Welcome to Morgan Terrace

Walk Score

2008-07-19T11:40:00.001-05:00

Our Walk Score here at Morgan Terrace is 86 out of 100, placing us in the "Very Walkable" category, just four points from being in a Walker's paradise. Chicago is #4 on the list of most walkable cities.

That's a significant improvement over our score where we lived in Lake Forest - 40, which is "Car Dependent."

And in Atlanta, at Barnes Place, we had a score of 77, "Very Walkable."

Long John Strives for Top Dog Status

2008-06-26T21:07:00.004-05:00

Come out and cheer Team Long John to Victory!

MidWest Dachshund Races
Arlington Park Race Track
Thursday, July 3
Races start at 7 p.m.

Weighing in at 10.5 pounds, and at 11 years old, classifying for a prime position in the Senior Sausage age category, Long John Dornacher will hit the speedway for top dog prize at next week's MidWest Dachshund Races.

"We really hope that he'll cut the mustard and more than ketchup with the crowd, but set the pace," said Team Long John manager, Anthony Dornacher.

Long John has been training, doing morning laps around the block in the West Loop.

"Now that Oprah is on summer hiatus, we don't have a gaggle of Oprah fans lining up to see the show. Their 'Ooing' and 'Ahhing' and 'Is that one of those wiener dogs?'-cooing just offered up a distraction," observed his coach, Timothy State.

Manager Anthony Dornacher is concerned about the fragility of Long John's aging spine. To counteract any discomfort, State has been icing the arch of his back, giving daily massages, and providing him fish oil capsules for lubrication.

"Everything's moving faster, and I suspect he's going to do well." said State. "I mean, this dog is all rib cage and abs, suspended under one supple spine, his bottle nose breaking the wind. I dare any Oprah fan to try to catch him. Sans their gold lamé heels."

Long John Overcomes Adversity

CUE: Jim McKay 'Wide World of Sports' Sympathy Music

Jim McKay: Having recently lost his lifetime companion, Sheleata Kanatuna, to a dreadful cancer known as feline fiber sarcoma, Long John succumbed to a downward spiral of doom -- depression. For weeks on end, he failed to get out of bed.

In March, he hit rock bottom, incessantly licking his paws while longing in the bed all day.

It was during this period that Manager Dornacher left town for for a business trip with his new job. For two weeks, he was in Macon, Georgia, with parachuting Elvi (the plural of Elvis) and Miss Georgia, where Dornacher grand opened an upscale shopping center. Irony aside, Long John was left at home to care for State.

When State forgot to eat, Long John was forced to take charge. With vivacious energy, Long John circled the block. He ran freely, ears flapping in the breeze. A liveliness not seen since before the days of Sheleata Kanatuna's sudden demise.

They say that the body heals through motion. They say that the body heals the mind. And so, through motion, he healed his mind, and his depression. Long John, he runs. He runs like the wind. To be free again.

But he had such a long way to go, to make it to the border of Mexico. So he runs like the wind.

And then injury.

While Manager Dornacher was schmoozing Georgian Beauty Queens, Long John's rear right foot was consumed by the building's entry door in a tragic morning walk accident. What was left was skin, flapping in the breeze. In a role reversal, State scooped up the hobbling wiener, whisking him away to the emergency vet where a team of medial experts patched his foot back together, ironically, by applying glue to his hoof.

CUE: Jim McKay 'Wide World of Sports' Rebound Music

Long John worked through his inner depression through taking to the streets. His hoof now healed, he's back, and he's stronger than ever. Next week, will he take the title in the Senior Sausage category? Will he achieve a dream only Sheleata could have hoped for?

# # #

Happy Memorial Day

2008-05-26T08:58:00.002-05:00

Hoosier House, originally uploaded by Timothy State.

Wishing everyone a relaxing day. Take a moment to remember those who gave their lives to set up this day for relaxing.

A Wake for Sheleata Kanatuna

2008-03-30T15:00:00.001-05:00

A small intimate crowd came together last night to remember Sheleata Kanatuna while celebrating Earth Hour. Taking photos was a bit of a challenge with the only light provided by 200 votive candles. But we did manage to snap a few, and they are now posted on the web.

Friends hosted a wake in Atlanta last night as well. They sent us a few snapshots that we've also posted.

Four items were left, and they have been posted in the Gallery of Lost Dishes.

Happy Easter

2008-03-23T09:53:00.001-05:00

Hope your Easter is a Scream!

Long John Banged Up

2008-03-17T21:14:00.004-05:00

Long John got in the way of the door this morning -- as it was opening. Another dog barked, and he turned into the door to bark at him, his foot getting stuck underneath the door.

The resulting flesh wound wasn't too bad, but the flapping scrap of skin and fur about made me vomit, especially when he plopped down after eating his breakfast to lick the wound.

So I scooped him up and we were off to a 6:30 a.m. visit to the animal E.R. I won't tell you what they did, but here you can see his new look with the lampshade and a coordinating gauze bow. I'm concerned that tomorrow's Oprah fans are going to eat him for breakfast, he looks so cute.

A Wake for Sheleata Kanatuna

2008-03-09T15:57:00.006-05:00

Celebrating His Life, One Casserole at a Time

Saturday, March 29, 2008
7:05 p.m.

Join us for a celebration of Sheleata Kanatuna's Life.

Please bring a dish (a cat-serole, if you will) to share and the beverage of your choice. Appetizers and mixers provided. Mourning bonnets strongly encouraged.

R.S.V.P. Now.

Earth Hour

The evening also celebrates Earth Hour. Please turn off all your lights before joining us. If you cannot join us, please consider signing up for Earth Hour, and turning off your lights and powering down all electrical items from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m..

Better Late Than Never: Annual Report to Caregivers Now On-Line

2008-02-16T12:25:00.007-06:00

Our Annual Report for Caregivers is now available on-line. For the past several years, we've found ourselves in transition around the holidays, which have made it difficult to send out holiday greetings and our annual summary of all things Morgan Terrace. And this year, Sheleata Kanatuna's illness and passing delayed the announcement.

We had some down time over the holidays to pull together an update on the animals, quick links to trip photos and stories, and a feature new this year: "Is This Thing On?" podcast, featuring the Best Voicemail Messages left us in 2007. It's now all posted and ready for your browsing. We hope you'll check it out.

Our very best for a prosperous year: may it be filled with love, laughter, and healthy living.

All our love,
Tim & Tony

Remembering Sheleata Kanatuna

2008-01-30T20:58:00.000-06:00

Related Links

Earlier this evening, Sheleata Kanatuna, Tiger Prince of Barnes Place and then Morgan Terrace, peacefully succumbed to feline fibrosarcoma, an invasive cancer in the connective tissue. He was nearly twelve.

Mr. Kanatuna was diagnosed in August and underwent an exorcism to remove the demon tumor that had appeared in the roof of his mouth. There was a chemotherapy and radiation treatment option, and his medical team suggested an air lift to Purdue University where he could have been attached to a machine.

Always noble and not one for travel, Mr. Kanatuna opted for the less-invasive home hospice care. On his last evening, he dined on chicken liver, surrounded by family and the books he so loved, purring loudly as he gazed from his perch one last time.

Not one to follow another agenda, Mr. Kanatuna scratched at the face of death in his final moments before crossing over to a place of peace.
Continue Reading Sheleata Kanatuna's Biography

Remembering Mr. Kanatuna

Mr. Kanatuna is survived by Director of Catering and Guest Relations Anthony Dornacher, Director of Ambiance and Entertainment Timothy State, Long John, and Buster Highmen.

In lieu of flowers, fans of Mr. Kanatuna are encouraged to make a donation in his memory to the Atlanta Humane Society, or Chicago's Anti-Cruelty Society.

Dornacher and State will be hosting a wake for Mr. Kanatuna on a date in March, still to be set. More information on Sheleata Kanatuna's wake will be available at www.MorganTerrace.net.

Elvis Birthday Party All Shook Up

2008-01-06T15:05:00.000-06:00

Over 80 people came together to pay tribute to the King of Rock and Roll, singing happy birthday as the banana creme-filled cake was cut. The best cape prize goes to Roxilana Hays and Synoma Hays. A runner up nod goes to Rich Saucedo and Mark Liberson.

Photos of the evening have been published in a quicktime slideshow, which is now available in the Events section of MorganTerrace.net.

Five items were left behind and are now posted in the Gallery of Lost Dishes. Guest can go to the Gallery to claim their dish and arrange for the item's return.

The best Guest Book Comment of the night goes to Bobby Murphy, who penned, "Thanks for the invite to pi."

Many thanks to all who joined us for the evening. We hope you had as much fun as we did hosting you at Morgan Terrace.

Our Next Event

2007-12-16T20:31:00.000-06:00

Dornacher Accepts Employment Offer

2007-10-30T08:17:00.000-05:00

Months of keying recipes into the computer, swapping grocery store novels over the internet, and dozing off mid-afternoon while reading the Wall Street Journal have come to a close for Anthony Dornacher. Since March when he was right-sized (for the forth time) after 13-years of service with American Express, his sole title in life has been Director of Catering and Guest Relations. Today, he took on a new role, reporting to the corporate headquarters of General Growth Properties as their Manager of Gift Card Technology.

Dornacher will oversee the technology components of the gift card program to be implemented at General Growth's 200-plus shopping centers around the country.

The position taps into his account and project management experience, and technical oversight. It represents a venture into the quickly expanding industry of gift cards, and a departure from the shrinking industry of travel management.

"This is a huge adjustment for all," said Timothy State, director of ambiance and entertainment, referring to Dornacher reporting to an office after working out of the house for nearly 10 years. "I suspect the animals will start behaving better, now that they will not be held, stroked, and coddled throughout the day."

At the completion of his first day, Dornacher brought home stories of "the ladies at the office," observation from the cube farm that is his new surroundings, and a keycard that provides access to the toilet.

Photo Links and Travel Links Updated

2007-09-15T12:57:00.000-05:00

We spent some time updating the links on the Photos page and on the Travel page. Included you'll find photos from our summer trip to London and Italy, Labor Day weekend photos, and the Macy's protest.

Breaking News: Cancer Confirmed in Sheleata

2007-09-06T23:15:00.000-05:00

Another phone call during the dinner hour confirmed that Sheleata Kanatuna's tests came back positive for Feline Fibrosarcoma, a malignant (invasive) cancer originating from fibrous connective tissue. It can spread to other parts of the body. Sheleata has a follow-up appointment scheduled for next week, and more details will be available at that time.

Sheleata Kanatuna Diagnosed with Potential Cancer

2007-08-21T20:10:00.000-05:00

Sheleata Kanatuna, tiger prince of Morgan Terrace, has been diagnosed with oral spindle cell sarcoma. Dr. Scott called this evening to follow-up on tests run following last week's removal of a growth in Sheleata's mouth. The growth was discovered by Director of Ambiance and Entertainment Timothy State when he found the cat sitting in the bathroom sink.

"He appeared to be panting," said State, who noticed a pink tongue-like appendage sticking out of his mouth a week ago last Saturday. "I yelled to Tony to turn on the air conditioning. I figured the cat was practically passed out, panting in the porcelain sink. But then I noticed it was his upper lip that was pink."

Sunday, the pink appendage, Demarris, was large enough to name, and when the the vet examined Sheleata on Monday morning, its grotesque proportions caused the vet to cringe and dry heave. "I've never seen anything like this," she said as she whisked Sheleata away for a second opinion. Within the hour, Sheleata was under the knife. Director of Catering and Guest Relations Tony Dornacher sat in the waiting room as the exorcism was performed. Extracting Demarris from his soul, the growth and a bad tooth completely removed.

When State returned home from the office, Sheleata was stumbling around the house like a drunk frat boy. He sat on the counter, admiring the kitchen knives before making love to them by rubbing against them repeatedly. He's recovered comfortably this week, and all was well until tonight, when the phone rang -- bad news always comes when the family has just sat down to dinner.

More tests need to be run. It might be cancerous, it might not be. We just don't know. There's a machine at Perdu University we could hook the cat up to and it would do something, but the machine is not working right now. If it is cancer, we can sit down with a cat oncologist and discuss treatment options. The cat jumped up on the dinner table and lounged like Elizabeth Taylor in a Turner Classic Movie, Demarris just a distant memory. Tony hung up the phone. Sheleata's tail fanned the table.

"Depending on cost..." Dornacher's voice trailed off as he ate some applesauce.

"I say we put Buster down," said State, cutting a pork chop. "Let's let the cat live his final days in peace."

There are many unanswered questions. But truth lives no farther than the internet, particularly once one figures out how to spell. Spindle cell sarcoma is a type of connective tissue cancer where the cells take on a spindle shape. "Oral" is attached to indicate it's found in the mouth, or oral region. Google knows all.

Tour Morgan Terrace

2007-08-19T16:48:00.000-05:00

You can now click on individual rooms in the Morgan Terrace Floorplan to see current photos of those rooms. Check out the photos snapped last night before welcoming guests to dinner.

Frisky Kitchen Blog Now Incorporated

2007-08-19T16:26:00.000-05:00

See what's cooking in the Frisky Kitchen on the new Frisky Kitchen Blog. Director of Catering and Guests Relations Anthony Dornacher posts recipes he's preparing, as well as menus. And when he gets a recipe to share, he also posts it.

The new Frisky Kitchen Blog is located in the writing section. You can also get to it through the new sub-domain, friskykitchen.morganterrace.net.

Introducing Bernadette

2007-05-30T20:50:00.000-05:00

We heard from many of you when Blanche kicked the bucket. Or, rather, took the confetti slug in the chest. We were sad that day, too.

But now we've discovered Bernadette, who has a sleek, stylish urban look fitting for loft living. Help us welcome our new Social Secretary, Bernadette.

Dornacher Photo Published

2007-05-30T19:14:00.000-05:00

A snapshot by Tony Dornacher of the fish motels in the Chicago River is included in The Chicago River: A History in Photographs, by Johnathan Grenzen and just released by Westcliffe Publishers. The photo, on page 83, is part of a photo essay closing the book which portrays the revitalization of the Chicago River as a natural and recreational habitat.

Astonishing tales and stunning photographs fill this book to guide the reader through the continually-evolving relationship the city and its river from 1600 to present day. Historical maps and drawings paired with black and white and color photos illustrate the starring role which the Chicago River plays.

"The story of the Chicago River is in many ways the story of Chicago itself--a narrative of a city, its people, and the struggle between urban development and the natural landscape." -- Johnathan Grenzen

Dornacher's photos was published on his Flickr account where the author found it and asked for permission to include it in the book. Dornacher is one of several accomplished photographers who had pictures of the river included.

The book is available for purchase on-line.

Loftwärmen: It's a Party When Someone Eats the Cat Food

2007-03-05T11:07:00.000-06:00

A big thanks to our over 70 guests who joined us for our first event, Loftwärmen. We hope everyone enjoyed the evening as much as we did. Photos are now posted in the Events section.

You know it's a party when someone eats the cat food. Although, I must say it really is our fault. More specifically, my fault. I should have known that our guests at this first event would not know all the ins-and-outs of our household. People eat from pottery, ceramic, porcelain, and glass. Occasionally crystal. Animals eat from polished stainless steel.

Years ago we discovered that if we fed the cat like we feed the dogs, just once a day, then he would binge eat, which led to obesity. He's already fairly big-boned with our house weighing in with more pounds in cat than in dog. So we started leaving the cat food out all the time for him to just graze whenever. It is like the Old Country Buffet, only with just one Nutro OceanFish flavor.

Of course, leaving the food out, we had to set it up so that Long John wouldn't help himself to the grazing. Once while balancing the checkbook, I realized we were spending an exponentially extraordinary amount on pet food. Upon closer examination, in one month's time, our pet food expense tripled. They were already eating the top-self feed, so it's not like Tony decided they needed something better all of a sudden -- they couldn't get anything better.

When I almost pulled out my back picking up Long John I put two and two together and got fifteen pounds, figuring out that it was he who was grazing so continuously, after learning how to jump onto an end table, and then up on the table where Sheleata's food was. Quite the acrobatics for a dog with just 4-inch legs.

There are not many places where food is totally inaccessible to a dog, save for the kitchen counter. So we have placed the cat's food on the kitchen counter in his polished stainless steel bowl. He drinks directly from the fountain, and not from a bowl, so there is no water dish sitting next to the food that might serve as a sign.

With no sign, the gentleman grazed through the cat food before making a funny face, and well before Tony could scoop up the bowl to place it in a more secure location. Nothing a stiff drink couldn't fix.

Lesson learned: "OceanFish-flavored Sheleata Kanatuna Appetizer" is how we will now label the Sheleata Kanatuna's dish.

First Event Scheduled

2007-02-11T19:38:00.000-06:00

Buster, Long John, and Sheleata Kanatuna have decided they would like to host a loft-warming event, so will be inviting folks over. More details.

Travel Section Updated

2007-02-10T12:40:00.000-06:00

The travel section has been updated, and now has links to our latest vacation - Costa Rica. Postcards from the road and photos are now all linked from there.

Items to be Completed

2006-12-31T15:56:00.000-06:00

Updated 01/12/07
Updated 01/20/07
Updated 01/21/07
Updated 01/22/07
Updated 02/18/07

In the category of electrical

~~Outlet expansion at bookshelf~~
~~Outlet installation in closet~~
Outlet installation above fireplace
Outlet plate cover replaced on media outlet
~~Dimmer switches installed~~
Bookshelf lighting expansion (8' to 14'/4 heads to 7 heads)
~~Master bathroom outlet secured~~
~~Bedroom ceiling fan replaced~~
~~Kitchen ceiling fan replaced (extension rod on order)~~
Dining Room Cluster Chandelier Concept
~~3 x 3-way high-efficiency bulbs~~
~~75w high-efficiency bulb for master closet~~
~~1 high-efficiency flood light for Jesus~~
Under-cabinet lighting upgrade

~~In the category of unpacking~~

~~2 x 36"x12" bookshelves~~
~~Unpack photography and store in boxes~~

In the category of decorating

~~Hang Jesus~~
~~Brick wall picture hanging system~~
Hang pictures
Touch-up paint
~~Throw pillows~~
Rectangular lamp shade

In the category of downsizing

~~Sell bar table and chairs~~
Give Bob & Tom patio chair and table
Store Christmas tree
Store coffee table and end table
~~Sell iMac (reformat drive first)~~
~~Determine fate of area rugs~~ Out-a-here!
~~Return computer cart~~
~~Sell Skandia shelving units not needed~~

Everything Goes - The Move is Complete

2006-12-13T19:08:00.000-06:00

"What all in here moves?" the mover asked us on Friday morning as we packed the final things in the office.

"Everything," I said.

"Everything?" he asked.

"Everything."

"No," Tony interrupted. "Not everything." He gave me the glare of death only a crazed lunatic can shoot your direction just moments before he tells you the apocalypse is coming. "We're taking the computer equipment."

"Why?" I asked.

"Because, we didn't get that much insurance." Tony stretched packaging tape across the top of a box.

"It's in its original boxes. With Styrofoam. We could drop-kick it off a loading dock and it would be fine."

"No. We're taking those."

"Tony, how do you expect us to fit it in the car? The car is full."

"We'll come back for it."

"So we're paying movers thousands of dollars so that we can run back and forth between here and Chicago because you don't want them to touch something that's in the original packaging protecting it on its way across the Pacific and the Western United States?" I turned to the mover. "Everything goes."

"No, it stays."

"Everything goes. Take it all."

"No, it's all staying."

The mover stood there, his head bobbing back and forth like he's watching suburban housewives volley a tennis ball before hitting the mimosas.

"So I need to know what you want us to move in this room?"

"Everything."

"No!"

"Don't listen to him. He doesn't know you're movers."

It only took three trips between Lake Forest and our new Chicago pad, but all is moved and we are now in the process of unpacking. While things are coming together, the greatest challenge appears to be transitioning from a six-room house where living functions were divided by walls. Figuring out how those functions now blend together into one large open space is proving more complex than we anticipated.

Mention nothing of the items that used to live in the basement or the attic.

Grandma's Sofa Arrives Soon

2006-12-06T19:04:00.000-06:00

We're counting the hours. We move on Friday. We also receive delivery of Grandma's sofa on Friday afternoon. We decided to take this opportunity to have it recovered. Not that we were offended by the orange and red rose pattern, but I think we got the equivalent of thirty years of wear in the seven or so years we've had the sofa.

We had the two sections picked up about a month ago, and when they flipped them over to put them in their truck, the upholsterer got super-excited. Apparently, the sofa is a flex steel sofa, which uses a spring system that is one piece of steel. It was a patented technology, and the company is no longer in business and never sold the patent, so you cannot get a sofa anything like this anymore.

"It will be an honor to recover this sofa," she said. The process strips the sofa down to its frame. The frame and springs are checked and repaired as needed, and it's basically rebuilt from scratch.

They called today to confirm delivery. They're so proud of the work and how it looks, they put the sofa on display in the front window of the store. It's been there for only a few days, and they have already had people come in to inquire about the sofa.

I wish I could remember what fabric I picked out. But words I used to describe what I was looking for to the design consultant were, "modern, retro, contemporary, bold, classic, it belonged to my grandma." Those words, on the surface, might seem to contradict themselves, but, if I recall correctly, I think we picked a fabric that blends in a wonderful balance of visual energy.

I'm sad to report, however, the console stereo system is not making the move with us. After years of trying to get the turntable to work properly, we are throwing in the towel. The irony is that now people are questioning us for leaving it, and when we took it, we were questioned for taking it. We've taken apart the turntable a number of times, and were even able to get it working like new for a short while. Unfortunately, the moving parts just gum up when it sits, and unless we use it daily, we just can't keep it working. We're hoping to find it a home that someone will truly appreciate it for what it is, but that seems to present a challenge. We will, however, keep the record collection (which we have added to), and I think we may even work to digitize the entire collection. Of course, the advantage is that we will be able to string tracks together for a continuous, multi-hour Muscatine soundtrack.

Welcome to Morgan Terrace

Walk Score

Long John Strives for Top Dog Status

Happy Memorial Day

A Wake for Sheleata Kanatuna

Happy Easter

Long John Banged Up

A Wake for Sheleata Kanatuna

Celebrating His Life, One Casserole at a Time

Saturday, March 29, 20087:05 p.m.

Earth Hour

Better Late Than Never: Annual Report to Caregivers Now On-Line

Remembering Sheleata Kanatuna

Elvis Birthday Party All Shook Up

Our Next Event

Dornacher Accepts Employment Offer

Photo Links and Travel Links Updated

Breaking News: Cancer Confirmed in Sheleata

Sheleata Kanatuna Diagnosed with Potential Cancer

Tour Morgan Terrace

Frisky Kitchen Blog Now Incorporated

Introducing Bernadette

Dornacher Photo Published

Loftwärmen: It's a Party When Someone Eats the Cat Food

First Event Scheduled

Travel Section Updated

Items to be Completed

Everything Goes - The Move is Complete

Grandma's Sofa Arrives Soon

Saturday, March 29, 2008
7:05 p.m.