Lincoln Park Conservatory

There was this wonderful conservatory in Lincoln Park with the most beautiful plants and flowers. It was enclosed by a high greenhouse and it reminded me of the Sibley Center at Callaway Gardens. There were numerous fountains which imparted a gentle sound to the setting. There were a few children with their parents but not as many as at the zoo. The people walking down the walkways in the conservatory were quiet. The colors were almost every shade of green with an occasional splash of red, yellow, or violet. The plants were exotic and all very healthy and not overly groomed. There were labels on the plants but I did not pay much attention to them. There was an opportunity to sit on benches that lined the walkways giving one a chance to rest while contemplating the plants. My back was hurting from the start stop walking that I had been doing in the zoo with Sandy and Danielle and I was greatful to take a break.

It takes some time to upload the images on the slow internet connection that we have at the apartment. So far I have not told anyone of the existence of this blog. I am using it as a diary. Sometimes I even have difficulty finding it myself. I read over the entries that I started making while we were in Costa Rica last month. I am glad that I made them. It seems that I forget things faster than I experience them. I wish that I could organize my thoughts into categories so that I could reference them more quickly later.

We are staying in an apartment in the building that Danielle and Marshall live in. It is on the 20th floor. It overlooks lake Michigan. Yesterday there were hundreds of sailboats that we witnessed sailing back and forth over the lake while a plane dragged a Heiniken Light Banner overhead. It was a sunny day. Not too hot. We drank beer, ate sandwiches and watched the US Open while the boats sailed along.

Chicago September 2009

We drove up from Florida in two days.
Visited with Danielle and Marshall. We toured the Lincoln Park Zoo and Conservatory. It was a beautiful sunny day. I will attach some pictures that we took.

I am upset about the trashing of the president by the republican right wing. I watched the video on youtube about his healthcare speach.

I was impressed at the disqualification of Serena Williams in the US Open Women's semifinal when she cursed and threatened a lineswoman.

We will drive to Michigan to visit Louis Eason and Sandy Frank. They will take us to see some dunes on the shore of Lake Michigan. We miss seeing them.

We dined at a Japanese Restaurant which was a real rip-off last night. $180.00 for four people. Danielle was happy with the restaurant that she chose, so I had to keep my mouth shut. It was dirty, greasy andthe food didn't taste so good. I don't know how this restaurant survives in a recession.

Financially I was happy to see a recovery in the price of amedysis with some of the boards noting the profitability and value in this company. People have resigned from the company before. I believe that the CEO is firmly in control of this company and that it is his way or the highway.

Early Morning Views at Recreo

Sun rises at 5:30am. You wake up with the birds and animals and climb to the top of the resort which is situated on a mountain overlooking the Pacific. Monkeys frequent the steep dirt road. Clouds drape the mountains.

Costa Rica Vacation With Danielle and Joshua

Joshua Kayaking in Costa Rica

Joshua is coming on strong! Here you see him manning the Kayak. Josh has a kayak and a small boat at 1371 Sautern Drive in Fort Myers. He lives with us and I know that we can count on him. Joshua is a graduate of Florida Institute of Technology with a major in aviation management. He works at Private Sky. He likes to fish, boat, play pool and drink beer. He loves the two dogs at our house and he built a fish tank in our family room. He has been rock solid this past year while our family has gone through crisis after crisis. He traded in his small Mazda that we purchased for him and bought a Toyota Tundra which can carry his kayak. He still drives to Melbourne, Florida to see his friends from his college fraternity the "PIKES."

Hurricane Bill

We are in Costa Rica and watching hurricane Bill make its way across the Atlantic. We are hoping that it will turn to the north and away from Florida.

This is Sandy (Cassandra)... my wife and my beauty... We have been together for 27 years and married for 25 years. We have two children, Danielle age 24 and Joshua age 23. They are with us in Costa Rica for a whole week. We have not been together on a family vacation in quite some time. This photo was taken of Sandy last February in Chicago where we spent an entire month helping Danielle. Danielle is in Law School in Chicago. Joshua lives with us in Fort Myers. He works for Private Sky, an aviation company.