Tall Tales from Kansas

End of summer reading

I like to take a book to read on vacation.  It usually must be a paperback so it's not too heavy to carry with me.  AND if need be, I can tear it into parts  if space in my purse is a problem.  I mean I might want to carry my journal too and there is only so much space available in a purse.  Reading in a park, on a great bench, while on vacation, is relaxation at it's finest.  

 
I had no intention of bringing a hardback book from the library with me to Budapest.  But I had requested "Turn of Mind" about a month ago and it came in right before I left.  So I started reading it and was hooked.  Practicality went out the window.  I finished it on the plane ride home.   It's a good read.

I started "Born Round" in the car this morning on my way to work.  Immediate bonding began between Frank Bruni (the author and reader) and myself.  The "Goon Squad" and  "Cutting for Stone" are by my bed.  As soon as I get over my post vacation sleep deprivation I will be diving in to one of them.   

By the way, that's the Esceri flea market tablecloth I got in Budapest under the books.  See other purchases below.  That little booklet is some sort of communist party member meeting attendance record.   My older sister, the geneologist in the family, also happens to have studied Russian for a few years.  I plan to have her examine and translate for me when she comes to visit next.  She likes challenges.

 

Extending the trip in my mind

My travel home was relatively uneventful.  The only moment of panic was when I gathered with all the other passengers at my gate in Budapest to listen to some official-looking man giving instructions.  He went on and on in Hungarian barely stopping for a breath.  The longer he talked the more nervous I got.   Flight canceled?  Flight delayed?  All passengers named Carol would not be allowed to board?  Finally I figured out he was the tour guide for this group and what he was saying had absolutely nothing to do with the flight.  It's easy to give in to panic while traveling when you have already experienced a few issues.  

As the plane made it's way into KC the flooding from the Missouri river was an impressive site. 
This morning I am thinking of Budapest.  Extending the trip in my mind.

Recalling the days that started with thick slices of toast, slathered with butter and honey, and cappuccino on the balcony.

 
Closing my eyes to see all these things again.  The parks, the people, the buildings, the bridges.

Ending the day by stopping at a streetside cafe for a drink to watch the night walk by our table.  Making new memories.  Recalling old ones. 

 More tales of Budapest to come in the days ahead.  Right now I gotta think about unpacking.  Ugh. 

Imprinting the city on our brains

It's almost 11pm in Budapest.  My ride to the airport arrives at 4:30am. Obviously I made it safely home on my own last night.  My sister and I have contingency plans for such things. When we become separated we each think "what would be the most logical thing to do?" Then we do the opposite.  It hasn't failed us yet.  

Today we saw another of the things I most wanted to do in Budapest.

The Shoes on the Danube.  This is 50 pairs of bronzed shoes, a monument that commemorates the Jews who were killed by the Nazis puppet government - The Arrow Cross in 1944.  They were shot and their bodies fell into the Danube.   Another powerful memorial.

The last day found us imprinting the city on our brains.   Wandering the streets.  Riding the busses and trams.  Enjoying the adventure of discovering a new city.   Each and every little bit of it. 

I was left behind at the Oktagon tram stop at 11:30pm in Budapest

The beauty of Budapest continued to reveal itself today as we made our way from the apartment to the M3 metro line.  Today we will go to Esceri Flea Market to check out the treasures.  We have heard there is nothing but junk there.  We have heard we might get fleeced.  Word is the place is crawling with pick-pockets.  No further enticements needed.

One tram, one metro, and one bus later here we are!

There was LOTS to see.  Hand embroidered linens, shoes, records, lamps, furniture, paintings, books, porcelain figurines, old hungarian currency, communist memorabilia of all sorts, in other words - you name it, it was there.

Items were being purchased all around us.

Bargains were made.  Money changed hands.

I saw lots of good stuff.

The Esceri flea market is a great way to spend a Saturday morning.  It was nice to get a little outside of the center of Budapest and catch a glimpse of houses.  

Things of note I did NOT get photos of today:
1.  The party bus on Andrassy ut that had flashing disco lights and people dancing inside.
2.  The segway tour that rolled by us as we ate dinner in an outdoor cafe.
3.  Three brides - 2 up near the citadel and 1 with her head out the top of a limo
4.  The 3 year old boy that brought his "big wheel" type plastic bike on the tram and road it off at his stop.  No concern that his wheel might get stuck trying to get off.  
5.  The look on my sisters face when she jumped on the tram at the last minute and I was left behind at the Oktagon stop at 11:30 at night in downtown Budapest.   

"so far everything is going according to plan..."

There are many beautiful buildings in Budapest.  Everywhere you look there is something interesting to see.  This is the Hungarian Treasury building or something like that.  Close to the American embassy and the Soviet War memorial.

Just as interesting was this circular flight of stairs leading to who knows where.  Just a glimpse to make me wonder what is up there.  

Lots of pretty window boxes with geraniums in Budapest.  

This was breakfast the other day at the Streudal house.  It's called "the two streudal breakfast".   I selected cherry cottage cheese and apple poppy seed.  Good choices along with a cappuccino and some orange juice.  I walked through a strudel making talk that was going on in the back on my way to the W/C.  It was for a group of Germans but I think I understood that it's important to sample often to be sure you know what you like before you start to bake.

We saw these 2 cute boys and their mom on our street yesterday.  George, the smallest of the 2 boys was very very excited to be in Budapest.  They both ran their hands along the entire length of the wall.  Feeling the city.

Bus stop signs are important to understand.  We sat at this one yesterday and transferred from the 91 bus to the 291 bus to ride up to the chair lift.

As we sat here my Sister looked at me and said "so far everthing is going according to plan".  Then we boarded the bus and realized we were going in the wrong direction.  

It's really best to TRY not to have too much of an agenda when traveling.  Going with the flow can be much more relaxing.  Getting one of these helps too.

This Budapest Cosmo was really red, but also very good.  Not too sweet.  Just perfect. 

Szechenyi Baths

Have I told you I brought the Kansas heat with me to Budapest.  It was completely unintentional. Luckily they have ways to deal with that here.  Today, armed with our towels and swim suits we headed for Szechenyi Furdo - the medical thermal springs.

We hopped on the M1 metro line and headed to City Park.  The M1 opened in 1896 and was built for the purpose of taking people out to the park from City Center.  It just happens to be the oldest system in Europe, second to London.

The baths were built in 1913.  There are 15 pools, 12 of which are spring fed.  We got the low down on what to do when you get there since we had heard some people found it a bit complicated to navigate buying the ticket and getting to where you want to be.   We zipped right up and bought our passes, got our special wrist bands, found the changing rooms and our lockers, and skipped outside to put our toes in the water.

We found the man with the chairs and promptly had him place 2 in the shade for us.  We walked around.  Got the lay of the land.  There are 3 big pools outdoors.  The "cool pool" was kept at 28 C (82 F), the "hot pool" was kept at 38 C (100 F), and the "tepid pool" with the sweeping corridor was kept at 32 C ( 89F).  We played and swam in all of them.  The pool with the sweeping corridor was the busiest.  In the middle there is an area where you are "swept" around a circle by the jets of water on the side of a circular area.  Once you get in you gotta work to get out of the current.  Fun.  Fun.  Fun. 

We did plenty of resting between dipping in and out of the pools.  PURE relaxation.  It was a delightful day.  We loved watching all the people having a good time.

Lots of men playing chess.

Women of all ages and shapes strolling along, luxuriating in the feel of the air and sun on their wet skin, without a care in the world.

Books were being read.

Cards were being played.

Quiet conversations between long time companions.

Listen, if you get to Budapest, you must not deprive yourself of the ultimate indulgence of the thermal baths.  We'll be going back before we leave.  That's for sure.  We have to get our money's worth out of the plastic shower cap things we had to buy for 100 forints each in order to be able to go into the "cool pool" for swimming.  In the meantime if you want to see more of our wandering and eating in Budapest - go to my sister's blog.  You will find good pictures of food there.  You will not see photos of us in our plastic shower caps. 

"Whoever Saves one Life - Saves the Entire World"

Tuesday morning at 11am the luggage was delivered intact.  The "miseries of travel" chapter has thus concluded for this adventure.

A visit to the Dohany synagogue is on my list of "52 by 53".  When I get home I will be able to cross it off.  That is where we went today.  

One of my patients about 5 years ago was a holocaust survivor.  He met his wife in the ghetto in Poland.  When the camps were liberated at the end of WWII he was given a bicycle by an american soldier and he rode all over until he found his wife who was in a different camp. They were re-united and eventually moved to America.  Each day on rounds he would share bits of his story.  Hearing the small details in his deep, rich, accented voice really touched me. 

The synagogue was beautiful but what I really wanted to see was this.
 

 The tree of life.  A sculpture of a willow tree.  Each leaf inscribed with the name of a holocaust victim.

 
 Along the back wall of this area were alcoves labeled for victims.  They were filled with small stones.  

We learned the story of Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat to Hungary who saved many Jews by issuing them Swedish passports.  When the soviets arrived in 1945 and liberated the city he was arrested and eventually executed.  He is remembered as well along with others who helped save Jewish lives.  "Whoever saves one Life - Saves the Entire World".

  

Impossible to leave here unmoved.  Isaac you were with me today.

Property Irregularity Report

When one is in a city as beautiful as Budapest one does not worry about small things such as no luggage.  My sister was there on the balcony to greet me as instructed upon my arrival.  Fresh and lovely pastries were consumed as we looked around and I was given an array of possibilities of what we might do today.  I selected the "meander, look, stop, refresh" itinerary option.

I saw doves on the church across the street...

I bought a 7 day public transportation pass and was introduced to the trams and busses of Budapest...

We stopped for a green apple, strawberry, tart, fizzy concoction and sipped while the fans with misters cooled us.

Suitably refreshed we moved on.  I was intrigued by this sign and hurried to investigate.

Sadly, they had knitted items inside but no yarn.  Next stop - The great market hall for a look at local foods, crafts, spices, and maybe a bite of lunch.

I selected sausage, saurkraut, spicy mustard with onion, bread, and a big tall glass of cold, cold, cold, beer.  We stood at a tall table and ate as the sweat dripped down our backs.  Sister and I looked at each other, red faced and happy and toasted "we're in BUDAPEST!"

Odds and ends were collected throughout the day to be put into the travel journal tonight.   I attempt to call the Budapest Airport to discuss my "Property Irregularity Report" but sadly the phone is always busy.  I am pretty sure that Tuesday is the day that all lost luggage is delivered in Budapest.  I wash my clothes just in case.

"the miseries of travel are the salt that gives them flavour"

I was supposed to travel to Budapest on Saturday and arrive on Sunday.  I drove to the airport, waited 90 minutes and was told I would have to go home and fly out on Sunday.  No sense in getting all worked up over something you have no control over.  I decided to be positive about it. 

I flew out Sunday am.  All connections made.  Arrived safely in Budapest.  Driver there to meet me as promised by my sister.  But - no luggage.  Drat.  I have decided to be positive about it.  

It's a little toasty in these jeans.  I have no way to download photos.  No bathing suit for the world famous baths.  I just read that you can rent a suit if need be.  I am working on how I can be positive about it - if I have to.

To quote Jan Morris "...the miseries of travel are the salt that gives them flavour". 

maybe they will be able to correct my pronunciation

Flight leaves in 5 hours.  Still have to pack clothes, organize journal supplies, take a nap, file my nails, and shower.  Whew!  I better get a move on.  This morning important errands were run.

 

Oh and I also finished this last night...

 
I enjoyed reading it.  Learned a lot about WWI and that time period in parts of Europe.  I liked the characters.  Can you feel the big BUT coming?   When I finished it I did not have that wonderful feeling that I had at the conclusion of Pillars of the Earth, and World Without End which are also by Ken Follet.  I really can't put my finger on why.  Will be interested to hear what others thought.

I am hoping to be seated next to a bilingual Hungarian who is also stopping in Amsterdam on the way to Budapest today.  Maybe they will be able to correct my pronunciation as I practice saying Hello, asking for directions, a table for two, a bottle of your finest hungarian red please, and thank you ... on the flight over.  I didn't want to try and learn the language too early and then forget it.  I think the timing on this should be just right. 

think of us as the coca cola executives...

If you take some of this

 

and mix it with some of this, in one of those

 

you will not be sorry.  You might even consume it so fast that you will forget to take a photo of the finished product too.   Seriously, if you haven't had one yet this summer there is no excuse not to go to the store right this second and get what you need to make one.  Nothing says "treat" in the summer like a root beer float.

On another note!!!!!  I will be leaving for BUDAPEST on Saturday to join my sister who has been on a scouting mission. 

Some people have asked why I did not leave at the same time she did... well it's simple really.  You know how the coca cola executives with the secret recipe don't travel on the same plane because if something happens we can say "Bye Bye" to coca cola?   Same here.   Angie, aka Mama Moss, couldn't take it if we both were vaporized.   Plus, who would take over our blogs?   Delivering important information each day to you.   You see my point I am sure. 

Red

Red = delicious, sweet, warm, comfort, happy.   
 
 
 
 
 
 

Make new friends, but remember to keep the old....

The best thing about leaving friends from an old job?

 
Making plans to meet up with them outside of work!    

 
One can really not have too many after work coffee dates.  Those girl scouts (or was it Brownies?) knew what they were talking about. 

North Lawrence

In North Lawrence they have big tall grain elevators...

 

and the oldest Mexican restaurant in town...

 

and houses with front porches that get used alot...

 

and this very interesting house that I would love to go inside of.  If you know the owners please have them invite me. 

 

Unfortunately I did not record the train sounds I was hearing as I drove around.  I love a good nostalgic train whistle.  Especially while sitting on those red chairs above with maybe a bit of a breeze every little bit.  There might be a few crickets to provide some back-up to the trains.  I think we'd talk about the old days - like how we "borrowed the car" in 1974 and drove it across the Thatcher Ferry Bridge even though we didn't have a drivers license amongst us.   We might sip on a bottle of Corona and let our dinner from El Matador settle too.  As we sit there and listen to the trains.  

I can get into a good carbohydrate overload

Are you kidding me?  Beef and noodles over mashed potatoes in the middle of a hot summer?

 

Yeah, that's what I thought too.  But listen, inside the house where it's 75 degrees it tasted darn good.   I licked my plate clean.  It might not be socially acceptable to admit, but I can get into a good carbohydrate overload.  Anytime of the year.  Anytime at all.  Good idea Chris!

Basic recipe from Chris:

Buy yourself a couple of strip steaks, chunk it or cut it in strips.
Combine flour, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika & dried thyme in a zip lock bag.  Add the meat and shake to coat.
Heat 3-4 Tbsps vegetable oil in dutch oven and add 1 Tbsp olive oil.  Heat it up and throw in the meat and brown it.  Be patient let it get really nice and crispy brown on all sides.  Remove meat from pan. 
Add 4 Tbsps butter to pan, melt on medium low.  Add 4Tbsps flour make a roux until it is peanut butter color.  Add 2 cans beef broth slowly.  Stir or whisk regularly.  Bring to boil.  Return meat to pan.  Add water or liquid you use to cook noodles in as needed to achieve desired consistency.  (I used a 16oz bag of Reams homestyle frozen noodles - cook according to package instructions).  Let meat simmer on low for 30-60 minutes to desired tenderness.
Add cooked noodles to meat mixture and get ready to be happy.
Serve over mashed potatoes.  Good with biscuits on the side or garlic bread whatever blows your dress up!

It's a community thing

I went to the Farmers Market this morning.  I saw lots of things I liked.

 

Food, flowers, people, talk, music, it's a community thing. 

 

Here is what I brought home with me.  Apricot cherry scone for breakfast.   Peach cobbler is going to be made sometime this weekend; then eaten warm with vanilla ice cream.

 

Clearly I'm going to have to get to the market more often.   I'm pretty sure I spotted at least one potential new friend there.

 

 

A step by step, time-tested process

I know you probably think when I bring flowers inside and put them in containers it's all just done haphazardly.  Even willy-nilly some would say.  Well I hate to break it to you, but it is in fact a very organized, methodical process, done using a step by step, time-tested process.

Step #1:   Go outside and cut some herbs.

 

Step #2:   Gather containers and fill with water.

 

Step #3:  Sit down, take a load off, think about which flowers you want to cut.  Sip on Coffee.  It's perfectly acceptable to fill the bird feeder, talk to yourself, pet the cats, and space out during this time as well.

 

Step 4:   Add cut flowers to whatever herbs you have already placed in containers. 

 

Step #5:   Place containers of flowers about your home and work environment for maximum viewing pleasure and enjoyment.  Add water daily.  Repeat entire process weekly or more frequently if needed.

Step #6:  Think of yourself as part genius - part martha for being clever.  If feeling generous give credit where credit is due and thank your friend Nancy Walrafen for teaching you the art of learning to enjoy the bounty of your garden INSIDE your home.

...just in case it's needed

Unusual message in todays mail.  Not sure what to make of it.  Something Wicked This Way Comes? 

 

It's got the cats on high alert. 

 
 
Lewis has the perimeters covered and is prepared to sound the alarm... just in case it's needed.   

I don't ever intend to stop being amazed

Do you think I am obsessed with the sky?

 

I was just organizing some pictures and realized that  I probably do take a lot of these.   In Kansas there is a lot of sky to look at.   I don't ever intend to stop being amazed. 

Some days just call for it

I like writing over and around a collaged background in my everyday journal.  Sometimes I like pasting stuff OVER writing even more.  Some days just call for it. 

  

A sense of optimism prevails

I snapped a photo this morning as I crossed the threshold to my new job. 

 
Compositionally this picture has many flaws but it will trigger memories in years to come of the drive in this morning, of walking up to from the parking lot and staring at the sky, and the sense of optimism that prevailed.    It was a great first day... and I found out where the coffee aficianados get their morning cup of joe on campus.   I predict tomorrow will be even better.   

Kansas Weather

Those of you who don't live in Kansas might not know that the weather can change from sunny to stormy to cloudy to sunny all in the course of one hour... sometimes less.  Here is the sky on the way to yoga class at 2:36 this afternoon.

 
On the return trip at 4:12pm here is the sky from the same location.

 
This is why we can't let the weather dictate what we do around here.  I needed to get to yoga today.  I start my new job tomorrow.  Before yoga my nerves were still jangling a bit.  Afterwards I was calm, cool, collected.   Ready to play nice and meet my new friends tomorrow.  Don't worry, you'll be the first to hear how it goes.   

Which way to the first tee and what's the course record?

My Dad taught me to play golf when I was in my mid 30's.  He used to come up for a visit and when I got home from work he would have the clubs loaded up in the car and be ready to head out for a quick 9 holes.  We'd go out to the course and I would tee off on each hole then pick up my ball and hit with him from his ball.   Once on the green we would each putt our own balls.  He didn't try and fill my head with too much instruction.   Important things however were stressed... clean your clubs and shoes after every round, follow proper etiquette, don't hold people up on the course.   In the evenings at home, we had putting contests on the living room rug and maybe a few words about the proper way to grip a club. 

 
Some things he didn't teach me include:  carrying a photo of my cats on my bag, decorating my golf balls with big swirly flowers, and keeping a golf journal.   I figured those out all on my own. 

 
This is my dad around 1965 in Athens Greece.  As soon as he approached a new course he would say - "hmmm wonder which way to the first tee and what the course record is".   Dad taught my brother and nephew to play as well.  They are consistently good players.   But for the moment, my dad and I are the only ones in the family with 2 holes-in-one apiece.  Given the choice, I would prefer to have a 6 or 7 handicap (like they do) instead of a 33 (like I do) and let them have the 2 holes in one, but I had no say so in the matter.  So I take what I can get and celebrate BIG when the good moments come.

 

My dad taught me that too. 

In the UNLIKELY event that she were to move here

Up there on top of the list of things I did RIGHT this year was not forgetting to plant zinnias.  They make a nice arrangement for the table. 

 
Oh, and for the windowsill too.

 
The heat left with my sister yesterday.  I hope for her sake it didn't follow her to LA, but truthfully I am just glad it's not here for a few days.  Lewis is in 100% agreement with me on this one.  He likes his backyard time.

 
Just to quell any thoughts that my sister is leaving LA.   That won't be happening anytime soon.  She only has decided that IF she were going to live in the area, she LIKES Union Hill and WOULD choose that neighborhood to settle in with the cat posse in the UNLIKELY event that she were to move here.  

A good coloring in circles session

I took sister to the airport this morning.  She had an early flight.  Buck Moss does not like it one bit if his mama is gone for too long.  He put this tag on her suitcase before she left to remind her to come hone. 

 
After I dropped her off I went to this little spot .   I sat there for about 2 hours and stared into space, listened to conversations around me, and wrote in my everyday journal.  I usually get the sweet potatoe scone here.  They didn't have any today and I was forced to get a peaches and cream scone.    Peach pie but in the form of a scone.   Finger licking good.  Literally.   **(Dottie these were made with you in mind).

While I was sitting there I resisted the urge to draw circles within circles all over the page and then go back and color them in with markers.  But I wanted to.  There is nothing so soothing as a good coloring in circles session.  I think I just planned my day for tomorrow. 

I am not much of a map reader and have no sense of direction

When one is exploring in the city it is good to start the day properly nourished.  But which to get when your choices are the Ham & Swiss Croissant or the Maple/Bacon muffin?  No such trouble for me.  My eyes spotted the toasted bagel with nutella and I was sold.  Nutella is chock full of iron and vitamins.   

 

We sat.  We feasted.  We discussed subtle nuances of blog design.  I took notes.

 
Finally satiated we moved on to exploring.   We headed up a hill and down a hill.  We went around a corner, through an alley and then turned right where we found the neighborhood my sister has settled on -  if she decides to move here from LA.  There was a nice little watering hole within walking distance so I approved her choice. 

 
Next on the agenda?  Scout out the parking around my new place of employment.  I am not much of a map reader and have no sense of direction.  My sister assured me she would be able to figure out the confusing maze of legal and illegal lots and then point out exactly the right place for me.  She thinks it is highly possible I will get lost and all out of sorts on my first day.   She was with me on a hike one time when I got lost.  She thinks I get lost a lot.  She could possibly be right. 

The good, the bad, and the brilliant

Going out to lunch is a good thing on a hot day.

 

We had some splendid vittles at Cafe Europa. 

 

Going to the Liberty Memorial on a hot day is a bad idea.  But the views are great!  I must do some research on the sphinx like creatures with the wings.  Not sure what the symbolism is there.     Maybe if I would have gone inside I would know?  If you are a WWI expert please enlighten me.   

 

Going to the Hammerpress store is a BRILLIANT idea on any kind of day - hot, cold, rainy, you name it.   You will forget about the weather when you feast your eyes on what's in here.  Guaranteed!

 

I believe in giving everyone a second chance

I found the assistant to the garden supervisor, aka Harvey Boy #1, out in the back garden today pretending to be on the alert for any and all intruders.

 
I turned my back for 2 minutes and when next I spied him it was very clear he was getting punch drunk on cat mint in obvious violation of the rules.

 
I couldn't bring myself to turn him in though.  Clearly he just couldn't help himself.  I believe in giving everyone a second chance.