tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62505759373785564882012-02-15T23:41:57.614-08:00sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.comBlogger261100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-36037377439279775772010-05-25T07:58:00.000-07:002010-05-26T19:11:15.528-07:00

Vintage Chicago finally surfaces again! I guess I was either happily busy with my life or just busy, or just uninspired. It takes quite a nudge to get me to sit down and compose an entry and given the fact that I have been mostly going through my day to day routine, it has left me sadly, uninspired. But! "It's May, It's May...." Camelot fans sing and probably dance around to the rest of that

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-42250623568831307682009-12-28T17:00:00.000-08:002009-12-28T17:17:55.052-08:00

Really, the world doesn't need to see all of me...occasionally I have a thought that tugs at me and longs to be expressed and put out there for whatever reason. We all would like to be heard, noticed, understood...to a certain degree. I have no desire to lay my whole life out there. My family is my own and if you know me well enough, you know them. They baffle me, surprise me, delight me,

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-67210898699428887872009-11-18T17:47:00.000-08:002009-11-18T18:05:54.843-08:00

BLHS Fall 2009MCHS Fall 1977In the end, I got in by the skin of my teeth and some luck. She got in from the start because she has awesome skills. Its been a blast wathcing her these four years. She sparkles with those eyes and that smile. Saturday could very well be her last highschool football game. Enjoy it honey, I hope your memories are sweet.

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-57708390732392678712009-10-22T09:18:00.000-07:002009-11-18T11:06:50.945-08:00

I have been back in high school since April. Crazy to be 50 years old and going to high school everyday. Subbing for teachers every once in a while was one thing, but being here daily is something else. Not in a bad way, its a pleasant job, nice surroundings being able to watch modern high school life from a safe distance through the lens of the bookstore windows. On the surface it looks simple

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-33954454251304670282009-06-02T13:40:00.000-07:002009-06-02T19:02:12.410-07:00

I would like to think that this pristine underground tunnel with the approaching shiny new subway train would still exist were I to venture down below the streets of Chicago. But I know better, I saw it with my own eyes and smelled it with my delicate and easily offended nose. I imagine that it is not a subway train at all but a time machine that would take me back to the city in the late 40's,

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-14822078040916333862009-05-20T07:52:00.000-07:002009-05-20T17:02:32.709-07:00

He looked a little startled by my offer but jumped up and walked with me through the drizzle to his favorite McDonald's on the block. They recognized him, he must be a regular in the neighborhood. He was taller than I thought he would be seeing him crumpled up there on the corner, he was older too. Although he had a baby face with cheeks rosy red from the cold turns out he was 26. Twenty six is

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-40698061088140399552009-05-08T20:03:00.000-07:002009-05-08T20:30:39.263-07:00

So as you know, Monday found me back downtown to plead for mercy from the housing office. After being tearfully dismissed by daughter, I set out on foot once again to spend the afternoon entertaining myself. Not hard to do right? Did I mention the cold and the rain?! It was noon yet it was so gray that it felt like evening was approaching. The umbrella was moderately helpful as I headed north

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-38910718584896490282009-05-08T19:57:00.000-07:002009-05-08T20:01:01.354-07:00

I digress, as usual...So things are quite out of order here. Just wanted to go on the record to show the weekend was not totally bleek. But then again....

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-17445808293208749812009-04-24T08:42:00.000-07:002009-05-08T19:55:46.242-07:00

After spending the night on daughter's dorm chair/couch, I decided to head up to one of my favorite places in the city, the Chicago History Museum, formerly the Chicago Historical Society on Clark at North Avenue. For those of you who know, if you start off at Congress & Michigan, you've got a long way to go. The morning was cold but sunny and a stroll up Michigan Avenue is a joy on such a day.

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-20383623400794892402009-04-20T14:54:00.000-07:002009-04-20T16:08:39.586-07:00

Anytime I actually visit Chicago, I must report because it's always different. For starters, I've finally figured out the significance of my title, vintagechicago. At first I thought it would represent Chicago memories of myself and others. Since hardly anyone reads this blog, it has really been about mine. So vintagechicago is actually me I guess, an aging fragment of an earlier time with roots

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-35129812725310942432009-02-17T08:56:00.000-08:002009-02-17T09:29:19.906-08:00

You know I love to wander through the blog-o-sphere checking up on my favorite bungalow rehabbers and all things Chicago. It makes me crazy though because those people are thouroghly and utterly dyed in the wool democrats at the least and rabid liberals at the worst. I try to overlook all of that but it is getting harder and harder since I am finding it almost intolerable to stomach their

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-27770768182802236262009-02-12T17:27:00.000-08:002009-02-12T18:09:07.850-08:00

What is it about women blogging that draws snickering from kids, rolled eyes from husbands, disdain from intellectuals? Granted, it's not brain surgery. It's frequently self-indulgent musings, whining, ranting, self-reflection. But you know what? It's also a web of souls connected. Strangers who put their lives out there for whatever reasons, searching, seeking, living. People who are deeply

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-34767542073214549452009-01-14T08:04:00.000-08:002009-01-15T15:52:05.368-08:00

Carson's Main Isle (Notions Dept.) 1958 Marshall Field's Main Isle 1941 Marshall Field's Toy Department 1949 Candy Cane LaneRemember when the Christmas season used to be called the CHRISTMAS SEASON? Not the "holidays", semester break, winter break, blah, blah, blah. Come see the Macy's holiday tree!!! Oh wow, a holiday tree! What other holiday has a tree anyway

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-700442137288843282009-01-13T10:21:00.000-08:002009-02-12T17:16:00.539-08:00

I have super powers. I have the ability to be in two places at the same time. Actually anybody can do this and I bet alot of people do. Trouble is it's not really a beneficial power to have because it often is a result of restlessness and/or dissatisfaction. I refuse to admit to the latter because I pride myself in being a positive minded, glass half full type of girl. (Please refrain from

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-39947953308498975472009-01-10T07:21:00.000-08:002009-01-10T08:34:52.864-08:00

I guess it has to happen eventually. Here sooner rather than later. What goes up, must come down. I'm referring to the annual chore of taking down the Christmas decorations. Luckily we can count on the occasional 60-80 degree day to get the outside down before a cold snap comes through. Cold as in windy and 30-40 degrees. Big wup right? But we Dallasites are conditioned to our climate and

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-36872150369147024252008-11-05T08:33:00.000-08:002008-11-05T08:57:22.876-08:00

OK, it's finally over. And as far as I can tell the world is still turning on its axis, just tilted considerably more to the left. I am not happy but neither am I in the depths of despair. I bailed on the election coverage very early last night because I just couldn't take the agony. I got in bed with a good book and my dog. True comfort in any storm. At least I know there are still a good

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-44530691748193487042008-11-03T12:13:00.000-08:002008-11-03T12:59:44.200-08:00

I write this on election eve. Never have I been so concerned, worried, afraid about the future of our country. It also has occurred to me that as I often fantasize about living in my beloved city by the lake, I realize that I would be the proverbial perch out of Lake Michigan water. What would a die-hard conservative be doing living in Chicago? As the city gears up for a day long celebration of

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-64284269056908713302008-10-16T07:55:00.000-07:002008-11-03T11:57:57.515-08:00

My kids know me too well. A lifetime of growing up with a protective, way-conservative mother has conditioned my kids to sort of protect ME from life. They know I would prefer a world where only kind words are spoken, especially to children, everyone goes to church every Sunday, and no one takes unhealthy risks physically, spiritually, or emotionally. I am naive, always have been. That doesn't

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-28650634638735009342008-09-25T17:04:00.000-07:002008-09-25T18:07:25.392-07:00

Well, I just spent a week in my favorite city and it just wasn't enough. I often wonder if it would have such a hold on me if I lived it on a daily basis. Probably not. I didn't get to The Lake, didn't make it all the way up the Magnificent Mile, spent a whole week there and felt cheated. Got to spend time with Dad, very good, and he very much appreciated it. Spent an evening revisiting my

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-13573247259182246442008-08-28T14:02:00.000-07:002008-08-28T15:44:31.193-07:00

So, that "toddlin' town" that I love so much and frequently wax nostalgic about has my first born daughter as one of its newest residents. THAT WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN!! I should have at least suspected this outcome from a child for whom "Marshall Fields" was among her first words! Sure, share my love for that amazing place but don't leave me for it!!!!! OK, I admit I am truly excited for her

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-87561023108916926882008-06-12T13:33:00.000-07:002008-10-07T14:17:32.612-07:00

Once a Catholic school girl, always a Catholic school girl. On second thought, Madonna was a Catholic school girl, so maybe I should take that back. Well, it holds true for me anyway. Catholic school in the 60's-70's was definitely different from my parent's generation. We still had plenty of nuns to teach us, classrooms were full, and discipline was the rule. The Sister's habits got shorter over

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-5880477577882898632008-06-06T18:51:00.000-07:002008-06-06T19:54:00.657-07:00

Happy Father's Day Dad. From your daughter who likes to remember the old days. I am often guilty of romanticizing the past and pining for days gone by. My parents must have done an awfully good job of making life carefree for us kids because I never felt that their lives were a chore or that raising four kids was any great hardship. Even tho....in the early days dad worked two jobs, the nine to

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-8641607976818470792008-04-21T10:47:00.000-07:002008-06-12T10:10:52.706-07:00

Lauren2008 Arline1954 Best Friends' pose creates stunninng inspiration for another generation.

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-68319176588843703792008-04-21T09:41:00.000-07:002008-04-21T09:53:00.669-07:00

"Its deja vu all over again" as the wise man once said. I would have to say my 2008 Cinderella measures up nicely next to her 1955 counterparts! Take a vintage 50's prom dress, heirloom jewelry and handbag, add rockin' pink platform maryjane's and you have recycling at its finest. I think Arline and Joan would approve. These two best friends were stunning inspiration for this contemporary 18 year

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-9777609051569931312008-04-06T14:57:00.000-07:002008-04-06T15:51:37.275-07:00

This little gem is merely a shadow of its former self these days. Perusing public records, I've seen a recent picture and she could use some TLC. A classic Chicago Bungalow that could use my touch. What I wouldn't give to have the chance to bring her back, with a few improvements of course. My mom grew up here and always spoke about what a wonderful city it was back then. Minutes from the beach

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250575937378556488.post-89379134889467633792008-01-23T12:19:00.001-08:002008-01-23T14:17:44.747-08:00

My parents were guilty of it too. Fleeing the decaying city for the suburbs. Starting their families in the fresh, clean new suburbs of Chicago. I really can't blame them. They saw their old neighborhoods disappear before their eyes. Once magnificent neighborhoods full of history, classic architecture (what I wouldn't give for one of those "bungees" now), gorgeous churches built with the artistry

sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872486769309332546noreply@blogger.com0