The "W" flag was flying over the famed Wrigley Field scoreboard last night, capping off a really nice birthday. Wendy and I had to get a little work done yesterday morning before heading south on the "EL" to downtown. There was a Edward Hopper/Winslow Homer exhibition at the Art Institute that we really wanted to see. The Hopper paintings were very, very interesting when placed in chronology. It was fascinating to see a painter’s style and expression evolve.

It was off to Pizano’s, a favorite haunt near the Art Institute, for some lunch before heading back to the hotel for a little nap before the game. We got up and I donned the personalized Cubs jersey Wendy gave me for my birthday before walking down Addison to the game.

The weather was better last night (but not much). We dressed even warmer and brought blankets – so the wind off the Lake didn’t chase us away. We held out in our cheap seats in the upper deck of left field through the 3.5 hour Cubbie slugfest. The fact that our boys in blue pinstripes gave me a birthday "bash" and scored 19 runs (including 2 homers by Iowa Cubs veteran Geo Soto) gave us plenty to cheer about.