Barbershop Singing

What better way to enjoy a hot summer night than to sit in Wing park and hear some barbershop singing. There was a gentle breeze and no bugs.

I dragged Mike along - one, because Sharen is full filling an item on her bucket list and fishing in Canada AND catching the big one. A 2 hander (one she has to show you by using both hands to lift). Yes - I got an email from her and she did get the sucker. So she was out for attending the concert with me.
Reason 2 is because Mike used to sing in a barbershop group. I have proof.
Mike is the little guy on the left. His friend, still to this day, Steve, is standing next to him.

We staked out our seats on the hill middle center.

If this was a band concert we should of been ok, but this was singing, no music, and we could not hear too good. Everyone around us (the crowd did fill in) was yelling to turn up the mics.

You can notice the very small speakers on the sides of the stage. That was it.
Which was a shame because they had groups from Elgin, Rockford, and Schaumburg there. The only time you could really hear was when they were all on the stage. Unless you moved to the front.

Mike sang along to some he remembered. It's funny how you can't remember where you put your keys or cell phone, but play a song from your past and you know all the words, where you were, and who you were with.

The Dome

Roger finished off his t-ball with a special game under the dome in Rosemont.
It is the home of the female professional softball team - The Bandits.
The older kids got to play on the outside field, but this was pretty intimidating for the younger ones. Two of Roger's teammates would not go out on the field

Roger getting ready for his grounder.

It's pretty sweet. They announced each kids name over the PA system. I hope you can hear it. He is a much better batter than this though.

 Luke discovered the air vents. Throw your hat up and it gets caught way up in the netting.

They only played one inning (they usually play 2) - There are 32 teams in his league. It was plenty enough time for the kids. Roger finally figured out that playing first base you don't have to run with everybody to each ball. The ball comes to you.

Playing first base.

Naked and Afraid

I must confess I have watched this show when there was nothing on. I tell myself to shut the TV off if this is all you can find to watch. Ha.

 My goal this summer was to get walking. I want to try some different walking trails close by, Maybe just a short drive. I got online and found some worth trying out. Some I have walked already but I found a couple new ones.

So this morning I talked myself into checking one out - by myself.

Otter Creek Bend Wetlands

It's 4 minutes from our house and it's a gem. The parking lot was empty. I was going this alone.
It's just a 1 mile long loop and the first 1/4 mile is along HUGE houses. Then it goes into seclusion . All that's there are you and the birds, bugs, butterflies and bees.

Flowers full of butterflies

This one for the bees

The temperature on the car said 75 so I left my water bottle in the car. I needed my hands to carry my cell phone for pictures and Yes, I carried a stick to fight off the wild animals. The sun was not out - they were calling for rain.
1/2 way through I was thinking Not a very good idea. I could of used the water - it was so humid out there. I was walking through a wetland for crying out loud. Taking my sweat soaked clothes off and going naked crossed my mind (for a second).
 So many wooden walks over water.

beautiful bridges

I was all alone in a wetland - I could go naked. Then it hit me I am all alone in a wetland.
Here comes the afraid part. I had called Sharen to join me but she was busy, so she knew where I was in case I didn't come home.  I had my phone, and a big stick. I should be OK.

Foliage over my head on both sides

Turns out I didn't need to be afraid. All I heard was the birds a few chipmunks and the breeze rustling through the tall cat tails.  I left my head phones off too thinking I needed to listen for wild animals. I'm glad I left them at home. The subtle sound of nature was soothing.
This place is a definite "do over".