Tall Tales from Kansas

to coax all I can from my little spot of the world

You will have to go along with me on my current obsession with this year's caladiums. 

They might be the best one's I have ever had. The funny thing is they looked so straggly when I planted them. Then we had a super wet/coolish period, but here we are six weeks later, and they are simply stellar. They are in pots in my front garden where I can observe them from my favorite morning sitting spot. I watch the sun as it comes up on my right and filters through the leaves of the Japanese maple, creating the most amazing shadows.

For each garden failure, there are these victories that step in to remind me why I love getting sweaty & dirty and continue to coax all I can from my little spot of the world. 

We did. It was good. We were glad.

When Johnny and Annette were visiting Tall Tales Headquarters recently, we had Margaritas and Bloody Mary's. Not at the same time. 

The luxury of having your own personal bartender, who cleans up after himself, and has a wicked sense of humor, can not be overstated.

The fact that he is a dear friend and married to one of my dearest friends ... ok, enough said. 

In other news, these zinnias all re-seeded themselves from last year. Best crop of volunteers ever. I took care to break up the dried flower heads last year and throw them around at the end of the season. Seems like it paid off. It also helps that these zinnias are in my back garden where it is sunny and sort of protected from the harsh winds here in Kansas. 

I am very much enjoying listening to The Trojan Horse Affair podcast. I am not sure where it is going, but it's so interesting and a commentary of sorts on these times we are living in? If you like a podcast, give it a whirl. Excellent to knit along to. 

In addition to cleaning the bathrooms before our guests arrived, the sewing area got neatened up.  



This may or may not turn into a smallish pillow for the chair at my desk at home. Old jeans + scraps = real good fun. 

While we are on the subject of sewing, I reinforced a buttonhole on these yard-mowing shorts for Chris recently.

I told Chris they come with a money back guarantee. I am in love with the whole mending movement - in theory anyway. I need more practice which will of course make things closer to perfect

There was a meeting of the Huff Lunch Club recently. Items discussed included the universal appeal and good looks of a pair of Birkenstocks at any age, the importance of incorporating creative endeavors into a life, and carrot cake. 

That's all I have to report today. Did I mention that we ate carrot cake in addition to discussing it? We did. It was good. We were glad. 

people it would be a relief to be with

Today I finished reading Leonard and Hungry Paul by Rónón Hession.  One of you recommended it a few years back, and now seemed like just the right time to settle in with it.  

This book is about two friends, Leonard and Hungry Paul.  We never learn the story behind the name Hungry Paul by the way, it's just his name, and no one thinks it's unusual in the context of the book. These are 2 very ordinary fellows, living under the radar, but each with a special talent of sorts that has not really been celebrated. Their gifts are quiet, like they are. They seem to me to be people it would be a relief to be with. If you are looking for a book about friends, living regular lives, without too much nonsense going on, THIS is a story for you. Perfect bedtime reading. I enjoyed it immensely. 

start holding your doughnuts using her method

This weekend I had the best time taking Johnny and Annette to "my" farmers market. It's hard to know what others will think of something so dear to me, so familiar, so part of my life. It's like anything else you share with someone, hard to know if your taste's will coincide. But I think they liked it. 

They are in the area to visit family in Kansas and Oklahoma. It has been a true delight to have them here. Meanwhile, at the market, things are getting colorful!







The doughnuts remain ever popular among all the visitors. This connoisseur today told me they were "good" AND when asked what her's tasted like said "doughnut".

She did not say "duh" afterwards. But I could hear it in her voice. I don't know what you are doing today, but whatever it is I hope it makes you as happy as she looks in this photo. I also hope you start holding your doughnuts using her method. 

The market at 8:30 am is busier than my usual 7:30am time, and the music is lively. It could be that I should check out the market at different times in the morning. Except that I missed my usual bag of mixed lettuces... though I can not complain since there was arugula to be had.

I also got there in time to get the first piece of the last one of this week's cakes from Chonky treats and sweets.  Blueberry/lemon, one of the world's best flavor combinations. 

kind of like playing with your toys

Recently, a wild idea to soak all the treasures that are laid out on a tray in the living room popped into my brain. A bit of a wash to rehydrate was my thought.

While proceeding to place them in a bowl in the sink, it was fun to handle each piece, recalling the place where it was spotted, who I was with, reliving it all (to the best of my recollection).

I think reconnecting with the water was good. I know dusting the tray was needed.

This was good fun. Re-arranging a collection greatly enhances the enjoyment of having it. Kind of like playing with your toys, right?

he got a little lonely up there

This is a photo of Dad taken back in the mid 1990’s. He was on the way back home after spending 2 months up on Big Sheep mountain in Montana (or Wyoming?). He had seen an ad in “Working Sheepdog News” for a shepherd and he thought it sounded interesting. There was a discussion with Angie, a bag was packed, Lash and Katy jumped in the truck, and off they went.

It was pretty much the sheep, the dogs, and his horse up there and we could tell he was glad to be back among his people, telling stories, socializing.  After he retired from the Air Force, dad followed his dreams wherever they took him, whenever he could. 

Happy Fathers Day dad, thanks for putting that sense of adventure in all of us.

P.S. Working Sheepdog News is a real publication, at least it used to be. That's where he also got wind of the need for border collies and someone to train them in Brazil. But that's another story for another time. 

us Moss kids love our out of door spaces

Before leaving for the Farmers Market today, I ventured outside to check on things. See what needed my attention... you know the drill. Fan went on, candle was lit, pillow fluffed, coffee sipped. Then I started thinking about how interesting it is that ALL us Moss kids love our outdoor spaces, just like Angie did. 

It's endlessly fascinating to watch the light and how it changes from one minute to the next. Did she watch the light? 





Listening to the birds and the fountain, a tiny cutting was potted, a mud dauber nest was vigorously dislodged using the handle of my broom, geraniums were deadheaded. 







Thoughts drifted in and out. Plants were checked on.







Before you know it all desire to leave my space had vanished, and thus the Farmers Market was missed.   

The End. 

no ceilings except sky is my request

Given our current heatwave here at Tall Tales Headquarters, I am letting my mind wander in many directions. For example if I could change my present circumstances, I would be resting at this very moment on cool sheets, the exact color of these peonies, the air fragranced lightly with their scent, in the far distance the sound of wind chimes, my bed would be out of doors, no ceilings except sky (or a canopy of leafy green branches) is my request, a slight breeze across the cheek for comfort. There may also be a purring cat resting by my side. 

Where is your mind wandering today? 

our previous adventures there back in the day

Last week we made our way west to the Smoky Hill River Festival in Salina Kansas. The highlight of the festival for me was finding my flower pot art made by the sister of this lovely woman. She told me that she and her sister looked alike, and since she was so nice, I thought her photo, with her sister's art, made good karmic sense. 

You will agree it looks perfect right here on my porch. 

This is some of Julie Cates other work.  All bright, creative, wonderful, imaginative. Right up my alley. 

These three... in these skirts (!) - ready to take on the festival. You just knew they were going to have a good time. 

Maybe in 40 years they will still be doing it together, like these two. 

There was art work for everyone. Paintings, photography, jewelry, garden art from recycled things, the most intricate silk embroidery - so detailed it looked like photography. 

There was art to wear and some artists brought their work to lay upon when needed. 

This boy went right for the breakable stuff.

Kids have a 6th sense about what is going to most freak out the adult responsible for them, and then they proceed to do it. 

These super lightweight cotton bandanas, neck scarves, quilts, table runners, dresses were perfect for a warm day. 

Did I say there was pottery? Really cool pottery. Below is work by Cindy Percival from Kansas City. 

There was even a fife and drum core that did a pretty good rat-a-tat-tat, but it was too hot to march behind them. 

In addition to my flower pot art I came home with a hand block printed bandana and a bird. 

On the way out of town we went to the Scheme and picked up a 1/2 baked pizza to bring home for supper. While we sipped on cool beverages, waiting for our order, we re-told stories of all our previous adventures there "back in the day". 

they demand my attention

This may be the best poppy season I have had. Ever. Maybe it's the way they look in the combination of sun/shade under the lime and gold leaves of the Rising Sun Redbud. Perhaps is is due to all the rain last month? Who can say why it is so. 

What matters is that it is. They are so lovely to look at. Delicate, perfect, only here for a short time. They demand my attention and I respond by stopping, sitting, looking. Sometimes I tell them how wonderful they are. Because who doesn't want to hear that. 

this mother and daughter in their hats

THIS was a first for me at the farmers market this morning! Two cat moms with a well behaved marmalade tabby in his stroller, leash on in case of emergency. I wanted to hug them, hug the kitty, hug everyone at the market... oh it made me smile. 

And what about this duo? Don't you just love that mom's smile and her cute hair. The baby is what caught my eye first... but when the mom turned around I HAD to ask for the photo.

There was also orange cauliflower, wonderful heads of cabbage, bunches of kale and garlic scapes... all on display for me. Ok for you too.

The smell as I approached Moon on the Meadow's booth was intoxicating.

Sweet peas! Lots and lots of them. Baskets of them in fact. 



The poppy's were lovely too. 

This mother and daughter in their hats... I want to imprint on their collective memory this morning, in their hats, happy together. 

I had to get a piece of hummingbird cake. I didn't try it last year and it has pineapple on top, and I think it's a southern specialty, and the lady behind me in line said it was her favorite, and the turquoise frosting, and it's June. I also think brother was whispering in my ear to get it. All the way from Virginia. 

What you can not see in my basket is sugar snap peas, a cucumber, humus, strawberries, and kale.

A perfectly well-rounded haul if I do say so myself.

the glue that keeps me together some days

Last night some of the Quails went out for dinner. Let me say that the Kimchee fries at Boru (75th and Wornall in Kansas City) are insanely delicious and I am sorry I did not get a photo of them. Go there and get some if you are local. Now back to the more important business of this post. We "unpacked our bags" with each other. In other words, we reflected on the hardness of the world on so many levels right now, chewed over our worries, and expressed gratitude for the gift of friendship. 

Below is another favorite poem that seems right for tonight along with the peonies from my table. Friendship, poetry, flowers, kindness it's the glue that keeps me together some days.

Kindness
    by Naomi Shihab Nye

Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride
thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken
will stare out the window forever.
Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness
you must travel where the Indian in a white
poncho
lies dead by the side of the road.
You must see how this could be you,
how he too was someone
who journeyed through the night with plans
and the simple breath that kept him alive.

Before you know kindness as the deepest thing
inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.
Then it is only kindness that makes sense
anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to gaze at bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
It is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you everywhere
like a shadow or a friend.

 

Helpful links: Boru Asian Eatery

without batting an eye, she said the cookie

Flowers at the farmers market are one of my very most favorite things to buy. AND, when I get to pick each individual stem, bring them home, and arrange them in a vase myself, that is my favorite of the favorites. So, you can imagine my delight when this is what I spotted walking into the market this week.

The girl with pistachio nails was really nice too. 

These sunflowers were another flower option. 

So tall, and ready to pop into your garden. The germinating and careful tending all done for you. 

I caught this little miss in a moment of sheer enjoyment. She was having one of the Chonky boys "Brookies" - a layered dream of cookie and brownie topped with cream cheese frosting. When I asked her which layer she liked the best, without batting an eye, and with not one second of hesitation, she replied the cookie!

There were bold beautiful heads of Napa cabbage, and women walking around with their bags of carrots. I am pretty sure they were going to make soup. I think they may plan on leaving me a container on my front porch. 

Next week will be time for me to roast beets and pickle radishes. Doesn't that sound like a good combination in a salad? Maybe with some tuna and a hard boiled egg... thick bread on the side. 

I picked up a bag of lettuce from these two. 

These two ladies with the great t-shirts had information about a community school they are starting in Lawrence. I don't know what a community school is for sure, but it sounds interesting. 

Here is what I unpacked this week. A nice bag of arugula to go with the lettuce, and what is likely the last of the strawberries and asparagus. 

What do you think of my arrangement of stems? I gave myself an A+, because in my mind I am an excellent flower selector, trimmer, and arranger. I also check and change the water every few days. Except if I forget, which I might have done once and it taught me a good lesson. 

full on "little old lady land"

Geraniums are hands-down my favorite flower for pots on the front porch. Some would call it boring, maybe regimented, but the truth is I just know what I like and these geraniums are reliable performers. 

The jade plants and oxalis have also come outside.  

Caladiums are in their pots, under the Japanese maple, where for some reason the hosta's just don't do so well anymore. I like this lime green "neon pothos" that I decided to pair with them along with the tradescantia zebrina. If it does well here I will bring some in for the winter - it's classified as a tropical houseplant... we'll see. 

It's full on "little old lady land" on my front porch and I am not ashamed to admit it. It takes years to collect stuff from all the women gardeners that came before me. You can not buy it all at once and set it out. A true little old lady can tell the difference between a carefully curated collection and something bought all at once for effect... not that there is anything wrong with that. 

I will be open to exploring more of her work

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley is my latest drive-time/commute listen. It is classified as a "suspense/thriller" and as usual I have no memory of where I heard about it. It held my interest, contained an unusual cast of characters, was set in Paris with both French and British accents by narrators, and the ending surprised me. 

All of those things lead me to recommend it if you like a suspense story. Lucy Foley is a a British author who has written many other books, none of which I have read, but I will be open to exploring more of her work. Let me know if you have favorites by her that I should start with. 

Here is the stack I picked up when I took The Paris Apartment back to the library.

Oh, iced coffee season is open here. I dropped by my favorite cold brew maker in town today to pick up a growler. I have become a fan of oat creamer, especially in iced coffee. It's rich and creamy. Add a splash of dark chocolate liqueur if you are feeling adventurous. Which I was today. 

it was a 1 + 1 = 5 moment

This great blue heron was just one of the fabulous things I saw at the Baker Wetlands recently. I was able to get close (which is hard) and I had the Nikon with me. It was a 1 + 1 = 5 moment.  I love it when circumstances conspire for a good thing to happen. 

There was also this sunrise, geese honking as they took flight, and approaching rain. 

The American Lotus are only now just beginning to surface, in the form of their large leaves floating on the water. 

There was a turtle crossing the path, the beginning of the wild daisy's blooming, and a bird collecting materials to fortify a nest. 

I walked through a big puddle without getting my feet too wet, and made it to the car before getting completely drenched from the rain that overtook me on the way back. 





After all that,  I made a new friend at Decade Coffee Shop. 

Talk about a perfect morning.