May 30, 2009 by kim.

The special holidays that I list in this little ongoing post are not the only holidays celebrated in a month. There are many more listed on the following sites:

Holidays For Everyday
http://www.holidaysforeveryday.com/calendar09.shtml
Holiday Insights
http://www.holidayinsights.com/

I choose to post the ones that I find interesting and have more information to go along with them than just a passing mention. Enjoy!

National Candy Month
http://www.housing.k-state.edu/dining/FitCourse/justforfun/06-candymonth.html

National Accordion Awareness Month
http://www.ladyofspain.com/naam.html

Turkey Lovers’ Month
http://www.mygourmetconnection.com/articles/all-about-food/turkey-lovers-month.php

National Doughnut Day - June 5 (always the first Friday in June)
http://www.seriouseats.com/tags/National%20Doughnut%20Day

National Yo-Yo Day - June 6
http://people.howstuffworks.com/national-yo-yo-day.htm

World Sauntering Day - June 19
http://walking.about.com/b/2008/06/19/its-world-sauntering-day.htm

World Juggling Day - June 20
http://www.juggle.org/wjd/

National Hollerin’ Contest Day (3rd Saturday in June) - June 20
http://www.hollerincontest.com/

Log Cabin Day - June 28
http://www.qtm.net/logcabincrafts/brochure.htm

National Waffle Iron Day - June 29
http://www.ehow.com/how_2331092_celebrate-national-waffle-iron-day.html

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May 28, 2009 by kim.

This Petro Stopping Center sign in Racine, WI caught my eye as we were filling up the car across the street:

We noticed some interesting things being shown on there, so we camped out in the parking lot across the way to document them.

First, your general truck stop items:

Next, truck stop food:

Then, a few things I didn’t even know they had at truck stops:

Finally, whoever programmed the sign got in their own little editorials:

Nice.

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May 25, 2009 by kim.

Chris and I went to the IL Railway Museum in Union, IL this past weekend. They had a lot of vintage train cars on display in various “barns”, and we were able to ride a couple of electric trolley cars. Sadly, since we ride trains in the city all the time, the magic was sort of lost on us. It was still an interesting experience.

You would think I would have taken many pictures of the old trains, but it was a little difficult. They were all stored very close together, so the photos wouldn’t have come out very good. Oh well.

I did get some interesting shots, though (as I tend to do):

Mannequin

Horse

Spiderweb

Water Fountain

Then, since my Dad used to work for both Chicago & North Western and Union Pacific railroads, I thought I’d take a few pictures of those engines and signs:

Choo choo!

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May 21, 2009 by kim.

How convenient that we have this heat shield in the car:

Which also doubles as a sunshade:

Actually, it is a sun shade first, personal heat shield second. When the sun relentlessly shines through the windshield, it causes me to overheat. Even when the air conditioning is on, it gets too hot. Since we can’t put it in the windshield while we’re driving (Chris needs to see, I guess), I put it on my lap to help reflect the rays off of me. It keeps me relatively cool.

Smart, huh?

I thought so!

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May 18, 2009 by kim.

Today is my Dad’s birthday! Happy Birthday, Dad!!

Chris and I went home to celebrate with the family. We were also able to celebrate Easter, Mother’s Day, and my parent’s anniversary at the same time, as we weren’t able to get to WI until this past weekend:

All-in-one cake

Dad blowing out the candles

Hooray, Dad!!

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May 14, 2009 by kim.

There hasn’t been much going on lately, so I have nothing to do but bring you more places in which to sit and get a lovely sunburn.

Here we have Grant Park near Buckingham fountain:

They don’t want you to sit too close, I guess.

Here’s another pic from the same park:

Boy, does that look desolate.

How about this - anyone sitting here?:

Nope.

Who wants to visit the park when you’re nowhere near the fountain AND you’re cooking in the sun?

Look! Here’s some shade!:

Fancy that — not a bench in sight.

Here we have an area near the lake that Chris and I frequent:

Again — no shade, but here’s a pretty tree:

Without a bench, naturally.

Who the heck planned the parks in this city? Is a bench in the shade really too much to ask?

Give me some shade!

Posted in Nature, Observation | No Comments »

May 7, 2009 by kim.

For whatever reason, Chicago doesn’t see fit to place benches in the shade. For instance, in Millennium Park and in the area nearby (which I frequent), the benches are all out in the open. There are trees around, but the benches aren’t close enough to benefit from the little shade they provide. What happened there? Who planned it that way? Did the city not want people to be comfortable?

Look here:

And here:

Where are the shade trees?

Here is an uncomfortable bench in Millennium Park. Dare to sit here and be baked by the sun, and you’ll likely burn your legs on the hot metal:

This is where I ended up sitting at lunch yesterday:

It was the only place I could find with a decent expanse of shade.

Sure makes me miss the comfort of Central Park …

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May 4, 2009 by kim.

When I went out for lunch this past Friday, I realized that the 2009 Immigration March was going to take place right down my street. I planned to watch it when I came back from the library. On my way TO the library, I noticed quite a few officers from the riot squad all lined up.

I really wanted to take a good picture of them, as they were shoulder to shoulder all decked out in their riot gear with clubs at the ready. It would have been a great picture, but I was afraid they’d come after me and beat me down, as they seemed rather menacing. That is how I ended up with this weak picture:

I took it as I was walking and pretending to check a message on my iPhone so as not to draw attention to myself. They seemed like they would be very reactionary, and I didn’t want to risk a club upside the head. There were so many of them, and there were more on the sidewalk with attack dogs. I was able to get a picture of some officers on horseback:

Could you see them?

Here is a zoomed in picture:

I would never make it as a news photographer. I am too much of a chicken to get too close.

The point is, did the city really need to put out the riot police for this peaceful march? Really? Do these people look like they are going to start something?

No. Perfectly peaceful.

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May 2, 2009 by kim.

Hmmm … I doubt that the traffic cone is doing much to alleviate this little problem in our neighborhood:

Hello, down there!

Posted in Observation | 1 Comment »