Claire Zulkey

Last night I followed your example and went to an outdoor concert at Manito Park. It was very hot and very tranquil listening to Mozart and drinking wine. I don’t know how to do the outdoor wine scene with special coiled wine bottle holders that stick in the grass while also holding two wine glasses. I remember you had the fold up tiny table, the picnic container that needed a dolly to push it around, and I can’t remember who knows what else. I like the items from home in ziplock bags inside a grocery sack that can be tossed on my way to the car.

Lucas can swim now. I need a video clip so you can watch him swim the width of the pool underwater. Then you can also hear, “Watch this daddy, watch this mommy, watch this grandma. I’ll make myself invisible.”

He wears lots of Ryan’s hand-me-downs and I’ve noticed this summer he has navy sandals, brown sandals, and black sandals. Sometimes he is dressed like he’s ready to enroll at an East Coast prep school but then again he wouldn’t really fit in there as one of his favorite things to do these days is make Mud which isn’t too difficult if you aim the powerful nozzle of the water hose into the lawn. It will grow back.

Barbara and I had dinner the other night when she stayed over in Spokane. We have plenty to talk about but I can’t really say what.

Mimi Smartypants is giving a reading near you on August 1st. Forget coming to Chicago to see Frank Lloyd Wright homes or Sue but I would like to come to see her in person. Could you just go to the reading and give me a personalized account of your impressions? The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Chicago 60622.

Don Schubothe, my mom’s Warden neighbor who’s now a dentist in CA stopped by to visit her the other day. Most people have forgotten her now so it was very nice of him to go out of his way to have lunch with her. He says he prefers older people. My mom did not know him but she enjoyed listening to him tell about his family. She is still going to Physical Therapy and seems to be walking better these days.

I had two pregnant swimmers today as Charlie, Missy, Katie, John and Taylor stopped by to cool off. The mothers-to-be are so cute and Taylor was a good talker, sort of like his dad I guess. John was checking out my newly assembled barbecue when he discovered 8 dried up hamburgers on the grill. The day before we had a few Judo people over for a swim and Anna Marie and I were attempting to feed everyone while watching a three-year old swimmer and an eight month old. I think everyone got a hamburger but maybe a few people left hungry. We had been asking one another who had eaten the rest of the hamburgers.

Where is the photo of the Zoo Ball? Are you eating lots of raspberries this season?