Tall Tales from Kansas

muskrats swimming through ponds

When one comes to the Baker Wetlands the price of admission includes getting your shoes wet and muddy. Sometimes your pants too, but it's a small price to pay for the opportunity to watch a cavorting blue heron with a long, thin, black, plume/feather that starts at the top of it's head and floats freely to the back of the head... and 3 snowy egrets doing acrobatic maneuvers over the lotus pond that will be blooming in June. 

You can see the leaves/pads sitting on the top of the water and shoots starting to poke through as well. 

My gortex lined trail hikers keep my feet dry even though the shoes get wet. One of my best purchases of the past year. When I come to a spot like this on the trail, I plunge ahead.  

I love the sparkling wetness on all plants and grasses. 

If you bring your binoculars you'll be forced to slow down and observe the thighs of great blue herons (they are an orange color), as well as the grazing habits of ducks. It is so interesting how their heads move up and down and back and forth as they forage. You can see a lot of things with binoculars that you can't see with your regular eyes.

But there are plenty of things to be seen with your regular eyes too.  On Saturday I discovered a new spot where Pied-billed Grebes and Least Bitterns nest.  Some nice Eagle Scout built a bench and a pergola out there so you can sit quietly and observe them. I will have to figure out when their nesting season is. 

This one morning of sunshine amidst all the recent rain felt like something really wonderful. I tucked every minute I was out walking in it up into my memory banks... along with the bunnies hopping along the trail, spiders spinning webs, the snake that jumped back into the water as I walked by, and the muskrats swimming through ponds. 

the only cure for peony fever

Peonies and strawberries were top on my list for the market on Saturday. I learned my lesson from last week and arrived before 7:30 am - in time to procure my allotment. Several more vendors had them for sale this week which also helped.   

I was also glad to have an opportunity to donate easily to the UN refugee agency. When I see young people advocating for what I believe to be good causes, it makes me hopeful for the future of the planet. 

Below is the bouquet I almost got this week, until I spotted the opportunity to get ALL peonies.  

While I was busy catching Karen Pendleton in the middle of simultaneously transacting business, answering questions, and dispensing advice, my eyes darted to her cooler with the bundles of buds.

This was them at 8:00 am on Saturday.

Here they are on Sunday about 11am. Watching them open slowly is magical. 

Coats and sweatshirts were required this weekend, but it was nice not to have to wrestle with the umbrella.

Below is my new friend who had on the coolest glasses at the market this week. 

In addition to peonies and strawberries, I brought home lettuce, kale, asparagus, and snap peas this week. There is nothing that makes me happier than coming up with new combinations of vegetables and greens for salads for lunch. This week will be kale mix, roasted mushrooms, dried cranberries, barley cooked with a pinch of cumin and curry, pumpkin seeds, and red pepper with a slightly spicy vinaigrette dressing. 

I am sort of feeling a serious case of peony fever coming on though. It may keep my from getting to work on Tuesday. The only cure for peony fever is sitting in front of an arrangement of them for hours on end while your mind is relaxed and open. This can not be done at work. 

it can feel like a short companionable visit of sorts

This collection of essays has been living on my bedside table for a month or so now.  Each night before I go to sleep Ann Patchett has been talking to me about a variety of subjects. 

Things like figuring out what you were meant to do with your life and getting established in it, loving a dog, trekking across the country in an RV, what it's likes to go through the process of getting accepted into a police academy, and in fact.. as the title implies, the story of a happy marriage. 

What I have discovered is that I thoroughly enjoy a good collection of essays. It seems there are topics we can all universally relate to and hearing another's perspective on it can feel like a short companionable visit of sorts. As you read you are free to interject your thoughts - agreeing, or not. Right before bed is a perfect time to pick up a selection such as this, not quite certain what you are in for, but feeling pretty sure it will not disappoint. 

Recommended. This is one of those books to pick up at your local book store to keep on the shelf for a future re-reading. 

a multitudinous multitude of more blooms

Poppies are blooming here. Maybe I love these dark red ones the best?

There is nothing namby-pamby about it. It grabs your attention. No getting around it. 

And oh. dear. me. Look what's to come still.

A multitudinous multitude of more blooms. 

All of this has been happening under the watchful eye of Harvey. With the bobcat-esque tufts of hair on his ears. 

In exchange I have been petting him vigorously, keeping the cat mint crop well tended, and telling him regularly how beautiful he is. 

when it's hot enough to have to turn on the air conditioner to sleep at night

Way back in April when the Magnolia trees were blooming, and the sun was shining, I took these photos. But forgot about them.

I figure there is no reason not to put them up now.

I was going to tell you about the great ice cream sandwich I had for dessert tonight but I ate it before taking a picture. So you just pretend you are sitting in a glider looking up at these blossoms eating whatever your favorite brand of ice cream sandwich is, and call it good.

Consider this a public service announcement - when it's hot enough to have to turn on the air conditioner to sleep at night, it's time to stock the freezer with ice cream sandwiches. 

P.S. also, clearly this is a dogwood tree and not a magnolia, if anyone is keeping track of such things.

sometimes all five feelings at once

When this clematis was planted I was informed it would sleep, creep, and finally leap - in regards to it's growth pattern.  This year it is doing whatever comes after leap. Some kind of massive move forward. Whatever that's called.

The buds before they open are as interesting as the flowers and never was there a more tenacious climber than the clematis. 

On a drive to work one morning last week the clouds moved over momentarily to let in some splendid shades of pink and yellow and blue. Oh it was lovely. I wanted to turn to the right, drive south rather than east, instead of going to work - drive into an unplanned open-ness. 

On a walk Sunday there was this remnant of a robin egg resting next to a yellow leaf. It was more turquoise than turquoise, it that's possible.

Knitting needles were picked up and a project with linen was begun. More as it progresses. I haven't knitted with linen before, it's different, but interesting and I kind of like it. 

Fresh asparagus dropped in boiling water for a minute, followed by an ice bath, a squeeze of lemon, and a shake of salt. 

These moments have not one thing to do with each other, except that they were all random. Snapshots from days that made me stop, or think, or be glad, or wishful, or appreciative. Sometimes all 5 feelings at once.  

hot dogs are a perfectly acceptable breakfast food

In case you are wondering what to wear to the farmers market when you come to visit, anything goes. But if you want to win the "best dressed award" you will want to bring these boots. 

Peonies were in many baskets, including mine. Because as long as they are blooming, they are hard to beat. 

I dropped my basket when these two approached and was really glad they agreed to let me take a picture. They were absolutely as NICE as they look here - plus some. 

They passed on such good vibrations of kindness that I couldn't even get myself worked up when the woman in front of the woman in front of me bought the last 2 containers of strawberries. I bought extra greens instead. 

My favorite cactus this week was a blooming one. 

The smell of the sugar on top of the creme brûlée getting torched, was intoxicating. That friendly customer was kind enough to inform me it tasted even better. And... if you were wondering... it turns out that hot dogs are also a perfectly acceptable breakfast food. Clearly, this one should not have been interrupted by me, but I couldn't help myself.  

What about the basket below with the higher than normal sides? Excellent for cradling whatever you put inside.

The musicians have now been allowed to return to the market (color me happy). They add to the overall spirit of the market.  Especially when they are playing an Italian melody on an accordion, or are wearing a funny t-shirt and playing the dulcimer.

My purchases this week included a wonderful kale mix, broccoli, asparagus (which like peonies should be purchased every single week until they go out of season), spinach pies, and flowers! 

Avesha your work is even more beautiful than I imagined it would be

Today something came for me in the mail. All the way from Scotland and the Spiral Tide Pottery studio. Introducing "waveware" cup #10.

It arrived safely, thanks to the great care and attention of the shipper. Who also happens to be the maker. 

From every angle it whispers of the sea.

I have been dreaming about this very special cup for awhile. The photo below was torn out of a magazine and pinned to my inspiration board sometime in the last year. It has remained there through several updates... just waiting for a new crop of pottery to become available from Avesha DeWolfe and her studio manager (link to her site below). 

You may think this amount of delight about a cup is completely over the top. But it is not. Not to a person who adores the perfect cup. 

And, I think you will agree that it seems made for my hands. 

From the North Sea where it was made, to the Pacific Ocean and all the beach walks there, to the plains of Kansas. May we have a long and happy time together, cup #10. Avesha your work is even more beautiful than I imagined it would be. 

Helpful links:  Spiral Tide Pottery

 

if any squirrels try to bury their nuts in them they will be punished severely

The May garden report is as follows:

A. Geraniums planted. Since I can not live in California where they grow as big as bushes and are a mass of blooms, I settle for them in pots. On the porch.

B. This Japanese fern is positively eating up all the rain we are having. 

C. The perennial geraniums with the small pinkish white flowers are also having a bumper year. Columbine too!

D. My inner old lady has completely let go of the concept of restraint on the front porch. 

E. False Blue indigo is at it's height of perfection. 

F. I am trying out Rex begonias this year. Such cool colors and textures. 

G. Remember when "Swedish Ivy" was the plant that everyone had in their dorm room in college, hanging in front of the one window in the whole room in a pot in a macrame hanger?  I haven't had one for years. Now I do. Yep, on the front porch. 

Despite the rain, I will be sitting outside from morning to night this weekend. Sipping on coffee, water, chilled sauvignon blanc, and who knows what else - I'll just be here bonding with my plants in these all important formative weeks of their development. Whispering to them that I will try my hardest not to over or under water them, and letting them know if any squirrels try to bury their nuts in them they will be punished severely. No one messes with my pots.

on the hit parade of the ordinary

On the hit parade of the ordinary this week, here are the top 8 on the charts.
A tiny flower arrangement,  

a Chinese fringe tree, 

a breakfast, 

an evening sky, 

rain on plants, 

a solitary coffee shop visit, 

this year's crop of iris, 

and just one more of Pam's peonies.

The End. 

P.S. I am also grateful for all catastrophes that might have occurred this week that were avoided. When you work in healthcare, you often think "that could so easily be me or my friends/family". The older I get, the more often I pause to breathe in and out and be grateful for my good fortune in THIS moment. 

it's going in our 3 ring binder wedding album

This past weekend, Chris and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. How is that even possible? 

We look pretty much the same as we did back then huh?

We celebrated simply here at home. Champagne on the front porch, a three layer cake (because occasions like this call for cake), and trying to remember just exactly what happened that day.

We flipped through the 3 ring binder that is our wedding album. We bought film for our friends and family and asked them to be our photographers. It worked. 

We went to the basement to look for our cake topper but were unable to locate it. Maybe by the 50th? But here is what I know for sure. THIS cake (made by my new favorite baker at Alchemy Coffee & Bake Shop) was fabulous. If you need a cake for a special occasion, I recommend them highly. 

But let me get back to the photos for a second. For some reason I find this shot of me throwing my bouquet extremely hilarious. 

Chris and I are now in possession of the 40th wedding anniversary plaque. It originated with Chris's parent in 1986, then went to Tom & Jan in 2011, Steve and Janelle in 2014, Mary and Ron in 2015, Dan and Ann in 2018, and now we are in possession of it until 2032 when John and Sheri will take it over. After that it moves to the next generation of Mulvenon's. 

Please let me remember exactly where I put the card and list that goes with it. Actually let me just tell you, it's going in our 3 ring binder wedding album. Please write that down somewhere in case I need to call any of you in eleven years.

thank you Pam

Last year, at the height of the pandemic, my friend Pam reminded me that she had peony bushes in her garden... with more blooms than she needed. This year, she again invited me to come by and assist in the harvest and transport of these amazing blooms to good homes.

On Friday, after work, armed with my trusty vase and clippers (that live in the back of my car, always at the ready when needed), I stopped at her lovely home.

You can not imagine the sheer pleasure of approaching a bunch of blooming bushes with full permission to harvest. 

When I got home, I dug out the pink vase, re-arranged my collection of peonies, and sat back to admire them. 

There are so many wonderful flowers in the world.

Peonies are top on the list of favorites of many flower lovers.

How can they not be?  Bold, vibrant, and fragrant. 

Such a wonderful specimen.

I love how the buds, can also be clipped, and when placed in the right location, will open and bloom as well.

Thank You Pam for this wonderful experience. Sharing in the harvest of your garden is like going to a wonderful art gallery and being told that you may take what you like, such an extravagant gift. 

I asked mom's permission, he performed, no direction needed...

This week at the market it was all about the umbrella. Design, color, coordination with outfits and face masks, and of course umbrella as prop.

I begin with my favorite which needs no explanation. So none will be given. 

Planned or a happy coincidence? I like to think planned - and hoping someone would notice. Check. 

This kid has a future in the theatre. He saw camera, I asked mom's permission, he performed. No direction needed.

There was also some wonderful produce and booth umbrellas. 

These edible flowers were a bright ray of sunshine in the rain. 

Experienced tandem umbrella walkers. As evidenced by the ability to hold a coffee and an umbrella simultaneously, while shopping. 

What came home with me today is below. 

When I saw it was raining this morning, for about 10 seconds I considered not going to the market. That clearly would have been a BIG mistake. Especially considering that lunch this week will consist of fresh spinach, Lebanese beans, and falafel. Snap peas on the side. 

best seen in person to appreciate the intricacies of the work

There is a not-to-be-missed exhibit up at the Lawrence Public Library right now. If you are in the vicinity, you will WANT to check it out. It's a selection of dresses made from maps - all the work of Liza MacKinnon. Her web site is listed below in the links section. Here is a taste of what you are in store for...

The collection is best seen in person to appreciate the intricacies of the work. For the life of me, I can't understand how she does it without the maps tearing or ripping. I stand in awe of her creativity. 

Links: https://www.mackomics.com

they are worth the drive

Important things (not really) that happened last weekend.
#1. I pulled out Angie's rolling pin to crush the graham crackers for the crust for the first key lime pie of the year. The red handles help the crumbs be more uniform. Trust me on this. 

#2. The fuchsia dianthus started blooming.

#3. Cards/letters were written. 

#4. My favorite pew at the church of the glassy river was open when I arrived for services. 

#5. The stars aligned and Wheatfield's bagels (which they only have on Sundays) were purchased. Oh. My. Goodness. Toasted with plain cream cheese, they are worth the drive. 

#6. White lilacs were in the farmers market bouquet chosen for the table. 

#7. Corn muffins from America's Test Kitchen were made to go with the last batch of chili in the freezer from this winter. 

It's likely I have provided this recipe in the past, but if not, it's below (in really tiny print but if you click on it and print it, you can read it without a magnifying glass). They freeze really well. 

In addition to going very well with chili, they are also a fine accompaniment to any spring/summer soups you plan to try this season.

it's fun to invent alternate lives

On a recent trip to the Kauffman Gardens near the plaza in Kansas City, my inner gardener was awakened, re-vitalized, and motivated.  Raise your hand if you want to make a bunch of key tassels like these and hang them up somewhere in your garden/porch/patio. Aren't they just simple and fabulous? Imagine them on a sunny day with the light filtering through. Sigh. 

I do not feel the need to have a buddha's hand citron in my garden, but a gardenia would be welcomed. The one below was covered with blooms and smelled heavenly.

Yes please to the argyranthemum above, especially with those artfully arranged curly branches. As soon as I win the lottery I am also getting a dancing girl in a water feature. 

Columbine, iris, allium, pansy's, and coral bells were all in top form. 

A peach iris is not generally my favorite, but this one was the exact color of an old "party-dress" we used to dress up in when we were kids. Hadn't thought of it in years. I remember none of the specifics of the playing, but the dress I recall in great detail. 

When I told Joan that these flowers looked like a dutch girl with braids, she told me her grandmother used to tell her they were "the bleeding heart of Jesus" when she was a kid way up in North Dakota years ago. 

Window shopping at the Crestwood shops is always enjoyable, especially after a spring salad (butter lettuce, grilled shrimp, avocado, orange, grapefruit, candied walnuts, dried cranberries) eaten out of doors at Aixois. We sat and imagined the lives of the other diners around us. What they did, what kind of house they lived in, what their relationships were like, what routines they had. You know, just the usual stuff you do when you go out and see PEOPLE again. 

We passed by a house while we were out and I had to screech on the brakes to take photos of the poppies. The house next door was for sale and we discussed the pros and cons of buying it, how we would decorate, rockers versus a swing versus regular chairs for the front porch, etc... It's fun to invent alternate lives. 

It was a lovely day. Not taken for granted, each detail tucked in a special folder to be opened again when needed. 

"...one must always play these things by ear, tuning and adjusting one's story to the reaction of the person being lied to..."

It is with some sadness, that I conclude my listening of that I believe to be the last (for now), of the Flavia de Luce novels. In The Golden Tresses of the Dead Flavia and Dogger take on their first client, who winds up dead quite early in the story. Which, in no way detracts from the delight in the reading. 

These stories are read purely for the enjoyment of finding out what is happening with Flavia and her sisters Ophelia and Daphne, the house staff (Dogger and Mrs. Mullett), cousin Undeen, and the rest of the characters from Bishop's Lacey, the town closest to the family home of Buckshaw. 

Jayne Entwistle gives such character to the wonderful writing/dialogue of Alan Bradley. Case in point is demonstrated in today's post title in which Flavia describes the subtle art of interacting with a lie-ee. 

As I await the next case brought to Arthur W. Dogger and associates, Discreet Investigations, I will keep these lines in my head and imagine Dogger and Flavia motoring through the English countryside... "we were purring our way home and the day was drawing in, a light mist played across the fields and smoke hung in the lanes..."

Pure delight. Highly recommended.

"carol sure eat's a lot of baklava"

I was delighted to finally meet Adelaide this morning at the market. She of the colorful-lid banners. As I suspected, she had important details to convey about the what and the why of the banners, "I'm putting them between that booth (as she pointed) and that booth to make the market pretty". Was her response to my question of the reason she was hanging them.

She also let me know that there are 12 school days left before break, she is 6 and 1/2 years old, she is going to do the summer reading program at the public library this year, and her favorite writer is Mo Willems - especially any book with Piggie and Elephant. There you have it. Excellent interviewee. 

As I was snapping up the last of the strawberries, these two got the last poppy bouquets. We were going to high-five over our good fortune but all our hands were full.  

The heads of butter lettuce were spectacular this morning. 

This smart couple is using the two basket method of shopping so as not to smash anything, including the amazing greens on the top of those beets.  

How about this for a Mothers' Day bouquet? 

Above and below are my favorite shots of mothers from today. Above for that fabulous baby foot, below for the smile the mask could not hide, and the tip on where to get a good sun hat. 

High marks to this vendor for the hanging turnip display. 

For those wanting bread, check out Miss Roxy's wares.

My haul above. In case you are thinking "Carol sure eat's a lot of baklava", you are 100% correct. I require my 4 pieces per week during market season. It's the perfect balance for all the greens. 

This week's purchases were rounded out with an arrangement of hydrangeas, allium, and lilacs. In a junk shop vase that I am pretty sure is quite rare and valuable. 

a reminder of Angie's back yard in Harrison

This morning, before I took a walk, and watered the zinnia seeds, and dug up some red husker penstemon, and filled the car with gas, and got a massage, and took a shower, and met Joan for an adventure, I took a million pictures of the iris in my garden.

I love how they reliably return each spring, emerging from their parchment-like wrapping, some years more bountiful than others. Always a reminder of Angie's back yard in Harrison, coming up along the back fence, where she could see them from the patio where she loved to sit and drink coffee, and admire the fruits of her labors. 

baby necks are just so darn kissable

The Mulvenon family hiking club got together last weekend for an exploration of the trails around Lake Lenexa. Most of us have been vaccinated, some still have a week to go before "full immunity" has set in. Hence some masked and some not. 

We wondered around the lake, through the woods, and over a dam. 

All in all a very enjoyable outing. Time to catch up on what is happening with everyone. In person. Somehow conversation is so much more enjoyable when you are not each having to mute and unmute.

But the highlight of the day by a LONG shot, was getting to meet Alice. In person, for the first time. She is already walking and has teeth and it is so strange that it took a whole year for us to be able to welcome her to the family. She took it all in stride. Even when I sneaked up on her and kissed that neck.

Because lets face it, baby necks are just so darn kissable.   

one of the regular customers at the wetlands

Right now in my part of the country we are supposed to be experiencing a peak bird migration, moving from south to north, heading to where they hang out at this time of year?

What I actually know about birds and their migration patterns is not enough to fill a thimble. Nonetheless, understanding that they migrate overnight, I got up early this morning to see if there were any late sleepers who missed the migration bus and where hanging out at the wetlands for a few days.





All my usual friends were there, hanging out, doing their springtime things, but I did not see anything different in terms of species or numbers.



Which should not be construed to mean that I did not have a wonderful time. Because I certainly did. 







And right near the very end of my walk, I glanced up and spotted someone coming in for a landing.





Wings spread wide, legs stretched behind.





A great blue heron, one of the regular customers at the wetlands. No matter how many times I see them I will always and forever be enchanted by their grace. When I retire maybe I will try to find a group of birders to join. A quiet thoughtful group, who will share their local knowledge with me, but not do too much talking. I like it when the only chattering on a morning walk is from my feathered friends. 

at the best farmers market this side of the Mississippi

When I walked into the market this morning and saw these bunches of allium, I knew it was going to  be a red letter day. 

It was sunny, 60 degrees, and EVERYONE was happy. It was as if some special dust had been sprinkled over the market today to make it magic. 

There were cute families, the first local strawberries of the season, and plenty of asparagus. 

It's time to plant the annuals and herbs, spruce up the porch, plan picnics, and see our vaccinated friends and family. 

I loved watching the friends connecting above and below.  Even with their masks on you can see the animation in the exchange between these 2 women. I have no idea what they were saying but it seemed like the sharing of good news.   

I rejoiced in the return of Mellowfield farms with their wonderful produce and fabulously lettered signs. I loved the bleeding hearts for sale above. Thats a flower you don't see often in a vase. 

The boy above in boots, burrito in hand, let me know in no uncertain terms that the sun was too bright. I don't know what his sister, sporting her dress up shoes had in the basket, but she was holding it carefully as if her very life depended on not dropping it. 

The plastic lid garland hanger was not there this week, but the garlands were. There was a sign to read that explained just what they were about, but I am waiting to get her take on things when I see her next. 

Here is what I came home with. You must know that the strawberries were red through and through, the asparagus only needed a few minutes to cook up (I am chilling them to eat cold with a sprinkle of lemon and salt), and the allium look amazing on my table. 

And that friends, is what it was like this morning, in Lawrence Kansas, at the best farmers market this side of the Mississippi. 

The end.