Friday, October 31, 2025 – Day 444
Friday, October 31, 2025
Good morning, everyone.
Happy birthday, Di G.! 🎉🥳🍾🎃 I met Di back in 2005, when we moved to Lake Bluff so Nikki could finish up high school at Lake Forest.
Di has a son that is the same age as Alex. Peter was a standout swimmer at Lake Forest High School and a fierce rival of Alex’s when he swam for Libertyville. They traded wins back and forth over the years, and that friendly fire eventually turned into a deep friendship. And all that time in the swim stands led to a friendship with Di. Win-win.
Let’s not forget…Happy Halloween!! 🎃
Photos:
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Bruce and Marilyn in St. Louis with their Andy’s Army shirts.
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I met work colleagues for lunch yesterday at Lindy’s Landing. Left to right: Bruce, me, Dave, Craig, and special guest Cindy. She’s my drivers
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My flame-throwing pumpkin. It’s pretty harmless. I have to admit — this is one holiday I just don’t get jazzed about. I want to, but when you live on a tucked-away street with limited foot traffic, kids are smart enough not to waste precious candy-collecting time back here. In 20+ years, we can count our trick-or-treaters on one hand. If you’re going to decorate, you at least want somebody to see it! So while Halloween seems to grow in spirit each year, we’ve stayed parked on the sidelines. I’ll decorate for Christmas.
Now, Nikki and Zack are the complete opposite for Hall . They go all-in every year — great decorations, premium candy, and Zack hands out good beer (no water-downed tasteless “Lite” ) from a local craft brewery. Their street will be buzzing tonight. I’m looking forward to seeing what new spooky treasures they’ve added to the arsenal. Their old Sears home has a big, welcoming front porch — perfect Halloween real estate. Send photos… especially of Coco and Wyatt.
A few years ago, I joined them and brought the electronics for a fire-breathing pumpkin. I had the entire setup packed in my carry-on — wires, plunger switch, auto-pump, and a can of air freshener. When I put the bag through TSA, I was pretty sure I was about to become a featured guest in a back-room interview. Not my smartest move. Luckily, TSA at O’Hare is pretty relaxed — they let it slide. Ironically, it’s always the return airport that confiscates half my stuff. Lesson learned: leave the questionable electronics behind…which I did.
Later today, Mike is taking the ’68 to convertible Mustang out for its final ride of ’25. He’s swinging by to pick me up, and Mark’s joining too. Perfect way to close out October. We’ll bundle up — temps are barely touching 50°, so it’s going to be a brisk ride.
Have a great Halloween, everyone. Love you guys! ❤️
