One minute it was June 1st, then POOF! June is gone and we’re already halfway to being halfway in July! Summer is special for Chicagoans. It’s short so we pack it with trips, parties, and healing mosquito bites. For me, June means cycling season, important birthdays, my wedding anniversary, and saying no to outside dining. It’s also when
makes her annual attempt to get me to Ravinia. Plot twist - She won! It’s Melissa Etheridge, which is fine because I’d be sad for Salt-N-Peppa if we had to see them there.Below is a list of fun things I did in June that may or may not interest you, but here it is. It’s really my way of getting back on track and remind you how good you look today.
First, shout out my kid! She recently became a certified yoga teacher AND landed her first job. She let me take a class with her. This moment was a full circle mom moment because yoga has really changed her spirit - LIKE I TOLD HER IT WOULD YEARS AGO!
She also has a band called Voice Memos and this cover song is on repeat on my playlists.
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I had a WILDLY crazy packed weekend because my bro-in-law came to visit. At the same time, I had writer friends to see at one of my favorite storytelling shows at Steppenwolf. If you’re never been to You’re Being Ridiculous (produced, curated, and hosted by
) you’re missing out! Some of the performers are writers right here on Substack so check them out: , and !![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5e37c329-7905-4ea2-a048-580b600cab49_1544x1158.jpeg)
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As far as my bro-in-law….this is all you really care about.
There’s a very cool short and FREE program called Broadway in Your Backyard by Porchlight Theater. They perform songs such as Be Our Guest, Suddenly Seymour, and that song all the theater nerds love about several thousand minutes.
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Folks who are super close to me know that I’m actually a country girl. While I rep all City, live in the city, and would never fathom leaving the city, my heart is a pick-up truck and a pair of worn dirty red leather boots. I’m all sunsets and open fields, dirt roads and ending my day resting my feet in the crick. Tyler Childers is one of the few straight male country singers that I love. He writes songs about Kentucky, love, and family, but he also believes those stories are diverse and not limited to a singular type of experience. He grew up singing in choirs and it’s clear that influences his music, but he also knows how to crack into the core of me to remind me that I do have some heart left. It was the highlight of my June. PS: We saw him at the United Center, but I just want to quickly plug that I love the Salt Shed as a concert venue if you’re looking for fun summer things.
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I performed in a few June shows that were a riot, but I also got to see one of my favorite musicals - SIX! It’s 90 minutes and told from the POV of King Henry VII’s six wives. PRO TIP: If you don’t have a lot of cash to spare, but a little time, go to the box office morning of and you can get seats for $50. Ours were on the floor and I could literally see them spit! Also - I think the 25th of the month, at select venues, you can get $25 tix!
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I saw lots of friends I haven’t seen in a VERY VERY long time and that was lovely. Then I ended June in Mexico City to celebrate my best boys’ b-days, but mostly Patryk’s! I’ll probably write about that in my upcoming newsletter, but here are some of my vacation fit checks.
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Anyway, I’m behind on everything but I plan to get back up and running with more short stories, dumb thoughts, and probably a review of this Dallas Cowgirls documentary that is a nightmare.
Tell me what things you’re doing this summer or better yet, what I should be doing with you!
Patryk’s Gripe Corner (HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEKS LATER, BABES!)
My bestie Patryk asked if he could have a corner of my newsletter for griping. I’m obsessed with Patryk’s need to improve everything. He blames it on his Polish culture but, I think it’s his love of dissatisfaction.
Please take your shirt and wipe the camera lens on your phone before snapping pictures. No one wants to see your grease-hazed photos on social media.
WAIT HOW IS THE DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADERS DOCUSERIES A NIGHTMARE?? I think it's so good!! It's the same guy who did CHEER and WRESTLERS.
Where did June go, for real? Summer in Chicago is a vortex. PS: I am also going to write a newsletter about the DCC bc that shit filled me with rage!