Through the Keyhole - August 2026

 

Through the Keyhole AUGUST 2026 Take a break from your day... Not your typical company OR newsletter "Twisted rocks by river's bend, where water slides never end — speedboat sprays meet sandstone haze in America's Midwest playground maze."   Can you guess the location? How can it be August Already?  It’s that sweet, slightly bittersweet stretch where summer is still going strong but you can feel it starting to loosen its grip. The days are still hot and sticky, the cornfields are tall and golden, and the lakes are at their warmest — perfect for one last cannonball off the dock. But the evenings? They’re sneaking in a little earlier, carrying that first faint whisper of cool air that makes you grab a hoodie after sunset.   It’s the month of county fairs, sweet corn stands on the side of the road, and backyard barbecues that accidentally turn into bonfires. The cicadas are still screaming their hearts out, the lightning bugs are putting on one final show, and everyone’s squeezing in those last weekend getaways to the Dells, Door County, or up north before school supplies start appearing in every store like a surprise pop quiz.   There’s something nostalgic and a little magical about Midwest August. It’s peak golden hour light, warm nights that feel like they’ll never end (even though they will), and that quiet understanding that fall is creeping up behind the horizon with pumpkins, football, and apple cider.   Soak it up while it lasts — eat the extra tomato from the garden, take the long way home with the windows down, and say yes to one more boat ride. August doesn’t last forever… but man, it sure knows how to go out swinging.   This fall, our youngest son, Chase heads off to Purdue University, and just like that… the house will be officially empty (with the exception of our beloved Golden - Don Julio).   It’s wild how fast it happens. One minute you’re teaching him to ride a bike, and the next you’re helping him pack up his dorm essentials and wondering how he got tall enough to look down on you. Purdue feels like the perfect next chapter for him — that Boilermaker spirit, the big campus energy, and all the new adventures waiting in West Lafayette. We’re so incredibly proud of the young man he’s become: smart, kind, curious, and ready.  A big plus is that all of us are now Boilermakers...   But I’d be lying if I said it won’t take some serious adjustment on our end. The dinner table will be a little smaller. No more random messes to clean up or surprise raids on the fridge at midnight. There will be moments when the silence feels loud. We’ll probably stand in his empty room for a second longer than necessary, smiling at old posters and laughing at the random junk he decided not to take.   At the same time, we’re excited. Excited for him to grow, explore, and figure out who he is beyond these four walls. And excited for us — to rediscover what life looks like when it’s just the two of us again. More spontaneous date nights, trips without worrying about practice schedules, and the chance to cheer him on from a new kind of distance.   It’s going to be a transition, no doubt. There will be proud ebraces when we drop him off, a few extra texts from us for a while, and probably a celebratory dinner when we get home. But mostly, we’re filled with gratitude. Gratitude for the chaos, the laughter, and the incredible ride of raising him. Fly high, kid.    Purdue’s lucky to have you. We appreciate you... At TURNkey IT, we truly appreciate every referral that comes our way...   We love working with small businesses because we know how hard you work to keep everything running. The last thing you want to deal with is frustrating computer problems, unreliable networks, cybersecurity worries, or technology that’s slowing you down. That’s where we come in.   When you refer a small business owner to us, you’re giving them the gift of peace of mind. We handle their IT proactively and reliably so they can spend their time doing what they actually love — growing their business, serving their customers, and focusing on what matters most to them.   We pride ourselves on being responsive, honest, and genuinely invested in our clients’ success. Whether it’s a small office, a growing retail shop, a medical practice, or a professional services firm, we treat every business like it’s our own.   If you know a business owner who’s tired of IT headaches and would rather focus on running their company, we’d be incredibly grateful if you passed our name along. Your referrals mean the world to us, and we always take great care of the people you send our way.  Who knows, you might even get a gift in return...   Thank you for trusting us. Guess the Location Game Last month the winner of the guess the location game was Hillary Ross who guessed the right answer.  I appreciate all of the participation.  THANKS FOR PLAYING! ANSWER: Staple Street Skybridge (aka Skybridge), Tribeca NYC "A tiny, beautiful 1907 covered bridge connecting two buildings over a narrow alley. It looks like something from a movie but most people walk right past it. Do you know what city this skybridge is located?" The Staple Street Skybridge is hands-down one of the coolest little hidden gems in New York City. Tucked away on a tiny cobblestone alley in Tribeca, this charming cast-iron footbridge looks like it wandered straight out of a movie set.   Built back in 1907, it was designed to connect two buildings owned by New York Hospital. One side (67 Hudson Street) was the "House of Relief," basically their emergency room setup, while the building across the way at 9 Jay Street handled laundry and parked the horse-drawn ambulances. Instead of making staff dodge traffic and chaos down below, they just added this handy skybridge so they could zip across with sheets, supplies, or patients—no fuss. You can still spot the old terra-cotta "N.Y.H." shield on the building, a fun little clue to its hospital days.   After the hospital moved on, the buildings got new lives, and in the 1980s fashion designer Zoran Ladicorbic bought them up and turned the bridge into his own private commute between home and studio. Fast-forward to 2022, and the whole unique setup (bridge included) sold for a jaw-dropping $24 million. Not bad for a century-old shortcut! These days it's part of the West Tribeca Historic District and feels like one of Manhattan's most photogenic surprises—think brick walls, fire escapes, and that perfect old-school vibe.   It's no wonder it pops up in films. You can catch it right at the start of Chantal Akerman’s 1976 documentary News from Home, where it helps set the moody 1970s New York scene. With its storybook looks, it’s also a favorite for photos, music videos, and anyone hunting that perfect "only in New York" shot. If you're wandering Tribeca, do yourself a favor and swing by—this little bridge is pure neighborhood magic.   impromptu photo shoot ~ 3 minutes WATCH THIS!! Residence inside the Skybridge just $22M...~2 minutes   More inside of this cool residence... ~2 minutes OK. I'll Bite... Ebenezer Movie Trailer Johnny Depp plays Scrooge this Thanksgiving ~2 minutes Blur out your house on Google Maps  ~ 10 minutes You GO Bob. Bob, a 65-year-old millionaire widower, strutted into the country club one afternoon with a jaw-dropping 25-year-old blonde on his arm. Heads turned, jaws dropped, and conversations froze mid-sentence.   She clung to him like he was the most fascinating man alive, laughing at every word, gazing up at him like he hung the moon. The other members could barely believe their eyes. Finally, a group of his buddies pulled him aside, whispering urgently: “Bob… how on earth did you score a girlfriend like that?”   Bob flashed a smug grin. “Girlfriend? Gentlemen, that’s my wife.”   Their eyes nearly popped out of their heads. After a moment of stunned silence, one of them stammered, “But… but how did you convince her to marry you?”   Bob leaned in, lowered his voice, and with the slyest smile said, “I lied about my age.” His friends nodded, smirking. “Ahhh, clever. Told her you were 50, huh?”   Bob chuckled, shook his head, and replied, “Nope. I told her I was 90.”   Just for FUN... Waterskiing on Glass...  ~ 1 minute Edgy. More Edgy Stuff... Grilled Sweet Corn & Tomato Chicken Skillet Ingredients  4 boneless chicken breasts or thighs 4–5 ears fresh sweet corn, kernels cut off (about 3 cups) 2–3 large ripe tomatoes, diced (or a mix of cherry tomatoes) 1 medium red onion, diced 3–4 cloves garlic, minced 1 zucchini or yellow squash, diced (optional but great this time of year) 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped 2 Tbsp olive oil Juice of 1 lime (or lemon) 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp garlic powder Salt & black pepper Optional: crumbled feta or fresh mozzarella, jalapeño for heat, or a sprinkle of Midwest hot sauce Directions 1) Season the chicken: Pat chicken dry and season generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Let it sit while you prep everything else (or marinate 30 mins if you have time).   2) Grill or sear the chicken: Heat a large skillet (cast iron is perfect) or grill over medium-high heat with 1 Tbsp olive oil. Cook chicken 5–7 minutes per side until nicely browned and cooked through (165°F internal temp). Remove and set aside to rest.   3) Make the summer veggie magic: In the same skillet, add another Tbsp olive oil. Toss in the red onion and cook 2 minutes. Add garlic and zucchini (if using) and cook another 2 minutes. Stir in the fresh corn kernels. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the corn is bright and just tender.   4) Finish the skillet: Add the diced tomatoes and cook just 1–2 minutes — you want them warm but still fresh and juicy. Squeeze in the lime juice, season with salt & pepper, and stir in most of the fresh basil.   5) Combine: Slice the rested chicken and nestle it back into the skillet to warm through. Top with the remaining basil, and cheese if you’re using it.   All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 210 S. Milwaukee Ave. Wheeling, IL 60090 USA