DC National Cathedral

Some things just call out to be photographed, and the Washington National Cathedral is one of them. Along with the majestic beauty of the Cathedral itself, the blooming cherry trees and blue sky only add to it's grandeur. But along with the interior and exterior of the Cathedral, there is more to see. The National Greenhouse behind the Cathedral is worth a visit. Specializing in herbs, the Cathedral Greenhouse offers a wide and unique selection of flowers including annuals, perennials, topiaries and foliage plants, as well as pottery, statuary and gift items reflective of the Cathedral and its grounds. A series of red and clear glass hearts caught the eye and will add interest to various sills and vases throughout Arlington and Chicagoland.


The Cathedral Herb Cottage , located next to the Cathedral, also offers several interesting items from cards and posters to liquid soap to "wash away your sins," as well as "Holy Smokes" and "Bishop's BBQ" to aid with outdoor cooking. A sunny day, blue sky and Blogger Boy made this visit picture perfect.
Photo attribution: somewhat frank

National Cherry Blossom Festival

A lover of all things blooming, a recent stint in Washington D.C. to visit Blogger Boy included a stop at the Tidal Basin and East Potomac Park to check out the cherry blossoms during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Not the only one with the idea, parking proved to be simple once patience prevailed. Stepping out of the car, the air was filled with the sweet fragrance of cherries. A short walk to the Basin and the flowering trees were in full view. Beautiful. The pink blossoms, the water, the Jefferson Monument --- memorable and worth the crowds. Peak season for blossom viewing is March 27 through April 3, though the blossom period continues through April 9.

A true photo opportunity, a video was filmed for Blogger Boy and pictures of forsythia, daffodils and magnificent magnolias were snagged. A traffic cone was moved (but returned in perfect form) to enable easier traffic flow to the next location. Monuments, the White House, Kennedy Center and Pentagon are all sights were viewing regardless of how many previous visits have produced the same result. The White House Museum Shop is always a favorite stop and the 2007 White House ornament will hang proudly with 20 previous ornaments on this year's Christmas tree.

Always one to pause and smell the roses, peonies or daffodils, the flowering plants throughout the District assures one spring is in full swing in DC and only a month or so behind in Chicagoland. Hope is on the way.
Photo attribution: somewhatfrank

Prevage Anti-Aging Night Cream

"The morning after never looked so good" if new Prevage Anti-aging Night Cream is applied at bedtime, according to Elizabeth Arden and Allergan, Inc. Sold at Red Door Salons nationwide, as well as medical offices, the product line has had good reviews so why not try the night cream? "Proof, not promises" is the product battle cry. Prevage Anti-aging Night Cream is proven to help "enhance skin's own natural repair process, restore skin's natural resilience for a firmer look, reverse dryness with intense hydration, and give skin a brighter, even toned, more radiant appearance."

Given three samples that would last about two weeks, this skeptical somewhatforty+ woman of multiple serums, moisturizers and wonder products put Prevage Anti-aging Night Cream to the test. Remarkable. The first morning was shocking -- no creases in the skin appeared. Rushing to the 10X mirror only magnified the results. Hmmmm. Told to only use the product every other night for the first week, I was intrigued. After two weeks I am hooked. On the nights I remembered to apply the product I awoke with no lines. Purchasing this product and using it nightly is in my immediate future. While $125 for 1.7 ounces seems like a high price to pay for crease reduction, Botox and injectable crease reducers cost $500 or more per treatment. Prevage is looking like a much better and certainly less painful deal. Give it a try. Maybe some old jars and tubes can even be thrown away and that would be remarkable.

Photo attribution: Elizabeth Arden

Milly Greets Minnesota

After five months in Chicagoland, 86 year old Milly returned to Minnesota last week to welcome spring and visit friends. The trip was carefully arranged so American Airlines would treat Milly royally, escorting her through O'Hare and delivering her to the Minneapolis-St. Paul arrival gate unscathed. If only her Minnesota grandson had picked her up on time, not two hours late, the trip would have been perfect.

How time can slip away when one's only obligation for the day is to pick up Granny is beyond me. Falling asleep on the couch for a short nap was the excuse, yet why would one allow one's self to do so, knowing full well travelling is difficult for some senior citizens? After calling the kid's cell phone for two hours he finally came to, or woke up, apologizing for his failure to deliver, or in this case pick up. Duh. Incredulous. Unacceptable. Awful. Ridiculous. Enough. Next time a paid driver will be waiting for Milly in Minneapolis -- one who has a watch and an alarm clock.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Happy Birthday Val

Another year older, another year wiser, that's you Val. As you celebrate your birthday today remember aging is optional, celebrating is preferred. Last year was the "big one," complete with guests, gifts galore and best wishes. This year is quieter, yet just as glorious. Each day is a gift. Enjoy your day. Don't eat sweets. Get plenty of rest. Wash your hands a lot. Pack for your trip to Switzerland. Hug Joe.

Sorry we can't be with you to celebrate tonight, but we will be thinking of you. And remember all who love you join me in wishing you a Happy Birthday. Cheers, to one more year. Next birthday celebration -- mine.

photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

What to Wear: Black-tie Optional

Never wanting to look like some body's mother, it is often difficult to decide what to wear to a black-tie optional event in Chicagoland. Black hose or natural? Long or short skirt? Hair up or down? So many questions to be answered before the April 3 event. So little time. According to Charla Krupp, author of How Not to Look Old: Fast and Effortless Ways to Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better, "for all but the most ultra-formal affairs, any length (skirt) from knee to shoe is acceptable these days for black tie events. Choose the length depending on whether you want to show off shapely legs. But too long can look dowdy." Don't want to look dowdy.

Charla continues, "Long skirt: Whether you're looking at a casual version or a long gown for a black tie event, long can look OL (old lady). It's much more chic to show a little leg." Long skirt is out, short skirt is in. Covering one's legs in Chicagoland is also a dilemma, especially in early April when the weather could be quite chilly and un-tanned legs are unattractive. The authority on all things stylish, Charla believes the only thing to wear on one's legs so as not to look OL, are either black tights, sheer black nylons, small black fishnets, or bare legs.

What to wear? It has become simple -- an above the knee black pencil skirt, sheer black hose, black Italian pumps, and either a fitted black lace short jacket, or a fitted pink silk jacket. Both are couture, both are black-tie caliber, and both will work; the decision will be made on the day of the event based on weather and the moon. One more thing --- hair will be down and there will be only three pieces of bling: studs, necklace and beautiful Mary Francis purse. Added bling: good-looking son in his tuxedo.

Photo attribution: somewhatfrank

Chicago CityLIGHTS Award Finalists -- TECH cocktail

For the past two years, TECH cocktail, the brainchild of Eric Olson (left) and Frank Gruber (right), has provided a venue to help start-up companies demonstrate their innovative ideas to others in the technology field. Now Eric and Frank have been nominated for the 2008 CityLIGHTS Award by the Illinois Technology Association (ITA). Honoring outstanding information technology companies, executives and advocates in Illinois, ITA will present the awards to the winners at the ninth annual CityLIGHTS Award Gala on April 3 at Union Station. The black-tie event will serve cocktails at 6 and dinner at 7 to over five-hundred technology specialists in the state of Illinois.

Among the competition for the CityLIGHTS Award, which is given to an individual who has made a significant impact on the Illinois technology community, are Ron and Jeff Galowich, co-Founders of Initiate Systems,
Bob Geras, president of LaSalle Investments, Brian Knudson, CEO of NogginLabs, Inc., Frank Gruber and Eric Olson, founders of TECH cocktail, and Brad Spirrison, president of MidwestBusiness.com.

TECH cocktail is a mixer event that allows start-ups the opportunity to strut their stuff to the local technology community at regularly scheduled mixers in the area. Several start-ups highlighted at previous TECH cocktails have been acquired and are able to continue their work as a result of their technology debut at TECH cocktails in Chicago, DC, Boston and Boulder. Kudos to Eric and Frank for starting a company that allows others to profit from their innovative sides. To continue providing information to anyone interested in innovative business ideas, the first TECH cocktail Conference will take place at Loyola University, Water Tower Campus, on Thursday, May 29, followed by TECH cocktail Chicago 8 at John Barleycorn that evening. Register for the conference while there are still slots. Congratulations to Frank and Eric for being nominated for this award.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Tripping the Prom Queen

Your friend got a new job -- are you happy or silently jealous? If the success of others makes you feel personally crummy, then Tripping the Prom Queen: The Truth About Women and Rivalry, by sociologist and gender specialist Susan Barash Shapiro needs to be read as quickly as possible. Susan, the author of nine books, teaches "A Gendered Culture" in special programs at Sarah Lawrence College. Seen recently on the Today Show, Fox News and several other shows as the specialist on why women stay (think Silda Spitzer), a recent interview with Susan was thought provoking. Tripping the Prom Queen "dissects the myths and delusion of female friendships," and included incisive analysis on how everyday female interactions can be wrought with aggression and hostility.

After interviewing 500 women across the United States, Susan discovered some are born happy and honest, others are cranky connivers. Female rivalry seems to be running wild and few women can admit it. Worse in the corporate world then previously thought, some forty and fifty year old women admitted to sabotaging younger colleagues who threatened them professionally. Women are worse than men when it comes to hindering a "friend's" growth. Trained from an early age to compete with other girls, some women take it to a higher, or actually lower level when competition, envy and jealousy become the norm. As women move through daily activities hoping to achieve success or even lose weight, an assumption all friends are behind them along the way is often perceived to be true. Unfortunately, according to Susan, fiends can ruin one's plans in a jealous attempt to stop another's success and "trip" the prom queen.

A quick read, Tripping suggests ways women can get along by creating realistic definitions of friendship, cherishing friends' differences, allowing one's self to experience competitiveness, envy and jealousy, keeping the lines of communication open, and getting one's own life. Excellent advice from a real authority that can benefit not only women but men as well. Tripping needs to stop, and learning how will keep all feet and legs in line.

Photo attribution: Susan Barash Shapiro

Happy Easter

Here's hoping the Easter bunny found you and left delectable goodies for your eating pleasure. Happy Easter.

Charla Krupp Answers Emails!

Often we are so taken by someone that we search out their website and, having found the "Contact Me" option, plunge into a rambling email to the object of our affection. Having read How Not to Look Old: Fast and Effortless Ways to Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better by stylist Charla Krupp, I did just that. In my email, I thanked her for writing her book on how to look good. I praised her for the countless tips on improving one's appearance. I even asked for a specific hair salon she would recommend on the North Shore of Chicago since my hair seems to be a lot like her hair.

Imagine my surprise and genuine jubilation when an email suddenly appeared in my inbox from Charla Krupp. The real Charla Krupp. Can you feel my excitement? Time stood still so I could fully appreciate the moment. Charla Krupp, or her intern or assistant -- it doesn't matter, someone with authority to use her email account -- responded with the name of a stylist at a specific salon I should try. And I will. Ms. Krupp even offered to come to my ladies club, if I felt it appropriate (and I do), to talk to all of us about things every woman needs to know regarding style and looking good. No one has too much style to let this opportunity pass by. Charla Krupp, thank you for being kind enough to answer my question and agree to visit us in a Chicagoland suburb. If only every one of us could look as good as you do.........

Photo attribution: Charla Krupp

Easter Baskets

Running around the house in search of chocolate Easter eggs has been a holiday tradition since the recipients were old enough to crawl. Regardless of their age, these twenty and thirty-somethings seem thrilled with the hunt, fill baskets with the goods and then seldom eat the rewards. This year will be somewhat different. Jessica and husband bask in the Mexican sun, reminding us summer will soon be here. Frank remains working in Virginia, yet his Easter treat included watching Alma Mater Purdue play basketball from the company box. Jack is the only chick who made it home, and he is far removed from hunting for chocolate he rarely eats. Cut-out Easter cookies to the rescue.

Williams-Sonoma provides all things eatable for Easter baskets this year, including mini iced Easter sugar cookies by Isobel & Company. The bite size hand-decorated sugar cookies in duck, bunny, flowers, carrot and Easter egg shapes taste good and are good enough to buy another bag. At $19.95 for 8.8 ounces, the Canadian made cookies use real butter, fresh eggs and royal icing, and provide the zing needed at festivities. Truffled “robins’ eggs” , actually chocolate truffles cloaked in white chocolate and finished with a speckled candy shell also fill the baskets. Sour Gummy Bunnies, another Williams-Sonoma exclusive, add a sweet and sour appeal for the older set and burst with citrus flavors, including pink grapefruit, Key lime and lemon. Jellybellies, Cadbury eggs , a favorite of father and son, and Godiva chocolate bunnies fill the baskets. Easter brunch at the Country Club completes the tradition, and the real Easter bunny always appears to give children of all ages additional treats. Whether with family or friends, enjoy the day and Happy Easter to all of you, including Jessica, Mike, FJ, Jack and John.

Photo attribution: Williams-Sonoma

Running Horses

Annie enjoys the outside with her mom, Lucy, at five weeks of age. Though the melting snow has caused massive mud, Annie doesn't seem to mind, and appears to enjoy the air and atmosphere. Shortly after this photo was snapped the foal blanket was removed from Annie and she was not happy -- it had become her security blanket and removal included squirming, kicking and bucking, just like a real child. The weather warmed enough and Annie has grown enough not to need artificial heat sources anymore. Annie is becoming a big girl now.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Annie Greets the World

Sooner or later one must leave the safety of home and venture forth into the big world. One month old American Quarter Horse filly, Annie, did just that one fine day not too long ago. While many are afraid to leave home, fearful of what might be discovered, Annie was not one of them. The stall door opened and mom Lucy sauntered into the barn, followed by one happy month old Annie. As each passed the sliding barn door their pace quickened, and the race was on. Joined by another mare who resided in the adjacent stall, the three ran through the pasture kicking mud onto the left-over snow. Annie didn't blink -- she kept on running with the best of them, getting dirtier and dirtier, with almost a smile on her cute face. She seemed to love it and has been outside several times since. See for yourself.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Flu Hits Home: I'm Down

Thoroughly cleaning the house after 86 year old Milly had the stomach flu was to no avail. Tuesday night at midnight it struck me with vengeance and throwing up every 90 minutes became the norm for this totally sick blogger. If you get the flu you must be aware of the following things:

Day 1: Tuesday morning pre-dawn -- You will eventually stop vomiting. After the sixth episode into large Zip-Lock bags, (throw up, lock and toss) ginger ale was sipped through a straw so as to stop dry heaves and bile heaves. Be sure to have plenty of zip-lock bags and ginger ale on hand. I went through approximately 24. After the first onset of another ailment further south, two Imodium AD capsules were chewed and swallowed immediately after the most recent vomiting episode, allowing the Imodium to do it's thing before the next zip-lock bag incident. This worked and held the secondary problem at bay until 8:00 a.m.

Laying on one's side makes throwing up into a bag much easier; place a large bath towel on the bed and be careful. Gallon sized zip-locks can handle a lot of horrible things. Don't settle for a non-name brand here. You will continue to vomit for as long as 17 hours, as I did, but it will stop with slow sips of ginger ale. Severe body pain kicks in but afraid to take aspirin -- won't stay down.

Day 2: Wednesday -- sleep day; apparently vomiting burns quite a few calories as I lost 8.5 pounds and was exhausted. Spent all day sleeping and sipping ginger ale and lemon-lime Gatorade. Ate four saltines.

Day 3: Thursday -- much improved but extremely weak and fatigued. Shower felt good; ate two eggs and dark toast with a water chaser. Stomach pains come and go, reminding me of labor. Drank peppermint tea to calm things down -- it usually works. Must get four stitches out of my eye today -- the last thing I want to do. No, the last I want to do is eat anything other then soda crackers. Had four today.

So there you have it. The flu is alive and well in Chicagoland. You will probably get it and it will last, make you miserable and then abandon you. You will survive. The rule of thumb for vomiting is go to the ER if you vomit longer then 12 hours but here's the rub: I was too sick to go to the ER. What a pickle that presented.

25 Day Old Annie - American Quarter Horse Filly

Watching Annie grow has become a past time for many. Twenty-five day old Annie, an American Quarter Horse filly, continues to get bigger as she enters her fourth week of life, as seen in the new short video. Though Annie is only seen eating, walking and watching the photographer, the short clip shows her well shaped head and long eyelashes. The newborn foal blanket continues to display more and more of Annie's rump as she packs on the pounds and inches. She is a lot taller then last week and weighs more -- the grain and hay Annie eats must be working wonders for her. Maybe the bathroom scale needs to find a home in the barn.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Story Updates - Week of March 9, 2008

Many things happen in one's life and sharing them has made a few of the somewhat awful things rather humorous. Here are updates from the most recent "news" just in case you were wondering.

Annie update -- the almost month old filly has not yet ventured out of her safe stall to see the big world, though last night she came very close. Stopping just at the entrance to the stall, Annie looked out into the barn to see what was out there worth investigating. Her mother, Lucy, walked around the barn, trying to coax her baby out, but to no avail. Maybe today Annie will feel comfortable enough to take that big step in her young life and venture into the barn.

Runaway colt update -- after helping coax Sammy back home after he left in search of a better life, the two neighbors received their tower of treats from Harry and David, not on the same day, although they were ordered together. Harry and David made good by sending the family of neighbors to the west a second tower of treats as an apology for delaying the first tower of treats. Well done, Harry and David. Neither Sammy nor Curly have left home nor bit anyone since last reported, which is very good news.

Eye update -- after removing all thirteen stitches from my two left eye surgical sites on Tuesday of last week, the upper incision opened on Thursday of last week, bled way too much, and then received four new stitches to hold it together. Interestingly the stitches caused no pain, and they will again be removed on Tuesday afternoon, hopefully for the last time.

Flu update -- eighty-six year old Milly recovered well from her awful vomiting, etc. episode of the flu that caused me to don latex gloves and a face mask to enter the sick room. The entire room has been wiped down with Clorox wipes (twice just to be extra safe) and the bed linens have been laundered. Milly lost 8 pounds during this flu episode and is still limiting her food intake to scrambled eggs, toast and broth. She returns to Minneapolis next Saturday after five months in Chicagoland. So now you know.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Flu Finds A Home

When 86 year old Milly started vomiting at 3 in the morning something was wrong. That "something" continued violently for ten more hours. The much talked about flu had hit home and I was the designated cleaner. Reports of the flu gone wild have been in the news almost every night and according to the Center for Disease Control, (which apparently needs a new name) influenza type flu (vomiting etc.) is widespread as the worst of the worst, but until it strikes your abode it isn't as bad as it sounds. Let this me your warning: it is worse then it sounds.

Consider this, in order to enter the room and keep from gagging a folded scarf was placed over my nose and tied in the back, then a face mask was placed over that. Latex gloves went on next, and with an armful of garbage bags, along with Oust and Lysol Disinfectant spray I was ready to go in. Keeping the area clean is important, and as queen of clean, my job was cut out for me. Spray, wipe, respray, wipe again until the entire bathroom was thoroughly disinfected and looked as good as new. All hanging towels were in the laundry, as were the rugs and other soft items that could hold germs. Paper towels are the only towels available in this bathroom.

To spare you the awful details, assume that in order to survive the flu you must have the following items on hand, you can connect the dots: face masks, latex gloves to clean disgusting areas, many garbage bags, large Zip-Lock bags in which to throw up, seal shut and hand to the designated cleaner to drop into the garbage outside of the home. Lysol Spray, Oust Spray to remove germs and odors, as many candles and matches as are available in hopes of removing awful odors. Several rolls of paper towels, with one roll in the bathroom at a time, Imodium AD heavy strength formula, Tylenol, cans of Ginger Ale to attempt to soothe the stomach, bendable straws and a hope this will soon pass.

According to the internist who has recorded a message sent to all who call in with the flu, "the stomach flu is severe and lasts for 12 to 24 hours. If the vomiting continues after 12 hours go to the emergency room." Milly only vomited ten hours. "The diarrhea is severe and you need to take Imodium according to the package directions." Done -- two Imodium by mouth at 3:00 p.m. "If the patient shows no improvement, take them to the emergency room." After sleeping for almost two and one-half hours, Milly feels better but has horrible body ache -- hopefully she is on the mend and hopefully this bug won't be passed on.......

Horse Tag

Like children everywhere, playing outside in the snow is good for the soul. As part of their daily antics, Curly and Sammy enjoy playing "catch" with a rubber food dish on a sunny but cold Chicagoland day. When not being tossed in the air, both colts vie for the extra point in a toothy tug of war.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Plastic Surgery for Eye Cysts

Seven days, seven hours at the plastic surgeon, seventeen stitches, countless ice packs and various shades of red and yellow--- that's how I spent my week. Life is full of surprises and when four cysts were removed from the outer corner of the left eye where the eyelids join, as well as the upper eyelid, surprise is only one of several emotions. Caused by inflammation, rubbing, and other unknown things, cysts can appear in any part of the body and often can be treated without surgery, but not in this case. The treatment for a cyst depends upon the cause of the cyst, along with its location. Cysts that are very large and result in symptoms due to their size may be surgically removed. Sometimes the fluid contained within a cyst can be drained, or aspirated, by inserting a needle into the cyst cavity, resulting in collapse of the cyst, but not in this case.

Injection to deaden area. Slice open. Hear cutting sounds as cysts are removed. More cutting sounds. Smell burning tissue as cauterizing takes place. Feel pulling as stitches are tied, again and again and again. Feel pressure as new area is opened. Hear cutting sound; smell burning tissue. Slight pull. Done with cyst removal. Breathe.

Since eye tissue is fragile and thin, significant swelling and bruising can and will occur. The first surgical procedure was Friday, the photo was taken on Sunday. Stitches were removed after four days, on Tuesday, and healing was progressing well. On day six, today, the upper area opened and bled significantly, resulting in four additional stitches. At the suggestion of the surgeon, no anesthetic was injected to numb the area. It hardly hurt and not worth the injection, which really hurt.

Stitches will again be removed on Tuesday at 2:00. The area will again resemble the photo. Bruising will result. Ice packs will be used non stop. Sunglasses will be donned. Stitches will come out after five days this time, not four. So how did you spend the past week?
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Annie Video -- 17 Day Old Filly

Baby horse lovers have enjoyed watching Annie grow during the past seventeen days as everything is new and fresh to her. This short 57 second video clip shows how Annie has started growing taller and longer as her back end emerges from her once over sized newborn Weatherbeeta Foal Blanket. Annie shares grain with her mother, actually swallowing it, and shows interest in being a movie star, a dream shared by many girls longing for stardom. Annie's beautiful refined head and long eyelashes are the makings for Annie's future stardom in years to come.

Chicagoland temperatures will rise to the low 50's today so if all goes as planned, this will be Annie's first day out of her safe stall and into the big world, always with her mom by her side calling the shots. To ensure Annie's safety, the other horses will be secured so as to not bother her or cause Lucy distress on this big day. All of Annie's antics will be captured in video to share with you, dear readers, who have commented how much you enjoy watching Annie grow. Here's another one for you.
Video attribution: Law School Boy