family album

If you've been an Ocean reader, you'll recognize the post title: it announces a run of photos from a day that is full of good stuff, often coming toward the end of a visit with that part of the family that lives just a tad too far to keep me totally happy. It's not unlike when I'm at the tail end of a trip to a beautiful place: Paris, Islay, Gargnano. I think then -- this is it! Last chance to put something into the suitcase that will recall this visit! Just one more small thing, just one more! Of course, in Chicago, I'm not hungry for "things" or mementos. I'm hungry for images! A sudden desire to store every grand moment before I'm off and away. So the camera keeps clicking and every photo is important. To me. I understand why you might feel that my family album is bulging. To me, it's not nearly fat enough!

So, a Saturday of few words and many/just a few (depending on your perspective) photos to keep those images solidly in place.


I'm up early. Primrose is up earlier.

(That "hi, grandma!" grin that I love so much!)






(The march)






(Pre-breakfast with my daughter...)






(... and granddaughter; she's an oatmeal girl!)






(Still pushing the food literature)






(Quiet time before the morning nap; photo by dad)






The young parents: weekend checklists...






... and moments to recharge.






And let me interject something here: I so love my sons-in-law! I know how good they are to my daughters and this just makes me incredibly happy. Okay, back to the album!

Dressing warmly is important. We're all going out for brunch. On foot. So, bring out the warmest sweater!






We're off! Caps and snow jackets, scarves and bundles - somewhere in there you will find my daughter and granddaughter!






Being city people, these guys walk daily -- to school, to trains that take them to work, to offices, to stores. So they're used to this. Still, must check to see if the bundle's okay!






We eat at Publican Anker. Primrose switches from one parent to the other, always so happy to be in the thick of family fun and public chaos.













And then I catch that L train, and the bus, heading north now, to help care for the people and animals that are part of my everyday in Wisconsin.





As I crank my car I call Ed to tell him that it started. Just barely. Gorgeous, that's good. So, could you stop at Walmart and pick up cat food? Stop Sign's young one is now hanging out with her. I've rigged this lamp up to heat a bit of the garage. I think they're both staying there.

I am home.