Tall Tales from Kansas

the right spot, on just the right dates, with all the right people.

Walking in October in the Ozarks is pretty good. Early morning, middle of the day, evening time, around the place we stayed, up at Big Cedar, down by the lake. Such a pleasure. I never take for granted the ability to jump out of bed and go... knowing that I may not always be able to do that. 

When I see open spaces like the one above, it takes me back to days long gone, riding to the farm with dad and Barney, going to feed the cows. 





Walking on familiar paths remembering all the walks taken in the past on these trails, watching the turtles with the knuckleheads.







I found a new area this year back in a neighborhood, high up, overlooking a finger of the lake off in the distance. 



The mist rising off the water was spectacular on this morning. A man I met walking told me to keep going until I saw this view, "it's my favorite, you will be glad you did". He was right. 









Tonight the emails are flying back and forth. Plans being made already for next year. It's important to get just the right spot, on just the right dates, with all the right people. 

in thanks to Ray and Angie for setting us off on the right paths into the world

Over the last 7 years, we have perfected the ritual and the art of spending a day at the cemetery with Ray and Angie.

On our initial visits it was a "dusting off" of the headstones, weeds were pulled, stories were told, tears were shed, and away we went.

Maple Leaf Cemetery in Harrison Arkansas is a pretty spot though and we have learned as we have gotten older, to just hang out and appreciate it.

The trees, while not as spectacular as some years, were still lovely. This year the sky was blue, temps were in the upper 60's, there were light breezes, and shade was ample. 

Now in addition to "dusting" the headstones we give them a good spray down and scrub out whatever is growing in the letters and the cracks. The old flowers are removed, and new fresh arrangements are made. We stuff rocks in among the stems to keep them secure, and amazingly enough they always are there the following year. If you would have told me 20 years ago that I would be leaving fake flowers on my parents graves each year I would have asked you what you had been smoking. Fake flowers? No way! But everyone does it at this cemetery and I just love the way it looks. 

A new golf tee is left for dad and a twist tie for mom, a few rocks and sea shells, and then it's time for the traditional shots of bourbon, raising our glasses in thanks to Ray and Angie for setting us off on the right paths into the world.

Photos are always taken. Lots of photos. Then we get out the cooler, settle into our chairs, and have lunch. Right there. At the cemetery. With mom and dad. We used to go someplace for lunch, but this is SOOOOO much better. We have the best table, our sandwiches are always perfect, and no arguing about who is picking up the check. On the side are chips, grapes, pickles, pretzels, carrots, apples, and a couple of oatmeal raisin cookies for dessert. 

It's always the best part of our trip. Followed closely by the annual Moss Family Putt-Putt tournament, which I might have already mentioned that I won this year. 

All our long gone family members remain with us in the stories we tell and the memories we have.  Dottie had such a great idea when she suggested 7 years ago we start this ritual. I don't know how long we will do it, but I am pretty sure until there is just "one post left in the fence"... or however that saying goes. 

P.S.  As we were leaving the cemetery this year, I spotted this concrete pup sitting faithfully at the corner of a plot. High marks to the person who did this. 

diving into her work more deeply

Today there is this unusually beautiful bit of poetry, courtesy of Pome by Matthew Ogle.

Two-Headed Calf

Tomorrow when the farm boys find this
freak of nature, they will wrap his body
in newspaper and carry him to the museum.

But tonight he is alive and in the north
field with his mother. It is a perfect
summer evening: the moon rising over
the orchard, the wind in the grass. And
as he stares into the sky, there are
twice as many stars as usual.

Laura Gilpin

 

I want to see the world with Laura Gilpin's eyes. Instead I will settle for being glad to have found her and look forward to diving into her work more deeply. 

to come up with something equally irritating to say to me next year

Us Moss's just returned from Northern Arkansas/Southern Missouri for the annual celebration of Ray and Angie's Birthdays, the clean up at the cemetery, and spending time hanging out together.  Brother and I will tell you that the other essential part of this trip is the annual Moss Family Putt Putt Tournament. Which by the way, we take very seriously.

The photo taken at the beginning of the round, shows each face full of hope, optimistic that THIS year we will be the one who prevails.  



The winner, upon conclusion of the match, is allowed full gloating rights, which you see above. Brother is recounting the scores, checking my math, to be sure that he did in fact come in second place to me.

Pumpkins are the other important part of this trip.  Lots and lots of pumpkins. Pumpkins here, there, and everywhere.  





Carts full of big pumpkins, little pumpkins, white, warty, green, yellow, gray, stripey... all of them wonderful.







It is also customary at the end of the match to remind the person you beat by one point, that if they practice very diligently for the next 11 months, next year they may be the one taking the trophy home.



I don't think Brother was comforted by my remarks, but he has the next 300 plus days to come up with something equally irritating to say to me next year. IF he wins. 

while you soak in all their beauty

Because I am away from my Farmers Market this weekend and because these Dahlias are so special, and finally because I told you I was going to do it, here are some more of last week's Dahlias. 

At the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens in Fort Bragg, California they have a wonderful Dahlia garden. If you are ever in the area at just the right time, you must visit. There are so many different varieties and benches where you can sit while you soak in all their beauty. 

all right there just waiting for me

Somedays, on a walk, when you least expect it, all the stars line up, for the most perfect of perfect experiences. Last Sunday was one of those.  

From the sun coming up under the bridge, walking on the wet grass to the edge of the river, the pink mist rising into the cool morning air, falling leaves, golden morning sun, peeling bark, all right there just waiting for me. 

not feeling at all like we were lost in the dark

This weekend Chris and I watched episode 9 of season 6 of Downton Abbey. The "finale" of the series. Oh how we will miss not having more episodes to watch whenever we feel like it. We stretched it out as long as possible. Not being binge watchers, we made it last a full 8 months. We started with the first movie, not feeling at all like we were lost in the dark for not having seen the series first. Now we will re-watch that movie and be ready when the next movie comes out. Supposedly in the spring of 2022. 

In the event that you are even later to the Downton party than we were, consider this an invitation to some wonderful entertainment. Available on Amazon Prime. 

four pieces were procured

This farmers market post will begin with these amazing dahlias. When I set the basket down in the morning sun after arriving home, the light was perfect. The camera clicked.

The structure of these flowers is just incredible. They hardly seem real, then again, nature all on it's own, makes the best of everything.  All she asks in return is for us to notice. 

There were lots of good sights to be seen at the market this week.  

Including one of my all time favorites, these two, whom I refer to as "the Turkey Trot couple" in their hats. They let me know they will once again be headed to NYC this year for the 5K race on Thanksgiving, with their daughter.  

You may want to roast up a sheetpan of fingerling potatoes soon. Drizzled with olive oil, salt, pepper, a sprinkle of rosemary if you want.

You can even do a combo of potatoes and winter squash. Yes you can. In the fall, all sorts of things are possible. What is it that makes this season when the leaves are turning and falling always feel NEW to me? I can't explain it.  We feel what we feel right?

I had to get a picture of mama bear and baby bear - both smiling. They are fall lovers too. I can tell.

Don't these locally grown apples just scream for a peeler, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, a sprinkle of salt, flour, and oats . Mixed and thrown in a pan to bake and magically transform into apple cobbler? Best eaten in front of the fire with your friends, who come over to cut out leaves from felt so you can all make banners.

Below is the caramel apple cake of the week from Chonky Treats and Eats.  I was informed by my brother not to bother to show my face at our annual get-together this week unless I bring some of THIS cake with me.  Four pieces were dutifully procured. Opinions from all tasters will be accurately recorded and submitted.

Finally let me close with a few more shots of the dahlias.

There could be more later in the week as well. I have been circling them as they sit on the table. Capturing them from all angles. Each one better than the last. 

ready to move ahead into whatever this fall is bringing

A few things of note lately on the local front.  Dashiel is loving his new digs on Massachusetts street. 

The blueberry scones are almost as good as the orange cranberry scones from Chonky Treats. I can't help it, I have a bad habit of loving my first love best. 

My latest knitting project is happening right in time to blend with the Halloween color scheme on my table. 

La Prima Taza - maybe the oldest (and certainly one of the finest) coffee shops in Lawrence has opened it's doors again. If you go when it's hot get the "Iced Indonesian" and if it's cool outside ask for it warm - I personally like it "half sweet" too.  It's a treat. 

The Dahlias are going strong. With a few added zinnias to fill in as the week went on. 

The Halloween banner is up and the rest of the decor will soon follow.  I like sitting in my living room looking around at all the treasures made and collected through the years. 



Finally, in the last 7 days, I have received my annual flu shot, a covid booster immunization, and a TDAP injection.  I feel invincible. Nothing more than a sore arm with each shot. I am ready to move ahead into whatever this fall is bringing my way.  I am dreaming of adventures near and far. Even when they only happen in my mind I like thinking about them. 

the Moss sisters have a policy about not engaging in risky, potentially injury-inducing, behaviors

We had the best sunrise, cloud display, blue sky goodness, all rolled into one last weekend. It was simply spectacular. A non-stop award winning movie playing out right in front of me. At one point I passed a field of birds all chattering simultaneously and then they stopped completely, all at once, in unison, like an unseen conductor had just lowered the baton. Fascinating. 

The lotus pond is done for the season. I did not scramble down into the muck for a dried seed pod though I was tempted. The Moss sisters have a policy about not engaging in risky, potentially injury-inducing behaviors, when we are on solo adventures.







This last photo is to remind me to tell you about another use for these pesky masks. I have been wearing one lately on my long morning walks to cut down on my ragweed exposure. Guess what? It works! 

it all started with Mafalda Maritote

Last week Marti Huff and Nancy came to Lawrence for lunch at the Ladybird Diner. We are pie lovers, the lot of us, and no one does pie in Lawrence Kansas any better than the Ladybird. Trust us.

As soon as we slowed down, after all talking at once... which is what you do when you are giddy with delight at the thought of a leisurely lunch, Marti embarked on a tale of intrigue from her days working for "The Outfit". This all began with her recalling Mafalda Maritote (such a name! who could forget it?) who was the sister of Al Capone. 

When Marti graduated from the Bryant and Stratton Business college in Chicago, they assisted her in finding gainful employment as was their practice back in the day. So, for the grand sum of $75.00 a month, Marti sat at her desk in a "chicken pen" of an office, at the Maryland Match Company, typing out letters to all the hotels in the area encouraging them to use their matches. Right next door were the offices of Abraham J. Titlebaum, which may or may not have been the front for the mob. 

Somehow, Marti's relative in Florida read about Mafalda's wedding and through the guest list traced this to the Maryland Match Company. Once the grandparents in Chicago found out about all this, they whisked her out of there lickety split and put her on a sleeper train to the east coast where she would spend the next months serving in the role of governess for a relatives children while the mother looked after her newborn. 

Thus she was saved from being drawn into the underbelly of the mafia crime world and instead became the matriarch of the Huff/Walrafen/Pfanmiller dynasty of Kansas City. And now you know ... the rest of the story (I didn't want to steal that line, but you have to admit it goes perfectly there). 

P.S. we did NOT get a psychic reading but you can't pass up a photo op like this. That does not mean we may not venture in there after our next lunch date. I mean how can I not have been there in the 36 years I have lived in Lawrence? AND... If I am diving in with anyone, it's going to be Marti Huff. 

he IS the king of color

Progress continues on the Spots and Stripes quilt. The enjoyment factor remains high as the first half of the pieced squares are laid out for review. 

Such decisions.  I like to look at it with my eyes partially closed to determine the compatibility of the colors. Then I switch everything around about 5 times. 

The truth is, all the colors look marvelous together. How could they not, these are Kaffe Fassett fabrics and he IS the king of color. 

As I work on the squares, in the back of my mind a plan is being concocted for what to do with all the scraps.  Table runner?  

The thought of future creations is like a hose that is never turned off.  Which is how it should be. Though sometimes when it's a fire hose I wish it would slow down, and when it's a trickle I want to turn it up.  

those dahlias, plus other dahlias which means multiple dahlia types came home with me

The farmers market opened exactly 10 minutes after sunset on Saturday. I find myself taking my morning walk in complete darkness on these mornings so I can get in a walk before going to the market. I know I could get to the market later than 7:30, but I love the feel when it is just opening and everyone is putting the final touches on their displays. 

These eggplant were georgeous and I kept thinking of a character from a children's book wearing a hat on her head that looked like the top with the stem and the foliage on the side.

No words for this color explosion. Just POW!

I love a neatly packed container of peppers. I bet this vendor likes to do jigsaw puzzles in her spare time. Every piece in the right spot. 

As soon as I saw these dahlias I knew they were my flower of the week. Until I saw that there were those dahlias, plus other dahlias which means multiple dahlia types came home with me. 

I think you will agree I made a good choice.

I love a clever sign. Don't you think giant green onions would be perfect in some kind of casserole with bacon and a savory, eggy, bread pudding sprinkled with fontina cheese? White wine, green salad on the side. Maybe eaten outside on a screened in porch with candles on the table.

Alonzo was making music at the market this weekend. Fabulous fabulous fabulous shirt!

This week was hummingbird cake from the Chonky bakers - banana, pineapple, pecans. Serious love for that icing color!

I have officially turned into a 3 bags of greens per week shopper. While they are this good, they need very little to go with them. Dried cranberries, roasted pumpkin seeds, a little red onion, light vinaigrette that still lets the flavor of the kale and the arugula shine through. 

Every week more gourds find their way home with me. For 75 cents a pound, you can really have a truckload, if that's what makes you happy. I am the boss of the gourds at Tall Tales Headquarters. Chris always agrees with my selection and my sentiment that you can not have too many.  

searching for the truth about what happened to 2 men who never returned from WWI

My deepest thanks to the Scott County Library System in Eldridge, Iowa for letting me borrow the 3rd installment of the Maisie Dobbs series - Pardonable Lies. I like to listen to these books on my commute to and from work. Having a way to access them through the public library is so great, it almost feels like a secret privilege I am somehow getting away with. I like to imagine walking into all of these libraries from whom I have obtained books over the years and giving them each a check for some exorbitant amount of money, because I could, and because I so appreciate them. 

But back to the business at hand. This installment, 3 of (I think) a total of 17, does not disappoint. New aspects of Maisie are discovered as her work and life continue to develop. As always, there is the historical aspect to these stories that is interesting especially when uncovered in the light of a group of characters. I am not sure how far into the future this series will go, and truth be told, I really don't want to know. I am perfectly happy just letting things unfold page by page.

This book has Maisie searching for the truth about what happened to 2 men who never returned from WWI. Did they die as their families were led to believe?  Good story, wonderful characters, charming settings. Recommended. 

when I did not wax poetic for so long about the file cabinets in my brain or my theories about a good life

I heard a line today from someone about how it is easier to recall memories that are unhappy while sometimes the good ones glide by and are lost.  I wonder if that is so. Maybe?  I know I can recall with absolute clarity various incidents when someone has "done me wrong".  I could recount very specific details to you, even years after the fact. 

Wouldn't it be great if we could go in for a mind cleanse? A procedure of sorts where you could isolate things you would rather just forget about... if only you could let it go. Think about the space that would provide for your good memories to breathe and emerge renewed, with greater color and depth.  

I am forever on the path of trying to look for the good in the everyday, thinking this will lead to a more peaceful, satisfied life. It's just so darn easy to get tripped up by things we can't do a thing about. At least not in the present moment.  

Now this Brookie, pictured above, is something I do have control over, that is simple and delicious, can be eaten in several sittings and I am pretty sure when I recall it in years to come it will have grown even more epic in flavor and pushed some bad stuff out of my head.

It's kind of an example of more is more. A sharp contrast to last night's post when I did not wax poetic for so long about the file cabinets in my brain, or my theories about a good life.  In case you are wondering, the Brookie is an unusual combination of a crisp chocolate chip cookie, a deep, dark, moist chocolate brownie, and cream cheese frosting all rolled into one attractive package. It's available from those Chonky fellows at the Lawrence Farmers market. I think we have 4 or 5 more markets until the end of the season in case you were wondering. 

sometimes less IS more

The combination of the these zinnias and this little gourd, with a very long stem, is the very definition of serendipity. 

And maybe I'll just leave it at that tonight. Because sometimes less is more? 

making a pumpkin pie on October 3rd because you can

I made a pumpkin pie this weekend. Because I could. Because last year I only made one all season and a certain balancing out was called for. Pumpkin pie is one of my very favorite desserts. Starting way back when I was a kid and I got in trouble for sticking my finger right in the middle of the pie because I just couldn't wait. What was I thinking? Oh yeah, that I needed a taste right at that exact moment and nothing was getting in the way. I have always known my mind when it comes to food. 

It's nice being an adult and being able to decide to make a pumpkin pie on October 3rd just because you want to,  and YOU are in charge of all things pumpkin. 

If possible, I am getting better at making crust. Mostly because I feel less intimidated. Using the food processor helps. As does getting used to your recipe. Aunt Lois I do hope you are watching me, and smiling with approval,  from your corner of the collective universal consciousness. 

There was a time when my favorite pumpkin pie had a crunchy pecan topping on it. These days I just like a creamy texture that stands up on it's own, with plenty of good flavor, but not overwhelmed by any one spice. I have been using America's Test Kitchen recipe which calls for sweet potatoes and fresh ginger. See photo at the end of this post with the recipe. 

The filling is cooked first, then pressed through a strainer, which is a little bit fussy but worth every ounce of effort expended. 

This pie is thick and I like it equally well with or without whipped cream. 

Just put it on a plate and let me have at it, so I don't have to stick my finger in it and risk getting in trouble. I erased from my mind any punishment I incurred for that infraction. It's possible there was none. That's the way I am choosing to remember it, that Angie understood my need and just let it go. 

Happy October everyone.  Which one of you wants to volunteer to come over and root around in a few boxes in my basement and find that Halloween banner that goes on the mantel? The reward will be a piece of pie with your choice of beverage. 

In my opinion

Scenes from the farmers market this week. How lovely are the red stems in this vase?

Another jumpsuit/coverall! This week from the Repetition Coffee booth. 

A cup of that coffee with a nice piece of orange/honey/date cake from the Chonky Treats and Eats guys sounds like a perfect love match to me. He was about to start cutting on the second cake of the morning when I got this photo. 

The woman I got the dryer balls from last week had so many beautiful hats and mitts this week, all made from the wool she spins from the sheep she raises.  She is a treasure.  

I was a little nervous about asking this guy if I could take his picture, but I had to because he was enjoying his farmers market breakfast so much. As soon as I asked he broke into this giant smile. The morale of this story is always ask.

My purchases this week were heavily green. I had such good arugula last week I had to get another bag. I generally don't eat arugula alone as my salad green, but since my friend Annette turned me on to the idea when we were in Salina, I have been enjoying the flavor immensely. A tender bag of mellow mix blend for weeknight salads is so easy. The fate of the butternut squash is as of yet undecided. Soup maybe?

How did it get to be Sunday evening already? Chris is out back cooking some barbecue chicken on the grill and I am about to go get my pajamas on. All the best dinners are eaten in pajamas. In my opinion. 

how much my future self is going to love what I have done

Tonight it's pictures snapped here and there that are part of everyday life.  Regular moments that said "hey take a picture of me".  The moon setting out the back door in the very early morning. Cherry tomatoes on the counter. Blooming succulents. Mist rising from the pond on a 48 degree morning. Freshly washed dishes. The way this plant, whose name escapes me at this exact moment, has done so well all summer and seems to be getting pinker as the temperatures cool. 

Pretty soon (as in I should be doing it right now), the fall gardening tasks will have to be started.  Selecting succulents to winter-over, dumping out the pots of annuals, cleaning the pots before it gets cold, doing some weeding…. I always appreciate it in the spring when I have done a reasonably good job in the fall.  That's the thing - telling my current un-motivated self,  come April I will be paid back in dividends for the energy invested now.  I like trying to trick myself like that. Sometimes it even works.