h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Most of you who've known me for a while will know that I'm not such a huge fan of the really warm (and worse, humid) weather that Chicago summers entail. Humidity aggravates my asthma, and one of my thyroid meds makes me so photosensitive that I pretty much have to wear long sleeves and pants all summer.

But there are a few things about summers in Chicago that I just love. One is the preponderance of farmer's markets, including a small one at the park near my home and a HUGE one at Daley Plaza downtown, just a quick jaunt from my office.

When it's not too hot or humid, it's nice to walk around town (we do this year round, if it's not icy, rainy, or oppressively hot). We'll hike to and from the grocery store, to the record and book stores, or just to the park or looking at houses. I've been wanting to start house shopping, and it appears that one of my late grandmother's many legacies to me was a fairly substantial sum which will go far towards a down payment, so this summer we can look a little less wistfully and a little more closely.

Another thing I love about summer in Chicago is that Food Not Bombs is back outdoors every Saturday. Our local chapter provides food not only for protesters and picketers, but for the homeless and others. Basically, they reclaim nutritious vegetarian food that neighborhood grocers need to discard based on sell dates, etc, then prepare and serve it. K and I have been active with Food Not Bombs over the years- even before we knew each other. K used to take his car around to Whole Foods and pick up bread and veggies. I used to help cook.

Well, I'm hoping to cook again this summer, at least one Saturday per month. It's really cool.

What sorts of things do you lot have planned, or like to do, during the summer?

They had a similar Food not bombs thing in France, doesn't seem to exist here, but the place we live (small village) is declared officiallly a "Fairtrade Town", so lots of organic/Fairrtrade stuff, but never the stufff you actually need!

It's coolish but damp here right now & plagued with midges; since i am massively allergic to insects, 'tis a totalpain, dare not venture outside between dusk & actual dark, which is the nicest time of day for BBQ & birdwatching stuff, i am covered in Tiger Balm & using Citronella oil burner all night, do you know anything better? i refuse to use antihistamines, reckon my bod has had so much crap pumped into it lately it don't need lmore!

nlike you, i am a "cold mortal", normal body temp for me is around 3°C lower than "normal"; so i feel cold constantly. P is opposite, he is skipping around in just vest & shorts in snowstorms; yopu'd get on well!

We are currently plotting mini trip in van to see if we can sleepo OK in it without either of us freezing/baking to death overnight; if trhat works & idon't have to stay here to get weekly dole out of Benefits, with luck next step is the month or so trip to Europe, collect Yoda last thing & scoot back here to minimise her trauma, Fritz at Cattery meanwhile, neighbour monitors, this may with luck happen very soon;ie within next fortnight or so....but need Bureaucacy decision first as to whether i am Alien, Disabled, just plain Unwanted, etc!

I may start building a log cabin on P's spare field, so i get Personal Space to do stuff bigger style, play loud music at hours unlikely to amuse him etc. Also may manage to get sorta job building boxes, but it involves loads of bewrocrasy stuff...it's all a bit theoretical right now, but the important part is we seem to be getting over the evil lack of communication stuff, mainly from hospital stuff & Benefits issues.

Hey, can you get hold of Fruit Chat Masala nearby? P loves fruit & i reckon a daily bowl would really be great for his tum, can't get it here at all, the usual spices seem available (tho in silly small quantities!) but not that; what they do seem to have plenty of is 2nd had clothes stores; anything you desire? I can try & find for you!

woohhoooooooh,

zdt

I don't use antihistamines, Terri, but take prescription leukotrine (sp?) inhibitor and also Claritin. For avoiding insect bites I use citronella oil and banana peel myself.

Fruit Chat Masala- Terri, the Indian grocery I frequent sells it and I use it all the time on mango, watermelon, and pineapple. I would gladly get you a packet or two!! I think you sent me the new snail mail but I'll let you know if I can't find it. Any other spices you have trouble finding, just holler. I will also get this damned drum head off to you soon.

Second hand clothes- always keen on fleece, cotton/jersey and/or wool cardigans or pullovers. I like 'em really BIG BIG BIG and baggy, so my estimate is UK 14-18 and Euro 40-44.

Hi Chickadee.

Summertime means big mainstream movies, typically fun ones, which I like.

Luckily the heat does not melt me as bad as it does you. I do okay in it, most of the time.

Hi JEllen!

I'm off for a lunchtime dhal here: A536546

Might have an aloo tikki, too.

That's here, btw:

http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=55.853312,-4.263843&spn=0,359.993219&z=17&layer=c&cbll=55.853332,-4.264029&panoid=lUJ8ZYM-Ic_vg7HobMxAGQ&cbp=12,177.2,,0,1.01

Tres salubrieux, n'est-ce pas?

Looks like a nice place!!

I'll have to make my way up to Devon Avenue again soon. Keep meaning to head down to Chinatown again, too, but every time I have a weekend clear, it pours rain.