short day, late post

There some things that are just so predictable. That the temperatures would eventually plummet in Wisconsin. That when KLM told me I'd see my suitcase and duffel bag a day later, they didn't mean it. That heavy snow would cause branches to fall and tree tops to lean (luckily away from the house).





And that a sunny day would make it all much less burdensome.





(Less predictable was seeing this cardinal outside. I chased him all the way to the old barn -- he just would not sit still for a photo!)


 


It's the year's shortest day and, on the upside, aren't we all relieved that the tide now shifts and each day will be longer? Doesn't that make us all think spring thoughts? (To a point: it really is cold outside.)


There's an upside to the missing suitcase situation as well. I learned two years ago that when an overseas airline messes with your luggage, you can get back at them by sending them the bill for the inconveniently missing necessities. So that as I packed a little backpack today for an overnight in Chicago and realized that my winter cap, my best pants and all best shirts were stuck somewhere in Detroit (why Detroit? and if there, why not on the next available flight to Madison -- because there were many such flights on this bright blue skied day? I can't even begin to understand...), I knew it was time to treat myself well and send KLM the bill. I forewarned them that the bills would start multiplying and they conceded that this surely is justifiable, within reason. Me, I'll choose my own definition of what is within reason. Because I'm not sure an airline that is sitting on luggage without signs of moving it out and onwards is in a good position to discuss reasonableness with me.

And so after a productive grading morning, I hopped back on the Chicago bus and went downtown to shop. Silly things (but missing nonetheless) like a hairbrush and essentials such as that what you'll find at Victoria's Secret (no kidding -- all my good ones are in that suitcase). And, though I typically do not like shopping, there is some small pleasure in doing this on someone else's bill.





(On a bus from the El Blue Line to Michigan Avenue,  I listened with a smile to the conversation of these two beautiful young beings. It put me right back into the high school frame of mind. In a good way.)





Time flies when you're looking for a warm cap and decent underwear. Or is it that darkness comes early on the shortest day? Probably both.





I'm in Chicago obviously not just to shop. It's been a while since I came down to spend a few good hours with my little girl and her guy. Close as this is to Christmas (at which time I will see them, albeit briefly, up in Madison), it is worth every minute to just be with them on their own turf.





We eat dinner at the fantastic Trenchermen -- a place that has such a creative flair that it nudges me again not to take too many shortcuts in my own cooking back home. That extra effort can produce memorable meals.

Later today (Saturday) I'll be back on the bus to Madison. Only to be on this same bus again next Saturday,  but with Ed then, so that we can finally take off on our long planned trip to... No, wait, that's next week's story.