If I had to describe myself, it would be in a word that has many meanings with a complexity which falls off the tongue.
A word made up of many elements, is deceptive in appearance, and creates an illusion from the imagination.
My word would be Phantasmagoric. ~Summer Ross

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Unforgettable Blogfest Post

Today is Siv's Unforgettable blogfest, which goes on until tomorrow- feel free to click and participate. Now for mine, continue reading...

Rules per Siv,

"
This is a blogfest to celebrate the release of my short story. "Secrets of the Ash Tree" which is being published Sept. 4th in a fantasy anthology called Open Doors. For this blogfest I want you to post about some strange and unusual place, person or thing you have visited. Something that has left a lasting impression, one that you can not forget."

Chicago would be my unforgettable. Buildings so far up from where I stood they blocked the sky. 
 
 
 
Concrete everywhere with little to no grass or trees insight. 
 
 
 
The chill of the wind coming off the lake and snaking it's frozen breeze through cold concrete and no matter how warm I thought I dressed I still had to stop and go inside a starbucks every few blocks to warm up. 
 

 


But there was beauty in the cold surfaces that came both during the day...
 
 


 
And most of all during the dark of night, when the city seemed to come to life.
 
 

 It's that beauty I will never forget...
 

17 comments:

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi, Summer,

How exciting.... you posted about the city I live in. I am so glad you feel that it's unforgettable.

I see you had visited in the winter or early spring. Well, yes it is cold and a "concrete jungle" but ONLY for a while. In the spring and summer ALL the dormant trees and Lincoln park (which lines the lake for miles and miles), comes to life.

This is by far one of the greenest cities in the summer. Every street is tree lined, and flowers are bursting everywhere.

I hope you will come and visit in the summer. I would love to give you a different view of this magnificent city.

Summer Ross said...

Michael- I would love to see it all green and summery. :) perhaps you could post pictures of it on your blog one day.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I knew Michael would be brought here by the siren call of his town, Chicago. It is indeed lovely from he and other friends have told me. I think you bring beauty with you in your own perceptions, Summer. :-)

Unknown said...

Chicago is my home town and I am so happy you found it unforgettable. There is a stark beauty to it the winter, but the spring and summer bring out lots of green and gorgeous flowers. I'm from the South Side and Jackson Park is right along the Lakefront with a lagoon, wooded isles and flowers galore. There is also Hyde Park, which has thousands of lilac bushed that fill the whole neighborhood with that gorgeous fragrance.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Amazing photos! And you accompanying prose was fluid and poetic.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I've seen it from a distance but never been there. Would love to go see the Cubs lose someday. (I'm a fan, so seeing them win just might be too much to ask.)

Amanda Borenstadt said...

Beautiful words and pictures. I enjoyed the virtual trip to Chicago. :)

Unknown said...

Loved the way you described your unforgettable city. I have been there too, but it was such a cold, windy and rainy day. There is a lot of beauty in light! Thank you for participating in my blogfest :)

Old Kitty said...

I love that sculpture! It's gorgeous!!! Take care
x

Cherie Reich said...

I've only driven by Chicago on my way to Wisconsin before, but it does look pretty. I love that statue thing.

Golden Eagle said...

I've never been to Chicago, but after reading your posts I want to visit it. :)

Unknown said...

I'd love to go to Chicago - I love your photo of the building in the clouds. Somehow the name makes me think of Al Capone and gangsters (but I'm probably wrong there!)

M Pax said...

I love how that one building disappers into the clouds.

LTM said...

ooo, yes! We love visiting Chicago. I took my daughters there for the first time last fall, and it snowed-! That lake sure makes it cold. But it is beautiful. :o) <3

Sophia Chang said...

Thanks for coming by review of a Monster Calls!

I also added a caution in my comment reply that it deals with themes of death and nightmares.

Nadja Notariani said...

I've only been to Chicago once other than to pass through. You're so correct about the wind...I suppose that's why it's called the Windy City. :}

That wind cuts to the bone.

What impacted me, was driving into the city. Steel mills lined the highway. Most were running. As a girl, I lived in western PA, and at that time, steel mills were everywhere! It brought back so many childhood memories.

Christine Rains said...

Gorgeous photos and lovely memories.

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