August 3 After spending the day on a hike in one of Seattle's parks on the sound, picking up the rental car, and having a wonderful seafood dinner, we headed to the Capitol Hill nieghborhood of Seattle to visit Elliott Bay Books and then to Wildrose, one of the oldest
August 2 There were so many photos to choose from today. We started at the farm so more horses, goats, the donkey, and harvesting, and then an afternoon exploring Seattle and its waterfront. But nothing could beat this crow. For anyone who pays the least attention to birds– there is no missing
August 1 The first stop on our vacation was to visit Cheers Farm and Equestrian near Rainier, Washington. The farm is run by Kyrany and Alex. Kyrany is the daughter of our friend Kim – and that was the connection. We took the train from Portland to Olympia and Kim picked us up
July 31 There was no way we were going to be in Portland and not figure out a way to see dear friends Liz and Sarah (and meeting Charlie, their not so new dog). It had been a while. Since they were recovering from COVID, we did it the way we would
July 30 We had time this afternoon to take a walk around downtown Portland and a bit further, do a little shopping, and of course visit Powell's, the City of Books. I exercised great restraint (relatively speaking) since this is only day 2 of a two week trip!
July 29 We are on the West Coast! Mony is attending the Equality Federation Conference in Portland, OR, and I am her Plus One for the Conference before we go exploring the Pacific Northwest. Since I am working during the day, I mostly get to be the Plus One in the evenings.
July 28 It only took a week for the LGBTQ+ community to organize a fundraiser for VP Kamala Harris, and of course, we were there! I never forget my camera. However, there are times, unfortunately like today, when I do forget to put the battery back in the camera after charging it!
July 27 When a dear friend comes to visit for the weekend --there is always the question of where to take them. Denise was the RA in my dorm in my freshman year at Michigan State - so, we have known each other a long time. And Denise has been to Chicago
July 26 It was a windy day on the Pier and for two hours we didn't see the Piping Plover chick – who has now fledged and is named Nagamo. At the end of the shift, we went to meet another monitor for a beer at the deck at beachhouse --and
July 25 I was going to call this photo "Duties as Assigned" when I thought he worked for the fitness club and was just assigned to wash the windows. But I looked up the name on his shirt – and it looks like it is Urban Street Window Works and his
July 24 He suddenly appeared or I suddenly saw him. I just barely got his photo or I mostly missed it. It all depends on how you look at it.
July 23 Two days ago, President Biden announced that he would end his campaign for re-election and in less than two days support has coalesced around Vice President Harris. Already the prospects for the the election feel better and the world feels just a little lighter. And the turnout and excitement at
July 22 Took a quick walk to the Welles Park to see some friends, and used the opportunity to take this photo.
July 20 Mony and I were at the Rivercity Pridefest sponsored by Peoria Pride. Mony was working and I was volunteering – and of course, taking photos. Equality Illinois was getting people to sign postcards to their state legislators urging them to support a bill that would require all schools in Illinois to
July 19 As we were walking to the car after our post-monitoring beer at Hopleaf, I saw these three and took this photo. They guy with the beard obviously saw me – and asked why I had taken the photo. Sometimes I just smile and wave like I didn't hear and
July 18 We went to a fundraiser for Alder Andre Vazquez that was held on the rooftop of the Dank Haus German American Center – which is just up the street from us and has a great view. These fundraisers are always kind of weird since they draw such an odd assortment of
July 17 I was back in Chicago in time to have dinner with our family and Mony's brother. While we were enjoying our beers outside and waiting for our burgers (salad for me), another family was waiting for a table. She entertained us by standing on her head.
July 16 Ann Arbor's art fair starts in a few days, and the city was starting to do some set up and have some pre-art fair activities. However, this might to be scene at any time in Ann Arbor – it's that kind of place.
July 15 A work trip took me to Ann Arbor today. I arrived in the evening and found a taco place to get dinner before going to get ice cream, and used the time to get a photo.
July 14 They caught my eye as they walked toward me on Lawrence Ave. on their way to the live poultry market. She was all animated. However, when dad saw me and my camera, he brightened up and tried to get her to smile for the camera. She did the opposite and
July 13 I wasn't cheering for the White Sox today – because the Pittsburgh Pirates were in town. It was a good day to be a Pirates fan – which made me very happy. It was a bad day and very bad year to be a White Sox fan which didn'
July 12 We were on Piping Plover Monitor duty today. Only two chicks of the original four have made it to today. Mony watched one of them and I watched this one, the smaller of the two (with the left band). It was busy eating for most of the two hours that
July 10 Liam wanted to ride a special bus route that he had never been on since it only on ran on certain weekdays at certain hours. I tell him that all the buses look the same to me, so we have to have a "destination." He lured me today
