Just got back from a sweaty afternoon jog along the lakefront! So excited to see all of this snow starting to melt. We have a long ways to go… but it was encouragingly warm this afternoon. Of course I put on too many layers and regretted it quickly… and got tired of splashing through all the mushy puddles. But I’ll take it if it means Spring is one day closer!!!

Excited to be part of this year’s Winter Fundraiser “A Time To Unite”
for the CHICAGO PUBLIC ART GROUP.

One of my stamped plates is part of the Silent Auction that started online today! Click on the link below to see my plate, as well as pieces by many other talented Chicago artists… some of them My Talented Friends! The auction will be live online until Thursday, March 4th… so check it out, place a bid, buy some art and support Chicago’s public art scene!

Click here for the Silent Auction info… https://chicagopublicartgroup.betterworld.org/auctions/time-unite

Since when do they make OVAL buildings?… one of my favorites!

And expected to get even windier as the day goes on!!! Let’s just say, my morning ride towards the City was tough!!! Some cool clouds & crashing waves… and then the ride back home was AMAZING with an incredible tail-wind!!!

It was a dark start to the morning, without a lot of potential… or so I thought. But soon enough the clouds opened a bit and the colored sky show began to impress.

Sure, we may have a new vaccine beginning, but that doesn’t mean we’re free & clear! Let’s be diligent and beat this thing… please continue to wear your mask, wash your hands, sanitize and keep 6-feet away!!! I know it’s going to be weird with another socially-distant holiday… but let’s get through this together… by getting through it alone!!!

Today is a very big day for Chicago with the first of the coronavirus vaccines being administered. I know we’ve all waited anxiously for this day… but I can’t even imagine what the past year has been like for Dr. Allison Arwady. She has been so instrumental in Chicago’s efforts during this pandemic. So it was great to see her today on TV as the first vaccines were administered. I’m sure we’re all hoping this will get us back to “normal” some time soon.

And I’m also hoping that it will make Allison’s life a bit more “normal”…so she can come back to my pottery class again!!! We haven’t seen her throwing at the wheel ever since this whole thing began. I know the studio has saved my sanity through all of this… I can only imagine how much Allison needs a little “clay therapy” these days!!!

Thank You again for all you’ve done for the City of Chicago Allison!!! We all hope to see you soon… at a pottery wheel and NOT in front of a scary chart or graph!!!

Further down the lake front bike trail, south of the City, the “crowd” thins out and you get to see some great art along the way! Like this installation piece honoring Bessie Coleman… an early American civil aviator. She was the first African-American woman to hold a pilot license.

Closed, but not forgotten… Chicago’s Navy Pier may be closed due to the pandemic and a huge lack of tourism in Chicago. It’s completely locked down so you can’t even go down The Pier. But you can still enjoy the gardens & views out front… especially by bike!

Clear blue skies made a perfect opportunity for a beautiful afternoon bike ride! Including a stop at the totem pole at Lake Shore Drive & Addison… a favorite landmark for many Chicagoans!