"Be a FUN-gi"

Mushroom Madness 

has taken over.

I made a clay incense holder 

that resembles one I had as a child.

(I bought it at a U of Iowa Art Fair 

but gave it away when we moved.)

I had regrets.

So I made my own!

A new friend is a fan of mushrooms.

Now I can't stop seeing them!

Her friendship is a blessing 

that keeps popping up in beautiful ways!

As usual I traveled. 

I was able to go see my parents over the 4th of July.

I went to my granddaughter's 1rst birthday party.

And I went to my YMCA camp to volunteer.

Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin all got visits.

We bought new tires this month.

Cha ching. 

(Look closely at that last one.

Global Warming is real.

But my thermostat was for sure broken!)

Someone sent me this photo off the Internet.

This plane definitely 

has more stickers than my car. 

I need to "watch" my puzzle buying.

But this cute one has 500 pieces and will be

easy to give away to a friend. 

We bought it at Yellow Bird,

a gift shop at Plaza Del Lago.

I used to go to this architectural wonder

as a teen. It's going through some changes.

Stores have closed or moved into town. 

I hope it makes it. The location is on the lake 

and the brick buildings are beautiful.

I have already purchased a 2024 calendar.

When my kids were little we called my

date planner/calendar my

BRAIN.

This still applies except my phone

calendar AND a paper calendar are needed.

Avocados are an inside coded message.

The person involved gets it. 

Our library has a reading book club for kids AND adults.

I'm participating!

I'm still playing BINGO at the 

Senior Center. But I haven't won in a long time.

I've sent some postcards.

And I've received some postcards!

I love snail mail.

My mom gave me this fantastic vintage sweatsuit.

I loved it.

UNTIL it ate my father's keys

(hole in the pocket)

and we couldn't find them for HOURS.

Ended up they were in the cuff

down at the bottom of the leg

resting on the top of my shoe

and I couldn't feel them.

What a nightmare.

I got to visit with my Nepalese "daughter"

and she will be coming to Chicagoland to visit with us!

Pretty sure the one on the left is a weed. 

We continue to love attending Ravinia and 

hearing concerts from our yard and balcony.

There was a wrestling fundraiser

here in Highland Park for Cooper, 

one of the July 4, 2022 victims. 

I posed with the official tee shirt 

and some of the professional wrestlers. 

They got silly and I posted about the event

on my Instagram.

Sometimes I open my profile up to the Public.

Having some of my posts reposted 

is new for me and kind of fun. 

Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins 

gave away an autographed guitar in the raffle. 

The shooting on July 4, 2022 was horrific.

Highland Park is STRONG and we support 

one another. I am proud of my city.

Most of you already know this,

but I was interviewed for a podcast.

It's a project of the Highland Park Senior Center.

Here's the link:

Songs, Seniors, and Stories

Jen Pen 

Check out all the episodes.

The facilitator of my Writing Club 

and one of the members are interviewed too.

Like the Girl Scout song says,

"Make new friends, 

but keep the old,

one is silver,

and the other's gold."

I have been blessed with a friend I have known since I was 7.

But I also continue to make new friends all the time!

And maybe some day they will become "old" friends.

Well, this month an artist friend of mine passed away.

She was a MIRACLE and I will miss her.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh. 

The butterfly hut at the Chicago Botanic Gardens was amazing!

I met a watercolor painter in the cafe. 

Sometimes I do actually 

go shopping at

regular retail stores. 

For therapy, of course. 

I saw the movie, "Past Lives"

and continue to love podcasts, 

DVD special features, and music.

(Next month:)

When I was growing up I would go to White's Variety Store.

We could buy the greatest stuff at that store!

I continue to eat well.

Maybe not healthy,

but certainly tasty. 

I Curbs R Us-ed a chair and table that I am loving!

Please pause for this Nana Cloud moment of serenity. 

So guess what?

I did NOT grow out of my allergy

for penicillian.

Matter of fact, 

I am HIGHLY allergic.

Sorry friend who recommended these shoes.

They don't work for me.

But I am sooooo happy to be walking again!

My husband even told me to slow down the other day!

I went to lunch with a friend.

We toured the new fire station.

We had violent rainstorms.

The art on the Boat Shed got shattered.

Heritage Trail Mall had a warehouse sale!

We have compost recycling buckets now!

The organic farm where I volunteered.

As a teen I used to go to Long Grove.

I headed over there this month.

It is also going through some changes.

Tons of the businesses are closed.

The setting is so kitchy cute.

It's hard to see favorite tourist places disappear.

I also should have come at the end of the week. 

I've also come to the realization that I prefer bargain prices. 

The candy store there is amazing.

I went to a favorite antique store. 

I bought some jewelry I took to camp.

I went thrifting up until the last day before camp.

And now I will TRY not to thrift until after the new year.

I found a few last items at the local thrift store near camp.

I think Susan Branch would like this dresser too.

(If you don't know about her blog check it out!)

I went to Camp on a Sunday to meet the staff.

Saw a former counselor who is a professional musician.

Check out his tunes: 

⁠Hayward Williams⁠⁦‪open.spotify.com‬⁩

I added stuff to the Ishkaboobie costume area

 and saw former donations. 

I had a whole tent to myself!

This is a Barbie Dream House campers 

made in the Craft Shop.

I was given a Staff Award!

I went out on a Funyak!

In Cincy I used the hotel pool to exercise.

Since in one day I had Graeter's ice cream, 

a homemade cookie (gift from a dear friend), 

a Subway sub AND a bag of Cheetos!

I brought my own washcloth 

to absorb any purple hair dye. 

My granddaughter's birthday celebration was lovely.

But private. 

We played 20 questions on the ride home. 

Fun!

I came home to find this birthday present on the doorstep!

So cute!

I continue to buy mugs and give them away.

After camp I went to my friend's house.

She dyed my hair!

"Mrs. Plum did it, in the garden, with the rake."

Board Game Theme Week Hair

(Just a day late!)

I enjoyed 70s rock music on the LB Village Green. 

I went to a garden party.

I brought my "famous" deviled eggs. 

For my birthday I cashed in on  

freebies from Starbucks and Graeter's. 

"Eye" bought some earrings and was given a great book.

I got to see the hippos at the Cincy Zoo!

My 61rst birthday was full of 

sparkly treats. 

I got some flowers and a bunch of cards.

Lots of friends, family and Phamily

called, FTed and messaged.

Our family enjoyed Food Truck Thursdays

at Ravinia in Jensen Park.

I got to dog sit a favorite pup!

Seeing the Barbie movie is on my list!

FYI

Chipmunks are not afraid of plastic owls.

At least ours aren't.

LOCK HIM UP.

Peace be with you.

Jen Pen