Preeti's Birthday

We celebrated Preeti's birthday at A10 restaurant. The meal was terrific built around the beet vegetable. Her birthday doughnut cake was created uniquely just for her compliments of the chef.

One of her gifts -- homemade apricot fruit leather.

EATALY - Chicago (for Erica)

Preeti took us to Eataly! Mario Batali's renowned Italian superstore. It was a real treat. We came away with red pesto, fig bread, and truffles.

3302 W Dickens Ave

Finally at my baby girl's place. I have never ceased to miss my children when they're not with me. However full and complete my life may seem, it is richer with their presence. My daughter's sweet warm thoughtfulness permeates the air.

The water babes cooling off....

ARTURO--The A Man

Arturo started Creativity Camp today at the Hyde Park Art Center. Here are a few pictures from his first day.

Amtrak Train to Chicago

IRaphael and I are on our way to spend a few days with Preeti, as well as with Andrew and Arturo who are in Chicago for a conference from Brazil.

I find train travel preferable to plane trips-- more relaxing, wider seats, more leg room, and friendly fellow travelers.

My lunch--tortilla wrap with humus, avocado, cheese, tomato and basil leaves--was yummy. Thanks to Raphael who packed the food. 

Now you see why we carried food. The food options on the train are limited.

Kansas City was a 45 minute stop so we took a sightseeing side trio.

After Raphael turned back, I ran most of the way across the green to the monument--wondering all the while if some unforeseen random event would prevent me from getting back to the train in time.

Some other misc pics including sunrise this morning, Amish at breakfast, and a bad bad picture of the Mississippi River. Can you spell Mississippi backwards?

Leaving Toronto

Final images . . .

Long line outside a Japanese cheesecake place . . . We took front seats on the upper level of Megabus . . . Downtown . . . Timbits . . . Women with arms folded . . .

Misc Pictures of Toronto Visit

This picture is taken in aunty's apartment the night before we left.

The three of us took this picture together, because we were housemates at 57 Virgilwood Drive during 2007 and 2008. It seemed like Aunty Joy looked after us all. I would come back in the evenings from a long day at work to a hot dinner every night cooked by aunty, and the three of us would eat together at the dining table.

We visited the "newish" Brick Works Park in the valley below Russell and Kaye's home. Kaye and I walked down the hill from Chowley Park and met Russell and Raphael, who had taken the car, down below. Besides the large brick oven buildings and brickmaking buildings, the valley has ponds and walking paths. A great place to view birds, and other small life.

Family Dinner

Brian, Russell, Todd and Chris, all look thinner. It will take a little getting used to Todd, the father. Jewel looks great. T

Aunty Joy's great grand-children are sweet and precious. Madeline and Connor. All the food was home cooked. No more of this ordering in anymore.

Caribbean cuisine--jerk chicken, red bean rice, roasted seasoned corn on the cob, baked eggplant, lentil patties (fir me). Cheesecake Apple torte, and coconut macaroons for dessert. Kaye made all the dishes.

Maestro Visit

We got together with Daniel for an early lunch at Brownstone Bistro on Yonge street. After he drove us to his apartment in the Musician Lodge, and showed us his rooftop garden plot.

TORONTO Monday

Russell and Kaye gave us their bedroom. For breakfast we had a quiche that Ali and Leila made. 

We visited Aunty Joy at her apartment from 1 to 4:30 pm. She enjoyed looking at all my pictures--dad's 90th birthday, the family reunion, Kris and Safira's wedding, and Brazil. She is in good shape physically.