Day 216
After spending the majority of the last two days with my butt glued to my office chair, early this evening I decided I needed to get out of here.
And so I did.
I had every intention of going to Starbucks and sipping on something and reading for a bit – just to get out of this house – but the air was so cool and crisp and moist and it was cloudy and threatening rain (which all made it nearly perfect) … I decided a walk was a much better plan. So, walk I did.
I parked the car downtown (which is now called “Uptown”) and walked. And walked and walked and walked. Unbeknownst to me (I need to get out more) there was a Pizzafest going on downtown and unfortunately tonight was not the best night (weather wise) to be hanging around outside, eating pizza and listening to the live music. A TAD on the chilly side. As I walked I was really glad I chose to wear my raincoat.
I neared the festival area and recognized the music that the band was playing and then saw the sign … Foghat. Tim had a record album of theirs (from the 70’s) … actually it’s here somewhere in some box … and as nice as it was to hear the music, it made me incredibly sad to think that this band went from making a nice album in the 70’s to playing to 40 people at a crummy pizza-fest in Park Ridge, Illinois some 35 years later.
Anyway … I got my frapp and walked past the library that is getting a new facade (very collegiate looking). The grounds are so well kept. The local garden club is responsible for the lush plantings around the area – it’s all very pretty. I crossed the street and walked past the storefronts … some now sporting autumn leaves and pumpkins. It all made me want to come home and clean out my basement and find my fall stuff and put things up and about.
Autumn … it’s in the air. FINALLY!
Breathing was different in this cooler air. I felt calmer … more ME.
I walked past the boutiques and the Hallmark shop (lots of Halloweenie things in their windows). Past the Pickwick theater with its Art Deco facade that always reminds me of the Daily Planet building and Superman! In my amblings I vowed that the diner on the corner will be my next meal out. I’ve never eaten there … ever … after all these years! Shame on me!
I looked at the windows of Chico’s and the pet food store. Stopped in at Trader Joe’s for some fruit and to nose around a bit. I stopped and picked up some gingerbread/molasses muffins at Jason’s Deli (the best muffins on the planet) and kept on walking … past the park and the lofts and the train depot. All the while I could hear the music playing for the handful of hearty souls standing about eating pizza in 60 degree weather.
Park Ridge is a very pretty town. It is very walkable and has a New England flair to it. There are columned buildings and cute shops and steepled churches (that always remind me of Vermont or Perry Mason). Those are tucked amongst the big trees – their white steeples popping through the foliage. I put walking on my to-do list from now until the snow flies … this town will be breathtaking in the next few months. Especially with the reds and rusts and yellows that will come soon.
In any case … I’m glad I got out. I needed the air and exercise and now I’m renewed to tackle that basement!