Sunday we slept late in our surprisingly nice hotel room. We laid around and giggled a bit while I tried to figure out where we should go to breakfast. I finally said, "the hell the with it, let's just get in the car." So off we drove; we were heading for the Chicago Music Exchange because Owen wanted to look at guitars and pedals. Wishbone was right down the block so we decided to go there. I thought Mother's Day might have it packed but we got in right away. We all toasted Ian Hunter, Ernie and I with our Bloody Mary's, and Owen with his lemonade. The food was great and service nice....we paid our bill at about 11:05 which meant Owen was only vibrating with anxiety for five minutes...he wanted to get there right when they opened. Of course the guitars all took his breath away. I could feel how hard he was yearning and it about broke my heart. Fortunately for me they had delightfully comfortable couches. I told him he had an hour and I think we made out before an hour and a half, so not bad.
Please not, if you will, the batching bass and Ian Hunter t-shirt....
We popped onto Lake Shore Drive and took it all the way down to 95th Street and Calumet Fisheries. I've always wanted to go there and Owen was up for it once I explained that it right next to the bridge that the Blues Brothers jumped over. Please note the James Beard award over Ernie's right shoulder. You may have seen it on one of Anthony Bourdain's shows too.
We headed west toward the highway, stopping only at a White Castle as Owen wanted to try one. I de-pickled it and held it for him. Sometimes I'm a good mother. He, being my son, thought the box was adorable. I said, "SEE? That's why we have an old one as a Christmas ornament," and he nodded happily. Eventually our yard welcomed me back home with roses and I got Mother's Day kisses and hugs from Leo. Of course then it went to hell later in the evening and we never did even eat any of our smoked fish, but it still was a pretty great Mother's Day. My sweet peas. All three of them.