Change no matter where we are

I flew to Chicago yesterday via Denver and Lincoln, NE, (don't ask me...you'd think United would want to keep me on fewer planes when I'm using a frequent flyer ticket I payed $10 for....). It was a cloudy and cool day in Naperville so this afternoon I took Ginger and Daisy for a walk. Daisy now has been with Mom for about seven months and seems really happy in her new life. She had very wiry fur that now is almost gone and turned more yellow than the former white it was and also is a soft as, well, a furry dog. Mom says it was her thyroid that did it and now that she's on medication, she's looking more like the yellow lab that she is. Ginger is Ginger. Some things never change. Ginger still opens the cabinet door when Mom leaves and we joke that Daisy stands at the window saying, "You better hurry! She's pulling up in the driveway now!" Mom doesn't keep the garbage there anymore. But on our afternoon walk through Brush Hill Park, it was sad to see one of the last parcels of farmland now gone. In fact, where Ginger and I once walked next to corn, they were putting up a fence today for what I assume is a car dealership on the other side. Change is inevitable but it was good for the last three years that when Ginger and I would walk, at least I felt close to some sort of Midwestern farm with the corn there. Each day I pray that I keep moving forward in my life but somehow there are some things I wish could stay the same. I guess I can't have my corn, er cake, and eat it too.

Naperville North HS Sort of Reunion

Two weeks ago, on my way back from Hong Kong, I met up with three of my high school cross country teammates. We went to lunch and ended up having dessert at Dunkin' Donuts (since there is no more Tasty Bakery downtown Naperville!). Here we are at JJ's house, left to right– Jennifer Johnson Timmons, me, Lori Ford, Cathy McKee.

Centennial Beach and Riverwalk Flooding

Naperville had over six inches of rain. My house was not affected. While I live by the river, I am across from it and on a hill. My neighbors across the street, who back up to the river, told me last night that the river isn't going up but isn't really coming down yet. It appears not to have reached any of the houses. This morning I ran down on the Riverwalk and then took some photos. The water has receded some but you can see where it is still overflowing from the river onto the Riverwalk and over into the beach.