Dear Diary . . .

Came upstairs this evening and found Arianna in deep concentration . . .

Jail birds

Indoor games

One of Arianna's faves . . . Monopoly!

A time to read

Unusual to see Sharon reading to Arianna. Arianna picked up a Martha Grimes mystery novel and Sharon became interested in what Arianna related to her. So . . .

Rain, rain go away . . .

After a cold, wet Winter many people predicted that we'd experience a hot, dry Summer. I don't really understand the logic behind the predictions, but nothing could be further form the truth. Sure, we've had spells of hot weather. For a day or two or three. And then the temperature falls (and - thankfully - the house cools). A constant throughout is an (over) abundance of rain. The rain is both positive and negative: the shrubs I planted last Fall are thriving, perennials are beginning to droop.

Still . . . if I had to choose, I prefer the wet weather to dry.

Dill . . . dripping wet . . .

Mixed bag . . . foxglove beardtongue (white) and spiderwort (purple) in front of the (really) tall cupplants, and golden glow rudbeckia - both of which will not bloom for at least a month.

Brown-eyed susan . . .

Winterberry flowers . . .

Sugar beets . . .

Princess Diana clematis . . .

hey're back! After an absence of at least five years, rabbits are again in the neighborhood . . .

This little one senses s/he's being observed . . .

But, no harm is sensed, so back to munching clover . . . 

Feverfew and spiderwort . . .

The new mixed bed at the front of the house is in it's first full year. As is always the case, I see improvements / changes that I'll undertake in the Fall, but I am pleased at how the space filled out and how the blooms look . . .

More beardtongue and spiderwort . . . a tried and true combination for Spring / Early Summer blooms . . .

Beneath the Suger Maple . . . a bit of exoticism . . . Tiger Lilies . . . 

Father's Day

A quiet day. Most appreciated.

Took a few photos of the front beds. Did a little weeding. Did a little reading.

Sharon prepared a wonderful dinner of BBQ ribs and homemade potato salad - especially for Bruno, which he really enjoyed.

Portrait of an Old Dog trying to read a package . . .

A walk around the garden

At the south-east edge of the Cottage Garden, yellow Missouri primroses and Bloody Cranesbill Geranium (Geranium sanguineum) overrun Bearded Iris just beneath the Peony bush.

The view at the mailbox: White Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis), Purple Sage (Salvia × sylvestris 'Dear Anja') and Yellow Yarrow (Achillea 'Coronation Gold') are all on bloom. 

Beneath the Red Bud and new addition . . . the yellowing Amsonia hubrichtii - Arkansas blue star . . . .

Visit to the old neighborhood

Not that long ago, Bruno mentioned that he wanted to see where he grew up. Naturally, a trip into Chicago with Bruno requires good weather. Since Bruce and Alex are in town for a short visit, I thought that they too might enjoy seeing where Bruno grew up.

Although I was not present for the excursion into town (I drove Bruno into the city several Summer's ago), from what I understand he appreciated it.

Kudos to Arianna, who took most -- if not all -- of the photos that follow.

The avenue has changed much since the Great Depression, when Bruno called Chicago Avenue home.

When we went into town several years ago, the ground floor of Bruno's residence had been converted into a Hair Salon. Today the business is defunct. Not too surprising given the economic climate of the past eight years.

A walk behind . . . 

A walk between . . .

Typical view . . .

Onward to Jimmy's. Jimmy's Tavern was owned by a friend of Bruno. In fact, Jimmy was Best Man at his wedding to Mildred.

Sharon and Bruce have childhood memories of the family atmosphere at the tavern, which Bruno and Millie visited after they moved to the 'burbs.

Once, during the '80s, while on a walking tour of the neighborhood, Sharon pointed the place out to me. Then, it was a dump. The neighborhood had yet to gentrify and was a mix of Hispanics, Poles, Blacks, and other ethnic groups -- such as starving artists.

Jimmy P. sold the joint when the neighborhood changed. Story goes he was held up at gun point. Seemed like a good time to retire.

"Set 'em Joe, er, Jimmy."

Now in Bruno's day, he hoofed it to Augusta and Hermitage, the neighborhood where for a time he attended school at Holy Trinity. Today Sharon drove Bruno the half mile.

The church where as a child Bruno received the Sacraments.

After the threat of closure, the church was made a Polish Mission Church.

Bruce knocked on the rectory door and a priest was gracious and allowed the family to enter the church.

The High Alter in the Sanctuary . . .

Side alter of the Blessed Virgin Mary . . .

As was customary in the early 20th and late 19th century, Roman Catholic churches were exquisitely adorned throughout . . .

Side alter of the Sacred Heart of Divine Mercy . . .

I would have liked to see the inside of the church. In the '80s, I photographed some of the big north side churches with my Dad's twin-lens reflex camera, but never had an opportunity to see the inside of these majestic structures. Above the alter I can make out St. Faustina on the left and St. Pope John Paul II on the right. I'd have had to be there to know the other saints in the painting.

Nice pipes . . . I wonder if it's used. Perhaps the Sisters play guitars?

My understanding is that after the tour of the church the family found a place for lunch and then bade the old neighborhood farewell.

Sharon said Bruno enjoyed himself. He was tired from the walking, but the trip was enjoyable. She doubted he'd want to go back again.