In the summertime, I get off a stop early and walk about 10 minutes to work. I find it's a nice way to start the day -- get the blood flowing as well as a chance to clear my head before the day ends.

This church on Chicago/Rush is home to the archdiocese in Chicago. Last winter, the chapel burnt to the ground overnight. It was devastating. But they are starting to rebuild and have even opened for mass in the last week.

I'm hardly a religious person, but I do enjoy walking by this sign every morning. Whether the Big J.C. is among us or not, I still think he has a beautiful house.

~*HECTOR*~ part ii

~*HECTOR*~

When I was on my way to the airport on Sunday morning, I had to pull over and get at least a few pictures of the lake. I remember the first time I went to Hector was Thanksgiving, 2002. It was dark and cold and difficult to capture.
It wasn't until Easter weekend in 2004 I was finally able to tootle around with Ky and see the beauty that this little secret town held within it's boundaries.

Since moving to Chicago, I have grown a stronger appreciation for the simple quiet that Hector brings to my soul. I left a little piece of my heart in Hector this last trip; and I cannot wait to go back.

Amanda sent this my way this afternoon -- as much as I loved the balloon fest back home since it was right down the street, this picture makes me miss Albuquerque so much. I remember getting up in the morning and eating breakfast on the back porch with my dad. Since Albuquerque is built in a valley, the entire city is on a downhill slope. From where our house was you could see the entire sky just filled with balloons.

I have had many homes in 25 years. But whenever I see balloons, I miss Albuquerque.

Oka

My other uncle took this one:
Sunset in Oka, Quebec

My uncle took this picture at the Sandbanks in Canada while he, my aunt and my two cousins were camping last month. Incredible?

What I love about this picture is the amount of quiet energy that moves through it. I sat at this pond for quite a few minutes, just watching the water silently ripple around the lily pads.


Do I really need to explain what's beautiful about this?


In Chicago, I find this kind of expression does not exist. There are a number of street performers in Chicago, don't get me wrong. But there is a sadness to them, a quiet desperation as they plead for your attention.
With these fine gentleman, you could hear the jubilation in their song -- their passion for expression, their joy in sharing their gift with the people and just the gratitude for being able to be present and completely in the moment on this day.
I found it beautiful.