Anytime we are in northern Illinois, we try to see Ruby, Stanley's stepmother. She is amazingly independent, but there are usually a few things we can do for her . . . as much to make us feel good as any usefulness to her. This year, the list was very short. We dug up her little vegetable patch and moved some wooden frames for her and that was it. With an extra day before our scheduled train, we decided on a quick trip to Michigan to see the triplets. As usual, I forget to take pictures of the most important things, but I was promised a picture of the kids which should be coming soon. Our visit with my brother James, his sweet wife Sarah and Grace, Anders, and Cole was brief but intense. The time flew by.
We also visited a couple of Michigan wineries. It was ever so interesting to compare their scrawny little vines with our monsters. That's what a little warm weather and sunshine will do.
We got back to Chicago in plenty of time for a walk and coffee before boarding the train.
Back on the tracks heading south . . .
