Building a house takes time. There are endless steps, all sequenced, specialized, and permitted. Some stages call for machinery, while others demand painstaking, knuckle-bruising labor. Expertise and exertion, struggle and time. We’re watching this unfold in our neighborhood, cinder block by cinder block. What began as an empty lot suddenly featured a large cement pad […]

Two years ago, a passing hurricane dropped a tree onto the roof of a nearby house. Not just a few low-hanging branches, but an entire tree, resting perpendicular to the ridgeline from the backyard to the front. It was a tragedy, and the neighborhood grieved for the homeowners.  Thankfully, it didn’t remain a tragedy. Once […]

Chicago occupies nearly thirty miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Much of it is parkland, so you can walk, ride bikes, swim the beaches, hear live music, visit museums, go sailing, and more. There’s even a Ferris Wheel.  In direct contrast, the shoreline also features a highway. Lake Shore Drive, a commuting artery, borders the park […]

Of all the ways to experience the western states, hiking is the immersive option. Whether you’re exploring national parks or enjoying regional secrets, hiking serves every age.  That doesn’t mean it’s safe, exactly. Engaging with nature means venturing beyond civilized conveniences. All you have is what you bring, and who you’re with informs how far […]