Oh, the Art Institute! I was only there once, but seeing those old favorite paintings in person was thrilling. And your statement about trees being the Buddhist monks of nature is exactly right. I so enjoy seeing the world through your words, wherever you are.
What fun to read about your time in Chicago. Yes, hugely different from where you live. Mike and I had the chance to live in San Francisco for three months (ten years ago). One of my daughters was in LA, the other in San Fran. We had a fabulous three months. (It was the year I got a cool teaching gig at Cal Poly San Luis Obisbo for 6 months.) Also about trees. Yes, yes, yes. I hope the trip home has its good surprises, too.
What a good summer! You reminded me of how glorious the Art Insitute is. My husband dragged me to some convention and I spend most of my afternoons there. No where better to hide. Thanks for the memory.
J'admire ta capacité à t'émerveiller et à trouver du plaisir dans la simplicité du quotidien. Toujours un plaisir de te lire. Il me semble que vous êtes prêts à répéter l'expérience dès l'été prochain. Bon retour en Louisiane, je crois que nous sommes nombreux à nous réjouir du fait que vous serez bientôt parmi nous.
Richard, A beautiful and poetic description of Chicago. I worked there in the Loop for a short time in my early twenties. Too young to appreciate its offerings. Thank you for this heartfelt essay.
A great story on a very good city--glad you enjoyed it here. I love the way you told us your experience here. And, especially the part about the trees; they are a major part of the beauty here and you are so right about the "lake" that can sometime look ocean like.
Trees are the Buddhist monks of nature. What a magnificent sentence. While I am not a city person, about every five years, John and I catch the South Shore Line from Michigan City and visit the Art Institute for a day. We fill our souls with art before heading home to milk our goats. Our farm was two hours or so from where you lived in Chicago. Many people drive up to pick blueberries and then visit Saugatuck. Next time, you should, too. All the best, Joan
I love the pics of the tree trunks. And this is a great summation of your summer in what Carl Sandburg called, with typical American hyperbole, Hog Butcher for the world ... stormy, husky, brawling, city of the big shoulders.
Oh, the Art Institute! I was only there once, but seeing those old favorite paintings in person was thrilling. And your statement about trees being the Buddhist monks of nature is exactly right. I so enjoy seeing the world through your words, wherever you are.
Thank you, Elizabeth! Very kind of you.
What fun to read about your time in Chicago. Yes, hugely different from where you live. Mike and I had the chance to live in San Francisco for three months (ten years ago). One of my daughters was in LA, the other in San Fran. We had a fabulous three months. (It was the year I got a cool teaching gig at Cal Poly San Luis Obisbo for 6 months.) Also about trees. Yes, yes, yes. I hope the trip home has its good surprises, too.
Thanks, Jody. I always appreciate your words.
enjoyed your dirt talk at local library purchased dirt and ny memoirs pleased to read your newsletter any and all subjects
Thank you very much, James.
Wonderful! A lovely snapshot of this city. I want to visit and am now following Spoken on Insta :)
Thank you so much, Marnie! If you do come to Chicago, you HAVE to go to Spoken!
What a good summer! You reminded me of how glorious the Art Insitute is. My husband dragged me to some convention and I spend most of my afternoons there. No where better to hide. Thanks for the memory.
I will miss the Art Institute hugely.
J'admire ta capacité à t'émerveiller et à trouver du plaisir dans la simplicité du quotidien. Toujours un plaisir de te lire. Il me semble que vous êtes prêts à répéter l'expérience dès l'été prochain. Bon retour en Louisiane, je crois que nous sommes nombreux à nous réjouir du fait que vous serez bientôt parmi nous.
Merci Olivier, tes gentils mots me touchent beaucoup.
Grateful for Balzac, Richard. I'm reading Les Chouans. I don't pretend to understand it. I'm glad you missed Helene, at least I think you did.
On a writer's retreat in northern Maine. My conclusion: It's not for me!
Balzac is the man! Pere Goriot is on my top five list. A friend of mine described places like Yaddo as "art prisons."
Richard, A beautiful and poetic description of Chicago. I worked there in the Loop for a short time in my early twenties. Too young to appreciate its offerings. Thank you for this heartfelt essay.
You are welcome, as always, Marilyn.
A great story on a very good city--glad you enjoyed it here. I love the way you told us your experience here. And, especially the part about the trees; they are a major part of the beauty here and you are so right about the "lake" that can sometime look ocean like.
Thank you, Paul, for these good words. I appreciate them very much.
Trees are the Buddhist monks of nature. What a magnificent sentence. While I am not a city person, about every five years, John and I catch the South Shore Line from Michigan City and visit the Art Institute for a day. We fill our souls with art before heading home to milk our goats. Our farm was two hours or so from where you lived in Chicago. Many people drive up to pick blueberries and then visit Saugatuck. Next time, you should, too. All the best, Joan
If I'd only known! I'm glad you liked that sentence. Sometimes it's worth writing an entire essay just to write a sentence that feels so right.
I think Chicago is not as frenetic! Shopkeepers and service industry are friendlier….
It ain't Louisiana, that's for sure.
I love the pics of the tree trunks. And this is a great summation of your summer in what Carl Sandburg called, with typical American hyperbole, Hog Butcher for the world ... stormy, husky, brawling, city of the big shoulders.
Thanks, John. Yes, bark is beautiful!