collateral ligaments. There is a small knee joint effusion. Alignment of the patellofemoral joint is preserved. The quadriceps tendon and patellar ligament are intact. Impression: medial meniscus tear. Otherwise intact knee."

I met with an orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon earlier this week. He went over the MRI films with me and we talked about how to handle things considering that the Ireland trip is now eight weeks away. He feels that I will be in good shape four weeks post-op; so, I went ahead and scheduled surgery for August 24th. The doctor said I will be able to run again ... it was music to my ears! I'll undergo some physical therapy before the trip to strengthen my quad and I'll be good to go. Now, I have to focus on getting the girls ready for the start of school on August 20th & 23rd. Lots to do, but happy we've got a plan.

It's another hot and humid day in the city. Darrin won't have a day off until next Friday. Caitlyn is up in Michigan at school camp and Alex is spending the day at the beach with Dalia. It's Friday and I'm glad to be alive.

Survey Says ...

Endured an MRI at 6:45 a.m. today in order to find out if I have a torn meniscus or a torn medial collateral ligament. I'm hoping for the MCL diagnosis because physical therapy is the prescribed treatment.

The Last Weekend of July

On Friday, I decided to head out for a lunchtime run. I've taken a running hiatus since the end of May. Monday evening yoga has been the extent of my physical activity as of late, which definitely shows through with the increasing numbers when I get on the scale. Anyhow, I walked over to Millennium Park and started a half-hearted shuffle ... as I hit my third step, I felt a horrible pain shoot from the inside of my left knee down toward my calf. I stopped immediately. This was a much different pain than what I had been experiencing. I walked through the park and over to Columbus & Monroe. It was probably more of a limp. I attempted a show shuffle again, but I stopped after a few two steps. My self-diagnosis earlier in the year was per aersine bursitis, but I'm not quite sure what's going on now. I cried Friday night when I went to bed because I want to run (and my leg ached so much). I'm fearful that I might have tore a tendon, but I'm hoping that my doctor will be able to see me tomorrow so that we can find out what's going on in the leg. I know that God can heal.

Caitlyn is wrapping up the build project with Arial Homes in Ensenada, Mexico today. They'll be driving back up to San Diego later this afternoon. I miss her, too.

Our Summer So Far ...

"somebody spoke and I went into a dream ..."

The Beatles' album "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" was released 40 years ago today. WDRV just played the vinyl album from start to finish. It was recorded at Abbey Road on a four-track recorder. The sound is amazing. It drove Brian Wilson further down. The echo-y harmony on "Lovely Rita" is classic pop. A "Day in the Life" is one of my favorites.


Of course, many Beatles' tunes bring back memories. It was Steven Duckinew's Beatles belt buckle in 6th grade that made a real impression on me. He loved the Beatles! Then there's Mom's ultimate story of seeing the Beatles play at Comiskey Park in August, 1965. (You noticed I wrote "seeing" rather than "hearing" because the screams of the teenage girls drowned out the music from their little amps. The tickets were $4.50 each). I am still blamed to this day for losing her ticket stub on one of my attic souvenir searches. Dancing with Imo to "Twist and Shout" at the Jukebox Saturday Night stage at Taste of Chicago. A boy who I shared a class with in college who sang to me "Please Please Me" along with his acoustic guitar. But, nothing tops taking my mom and the girls with me to see Paul McCartney during the "Driving Rain" tour. The look on my mom's face said it all. It was surreal ... from the opening of "Hello Goodbye", to the story behind "Blackbird", "Band on the Run" and all the way through to "The End".
Paul even played the Hofner bass. This was Caitlyn & Alexandra's first concert ... we set the bar high.


"There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all"

In My Life (Lennon, McCartney)

In These Shoes

During yesterday's lunchtime run (which I should have not done since the knee had taken quite a pounding with consecutive day runs), I came across the exhibit "Eyes Wide Open: An Exhibition on the Human Costs of the Iraq War" at the corner of Jackson & Columbus. Over 3,000 combat boots, representing the lives of the U.S. soldiers that have been killed in Iraq, were layed out in neat lines in the park. Each pair included a tag that included the name of a soldier, their age and hometown. Some boots were the actual boots worn by that fallen soldier. Others had copies of pictures, momentos, flowers and news articles from the local paper attached to them. There were state flags and U.S. flags. It was humbling and moving; it left me sad and proud. Some of the men and women were only 18, 19-years old; others were in their late 40's.

After walking through the rows, I made my way back to Jackson and began the final stretch north down Michigan Avenue. The sky was blue and laced with humidity. I lifted a prayer up for the families of all those lost. See, I still have the freedom to run and pray openly without fear because the price for that freedom was paid by the men and women who lost their lives in wars battled throughout the history of our country. I am not worthy to even stand in their shoes.

Pictures and a Paragraph -- Part II

O.F.C.A. Class of 1987: The Unofficial 20-Year Reunion

I had a wonderful time at our Friday evening get-together at Gino's East in Orland Park. I was a bit nervous earlier in the week, but all that passed away as soon as I sat down at the table with my old friends. Just saying "20 years since my high school graduation" is mind blowing. Although many of us are separated by thousands of miles, once we're together, the stories flow colorfully and fondly. It was so good to catch up with one another and hear about what other people in our class are up to these days. My daughters wanted to come with, so they sat on the end and listened tentatively to the tales of old (they love hearing about things we did as kids).

So, Paul, Bryan, Jeff, Zack and Mark ... you each have grown into amazing men who still follow after God's own heart. Thank you for accepting this northside girl in the fall of '86 and making me a part of your class. Words fail to express the appreciation I have for your friendship.

Go Patriots!

Pictures and a Paragraph -- Part I

Alexandra competed in her first C.A.L.L. Track & Field Meet. She won first place in the 5th & 6th grade girls' 400 meter; third place in the 50 meter sprint; third place in the 4 x 100 relay; and fifth place in the softball throw. Our school came in third place overall. It's hard to cheer on your daughter and take pictures at the same time. I was blown away by her 400 meter run.

Conqueror Evil With Good

My heart aches for the parents of those young men and women killed at Virginia Tech on Monday. You cannot imagine the pain and suffering that they are experiencing. The questions that run through their minds ... the "what if" scenarios ... the last conversations shared ... the sweet smell of their children as they were cradled in their arms not so many years ago. I am in awe of the Holocaust-survivor professor who looked Evil once again in its eyes and sacrified his life so that his students could escape. CNN showed video last night of VT students gathering on the lawn where many were in prayer circles lifting up petitions to God. Black, white, Asian, men, women -- all crying out to the Creator of the universe.

"And I believe You’re here now
Standing in our midst.
Here with the power to heal now
And the grace to forgive." ("I believe in Jesus" by: Marc Nelson)

Stir Your Soul ... CHICAGO GOT THE BID!

The official announcement was just made minutes ago by the U.S. Olympic Committee ... Chicago will be the U.S. city put forward for consideration to the International Olympic Commitee for hosting the 2016 Olympics. This is an unbelieveable opportunity for the entire city and state. We'll still have two years of proposals and hoops to jump through, but at least we beat out L.A.

We are a city of neighborhoods. Edgewater, Streeterville, Wicker Park, Hyde Park, Garfield Ridge, Bucktown, Garfield Park, Austin, Englewood, Lake Park, Canaryville, Auburn Gresham, Saughanash, Little Italty, Pilsen, Humboldt Park, Logan Square & West Lawn. Our histories are colorful, sometimes a little dirty; but strong and woven together to create this fabric of Midwestern life that is much more real than you'd find anywhere on either coast. Welcome to our 'hood ~ welcome to Chicago ~ welcome home!

Resurrection Sunday

"Now behold the Lamb, the precious Lamb of God. Born into sin that I may live again. The precious Lamb of God.

Holy is the Lamb. The precious Lamb of God. Why you loved me so Lord I shall never know. The precious Lamb of God.

Even when I broke, broke your heart
My sins tore us apart
But I'm standin' right here in the midst of my tears
I claim you to be the Lamb of God
New life can begin, yeah
For you washed away, washed away everyone of my sins
Whom the Son sets free is truly free indeed
I claim you to be the Lamb of God

Thank you for the Lamb. The precious Lamb of God. Because of your grace I can finish this race. The precious Lamb of God."

"Now Behold the Lamb" By: Kirk Franklin