Chicagoland, Chi-town, The Windy City

Meeting writers, visiting family and friends, historical research

Travel is energizing for me. It expands my world and my awareness, which in turn, expands my consciousness. If I am home for more than a few months, I get antsy and plan a trip.

Tomorrow, I head to Chicago for the Women’s Fiction Writers Association conference. This will be an epic trip for me where I’ll meet dozens of new friends, visit family I haven’t seen for years, and spend a few days in the Bloomington/Peoria area to research the history and culture during The Depression. I’ll visit libraries and historical societies and drive around to get a sense of the area. While in Bloomington, I’ll have dinner with a friend I haven’t seen for years. So, I’m practically levitating with excitement today!

I did not know about The Bean, until attendees mentioned it in the conference app. I’ll make it a point to find it while I’m there. Thanks to Sawyer Bengston for this photo.

My work-in-progress is a historical fiction novel that takes place in a fictional town in central Illinois during the early 1930s. I’m revising the first draft in which I’ll layer more sensory and emotional details about the area. I also will look for stories about how people got through the terrible time in the early days of The Great Depression.

Chicago is legendary for pizza, the Sears Tower, the Great Fire and so much more. Here are five things about Chicago you may or may not know:

1. The Great Chicago Fire Was Not Started by Mrs. O'Leary's Cow: Contrary to popular belief, there is no concrete evidence to support the idea that the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was caused by Mrs. O'Leary's cow kicking over a lantern.

2. Why is Chicago called the Windy Cindy? You no doubt have heard theories about this so I looked it up and found several ideas. One theory says a tornado blew through Chicago and the nickname started then. Another one you’ve probably heard is because the city’s politicians were said to be full of hot air. Even though it is windy in downtown Chicago, the name has nothing to do with the weather or the windy conditions.

3. America’s largest Ferris Wheel was built for the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. Its purpose was to be a response to the Eiffel Tower and bring dazzle to the exposition. 1.4 million people paid 50 cents for a 20-minute ride. The Ferris Wheel had 36 cars that held 60 people each.

4. If you like Jazz and gangster history, next time you’re in Chicago, visit Green Mill Jazz. It was a gangster hangout during Prohibition. Since 1986, the club has hosted Uptown Poetry Slam each Sunday night. It’s also rumored to be haunted. I wonder if some of the ghosts are gangsters that were knocked off there.

5. There are over 70 museums in and around Chicago. My goal is to see two in the three days I’m at the conference. For me, The Art Institute of Chicago is a must see and a short walk from my hotel. But I’m disappointed because it’s closed tomorrow so not sure if I’ll make it while I’m there. I’m also dashing to the American Writer’s Museum at lunch with a group of fellow writers.

I’ll take lots of photos and share with you in the coming weeks. If you have a favorite spot in Chicago, I’d love for you to put it in the comments. If you are from Bloomington or Peoria, I’d love to hear your tips on what to see and do there from a historical perspective.

Until next week…

May you be happy

May you be blessed

May you be free and peaceful

May you be ever loved

May you be always loving

- Thich Nhat Hanh