LOOK WHAT THE WIND SWEPT INTO THE WINDY CITY! ...

Well friends,

Summer has FINALLY hit in Chicago. We've actually had high 80's weather, sunshine, and low humidity. Who can ask for anything more ... right?

As you all know I love taking my power walks down the lakefront for three miles and back. It's a great way to keep in shape and each day new sites are to be had. I thought you might like to join me this fine summer morning. So put on your running shoes and lets go!

I'm fortunate to live only a very short distance across from one of America's largest lakes. Lake Michigan is HUGE.... It even has waves like an ocean. Even viewing the city from the Willis Tower you can't see across it. Amazing.

The park is also beautiful this time of year. Lincoln Park edges the lake for MILES. But it's not to far across. We can dash through it in a few minutes.

As we approach the lake, Diversey Harbor features some of Chicago's most beautiful yachts. They soak up the sun in their slips until they are ready to sail the clear blue lake on weekends.

Following the canal, we streak under the overpass to the lakefront. Then you take a deep breath and take in all of down town Chicago. The view is hear stopping! I never get tired of it. How could anyone? Beaches line the lake, and High rise buildings pierce the azure sky. It almost looks like Emerald City, but in shades of blues, grays, and blacks.

As always the lakefront is packed with, runners, bikers, rollerbladers, and now a new addition SEGWAYS.... Strange to see those on the lakefront. The whole point is to get exercise ... not stand on a two-wbeeled motorized contraption.

Oh, well. Shall we continue? The winds kicking a bit today, isn't it? One thing I love to do is people watch.  Geez. What is that girl doing over there? She's chasing after some shirtless jogger. You see all kinds on the lake front.

I don't believe it! She's going after another dude in micro running shorts. She's saying something. It sounds like some name.

We may may want to stay clear from her. She looks like kind of a nut, with he hair blowing out in all directions.

Let's pick up our pace, it looks like she's going after a third guy. "Sorry... I thought you were my friend Michael." She say turning.

"Tammy? Tammy Theriault? Is that you?" Holy crap! What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you, and giving my hair a blow-out. What? is that weird? This is the windy city in all, plus when I turn my head side to side, it really helps to even it out after a long hot shower." 

"I can't believe it's you! What an unexpected and INCREDIBLE surprise.

I know right? But, um, you’re blocking my blow out. can you move more to the right. I little further…further…keep going…almost there and…perfect!

"I am so psyched you're here. I've been wanting to have you over to my blog for an interview for ages!"

"What? I can’t hear you! try yelling! Ok wait, just, um, take your shirt off and I can hear you better. That’s it. now you can come closer.'
"Do I have to? Well, okay. I do need to even out my tan. I just love your wicked sense of humor … I freak over your blogger interviews. They certainly make my week. But besides your obsession over those 90's men's running shorts and the dudes in them, what else do you write?"

"I write about seeing men in those shorts; does that count? No? well, I first started to write creatively when I was 8 and camping. It was a poem called “the tent”. I have a very vivid memory of that moment. 

"Then in my teens I started novel writing, then lyrical writing, and performing songs during long soccer trips in h.s. or at award ceremonies. I took creative writing in h.s. and loved making up short stories. In ’08 I composed my first  song, and started my own newspaper article about the Island’s history for a while. It was fun to research and recreate a past in a time-lined story for others to see. As you can gather, I love all forms of creative writing. Minus gang graffiti…too many rules!"

"WOW, that's really interesting. So many different genres and styles. Who influenced you to write? And, what was your first novel?"

"I have no influences. Just one day needed to get the poem out of my head, found a blank notebook and took off from there till I filled it and moved on to the next notebook. My first novel I wrote was on a word processor at age 10-11ish? The chapter was about a friend meeting a friend on a dirt road leading to their ranch. It was a long and detailed scenery scene, but I screwed myself by hitting reformat and erased that plus another I was working on but don’t remember what it was about. I screamed that day…"

"I can certainly understand why. We all do! I'd FREAK for a week! 

'I know you live in the Pacific Northwest, have you always lived there? Or, are you from another area in the country"

"Nope, I was born and raised in San Diego, CA, then 10 yrs in El Paso, TX during my crazy teen time. Experienced life, which moved me to Killeen, TX; Puyallup, WA; Mesa, AZ and now here. My parents retired in Oak Harbor, WA on Whidbey Island, and I stayed with them while looking for a place back in Puyallup; but couldn’t leave. it’s too beautiful - where the evergreens meet the ocean. In fact, if you put your shirt back on, we’ll hit the next flight on a one way ‘cause you won’t wanna come back. wait…forget about the shirt."

"You are too funny!. Are all woman as outspoken and crazy (in only the best way) in the Northwest?"

"pfffft…definitely not on the island. If I could find someone matching my personality that lives here, we’d be in business. *wink wink Elizabeth Seckman!* ok…I’ll wink at you, too, Michael. *wink* Oh, you want two? *wink wink* Now people are gonna think I have a twitching problem." 

"Stop being such a tease. I want to know what fantastic story are you working on now?"

"The one about a girl meets boy. Too vague? Well, it’s happening right now!  So I’m kinda waiting for the plot to unfold a bit more…just keep talking…

Ok, so when I was a senior in h.s. I wrote this novel in a notebook. Was more than half way done. It was awesome…in my eye and a friend’s. Maybe because he had a crush on me and it actually sucked, but hey, anyways, I lost the notebook. Last year, it just hit me. rewrite that story. So I am, almost 15yrs later. it’s called LIVING RUNAWAY."

The last day of her Junior year, Emily is excited when she gets a manila envelope in the mail. With her 18th birthday approaching, she assumes it's from her alcoholic father, who is away on another business trip. All Emily cares about is the gift, and the sorry that should go with it...but it's not from him.
It's a piece of him.

?If you wanna read the rest of the synopsis click here!!" 

"Hmmm. It sound like a good read. I wonder which piece? Come on... we were all thinking the same thing! 

"And finally, what does your husband think about you just taking off and chasing after strange men on Chicago's lakefront?"

"Whatcha talking about? He’s the one that keeps passing in front of me with his shirt off saying “how about now? And now?” I wish he’d stop. My hair was dried about midway of this interview. Look. There he goes, again! Honey! Please stop…it’s styled! Umph…men. They never listen. Wanna grab lunch and thicken the plot, I mean, eat something hot?

"Love to! Well everyone, Tammy and I are off to eat something HOT and SPICY! Hope you all enjoyed our HUMP DAY interview!

Have a great day everyone! Hope to see you all on Friday... I have something very atmospheric planned that may peek your interest!

LATER!