Remember when Memorial Day Weekend (pre covid-19) was the kick off to everything we love about Chicago.

Not so much this year. Here’s a look at Memorial Day Weekend 2020 and a look back:

2020

Time to head to the Riverwalk (sorry closed); rent a kayak on the Chicago River (sorry closed): Bike the Drive (nope)!

OK, maybe just head to the beach.

What??? The beach is closed!

That can’t be possible.

Then, perhaps just the Memorial Day Parade and a bite at a restaurant?

NO! Don’t say it.

Yes, Memorial Day 2020 will be a little different to say the least–but there is hope for the future.

Until then here’s a look back at more typical times on Memorial Days of the Past from Show Me Chicago.

Memorial Day 2010

Navy Pier fireworks.

Who remembers Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest, the Stanley Cup playoffs, fireworks, the Cubs?–just a few of the things we took for granted a decade ago.

http://www.chicagonow.com/show-me-chicago/2010/05/chicago-memorial-day-weekend-events-fireworks-parade-festivals-50-cent-bike-the-drive-and-more/

Memorial Day Heroes

The Parade and Wreath Laying–a part of Chicago’s Memorial Day celebrations–like forever. This year, we can’t go to the parade but we can still thank and salute our heroes–if only virtually.

A look back: http://www.chicagonow.com/show-me-chicago/2010/05/memorial-day-heroes-pictures-taken-pre-parade-chicago-2010/#image/9

Memorial Day 2011

In 2011, Memorial Day was a flurry of activities. Raise your hand if you remember the Chicago Critical Mass Monthly Bike Ride and Downtown Sound.

Check them and more out here: http://www.chicagonow.com/show-me-chicago/2011/05/memorial-day-2011-events-kick-off-summer-in-chicago/

Memorial Day 2012: 15 Ways to Celebrate

15 Ways to Celebrate was just the tip of the iceberg for Memorial Day activities back in 2012.

Here’s a look: http://www.chicagonow.com/show-me-chicago/2012/05/memorial-day-weekend-2012-15-ways-to-celebrate-memorial-day-weekend-chicago-style/

The Obama Family comes to Chicago for Memorial Day

The Obama’s have deep roots in Chicago. Photo: John Byrne, Chicago Tribune reporter, June 16, 2012

Malia was 11 and Sasha was 8 when the Obama family came to Chicago for Memorial Day in 2010 saying they’d be spending a quiet weekend in the city–but speculation was high as to where they might be seen.

http://www.chicagonow.com/show-me-chicago/2010/05/the-obama-watch-obama-family-to-spend-memorial-day-weekend-in-chicago-10-spots-they-may-visit/

The Riverwalk 2015

Excitement was fever pitch as Phase One of the Riverwalk opened to the public (sans dogs)–5 years ago.

http://www.chicagonow.com/show-me-chicago/2015/06/chicago-riverwalk-a-guide-to-getting-around/

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Joe Biden’s character? Joe Biden’s plagiarism has defined his political career.

During one of several phone conversations that made up most of my human contact yesterday, we talked about things being ordinary.

“What’s the etymology of that word, Margaret?”

Ah, the echo of my dad and his way of saying he’d heard a good word that day. Just as I used to do for Dad, I asked, “Shall I look it up?”

Just as before, the answer was yes.

I was startled and delighted to run across an increasingly funny list of definitions for ordinary as a noun: a church or court official with original power or jurisdiction, not a deputy; a book containing the form or order for divine service; a set meal served daily at a fixed price (English for prix-fixe!); a tavern; a prison chaplain; an early type of bicycle with wheels of different sizes.

I guess that last one was before bicycles with wheels of equal size became ordinary as an adjective. The dictionary told me (after the phone call, when we got distracted by the nouns!) that ordinary is regular; customary, usual, normal, common, familiar, unexceptional.

Regular? That’s another story, er, post. But otherwise, doesn’t it look delicious?

I love beautiful things, but I’m increasingly aware that beauty can be very simple. Beauty is in the normal, common, usual things… the ordinary things.

Want some ordinary things back in your life? Then do what’s customary, what’s usual, as much as you can:

— Set your alarm clock to wake you up. If you really want an ordinary, normal framework, set a second alarm to remind you to start getting ready for bed. (I use an old cell phone for the latter — now it’s an alarm clock with pictures.)

— Use the good dishes. Use the dishes at all, not the cartons, because that’s what we usually, ordinarily do.

— Worried about going to your gym, or affording it? Take common, unexceptional, ordinary walks for your exercise.

— Get dressed in something beyond sweatshirts and jeans. Wear what you would wear on an ordinary day. (Not that I’m practicing what I preach today, but I’ve tried it.)

That’s about it, except for the ordinary stuff at the end of posts. Bye!

Margaret Serious has a page on Facebook.

Want something ordinary in your inbox? Well, in the customary, usual sense, you can do that by subscribing to Margaret Serious. Type your e-mail address in the box and click the “create subscription” button. My list is completely spam-free, and you can opt out at any time.

The character Rolf Gruber played by Daniel Truhitte left a lasting impression on me the first time (1965) and last time/recently on AMC when I viewed The Sound of Music.  As a kid I truly enjoyed the musical talent of  Julie Andrews a.k.a. Maria and the amazing acting of Christopher Plummer who portrayed Captain Von Trapp.  As an adult I appreciate even more what the filmmakers were trying to say about the politics of the time.

Von Trapp was the patriarch of a family of gifted singers and also a distinguished naval commander for Germany during WWI.   Widower Baron Von Trapp was in need of a nanny who not only could take care of the needs of his seven children, educate and discipline them but also respect his style of militarized parenting.  Maria/Julie had other plans and garnered the love of not only the seven kids but their father due in part to her effervescent zest for life.

So with such star power like Andrews and Plummer – why did Rolf make such an impression on me?  Perhaps because he was also a youth rather than an adult who I could relate to.  He was a bit shy around girls – but like most young guys that didn’t stop him from attempting to pursue Liesl – a beautiful girl – the oldest of Captain Von Trapp’s daughters.  Rolf had a bit of a run-in with the Baron (who he is in awe of as a heroic submariner) when he drops by to connect with Liesl….his excuse, when confronted by the crusty Von Trapp, is that he is there to deliver a telegram.  Von Trapp immediately dismissed the young man convinced that he had ulterior motives regarding his daughter…a move that many a young man can relate to knowing how fathers can be about their girls.

Rolf was basically a sweet young lad who fell in love with Liesl and she in turn with him.  But then Adolf Hitler came to power and the world was turned upside down.  The movie premiered some 20 years after the end of WWII.  That may sound like a long time but if we consider that for Americans living today – 911 occurred within the same time frame, (20 years) – a tragic event many remember as if it were yesterday.  The same could be said for the audience that went to that movie.

The telegram Rolf delivered to the Baron commanded him to return to active service as a naval commander for the Third Reich, a regime he absolutely abhorred, which unfortunately many of his contemporaries saw as a rebirth to make Germany great again.   In hindsight we all now know how that ended.

It is Rolf, who in spite of being a Hitler Youth Cadet allowed the Von Trapp’s to go undetected by the Gestapo looking for the Baron who had the nerve to publicly declare his displeasure with Hitler’s regime.  Rolf still had a soft spot for Liesl and despite his fanaticism for the fuehrer realized that the Von Trapps are decent people that did not deserve the wrath of a regime that was morally corrupt.

The family escaped to Switzerland and via a broadway play turned cinematic marvel, became famous.

Perhaps you know or have known such a Rolf in your history.  Fortunately, in the end, Rolf still had a conscience that could distinguish between GOOD & EVIL – and chose to GO DO GOOD.  That’s why Rolf made and still makes such an impression on me – as does The Sound of Music – classic cinema that decried and decries even today the tyranny of a mad man.

When Playboy recently decided to change its Playmate of the Year policy, I was dead set against it. I’m basically a traditionalist and I loved all the pomp and circumstance surrounding the selection of the Playmate chosen for this high honor, the one woman selected to represent all others for that particular year.

But, after reading this brilliant column by my friend Kristi Beck, Playboy’s Senior Manager, Partner Strategy, I have changed my mind. She is so spot on in stating that each of the 12 Playmates are vital to the magazine, they each bring something unique and exciting to their perspective roles. One is not better than the other. After all, the magazine is all about equality and diversity and what better way to drive this point home than to bestow this coveted title on every one of them! We/they are all beautiful and deserve this recognition and Playboy sees that.

Good on you Playboy for recognizing that every woman is special and for not being afraid of change! Can’t wait to see where we go next!

Read part of Kristi Beck’s article, titled “The Evolution of the Playmate of the Year,” below and see the entire post and video here:

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With most sports around the world on pause, revisit iconic sports moments from the past to help fill that void.

Chris Mullin recalls the 1992 Dream Team and the legendary practice where Magic Johnson gave over leadership to Michael Jordan.

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2-year-old Silas is a sweet boy. He’s a little hesitant at first, but after that first scratch in the head or down the back, he arches his back and leans into you for more…then the purrs start. He hates for you to leave him alone and will meow for you if you are away.

His left eye has an old ulcer that has healed over so he probably has only some vision. As you can see from the pics, he likes to lie about on your lap, draping himself over you like a throw.

Silas is FIV+, which means he can safely live a long happy life with other cats, provided all are neutered/spayed.

To meet him, write to us at [email protected] !

Hyde Park Cats is a local, all-volunteer group dedicated to helping stray and homeless cats in and around Chicago’s Hyde Park. We received our 501(c)(3) status in 2014 and have had over 1,200 adoptions since our founding in 2008. See all our adoptable kitties on our webpage: http://hydeparkcats.org/adopt/

All of our cats are in loving foster homes, which means the cat you adopt will be familiar with the sounds, smells, and movements of life in a home and accustomed to living with humans. He or she has been interacting on a daily basis with people who know this particular cat intimately, and the foster mom or dad can tell you all about the cat’s individual personality, habits, preferences. You can’t judge a cat by its cover! And while we can’t predict the future or know everything about a cat, we can help you choose the cat who is right for you. We have an adoption application and an adoption fee, $125 for the adoption of one cat, or $250 for a pair. This fee goes towards covering their vet costs. All cats adopted out by us are neutered/spayed, micro-chipped, tested for FIV/FeLV, and treated with Revolution.

3-year-old Jack is very friendly and affectionate, he loves getting rubbed.

To meet him write to us at [email protected] !

Hyde Park Cats is a local, all-volunteer group dedicated to helping stray and homeless cats in and around Chicago’s Hyde Park. We received our 501(c)(3) status in 2014 and have had over 1,200 adoptions since our founding in 2008. See all our adoptable kitties on our webpage: http://hydeparkcats.org/adopt/

All of our cats are in loving foster homes, which means the cat you adopt will be familiar with the sounds, smells, and movements of life in a home and accustomed to living with humans. He or she has been interacting on a daily basis with people who know this particular cat intimately, and the foster mom or dad can tell you all about the cat’s individual personality, habits, preferences. You can’t judge a cat by its cover! And while we can’t predict the future or know everything about a cat, we can help you choose the cat who is right for you. We have an adoption application and an adoption fee, $125 for the adoption of one cat, or $250 for a pair. This fee goes towards covering their vet costs. All cats adopted out by us are neutered/spayed, micro-chipped, tested for FIV/FeLV, and treated with Revolution.

This COVID-19 pandemic has truly opened my eyes to many things.  We have all given kudos to the amazing people who are on the front lines in dealing with this virus.  I have applauded the nurses, doctors, and hospital staff; the firemen, police officers, and EMT’s; and the grocery store staff, transportation workers, and so many others. However, it took a text from a good friend reaching out to check on my welfare that opened my eyes to the forgotten responder.

Henrietta Leak, the Matriarch of the Leak family, sent me a text checking on me and when I asked how she, Spencer Sr. and the family were holding up she told me that they were holding on, exhausted but doing their best. People forget that they are responders as well.

She is correct.  Most people do not want to deal with the possible outcome of this pandemic and that lives are lost.  I didn’t think of the many funeral directors and staff that have to take care of the deceased person, their families, even the hospitals with dignity and respect but still have to make sure that they are safe from COVID-19.

I immediately reached out to Spencer Leak, Jr., Vice President and Licensed Funeral Director of Leak and Sons Funeral Home, to get a handle on what they are going through during this time.

Spencer told me that the stress is high because, with the rate of deaths, funeral homes are having to buy more equipment, and find space to handle the overflow.  There is also the stress of making sure that the staff is protected from contracting the virus. New precautions and formalities had to be put in place,.

He told me the story of a hospital that demanded that he immediately come and pick up someone that had passed; however, he was on his way to several different places to pick up others. The hospital demanded that he stop what he was doing and come to them or they would bad mouth his funeral home. He politely told them where to go. He is not alone.  Funeral homes across Cook County and beyond are going through the same thing.

Can you imagine what they go through trying to be there for a family but explaining that only ten family members and friends can be in the building at a time and must wear masks?  Or trying to plan a service over the phone without being able to speak in person or give a comforting pat on the shoulder or a hug?  Having to take precautions going home to your family after handling the services at the mortuary?

We talked about how this is mentally affecting the Responders, I asked Spencer how he and his staff mentally handle the pressure. He told me it is hard. You take moments to shut down your mind and be with family, knowing that a call will be coming soon.

He told me that the Directors of other funeral homes such as Gatlings, Cage, Taylor, Doty Dash, and many more speak with one another and give encouragement. They are not only handling COVID-19 deaths but all other people that have made their transitions in other ways.

So, I have added a new group of Responders to my prayers, praise, handclaps, and appreciation, the men and women who are with us, in the end, and bring peace to our families, the Funeral Directors and staff.

If you would like to hear my conversation with Spencer Leak, Jr. please visit

Until next time, remain safe and keep your EYE to the sky.