Again, guilty as charged.  Quite a lot has happened in the past week, and neither of us have written anything.  We've been occupied with a variety of things, some of which are finally signing for a new apartment in Avondale!, road tripping to Missouri for my dear friend Mary Sue and her new husband's nuptials, and having a few deliciously indulgent days inhaling the The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy.  The latter of which I am in the middle of right now.  Reluctant attempts at productivity have been a lost cause.  It is truly finally summer for me because I am letting myself read pleasure books for hours on end.  Heavenly.

Let me catch you up to speed.  We had a delightful vacation at Sunset Beach, NC.  I am ready to plan next years trip, it's going on the calendar for the week after July 4, 2012 if you want to come!  Here are some more beach pictures.  It just makes me feel good to look at them.

Early twilight walk's are the best. 

Posing for Nick. 

Posing for me. 

On our last day, it was rainy so we went to visit the Caswell light house, one of only a few functioning lighthouses.  It was also on a residential beach that was beautiful, but not even close to Sunset. (Bias recognized)

Seagrass is something special. 

And Nick learned how to fly. 

Actually, these are three different photos.  Check it out, he can fly!  Look at the glee on his face! (And for the record, did NOT twist his ankle).

Well, after all the beauty and hijinks at the beach, Nick, Theresa, Arnie and myself all made it home after a quick Cincinnati sleepover to break up the trip.  

We were just in time to catch up with lovely friends Katie and Emmanuel, who are gearing up for a move to Ireland.   These two are the dearest, most genuine friends I could ever ask for.  

Wish we could live down the street from you!

And I can't get away without filling you in on Arnie.  As I mentioned in a previous post, Nick was feeding him canned salmon to get him to go into his crate willingly.  Here you see Nick feeding the dog a fried egg on top of his dog food.  Yes, that is one of my organic, free range, omega 3..... egg$.  What are we getting ourselves into.  

Of course, who could fault him?  Arnie is the best dog ever. 

In other news, we were stunned (and kind of thrilled) to see a Catholic mass taking place in the street in front of our apartment the other day!  They closed off the street with garbage cans and proceeded to have a full mass.  I am not sure of the occasion, but I loved that the community was coming together for something other than lighting firecrackers off at 11am. 

Things like this make me happy to live in Pilsen (if only for another week). 

And then my friend Mary Sue got married!  

I love weddings, especially after my own.  It feels a little like we're renewing our vows by supporting and being present for a friends wedding.  It reminds me why we got married ( over 1 year ago!), and why I am more in love every day. 

To end this massive post, I'll leave you with Nick's view of me for the past few days.  He sees only the back of my head, and my faithful reading companion, because I cannot get enough of Steig Larsson and his characters.  Lisbeth Salander is the perfect summer distraction.  I am already worried about what I'll do when I finish the last book. 

Seriously, this is what you'd see if you could peek into our apartment: loving reading and my dog.  

Grutz says, "Space is great!"

This is magnificent. (image from web)

If you haven't been following Atlantis you're wrong.  Go to Nasa TV now to watch the space walk.  This is exceptional.  Amazing.  Let it take your breath away.  Too bad we've been taking it for granted all this years.

Driving thoughts

July 9, 2011

We’re on our way home from the beach, about halfway to Cincinnati, I’m sitting up front, Theresa is driving, and Arnie and Nick are buddies in the backseat.  We just passed through the majesty of the Smoky Mountains.  The drive from North Carolina into Tennessee alone makes me want to get out of the car and stay for a while.  There are many places in the country that strike me momentarily as worthy of attention, but this part of the country, the Great Smokies, consistently draws me in.  Years ago on a trip back from the beach with my family, we stopped at a gas station right at the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, and I thought, “this is where I want to live.”  Surrounded by mountains and rivers, I used to think I’d be a great river guide in the many tributaries that weave through these parts.  A dancing, teaching river guide?  I imagine myself to be freckled, and a little dirty having spent the day on the water, tired muscles, ready to eat vegetables delight from our garden.  And there is a small child running around outside, also tan and dirty.   Nick is a carpenter of sorts, he makes special order furniture and is the garden tender.  Or the cheese maker, or he is a teacher in town.  And life is so great that all of our friends and dance community move down to the mountains and the river. 

Or we enjoy the moments that we’re in.  I walked to the end of the island yesterday, on our last day at the beach and I thought for a long time about how to really purposefully tuck the sensations of the wind and the water into the folds of my brain, so that on a bitter Chicago day, I can be lifted a little by one of my favorite places in the world.  It struck me, rather than trying to memorize the details of the shells on the beach, or the tide pool with a lazy little fish, or the sun pushing through the clouds to settle on my shoulders, that really investing in each moment, being present, will effortlessly create lasting memories.  I don’t have to work at it.  I just have to be in the now.  And, sometimes that’s a relief. 

Beaching with books: what we're reading this week

I've been meaning to write about a few more things.  Today Nick called me a chameleon based on my amazing ability to freckle.  I've decided to take it as a compliment.  

Also, number of ticks I have found on Arnie on this trip: 2.   The first one was traumatizing, the second one  only alarming.  After a minor meltdown on my part, Nick deftly removed them with tweezers by gripping the head and firmly pulling.  I did some research on the interwebs to find the removal method, and apparently some of the old protocols of burning and alcoholing are being rethought.  Thank goodness we got them out without too much difficulty.    Oh the trials of being a furry dog. 

Additionally, I've been reading some amazing books, and I think I'll start a book list, in case you're interested.  My mom is in 2 book clubs, overachiever that she is, and always has great recommendations for me.  

So far, I've read Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali.  This book is has thoughtful, dignified and beautiful prose and truths.  Read this New York Times article for more information.  

I am just about finished with A Year By the Sea, by Joan Anderson.  This is one of my moms favorite books, and now I know why.  It's about a woman's journey into self perception and realization through the nearness of the raw and untamed ocean.  I identify completely.  

Next up, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson.  This book comes with much preconceived knowledge and popular culture raves, and I am always up for an inviting book series to dive into.  Looking forward to it. 

And Incendiary author of Little Bee, a book that I loved, also recommended by mom.  Chris Cleave is the man behind these two books.  

And finally, I will read Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin.  I heard an NPR interview with Rankin and loved his way of discussing the mysteries of Inspector Rebus in conjunction with the Edinborough ways of life.  

And a quickie on Nick's reading list. 

Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin

The Lost Dorsai by Gordon R. Dickson

The Discoverers by Daniel J. Boorstin

Next up: Behind the Scenes at the Museum, by Kate Atkinson 

And Theresa's list:

The Shack by William Paul Young

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Barrel Fever by David Sedaris 

And she's also almost done with Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin

I wish I could read all day, but the ocean is an amazing distraction.  And my puppy is pretty awesome too.  

Postcard from the beach

You can quote me on this: before long, Arnie will be getting prime rib as an enticement to go into his crate.    Yesterday when I tried to coerce him into his cozy crate he looked at me like I was crazy, and went into the living room to lay down, ignoring my commands.  He won.  I left him out.  Today, Nick joined me at the beach and told me Arnie was giving him the same antics, and he almost got away with it, until Nick lured him in with canned salmon.  SALMON!  This is the end.  We are treating him too well.  But it's completely fine with me, hey, if it makes leaving easier it works for me.  

In other news, we are having a wonderful time here at the beach.  Right now we're at the coffee shop, the same one that I went to with Julia and Mom for years in a row.  We would spend the hottest hours of the day with an iced drink, and wile away the time by picking out hanging art work for each other.  Now, the shop has changed and it's no longer a coffee/ art gallery, more of a delicatessen that has coffee drinks, but it works just fine.  We're getting a little free bandwith,  having a delicious coffee beverage, and, uploading pictures for my family, who I miss like crazy. 

First, before the beach pics, we had our first anniversary on July 3.  And Theresa brought our CAKE!  It had been living in her freezer for a year.  It was great to look at that beautiful topper, my mom had meticulously wrapped it up, and it was surprisingly delicious.  The ganache on the top was a little less than tasty, but everything else was great.  

So fun to remember, and so tasty.

This is Arnie on his first beach walk.  He is going nuts over the new sights and smells.   Clearly tons of animals live in the brush before the dunes and the beach.  He darts back and forth on the entire walkway before the beach. 

The sun under the pier on one of our morning dog walks.  So peaceful. 

On a July 4th drive to escape the droves at the beach we spotted a pair of brown pelicans perching on an abandoned dock.

Also on July 4, we picked up some amazing sweet corn to grill.  Turns out I am not the only one who loves sweet corn.

He even likes corn after the humans have eaten all the kernels.  We gave him the cob to chew on and he proceeded to  decimate it by grinding his bottom teeth along all of the surfaces.  It was hilarious.

He is such a part of the family.  This is how he thanks Nick for the corn.  I on the other hand, don't go for kissing on the lips just yet. 

Nick and Arnie at sunrise in a peaceful moment.  (absent of any bikes, joggers, kids with boogie boards or any other distraction)

This might be the photo of the trip so far.  

And Lynn came!  My great friend Lynn from college and life in Chicago (she and her husband live in Boston now) came down to spend a few days at the beach.  It worked out super because she was visiting her sister and family in Greensboro, and Sunset was only a couple hours away. She just left this afternoon.  We had a great time beaching and lounging, there's something about spending time with an old friend that is so easy and special. 

We grilled road side shack fresh shrimp.  It was amazing. 

We lounged at the beach, carefully covered by Dad's umbrella!  This beach umbrella is another story all by itself.  My dad covered it with bright blue tent tarp to make sure it was sun proof.  It is very effective in both protecting me from the sun and for locating when you are in the water.  Can't miss the tent umbrella!  I'll try to get a picture on here
 tomorrow- thanks Dad, it's a great umbrella!

Here we are, only slightly pinked.  And, check out the staples on the tent umbrella above Nick's shoulder.  You get the idea.  It's awesome.

Actually, this might be the photo of the trip.  Nick was stretching, but it looks like he is frolicking and skipping along, singing a happy tune.  Really made me laugh out loud.

And here is beautiful Lynn, cooling off in the water.  Today was our first really hot day, and the water was so welcome.

And that is it for our photo recall of the past few days.  My iced coffee drink is gone, and Nick is restless, I think I'm done.  More tomorrow! 

Everyone needs a protector, especially turtles

June 4

Let's just say that "gentle coercion" has taken on new meanings for me in the past few days.  Getting Arnie into his crate has become a timely ritual of him watching me put treats into his crate, him pretending like he is not interested, walking around the crate, trying to sneak the treats out without actually going in, going in halfway and scooting out backwards, me ignoring him, and finally him warily entering the crate after about 7 minutes of the ritual.  Me closing the gate behind him and pretending like I don't see those huge puppy dog eyes looking at me.  I wish we didn't have to crate him, but believe it or not, I think he rests better in the crate than roaming around the house or apartment (who knows where we live these days, we've been traveling so much).  There is proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.  Today, after a particularly long game of pretending not to see each other, I left the room, and Arnie, after another minute, resignedly walked in to the crate, sat down and waited for me to close the gate.   It felt like a small measure of success. 

In other news, Sunset Beach is wonderful. This part is especially for my family, who know surrounding details of all of what I might say.  The one lane bridge is no longer.  Massive, futuristic two lane bridge is open and running, and surprisingly, might actually be better for the island.  No more waits, no more man power on the one lane bridge all the time, the whole structure is gone, and the little house in the center that regulated opening and closing, now resides in a parking lot behind Sharks.  Sharks on the other hand, is still there, and is still having it's closeout sale.  The Kindred Spirit mailbox is also missing.  Today I walked to the South Carolina border, and could find only an American flag, no poetry or notes.  It was a little sad, but this trip seems to be about change for me, so it symbolically fitting.  Also, it being the 4th of July weekend (week) the beach is the busiest I have ever seen it.  Today we drove down to the 40th street walkway, just so we could get out of the thick of it.  Walking towards Bird Island, we found some space without another family or couple on top of us.  We had an unobstructed, direct view of the ocean.  And then some kids showed up.  It's the way it goes.

I am hoping that I just couldn't find the  Kindred Spirit mailbox, maybe it was covered by sand, or I didn't walk far enough.  Too much change in one year is hard to take.  (Internet photo)

I finally went to the Sunday night Turtle Talk, that I've always wanted to catch in all the years we've been coming here.  It was geared toward children, but informative, and now I know what loggerhead turtle tracks look like leaving the ocean.  There are so many nests on the island that have been identified and protected, it is a really safe space for the turtles to bury her eggs.  The turtle society of Sunset Beach is on call all day and all night to come and protect the turtles leaving the ocean and laying eggs.  When the hatch begins, it's the same.  A turtle protector will help transport the baby turtles to the water by keeping the predators away and by digging a trough to the ocean.  Only 1 in a 1000 loggerhead turtles makes it to adulthood, so it's imperative that all of them get a chance in the water.  The society also protects the nests from the ghost crabs, gulls and unkind tourists by building barriers around them to ensure that people know it's a nest, and that critters can't dig up the eggs so easily.

The lady at the turtle talk said that it's safe to walk next to the turtles.  (Internet photo.)

Love in the southern drawl

The previous few weeks "out of control-ness" precluded any ability I might have had to write.   Nonetheless, the havoc did not prevent me from at least thinking about what I would like to say!  It think I'll do it in a form of a list, inspired by my friend Lynn, who on our road trip out west after college was the consumate queen of list making.  * of course Nick has mentioned a lot these things already.

Starting with somewhere in the first week of June:
Got offered a 4th grade position for next year!
Skipped town, and two days of school for Matt and Maggie's wedding
Drove back for the last day of classroom organizing and planning
Finished school officially on June 21
Went to 4 days of training at the CPS teacher summit and learned about some great teaching techniques
Visited and ate great food with Nana, Uncle Jeff, Yung Kuei, cousins Jen and Amy at their new (1 year), beautiful house in Aurora
Immediately following Aurora, drove to Iowa City to for visiting with family, and celebrating a birthday and a life
Drove back and forth from Iowa City to Dubuque a few times
Came back to Chicago on Wednesday
Had a fish and chips and peas dinner double date with Kristina and Paul, dear friends
Introduced Arnie and Mordecai, Laura and Tim's (dear friends) dog- the introduction also included a thunderstorm, a drunk man accosting us, intermittent and hugely loud fireworks. The pups were a "little" spooked
Witnessed the amazing hail storm also with Laura and Tim, in candlelight because our power was out
Departed Chicago the very next morning with Theresa, who picked us up at 8ish.  Arnie was in the back.
Drove to Cincinnati for a quick visit and a nourishing lunch with Mom and Dad.
Drove 6 hours to Wytheville, VA, because all the other dog friendly inns were full, slept in a Super 8 (where I found a bug on the bed that had wings, so it was not a bed bug, but I still had the same reaction and could hardly sleep)
Got up and saw the gorgeous, misty foothills surrounding the Super 8, and it was worth the rough night
Got back in the car, sat shotgun and promptly fell asleep
Woke up in North Carolina, in the heat and the drawls
Started to see other cars full of beach gear
Waited in line at the bathroom, when I left, it was 15 ladies deep
Arrived in Sunset Beach, NC (had to drive over the huge, new, obtrusive bridge = change is hard)
Relieved to see that nothing on the Island had changed because of the new bridge
Went straight to the beach
Did not get sunburned on the first day

Learned that Arnie is afraid of the water, waves, and anything that moves on the beach.  He skitters away, back up style, from the waves like they are coming to get him, viciously.  Now when he sees another dog, he sits down in pounce mode (looks like a coyote or cat), and waits for the dog to get closer.  And then, once in range to sniff and play, he juts forward and nearly takes my arm out of socket. Delightful.  We love him.

Last night, Theresa and I walked over to the little beach store and bought overpriced, but amazing fudge. I bought a whole pound so I could get the 1/4 lb free.  It's in homage to my family, whom I am missing terribly.  Mike is the fudge purchasing guy, he usually does the honors.  It will be in the freezer all week, and we will take slivers off of each flavor until they're gone.  Turtle is my all time favorite.

1 year ago today I married my favorite person, and today I woke up at my favorite place in the world.  Our lives have changed more than I ever could have imagined in one year, everything feels richer and more complete.


I promise pictures soon.  Uploading at the beach takes forever.