Chicago from A to Z...A is for Adler Planetarium

Hooray!! It is the Big Kickoff for this year's A To Z Blogging Challenge and I'm giving you all a tour of my hometown, Chicago, complete with favorite places, mysterious places, colorful characters and historic sites. I'm kicking off this tour with a quick trip to one of my favorite places on the Lakefront, the Adler Planetarium. This place will take you to the stars as well as provide a trip back through the very history of astronomy.


Founded in 1930 by Chicago businessman and philanthropist, Max Adler, The Adler Planetarium is the first of its kind to be built in the United States. It is in fact, the first planetarium built in the Western Hemisphere and is the oldest still in operation. Located on Northerly island, just off the Museum Campus area, the Adler contains one of the largest collections of astrolabes, sextons as well as other ancient astronomical equipment. On the basement level, you can learn to make your own astronomical tools as you sit in a makeshift classroom from Renaissance Italy. They even provide the scholarly robes, how cool is that?


Amongst the other amazing exhibits housed at the Adler, there is the Atwood Sphere, which projects a view of the Chicago night sky from 1913 with a 180 degree view of enhanced photos from the time. There is also the  prototype for the current Mars rover on display along with the Gemini 12 capsule once commanded by Jim Lovell of Apollo 13 fame, who happens to be a local resident. The rare books collection houses 3000 texts on the history of astronomy as well as star charts.


Care to come for a visit? I'll gladly show you around as I never get tired of the place. Now let's get to visiting some of my awesome fellow challengers...

IWSG... The March Experience

Hello Imaginarians, it's your I-Keep-Disappearing Mel, here. I'm a putz, I know. I am sorry for being quiet again. This comeback trail is very difficult. Kind of like that first month at the gym. Anyway, today is the first Wednesday and it's time for the Insecure Writers Support Group, an amazing group that helps all writers with our fears, triumphs and general insecurities, etc.

I have a laundry list, but today I'm going to rant a bit. I'm feeling feisty. I write erotica and here are some things I've been asked, discovered through research and what people assume. It used to give me a complex. I was so bad I was embarrassed to talk about my work.

1. If it can remotely be used in a sexual way, someone will try it. Cue hand drills. Yes, you read that right and it all has to do with being able to attach different things.

2. I do not know which fruit flavor tastes better with body fluids. Strawberry, peach...Yeah no. But thanks for your question, please buy my book.

3. I am perfectly aware of what is in the Bible and no, I don't believe I'm going to hell. Have you read Song of Solomon?

4. No, erotica writer is not a synonym for porn star or slut.

5. Yes, my mother knows what I write. She encourages me.

6. There is nothing on this Earth that does not turn someone on at some point. Cue bug crushing. Something to do with stiletto heels.

I love what I write and people are always going to have a problem with it. Hey, to each their own. My experience has taught me that all people have their personal fetishes. No matter how much they may deny and protest. Trust me. Think on that the next time you're at a PTA meeting or at Church. So I don't let the haters in my head anymore. Write what you love, be proud and you will get where you need to be.

I know this has been a very strange encouragement post, but that is how my mind works sometimes. Please visit my fellow IWSG ers if you can. They are amazing and would love to hear from you.