Tall Tales from Kansas

sitting there on my old beat up cutting board

A few things to highlight in the world of ordinary these last weeks, starting with my take on the mini flower arrangement at work, gathered from the dietician's "kitchen garden" at work. No one is there really early in the morning to catch me "poaching". Chives, oregano, parsley, and strawberry plants. It was what was blooming.

There is also this new vintage Santa that has come to live with my Santa's. It's from the collection of Marti Huff and will be absolutely treasured by me for years and years to come. A prize beyond measure. 

Tulips growing in my garden. They remain ever faithful, going on 12 or 15 years now. 

Speaking of tulips, the ones from the market last week deserve one more look.

I copied an idea from Sister and am drying a few of these petals to put in my everyday journal. 

There could be nothing more ordinary than a cut orange for breakfast with a scone, but seriously people, how beautiful is it? Just sitting there on my old beat up cutting board. 

How about a Kansas sky at sunrise? With a loaded lilac bush waiting by my car, perfuming the air as I stretched, at the conclusion of the walk. 

Followed by a honey latte and time spent unleashing a few thoughts into my journal. I think it is likely there are a lot of thoughts going into journals right now. About a lot of things. The pandemic has affected things that I did not foresee. It helps to work things out by writing. 

I just gave the inspiration board a bit of a facelift. Some things stay, some things go. Paintings from artists always appreciated.

the always and forever queen of small flower arrangements

This week has marked the return of the mini flower arrangements at work. My friend Nancy taught me about the joy of making these years ago. Her first arrangements in spring usually feature pansies. A flower you would not always think to put into a teeny tiny bottle and bring inside.  

It is not possible to tell you how looking over at her desk, next to mine, and seeing her arrangements makes me feel. It's not just that they are simple, tender, beautiful. It is her special mark on the world that she has passed on and will be forever a part of me and us and our friendship. 

So, today I give you Nancy. The always and forever Queen of small flower arrangements. 

I had two in the course of a week

Just a few last photos from Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Montecito. If I close my eyes I can still hear the ocean and smell the Victorian Box trees. 

The Botanical Garden in Santa Barbara shouldn't be missed. If you can help it. The poppies blooming in this valley... took my breath away they were so perfect. 

Yes please to this wonderfully unusual window box planting. 

The almond croissant from Renauds gets very high marks. So high in fact, that I had two in the course of a week. I mean who knows when I will be back?  It is also worth mentioning that I cut into it carefully, with a knife and fork, and ate it in an excruciatingly slow manner, savoring each and every single bite. 

That's all folks! Until the next trip to see my sister. Which may be later this summer. If I can swing it. 

farmers market concept art

Saturday I squealed into my parking spot on Vermont street at exactly 7:32am. Having a scheduled online program to attend, that started at 8:45am, required exact timing if I was to attend the farmers market AND be on time for the class.   

The first thing that caught my eye was the neon orange cast. What, how, when??? All those questions were on the tip of my tongue, but none were asked. I was on a time-line.  

Getting to the market early and seeing the booths being set up is interesting. In case you wonder how much care the vendors put into their booths - it's a lot. I loved the way this man was turning things just so, and slightly tipping up the baskets; arranging everything to be at its best. AND get a load of the crocheted mushrooms affixed to his table drape. Plus that far-out mushroom tea towel!  

Above are the first morel's I have spotted this season. Aren't they beauties? Below are the first asparagus. Given our late hard frost, I wonder how the rest of asparagus season will go? It didn't seem to affect the flowers or trees much. Fingers crossed. 

Just as I passed by the frosted cinnamon rolls above, wrestling with myself about the need for one... as a treat since I had to spend almost all day completing an online program... neon orange cast man came by. I took this as a sign and approached, camera in hand. I commented that I hoped an excellent story went along with the cast and he assured me there was - and it had to do with racing motorcycles. I inquired no further but thanked them for posing so nicely for me. 

They seemed to have what it takes to be coming to the market together for many years. Like my friends below. 

Next up was a booth that made me think I was back at Seaside Gardens in California. Oh that barrel cactus was fabulous. Do I want to winter over a barrel cactus indoors next winter? Maybe?

For the second week in a row I passed by the colorful plastic garland hanger-upper. Next week, she will be interviewed. Farmers Market concept art. I am a FAN.

This weeks market bouquet  - more tulips, because they flat out make everything better. 

trust among the sky workers

Sometimes, on a morning walk, the sky is astounding. All shades of blue represented with hints of purple, white, pink, gray, and gold. All colors other than blue were simply there to make the blue look better. What teamwork and trust among the sky workers, all united in one mission, for us creatures down here to look up and appreciate their perfect harmony.

I have paid more attention this year to the variety of ways the leaves on different trees appear in the spring.  The one below unfurled itself and opened recently. Still in the process of becoming. 

Even the lowly dandelion, can be appreciated for it's complexity on a morning such as this.

 

But mostly on this day it was the sky. With the redbuds getting second billing on the marquee. 

April's book report

I have heard of Louise Penny, and even had her "Inspector Gamache" series on my list of books to read. But when in the course of a single week, 2 well-read, intelligent, women both recommend her to me, I stop messing around and get to the library. And, commence to listening. As luck would have it, Still Life was on the shelf waiting for me. No reservation needed, no waiting required. I think it was meant to be. 

Oh boy. I was not disappointed. I jumped into this story and these characters with both feet and did not look back. Good story, lovely characters, well written, a few red herrings but not so many that it was overdone. If the town of Three Pines existed south of Montreal, I would be looking for an Airbnb there right this second. I want to go to the bookstore, the cafe, walk in those woods, and sit on a bench in the town square and watch life unfold. 

ALSO - I just looked and there are 16 more waiting to be read. I feel like I just unwrapped a wonderful present.
Highly recommended. Thank you Sharron and Marti. You never lead my astray.

On a totally different topic, 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World takes place in Turkey - mostly Istanbul. It's the story of Tequila Leila, a prostitue who is murdered and left in a dumpster. It is about the time after she dies and where her mind takes her - mostly memories of those people in her life who have been important. What I most enjoyed about the story were the cultural aspects. Despite how it sounds, it's not gruesome. Read this book if you like stories that are unusual. I love the premise that we might have time after we are dead to review our life and consider the things that got us where we are... even though we may not have had different choices to make. 

Chime in with your reviews if you have read either of these.

in the middle of breathing in and breathing out time

I love it when I wake up at 6:15am on a day when it is supposed to be raining. But it's not. And for some reason, I am the only person that got the advance notice of the change in plans from the weather gods. 

Just me and the birds on this morning, a couple of worms working their way from the sidewalk to the grass, no one talking - and when an inner voice raises it's hand to speak, I tell it we are still in the middle of breathing in and breathing out time, and there will be time later, if they must make a comment. 

wishful thinking

It's supposed to snow tonight in Lawrence. Between 2 and 5 inches are forecast. At this very moment it is sunny and 44 degrees outside. It was a lovely day. Therefore, I am burying my head in the sand, sharing photos from the Saturday farmers market, and pretending that none of this is really going to happen. 

How cute is this salad in a pot?

I did not get these geraniums, because it's too early for me, but I will be driving out to Pendleton's in the next week or so to buy a bunch. It's easier if Chris comes to help carry and load in the car. Besides I think he likes to help pick the color (sometimes I ask his opinion, but it carries no weight, he knows this).

If someone gave me a rhubarb/strawberry pie right now, I would kiss them. If they brought vanilla ice cream to go with, I would hug them too. 

The woman above had such an eye catching display at her booth. When I told her this she said "I am the merchandising arm of the business". I want to be her friend. I didn't tell her that. But I am going to buy all my herb starters from her next week. 

This was my favorite pair at the market this week.  Don't they just look like they go together? I have an idea in my mind of exactly what their house looks like and what they were going to be doing the rest of the weekend. 

For now, I leave you with the lilacs. Happy almost Tuesday. Fingers crossed for no snow. Yes, I know it's wishful thinking. 

halfway between aimlessly and purposefully

Wandering around halfway between aimlessly and purposefully is one of the things Sister and I enjoy doing when we spend time together. This is some of the stuff we saw on one such excursion in and around Santa Barbara.

There is no end to the enjoyment to be had in strolling around neighborhoods that are unlike mine.  

Looking out over the ocean from above, is as delightful as staring at it eye to eye. Do oceans have eyes?

These blooming aeoniums look otherworldly to a Kansas gardener. 

There will be a few more posts on the subject of erratic prowls in the weeks to come, stay tuned. Meanwhile it's back to garden clean up here in Kansas. Nothing like great inspiration from a trip to give me that extra push to get started.

every single bit of it

The life in my garden is changing by the hour, the Japanese maple cloaks me in pink light from my position on the porch. The forget-me-nots and grape hyacinths are blooming, hostas and false baptisia are pushing through the ground. The hydrangea leaves are unfurling from their hiding spots in the branches. 

The branches on the redbud I was worried about are putting out leaves. Those light green/gold colors are just perfect. The coral bells with the multi-colored veins in their foliage are doing their thing. 

Miraculous. Every single bit of it. 

"trouble is busy elsewhere at the moment"

As a prelude to the weekend, tonight I present guidance, in the form of a poem, in the event that you are trying to think of how to spend your day.  This little nugget of goodness is from a book that caught my eye at Tecolate Book Shop in Montecito. I picked it up for the cover, but bought it because it was edited by James Crews.

On the way back to our place in Carpinteria, I opened the book randomly and asked Sister if she wanted to hear a poem. She said "yes". Here is what I read.

Any Morning 
    by William Stafford

Just lying on the couch and being happy.
Only humming a little, the quiet sound in the head.
Trouble is busy elsewhere at the moment, it has
so much to do in the world.

People who might judge are mostly asleep; they can't
monitor you all the time, and sometimes they forget.
When dawn flows over the hedge you can
get up and act busy.

Little corners like this, pieces of Heaven
left lying around, can be picked up and saved.
People won't even see that you have them,
they are so light and easy to hide.

Later in the day you an act like the others.
You can shake your head. You can frown.

 

The end.

 

oh joy

The first farmers market flowers for the year have been superlative. Each morning when I leave for work and every evening when I return, I am grateful to see them on the table.

And to think, this is the beginning of farmers market flower season. Oh JOY. 

providing hours of blissful play

Below are the specimens collected over the course of the days I spent with Sister tramping around the beaches, gardens, back lanes, preserves, and marshes of Carpinteria, Montecito, Santa Barbara, and all points in and around there. 

I have no need to continue to pick up random items that catch my eye. But the gatherer in me says differently. 

These days more care is taken not to pick up too much. Just the things that call to me loudly. 

I like to look at them, re-arrange them, draw them, and in general delight in their uniqueness. 

Sister found this turban on our last beach walk of the trip. As it wasn't occupied, it had to come home. It will live next to the one I found last year. Maybe. They will all have to be brought outside, inspected, evaluated, and arranged carefully. It goes without saying that this will be done multiple times over the summer and in the many years to come, providing hours of blissful play. 

they were all holy

Sunrise, a great blue heron with legs stretched behind takes flight, three deer crossing the path pause to watch me as I pass, a chorus of red winged blackbirds, the golden sun on the grasses, the unexpected color of a blooming redbud, a marshy area full of chirping frogs, spotting the first wild phlox in the woods.

These are all the sites and sounds I encountered at the Baker Wetlands on Sunday morning. They were all holy. 

I have missed my people

And just like that, with the ringing of the opening bell, things are a little more right with the world again. Here in Lawrence Kansas anyway... because farmers market season is here

Everyone was prepared for "weather", and yes there were a few sprinkles when I was there, but really it was a perfect start.

There were all manner of treats to be had. People were smiling and friendly. Everyone was happy to have their picture taken.

When I went to get my honey from Anthony and asked if I could take his picture, he said "knock yourself out", in a very low key sort of way. My favorite response of the day.

These two were totally rocking the rain/pandemic look. Gosh I want to be 20 again and re-experience the world with green hair. For just a month. Or two. 

Instead, I bought some Tulips from the Cook's Country fellow and some baklava from my favorite grandfather/grandson duo. 

I have missed my people, even though they don't really know I think of them that way, or maybe they do.

I brought home kale, spinach, baklava, tulips, and honey. Perfect. 

Hopefully your season starts soon. Until then, I bring you greetings from all the vendors right here in Lawrence.

because I like you like that

The first week back at work is always a challenge after a week off. But looking at this video of our first sunrise at the beach last week helps. Isn't it great how easy it is to take a video these days? And watch it as much as you want?

I think it's amazing. The fact that I can download it on YouTube AND figure out how to share it here is also noteworthy. I don't do it often enough to remember from year to year.

Tomorrow morning is the opening of Farmers Market season in Lawrence! Can I get a Hallelujah? It's supposed to be raining, but unless it's a full on storm, I am going. If for no other reason than to share it with you. Because I like you all like that.

Happy Friday!

 

crazy ritualistic dancing on Massachusetts street

Tonight, after work, before the rain, we sat on the front porch for 10 minutes before dinner. Because people it is SPRING, and sometimes in Kansas this season can be fleeting. As in only a few weeks so you gotta "get out there while the gettin's good". Someone said that, I think probably about spring in Kansas. OK, highly unlikely, but still.

The redbud's bud's are opening. It's a miracle. Everything is miraculous in the spring. 

Even the three tulips in my front yard seem stupendous. 

The vaccinated Huff girls (my adopted mother and sisters), came to Lawrence on Monday so we could celebrate the rite of spring. We did not do any crazy ritualistic dancing on Massachusetts street, but we did enjoy seeing each other and discussing easter traditions, Santa collections, books, Nancy's freakish ability to taste the difference between an original coke in a bottle versus a can, how succulents and other living things can be wintered over in a basement with grow lights, and how wonderful it was of them to bring me a piece of the famous blueberry coffee cake that is served every year for Easter at their family gathering. 

P.S. Chris is scheduled for his first vaccine tomorrow. I am more excited for this than I was for my own shot. Life is good. 

 

whatever that thing is in each of us that connects us to the world

In between the moon setting and the sun rising, on the beaches in and around Santa Barbara, there was a most amazing display of botanical prints created in the sand every morning. By the actions of the tides combined with rocks and all the living things in the sea.

This human-made feat of balancing also warrants sharing.

A magnificent display for the eyes, the ears, and whatever that thing is in each of us that connects us to the world. 

 

on my own timeline

Happy Easter from Kansas, where I am piddling and poking and moving from one thing to another, getting back to familiar routines.

California was simply stunning. The company, the weather, the air perfumed by Victorian Box trees, jasmine, and citrus blossoms, and the ocean. Always the ocean with beach walks. 

I will arrange and re-arrange this collection of treasures many times in the next weeks. Each time recalling where the individual pieces were picked up. 

Chris is making easter ham, I helped by taking out the easter napkins. 

This sweet bunny made by Mary Stanley was picked up at Bon Fortune in Carpinteria. The perfect addition to my cobbled together centerpiece. 

The thing for me when coming back from a trip, is to slowly begin to mingle the last week with the coming weeks. No hard line between then and now. If you see me sitting around with my eyes open and staring, a slight smile on my face, you will know I am integrating. No need to try and snap me back to the present. I am on my own timeline. 

P.S. Sister if you were here, I would split the malted milk eggs with you. Right down the middle - half for you and half for me.