itineraries are my love language

Leann Schneider Webb
September 12, 2025

If you want me to read to you instead of reading with your eyes, that’s an option:

Are you the type of person who gets warmfuzzies when someone sends you an itinerary for the weekend that is thoughtfully curated to your interests but about which you had to give no input?

I am. Itineraries are my love language.

I visited my friend Rosie in Chicago (the city) and my aunt Diane and uncle Brian in Chicago (the burbs) this past weekend and boy howdy! 100/10 trip.

When Rosie sent me our plan my eyes turned into cartoon hearts.

The plan changed quite a bit, but a great itinerary isn’t PERSCRIPTIVE, it’s a GUIDELINE that helps you BE FLEXIBLE and have AN INCREDIBLE TIME without driving the “planner” in the group absolutely batty by constantly asking them whAt ARE wE DoiNG NeXt WherE Do YOu GuyS waNt to EaT WheN is Bus i’M GooD WiTH whATeVER 🙂

I WON’T APOLOGIZE FOR YELLING ABOUT GOOD ITINERARIES

Diane, too, planned a wine tasting, tasty restaurants, and a trip to Morten Arboretum. I feel so seen!

Rosie realized the book festival Printer’s Row Lit Fest was going on, which was great for a couple of reasons, not least of which is that now I can expense the whole trip because I gave away all my business cards. Rosie also introduced me to her friends at Read and Run, which every reader (even if you’re not a runner!) should check out.

Rosie is very active and engaged in learning about Chicago, its neighborhoods and its people. I already love Chicago but I think Rosie could make a trip to any town fascinating and fun. My favorite part was spending time with her generous, funny, friendly friends.

Cat had to call in reinforcements to help us eat our bounty. This was a culinary dream come true for me and I’m so thankful Cat showed us around!

Wherever you’re traveling, the best advice you can give or receive, I think, is to be curious and humble.

The Swift Mansion from the Brick of Chicago tour of Bronzeville.

READ IT.

I read THE AWAKENING by Kate Chopin in AP English class in high school and I hated it. I did not understand it. I read it again, this time listening to it on audiobook, over the summer and I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend. What I didn’t remember AT ALL from high school was that the book takes place in the deep south? In Louisiana? And to read this book is to absolutely have a discussion about race and identity in America in addition to one about feminism, sexuality, and gender roles. Anyway, READ IT.

Also, apparently, there was a movie called THE GRAND ISLE which is an adaptation of THE AWAKENING, but it’s nowhere to be found online at all nor in DVD format. I’m desperate to watch it!!

This is somehow ??? still the only film adaptation of The Awakening, which is insane, someone call Greta or Sophia immediately please.

Get Involved!

CRIS 5k Saturday, October 4

This is the 12th year for Community Refugee and Immigration Services 5k. Get involved, donate, show support. The fascism is here but we’re not dead yet.