The Fools in Town are on Our Side

Indulging his Father getting a snack at Somethings Brewing. Also, I'm excited he picked out an Aston Martin 007 Lego set, maybe it's genetic? Or he's playing a long game, buttering me up for something else. #ilovemyson #jamesbond007 #lego #somethingsbrewingdowntown (at Something's Brewing) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co2qdTvPLe6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Tomorrow is International Childhood Cancer Day. I post this to honor the strongest fighter I know. We've got this my love, we are almost done! #ilovemydaughter #ICCD2023 (at Chicago, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoqnR-ULwpD/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Day 30 "Why Grayslake" If you've been following along, you already have a pretty good idea why Grayslake. But I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the impact the USPS had on getting us here. I was at work in Mt Prospect, helping an USPS employee update her info, as she was moving. I mentioned that we were looking to buy, and without missing a beat she said "If I had a family, I'd move to Grayslake." I actually had to look up where it was. A few months later we were looking at another house in Grayslake, and as we were leaving the Mail Carrier walked by. My wife asked him if he would live here? "In a second! You have a great mix of new young families and retirees. You might not know them all, but you'll look out for each other because that's what neighbors do." So there you have it, the real reason why Grayslake, because the USPS said so! #Grayslake30 (at Grayslake, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoD-e2CLGR2/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Day 29 "Giving" I thought about using this picture for sweet, but I also think it illustrates the big hearted, giving nature of our community. This would have been a respectable haul any time during my childhood, but this was one block! This year, everyone was excited to see their neighbors again. #Grayslake30 (at Grayslake, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoBYC1mrEqT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Day 28 "Sweet" Crepe, banana, berries, and topped with Nutella. No, the kids didn't share either. #Grayslake30 (at Grayslake, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn_HNKKOE6I/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Day 27 "Architecture" My maternal Grandfather was a professional illustrator. A long, long time ago the Big Ten (back when there were only 10) commissioned him to paint a few pictures for them. Fast forward just a bit, and a UIUC alum was going through a bunch of his Grandfather's paintings.....and what should he find? The top building is the Illini Union and the bottom is obviously Assembly Hall (now the State Farm Center). ILL-INI! #Grayslake30 #uiuc #IlliniNation #illini (at Grayslake, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn8XF4eD0PT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Day 26 "Black and White" I had no idea what the future would bring when I saw her on the 65 Grand bus all those years ago. But I did know that I would always regret it if I didn't at least try to talk to her. You laughed the first time I asked you out, and come to think of it you often laugh at me still. I love you darling. #Grayslake30 #ilovemywife (at Grayslake, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn55eJQjsaJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Day 25 "Happy" I've been trying to keep my posts Grayslake centered, but nothing has made me as happy recently as finishing up her radiation treatments at Northwesteern Medicine's Radiation Oncology Department in Downtown Chicago. It was a grind; everyday Monday-Friday, for close to 8 weeks. Compromised immune system, jacked up blood counts, burns equivalent to the worst sun burn you could ever imagine. It was tough on the family as well, knowing your sister, your daughter, was going through this, and there was so little you could do to help. But we made it. And to borrow from Hemingway, my daughter, this family, is so much stronger in the broken places. #Grayslake30 #ilovemyfamily (at Chicago, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn3DH1TrjWn/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Day 24 "Video" I am of a certain age, solid Generation X, and all media that I play on my various screens, that are not streamed, I call a "video." Blu-Ray, DVD, Betamax, or VHS, it doesn't matter, it's video. Now this movie I did originally see on VHS. Why am I watching it again? It's because I belong to the Sci Fi Movie Club hosted by the Grayslake Area Public Library, and this is our February movie. So if you, like me, enjoy a monthly discussion with fellow Sci Fi enthusiasts (there is a Sci Fi Book Club as well, yes I attend both) send me a message or go to the Library's website and join us! #Grayslake30 #grayslakeareapubliclibrary (at Grayslake, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn0ogCIj2qs/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Day 23 "Colorful" According to Google, this is Japanese Thimblelweed. I don't know, plants are really my thing. What I do know is that they attract bees, lots and lots of bees. So many that some quiet days it sounds like the plants are humming. #Grayslake 30 #ilovemyson (at Grayslake, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnx_1GiL-ti/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Day 22 "Animals" Our house has a lot of animals. The four dogs who are always ready to welcome us home. Each of us has a favorite, but I do like them all. We also have two cold blooded pets, a Leopard Gecko named Olaf, and a gold fish named Ponyo (sorry, no pic of the fish). The crazy thing? Every day I have to tell someone "No, we aren't getting another dog!" #Grayslake30 (at Grayslake, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnvVcRJrNL5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Day 21 "Celebration" @goldfish_mundelein isn't technically in Grayslake, but I'm claiming and exemption because we live here, right? We're celebrating this guy because he's finally made it to Swim Squad! It's taken him a few years, but this summer he's earned the right to swim to the raft in Manor Lake without Dad or Mom having to hover behind him! I'm proud of you Son! #Grayslake30 #ilovemyson (at Grayslake, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnsz5gFLgVv/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Day 20 "Old" Other then myself, the ones at the bottom are probably the oldest things I own. It started when some friends gave my parents a box full of books. I was familiar with the movies (thanks ABC Sunday Night Movie), so I snuck these out of the box, read them under the covers with a flashlight (of course they knew), and I was hooked. Fast forward to Kefelonia Greece, summer with some High School friends. A small place that actually served ham and eggs for breakfast, and just a few books for sale that were in English....what were the odds? I actually left some clothes behind so I could fit them into my suitcase. Every used book store I see, in every town where I've lived, I look for them. I have more, this is just a taste. Here in Grayslake, This Old Book actually contacts me when they get some in, just in case I want some more...and most times I do. #Grayslake30 #jamesbond007 (at This Old Book) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnqCtpiLtb6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Day 19 "New" I know they are not "new" new, but they have made a huge, positive impact on the life of my family. Any of you who know me, or follow any of my socials, know that my family has been through a lot this last year. Averill and the team at Grayslake Apothecary has done everything they could for us, every step of the way. And they support local as well; Gold Sponsor of the @grayslakefarmersmarket, I've said hello to him and his family at both @thevinemwbar and @129_center_cut, sipped coffee with him at @somethingsbrewinginc. Small business like this is why we moved to Grayslake. We are more then customers, we are community. #Grayslake30 (at Grayslake Apothecary) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnnlLxmrBKV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Day 18 "Looking Up" The evening sky as seen from @lionsmartialartsacademy where my son was taking lessons with the @grayslakeparkdistrict. When I asked her why, she told me she thought I'd think it was pretty....and I do. #Grayslake30 (at Grayslake, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnlMw54LPv9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Day 17 "Hidden" Today's contribution is brought to you by my daughter. My wife and are were discussing hidden, and my daughter suggested "What about that small painting we saw downtown at the Pride parade?" I didn't have any idea what she was talking about, we looked at our pics, and there it was. A little painting. So keep an eye out next time you're @downtowngrayslake , you never know what you'll find. #Grayslake30 #ilovemydaughter (at Grayslake, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/CniXDA6r8-9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Day 16 "Favorites" We first started adding collagen to our diet in order to help Liv with her recovery. That was before we had even heard of Grayslake. So it did seem rather fated that when we moved to Grayslake, we discovered that it was home to @greatlakeswellness. Anyone who knows me I'm not a big "alternative health" type of guy. But I can tell my gut feels better, and my nails grow stronger and faster, when I'm adding collagen and MCT to my morning. If you have ever wondered, you should check them out, and you'll be supporting local. #Grayslake30 #greatlakewellness https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnf3vttrsd9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=