Tall Tales from Kansas

I stopped in to pick up a loaf of seeded utility bread

A couple of real ordinary things that have made me smile lately include this sunflower upstairs by my computer. Just one. I like to rotate it 180 degrees, sometimes displaying the front and sometimes the back.

This mural on 9th street in Lawrence.

Swordfish served with cauliflower, squash, and saffron risotto. Pickled carrots and onion on top with micro greens. A dinner out with friends. Getting them in while the getting is good. 

A "skeleton" leaf seen on a walk. 

A wild riot of colorful zinnias snipped from my very own cutting garden. Truly there is nothing that feels more luxurious than this. 

Enjoying an iced coffee on the patio out back at 1900 Barker when I stopped in to pick up a loaf of "seeded utility bread". It makes the best toast for breakfast and is also perfect in the bread basket at your next dinner party. 

Helpful links: 1900 Barker

I fully intend to do my part to support it

In Douglas county, where Lawrence is situated, 56% of our population has been vaccinated against COVID-19 and our vulnerability level is rated as "low". For this reason, and because I have been been fully vaccinated, and because no one would have been able to stop me... Sunday, I went to Alchemy Coffee on Massachusetts street. It re-opened this weekend to my great delight and I fully intend to do my part to support it.  

I sat at my favorite seat by the window, looked out at the passers by, sipped on my latte, listened to the music, enjoyed the snippets of conversation that floated my way intermittently, and reveled in the feeling of the world being normal, for me, in this exact moment. Because that's what we have to do don't you think? Grab on to each moment for what it is before something else changes?

I might have also got a piece of key lime pie to go. For dessert after dinner. Because they had it, I haven't tasted it previously, it's supposed to be sublime, I want to put my money where my mouth is in terms of supporting them, and what if things shut down again soon and I don't get the chance? Life is short, I am on the "live fully" page. 

This is the perfect place for you to come and sit after the walk through old west Lawrence I told you about previously. You don't have to get pie, but why wouldn't you? 

Helpful link: Alchemy coffee

 

a thin line that is unbroken as the story progresses

If you are looking for something to read (in one sitting) in your rocker out on the porch, or under a straw umbrella at the seashore, or in your camp chair in a circle of tall trees, I present Turbulence by David Szalay. I finished it over the course of a few very enjoyable hours. 

It's an unconventional format, with one character from each chapter getting on a flight, landing in a different city, and catching up with someone else who will then be the next character to board a plane. And so forth and so on. There is a thin line that is unbroken as the story progresses in an unpredictable way.

I enjoyed it very much. Recommended. 

a grove of typewriter trees

Upon my return from neighborhood rambles with sister in Los Angeles, I was determined to explore in greater detail all the wonderful areas of my own town, starting with old west Lawrence. For my first adventure, I parked the car and simply walked up one side and down the other of Indiana between 6th and 9th streets.

There was an endless supply of plantings, porches, and architectural details to admire. 

I was not anticipating coming upon a grove of typewriter trees, but you never know what you will find in Lawrence Kansas. After 36 years of calling this my home, I continue to be amazed and delighted by the creativity that reveals itself when I least expect it. 

I loved that this restful water feature was situated in a way that allows the passerby to get as much enjoyment from it as the residents of the home do. The old iron fences are gems.  My favorites have things growing on them. 

Interesting paths and walkways were discovered. This street is well shaded, so even on a sunny day, it will be quite enjoyable to walk. 

Next month I will pick a different street to take you up and down. Clearly "a walk through old west Lawrence" is an activity to be added to your short list when you next visit. 

men discussing the merits of green and yellow zucchini

The theme of the day at the farmers market yesterday was COLOR. 

There was also sweet corn, cucumbers, and zucchini...

and men discussing the merits of green and yellow zucchini. Is it zucchini if it's yellow, or just summer squash? I was going to ask but thought it might be more of a technical response than my brain could handle at 7:30 on a Saturday morning.

Sunflowers were on display - many varieties.

There were also blackberries, plums, and strawberries. Alas, no more blueberries, but happily I bought 2 containers last week and have carefully tucked one into the freezer. 

This woman's glasses caught my attention and she was kind enough to allow me to show them to you as well. Perfect color and shape for her.

I came home with strawberries, spinach, green beans, sunflowers, and cucumbers.

As soon as I got stuff put away, the sunflowers went into this vase from Jamie, one of my quail friends. With a long narrow neck, it is the perfect container for tall flowers that need some help standing up straight. If you want them to stand up straight that is. 

I was going to end with the sunflowers in the vase, but felt compelled to conclude in the same colorful manner as I started. 

The end. 

read, listened to, flipped through

My latest library loans include The Summer Book by Tove Jansson, Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear, and Cook, Eat, Repeat by Nigella Lawson. The Summer Book was by my bed for several weeks and was a perfect bedtime tonic. On the surface it is the story of a young girl and her elderly grandmother spending the summer on an island on the archipelago in the gulf of Finland. Underneath it is a grandmother preparing her grandchild (and herself) for the possibility that she will not be returning to the island again. At least that's how it seemed to me. A tender tale, wonderfully written. 

The second in the Maisie Dobbs series was equally delightful in a totally different way. Increased character development, clues about what may come in future installments, the perfect drive time listen.

Lastly, I love getting a book from the library that I know I want to look at, but don't need to have in my collection. Nigella Lawson's latest falls into that category. 

Images of oxtail stew, linzer cookies, and a rice pudding cake were lingered over, but the recipe I know I will try is the beet and chickpea hummus.

That color is simply stunning. I will want to dip cucumbers and snap peas in it along with the carrots. If I like the way it turns out will share the recipe later. 

there is vaccine out there and available for people who have not yet been vaccinated

Above image from the New York times and if you go to their site you can hover over an individual county to see the number of new cases per day.  

Thursday morning I listened to the update from our hospital leaders who have kept us well informed about the state of COVID from a local perspective throughout the pandemic. Admittedly, I have stopped tuning in to these regular meetings as our numbers were declining. Today though, with the concerning trends we are seeing in Kansas and Missouri, I listened in. Here is what I learned.

Call this what you want, it feels like a 3rd wave may be hitting. At the beginning of June we were down to one COVID unit and 4-5 patients with active infection. Today we are back up to several COVID units, 44 inpatients with COVID and 37 of those with active infection.  All this is coming primarily from the Springfield Missouri area - someone described it as a "drop of ink that hits a bowl of water and spreads out from there".  I think that is a great visual to help understand what is happening. From Missouri it is spreading into Arkansas and Kansas. Hospitals in Springfield are overwhelmed and they are trying to set up alternate care sites in the area. Our hope in the Kansas City area is that our higher percentages of vaccinated individuals will help us get through this without returning to the way things were with the first 2 waves last year. 

In Kansas we are hearing that 90% of the new cases are the Delta variant and in Missouri it is 95% of new cases. The Delta variant is more transmissible but not necessarily more deadly. It is hitting unvaccinated populations in this time when people have been returning to "normal" life, with mask mandates being lifted in most communities. More younger people are getting sick - those in their 20's and 30's and even some individuals who have been fully vaccinated have been affected. They primarily fall into the category of people with substantial co-morbid conditions who may have had a suboptimal response to the vaccine because of that. Individuals with chronic serious illness can very easily get critically sick with any kind of additional infection, including COVID-19. These people should continue to wear masks when around groups of people both indoors and outside, as well as being cautious about who they are hanging out with. At work, we all continue to mask while inside the hospital, as well as wearing eye protection. 

There are no firm answers yet on whether boosters or 3rd doses of the vaccine will be recommended. What we do know for sure, is there is vaccine out there and available for people who have not yet been vaccinated, and they are strongly encouraged to roll up their sleeves.  

This is my perspective on what is happening in the Kansas City area, based on reliable updates from our hospital leadership. I do not claim to be an expert, I just thought it would be helpful to share what I am hearing. 

with time included for naps, sitting, staring, and popsicle eating

Tonight, just a few more photos from my whirlwind trip to see Sister recently. Here we are on a neighborhood ramble through the Mount Washington area.

We did a lot of strolling through neighborhoods. So many gardens to admire, gates, fences, houses, yard art... all exciting for people who love nothing in the whole world better than homes and gardens. 

Sister's succulent pots above. Guarded carefully by Corky Lynn. One night when we were sitting out front, she bounded off the porch and launched herself right over Wyatt as she chased an intruder out of the yard. Nothing gets by the Missus. 

About 3 or 4 years ago Sister took me to The Kitchen Mouse for the first time. Now we go every single time I am there. I always get the exact same thing. Jo's breakfast sandwich - griddled millet toast, fried eggs, arugula, avocado, chipotle cream... 

The jacaranda trees were still blooming. Purple puddles of petals under trees. Divine. 

You gotta love a good paint job on a car. 

Here is one of those examples of air plants I saw incorporated into unique plantings that were tucked here and there. 

Succulent pots and California Pepper trees at Arlington Gardens.

We were looking up and down and all around, everywhere we went. 

There was also time for a small bit of blind contour garden gnome sketching. It was a lovely trip. Everything I wanted out of a quick get-a-way, with time included for naps, sitting, staring, and popsicle eating.

like a flower from another planet

Last week, before it was supposed to rain one morning, I went to check out the state of things at the American Lotus pond at the Baker wetlands. This red-winged blackbird welcomed me across the low-water bridge. 

The blooms are progressing. Often when I go, there is no one else around. Which makes me giddy with delight. 

There is a quick little video below to help you appreciate the whole experience a bit better. 

I think the birds knew I had the Nikon with me - it seemed like they were posing and getting closer than normal. 

It was gloriously cool with temps in the upper 60's and plenty of breeze. I walked around the whole time with a grin on my face. I couldn't help it. 

Yellow flower season has begun, compass plant above, prairie coneflowers below. There were also black eyed Susan's around. 

This Buttonbush was new to me last year and it still looks otherworldly to me. Like a flower from another planet.  

The discovery center at the wetlands is back open again.  They keep limited hours so if you are hoping to visit check the times before you leave home. 

making mosaics can be addicting

State of the garden. Details: Sunday, July 11th at 6:05pm. Overcast skies. 75 degrees. 

Because making mosaics can be addicting and I must show them to someone.