“Thanks, it’s my Mom!”

was my response to the woman sitting across from me on the train this morning. She had pointed to the handmade domino necklace* I am wearing and said “That is beautiful!”

How fitting...on my 54th birthday, to acknowledge the woman, who at the tender age of 20...loving, internally cared for me; bore the pain of my birth and welcomed me into the bright light of the world on Wednesday, August 27, 1958.

The woman who would have made a fabulous farmer’s wife, with her love of animals, the outdoors, and her southern heritage-driven gift of cooking and baking; whom instead married a garbage collector, settled into suburban Chicago and raised (let’s face it – still raising) eight children.

Momma, I stand in honor with love, pride & thanks and salute thee.

myra lee

Slip Sliding & Falling My Lunch Walk Away!

Yes, it is raining.

Yes, I am wearing my toe shoes.

Yes, I walk up Madison to the Bean and back most every weekday.

Yes, I always cross State Street.

No, I have never fallen on this walk. . .

until today.

Several times a year a "coating" of some type is applied to the sidewalk on State Street. Not sure what the coating is (I am currently on the phone with the City to find out), but I am sure of this. . .

when it gets wet it is slippery beyond measure.

One step onto State Street and my left foot flew out from under me.

There was no graceful catching myself recovery.

I went down.

Hard.

Left arm.

Left shoulder.

Left hip.

The new Snippet's camera fortunately in my right hand and seemingly unscathed.

My shoulder, neck, arm, hip - sore already.

The City's 311 operator just confirmed thru the Department of Transportation (whom I cannot speak to directly) that they do "put something" on the sidewalks but they would not discuss what that was. She told me that the only thing I can do is file a police report.

Frustrated...yes.

That I wasn't hurt too badly I am blessed.