There are places I remember . . .

So the two pies and I took a train yesterday to the big city, the metropolis, that toddling town, Chicago. It was a glorious fall day, a bit to early for color but then again, the Mayor might not have ordered that particular change in his trees yet. Anyway, we decided to get "WICKED" tickets and instead of being charged up the wazoo by our local ticket seller, we went to the box office instead. We walked right up to the box office, said hello, gave our date of choice, checked the seating chart and plunked down the credit card. We are all set to see this wonderful show everyone has been raving about soon!

After our big score at the box office, we traveled just to the next corner and there it was, the clock perched a bit higher than the street traffic. The clock that ushers you in to find a new purse, a lovely new outfit, a present to give in the famous green box . . . Marshall Fields. It was great to travel through the first floor in all its finery, tho a bit too soon for the Christmas decorations. We made our way up to the Seventh floor and found ourselves quickly in line to the eat in the Walnut room. The place where traditions have been made, were lettuce is overpriced, but the service by those in black tuxes a treat. Anyway, sweetie pie felt a bit claustrophobic in the line so stepped out to the amazement of the gentleman standing behind us. He was in his 60s or so, pleasantly dressed, standing with his son who was looking at a map. I notice his glance as sweetie pie stepped out and said "High Schoolers, they think lines are nuts!". He looked like he knew what I was saying. He told me in casual conversation that he was from California and was visiting primarily to see the Purdue game (really - was that going on too?) but thought he would revisit the neighborhood of his youth - Austin on the west side. He also thought he would grab a bite to eat in Walnut room just as he did as a child years and years ago. It made me think about the millions of people who stood just where I was, along the wood panels of the outline of the restaurante, snaking my way inside. It made me think of the wool coats people might have had on their arms and the swish of their skirts as they moved ahead, closer to the main entrance. You can see inside now, some of the partitions have been removed so you can see the whole scope of the seating area as you wait now. There in the middle, just as a remembered where the tree was so many years ago, now stands a fountain, awaiting its removal for the most grand centerpiece of them all, the multi story Christmas tree with presents and twinkling lights. Great day, I thought!