Embracing The Warmth
August: My 31 Day Challenge

“Cause a little bit of summer’s what the whole year’s s all about …” JCM
Chicago. You’ve heard of the brutal winters, our stop you in your tracks and push you back a block winds, Lake Michigan waves, which only surfers dream, and the always continual season of construction. So, why do we live here? Among the culture, and gorgeous neighborhoods, and bustling food and beverage scene there is one phrase you’ll always hear Chicagoans say … “this is why we live here” and the ‘this’ is summer.
Summer is glorious in Chicago. The Lake Michigan rough and tumble shores of winter, become a glorious trail for running, biking, sun bathing, and soaking in one of the most noted, and my personal favorite, skylines. Free music in the park, free movies in the park, theatre in the park, not to mention all of the sporting opportunities. Chicago also has something other most skyscraper laden cities don’t … space. In the city, we have back yards, gardens, balconies (actually big enough to entertain a few friends), rooftops and not only the rooftop bars, but rooftops and terraces, huge outdoor spaces for us to lounge, cook, embrace every little bit of summer. So, why did I hate summer for a number of years … because it’s an attention grabber in Chicago, attention you have to compete against with almost any type of brick and mortar business. Recently there was an article about too many farmer’s markets in Chicago, which is easily a topic of debate. However, one farmer talked about competing for dollars, and if there is a Saturday filled with rainstorms, our farmer friends literally see dollars washing away in puddles. Much of the same is true of brick and mortar businesses, we are always competing against weather, good or bad, against playoff baseball and hockey (sorry Bulls … and Bears), against music festivals and street fairs, and literally against a beautiful night where we’d like to hang in the backyard, grill, drink wine and enjoy our friends.
So, as I let my RPTS, begin to drift away, I will think strong thoughts for all those restaurants, which will sit half empty tonight, at least until the sun goes down. Working in restaurants, as well as owning and operating them, can many times feel like the cold, brutal winters in Chicago. Finally, this summer I realize the importance of this season in our city, as the sunshine, morning breeze and bounty of the midwest are here to heal our soul, at least my soul, during this summer. I’m learning to breathe, and more importantly for the first time in years … embrace the warmth.
