December is a most depressing month in Chicago. Being so far north in this part of the world we have very limited sunshine. What few minutes of sun we have will be blocked out by the abundance of tall buildings.
As evidence of this, I have during my painful and cold walks, recorded with my camera some evidence of what we have endured during December, one of our coldest months on record.
A word of warning: these are pictures suggested not to be viewed by those with less than a strong heart. What will be viewed is NOT a pleasant sight.

Sometimes the pressure of city life in Chicago becomes more than an individual can withstand.
Since Halloween we have been subject to non-stop Christmas music. Crowds of shoppers everywhere. All marching to the same Christmas message...."BUY","BUY","BUY".
Time to escape the city. But where? Oh, there is such a place. Located south of Chicago. The climate is warmer. Time has only one speed....very slow.
Electricity is just a recent intrusion. No computers. No traffic signals (there is no traffic).
The closest stores are beyond the earth's curvature.
It was in such a place I was fortunate to come across in my travels recently. Unfortunately the location of this place of SOLITUDE cannot be disclosed.
However, attached are some pictures of what can be found here...NOTHING. Just one message, PEACE ON EARTH. I found it.

Oh to be able to roam the alleys in Chicago, once again. Unable to do so at the present time due to the inclimate weather conditions, I have only the memory of what is to be found in those dark byways.
Such hidden beauty can be found in our historic alleys. My mind is reminded of the art treasures locked from the view of the casual tourists. Pictures not found in our world class museums. Yet to my untrained eyes this is really a form of "urban folk art".
For the sake of history, again with my camera, I have recorded some examples.
Some may argue, this is just another form of defacing a brick wall. That of course may be true. On the other hand, if done properly, the pictures add a certain type of beauty to an otherwise dull, ugly brick wall. Judge for yourself.

Lacking "snowshoes" and other items required to survive in this City Of Chicago, a suburb of Moscow, Russia, located in the foothills of Siberia, we are left to ponder our faith.
Unable to forge for food until the first "thaw", we find ourselves under a form of "house arrest". Why, we wonder, are we so "insane" to live here? Nature, in all her glory, has cast her wrath upon our sinful souls.
Risking bodily harm, I took it upon myself to photograph a view of what lies outside our humble dwellings.
To some, this may appear to be a scene of natural beauty. We, who somehow have to exist in this element, it is a battle against every falling snowflake.

We are feeling the effects of Global Warming in Chicago. This month, December, is one of the coldest months on record here in the sister country of SIBERIA.
Sunday, I was forced to spend some of my food funds to get gas for my "museum quality" vehicle. Under normal circumstances this would be a routine undertaking. Not so in Chicago
After putting a few pints of precious gas into the vehicle, I inserted my credit card into the slot on the gas pump designated for credit cards. As is the story of my "miserable" life...TROUBLE!
Instead of a regular two inch receipt coming out of the gas pump, like a roll of toilet paper, out of control, the paper kept rolling out of the machine. Many feet of it covered my feet. I was informed the machine acted up because of the frigid weather (due to Global Warming).
Time to get on with the rest of horrible life, never knowing where and when the next "mishap" will take place.