Today I am one step closer to being a true Minneapolitan. I ate my first Juicy Lucy. When a food item has a Wikipedia page, it'd be a shame not to try it, right? Especially since it is worthy of a presidential visit and has a cult following to defend it as the original (this 1998 City Pages article by Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl is a fun read).

To work up an appetite, Scott and I walked 4 miles to Matt's from our home. We arrived a few minutes before bar opening and were joined by our friends Julia and Cindy. They like to bring newbies to Matt's and were expert guides for this adventure. By arriving before the bar opened, we avoided having to wait in line which I'm told has been typical lately.

Julia and Cindy gave us solid advice - "wait". As in let it rest before taking a bit to avoid 3rd degree burns from the molten lava cheese gushing out from the center of the burger. When I asked how long I'd have to wait, they said until you can't stand it and then wait a bit longer. They didn't steer us wrong - we both avoided any emergency situations. Thankfully we had a big basket o' fries to distract us. Delayed gratification is so hard!

​Though this burger never stood a chance to live up to its hype, I am glad I broke from my mostly vegetarian diet to give it a try. I'm not a food writer so I'll spare you my description but know that I earned a clean plate - err wrapper - award. Just like Julia and Cindy, I look forward to treating people to their first Jucy Lucy in the future.

Now I'm going to re-read "At Matt's Bar, In a Blizzard" an essay by Andy Sturdevant from his book Potluck Supper with Meeting to Follow. 

Dates of travel: October 7 - 11, 2015

Lodging: AirBNB - Charming Top Floor in East Lakeview

Photo album

We arrived in Chicago and took the train from O'Hare to our AirBNB in the East Lakeview neighborhood. After settling into the apartment, we walked to get take-out for dinner:

Lito's Empanadas, 2566 N Clark St (at Wrightwood Ave.), Chicago, IL 60614

Coffee at Bow Truss Coffee Roasters, 2934 N Broadway St
Walked along Lake Michigan on the Lakeshore trail to downtown Chicago
Brunch at L'Appetito Italian Deli, 875 N Michigan Ave
Art Institute of Chicago (special exhibit Making Place: The Architecture of David Adjaye)
Millennium Park and Maggie Daly Park
Chicago Cultural Center for the Architecture Biennial, State of the Art of Architecture
Anniversary dinner at Girl and The Goat, 809 W Randolph 

Intelligentsia Coffee, 3123 N Broadway St
Walked and took the train to Evanston, IL
Stopped by Gross Point Lighthouse and the beach
Walked around Northwestern University's campus
Warmed up at The Coffee Lab, 910 Noyes St, Evanston, IL 
Walked to the Bahá'í House of Worship, 100 Linden Ave, Wilmette, IL 
Half Acre Beer Company, 4257 N Lincoln Ave
Dinner at Hopleaf Bar, 5148 N Clark St

Breakfast at Ann Sather, 3411 N Broadway St
Walked to Lincoln Park and stopped to enjoy:

• Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool
• Lincoln Park Conservatory
• Green City Market

International Museum of Surgical Science (recap blog post)
Drinks and cheese plate at The J. Parker (recap blog post)
Walked to Goose Island Beer Company, 1800 W Fulton St
​Dinner at The Chicago Diner, 3411 N Halsted St

I've worked at the University of Minnesota for close to 8 years and until last night, I had never been to an athletic event. Thanks to free tickets for Faculty and Staff Appreciation Days, it was an easy choice to give it a go. I chose volleyball because unlike the majority of team sports, I know the rules. I used to play volleyball in high school and there's a treat at the bottom of the post to prove it.

My pal and former co-worker, Liz joined me which was more than appropriate because her little sis, Kathleen is a pro volleyball player. As you may remember, Liz was my date at the Lynx game. Since neither of us normally follow sports, it's perfect. Now I'm trying to figure out other sports events we can attend together. 

Since I stayed on campus after work for the game, I arrived to Williams Arena and Sports Pavilion early and was able to flip through the September issue of Ski-U-Mah, the official magazine of Gopher Athletics. I always like a good sports story so reading up on roommates and teammates, Daly Santana and Dalianliz Rosado was a fun way to start my evening of volleyball fandom. 

Though it was no Target Center Lynx game, a night at "The Pav" is great entertainment. The crowd was full of maroon and gold fans shouting "Point U" every time a point was scored. The announcer belted out "Block Party" when a Gopher blocked a point, and got us up on our feet when the U was about to win a set. Goldy Gopher, the band, and a group of students in the "Gopher Block" made me nostalgic for my days as an undergrad at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (though I didn't really go to games then either). During one of the breaks, a youth dance group performed and I am seriously considering attending more youth dance performances in the future - they make my heart explode with joy.

The night ended on a hight note as the University of Minnesota Gophers beat Indiana University Hooisers 3-0 (sets: 25-17, 25-21, 25-16). Way to go Gophers - you can count on me to root for you.

While in Chicago, Scott and I visited the International Museum of Surgical Science. Located in the beautiful Gold Coast neighborhood, the museum is located in a 1917 mansion and run by the International College of Surgeons.  

As an employee of the Academic Health Center at the University of Minnesota, I knew the exhibits would be relevant to the work of my colleagues in units across the six colleges and schools in the health sciences. There were more exhibits than I was expecting and the ones that I liked most were:

• The Body Illustrated
• Beyond Broken Bones 
• Nursing: Care for a Changing World
• Supporting Structure: Understanding the Spine and Spinal Surgery 
• The Universal Condition: Enduring and Alleviating Pain
• Windows to the World: The Science of Sight and the Ophthalmic Art

As a daughter of a retired pharmacist, I also enjoyed the Turn of the Century Apothecary Shop which was created from two pharmacies from New York and Iowa. 

The museum also exhibits contemporary art with a connection to the medical sciences. 

We enjoyed our visit and it was a great reminder to seek out lesser known museums. 

I'd like to make a museum wish list. Where have you been that you'd recommend? What's on your wish list? What do you consider a museum? ​

Though Minneapolis has several rooftop dining options, none of them excited me enough for my 40x40. Time was running out for this activity since it is rapidly getting colder. Thankfully Chicago has a great rooftop spot at Hotel Lincoln - the J. Parker. 

While sipping on a Vander Mill "Totally Roasted" cider and nibbling on a selection of Midwestern cheeses, we looked out on Lake Michigan and Lincoln Park. The Green City Market was happening so there was a lot going on below for our entertainment. The rooftop also offers great views of the Chicago skyline. It was a spectacular location for a break and I strongly recommend it for anyone visiting (or living in) Chicago.

Fine. This wasn't "dinner" but it was fun and that's what counts!

Since joining our family in 2005, Stewie has brought so much joy to those who have met him. My grandparents were all able to spend time with Stewie and I'm thankful that I have a few photos of their time together. My grandma Sallie liked to feed him treats and I can still picture her shoving a cookie in his mouth at Christmas. My grandma Mary got a kick out of his puffy white head (very similar to her own hairdo!). 

All of my grandparents lived in assisted living and/or nursing homes before their deaths. When visiting them, we often brought Stewie along. He was a great source of entertainment to the residents and I loved seeing their reactions to his lovable face. In honor of those meaningful times with my grandparents, I wanted to share Stewie's love with elders in my community. 

I chose Mount Olivet Careview Home because it is just a short dog walk away from our home. I knew that if it went well, I'd want to return regularly.

After an interview, orientation, and background check, Stewie and I were cleared to start volunteering. During our first time at Mount Olivet, we were given a list of four residents who wanted us to stop by. We made our rounds and since that initial visit went so well, we try to get there once a month.

Because of privacy laws, I can't take photos of my new friends with Stewie. It's too bad because they look so happy with him on their laps. Most of the time we just talk about how soft and cute Stewie is but as they get to know me they've been sharing stories about the pets they used to have, their families, and life in Minneapolis. 

I'd like to thank the Mount Olivet staff for making it possible for me to connect with your residents. Stewie and I look forward to many more visits.