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Saying 'Goodbye' To An Old Friend

The Grand Lux Cafe in Chicago has closed. Under the Cheesecake Factory umbrella, The Grand Lux Cafe has long been a place to grab a quick, delicious bite, gather for family and friends, hang in the bar, and was a nice local, CHI favorite away from the tourists that frequent The Cheesecake Factory.  Not sure why owner David Overton gave up on the Chicago market. I have never seen The Grand Lux empty nor have I had a bad meal there... even during the pandemic. Per several media sources, The Grand Lux began in 1999 as an upscale hotel restaurant in Las Vegas! For me, the beignets were New Orleans-style approved. I prefer my beignets fried hard with soft insides and The Grand Lux always got that right. Over the years, after I had begun to get invited by General Managers to taste-test new menu items in the mid 2000's and share on social media, I began to frequent The Grand Lux and bring all my family and friends. Soon TJ Max, Home Goods and Marshall's moved in next door and my...
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Happy New Year 2024 from the Chi

  2023 brought me back to blogging after a hiatus. I have only been back a few months, but long enough to see that things have definitely  changed. Blogging is way more technical than it was when I began in the late 1990's. I do NOT know how to Tik Tok but I am learning. What are the other ways? There are a bazillion others out here and many are young, talented, focused and big money makers. When I began blogging, no one knew how much money was in it. By the time I slipped into hiatus, I was a full fledged second income blogger... I don't even know if these are called blogs anymore! At any rate, 2024 is going to be my attempt to return to the social media world and I hope to, at the very least, have fun and share the things I find out along the way. May all auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne?  Happy New Year 2024 Everyone near and far!
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Life Is Beautiful!

  Recently traveled to Palm Springs for a "RESET WEEKEND" with three of my besties and i t was so fabulous!  The Indigenous People lived in the area before it was colonized per PalmSprings.com . Specifically, the  Cahuilla peoples lived and spoke Ivilyuat here for over two thousand years before. Per the site, in 1990 only 35 people could still speak the language. By 2010 there were 410 people enrolled in the tribe. As a person whose indigenous culture and language is dying, this makes me so sad. I never go anywhere where I do not pay homage to what was. The hot springs I went to were amazing. It is always intentional that we support indigenous, Black owned and women wherever we go and that we did!  After securing some wonderful treats at the Black-owned Green Dragon , I made an appointment at The Spa at Sèc-he . T he fact that lands and some of the tribal culture rema...
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Do YOU know what it means to miss New Orleans?

Ya'll know... As much as I love Chi, I love New Orleans! I went "home" in August for what I call my 2023, "EAT, LOVE, PRAY TOUR". I had a yearning to connect with my ancestors, my self and my God. Every single day, I did all three.   I made a pact to make certain I do this every year, if not two or three times a year, to reboot and re-evaluate.   I was not raised on Kitchen Sink gumbo, simple chicken or seafood with flavor from another world. This is how WE do: dark Roux, andouille, chicken, okra, all seasoned RIGHT and with a SCOOP of rice on top. I always connect with the horses in front of Jackson Square I always watch a storm as it rolls in, so amazing!  We used to drive in and head straight to Gene's. The best times were when we came in at 6am when the bread was being dropped off. Getting a Gene's hot sausage fresh with fresh bread was heaven! Now I just wave and mourn the loss. Praise, homage to my ancestors and pecan pie .... I am already bleeding...
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BYE, Summer, summer, summertime CHI

Never Forget today. To get out of my head, I got out and about in Chi-city. I call The Chi "Chi-Lovely" for so many reasons. Listed below are a few of these lovely reasons. Chicago is gorgeous, even on rainy days. She is alluring and her steel calls you in just the way her nature and waterways do. She has fabulous food and drinks. Chicago is a world-class city, day and night. I had not ridden the L since the pandemic BECAUSE I WAS OUT OF SHAPE AND COULD NOT GET UP THE STAIRS!!!! AND NO, I will NEVER get in the elevator ( peeeee smellllll )! One month of Hot yoga, and I was in shape enough to get up the stairs without dying. I will be a regular again. SO PROUD OF MYSELF! CHI CITY in the CHI-LOVELY SUMMER! Gray and Gorgeous today 9/11. Last week, it was still August and pumpkin spice was already flowing! Labor Day Weekend Rooftop at Virgin Hotel Northbound "L" platform on the Pink Line Chicago River's Glory Chicago Fire Memorial 9/10
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Magical Life ~ Dr. Larry Hass

"Magical Life" is an experience of mind-boggling mysteries, illusions, and story-telling. Thank you @Rhapsodytheatre and @Herronagency for an evening with Dr. Larry Hass. Hass is a PhD, teacher, writer, and philosopher on the art of magic. He is also the Dean of McBride's Magic and Mystery School in Las Vegas. Correspondent Andrea Dillon & Dr. Hass Check out the "MAGICAL LIFE" now running thru August 12, 2023. The Rhapsody Theatre 1328 W. Morse, Chicago, IL  Visit   Rhapsody Theatre   for more information!
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Rainier

Visiting the Pacific Northwest for the first time was so exhilarating that I am already planning my next trip! My SUNS are my world and they open up new worlds for me! Mt. Rainier - Love the 1800Freakin LOL - photo credit Craig Johnson 9:00 PM! Sun still up! Space Needle Sunset So crisp and gorgeous. LOVE Seattle! Northgate, and everywhere!  
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