A Tosa resident since 1991, Christine walks the dog, raises kids, cooks but avoids housework, writes and reads, and works too much. A Quaker and
, she has been known to stand on both sides of the political and philosophic fence at the same time, which is very uncomfortable when you think about it. She writes about pretty much whatever stops in to visit her busy mind at the moment. One reader described her as "incredibly opinionated but not judgmental." That sounds like a good thing to strive for!
Tonight is West High School's homecoming dance. I wasn't allowed to take pictures of the beautiful young women in pretty dresses and the also beautiful, but perhaps a bit more awkward, young men in their shirts and ties this year. Fortunately, another mom promised me copies.
A miracle led into the weekend Friday: the Trojans won the first game of the season.
West kids and their parents are great at having a good time in the company of each other and keeping things in perspective. Most of the girls are wearing short dresses, most of the boys are not wearing suits, and most of the kids aren't riding in limos.
I was in Chicago yesterday for a meeting but got home in time for the last minute search for shoes. After deciding that most of The Shoes of Death Liz tried on looked good but were crippling, we found The Perfect Pair: hot looking, yet walkable. Good leather: classic black heels with a little modern zing.
And another miracle: the kids had left some tiramisu custard for me.
This year, I took the Metra to Chicago from Kenosha. You park at the station for $1 a day. Weekday fare is just over $6; all weekend fare is $5, for as many trips as you want.
And the trip was fun. If you want to see how to develop Tosa -- and how not to do it-- take notes along the way. Each town has its own character and lessons. Waukegan is possibly the ugliest city I've ever seen, whereas any of the towns with Lake in their name are charming.
But the people watching is the best. Going down, a group of young girls sang songs in clear, bell-like voices. Coming back, the Northwestern students heading to Evanston at 10:30 a.m. were drinking Bud Lite and eating homemade chocolate chip cookies. There was something sort of endearingly human and stupid about that, something so only-the-young.
And at Great Lakes, the conductors had to shout at the young seamen on leave to remind them the train was headed NORTH to Kenosha, not SOUTH to Chicago. And if they were looking for excitement, they'd better get off and turn around.
I'd ridden back from Ravinia with the Great Lakes crowd after a rowdy night in Chicago--their rowdy night, that is. Mine was totally taste-ual and cultural, of course. That time, the conductor had to rouse them to get them out, too. My mom-heart was so glad they weren't behind the wheels of automobiles.
Wouldn't it be great if the Metra extended not just to Milwaukee, but all the way to Waukesha? The Little Red Store in Tosa would make a fine station.
And the world of shopping, museums, jobs--and okay: partying--would open up wider for us.
