Super Bowl Fever and other Winter Diseases

In case anyone has wondered why there haven't been any new posts here recently, I'll reveal that I've been suffering from a cold. I even had to miss a volunteer assignment and an opera last week. Fortunately, I'm almost back to normal now; I completed today's morning volunteer shift and attended Turandot at Lyric Opera this afternoon. I enjoyed both.

If you live in or near Chicago, you probably know that the real winter disease this year is Super Bowl Fever. The Art Institute lions are wearing gigantic Bears helmets. The lights at the top of the John Hancock building, which I can see from my condo, are orange and blue. Several buildings are illuminated at night with "Go Bears" and other appropriate slogans. Most of the Chicago Information signs (the one pictured heree is on Washington Street outside the Chicago Cultural Center) devote one side to the Bears. The flags in the other photo are flying on the State Street side of Macy's, formerly Marshall Field's. The giant brachiosaurus outside the Field Museum of Natural History is wearing an orange Brian Urlacher jersey, number 54.

I'm not much of a sports fan, and I confess that two weeks of no-news news reports from Miami have been annoying (do I care which Bears player bought an orange Ferrari? How many times can I watch previews of Super Bowl commercials?)

Still, I admit being caught up in the spirit of it all. The citizens of Chicago seem to be in good spirits, despite some very cold weather, and I mean nearly everyone, not just the younger jocks in the beer commercials . It's surprising how many people of all ages, both men and women, are sporting Bears jackets, caps, and scarves and asking for Lovie Smith masks. I hope the Chicago Bears win! I'll be watching the game from the comfort of my recliner. A Bears win is just what we need to brighten a Chicago winter.

Copyright 2007 by Marlys Marshall Styne
Photos by the author.