Chicago - A Matter of Perspective
Oh, sweet little Ikey sees such wonder in the world. Everything is beautiful and precious. Even his view of city life is as he sees it through his eyes only. They live in a very nice part of downtown. So many places are within walking distance. The thing is, and I guess it is common in cities, there is quite a rat population in the sewers and alleys and garbage cans. While walking to get a coffee one evening a rat jumped from the curb into the adjacent bushes and Ikey pops up with, "Look mama! A bunny!"
Here is their home, the brick with the green door.
And my favorite, the back stairs from the alley. those of you who know me, know my affinity with stairwells and stoops and flags and clotheslines. Thus, I LOVE this part. Theirs is the middle unit with the Tibetan flags.
So close by that you can see it from the street (and hear it all day and night) is the El Train. I actually loved the sound of it, which surprised me because I am such a person who loves the quiet so. But this spoke to me in some romantic way.
The children have a lovely playroom where the dining room would be. Enlivened by Rainbow Fairies in the warm morning sun. This space will be wonderful in the dead of winter.
Fiona plays with the fairies, and her Busha on the floor everyday. ikey has so much room to explore his imagination. What I truly love is the vibe. It is the center of their home, warm, bright, surrounded by all the going-ons of the household. It is perfect for the little ones.
Ike and I both discovered fireflies together. A first for both of us. For me, they were always these magical little creatures that I longed to experience firsthand. i think Ike felt my exuberance and they became our combined passion every evening. After the first night, when Ike caught one so gently in his hands and we put it in a jar and brought it inside, we went to the library to learn more. The funny thing is, he had been begging (whining actually) nonstop for a "pet". And just holding these little bugs in a jar for a bit and letting them go, sufficed. he was more than content with his new "pets". What I loved most about them was their slow and gentle nature. they moved at a speed where a child could easily catch them without needing to grab and possibly harm them. The look on Ike's face when he cupped two hands together and caught his first "pet", was priceless.
Again, Ike's perspective of Chicago made me laugh...as we hunted fireflies in the "fields" ( 6x10 wrought-ironed patches of flowers or lawn lining the sidewalks).
What else did we do?
I knitted.
We went to the Gay Pride Parade
We enjoyed quick, intense summer storms.
And we cooked and ate and had tea parties in their big old - fashioned kitchen.
Of course, the week flew by for me and it was one of adjustments and beginnings for the Vargas family as mama began her residency.