So, Barry, who the hell IS a 'fat cat'?

Besides you and Michelle, that is. Look closely at the document. CLICK on it. What do you see--no, I am asking you, Tyrell, who lives on the South Side of Chicago.

TYRELL: I see Barack Obama made way over FIVE. MILLION. BUCKS.!

JOHN DOE: So what do you think about that, Tyrell?

TYRELL: I be thingkin O is one o'dem 'fat cats' hissef!

First, I see no SS numbers, though Barry has reputedley used more than 30 different numbers through the years!

Second, the fictionol Tyrell is quite correct--Barack Obama is a 'FAT CAT' NOW!

Interruption with the definitions of 'fat cat'

fat cat
 
–noun Slang .

1. a wealthy person from whom large political campaign contributions are expected.

2. any wealthy person, esp. one who has become rich quickly through questionable dealings.

3. an important, influential, or famous person.

4. a person who has become lazy or self-satisfied as the result of privilege or advantage.

Origin: 1925–30, Americanism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.

fat cat

n. Slang
A wealthy and highly privileged person.

A wealthy person who is a heavy contributor to a political campaign.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Slang Dictionary

fat-cat definition

n. someone with great wealth and the accompanying success. : I like to watch the fat-cats go by in their beemers.
mod. having to do with wealth or a wealthy person. : You'll never see me driving any of those fat-cat cars.

Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition. Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill
Idioms & Phrases

fat cat

A wealthy and privileged person, as in This neighborhood, with its million-dollar estates, is full of fat cats . This term originally meant "a rich contributor to a political campaign," and while this usage persists, it now is often applied more broadly, as in the example. [Colloquial; 1920s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 1997.
Published by Houghton Mifflin

Is it not comforting that our current president CHOOSES to use SLANG to get through the 'ding-dong-day'?

Sunset over the Arno

Bill Morton seems to trying to 'best' me with his shots of 'flowers' at www.RP100.blogspot.com (but he does not know they are MAGNOLIAS: he just calls them 'flowers'!), so I leave you with something he could never, ever show you.

The sunset (at this time of year) in Florence, Italy over the River Arno in 1982.

Ah, the apple trees!

Apple and Crabapple trees in bloom on Sheridan Road, Rogers Park, Chicago, USA!

For those of you interested...

...copies of this are available.

This is a huge fungus that grew immediately to the south of the Farcroft Apartments, in a cut-down tree off the alleyway. I shot it three years ago, and placed it upon an original abstract background.

It and the tree stump no longer exist.

Contact me at: RPFreeSpeech@gmail.com if you are interested.

Come, walk with me...

...and we'll take the gondola to San Giorgio!

Come inside my daffodil...

...said the girl.

Daffodil: photographed at the Gateway Centre, Rogers Park neighborhood, Chicago

"I will show you the simple meaning of life."

In Rogers Park today, there is beauty and then?

It's a tiny triangle at the intersection of three rights of way--Rogers Avenue, Birchwood Avenue, and Ashland Avenue in Rogers Park. It probably never had to be there, but, back in 1953, the American Legion Joyce Kilmer Post 780 (which seems to not be situated in Chicago) set this copper plate in this huge boulder to remind American citizens of just what our armed forces have done for us, how they have helped us continue to be free.

Last autumn, the curbing was re-done on this triangle, bulbs were planted, new mulch was placed, and these magnificent Forsythia seem to be new.

During the four springs now that I have lived here in Rogers Park, each time I pass this small memorial, I stop and think of someone I have known who served, and how courageous they were. It does give pause.

Thank you to all those responsible for the renovation--it looks great!

Just a block and a little more to the west lies Ald. Joe Moore's Gateway Centre where, I found today, (Earthy Day) this scenario:

Truly, Spring has come to Rogers Park and the 49th Ward of Chicago!

The tulips and daffodils are in full bloom; the maples and rosebushes have leaves; and the SKANKY, CA-CA BROWN CHRISTMAS WREATH STILL HANGS BETWEEN THE PEELING COLUMNS!

Nice, professional management of the mall, isn't it?

What would Col. Sanders say?

Susan G. Komen for the Cure makes mockery of self with KFC pinkwashing campaign

From Mike Adams' long but informative post at Natural News:

(NaturalNews) Susan G. Komen for the Cure has now crossed the line into asinine idiocy thanks to its new alliance with Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), where pink buckets of fried chicken are sold under the slogan, "Buckets for the Cure." I'm not making this up.

This idea that buying fried chicken is actually going to cure cancer is one of the most utterly idiotic health ideas yet witnessed in American pop culture. Komen for the Cure is so far gone from reality that the organization apparently doesn't even think twice about suggesting such an absurd idea.

Eat more fried chicken, folks, and then what? Loading up on that kind of a diet is more likely to cause you to kick the bucket than to find a cure for cancer.

{...}

What other chemical ingredients might you find in KFC foods? The company actually publishes a list of ingredients for its menu items. I went through that list and found all the following ingredients on the KFC menu:

Partially hydrogenated soybean oil (contains trans fats)

High-Fructose Corn Syrup (linked to diabetes)

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) (linked to cancer)

Titanium Dioxide (used in sunscreen)

Yellow #5 (chemical coloring)

Propylene Glycol (used as antifreeze in RVs)

Rendered Beef Fat (gross)

Red #40 (another chemical coloring)

Sodium nitrite (linked to pancreatic cancer)

Soy Protein Concentrate (may be processed with hexane)

Sugar (refined)

Sodium Benzoate (chemical preservative)

Hydrolyzed Corn, Soy and Wheat Protein (may contain hidden MSG)

Beef Extract (eww)

Corn Syrup Solids (more processed sugars)

Liquid Margarine

Sodium Caseinate

Autolyzed Yeast Extract (another hidden source of MSG)...

and lots more. Read the ingredients yourself at:http://www.kfc.com/nutrition/pdf/kf...

{...}

"Buckets for the Cure"

Now KFC is offering yet another new example of pinkwashing: selling pink buckets of fried chicken to "end breast cancer forever."

In an ironic twist, KFC's "Buckets for the Cure" campaign urges people to buy buckets of unhealthy food to help cure a disease that kills women.

The American Institute for Cancer Research says there is "convincing evidence" that excess body fat increases the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.

Obesity is also tied to shorter survival rates for women who develop breast cancer.

Like most fast food chains, KFC has an overwhelming presence in communities known to have poor health outcomes, and the Susan G. Komen Foundation certainly must know that such social inequities effect breast cancer mortality rates.

Given all this, "Buckets for the Cure" is a particularly disturbing pinkwashing partnership.

*********

Did I read the word 'OBESITY'?

Uh-oh, better watch out, or you'll have this harradan 'up in arms'...erm...

...I guess she is already, huh?

(Just a question: Why does she wear low-cut tops and long sleeves lately when she's around children? Just wondering?)

Chase Avenue Magnolias

One of the finest magnolia 'bushes' I've seen is actually tree-size and is located in the 1500 block of W. Chase Avenue in Rogers Park.

Just spectacular!

A bit of the past...

...on W. Chase Avenue in Rogers Park intrigued me, so I did a little research.

The Gamewell Company continues to exist as Gamewell-FCI, and is owned by the Honeywell Corporation.

From Gamewell-FCI's website:

Our History

From building and installing the first municipal electric fire alarm system using telegraph wires in 1852 to developing self-programming, networked, and sophisticated voice evacuation systems, Gamewell-FCI’s history in rich in industry firsts and technological advances.

1800s

1852
In Boston, MA, Dr. William Channing and Moses Farmer develop the first, practical fire alarm system using the telegraph system to pinpoint the location of and communicate a fire alarm.

1854
Dr. Channing and Mr. Farmer apply for a patent for the “Electromagnetic Fire Alarm Telegraph for Cities”.

1855
John Nelson Gamewell, a South Carolina postmaster and telegraph company agent, attends Dr. Channing’s lecture on the Fire Alarm Telegraph at the Smithsonian Institution.

1855
John Gamewell purchases the regional rights for marketing the Fire Alarm Telegraph in the south and southwest United States.

1859
John Gamewell purchases total rights to the Channing and Farmer system.

1865
After the Civil War, the U.S. Government seizes the Fire Alarm Telegraph patents and auctions them off.

1867
John F. Kennard of Boston purchases the Fire Alarm Telegraph patents and returns them to John N. Gamewell, forming a partnership. Kennard and Company is established in Newton Upper Falls, Massachusetts to manufacture the fire alarm system.

1879
Gamewell Fire Alarm Telegraph Company formed with John N. Gamewell, proprietor with the fist holding lightning bolts as registered as trademark.

1886
Gamewell systems installed in 250 cities across America, and in to Canada.

1890
Gamewell systems installed in 500 cities. New factory opened in Newton Upper Falls, Massachusetts.

If you're a history buff, continue reading here.

Mo' new money comin' up!

Government goes high-tech to redesign $100 bills

Click to enlarge


WASHINGTON (AP) — The folks who print America’s money have designed a high-tech makeover of the $100 bill. It’s part of an effort to stay ahead of counterfeiters as technology becomes more sophisticated and more dollars flow overseas, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says.

The makeover, unveiled Wednesday by Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, may leave people wondering if there’s magic involved.

Benjamin Franklin is still on the C-note. But he has been joined by a disappearing Liberty Bell in an inkwell and a bright blue security ribbon composed of thousands of tiny lenses that magnify objects in mysterious ways. Move the bill, and the objects move in a different direction.

The new currency will not go into circulation until Feb. 10 of next year.

That will give the government time to educate the public in the United States and around the world about the changes.

Read more here.

This is the Vice President...

...of these United States, surrounded by females.

Did the Viagra kick in, or what?

And wouldn't it be fun if his face 'froze' just like that?

Why the lightning?

Iceland volcano: the latest spectacular pictures of the volcanic eruption

Photo: EPA

It is not clear why bolts of lightning are sometimes seen within
erupting volcanoes...

Photo: Marco Fulle/Barcroft Media

...One theory is that that the spewing magma bubbles or particles
of volcanic ash are themselves electrically charged,
and by their motion create separately charged areas...

Photo: EPA

...Another theory is that lightning may be caused by
charge-inducing collisions in volcanic dust.

*********

No matter what the theory, it is unusual to see this type of electrical energy associated with volcanic eruption. If it could only somehow be 'harnessed', hmmm?

Look closely at these shots (click to enlarge them). Study them. Think about them.

Because this is something BIGGER than Barry and his thuggish administration.

Perhaps 'Someone up there' is telling us something?

Surely, he jests?

Mayor Emanuel?
White House chief of staff says he’d like the post if Daley doesn’t run for re-election

"I hope Mayor [Richard] Daley seeks re-election. I will work and support him if he seeks re-election," Emanuel told Charlie Rose on the host's PBS talk show, in an interview broadcast Monday night. "But if Mayor Daley doesn't, one day I would like to run for mayor of the city of Chicago. That's always been an aspiration of mine, even when I was in the House of Representatives."

*********

Whatsamattah, Rahm? Not happy ruining the nation with Barry?

Tonight's marvelous dinner-in-a-bowl!

Yesterday, I plopped two nice-sized chicken breasts into a pot of filtered water, adding six garlic gloves, a small chopped onion, and a good dash of crushed red pepper. I let that begin to boil, then turn down the gas to let it simmer. When the chicken is tender, it's done, and the end result is a wonderfully flavored broth.

Tonight, I removed the chicken breast (only one left!), and placed 1/4 bag of 'saifun' into the cold broth. (Saifun are mung bean noodles, relatively inexpensive and better than ramen noodles). I also added a cup and a half of frozen broccoli, four sliced Crimini mushrooms and one small chopped fire-roasted red pepper.

Note: The saifun must sit in cold water or broth for about ten minutes before cooking, in order to soften.

Next, I brought it all to a boil, then let it simmer for about 10 minutes after adding the chicken breast.

No added salt (I'm sure there's enough on the frozen chicken breasts); relatively low in calories; some healthy green veggies, and WOW, it photographed well, too!

What a great tasty dinner I had!

Greeting the new White House Fashion Czar!

After meeting with his newest 'czar' early Sunday morning, then discovering he had free time because he finally admitted he 'could not fly'...

...O-bogus hit the links!

The Kaczynski Funeral

The late President's twin brother, Jaroslaw, and the Kaczynski's daughter, Marta, and her husband.

The caskets in St. Mary's Basilica on Krakow, Poland.

Tens of thousands were outside the basilica and lining the way of the funeral cortege to Wawel Hill, the place of burial.

*********

This was a poignantly sad, but beautifully traditional Catholic funeral. It was long, yet worth every minute of watching the people of Poland express their love for the Kaczynskis. May they continue to be strong!

(The Obamas did not attend due to the ashiness over Europe from Iceland's unpronounceable volcano.

They would have been bored, anyway.)

This lovely beauty...

...escaped the confines of the Emil Bach House tulips (see previous post) and now resides on the neighboring property.

You get a chance to 'look inside', if you've never done that.

There is certainly more Truth in a single tulip than in all politicians, isn't there?

Frank Lloyd Wright would be pleased!

The Emil Bach House, designed and built by Wright in 1915, has been slowly and lovingly being restored by its new owners. It is located at 7415 N. Sheridan Road, in Rogers Park.

View from the alleyway

One can actually see the grounds now that excess vineage is being cleared and new sod has been laid.

Bill Morton: Is he working for your best interests?

This is an example of Bill Morton's 'work', followed by several other videos on the same topic, at his blogsite, www.rp1000.blogspot.com.

Apparently, this subject matter is VERY important to Bill Morton.

Not really...because it becomes the means of his escape from reality.

He owes me $1,425...for helping him remain in his apartment (#803) at 1205 W. Sherwin Avenue, here in Rogers Park. Though he knows my e-mail address, he has never contacted me in the past six months, since I have asked for payback.

Consequently, I shall continue to appeal for payback PUBLICLY, and let everyone who reads this blog understand what a SWINE Bill Morton is.

Oh...

...wouldn't it be nice...if we could live like this...

...instead of killing each other with our thoughts, actions, and deeds?

I sent a comment to RP1000...

...and, apparently, I am blocked. This was my comment:

"Yes, of course, I know you, and I know that the bulk of the original photos at the Willye B. White sight are those 'I gave you', as I also 'gave ' you the Willye B. White Park Advisory Council LOGO, which you have never updated, though I have sent you updates. Because you are such a slovenly person, others suffer...isn't it TRUE, Bill?

And, what have you done, say, in the last 5 or so months since I resigned from Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce?

There is no semblance of UNITY in the community, just a photo of a coffee mug.

SAD, so SAD!"

My readers are increasing, Bill Morton, and your name is put out across the world. Your 'chess piece', 'Mister SEIU 880', cannot do anything for you now.

Drink, Damn ye', til yer Drunk!

...cuz I needs the money!

Daley’s plan has ’em drinking up along the lake
Even parks advocates not opposed to doubling licenses at venues along shore

Mayor Richard Daley wants people to drink more along the lakefront as a way to gin up money for the Chicago Park District and avoid raising taxes.

That relaxed, party-on vibe spread Wednesday from City Hall to lakefront aldermen and even parks advocacy groups who don't oppose Daley's plan to double the number of liquor licenses to 25 along Lake Michigan.

"It seems counterintuitive, I know, for a park organization to back this kind of a plan, but we feel it can really improve the experience for people in certain areas of the parks," said Bob O'Neill (scared jerk-off), president of the Grant Park Conservancy, who endorsed the liquor license expansion as a way to draw people to the lakefront.

Read it all. It is sooo disgusting.

*********

Isn't this just so nice?

Is Richie taking care of Maggie in her extreme time of need ? NO.

He's out 'n' about, just tryin' ta make so'more bucks...so's he kin keep da place in Mich, ya know where.

Chicago, under the Dick'em Daley 'Bubble of Deceit'

I'm tellin' ya, Richie, if youse was a good Catlick boy, youse would get down on your knees 'n' pray, yeah, right now. Pray to be forgiven for all you've done...to hurt the City of Chicago!

An' pray you don't end up in some field in da 'burbs!

But, I, and most of Chicago know--YOU ain't been no good Catlick boy for the past 60 years!

To be quite frank, I think da Mare might become a wee bit happier if he gave away ALL his money!

Someone want to ask him to try it?

Perhaps Ald. Joe Moore, or Ald. Ed Burke?

Surrounded by..erm...uh...erm...ART?

I have been an artist most of my almost 64 years, and have worked in Theatre, Film, Video and Display, in both Chicago and Milwaukee. I take pride in the fact that I re-create what has been shown to me by some higher power.

What is below is anathema to me...an art-scam, and for this woman to position herself with it, smiling, is also anathema.

Oh, my, it's Penelope Curtis...oh, my, it's the Tate!

Has the Tate gone mad re: 'Modern Art'? Any arse can lay a rope on the floor amongst a number of blue, soft-sculpted monoliths!

The museums are headed by such a lot of LOONS!

Can you imagine his feelings, his thoughts?

Jaroslaw Kaczinski is a very strong man, indeed.

Whether he runs or not is immaterial.

My intense admiration for this gentleman who, in his personal time of need, has shown himself to his people, the Polish people.

He is to be loved forever, because of the love he has shown.

And he is the ultimate example of the Polish people!

I simply love him for whom he is!

A sincere thank you to my readers...

...who come from all over this planet! Thank you, so very much!

For those few who may have some appreciation for my photographic efforts, may I offer you the following:

These are river rocks, which I have selectively gilded. They lay in a bowl of Chinese white porcelain. The largest is 1 and one-half inches.

This is a handmade glass bead with gold leaf that I was given in late 1996 by the artist. I am so sorry I do not remember his name, but I became extemely ill that day, with a 105 degree temp. The bead is approximately 3/4" high, just to give you an idea. Click for enlargment!

This egg (1 and 1/16 inches high) was also a gift from another artist, and though it is brownish, I find it very lovely, don't you? Again, click it to enlarge it.

When I do this macro-photography, and see the 'other worlds', I tend to remove myself from the concerns of today's world.

Quite frankly, though I visit the sites, I do not care anymore what Michelle Obama is wearing. She is ill-advised re: fashion.

I do not care any longer regarding what Barry Soetoro (or whomever he may be) is doing. He is extremely ill-advised re: the office of the president of these United States.

*********

On being called a racist...

Yes, I am a 'racist'--a HUMAN racist--because the only race I recognize is the HUMAN race.

No one's color matters to me, as long as they act as if they are human beings.

If, and when, they revert to 'animalism', as so many have recently, it is then that I take umbrage with them.

When anyone begins to feel superior to another, I take umbrage with them.

When anyone attempts to dominate another, I take umbrage with them.

When anyone, especially anyone in the political arena, attempts to dictate to me--oh, yes, I will take umbrage with them, especially if they obfuscate (LIE!).

Drop the race crap, politicians, because no matter what color we are, we are all participants in the HUMAN race!

Next Nomination for the Supreme Court of the United States

Everyone, from now on, will be Photoshopped (TM), and will have to therefore pay a 'Photoshop Tax', whether they like their Photoshop (TM) or not!

Justice Stevens is retiring from the Supreme Court. Convenient.

(And that's why Michelle went to Mexico, even though she does not speak the language.)

She's just 'itchin', in her SPANX, to be doing something, even though she 'surrendered' her law license, under suspicious circumstances, 17 years ago.

Don't even put it past Barry to nominate his wifey.

How much 'law' do you think she even remembers?

Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce, as of tonight...

...is 'not good standing', or not IN good standing, within the State of Illinois.

I expected this, but was heartily hoping against it, hoping that Bill Morton has finally found some 'footing' in his life, after all I have given him, and all the knowledge I imparted to him.

Apparently...he chose to learn nothing.

When you visit the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce website http://www.rogerspark.cc/ (which, by the way, should have been celebrating its FIRST ANNIVERSARY!), there is nothing there to spur you to join the chamber, just a listing of businesses in Rogers Park, which indicates Bill Morton is 'yearning' for those businesses to become members, but (in his laziness) he has not been out pursuing them as members.

The businesses are all from an Excel File I compiled for the October 10, 2009 gathering at Quest Network Services.

One Year!

And before that I, myself, put in six hard months to make this Chamber a reality, including seed monies, graphics, logo design, document design, and writing the blog.

And he has, apparently, let it slide.

How disgustingly disappointing!

And, I would be concerned, if I were a member, if my membership continues to be valid.

Is there anyone who can tell Bill Morton to 'Wake the F*%k Up?"

Apparently, I could not.

On April 20th, at 12:01 AM, he will become 33 years old...I would say, Bill, it is time to grow up now, unless you have chosen to be a LOSER.

QOTD

"We don't know who we are until we see what we can do."

--Martha Grimes

From Wikipedia:

Martha Grimes (born May 2, 1931) is an American author of detective fiction.
She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to D.W., a city solicitor, and to June, who owned the Mountain Lake Hotel in Western Maryland where Martha and her brother spent much of their childhood. Grimes earned her B.A. and M.A. at the University of Maryland. She has taught at the University of Iowa, Frostburg State University, and Montgomery College.
Grimes is best known for her series of novels featuring Richard Jury, an inspector with Scotland Yard, and his friend Melrose Plant, a British aristocrat who has given up his titles. Each of the Jury mysteries is named after a pub. Her page-turning, character-driven tales fall into the mystery subdivision of "cozies." In 1983, Grimes received the Nero Award for best mystery of the year for The Anodyne Necklace.
The background to Hotel Paradise is drawn on the experiences she enjoyed spending summers at her mother's hotel in Mountain Lake Park, Maryland. One of the characters, Mr Britain, is drawn on Britten Leo Martin, Sr, who then ran Martin's Store which he owned with his father and brother. Martin's Store is accessible by a short walkway from Mountain Lake, the site of the former Hotel, which was torn down in 1967.
She splits her time between homes in Washington, D.C., and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

A possible coup d'etat?

Has 'the pointer' become a non-leader?

He certainly has not shown 'leadership' throughout the past 14 months. But he has certainly shown his preference for ISLAM!

He's shown himself to be more of a 'party boy', who prefers Wagyu beef at $100 a pound, and possibly, whatever else may be available by the pound, ounce, or gram.

A supposed-man who doesn't even have the guts to say to his wife,

"Honey, don't wear that--it's too low-cut."; or

"Honey, don't wear that, it makes your booty too big."; or

"Honey, don't wear that, save it for our private time."

Quite frankly, I doubt whether he calls his wife "Honey" at all.

All is not well in Obamaland...I just have this feeling that Michelle wants more, and Barry cannot deliver. Nor has he ever, in their marriage-time, been able to accomplish that.

She is not 'satisfied' to be the First Lady, and she has made every effort to extinguish that flame.

The next six months, or so, should be very interesting, and I will not be surprised at all when Barry is forced out of office, due to his lies.

Here is the post.

That’s Weird?… Obama’s Nuclear Summit Logo Is an Islamic Crest


This is planned.

Again, there are NO coincidences in life.

What is surfacing regarding Barry Soetoro shall not be covered, as he has been trying to do.

His lies just don' work no mo', do they?

Today, in Rogers Park

This lovely front garden resides at 1522 W. Sherwin Avenue, and, of course, it changes dramatically as the seasons do their changing thing. Today, it looked like this:

forsythias, tulips and daffodils! It is always lovely here!

Later, I found these three white tulips. How many of you have ever looked closely at a tulip?

Click to enlarge and just do it!

I vowed that, on my way to Evanston to pay the bill for this internet connection, I would shoot this Christmas wreath again.

Hello, Ald. Joe Moore, and your cronies at Gateway Centre! Christmas was almost FOUR months ago!

But then, I noticed again (though the photo is from Sunday), that Ald. Joe Moore, who is notorious for "posting" in the neighborhood, still has NOT sanctioned the removal of this sign, THOUGH THE VOTES ARE ALREADY IN, COUNTED AND PUBLISHED!

How PROGRESSIVE!

Perhaps Bill Morton, at the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce, may have something to say about this, but I am afraid he's too busy photographing coffee cups at Charmers!

Clue: Uniting the community, Bill? Ya workin' on that, YET?

Sunday's Surprises in Rogers Park

This gorgeous magnolia on Sheridan Road, near Greenleaf Avenue, looks fragile...kind of like Poland right now. But it is durable and strong, as are the Polish people!

My favorite Hosta bed on Sheridan Road just south of Chase Avenue shows no sign of damage from the recent hail storm. The Hosta is also durable and strong, much like the Poles, and keeps 'coming back', even when it looks as though it has been beaten to the proverbial pulp!

Then, as I looked down at the sidewalk (always have to watch my step!), I found this little gem on Morse Avenue, just east of Sheridan Road.

It's a tiny copper bit of Rogers Park history, embedded into the concrete. I've Googled and Googled, but can find no mention of "Simpson Bros. Co.", nor can I figure why the term "Chamber of Commerce" applies, as to my knowledge, there was no chamber in Rogers Park during the 1910s or 1920s, which I assume is the period during which this sidewalk was 'laid'.

Perhaps, someday, I'll find the answer?