The Smell of Dirt
It was beautiful here in sunny Chicago yesterday. The temperature was around 70 degrees and a light to moderate breeze provided some relief to the sun’s hot rays. Jude and I made the 6-mile trek south to our old stomping grounds to hang out with our friends Nori (the mom) and Eleanora (the toddler; also, Jude’s girlfriend).
Before meeting up with the girls, Jude and I stopped for lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant in the city–Mamacita’s. We shared some veggie tacos and a small order of rice and beans. I neglected to pack Jude’s bib and fork, so he did his best to manipulate a full-sized fork (he did well!) and keep himself clean (he did a little less than well!). After lunch, Jude took hold of my hand and we walked south on Clark Street, the wind blowing our hair back and sending Jude’s Cubs cap into the middle of the road (many thanks to the young woman who retrieved it for us!). We swung by Nori’s apartment, picked up the girls, and made our way to Oz Park.
Instead of chasing the kids all around the (extremely busy) playground, Nori and I opted to set up shop in Oz Park’s “Emerald City Garden.” ECG is lined with trees and dotted with flower beds. The flower beds were empty, and Jude and Eleanora thought it would be fun to dig in the dirt. So they did.
Eleanora came prepared for the occasion. She had with her: 1 pail, 1 rake, and 3 shovels. Jude wielded the rake and 2 of the 3 shovels. Eleanora put up with him.
By the end of our play date, the kids were filthy and a bit sweaty. After a quick wipe of the hands and face (Jude’s), I strapped the boy to my belly and headed for the El. We arrived home in time for a quick dinner, and then we got straight to bed.
During our walk to the El (and all night, and up until bath time today), I kept my nose glued to Jude’s head. His hair had that dry, dirt-like smell to it…it was the smell of sun and summer time…it was the smell of baseball and other sports. It was, for me, the one smell that I most associate with nice weather: A smell that says, “Remember me? Remember the warmth of months 5-9? It won’t be long until we’re together again every day. Don’t despair, old friend!”
…And so, even though the temperature is making it’s way back down to the 40s, I won’t.