Tall Tales from Kansas

one of those mornings where you remind yourself of your good fortune

On a recent excursion to the blue trail at Clinton Lake, to see if there were any migrating white pelicans to be spotted, I was stopped in my tracks when I looked up to see 3 deer staring at me while I stared back at them.

It was a lovely experience. I whispered and coo'd to them, telling them how beautiful they were, and after a few magical moments we each went on our way. Me, all the better for it.

I did see turkey buzzards overhead in the tree's airing out their wings and snowy egrets on the far shore. No white pelicans. It may be too early for them.

It was a perfect 52 degree morning, with blue skies, and fallen leaves on the path. It was one of those mornings where you remind yourself of your good fortune and promise not to be ungrateful by having any complaints about your lot in life.  

Upon the recommendation of a like-minded reader, I have stared listening to The Overstory by Richard Powers. At a mere 1 hour in (total of 23 hours of listening), I find myself hooked. As a lover of trees it seems like a good fit. 

Best wishes for your own deer encounter on a trail near you. Soon.

heavy basket season

It was another glorious fall morning at the farmers market today. This little car full of succulents is just the ticket to bring anyone out of whatever worry is on their mind.

If that doesn't do it, well surely the fall flowers will?

And if a third try is needed... STRAWBERRIES + a return of mellowfield's lettuce mix. 

Below are the 2 candidates for best T-shirt at the market. You get to vote. 

I was not able to pass by the gourds today. Which is why it is officially heavy basket season at the market. Gourds + a butternut squash + 2 more jars of Mrs. Peter's applesauce for the pantry - what could I do?

Thuy told me about "kale-me" juice last week at the market - WHAT? Who knew kale in a juice could be so delicious. Some days there is not much time for lunch at work, but there is always time for a juice while working on notes. I picked up another bottle this week. 

If you have juice for lunch it's an automatic yes for dessert after dinner. It's a rule. 

I loved this kid's hand warming method and great grin. 

These 2 get the prize for happiest faces at the market this morning.

I had to take my basket to the car, put it in the back, grab the credit card and go back for the wreath and ginormous pot of mums with a decorative cabbage, coleus, and celosia. 

I know I could have waited another week, but what if there were no more? 

Besides, today just seemed like the right day to "fall-ify" the front porch. Which I did, after the lettuce was washed and the gourds admired. 

I would also like to report that when I was carrying the giant pot and the wreath back to my car I had several people ask "do you need help?" I think it's mostly because people in Lawrence are nice, not that I looked like I was about to bust a gut. 

melty marshmallows are quite challenging to hold on to

This is a sweet potato latte from 1900 Barker on Mass in Lawrence. It has been available since September 1st as part of their seasonal menu. I consider it a matter of incredible restraint that this is the first one I have sampled. If it has been eons since you have let yourself go and truly enjoyed the melty, messy, deliciousness of a toasted home-made marshmallow floating in cup of creamy espresso with a hint of sweet potato that is not overpowered by fall spices - do get yourself here and have one. And yes, I did grab a wooden stir stick to stab that marshmallow with to help get it up to my mouth without having it slip through my fingers. Melty marshmallows are quite challenging to hold on to.

This may be my last arrangement of the season. I am savoring it. 

A long Friday morning walk - this was before the melty marshmallow extravaganza. 

My latest YA read. 

I have just this moment finished season 1 of Hotel Portofino. I like how it concluded with optimism for the future even though we know there are troubles ahead. The beautiful scenery on location in Croatia where this is filmed is breathtaking, as well as the costumes and sets. It has definitely held my interest. 

it's important to talk a lot before you actually do things

Chris and I recently packed our bags, made a sandwich, grabbed a bottle of wine, picked up The Kansas Guidebook 2, and hit the road. Destination: parts west, but not too far west. We have been talking about going to Lindsborg for years, but just never seemed to get around to getting ourselves there. 

It was agreed that driving out and back the same day would not be conducive to a relaxing trip, so an Airbnb in Salina was scouted out. We scored a condo in the old administration building that was formerly Marymount College. There was time for a picnic lunch at the cemetery with Chas, Eleanor, and Aunt Pat and we talked about all the other names we recognized on headstones. We are of an age where we can get into a lunch with the long-gone relatives at a cemetery. It provides a great opportunity for remembering.

We walked through the chapel at Marymount, where we got married many moons ago.

There was a great exhibit on women at the Smoky Hill museum - I was delighted to see Evangeline Thomas (ET!) who I took care of when I was a baby nurse at St. John's hospital, and later always enjoyed seeing at the Motherhouse in Concordia. Bessie Caldwell and Eloise Lynch were also featured. It's nice to be able to look at history and be able to say "HEY! We knew those people!"

We zipped into the cathedral to reminisce for a bit too.

We stopped at Coronado Heights on the way to Lindsborg. Francisco Vásquez de Coronado apparently passed through there in 1541. There is an old castle structure and areas to picnic that were part of a WPA project in 1936. It would be a marvelous place to come and sit for a long visit - as long as you are prepared for the wind. 

The object of my great desire in Lindsborg was a stop at the Birger Sandzén gallery. It did not disappoint. The pictures below are my 2 favorite paintings, but there was much to admire here including his block prints. It's a small gallery, my favorite kind. There were spots to sit while staring and the woman at the front was delightful, inviting us into the office spaces to see more of his work that was on display in there. 

After the gallery, there was a grilled reuben and a frosty mug of beer at Öl Stuga on main in Lindsborg.  It's important to make plenty of stops to sit and let things sink in when you are on an adventure. 

We loved watching the sun come up (first photo in this post) and the sun (and moon) go down from the balcony of the condo we rented. It was a perfect getaway.

We have been talking about getting out to Little Jerusalem State Park for years too. Maybe this will be the year we do that? It's important to talk a lot before you actually do things. 

she is destined for a creative path in life

On a cloudy morning, with intermittent drizzles, in middle to late September, it is becoming more difficult to get enough light to take a decent picture at 7:30 in the morning. That did not stop me from trying... and from circling back after my basket was full to get a few more shots. 

I decided to start with the cake this week, to be sure I did not forget to put it in my basket after I paid for it, like last week.  I don't think I have tried the orange and honey cake previously. Shame on me. It is a lovely combination. 

The red-haired umbrella twirler caught my eye early on. Kids know how to have fun. 

This inquisitive 5 year old had on my favorite rain gear. She investigated carefully the contents of my basket and asked me what each thing was. She told me she like to pick things up and that's what her bag was for. Then she proceeded to jump in a puddle.  I feel certain she is destined for a creative/artistic path in life. I hope I see her again. I thoroughly enjoyed our short visit. 

This pot of fall loveliness made me gasp.  It's not time for mums on my porch yet... but maybe I need to get some anyway? Especially when they are combined like this!

A few heirlooms were selected from this sea of tomatoes. Cherokee purples this week. You might not think so, but in addition to pairing well with bacon and lettuce, they elevate a sloppy Joe to a new level of deliciousness.

Gourds for bird houses or just gourds to hang from trees because they are so cool looking.

I caught these two right when I was leaving, they were starting to load up their bags. I approved of the hoody rain protection plan. 

Here is what came home this week. I was excited about another week of local strawberries. 

Once it was unpacked I whipped up a batch of cucumbers and onions with some fresh dill I had in the refrigerator. I thought it might be my last batch for the summer, but they turned out so good with the fresh dill that I may need to keep making them until the cucumbers stop producing. 

Good stuff. 

they all played their parts as written

I am going to try NOT to clutter up the unfolding of this perfect morning with a lot of descriptors. Because really, it's difficult to access just the right combination of words to describe how lovely it was. Suffice it to say that it was exceptionally good. How's that? 

The sunrise, mists rising from the wetlands, birds, breezes, spider webs, water on the grasses, and the beginning of the changing of the leaves all played their parts as written.

an amazing, wonderful, perfect, cat

Recent things occupying my time include making corn muffins, engaging in petting sessions with Barry, getting in a few last zinnia bouquets, walking outside, and trying to figure out how many of the top 100 books of the first quarter of this century I have read. 

The muffins were excellent. Almost as good as petting Barry for a solid 20 minutes while I told him what an amazing, wonderful, perfect, cat he was.

I love watching all the nuances of the zinnias as the sun moves across them throughout the day. 

I don't know about where you live, but here in Kansas we are in the middle of serious ragweed season. There may be other things out there making me sneeze too, but I believe that's the main culprit. We are popping Claritin like candy as we wait for the first freeze. 

Do you like to compare your reading to what others deem to be the best? I think it's a function of being human. That, along with wanting to be sure we don't miss a book that is supposed to be great. I counted and I have read 10 of them... I circled a few others to look up. I was going to list all the ones I have read that are not on the list but should be. But then I found something more productive to do. 

Sock #1 is coming along. Toe decreases have commenced. 

multiple fireplace-sitting projects to work on

There is nothing like a new project to get me thinking about busting a move on my old projects. This is what I am telling myself about why I took a class this month from Natalie Chanin of The School of Making, brought to us by those lovely friends and business partners - Kay and Ann from Modern Daily Knitting. 

So, in my defense, not that any is needed, I asked Chris to buy me a kit from The School of Making several years ago and I had not yet opened the box. Can you even believe that? Yeah, me neither, but it's true. So when I heard that this class was happening I jumped on the band wagon. 

Natalie was a delight to listen to, and I loved her "stories" about working with the thread, making knots, threading the needle, starting her business, the locally sourced materials. It's nice to just be able to sit and listen and appreciate her amazing mind and creativity. I might have had to get a book.

There are different techniques you can use to get different looks in your finished projects. She showed samples during class, but I felt the need for more examples of how they differ and what the finished projects look like compared to one another. The book provides that.

Winter is coming! There will need to be multiple fireplace-sitting projects to work on. All at the same time of course. It is important to be prepared. 

it's here

It's official. Fall is here. I don't care what the calendar, or the temperatures, or anything else says. The arrival of fall squash/pumpkins/gourds at the farmers market means it's here. 

The wartiest of the warty ones are my favorites. There aren't many warty things you can say that about. In fact, pumpkins may be it. 

Meanwhile, these sunflowers are so lovely.

A new find this week was Mrs. Peter's applesauce! Now I am anticipating the first pork roast of the fall. With some carrots and potatoes cooked alongside, maybe some good pan gravy. Applesauce and pork are a favorite combination. 

Cute family alert! Holy crap I didn't even notice the way that baby was holding his hand on his squishy cheeks until I was reviewing the photos.

Cake! I got so distracted by looking at it that I turned to take a picture after I paid and walked away without my slice or my corn cookies. Did not notice until I got home. I turned myself right around and drove back where they were keeping it safe, knowing I would be back.

This photo does not do justice to the vibrancy of the mums and asters. We just do our best. 

I am trying to hold off on gourds for a few more weeks... 

The thing that was most unusual for a fall day at the market was the appearance of STRAWBERRIES!  I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me when I spotted them. 

When I asked this very nice man where they were from, he told me they grew them and followed that with "my wife babies that patch like you wouldn't believe". I told him I appreciated him giving credit where credit was due and I hope his wife reads this. 

My haul for the week. 

Oh lord these strawberries were good. Sweet, perfect, little nuggets of goodness. 

Maybe they will have more next Saturday? Fingers crossed. 

if you want to replicate the experience

The Huff+1 lunch club went to Westside Local recently to check in with each other, do the "organ recital", discuss how it is still so heart wrenching to watch footage from 9/11, sample the avocado tacos, review highlights from the debate, and other extremely important things that elude me at this exact moment.

We sat outside, it was lovely, Marti won the prize for best dressed. She also kept us on the straight and narrow with her razor sharp mind, gently suggesting that maybe it was Cawker City that had the largest ball of twine (not Claflin) and letting Nancy know that she thought Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll was from one of his books and not a "stand alone" poem. Correct on both accounts. 

If you want to replicate the experience, make sure you get the elote tots as a starter and I will strongly suggest a Boulevard Wheat even though it may make you tired and require a nap be added into your afternoon agenda. There is nothing better than an afternoon nap, with a nice breeze from the fan, a light blanket, and no need to set an alarm. 

I tip my figurative hat to you

Any of you who have been reading this blog for awhile, know about The Quails. This is my long-time group of oncology nurse friends who worked together in the early 1990's, and still go out for birthday dinners, and really as often as we can work it in. While doing my "Swedish Death Cleaning" recently I happened upon a ton of old photos of us from the early years. In addition to the Quails there are some other folks we worked with through the years - most prominently, Alice Bailey. She was THE best, bar none, nursing assistant I have ever worked with. She tolerated no foolishness, could not abide laziness, and treated her patients with great love and care. If I needed to do anything that was going to be difficult, Alice Bailey could be counted on to be right there at my side. 

Along with all these pictures, there were notes and letters from patients we took care of through the years, obituaries clipped from newspapers, old work assignment sheets. Not to mention the cards we have sent each other through the years to mark occasions, or no occasion at all. A real trip down memory lane. It's been nice to go through it all, save some, and get rid of most because the time is right now, when it wouldn't have been 15 years ago. 

Whoever came up with the whole Swedish Death cleaning thing is a genius. I tip my figurative hat to you. This might take me 5 years at the rate I am going, but better that it be me who goes through all this rather than someone who can not appreciate the significance of it all. It's good to have just one more look before I recycle or pitch it.

Oh what a ride this has been. 

in case you were wondering...

My squeals of delight were kept on the inside when I saw these mini pumpkins at the farmers market on Saturday.  Same with the bucket of marigolds. Marigolds always put me in the mood to construct a "dia de los muertos" altar in honor of all my departed family members. 

Karen Pendleton is knocking it out of the park with the fall wreaths this year. I mean seriously get a load of this one will you?!?!?!?!

She was enjoying her bagel as she strolled. I am always impressed by those coordinated enough to walk, talk, eat, and shop. Not to mention smile (with nothing in her teeth) when I asked to take her picture.

These squash and eggplant were beautiful in the morning sun. 

Raise your hand if you have heard of mashed potato squash. Apparently you can roast it up, mash it, add milk, butter, salt, pepper, and voila! just like mashed potatoes. 

We are still on a serious BLT + turkey kick at our house. I like a sliver of turkey between the toast and the tomato to keep the bread from getting too soggy with all that juice from the tomatoes. 

These 2 were having a real good time, exploring at the market. I love their wild morning hair.

This week's cake - lemon poppyseed with a raspberry fondant. 

I snagged a bag of salad mix. With cooler temps we should be getting more great greens in the weeks to come. 

As I was walking out I snapped this budding thespian atop his dad's shoulders. His sister, who brought her blanket for warmth, is clearly used to his shenanigans. 

My haul this week...

My favorite pumpkin from photo #1 was still there as I was leaving the market, so I of course grabbed it. 

Now all I need to do is get a great fall candle to put on the table to go with it. I don't know about you all, but when I sense the change in seasons from summer to fall, it gives me this wonderful boost of endorphins as I anticipate all that this implies. 

it worked itself out to just the right place and stopped

I needed to drive around in the car for an extra 8 minutes and 37 seconds to finish Tom Lake the other day. I was spellbound by the tenderness of the story, coupled with the beautiful narration by Meryl Streep. There was no way to stop and pick it up again. Not even if I were to rewind it. I was having a moment that could not be interrupted. 

There was nothing I did not like about this novel by Ann Patchett. The story of a girl from New Hampshire, looking back from middle age, at a full life and all the choices she made. I wanted it to go on, but it worked itself out to just the right place and stopped. 

I loved the story, the settings, the characters, the nostalgia... along with the ache of it all. I reminisced about days in the theatre department at Marymount College in the late 70's and early 80's, and it made me want to find a production of "Our Town" to go and see at some community theatre. It also had me thinking of a drive to Michigan when the cherry trees are in bloom. 

For me, Tom Lake ranks right up there with The Dutch House (narrated by Tom Hanks), my previous favorite by Ann Patchett. I am giving it my highest recommendation.

P.S. Please give me the 4-1-1 if you are someone who travels to Michigan to see the cherry trees. 

productivity is the enemy of the porch

The more I sit on my porch, staring at the small piece of the world in front of me, the more I want to do it. Big birds soar on currents, kids ride their bikes by, squirrels think about planting nuts in my garden, wasps prowl on the periphery, breezes move the leaves, the fountain burbles, I hear Chris sneeze inside the house, an idea comes to me, I recall the popsicles mom made out of pineapple juice when we were kids, I sip coffee, I re-arrange myself in my chair. It's all wonderful. The key is to let go of any thoughts that there are more productive ways to use your time. Productivity is the enemy of the porch. 

I am well pleased with how this plant has performed out back in it's pot on the deck. Such a curious and interesting pattern of growth. Really the whole pot is doing well.

I have turned the heel and am headed towards the toe on these socks I want to wear with my Birkenstocks when it gets cold. Lows predicted to be in the 40's in the early morning this coming weekend. The needles are clicking. A second sock will have to be made. 

These strawberries were tasty. I ate them sliced up in a bowl of Wheaties with a few Cheerios dropped in for good measure. Sometimes you have milk that must be used before it starts to turn. You know what I mean. A bowl of cereal always makes me think of being a kid. Mom loved Puffa Puffa Rice - we hated it. She used Sucaryl and powdered milk in her cereal. How could that possibly have been good? She said it was. Who am I to question. 

There have been some great sunflower walks lately. 

The grasses are nice too.

Chris said "chili sounds good" the other day when we were talking about dinner menus. I agreed whole-heartedly and went on a search for the really good corn muffins from America's test kitchen that I like to make. 

We started watching season 1 of Hotel Portofino. I like it. Chris is going to give it one more episode to see if it hooks him. It will make excellent watching while sock knitting if I end up watching on my own. 

And with that, I conclude the whirlwind tour of what is happening as we move into September right here in Lawrence Kansas. Do share what you have been up to, if you can get yourself off your own porch. 

so I did

Dried flower arrangements are a sure sign of the coming of fall. The colors in this one are fantastic. The slightly minty green, the "berryish" red, along with all the variations of tan are unexpected and perfect. Not ready for full on fall but heading in that direction. 

Lunch box orange peppers? Apparently so named because they can be easily tucked in with your mid-day meal. Well they caught my eye for sure.

This caladium with the light coming through at the perfect angle, says nothing about fall to me, except if you had a room in your house with lots of windows and a Spanish tiled floor where you put your plants at the end of the season to keep them over for the winter. If I had one of those, I might start this right now. In that very room. The one with a big comfy chair for reading and dreaming in. 

I did not get mums get but only because my geraniums are still looking so good. I hope they have more of this color in the next month though. I love it. 

Almost as much as I loved this little boy with his dad. Carrying his own bag that he would fill with who knows what. Whatever he thinks looks like "the thing" he needs.

Like maybe some of these apples? Which by the way are delicious. With a sandwich for lunch, or on their own with peanut butter for any meal of the day. 

The sunflowers are so pretty right now. I also happen to love the design on the stickers from "Moon on the Meadow farm". The tuberoses are still available as well. 

Oh yes to the box of tomato seconds. Especially the backward "C" in the bottom left corner. Heirlooms are the best. 

These two were talking about something important, I didn't catch any part of the conversation because they would have wondered why I was eavesdropping, so I snapped the photo and kept walking. 

The bags of arugula made me very happy. 

Here is a shot of this weeks goodies. More bacon, lettuce, tomato, turkey, mayo, toast, sandwiches this week. They were so good last week. I also had to get some of the corn cookies from Chonky Sweets and Eats. 

Which did not stop me from also getting a slice of banana cake. OK, may I didn't have to, but it seemed important when I walked by to get both. So I did.