june 2024 // chicago dog rising

slowly wringing things out with a mellow virgo-themed class

monthly playlist // natural satellite yoga - june 2024

a big month of change has me craving some low and slow yoga. join me for a 50-minute practice that involves zero vinyasas and no standing (a delight). hopefully this class keeps you cool as the weather heats up!

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thoughts on hot dogs and astrology -

No matter where you hail from, eating a Chicago-style hot dog can be a transformative experience. It a quintessential part of Chicago culture (alongside a nice shot of Malört or an Old Style, if you please) and a unique marker of place and time. And while you might be able to get a Chicago-style dog outside of Chicago, being in this noisy, friendly, salt-of-the-earth town is what makes it all the more delicious (and well worth a Dickinsonian ode).

However I am not the first to wax poetic about these famous dogs, so I am taking a different angle for the sake of this month’s writing. I present to you my personal alignment of the astrological signs with the ingredients of a classic Chicago dawg. You can think about these beloved staples as a type of spiritual center point for summer in the city (as the solstice approaches this month). All in good fun, my friends!

[homemade vegan dogs, 2023]

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CHICAGO DOG ASTROLOGY

THE MUSTARD ~ Aries

Classic Aries vibes - the mustard drives the flavor and is up front and vocal. Things might be a little fiery if you choose a spicy option, but it’s all in the spirit of keeping things exciting and never boring.

THE BUN ~ Taurus

Dependable and cuddly - these Taurus buns hold it all together, even if things are threatening to get soggy or overloaded. Let’s be honest, they’re probably too stubborn to break apart anyways.

THE PICKLE ~ Gemini

Well, well, well - here’s the ingredient that’s most likely to go do their own thing. The more you try and pin that Gemini down, the more they want to ESCAPE but damn that spicy crunch is good when they choose to hang around.

THE RELISH ~ Cancer

Cancers are known to be compassionate and decidedly sweet, much like relish. Excellent secret keepers and maybe a little challenging to decode - they might never tell us why Chicago-style relish is so intensely green.

THE ONION ~ Leo

Confident and capable, the onions (and our Leo friends) have no qualms about being the center of attention. We love a big personality and despite some intensity, you simply cannot have a Chicago dog without them.

THE HOT DOG ~ Virgo

Welp, if all goes to hell, as it probably will in cynical Virgo’s view of things, there will AT LEAST be a hot dog. Helpful and perpetually organized - Virgo will make sure of it. They probably brought extras too, just in case.

THE POPPYSEEDS ~ Libra

Libras are lovers! They want to be with people just like poppyseeds want to be spread upon a hot dog bun. Being linked to another solves for indecisiveness and allows for (textural) balance and a chance to improve aesthetics overall.

THE SPORT PEPPERS ~ Scorpio

This one feels self explanatory? Feisty and brave - the sport peppers pack a serious punch of flavor, along with an explosive power if you aren’t ready for it. Mysterious and resourceful - Scorpios are not to be messed with or missed.

THE CELERY SALT ~ Sagittarius

Free spirited Sagittarius aligns well with celery salt, the elusive yet crucial (and ONLY) spice addition. Bold and maybe a little adventurous in flavor, this one can be hard to pin down at times, but when you do… *chefs kiss*

THE BROWN PAPER BAG ~ Capricorn

Hear me out, Capricorns. The iconic brown bag holds this whole thing together. (Joe adds - “What good is a hot dog if you can’t get it from point a to point b?”) Thank goodness that these practical Capricorns are thinking big picture for our sake.

THE TOMATO ~ Aquarius

A little weird and totally wonderful - Aquarius is akin to the slippery tomato slices that never-quite seem situated at the helm of a Chicago-style dog. Do they fit? Will they even stay on? The answer is unpredictable but we sure hope so.

THE KETCHUP ~ Pisces

While ketchup is famously not part of a classic Chicago dog, it’s never too far away at any french fry-serving establishment. An intuitive Pisces might dream themselves off the dang hot dog but their whimsy and creativity make things whole in the end.

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Well there you have it! Thanks to Joe for some key contributions and edits. And thanks to co-star and glamour uk for some very general astrological traits. No matter where you fall on the list above, I like to think that we all play a small part in creating something perfect and timeless (and delicious). Happy summer to all.

love and chicago dogs,

juli

june 2024 moodboard // small space for recent loves

• cosmos by carl sagan

• vocalo - iconic chicago radio station (rip)

• the enchanting art of kay nielsen

• “a unifying nostalgia for port wine cheese” by eric kim for saveur

• the etchings of cuca romley

• give my back my loving by leo nocentelli (excellent interview about his life)

• the cuteness of baby killdeer - a great write up by diane porter

• tadej pogačar’s win of the 2024 giro d’italia (it was truly stunning)

• this gymnastics sequence by jerry lynn and rob van dam (ecw heatwave ‘98)

• sink into the underground by cky

[view from north pond, may 2024]

a haiku 4 u:

oh so obvious
affirmations are at best 
when found sky grabbing