A trip to Chicago for a few days. At my high school reunion, when making conversation with people you remember from 50 years ago but haven't stayed in touch, one of the questions was, "Now that you're retired, do you go anywhere for the winter." My answer, "Cleveland and Chicago to visit my grandkids." That always got a confused reaction.
The Museum of Science and Industry's annual Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light was a fun excursion to get out of the house. It features more than 50 trees and displays, each decorated by community volunteers who share family and cultural traditions drawing on their global heritage. This beloved annual exhibit started in 1942 as one tree to represent unity during World War II and has since turned into an engaging winter wonderland. It brings a whole world of holiday joy under one roof.
The United States' tree has an ornament for each of the 50 states. We had to hunt for Ohio and finally found it in the back of the tree.
England and France's trees. England's tree topper is hard to see but it is a crown. The sparkling Eiffel Tower tops France's tree.
Todd and my son-in-law were supposed to go to the Cleveland Browns v. Chicago Bears football game but it was too bitterly cold. The wind chill factor was around -10°F (-23°C) and as much as Todd loves his Browns, watching them in the bitter cold was not appealing. However, my daughter, who loves football as much as her dad, did go to the game with a bunch of her crazy friends and appeared on the television screen for a brief moment. She's the blonde in the left corner.
My little grandson loves to organize his animals. As he lines them up, he says each one's name, and then looks at Didi to repeat what he says. This was a great source of entertainment and now I hear his little voice, "brown bear, turtle, tiger, toucan, crocodile, flamingo, elephant..."
The I-65 wind farm is always a boredom buster on the journey to and from Chicago. 20 miles of driving through snow-covered, frozen Indiana farmland.
We got home to witness this knock-your-eyes-out sunset. Mother Nature sure put on a color show.
Fantastic sunset. You've reminded me of a few of the things I miss about Chicago. I miss that jam-packed skyline but, I don't miss that cold. I recall walking back home from winter shopping and stopping every every few stores just to get my feet warm again.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonder filled few days. I will have three conferences in Chicago in the next two years. I look forward to them, even the one in February of 2027.
ReplyDeleteThe trees are so pretty. Your sweet grandson is also a bright little fellow. I miss those glorious Midwestern sunsets. I took them for granted. We have very pretty sunsets in Northern California but they lack the grandeur.
ReplyDeleteI spent three years in Indianapolis (more than) a few decades ago and we had marvelous weather the whole time. Years later a friend from there told me that was NOT typical Indiana winter weather. Lucky me!
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