Home town
by Anton Zuiker on September 14, 2024
I arrived in DeKalb late morning but spent the afternoon visiting my aunt and uncle and cousin in nearby Cortland (the DeKalb corn sign in the photo above was in the barn). Then, a tour of Whisky Acres Distillery on the Walter Family Farm, golden corn fields and giant silver silos and glittering solar arrays all around. (Amazon and Facebook have data farms nearby.) Finally, a few hours at cousin Judy’s home with more cousins and small children, chocolate sheet cake and evening card games.
Originally, I had planned to spend a few days here in DeKalb visiting all of the spots I remembered from my four high school years here. I intended to walk and remember and walk some more. But i’m here just 24 hours and spent them in the best way possible: with family.
Winded
by Anton Zuiker on September 13, 2024
Made it to Chicago today, and what a day—perfect fall weather, easy walking to Fulton Market to meet cousin Jennifer Zuiker Lampert for brunch , later shopping along Michigan Ave., then cocktails at Pigtail and sushi at Jinsei Motto with my college buddy Mike Thomas, and a walk along the river. Just perfect.
Pinky promise
by Anton Zuiker on September 12, 2024
I spent the day at Duke University Hospital while Erin had her finger fixed by a hand surgeon, which meant my trip to Chicago is delayed a day, which means I’m not at the Salt Shed with my cousins Jeff and Jenny for the Evening with Goose. I hope to jam with them another night.
I’m back to blogging daily, a goal and a promise to myself. A morning flight will be a good time to write a few longer posts, and a return to DeKalb should provide memories and insights.
Short passes
by Anton Zuiker on September 11, 2024
I am back from the Wednesday evening pick-up soccer game in Pittsboro.
It’s an important, fun, active, social activity that I thoroughly enjoy. I’ve been playing with this group for one year now; I’m so grateful for this group of men and women. Same, too, for the Sunday morning pick-up soccer that I’ve been playing in for more than eight years in Durham—and now in Chapel Hill while our dilapidated Durham field finally is getting renovated.
Tomorrow is an irregular day: in the afternoon, a flight to Chicago for me. I’m meeting up with cousins for a concert, a college buddy for dinner, a high school friend at his DeKalb distillery, and more family in my home town.
There will be much to chronicle in the days ahead.
Debate night
by Anton Zuiker on September 10, 2024
I’m sitting on the porch listening to the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and the former guy. In the last election, I told myself that my vote for Biden-Harris was a vote for a President Harris since I didn’t trust the health of Joe Biden but I’m glad he’s still alive and well and leading our nation, and I’m eager now to vote for Kamala Harris to lead.
Anyway, out in the woods, a trio of barred owls are engaged in a debate of their own, hootin it up.