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Fall Begins to Give Way to Winter in Chicago

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on December 3, 2011 Business - Not As Usual, Chicago, That's Life, Winter

Dec 032011

Fall Begins to Give Way to Winter in Chicago

This time of year here in Chicago, we take beauty wherever we can find it. Two days ago it was absolutely beautiful so I decided to treat myself to a rare visit to our local forest preserve. Admittedly this is a very rare treat with the cost of gas being prohibitive.It was a bright sunny day…one of the few gorgeous Midwestern late-autumn days of 2011.(That's right Winter doesn't actually arrive until December 22). I needed a reminder that Chicago-land is not all concrete and glass. In this part of the country, the weather can be somewhat fickle and you want [Click here to see the rest of the story]

Blogging: Two Way Conversation

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on October 9, 2011 Business - Not As Usual, Chicago, Condo Living, Seniors, Writers

Oct 092011

Blogging is a two way conversation – even though it often doesn't feel like it. I've been getting some very nice comments and feeling like perhaps I'm making headway in developing a style and content that has value to you – my reader. I'm not setting the world afire with my incomparable wisdom and wit. But that's ok, I'm not really trying to do that. Some have asked me how often I update this blog. Honestly, I don't have a routing schedule…I normally try to write something at least once or twice a week….sometimes more, sometimes less. It depends on [Click here to see the rest of the story]

Chicago Heat Is Rough on Pigeons and Man Alike

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on July 31, 2011 Chicago

Jul 312011

Chicago Heat Is Rough on Pigeons and Man Alike

I love summer but this summer has been ghastly. It reminds me of the year I lived in Phoenix and the air conditioner on the roof of our house leaked causing the roof to cave in. It was an unbelievable week. My young un's were about 6 and 8 years old. We spent many hours in the local shopping malls and in the library trying to keep cool those hot summer days. That cured me somewhat…hot is good, too hot is unbearable. This summer Chicago – like most of the country – has been hammered. With temperatures in the 90s [Click here to see the rest of the story]

Adventures On The 4th – And Beyond

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on July 3, 2011 Business - Not As Usual, Chicago, Seniors

Jul 032011

Some days leave your head spinning. This 4th of July certainly did that for me. I'm not even sure how to classify this post, but I want to share. It began with taking my daughter to O'Hare Airport. Oh, the excitement! She was taking off for a week-long trip to Mexico City. Now, I've always wanted to go to Mexico City but I had no idea what a wonderful trip it would be until she started planning her trip. What an elegant city! And I understand the images of the hostel that she planned to stay at were dwarfed by [Click here to see the rest of the story]

Wildlife in Chicago

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on June 16, 2011 Chicago

Jun 162011

Chicago residents are familiar with a range of wildlife – pigeons, squirrels, rats, an occasional coyote. Most times they just go on about their business with nary a thought about the their natural surroundings. But yesterday, a newcomer arrived in Boystown and the locals just couldn't ignore her presence. The visitor: a doe and her babies. If you're not from Chicago, you may not know about Boystown. It's a densely populated, high-traffic neighborhood on the north side of Chicago. So, when this deer showed up in the neighborhood, she raised quite a stir. There's no telling how she got there. [Click here to see the rest of the story]

Chicago Remembers Our War Dead

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on May 27, 2011 Chicago, That's Life

May 272011

Memorial Day signals the beginning of summer and gives all of us pause as we remember the hundreds of thousands of our gallant citizens who gave their lives to make this the great country it is. Chicagoans remember with gala parades. You might want to attend the Chicago Memorial Day Parade or one of the other parades in the nearby suburbs that might be more convenient and a trifle less crowded. It's not so important whether you attend one of these parades or choose to follow your own family traditions. Whatever you choose to do this weekend, keep it safe [Click here to see the rest of the story]

Beyond the Rapture

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on May 22, 2011 Chicago, Seniors, Spring

May 222011

Here it is, May 22 The "rapture" has come and gone, and, oh, my…. I've missed it! Or maybe, I just wasn't among the chosen ones and this is hell and I'm doomed to stay here for the duration. Well, that's ok. I had a birthday to celebrate with my daughter. Chicago doesn't offer all that many wide open spaces that are easily accessible by car. But we like going out to the point at Montrose Park. The high rises are just far enough away and the lake stretches as far as you can see. At this particular spot, there's [Click here to see the rest of the story]

Spring Perspective in Chicago

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on May 1, 2011 Business - Not As Usual, Chicago, Spring, That's Life

May 012011

I do hope you took some time to get out of doors today. Even a short walk around your home can help to refresh and rejuvenate. Today, May Day, has traditionally been set as a day of celebration throughout the world. At no time has a day to regroup been more important. Yes, we've got problems. Politics has gone crazy. Gas and food prices are rampant. Unemployment has devastated countless Americans. Even a quick break to get away from the news and computers can help to put everything in perspective. In fact, I suggest that a half hour walk each [Click here to see the rest of the story]