Views from Betty’s windows

Sunrise with self-portrait


Sunset, looking south toward Navy Pier

Sunset, looking north

University of Chicago welcome for new students. They never had bagpipers when I went there.

Parents reception in Hutchinson Court

Students marching to their dorms. It’s a different world than when I was a student. School spirit was an unknown concept in 1950.

This morning I went to the Art Institute, primarily to look at Japanese Art. There was a good show of Utamaro prints and some wonderful ceramics. This was always one of my favorite places in Chicago, but I have not been there for several years. Much of their collection has been reinstalled, and I did not have enough time to look at all of it. I saw a show of movable books in the library then had to hurry to a lunch date, stopping briefly at the Cultural Center to see an exhibit of Japanese bamboo baskets. Too little time to see everything I wanted. After lunch, which I should have skipped to spend more time at the exhibits, I went to an amazing performance of King Lear at the Goodman Theater. Then back to the Art Institute for a few more minutes in the galleries and then a lecture. I am going home tomorrow, but I could spend weeks here and be happy.

I love Chicago. And I never get tired of coming here. I had dinner this evening at Millenium Park. Then Betty went to a concert and I walked back to the apartment. As I walked out of the park I was surrounded by music, the lights from the wonderful fountain sculpture and all of the lights of the city. What a treat. This part of the city is just gorgeous.

Yesterday Betty and I went to Jackson Park to see the Osaka Garden. (Also see here.) It’s very beautiful, little visited and, unfortunately, somewhat neglected. I feel like I am making a collection of Japanese gardens. This is the second one in Chicago. I’ll post pictures after I return to Pittsburgh on Friday.

We got back to the apartment just before the rains came, then went out again, anyway, to dinner and a concert at Northwestern University. I realize we went from one end of the city to the other. This morning I went out to Northbrook to visit my cousin Phyllis. There is something very sweet about being with someone you know since childhood. Not too many of those people are left for me.

Tomorrow morning Eli and I will drive to Chicago, he to start college and I to spend a week with friends and relatives. He will be the fourth generation in our family to go to the University of Chicago. Although I hope I never tried to influence him, I am very pleased he is going there. I got a wonderful education, which has enabled me to tackle almost any intellectual challenge. I wish him the same.

I went to Chicago for the wedding of one of my cousin’s grandsons. It was a very special occasion, every detail was lovingly planned and executed. The wedding was held at the Patrick Haley Mansion in Joliet, Illinois, a marvelous background for a joyous event.

The bride and groom with the groom’s Uncle Marty.

Carol dancing with Paul, the groom’s 88 year old grand-
father.

Me, dancing with my cousin, Arnie. I hope I can still do this when I am 88.

I can’t believe this weather: 65 degrees on January 13. I’m enjoying it, but deep down I don’t think it’s a good thing. Taking advantage of the sunshine I walked down to Frick Park this morning. Not having dogs with me I decided to walk in Homewood Cemetery, which is next to the park and doesn’t allow dogs. When I walked in the gate was open on Homewood Avenue and there was a workman nearby. I started to walk around enjoying the sunshine and looking at some of the headstones. After a while I realized the workman was gone and the gate was closed. I felt a little panicky but decided I could always call the police on my cell phone.

I was locked in a cemetery in Chicago a couple of years ago. Betty and I went to a Sunday matinee on the north side. We were going to meet her family for dinner nearby and had some time to kill, so we went to investigate Wunders Cemetery and Hebrew Benevolent at Clark and Irving Park across the street from Chicago’s famous Graceland Cemetery. Signs on the fences warned that the cemeteries closed at 4:45 and it was almost that time. However the sun was shining, the gates were open and we walked in. I kept an eye on the gates for awhile but as we walked further back I could no longer see them. I did see a man purposefully walking by. This was not an area where people strolled, and he wasn’t strolling, so we started walking back to the gate. We were locked in. I did not like the idea of calling the Chicago Police on my cell phone. I couldn’t envision a good outcome. Luckily some women walked by trying to get into the cemetery. We explained our predicament and asked them to try to find the caretaker. About fifteen minutes later we were rescued.

I thought about this as I walked back to Homewood Avenue. Fortunately the gate was easily opened and I was able to walk out, without meeting the Pittsburgh police.