Charlie's Chicago

 

This is Charlie’s second trip to my hometown and it’s fun to see the city through his eyes. Even though his sister Leah was born in Los Angeles and can equally claim Paris as her birthright, she feels such an affinity for this town that she considers herself a Chicagoan at heart. I’m guessing Charlie will feel the same way, he seems very much at home in this amazing city.

Some people believe that all time is simultaneous and I understand what they mean every time I visit Chicago. I’ll look out at some building, street, or house, and register how it looks in physical space today while also seeing with utter clarity what it looked like during my childhood. This was especially true yesterday when I was wandering downtown. I had a dentist appointment to finish some work that my lifelong Chicago dentist (and family friend) was doing to save a tooth that my L.A. dentist said had to go. Just going up in the elevator of the Garland Building on South Wabash put me into a time warp. My first visit to this office took place when John F. Kennedy was President. My patient file is so big it looks like it came out of the Freedom of Information Act. My dentist is about to turn 80 but shows no signs of slowing down. While I was in the office he received several calls from other dentists and oral surgeons asking for advice on their patients.

As he was drilling, I gazed out the 21st story window and had a perfect view of my grandfather’s old building that housed the flagship store of the Karoll’s Red Hanger Shops. Now the pristine Burnham Hotel, the landmark building has been scrubbed clean of the 100 years dirt that encased its exterior back in my grandfather’s day. When I squinted my eyes, I could see the trendy hotel transform back into its previous existence, the sparkling terra cotta dulled behind multiple layers of soot and grime and flickering neon signs advertising fortune tellers and brassiere manufacturers replacing the fancy curtained windows.

Leaving the dentist’s office, I could see my mother waiting for me in our usual meeting spot, under the huge clock outside of Marshall Field’s (now Macy’s). Looking down State Street, some mammoth new construction disappeared and was replaced by the imposing Roosevelt Theatre, one of the many demolished movie palaces in downtown Chicago.

Everything I look at during this trip seems to have more going on than its current identity. It’s as if my entire field of vision is double-exposed. Here are some sights from present-day Chicago (yes, most involve food—are you surprised?):

Charlie and Leah get their bearings upon our arrival at O’Hare.

 

Charlie goes to see Zaid and Grandma Marilyn. He visits the bedroom where his dad grew up. Daddy's anti-Vietnam War and Humphrey/Shriver bumper stickers are still stuck to the back of the door.

 

Aunt Susie can’t keep her hands off of Charlie. He thinks she’s a laugh riot.

 

Uncle Jeff returns from the first and very successful Wilco-curated arts festival, Solid Sound, in Massachusetts. We all want to attend next year.

 

Charlie’s first visit to Superdawg is a resounding success.

 

“Just say no to L.A. hot dogs,” Charlie cheerfully intones.

 

Leah feels empowered after indulging in this Chicago delicacy.

 

Charlie loves cuddling with his cousin Spencer, just back from summer camp.

 

Here is Sammy Tweedy in a blanket made out of actual dog hair.

 

Charlie prepares to dig into the Jewish delicacies at Manny’s Deli.

 

The cashier at Manny’s offers to forgive our large bill if we hand over Charlie for a week. We’ve eaten so much food that we briefly consider the offer.

 

Charlie contemplates the lethal cinnamon rolls at Ann Sather’s, a local Swedish favorite.

The Millers gleefully take possession of the gleaming GMC Acadia (courtesy of General Motors) that will be their wheels for next week’s driving trip to North Carolina.

 

Much more to come from the Windy City!

Comments

[Cynthia Reich]

Yum! Oh, and the food looks pretty good too.

[Ellen Bloom]

Bring me back a pastrami and rye from Manny's please...looks fantastic!!! Charlie appears to be having the time of his life!

[debbie rose galo]

ahh the memories, but dont forget your dad's company was upstairs in the Karoll's building and how we got to watch the thanksgiving parade from up there!!!! and then having our lunch with your mom susie you and me at marshall fields with a table underneath the christmas tree!!!! ahhhhh can remember it like yesterday. hope you are enjoying your vacation and send my love to everyone

[amba]

Wait, wait -- North Carolina???

You mean . . . I might actually get my auntly mitts on Charlie??????

[susie specter]

fabulous! i just cracked up that u have the same dentist! i hope we can coordinate visits again, as i miss you all!charlie looks phenomenal, a real chicago boychik for sure!

[Heather]

How are you getting to NC? If you come down I-75 through Kentucky, I would love to meet Charlie for a cup of coffee(of course you and Kendall can come too;-). What ever way you go hope you all have a wonderful and safe trip!

[Pam G]

Thanks for sharing the wonderful photos. I feel the same way while walking through neighborhoods where I used to live years ago. Have a good driving trip.

[Jeff]

Great pictures Danny. I'm sad you guys couldn't make it to the festival this weekend (it was spectacular), but it looks like you had a great time in Chicago. Next year -- I want to meet Charlie!

[Connie Burke]

LOVE your pix, Danny! And, I'm with Leah - I now consider myself a part-time Chicagoan.
I think I have the same sense of historical awe when I am in the Windy City...and I don't really have the ties that you have. I took the architectural boat tour when I was there last, and it was a fabulous history lesson. I feel even more connected now.
You are fortunate to be able to have roots there. Maybe one day I'll plant some there - more than just a couple nights at a time at the Michigan Ave Hilton.
Can't wait to hang with the Miller clan again when you're back from NC! See you soon - happy trails in your Acadia!

[Candi]

You will love Solid Sound! I couldn't believe all the kids - newborns on up. We were next to a 7 month old while we watched Charlie's Uncle Jeff on Sunday afternoon and I had a hard time deciding who was more entertaining LOL! I felt so bad leaving our boys with Grandma and Grandpa. Next year, we're all going and you're just going to have to forgive me if we see you there and I ogle over Charlie. I check your blog about once a week from work - usually when I'm having a bad day. One peek at such a little miracle always brightens my day!

[Judy]

Loved the blog and photos of Chicagoland and family. Somehow, this Brooklyn girl who grew up on pastrami & corned beef doesn't get a deli sandwich on white club roll. Ugh, dude, don't they have rye bread?

[Kwild]

It does a body good to see Charlie's killer smile. I'm so happy to see him looking so gorgeous & strong!

[Sue G]

Loved the photos with Charlie reacting to the food! Superdawg and Mannys: Chicago necessities.
Love Sue's glasses too...

[Gordon]

Dear Danny,
Leah may be lovely, but Charlie is ad material. You could shop some pics of his adorable mug around to ad agencies, and make a fortune !
Thanks,
Gordon

[jeff (not spencers dad)]

Soild sound was the best thing since sliced bread, buck waters 4dollars brews,great food,mountainviews, the niceest people i think i have ever come across and great music i cant wait to next year.

[robin]

Danny,

I had to laugh about your trip to the dentist as I had a good and bad experience with the dentist recently. More important though, Charlie is just so darn cute!!1 Hey on your way to NC stop in so mom and I can see that baby we've been following on your blog since last winter. We love him! Oh and we're kinda sorta family. We are related to Jeff so just ask him for Robin and aunt Helens address and stop in so we can see that baby!!!LOL I know you won't but the offer is good.

Robin

[Dr. Judy]

Charlie's getting big! And so cute! Never mind the hot dogs and cinnamon rolls...I want to eat those chubby cheeks for lunch

PS Is that a gun on the floor next to Jeff?! I am calling Child Protective Services. Hand over the baby!!!!

[Sheila Linderman]

Ah, Manny's and Superdawg. Classics. I'm pretty sure that the neon green pickle relish (which my brother insisted I eat lest he make a scene) has a half-life. Put it in a time capsule with a pack of Twinkies and check it out in 200 years.

[laurie]

Hey Danny,

If you guys go through Durham, North Carolina, you may want to say hi to Adam. Much love to all.

[leah]

next time: please give photo credits, dad!
love you!

[DebbieW]

Your kids are just beautiful. But I, too, am a Brooklyn girl and I have to protest the injustice done to that corned beef. Woody Allen joked about this in Annie Hall. You know, that movie after which you named this blog.

[david]

SuperDawg in Wheeling? You were two minutes from my house. Dang.

[Neil Fleischmann]

Happy to see Chalie (and everyone else, including Jeff) looking good.

[Patsy]

Aww! Such a cute baby! I can't help looking at his pictures over and over again. He's just so charming and adorable! I wish I could have a baby like him. Right now, I'm three months pregnant with my first child, so I'm just surfing around the net, looking for cute baby photos. Later, I'm heading off to go and see my OB and my dentist in Bloomington. Dentists are the ones I consult most often (second to my OB), because I want to keep my teeth still intact. And here in Bloomington, dentists are friendly and they're not even scary at all, and so as for my OB too! :)

[Amber Holcomb]

Such wonder can be seen in the baby's eyes. Though he may not remember anything clearly when he'll grow up, one thing is for sure, the memories will remain in your baby's heart. Very wonderful pictures. And that wonderful smile!