Tall Tales from Kansas

a great way to open the holiday season

It's real difficult to limit the number of photos in a blog post when the subjects of the pictures are horses, and riders, in a parade. I shall endeavor to do my best but make no promises. 

And then of course there are all the people at the parade... keeping warm, choosing seats, carrying their frisbee, playing with signs, waiting for things to start.

There were young riders, older riders, middle aged riders, silly riders, and very serious riders. By serious I mean the kind who appeared very natural astride their horse.

If I was traveling any distance in a wagon, I would want these fellows in the driver and shotgun positions. They seem most competent. That said, this was an old hearse they were pulling, and I will not need that for my burial. 

Santa was there to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

Mostly though, it's about the horses, and the kids who are excited to see them, and all of Lawrence coming out to smile and wave. Which is a great way to open the holiday season. 

Chris convinced me that would not be in line with the holiday spirit the parade embodies

From today's old fashioned Christmas parade in downtown Lawrence, here are the Nicodemus county Buffalo Soldiers. They are always my favorite part of this parade. 

From a brief on-line search ... the nickname Buffalo Soldiers was given to the Black Calvary by Native Americans who fought in the Indian Wars, and eventually became synonymous with all African American regiments formed in 1866. The Buffalo Soldiers were originally members of the 10th calvary regiment from Ft. Leavenworth Kansas. 

More photos to come. Right now there are Christmas CD's to rummage through, wreaths to repair and hang, porches to sweep, pillows to fluff, barbecue to eat, old holiday movies to watch... you get the idea. 

P.S. Sorry about that announcer screwing up my video. I wanted to go fiddle with the dials on his sound system so it would stop working but Chris convinced me that wouldn't be in line with the holiday spirit the parade embodies. 

in all it's vibrant speckledness

Every year when faced with the dilemma of poinsettia color selection, I struggle.

Then I always end up getting red. Because I am a traditionalist. Red. Red. Red. And no glitter on the leaves please. 

Also never white. No. No. No. Though I can see a place for them in a monochromatic winter wonderland decorating scheme. Which I don't have. 

Then of course there are the pinkish ones with all that marvelous green patterning, begging to be brought home and painted. 

This year though, this one came home with me. I couldn't help it. In all it's vibrant speckledness it called my name as I walked by and I whisked it up right quick before someone else named Carol could answer.   

Purchased at Pendleton's Country Market - the undisputed, most prize winningness, poinsettia producer in the area. In my humble opinion. 

a perfect holiday whodunnit

We started our holiday movie season with Knives Out on Saturday. It's a perfect whodunnit. Clever, tongue in cheek entertainment, with a stellar cast of actors in what I would say are "different" roles for them. From the ambiance of the mansion, filled with quirky objects, to the masterful interpretation of the classic roles necessary for a good murder mystery, it does not disappoint. 

A little bit mad-cap, slightly far-fetched, but in a way that could be followed to the perfect conclusion. We loved it. Salty popcorn and Dr. Pepper recommended on the side. Or whatever your favorite movie snack is. 

an amazingly luxurious bit of ordinariness

Up this week in the "ordinary chronicles" there was all of this.

A perfect latte in a wonderful spot where I heard "Stuck in the Middle with You" for the first time in maybe 30 years.

A glorious sunny day sandwiched between cloudy and blustery ones.

A leftover piece of that almond-poppy seed cake with cranberry glaze, served with a cup of Meyer lemon Chai tea.

And finally, the lights are on in downtown Lawrence. Kind of an amazingly luxurious bit of ordinariness, if I do say so myself.  

P.S. in case its been 30 years for you as well. Sister and Pam this is going on our playlist for art retreat 2020. 

in all it's splendor

Before I begin the trips up and down the basement steps, taking down the orange, bringing up the red and green, there had to be this.

One last compilation of the best of fall, in all it's splendor.  

before you know it my bag was full and my money was gone

My very most favorite thing about Bizarre Bazaar this year in Lawrence has got to be the artists. Seriously.

Of course there were the works of art too. In all shapes and sizes. Including the toothpick figures below and those tie-dyed scarves, which I have been meaning to add to my collection for several years now.

And what about this!?!?!?!

Or this? Brother I got you one of these hats, I am just showing you now so you can know it's coming early because of the winter snowstorm headed your way. 

But back to the artists for a second. Lawrence is full of amazing talented people.

Who are happy to smile for you. 

There was also music, flowers, scarves for dogs, and a super cute hairstyle that I was exceedingly envious of.  

I spotted glamorous friends, and one of my all time favorites - cut paper artist Angie Pickman of Rural Pearl Studio.

Her work is so lovely and imaginative. 

Before you know it my bag was full and my money was gone. Holiday shopping has begun, in the pleasantest of ways. 

a cozy, curl up by the fire while it snows outside, book

The Lager Queen of Minnesota is a top contender for my favorite read of 2019. It's a delightful tale of 2 sisters and what happens when their father leaves the farm to only one of them. It's also about brewing beer (which has sent me down a tasting trail by the way), getting old, making pie, and surviving what life throws at us. It's full of a wonderful cast of characters. The audio version is read by Judith Ivy who knows her way around a Minnesota dialect. Put this on your list to read over the holidays. It's a cozy, curl up by the fire while it snows outside, book. 

Bravo J. Ryan Stradal for this story that equals the charm of Kitchens of the Great Midwest.

P.S. I wasn't kidding about the tasting trail. I intend to educate my palate on all the nuances of beer this December. 

as I circled it to capture all angles

On this Thanksgiving day, I am most grateful to the folks who live at this house,

on 9th street in Lawrence Kansas, 

who have this amazing work of art in their front yard, 

and that it is open to the public, free of charge, 

and that they didn't come out and tell me to "get lost" as I circled it to capture all angles in the early morning light. 

For this, and all the ordinary beauty in the world, I am most grateful, today and everyday.  

a box of Kleenex, an afghan, and hot tea

As you go about all of your pre-thankgiving (and/or plain old regular) chores today,

things like having a discussion with the head turkey maker about whether or not you should fill the cavity of a smoked turkey with an onion, orange, and apple, like you do when you are cooking it the usual way, but now you are just warming it? He says "why not?", I say "no, I don't think so", but couch it with the fact that I am NOT in charge of the turkey.

Perhaps your chore is mounding leaves around your rose bushes for protection, soil amendment, or someone said it was a good idea,

or you just be getting out a last few silly bits of holiday decor, but whatever you are doing, I hope you will also make some time to do something you really WANT to do...

Like sitting in front of an old television set in an upstairs bedroom (because it's the only place to watch a DVD) and  watching your favorite movie of all time, which a nice woman from your knitting class (thanks Pat!) happens to own and lent to you. There may be a box of Kleenex, an afghan, and hot tea involved too.