I’m in Chicago for an impromptu visit to help my sister pack up her house. Of course “helping” in this case consists of me spending hours looking at old family photos in already packed boxes and Sue and I fighting over whether I can steal them or at least scan them for my blog. We got to visit the fabulous house from 1910 they just bought with woodwork that is so beautiful I couldn’t stop caressing it. And now the task of packing up the endless treasure troves that my sister has amassed over the years. Although it makes for a difficult move, I’m sometimes grateful that my family has issues with OCD hoarding. In addition to countless blogworthy family items, Sue’s home also contains a virtual museum of American pop culture. Her collections need to be catalogued and placed in a special wing of the Smithsonian.
I had a delightful breakfast with my long-lost True Ancestor brother this morning and I’m looking forward to his trip next month to L.A. to promote his great book. I’m more convinced than ever that the Millers and the blogging Gottliebs are connected, if not by DNA then by some ancestral bonds that reach back through old Chicago to the shtetls of Eastern Europe. And I’m still not sure we weren’t switched at birth at Michael Reese hospital in 1959. God knows my sister liked him better than she likes me. Within five minutes of meeting, David offered to help with her move while I was in the next room trying to decide which of my grandmother’s silver trays might accidentally find their way into my carry-on luggage.
Chicago is still freaking cold for the end of March and I immediately got sick as I have been doing on every trip I’ve taken to the Midwest for the past fifteen years. Am I allergic to my family? Or is it psychosomatic like when Rob Petrie’s back went out every time he and Laura were about to take their trip to Lake Sissymanoonoo?
Danny,
You have been here 24 hours and I've gained 8 pounds from your "helping".
After I barf, I'm scanning your luggage for my things. David is a better brother.
Susan Gottlieb
Posted by: your sister | March 23, 2005 at 05:13 PM
Too late, Susan. We've already fenced your silver, split the proceeds and bought you a blog.
David
Posted by: Brother David | March 23, 2005 at 07:42 PM
Susie is MOVING?
WHAT?!
I'm devastated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Ellen | March 23, 2005 at 08:52 PM
It's less than a mile away, Ellen, and such a cool house! (But we're all devastated that she's leaving her fantastic neighbors and street.) And there's a room in the new house just for you and Greg for when you move back.
Posted by: Danny | March 24, 2005 at 04:14 AM
Can you believe I am watching and reading all your exploits even from over here in London Town? It sounds like so much fun. I love the picture of David and Danny. What a treat!
Posted by: Tamar | March 24, 2005 at 08:20 AM
Yeah but my room won't be the same, ever again. No matter how many times I go back it will never be the same. I hope she is happy for destroying all my happy memories of my childhood!
Posted by: Ellen | March 24, 2005 at 02:57 PM
You were in Chicago and didn't call me...
Your pretend mother,
Posted by: Elaine Soloway | March 25, 2005 at 02:44 AM
Elaine, I'm still here and have been dying to see you. I've been secretly saving all of Sue's best stuff for you! Come over!!
Danny
Posted by: Danny | March 25, 2005 at 05:09 AM