Sealed with a Kiss

Julie Babyar
17 min readDec 2, 2020

We best serve the world when we invest in nurturing our own culture. I’ll observe and participate in the TLC from where I belong: at home plate. Don’t worry, I’m not alone at base.

Get up to share a sugary treat sparingly. Yes the cereal is somewhat fortified and no, sugary cereals shouldn’t be a daily thing.

I’ll get down to support the tigers and grizzlies from time to time, too. When it comes to breakfast and being able to provide for one’s family, there’s no place like home.

Twist up the morning with a visit to Capistrano Beach Park. Let your inner Iggy showcase your Lust for Life, babe.

I’ll twist back in the weird California cloud light to make sure you’re still there, here.

Tell me you think Chicago the band is cool. Tell me you want them front and center on our playlist as we visit La Jolla, Encinitas and the surrounding areas today.

I’ll tell you that yes, you’ve read Chicago in frame since 2013 and no, you’re not dreaming. I’ve taken control of the entire narrative rightfully, it’s mine and I prefer honesty as a public trait, sealed with a kiss.

Tell me to say cheese.

I’ll tell you to hold up, my would-be rock city pose has been interrupted with polish realization. Caught on camera, there’s no denying personality moods. This isn’t an issue for you, you’re always willing to wait. A few minutes of nail, wax or spa time puts me in an undeniably good mood and you know it.

Smile when I return, knowing you’ve secured an all-day best mood.

I’ll smile back, because I’m from Chicago’s Rock City. Oh I feel happy now.

Love you babe, let’s roll.

Quietly regard the sea birds as they spend some bonding time together in La Jolla. Regard how you are similar, bringing me here for same.

I’ll quietly regard the way oceans do not pacify the way a lake does. Should we find ourselves among the Illinois feathers at Mallard Lake, in Bloomingdale, I’ll point out my old apartment. Old Days apartment to the east, and Hanover Park o the west, and you could just sit quietly with me in between, letting Illinois lakes still our hearts.

Seal in your marine education by knowing the difference between seals and sea lions. Today I finally observed humility and asked about it, in a place where no other animals or zoo education would interfere with ability to remember what I’m taught.

I’ll seal in these La Jolla seals, they do not have feet for walking, they are much quieter and they don’t have external ears.

Feel how good the warmth among rocky shores feels. My first rocky shore outside of Evanston was Lake Charlevoix, one of the coolest and most beautiful towns ever. Like SF, there’s no need for me to always pack a swimsuit near the UP. The UP is so beautiful to walk, though, even in the wind.

I’ll feel how good it feels to consider which day of every single day I’ll choose to my bikini in San Diego. Even if they don’t have the most amazing tomato and tortellini Charlevoix soup nearby…

Let the light on the wave crests endear you closer to those far out in the Pacific, those living a watchful life for us.

I’ll let the light that reflects on the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse endear all closer to our Lake Michigan protectors. An urban, international city balances local water dedication so seamlessly.

Let light guide the way toward accompanying me home.

Get adventurous with cave exploration.

I’ll get adventurous when you take us off tour, whether I’m 25 or 64. We’ll make our own heat while the would-be peeping toms bark up sunbathes elsewhere.

Grow curious over these seal beaches, where people just hang with the marine life.

I’ll grow curious from afar. I didn’t pack sandals and I’m kind of into giving marine life some space anyway.

I’ll grow curious on collective growth, too. We’ve all seen what happens when people feel compelled to cramp space as a result of seals. Perhaps this will be the day everyone accepts my life modeling and advice: space, ask, courage, wrap up.

Escape with me along Girard Ave. It’s Hard to Say I’m Sorry when I never asked to have the surveillance spotlight. Plus, I’m not feeling sorry about this cool new year of potential smooches.

I’ll escape with you alongside the legit La Jolla art.

Point out that baby, what a big surprise! Chicago pizza date nights ahead.

I’ll point out that La Jolla has prep covered so we can rock and roll all night.

Plan a great date night down a main street.

I’ll plan for an evening view of the water, just as I could in Chicago.

Will there be more than just a few dates, or are you planning to Shop Around first?

Walk along the Random California Art as you keep it up with your healthy walks, twittering along blue feather trails. If you’re in the mood, be like Minneapolis me and make sure True Blue is on your evening out walk playlist.

I’ll walk us over to Walker Bros Pancakes one day, and we can visit Richard Walker’s until then.

Spend Saturday in the Park alongside me.

I’ll spend Saturday in the Park appreciating and loving you, even if it’s not the Fourth of July.

Marvel at a Wolverine’s brush strokes.

I’ll Marvelette at the new life we rise to with coastal views. As hard as it is to live away from family, we always have Please Mr. Postman to deliver.

Bridge the science and beach communities. Let’s hold hands as we travel the Scripps Crossing Pedestrian Bridge.

I’ll bridge some Quad time with you in Moline, East Moline and Rock Island.

An beautiful drive, no one need lose their seat in Island cities.

Don’t waste a minute of precious time approving a date here in La Jolla.

I won’t waste a minute of precious time try to cover up the facts: I can’t wait to hang out with you. If platonically, sealed with a hug. If romantically and otherwise, sealed with a kiss.

Drive me over to the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

I’ll drive you over to some differences here than the Fairgrounds in my home region. For starters, Del Mar has cool statues and palms. Also, I note the lack of public health opportunities taken. When there’s no place like home, we can seal in new additions where we are. I’d add public health messaging (perhaps operations) here to be honest.

Ask me Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

I’ll respond that I love neighbors most, it’s likely a profiled trait by now. So perhaps it’s time for some Miracles and Like A Prayer, perhaps it’s time to be Giving You the Best that I Got, perhaps it’s time to Lose Yourself, perhaps it’s time for that Old Time Rock and Roll, perhaps it’s time for your love to lift me Higher and Higher and perhaps it’s time you put on My Girl, Sugar Pie.

I’ll respond that it’s always time for RESPECT and it’s always time for Superstition. I’ll respond that it’s always time to tell you that Someday we’ll be together.

And I’ll respond that perhaps the most fitting complimentary soundtrack for a Berry Gordy tribute could include You’re the Inspiration. Not sure why he hasn’t had a major motion picture so we learn more, to be honest.

It’s always time to love and prioritize our neighbors, and it is always time to help our neighbors walk their proud culture with enthusiastic spotlight, and this is the response from your Mockingjay.

Take me to the blues of the Southern California Coast as we further the conversation on Midwest music.

I’ll take you across borders with no walls. You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me, babe. Someday when this lady accompanies you, she’ll seal it with a kiss.

True blue, baby I love you.

Cherish the time handed to you (I want more than just romance). Perhaps this will include soup, sandwich and a walk through Algonquin, such an incredibly lovely town. Perhaps this will include my Grandfather’s music.

I’ll cherish the time hands we have, in hopes they match up.

Imagine the White Christmas that we could have when you accompany me to Chicago.

I’ll imagine the snowflake necklace I could wear as we stroll past Bing Crosby Hall. It’ll likely match my 2014–2015 snowflake necklace, the one included for Christmas Eve picture I took for my Twitter profile.

I’ll imagine that a good mock needn’t be required for Oval Office, yet this isn’t true any longer (thanks, Obama!). Man, the current Oval Office occupant is so awful at good mock he wouldn’t even get a bribed LinkedIn endorsement for it. The lack of self-awareness of the current occupant is quite astonishing. If one can’t do the job right, let another get it done.

By the way, when the camera flashed with the picture I chose, I for some reason thought to myself that Brian Chesky was a handsome guy. And I posted that one. Still have the snowflake necklace, too.

I’ll imagine this snowflake happily dreaming of White Christmases and Eiffel towers and future tap dances because I Love You Truly, through any Presidential Potters. Yes, housing matters and nope, the way one acts as a landlord or homeowner lawmaker is no joke.

Showcase to the departing talentless how a good mock works, babe. Get it done, catch this snowflake with a little French influence.

Circle the evergreens en route to more Christmas reminders.

I’ll circle you back to Stratford Square one day soon. The closest mall with the most affordable stores is obviously going to carry so many memories.

I’ll circle us back to anything Stratford until we visit Bloomingdale, because it is important in my heart. There is no Sporty’s here so let’s play Huey Lewis to make up for it.

Colour My World with awesome Solana Beach track scenes. Warm and sunny during Christmas talk is about the only time I repetitively miss snow. Colorful scenes blot out the yearn.

Okay, not always.

I’ll color your world with black and white truths. Skokie is a wonderful community, Skokie keeps people’s daily lives in priority and Skokie is an awesome representation for Illinois. And I miss when the snow is melting and spring is starting and it feels like everything has a new chance to grow alongside familiar Chicago days.

Loving no place like home is pretty black and white.

Appreciate the archways of Solana Beach’s Coastal Rail Trail.

I’ll appreciate Encinitas’ Design District. Cedros Avenue is really cool.

Be blunt in your talents. Encintas has this covered.

I’ll be blunt in my talents, and thank you for supporting my publications with financial waivers. A future where indigenous health delivery is equitable is a future I look forward to. We can observe concepts of products, ownership and materialism in healthcare as part of this future.

Share a craft.

I’ll share some more culture considerations.

Stop and love the local artwork with me, perhaps debating if wolverines really do look similar to small red bears.

I’ll stop and love your drama llamas as I’ve tried to do over the past several years. Maybe I’ll suggest we go for a ride though so we can place it all in the rear view.

Decide on the holiday cheer to reflect your energy this year. We needn’t travel to Frankenmuth to get in the spirit...though Frankenmuth is pretty legit fyi.

I’ll decide on a few new joys. Decorating Christmas trees? Come meet my Chicago family, nobody does it better. The Millenium Park Christmas Tree as we stroll Chicago Christmas scenes works too.

Pick up a small surprise along the way.

I’ll pick up the afternoon chill, a perfect remedy while waiting outside.

Initial your path in signature style.

I’ll initial a welcome-in door with mine.

Appreciate the cool Cardiff by the Sea signs, they are my favorite of the coastal towns along route.

I’ll appreciate the San Elijo Lagoon wildflowers.

Mention that you love Pure California.

I’ll mention that I love Pure California, too.

Read up on the Batiquitos Lagoon.

I’ll read up on the nice gentlemen ready to provide directions.

Suggest we sit and rest awhile.

I’ll suggest we do so here.

Regard the stillness of the Batiquitos waters.

I’ll regard the way Lemont keeps roaring water pristine. Waterfall Glen awaits.

Be content with the way you truly appreciate that there’s no place like home, including the new home you’ve built for yourself.

I’ll be content with appreciating Agua Hedionda lagoon views in temporary homes.

Be more content with hush puppy home-cooking and, yes, I make really good ones.

I’ll be more content with some White Fence Farm dinners, once you’re ready to visit.

Tell me that you’re from the planet Vulcan and you’re ready to return.

I’ll tell you that if you leave me now, you’ll take away the very heart of me (ooooo no, baby please don’t go).

Look up for a bright visit to Encinitas.

I’ll look up for some additional Random California Art. It always makes such a big splash.

Keep us secure while we admire the landmark bricks.

I’ll keep us secure from any before breakfast / after breakfast arguments. Non violence, all the time. For everything else in reality? Bulletproof vests.

Appreciate just one more incredible Random California Art.

I’ll appreciate Random California Art alongside you.

Appreciate the downtown vibrance of historical and new Encinitas along it’s sometimes rocky shores.

I’ll appreciate the similarities to Evanston, where historical and new designs go hand in hand. Ridge Avenue is a treasure.

Steer me in to Oceanside Harbor.

I’ll steer you over to South San Francisco similarities. Or….perhaps more of an I-Block?

Anchor me with a Vallejo-esque view.

I’ll anchor you with a smooch right about here.

Wind down our evening with Sea Lion Island. Barefootin’, they pat their feet and I’m all the wiser now. For some more Wilson Pickett appreciation, we could consider how they waddle over to one another, an isLand of a Thousand Dances.

I’ll wind down future evenings, barefoot with the sea lions once more (later on). This was a cool neighbor to visit, even with all the barking.

Tell me that you want a few more minutes of bark time.

I’ll tell you that you get to choose dinner tonight, and I get to choose Dog N Suds when we’re traveling Illinois. You have not had a better root beer.

Make the awful moments better, like when Oceanside adds traffic circle artwork.

I’ll make the awful twittering days brighter with some moments away from screentime.

Wonder if a monorail view would bring about more peace at Buena Vista Lagoon.

I’ll wonder if you would love the Illinois Central and Kankakee views as much. Illinois Amtrak views are so peaceful, and so wonderful, and show the greatness of our state. Let’s turn on some Steve Goodman now, babe, I’m feeling heartstrings.

Stay with me as the sun sets over Carlsbad skies.

I’ll stay with you through the night, and perhaps we can rise to Chicago sun skies one day soon.

Close the evening with the Deer Park Winery and some motor appreciation.

I’ll close our evening ever appreciative of Motorola in Deer Park, where 65 Roses hearts shaped a best Great Strides team. Deer Park is a great community.

Respond to antique car enthusiasts with enthusiasm.

I’ll respond the same, it’s awesome when others stoke passions not my own.

Mention that you’d like to peruse the auto museum with me further.

I’ll mention that Volo has all you could ever want.

Stand around and model heroics with me. Not sure about Panam windows, but the Boeing and others welcome individual snowflake shape in real-time.

Sincerely admire the hard work, upkeep and respect that Deer Park Winery buffs in every inch of their auto museum.

I’ll sincerely admire the hard work that goes into Deer Park wines. Perhaps they are as delicious as Tabor Hill, we’ll find out.

Take a quiet moment to love the Napa and Sonoma petals reflected here.

I’ll take a quite moment to love that I paired the computer guys with Sufjan Stevens to my music mind. Because I love Sufjan Stevens extremely, and I understand him, I understand all his means to connect to us.

Ask me to dance, despite the rocky waters of recent years.

This Rock Island lover will decorate her external ears to match any beloved necklaces.

Frame me however you choose.

I’ll frame how this has played out, sealed with a kiss.

Make up your demon face, babe, you’re about to show them how to handle a snowflake.

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Julie Babyar
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If we are to meet on each others’ fields then may we always meet at home.