I took a cigar for a walk last night around Riverside. I figured that it was probably the last time for a while that I’ll be able to comfortably stroll around town in just a sweatshirt.
There was a heavy layer of humidity in the air, so my stogie drew a pleasant smoke. I left my phone on the dining room table and told George that I’d be back in an hour.
I wasn’t the only one with the bright idea that a walk through Riverside would be a nice way to end the day. The sidewalks were filled with dog walkers, stroller pushers and giggling teens.
I walked around the corner and had a wide look at the overcast sky. There was a break in the clouds and the moon took a cameo appearance. I thought it was a good photo opportunity, but I didn’t have my phone.
Riverside lights up the water tower for Halloween. I thought that would be a good photo to send to Fritz and Hazel, but I didn’t have my phone.
Who needs a damn phone? It’s a beautiful night and I have a gorgeous cigar dangling a pleasant note to the air.
I walked across the tracks towards the library. A car beeped and I heard a friendly, “Hey Jumbooooo!”
The moon continued to peak out at me here and there. It was a perfect night for late October.
I continued my walk back over the tracks and into the busier part of town. A couple of my buddies were sitting in Labarra. I thought how lovely it would be to sit down with them and enjoy a gin martini. Unfortunately I was committed to the ashes of a lit roll of tobacco.
As I walked towards the bank I noticed a friend walk out of the ATM. Thursday was his birthday, so with my trading pit tenor voice, I started to sing ”Happy Birthday.” A big smiled beamed across Burlington street.
He stopped and we chatted for several minutes. He asked about the Shepkids and when I asked how things were with him… he told me good news.
I needed to hear this because so often lately all that I’ve been hearing is bad news.
I walked down towards Riverside Food and waved to the girls working. I thought about going in and buying a four pack of BuckleDown, but I had something else waiting for me at home.
I turned back around the corner at Labarra and encountered a good kid that I worked with at the Board of Trade. Always has a huge smile on his face and something good to say. He was the second person that I came across who left me with positive energy.
We parted ways just as the saxophone player in the band playing at Labarra came outside to warm up his horn before the show. I had to linger and listen. That made me decide that I was going home to listen to some Cannonball Adderley and “Autumn Leaves.” A perfect song for a beautiful fall evening.
I walked in the door and found George sitting at the table dissecting a radio that he picked up at Goodwill. He was content…
I made a cup of tea and unwrapped the final treat of the night. I stopped off at Oak Park bakery after my tests at Rush/Oak Park. I ended up buying the perfect trifecta to treat myself after a hospital visit. Three things that I’ve always loved at my old bakery. A chocolate donut that didn’t make it past Roosevelt road. A chocolate éclair that didn’t make it past noon and a cheese danish.
The cheese danish was the nightcap that complimented my evening Earl Gray.
An evening walk through Riverside with a Puerto Rican cigar was a perfect way to end an eventful day.
I got so carried away this morning, that I never got the chance to talk about today’s quote. It is a James Baldwin quote that is perfect for the moment that we are living right now. I will let you read it and talk amongst yourselves.
Taylor Swift yesterday and James Baldwin today. We’ve got it all here at the Morning Chalkboard.
Get out there and finish the last week of October and don’t forget to put the smile on the sun.
