Category: Life in the South Loop

I was born on either December 25 or 26. Who cares? Social Security, Comcast and my mom, for starters

I was born on either December 25 or 26. Who cares? Social Security, Comcast and my mom, for starters
On December 25, 1950, my mother was at a Christmas party in Englewood at my father’s mother’s house.  She was pregnant with me. And her water broke about 8 PM.  My dad took her to Michael Reese Hospital in a snowstorm and I was born there at midnight.  I was named Benita Carol, my first... Read more »
By Bonnie McGrath,
December 28, 2020 at 1:36 pm • 

So there was this one day recently when...everything was sort of normal

So there was this one day recently when...everything was sort of normal
Even though the name of the outdoor photo show I went to see recently was “These Extraordinary Times,” everything was sort of normal. South Loop Neighbors—one of the earnest, very hardworking community organizations in the neighborhood—organizes a photo show every year of South Loop scenes.  This year there were two showings.  Both were at neighborhood... Read more »
By Bonnie McGrath,
September 9, 2020 at 11:57 am • 

Trump and BLM have a few things in common, not that they would ever admit it. Or care.

Trump and BLM have a few things in common, not that they would ever admit it. Or care.
I was in the middle of a Chicago hot zone surrounded by blocks of National Guard troops forming a half-wheel around my neighborhood last month. While the Guard was ensconced at Sox Park (their epicenter) I was ensconced at home, apprehensive, tired, aghast, sad, confused and unable to deep sleep.  My neighborhood was suddenly nothing... Read more »
By Bonnie McGrath,
June 30, 2020 at 11:49 pm • 
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On dishwashing, ATMs, walking the neighborhood and shopping for food during the time of "we're all in this together...."

On dishwashing, ATMs, walking the neighborhood and shopping for food during the time of "we're all in this together...."
I haven’t eaten anything that hasn’t come out of a grocery store in the neighborhood since March 13.  Late that day, I stopped at Whole Foods on my way home, and bought the only two things left in the produce department:  a big container of cut up assorted fresh fruit,  And a bag of small... Read more »
By Bonnie McGrath,
May 29, 2020 at 1:57 pm • 

We're in dystopia and it's back to the basics with food

We're in dystopia and it's back to the basics with food
Now that we’re in dystopia, my diet is like a menu from a women’s magazine from the old days–for young  women who wanted to lose five pounds.  They seemed like a good idea–but the food was so skimpy.  And no one could stay on diets like that for more than a meal.  Or two. But... Read more »
By Bonnie McGrath,
March 30, 2020 at 4:21 am • 

Did you know just one dollar can save the world, put Donald Trump in his place and save Nancy Pelosi's self esteem?

Did you know just one dollar can save the world, put Donald Trump in his place and save Nancy Pelosi's self esteem?
All day long, I get emails from Democrats.  Democrats running for president, Democrats running for office in Illinois and Democrats I’ve never heard of running for all kinds of offices in states I have absolutely no interest in like Iowa, Montana and North Carolina. They all beg me for money.  They stoop to conquer my... Read more »
By Bonnie McGrath,
September 3, 2019 at 10:58 am • 
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A cultural revolution, a war on art is happening right in my own backyard

A cultural revolution, a war on art is happening right in my own backyard
She came by when I was watering, asking me in a whisper if she could have a word with me, her eyes darting stealthily from side to side so as not to let anyone who might come by listen to the dirty thing she was about to say. “Um,” this stranger began.  And then in... Read more »
By Bonnie McGrath,
August 9, 2019 at 2:46 pm • 

Mayoral candidates: stop promising tax freezes, a no-kill city and premium education, when some basic housekeeping would do

Mayoral candidates: stop promising tax freezes, a no-kill city and premium education, when some basic housekeeping would do
Tiny Dancer gave up on Chicago after eight years.  He just doesn’t know what to do anymore with us idiots, so we’re on our own.  He’s done.  But before his exit is official, at the last minute he’s going to try to get us a casino and a change to the Illinois Constitution–which he says... Read more »
By Bonnie McGrath,
December 19, 2018 at 11:56 pm • 

How come the cops never give tickets for riding a bike on the sidewalk in MY neighborhood? Because they're too busy doing it in other neighborhoods

How come the cops never give tickets for riding a bike on the sidewalk in MY neighborhood? Because they're too busy doing it in other neighborhoods
The one good thing about winter coming?  The number of bicycle riders on the sidewalk will diminish.  They won’t disappear.  They won’t stop posing a danger to us pedestrians.  But the cold, the snow and the ice will lower their numbers and reduce the chances of us walkers getting seriously injured. For those of us... Read more »
By Bonnie McGrath,
October 18, 2018 at 12:42 pm • 
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My Starbucks: no bathrooms, no patio, no tables, no chairs, no stools and no community center

My Starbucks: no bathrooms, no patio, no tables, no chairs, no stools and no community center
One thing for sure, my Starbucks in the South Loop will never be a community center.  No matter how gung-ho Mr. Starbucks in Seattle is for letting his stores now serve as community centers, my Starbucks is never going to be one.  No matter how much he wants to get himself out of trouble because... Read more »
By Bonnie McGrath,
June 18, 2018 at 12:59 pm •