Monday, July 23, 2007

Back in Minnesota

After seeing the Darger paintings at the Hammer Gallery, Aaron and I unsuccessfully tried to find a bookstore in the gallery district and only managed to locate the Moody Bible shop. Then we all met up at a cyber cafe and I watched Richard's backpack so he could take a walk with Demi. Outside a little bar he noticed a cool T-shirt in the window and stopped to buy it, pushing Demi away from the door when she tried to follow him inside. "No, wait here," he told her. Suddenly the enormous woman behind the bar hollered, "Hey! Don't be pushin' no kids outta my bar! How old are you, honey?"
"Uh, 13."
"Well, that's a good age. Come on in, honey." She put her arm around Dem and gave Richard a dirty look while he was buying his T-shirt. This was, hands-down, the highlight of Demi's visit to Chicago.

We stopped off in the Kingdom of Cheese and spent the night with Tweetey and the family. It was great catching up after 8 years. The girls are cute in their photos, but in person they are almost unbearably adorable. Richard's like a kid magnet, so almost at once they pulled up some teddy bear pillows and told him a very involved, dramatic story about the storm that hit earlier (Kora illustrated with her hands, Bri provided sound effects and commentary). They piled into a bed with Demi for the night, and of course she had to tell them stories and keep them giggling into the wee hours. We'd love to have a longer visit in the future, and show them around Canada too.

This may sound odd to those who haven't seen it, but I was deeply impressed by Milwaukee. Gorgeous old churches made of stone and brick line the city, and nearly everything is sparkling clean. Aaron picked up the new Harry Potter at Wal-Mart... I've told him I'll beat him to death if he tells me anything, especially if Snape dies. Snape's my man. I'd never get over it.

When we got here last night I told Mom "Aaron's been guzzling caffeine drinks, and Dem's loaded up on sugar. So, bye! See you in a few years!" and made a mock-run for the car. Heh heh.

7 comments:

tweetey30 said...

It was great seeing you again and meeting you family. I cant describe in words how good it was really. J and I have decided sometime hopefully next year. He looked up your home last night on the internet and the city is huge. Thanks again for stopping. Yes Richard was a magnet with the kids wasnt he. It was so good to see them get comfortable with them.

Notta Wallflower said...

Wow, I didn't think teens could go in bars. I've also never been to Milwaukee and would not have guessed that anything impressive is there. Sounds like you had a good visit with Tweets. Glad you're home safe. :-)

Anonymous said...

8 years? That's really cool. So much can happen in 8 years. Great that everyone got along fine. :)

As for HP7, definitely let me know when you finish it. I've finished it already, and have so much to talk about. Ok, I better not say anything more.

Laura said...

Yeah, there's not many bookstores in Old Town since there's a couple big bookstores down the road. There is a great spice merchant near there where I get the world's best cinnamon. I've never heard Old Town called the Gallery District... interesting.

Sounds like fun

Laura said...

OOps, I read that last one as "North and Wells" not North Wells street. Yep you were in hoightytoighty town.

tshsmom said...

Dems tells that story a LOT better!:)

"...mock-run for the car", my ass!! You guys would've made it out the driveway if I hadn't pushed Dad in front of the car!
We really should've taken a video of Aaron, while he was under the influence of all that caffeine. Z's still laughing at him.

The little shit read the last page of the book and HAD to tell me "just ONE thing"!!

Say HI to the rock for me. "Grouchy" is very lonely. ;)

ZS, don't say anything, or we'll BOTH have to come out there and beat you! ;)

S.M. Elliott said...

OK, shameful confession time: I'm only on HP book 3. I like fiction, but I have a hard time staying away from nonfiction long enough to read it often. I bought 4, 5, & 6 in the States, tho, and will read 'em this year come hell or high water. I looove the movies.
Aaron told me about 5 "one more things" about HP 7 in the car. He has a bruise from each one. ;D

Dem definitely tells that story better.

Aaron didn't have any caffeine drinks on the return trip... I think he still had some kinda wicked caffeine hangover, and couldn't even look at the stuff.