I may be the only person who was actually in Chicago last Sunday AT Soldier Field whose exposure to the Bears was nothing but a drive-by-with-windows-down. Ok, so technically I wasn’t at Soldier Field but nearby briefly.

On my way to Chicago Midway after a short weekend trip to Chicago, we rolled down the windows to snap a couple of quick pictures for the family on that drizzly cold day. But, Oh My! You could say the entire city was under a cloud of smoky bratworst. My brother (barely seen in photo) used the word “redolent,” but I can’t go that far to describe brats we smelled grilling. What a fragrant memory - Yum!

I did not travel there to see the game, though in fact I did see most of the first half at the airport, and got updates throughout my flight back to Arizona. These travel plans were made long before anyone even knew this would be a championship matchup on Jan. 21. My kids think I’m a chump, I’m sure, but I wasn’t really in Chicago for da Bears, anyway.

Our small immediate family has what we call a “clownfest” once or twice a year. Essentially we gather for laughs and nothing of great import transpires. Our mom oftens shows up with an Atomic Cake to commemorate the occasion. If you have no ties to ChicagoLand, you won’t get it, but here’s a picture of this year’s Clown Fest Atomic Cake.

Most of the time these days, one’s travel and vacations do not have to interrupt one’s professional availability. For once, however, I did not do any work on the road. Instead I completely enjoyed the chance to see my brothers and mom, and got to teach my nieces how to knit, between bites of cake, that is!

In our desire to be reached any time anywhere, we may lose that very important ability to connect fully with family while we are with them. It’s a struggle to unplug, but so worthwhile. Try it every once in awhile!