St Patrick's Day early

Went downtown today for a lecture at the Art Institute. Missed the St Patrick's Day parade but got to see it's aftermath, all the drunk young people in the streets and all the empty booze containers. The river was very green. And, lucky us, it began to snow as we were walking around.

 

New Book Store

We just got a new bookstore in the neighborhood. I went over for the grand opening of Barnes and Noble.

A lot of people showed up for the ribbon cutting.

I'm just hoping it doesn't put any of our 4 independently owned bookstores out of business.

 

Rev Jesse Jackson

Went to Jesse Jackson's visitation last night. There was no line at that time so we got through security quickly and headed in to the auditorium at PUSH. A very good gospel group was singing as we filed past the casket. It was sad. They only had a few rows of seats open and they were all filled so we couldn't stay long. 

The worst part (in my opinion) were the two merch stands on the way out, where you could buy Jesse Jackson t-shirts, hoodies and bucket hats. I guess people are going to try to make money one way or another.

 

Signs of spring and Folk Music

Signs of Spring are popping up all over the neighborhood.

 Went to a folk music festival today at the University. Various jam sessions, dance lessons, quilt making and a market. Nice event!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope everyone had a nice Valentine's Day. The temperature was in the low 40's here so we took the opportunity for a walk around downtown. We stopped in the Art Institute to see the new painting. It's their first ever Norman Rockwell!  There was still ice on the lake but it's melting. Afterwards we had a nice Japanese dinner before heading home.

 

Ridiculous

Doesn't this douche bag have any thing else he could be focusing on right now?

Oh, I don't know, like lowering our grocery bills, allowing us access to proper health care, tackling climate change, stopping his federal agents from murdering citizens in the streets, returning children to their families instead of putting them in camps, ending wars instead of starting them...

The list goes on and on.

 

Crochet Class

 I took a class to learn how to make a granny Square. Here are some pics.