Chicago Weeklet.....and Home Again
Thursday morning we woke up snug in our little fog surrounded suite at the Hard Rock and I gotta say....I really didn't want to leave.... It was time though and besides, our bill had swooshed in under our door so it was DEFINITELY time to go.....
We somewhat mournfully checked out.....
....and drove over to the Grant Park parking garage. I was worried about leaving our stuff in the car but I thought to myself that we HAD to go to the Art Institute so if all our things were stolen so be it. Later I thought about that and wondered, "am I freaking crazy?" Oh well, who knows, our stuff was fine so I didn't have to wonder further. We wandered a bit around Millenium Park (admiring the view of the our gold topped hotel from there) and then headed over to the Art Institute.
Waiting in line for art.....you gotta love it.....
We got through the line, checked our coats and I immediately headed to the 17th-19th century American art....because that's just the kind of girl I am. I remembered the way despite how long it had been.
I tried explaining the pleasures of 17th century chests (above) to Leo to no avail. He was very polite but looked at me blankly. Lovely table and chairs, huh? And please note it's the Israel Sack Gallery (below). When I was a teenager I had a cactus named Israel Sack. In fact I had a collection of cacti all named after famous antique dealers of the day....
Being in these galleries, although they've been redesigned since I came here as a teen, really brought back that time to me. Walking through Field's, looking at the American antiques I love----it made me realize how much I am still that same girl. I've been amazed, since having children, at realizing just how hardwired we are....how set our personalities are from day one. This visit kind of brought home the fact that it continues through out life, our experiences and loves being layered on and becoming one with that early hardwired version of ourselves. So on this visit I ended up being happy to see the Israel Sack Gallery and Ernie ended up sitting on the bed playing guitar. We're still our own teen selves, just wrapped up in a couple decades more of life. It makes me realize how much I need to respect Leo and Owen and the people they are right now, because that's who they will be for life.
Owen was happy enough in the museum....Leo not so much. He was very polite and well behaved and followed me dutifully but every so often would look at me with those big brown eyes and say, "how much longer will we be here?" I showed him various things and he politely nodded. I tried pointing out the explanations and how sometimes that information could make it more interesting. He just looked at me. I tried walking out into courtyard area with him and telling him how one of the things I loved about museums was the beautiful space and the architecture. He just nodded sadly. I thought about telling him that having the origins of the galaxy explained to me at the Planetarium hadn't been a thrill for me either but he was trying to hard to be good that I didn't want to tease him. Owen wanted to see the armor....I thought perhaps Leo would like that just a teeny bit but no go. He's never been a particularly bloodthirsty creature. After enough traipsing we took a break for a drink and a cookie. I could tell Owen was starting to tire and I can understand, as much as I love museums I get museum fatigue pretty quickly. I suggested we head back to the car and start the trip home and got a delighted smile from Leo. Owen wanted to go to the Museum Shop of course and after one meltdown regarding our refusal to buy a $16 eraser we got out of there. I wanted to kill Owen but well, that happens, now doesn't it? We headed south to get onto the highway. We were right next to Chinatown so I asked Ernie to drive around to show the boys. I turned and looked in the back seat and Owen was already SOUND asleep. Sometimes I forget what a little guy he really is. Leo was fascinated though....but as soon as we got onto the highway he said, "o.k., I'm going to sleep now" and he did. I think the city wore out my babies....
It was a painless, grey drive home and everybody was happy to be back home in our Christmas-trashed house again. Part of me wanted to still be in my little suite with the skyscrapers all around me, but it was good to be home and Bob and Hattie and Annie were delighted with our return.
That evening Owen and I were talking before bed and I asked him how he liked the museum. He squinched up his face as he does and said, "well, I liked it a lot but......too many boobs." I told him I saw his point.
There you have it.....our weeklet in Chicago.