On The Avenue

By Karen B.

I’ve been trying to wrap up a few things in anticipation of a fast-approaching knit and crochet hiatus.  At the same time, I’ve also been spending some fun time with friends over the past couple of weeks.  Walking, sampling some very fine craft beers, shopping and making new friends along the way.

First, there was Dark Lord [...]

If this is Chicago...

By Karen B.

The beer must be green.  The river must be green.  What you’re wearing must be green, for today, everyone in Chicago is Irish!  It’s a tradition – just like having two St. Patrick’s day parades: one for the Northside Irish and one for the Southside Irish.  Here in Chicago, what part of town you’re from matters.  [...]

Rockin’ Chicago With One Steady Roll

By Karen B.

“The blues had a baby, and they named it rock n’ roll,” sang the legendary Muddy Waters, and boy, is that child still wailing!

Just ask the cargo shorts boys, the gray-beards and babies and tattooed ladies who came out en masse for Lollapalooza 2009 in Chicago’s Grant Park.

I had reservations as the date approached. For one, [...]

On Walkabout

By Karen B.

First, it was off to Glenn’s Diner for a leisurely lunch.

Thankfully, the sunshine prevailed over the rain clouds allowing for a little exploration of this neighborhood around Montrose and Wolcott.

Section of the mural on the side of a now-shuttered Italian restaurant:

Chalkboard at the cafe inside the Lill Street Art Center. Sadly, no pie was consumed [...]