People watching

Posted on October 2, 2006 by ruthek

I went to the zoo last week; the people were more interesting than the animals. There were also many more of them. These people, in the green shirts, were
on a busman’s holiday. They were volunteers from the zoo in Cleveland, on a day trip to Pittsburgh.

There were many Amish people that day.
I was particularly impressed with the fathers caring for their sons.

I took the tram from the entrance to the aquarium.

As I got off the train I noticed this group of red hat ladies.
This amazing commercial venture is based on a poem by Jenny Joseph, Warning. When I first read the poem, possibly thirty years ago, I thought it was a declaration of independence at a time when women were mostly constrained.
Every time I encounter some of these women I am appalled that they used the poem to form another constraining group.

The Pittsburgh difference

Posted on October 2, 2006 by ruthek

We went to a play on Saturday night: After Mrs. Rochester, at the Quantum Theater. It was well done, very interesting, but the highlight of the evening occurred before the play. When we drove up to the Carnegie Library in Braddock, where the play was presented, the mayor of Braddock directed us to a parking space, shook our hands and welcomed us to Braddock. The library is the first one built by Andrew Carnegie, and the auditorium has been beautifully restored. Steve, the New Yorker, constantly marvels at Pittsburgh. When he went to a baseball game the usher dusted off the seats before they sat down. Then he gets to shake hands with a mayor when he goes to a play.

Posted on September 30, 2006 by ruthek

One of my cousin’s kids, Kenny Sachs, who is no longer a kid, has decided to pursue a second career. I recently received an email from him with the following:

Many of you knew me in my previous life in the mortgage business.
Today, I have been fortunate enough to pursue my dream as a songwriter,
musician, and artist. After months of writing and recording in a studio
in Nashville, I’ve just released my debut CD "Waiting For You" and I
wanted to let you know that it is now available online.

After some instructions about buying his CD he continues with:

There have been a few challenges along the way, but mostly I’ve been
having a blast writing, singing, and performing my music. And I’ve
realized that it’s never too late to follow your dreams!

The experts say many of us will live long enough to have several careers. Kenny certainly exemplifies that. I’m impressed with his drive and his courage, and I wish him all the luck. Kenny, now Kenny Harlan, has samples of his work here.

More Chicago pictures

Posted on September 24, 2006 by ruthek

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.

Cousins

Posted on September 22, 2006 by ruthek

One of the reasons I had such a great time in Chicago was visiting with my cousins. They always make me feel well-loved. This time they even made me feel beautiful. What more could I ask for?

Also had lunch with one of my nephews; a great guy. I feel blessed that I have such a good family. Maybe with Eli in Chicago I’ll get to see everyone more often.

About my automobile

Posted on September 22, 2006 by ruthek

Driving alone from Chicago to Pittsburgh is tedious, at best. The first four hours weren’t too bad. About 2 pm I got off the highway and went to Toledo to see the new glass museum. After a pleasant interlude, and lunch, I got back on the road. By four o’clock I was getting worried about falling asleep. The next rest area was a half hour away, so I sang to myself. I’m glad no one was around to hear me. Grande Starbucks got me the rest of the way to Pittsburgh.

The automobile is a love-hate thing in my life. I enjoyed driving with Eli, and it was certainly convenient for transporting all of his stuff. But parking it on the near north side of Chicago was another pain. It was possible to find a parking space about 4 pm. But the area is posted; you have to have a resident’s permit or a temporary permit which has to be renewed every day. Now I have to clean out all of those little blue pieces of paper.

Art of all kinds

Posted on September 21, 2006 by ruthek

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.

Having a wonderful time

Posted on September 18, 2006 by ruthek

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.

Posted on September 17, 2006 by ruthek

After I deposited Eli and his belongings at his dorm I went to an alumni function at International House. I was active with the alumni association in New York, but I haven’t done anything in Pittsburgh. This was a kind of pep rally, urging us to become more active. The first session was all about the University of Chicago Magazine and the website, and specifically, how they were going to improve the website. The second session was about extra or co-curricular activities available to new students. The internships and opportunities for community service really sounded terrific. For one of the few times in my life, I wanted to go back in time. I was jealous of all those young people. When I went to the University of Chicago it was a great school. I learned a lot. But I was discouraged from following any real career path. Women were expected to get married, be housekeepers, and/or, maybe teachers, secretaries, nurses, social workers. There were no internships or other opportunities to test your abilities. I am grateful my daughter and my granddaughter do not have such limited choices.

School for Eli

Posted on September 14, 2006 by ruthek

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.

100 Books Before I Die

Ruthe Karlin