Who wants to cook when the sun is shining and there’s an abundance of good take-out available? With temperatures soaring above 90 degrees and sun drenched skies overhead, I deemed it too hot and too beautiful to spend the afternoon in the kitchen.
So I packed the picnic basket with cups, plates, a blanket, and a good read, then called Mimma’s on Brady Street to request an antipasto platter. Fifteen minutes later Scott and I picked up our order and some drinks then headed to Klode Park.
Perched on the shore of Lake Michigan in Whitefish Bay, Klode Park offers a breathtaking view of the bay. We found an empty table and spread out the platter of salami, prosciutto, cheese, olives, tomato salad, caponata, marinated vegetables and bread.
We munched on the delicate meats and chilled vegetables and watched as parents guided towel-wrapped tots down the well-maintained walkway to the water, couples nestled close on benches, and three college-aged guys kicked around a soccer ball in ever-closer proximity to our table.
I don’t know why, but for some reason we seem to attract guys with fast-flying objects. A couple of weeks ago two teens were tossing a baseball at the beach, no doubt trying to impress a cute girl sitting nearby. Although there was an abundance of empty sand behind then, they decided the best place for their activity was approximately ten feet from my sun-baked head. Needless to say, there were a couple of close calls.
But sporting activities aside, the park was the perfect place to enjoy our picnic. The cool, small portions proved to be the perfect size for a hot summer afternoon; they would also be a nice option for an upcoming evening at Jazz in the Park.
I made a mental note to put Mimma’s on speed dial as we packed up our picnic goods and strolled down to the path to the beach.
The calm waters were broken only by one lone boat cruising across the small inlet. We spread our blanket on the grassy incline and watched a small swarm of dragonflies buzz above us.
I tried to read some in my book, Ballad of the Whisky Robber, but despite the too-bizarre-not-to-be-true narrative, I just couldn’t give it my full attention.
Instead I ended up silently soaking up the last few lingering rays of sun and letting my mind wander around future plans for picnics, travel and , or course, more made easy meals to savor sometime this summer.
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