Tall Tales from Kansas

that sort of agitation right before slumber seems unhealthy to me

Last weekend, when the rain and I were racing to see if a 5 mile walk could be achieved before I got soaked, there was good stuff to see on the trail. Even though you wouldn't think it would be so on an overcast morning.

First let me mention the young man who was running in water sock/gloves. You know the rubberized kind with spots for each individual toe to fit in? I can only conclude he wanted to feel the earth beneath him more fully. Or maybe he left the house unprepared and pulled them out of the trunk where they had been stored since he did a river hike at the end of August? Sort of a make-do move?

Just past this newly cut corn, beyond the short silos, at the edge of a field I could see the golden lights of some industrial manufacturing plant through a misty haze of steam and clouds. My ears were occupied by the dogs at the farms who have set up some sort of a relay system, warning each other with a series of barks "hey someone's coming - look out for suspicious activity". For the nose - it was the smell of horses and freshly mown grass. All of these things, not what I would usually notice, all most pleasant.

But perhaps the best of all was this clever sign that I had not previously noted. On the door of a business across from where I had parked. 

It seems relevant to post this morning after what I hear about the debate last night. I myself could not watch so close to bedtime. That sort of agitation right before slumber seems unhealthy to me. Especially when all the news today is replete with analysis and soundbites. 

put a wet washcloth on the table next to you before you start

Yesterday sister and I did a ZOOM/FaceTime art session. She worked in her sketch books and I played in my journal. My everyday journal. The journal that has been getting written in a whole lot more in the last year than ever before. 

I just write about everyday stuff. What else do you put in an everyday journal? I like to cut stuff up and tape and glue it in too. It seemed a good idea to keep track of a pandemic and what was happening in my life during this time. And of course what I think about it all right now.

But I didn't want to write while she sketched, I wanted to try making a collage out of parts of the Sunday NYT. I saw something about it in last week's paper and wanted to try it. I went through the paper and cut out stuff I thought I would want to use. No plan, just throw some images and words/headlines on the page. 

Here is what my spread looks like. Nothing deep. Just something to look back on in a week or a month or a decade. 

This activity will be repeated.

Maybe one word from a headline per page arranged into a story? The possibilities are endless.

I think it would be so interesting to see what 10 different individuals would cut, arrange, and paste on a 2 page spread from the same Sunday edition.

P.S. A glue stick and newsprint make for some seriously dirty hands.

P.P.S. Next time put a wet washcloth on the table next to you before you start.   

I only had to stop once to redistribute the load on the way back to the car.

Stacked pumpkins, matching masks, and neon radishes were on display at the farmers market this week.   

There were also artfully composed flower arrangements featuring dahlias that seemed extra pretty in the morning light. 

Swiss chard was selected as the "greens" of the week. Honey, a tomato, sunflowers, and Lebanese treats also found their way into my basket. 

How cute are these pumpkin flower decorations? Especially with the tops standing by like hats. 

Finally, there were the little gourds which could not be passed up at a dollar a pound. 

I am not going to tell you how many pounds I got, but I know it was the perfect amount since I only had to stop once to redistribute the load on the way back to the car.  This twisted, green/white/yellow combo is my favorite. Today.  

when fueled by the flavor of pumpkin

While scrolling through Instagram this week, I came upon this: Monarch Coffee Sweet Potato Latte

I should have prefaced the link with a warning - LOOK AT YOUR OWN RISK. Because ever since I laid eyes on it, I can't get it out of my mind. The description has wormed it's way into my brain. "The Sweet Potato Latte - brown sugar, sweet potato, clove, espresso, and milk. Garnished with a torched nutmeg and vanilla marshmallow". 

I got a sweet potato latte monkey on my back and no matter how many leaves I roll in, or loaves of pumpkin bread I make, or mums I buy, or Halloween crack (candy corn and cocktail peanuts) I eat, I fear it will not be satisfied until I get myself there.  

In the meantime...

... there was this.

Which was darn good and tasty, with a cup of regular Joe on the side.  I have taken to making my pumpkin bread in a bundt pan because it cooks more evenly than in a loaf pan, where the ends seem to get over done, while waiting for the middle to catch up. One large, one small. Perfect. 

The lesson I learned today is that a cooking spray, used with a heavy hand, works as well, if not better than a liberally applied layer of crisco for greasing a bundt pan.

It is also much easier to clean afterwards. A quick clean up is important on a Saturday morning, at the end of September, when fueled by the flavor of pumpkin, I am ready to take on whatever comes my way. 

Helpful links: Pumpkin Bread Recipe

are spiders like knitters who follow a pattern?

It's the time of year for candles, getting out the fingerless mitts, and flipping through magazines with fall images. This combined with zinnias that are still blooming, and an afternoon high in the low 70's, is the perfect time of year. The best of 2 seasons mixed into a transition. 

The jeans have come out for morning walks, at the wetlands mist rises from the water in the cooler air.

The spiderwebs are everywhere. Do you suppose they are like snowflakes? As in no 2 exactly alike; or are spiders like knitters who follow a pattern but incorporate some individual uniqueness as they spin? My money is on the latter.

Last week gardeners were preparing to put in the mums at Kauffman gardens, while the Cannas were still in bloom at Loose park.

The craving for a BLT for dinner persists, but if Chris said we were having chili and cornbread tomorrow I would not complain. 

Last night I had crazy mixed up dreams about going around at work to check the status of the coffee and coffee filters in all the break rooms, then it morphed into making sure there was toilet paper in all the bathrooms. Jeez. I am fairly certain there is not a seasonal reference there, perhaps just the transition between sleep and waking. Combined with the need for coffee and the call of nature?   

when the proper season rolls around again

Before the unexpected cold snap, or in case I get lazy later, let me just show you right now how the succulents out back fared this year. 

These guys are sort of on their own out back. I mean they get a drink occasionally but since I worry about overwatering them, I try to leave them alone. They could likely use a bit of protection from the sun at times too, but I don't move them around. 

It's not a succulent, but the bougainvillea really did well this year too. I should have tucked some of those branches up through the support earlier on to encourage upward growth more than out to the sides ... maybe?

Now I just need to take a few cuttings to bring in for next year. For sure that crassula sunset jade, some of the ruffled echeveria, and maybe the panda plant. The trick is to bring in a few, but not so many that there is no "winter break" from gardening. That is one thing I like about living in a climate with 4 seasons. It gives one enough time without something, to miss it and want to get back to it when the proper season rolls around again.

many a golf club has been cleaned sitting in that very chair

This past week, using his stagehand and technical theatre background, Chris replaced the webbing on a lawn chair.

The appropriate placing and setting of grommets is a skill with many useful applications.  

It was at my insistence that one of the old strips be retained. Because as much as this is about re-using, and not replacing, it is more about the fact that this "antique" has been in the Moss family for many, many years. Ray and Angie would always pull it out and sit in the driveway or out back at their house. Many a golf club has been cleaned sitting in that very chair by dad, and mom brought it along when they came to visit so she could supervise any gardening chores. 

I gave Chris an A+ for completion of this job in a timely manner, and with great skill.  It will be traveling with us to the cemetery in October. 

There was also the beer for a job well done. It is important to reward and recognize hard work. Especially when you may have ideas for other things that could use his skill and attention. 

her classic pitch adds greatly to the overall experience

After listening to the Diving In podcast about Ann Patchet's Dutch House, I put Bel Canto on my list of must reads. It happened to be available at my library with no waiting just when I found myself in need of a new story for the daily commute. 

This audio version is read by Anna Fields who has the perfect voice for the story. Melodious without being affected, able to perfectly take on the accents without going overboard. In a book, set in South America, where an opera singer is featured, her classic pitch adds greatly to the overall experience.  

This is the story of a group of people taken hostage while at a dinner party where an opera singer has been brought in to perform for the guest of honor. You are introduced to some of the hostages, the terrorists in charge, and the Swiss negotiator. Time passes, lines are blurred, how will this end? Not like I expected. 

I had to stop regularly to re-listen to the way Ann Patchett puts words together, like this realization by Oscar Mendoza (one of the hostages), "... a new smaller set of freedoms began to raise a new light within him, the liberty to think obsessively, the right to remember in detail. Away from his wife and 5 daughters he was not contradicted or corrected and without these burdens he found himself able to dream without constant revision."

Excellent writing, well developed characters, wonderful to listen to, highly recommended. 

with a multi-grain monster cookie thrown in for good measure

This morning, at 8am when it was a glorious 59 degrees, with filtered sunlight, Chris and I headed west to the Konza Tall Grass Prairie to walk the Kings Creek Loop trail.

For those of you who only see Kansas from interstate 70, let me tell you it is more than flat grassland. This hike starts with a nice rise and has some wonderful vista's - pasture, planted fields, small towns and a river in the distance, all very picturesque. 

We have done this hike several times over the years, and each time we return I am reminded just how peaceful it is. Today there were monarchs floating on the currents, tall grasses that look like a moving ocean when seen from a distance, and of course sunflowers.

There are creeks that run through the prairie, with wooded areas that follow along the path. Today we saw a flock of wild turkeys down there. Running and foraging.  

The remains of the Hokanson Homestead are fun to look at, I always like to imagine what it would have been like to live in the middle of this great prairie 100 years ago. 

And of course we brought lunch with us. There is a wonderful scenic overlook several miles from the trailhead and the few times we have been there it's never crowded. We opened up the back of the Subaru, and reveled in the richness of our view, while we ate.  I swung my feet in the breeze - is there anything more delightful than releasing your feet from the boots after a hike and putting on the Birkenstocks?

P.S. Krissy please tell Joe about this. The Subaru, hiking, Birkenstocks, trifecta with a multigrain monster cookie thrown in for good measure. 

sharp-witted women who are walking ahead of me on the path

The absolute pleasure of a day spent with a dear friend can not be underestimated. Especially when you have been in separate "bubbles" for the past 6 months. Today was all about catching up, supporting local businesses, anticipation of fall, reminiscing, enjoying looking at pretty houses and landscaping, and then the unexpected pleasure of lunch with Nancy and Marti.

If you are in the KC area, and have not yet been to the marketplace at meadowbrook, get yourself there. We started with a latte that was fabulous (I might have taken photos of the wallpaper inside to attempt to draw later), headed to Kauffman gardens, skipped over to Jadore where we found everything to jumpstart our fall decorating, and then lunch.

It is not everyday you get to have lunch with a 96 year old, with whom you can share stories about what to do when your "dobbers are down". I don't know about you, but I need contact with sharp-witted women who are walking ahead of me on the path. 

You may want to know the roses at Loose Park are spectacular right now and the swings aren't bad either. We also encountered a dog named Jimmy at the park whose owner schooled us in the benefits of furry 4-legged friends.  Below is the candle and a box of matches I could not resist at Tyler Kingston Mercantile in the Mission shops. 

Finally, when we returned to where we started the day, I was forced to purchase an old-fashioned and a jalapeño-pinapple margarita to go. This is what I will say about that... the opportunity to pour a perfectly mixed drink over ice, in the comfort of your own home, without having to drive anywhere later, and sip on it while you discuss plans for a hike in the prairie on Saturday, is a benefit of the pandemic that I for one may be indulging in again. Holy biscuits - who knew getting a cocktail to go was a thing? The old fashioned was delicious. I might have also gotten a monster cookie for dessert after the hike. In case we wear ourselves out and need reviving. 

P.S. A smart reader pointed out to me that Nancy and Marti are sitting very close together for pandemic times. Good for you for calling this out. Marti is Nancy's mom and they are in the same bubble.

look as long as you like

I haven't made it out to either of the larger fields of sunflowers located near Lawrence this year, but that in no way means I have missed out. On everyday excursions I have spotted remarkable specimens in neighborhoods, on the table, in the morning light - from the front and back, newly opened and almost spent. 

Later in the day, as part of a bouquet, or standing tall along the bank of a river. 

Each and every one a masterpiece. No charge for admission, look as long as you like, no need to ask permission to photograph.  

in a private car, on a journey to a place you have been longing to visit,

Below are the five random regular things I most want to share with you this week. They are not rank ordered. I sprinkled them from the camera and this is how they fell out.

The incredibly fragrant rose I liberated from a bush at the park, where I sat with my "orange blossom" latte, after a walk. 

My new favorite "mask up" sign, seen downtown, on the door of the Dusty Bookshelf, on Massachusetts street.

The red-headed woodpecker, spied overhead on a walk, when I just happened to have the Nikon with me. I have not previously seen a woodpecker whose ENTIRE head was red. 

This latest vase of zinnias which are still producing like gangbusters. I have already told you to plant some of these next summer right?

The curve of this railroad track. Can you look at it and not imagine being onboard, looking out the window, while you sit in a private car. On a journey to a place you have been longing to visit, notebook open ready to write about what you will see and do, because you don't have to bother with driving. Knitting beside you if your hands want to do something. 

I think before I die I must take a long train ride west. To see what I can see. 

my fall frame of mind

On Saturday, the first miniature gourds of the season were spotted at the farmers market. Butternut and acorn squash too. If you hadn't already been convinced of the approach of fall. Consider this your confirmation. In Kansas anyway. 

I spotted this helper at some point and was glad to catch the whole family later and find them most agreeable to my photo request. 

I really wanted someone to come home with me who could spoon something savory and creamy into these squash blossoms, then flash fry and serve them alongside an omelet stuffed with asparagus and prosciutto and a piece of rustic whole grain toast, lightly buttered, and a glass of dry white wine. But there was no one in the vicinity who seemed capable, so I walked on. 

I did not try to squish this baby in leopard tights, but seriously, the thighs, the neck, the cheeks, were all begging to be. 

I did not get pickles this week, but must remember to get a few jars for the pantry, for the winter. I only make refrigerator pickles, and leave the real "pickling" to the experts. 

Someone like this lady. She seems like just the sort who would be a capable pickle-maker.

The squash, kale, and parsley were combined with lentils for lunches this week. After getting home from the store I realized that there is a difference between sprouted lentils and regular dry lentils. But it all worked out. 

This recipe did not call for kale, but I added some anyway. I thought about a few raisins too, but stopped myself. Everything can not have raisins. 

Finally there was this lovely bouquet with the lillies. Such a pretty color. Perfect for my fall frame of mind. 

a vulgarity that starts in "girly cursive" and ends with a smiley face

On a recent walk by the river, instead of going left, I decided to go right. Under the bridge, away from the corn fields, to see what was over there.  

It turns out, there's quite a lot. Including but not limited to a new view of the river from a boat ramp area.

Cool street art under the overpass of the highway. Forgive the curse words, but I found this all very creative. 

You gotta love a vulgarity that starts in "girly cursive" and ends with a smiley face. I have been trying to call to mind a picture of the artist. 

There was a new path that looked interesting and will require further investigation.

And all along the way, cool cloud formations overhead.

my zenith of achievement

Photo from Providence Hill farm Facebook page

Do you suppose it's sheer coincidence that on the same day "heyday" was the word of the day I also received a message that goat yoga classes are being offered at Providence Hill farm - which is right here in Kansas?  Or rather, should I interpret this to mean that I will not have reached my zenith of achievement until I participate in a such a class? 

books should provide a diversion from your own life

It is inevitable that every book you read will not be the best you've ever read. That does not mean you should eliminate them from your list of books to investigate. Who knows, one of you could think the 2 books I am about to tell you about, ARE the best you have ever read. But I don't think so.  However, they are both stories worthy of your time. 

Nothing to see Here is the story of Lillian and Madison, friends who met at a prep school of sorts and then went their separate ways but always kept in touch through letters.  Now Madison has 2 step children who spontaneously combust and she needs someone she can trust to help her out with them. Lillian to the rescue.  It's not terribly long, is of course far-fetched, but you can't help yourself, you keep listening because you want to know what happens. I predict you will like Bessie and Roland (the step-children) very much. The reader of this book does all the voices in a delicious southern accent. 

The next one, Ghosted, is great bed-time reading. It is even more far-fetched than the one above, but again, you want to see how things turn out. You may even skim some parts to get through it. It's the story of Sarah and Eddie who meet and spend one fabulous week together then something happens. There are lots of twists and turns and just when you think you know where it's going it flips on you. Still you read on. For the ending. 

Books should provide a diversion from your own life, some will be more compelling than others. There are times though, when it's just about the entertainment. I can certify that both of these are that.  

glimpsing in me what the future may hold for her

This was my Labor Day walk. It's the only photo I took. Which does not mean I did not encounter many interesting things along the way.  

At the very outset of the walk I cursed myself for forgetting my hat in the car, but then I smelled wild honeysuckle though I can't be sure it wasn't autumn clematis because I was too far away to identify the flower.  Anyway, I was diverted by the pleasantness and walked on.

Next up, I spied an orange cat racing and jumping, fleeing from a dark gray cat that was in hot pursuit. The marmalade cat (who is the principal character in this scene) made it safely up to her deck after a mighty leap onto the railing. No fight ensued leading me to believe that there was a cat door she glided through. Into the waiting arms of her mama no doubt, who likely told her that was the very last time she was going to let her out.  She would stick to this rule for approximately 3 days.   

Immediately after this incident an older woman passed me riding her bicycle. She had a beauty shop hair-do. The kind that gets done once a week at a regular standing appointment time. She was wearing an animal print long sleeved rayon blouse that was blowing in the breeze. On her feet were black SAS shoes and her pants were slightly rolled up to reveal sheer black knee highs instead of athletic socks. She was proceeding at a slow steady pace as if she could ride for many miles and intended to do just that.

As she disappeared into the distance in front of me, I hoped that in 10-20 years I would be the one on the bike and there would be someone on the trail, glimpsing in me what the future may hold for her and being very glad for the possibility of it. As was I, today.

The end. There is no moral to this story. 

... for good measure

The grasses of Rock Chalk park as witnessed by one lone walker at 7:30 am on a windy Sunday morning in September, 2020.

With one long shot thrown in for good measure. 

tzatzki, falafel, and baklava from my favorite Lebanese chef

Apples and peaches were front and center at the farmers market today.

The people selling them were pretty nice too. They quickly pointed out that the other fellow in the booth was the one growing the fruit, but I still told them I wanted their picture. 

Fall colors, coffee cups warming hands, jams for toast...

... all these things have me anticipating the change in seasons. 

John Pendleton and I had a nice chat this am about how they use voile fabric to keep pests from getting to their dahlias. Which may I say are spectacular.

You would have thought I had called Karen and sent her a photo of my tablecloth, so she could make this arrangement just for me.

I did not bring home this truck. But seriously. It's crazy cute right?

I rounded out my shopping with tzatzki, falafel, and baklava from my favorite Lebanese chef (Lebanese Flower). That and some Malabar spinach from the Roots for Refugees farmers will make for fine lunches this week. As I was walking through the market today I heard a man telling someone he was with how often he doesn't get to what he buys and the food goes to waste. I wanted badly to put my arm around his shoulder and help him, but we're in a pandemic, and I didn't want to scare him. I also think it takes time to get your market mojo down and experiment around with stuff. I hope he keeps trying.  

 
Happy LONG weekend everyone. Enjoy yourself whatever you are doing.

actually it was most excellent

Dottie stopped by Thursday night on her way from Albuquerque via Phoenix, then back to Albuquerque, up to Santa Fe, then Raton, with a little Colorado and Oklahoma thrown in for good measure before a stop in Concordia Kansas, a visit to Kansas City, and finally to Lawrence. Where it was weird to see your sister in a mask in your house. Until we had to take them off to eat fried chicken salad, garlic bread, wine, and Aunt Mabel's chocolate pie. I felt it was only right to ensure she was adequately nourished before rousing her before sunrise today to see some of my favorite walking spots. 

It was a wonderful morning. The great blue herons and snowy egrets got my message and put in appearances.  As did a swimming turtle, lots of snails, and all the spiders made sure the place was well decorated with banners. After our hike we stopped for a latte at La Prima Taza (a Lawrence classic that remains open though no inside seating). We looked in windows, said hi to a cat, sipped our latte's and then walked over by the river. 

We packed 2 days worth time into 18 hours, and it was good. Very good. Actually it was most excellent. 

a 6 oz carton of vanilla yogurt sitting in my refrigerator at this exact moment

In the ordinary domain over the past weeks, here is what has gone on: 

I discovered that in addition to the little free libraries, we have this in Lawrence.

The bougainvillea out back is anything but regular, August/September is when it shoulders the work of making the deck look good.  

I have not checked out the Quarantine Cat Film Fest yet. But seriously I have it on my to do list. Because I am an active member of the cat video fan club. 

Sandwiched between rain on caladiums I am dreaming of stitching projects, inspired by one of my thrift-store table runners. 

And while sitting at that same table, staring at the table runner, I came across this photo of the "11 carton cake" which I have no business whatsoever making.

Except for the fact that there is a 6 oz carton of vanilla yogurt sitting in my refrigerator at this exact moment that wants to be transformed into a cake of exceptional deliciousness. 

I am going to distract myself by staring at zinnias and see if the urge will pass. If it does not, that will mean the cake baking was meant to be. 

while we wait

Since we can not anticipate the return of This is Us, (what we easily consider one of the cleverest, most engaging, television series ever) anytime soon, it is a darn good thing that Sister told us about this...

Chris and I are watching it slowly. Next up in the queue is episode 4 of season #2. There are 6 seasons in total and it is available on amazon prime. It is a beautifully put together production, the scenery, the music, the casting - all simply wonderful. It's not the Pearson's, but it does make for some engaging viewing while we wait. 

Highly recommended.