Tall Tales from Kansas

he agreed it was one of my better ideas

On a day off over the holidays, Chris and I made our way over to the Nelson Atkins Museum in Kansas City. There is a special exhibit with the art of Katsushika Hokusai that closes the first part of January and I was determined to see it. Some photos from the exhibit are below, starting with "The Great Wave" which is probably his best known work. 

Some of these works are from students of his and others who emulated his style.  

I absolutely LOVE this style of art. 

Getting to see some of his "journals" or "sketchbooks" was very nice. 

After we filled our eyes with all of this, we headed up to Union Station to see the tree's and have a spot of lunch. Is there anything nicer than indulging in a late-ish lunch on a day during the week (including a cocktail), while you relish your great good fortune?

I told Chris I was going to buy a membership at the Nelson so we would make it a habit to do this more often. He agreed that it was one of my better ideas of late. 

we got busy doing nothing and time got away from us

"Abstractions" is the Block Collective Studies project I have been playing around with this month. Forgive me if I say this every month, but it's my favorite. This time I mean it. In order below are my first, second, and third blocks. This month has been a continuation of playing around with colors while learning something new.

In my first block (above) I cut all the squares and rectangle independently and then put them together. In blocks 2 and 3 I sewed a wider strip and a narrower strip together and then sewed them to the next row. It's so interesting trying to figure out how color combinations that you sew together in strips are going to work out with other strips you have sewn together. It's a puzzle I like trying to solve. 

For this last block, just because it's Christmas, and because I saw a photo on Purl Soho of a bunch of green yarns arranged like a wreath with pink and orange pompoms on it... I decided I NEEDED to make one with these colors. I cut all the squares and rectangles independently again for maximal color options. I made arrangements with alternating greens and pinks in each row, rows of all pinks and rows of all greens, and then I decided to mix it up more with a very random smattering of pinks and greens. 

Sewn together, pressed to the left, pressed to the right, pressed open.... 

Finally - TADA! the final layout. I will add a back and border and frame it to prop up on my mantle. Because, I NEED more stuff up there. I am also going to do a bit of hand quilting. I think. But very minimal. Don't want to detract from the color scheme which is the point of the whole thing. Once again, let me say, this has been a FUN class.

I hope someone in your life gave you some home baked and frosted sugar cookies this season. We surely did enjoy each and every one of these trees and Christmas lights. 

This orange was also spectacularly delicious. Did you guys get oranges and apples and nuts in your stocking when you were kids? Maybe a pack of barrettes or a pair of socks? That's what we always got and we thought it was amazing. 

We have had the fireplace going and holiday tunes playing around here. Chris made brunch and dinner. We were going to play Battleship but got busy doing nothing at all and time got away from us. Hope your day was as lovely. 

if you have a cat in your house

We've got the holly-jolly stuff out here at Tall Tales headquarters. The hand-crafted, the gifted, the family heirlooms; with all the memories of previous seasons they invoke. 

I like to sit in all the chairs in the living room for different perspectives. Wondering about knitting one more mitten? One more tree? One more wee gnome? To all of these thoughts I say "maybe" and let them pass by. 

Remembering which ornaments came from where. Sometimes. 

I want to get inside the computer and follow each person who reads this post into their home. For a glimpse of their holiday treasures,  or maybe just to hear a story of a holiday memory. 

Maybe we'll sip on spiced cider or hot chocolate. If you have a cat in your house I want to hold it on my lap during the visit. I will bring treats. 

..."the perfection of this sphere which transcends all language"...

Orbital, by Samantha Harvey, is the story of one day in the life of 6 astronauts on the international space station. It is filled with descriptions of what they are seeing, how they are feeling, what it's like to exist in zero gravity, what they miss, what they look forward to when they return. There are is also the occasional thoughts of a person on earth in relationship with one of the astronauts.

There are musings on space, a cosmic commotion, the shock wave from a supernova, the collapse of a solar nebula, the Milky Way, the billions of years for life to form. It's fascinating to contemplate the unknowingness of the whole of it. There is also the "the human-less simplicity of land and sea, the way the planet seems to breathe, an animal unto itself, the perfection of this sphere which transcends all language".  There is a pervading theme of a lack of borders on the earth when seen from a rotation of 250 miles above that make it feel "endlessly connected".

This is a lovely little book. If you are a commuter like me and listen on audio, the reader - Sarah Naudi has just the perfect voice, which added to the experience for me. I would not have picked this book out on my own, which is what I love about being friends with readers who pass their book thoughts on to me. Thanks Sharron. 

Highly recommended. 

it's a dead heat for which one is better

I knew it was going to be a good holiday farmers market last week when I rolled up to the parking area and these two were directing traffic. I should have gotten a video of them with the arm moves - they must have gotten training from the KU police who direct traffic before and after games. It was a thing of beauty

There was lots of greenery and all manner of hand-crafted treats for all your favorite friends. 

No shortage of cute kids with big smiles and lots of wiggly excitement. 

I do love a good Christmas wreath. 

She let me know the cake pop was very good.

There were lots of treats all wrapped up for giving. Or eating yourself. 

I was delighted to get a big bag of lettuce mix and some fresh cilantro. 

Yes, Yes, Yes to my last Chonky's treats until next April. 

Over the top cute power from this succulent vendor. 

After a good boost of full-on holiday sights, sounds, smells, and spirit, I headed for home.

Here is what I unpacked from my basket. 

P.S. After sampling both the gingerbread, and the fruitcake I can honestly say it's a dead heat for which one is the better. So different from each other and so wonderful. 

everything you wish all holiday gatherings were like

Marti, Nancy, Jennifer, and I had a marvelous December lunch in Kansas City this week.  While we were at it we celebrated Marti's 101st birthday. It was a perfect blend of low-key, comfortable, spirited, and fancy - all rolled into 2 delightful hours. In other words, everything you wish all holiday gatherings were like. Why aren't they?

We discussed the galaxy, the possibility of other life out there... somewhere, the arc of Marti Huff's life and all that she has seen in her time on our planet. We had an interesting conversation about preferred pronouns and gender and how there is so much to learn there. We also drank wine and had a fabulous limoncello cake for dessert. When it was time to leave we agreed that IF we are all still alive in December of 2025 maybe we should spring for the $1100 bottle of wine on the menu? It's good to dream.

In other news, I love these folded paper stars on the walls at Barkers on Massachusetts Street in Lawrence right now. I am going to instruct Chris to look for directions on how to make them. We like a good craft project at our house.

Pretend like the photo below is from "Crime Scene Kitchen" and guess what I baked this week.

 

The grocery store flowers continue to delight. I didn't get a poinsettia (yet) this year. Nor did I get an amaryllis or a Christmas cactus. In addition to doing at least one kind thing a day, I believe in not doing something that you thought you would, should, could do. It brings a certain balance to life so we don't get ahead of ourselves. 

P.S. if you guessed I made pumpkin pie, you are correct. Pre-made crust - all in the name of balance.

I hope it's ok to say it was 100% delicious. There was a lot of lip-smacking noises going on when I was eating it. 

our interiors should be unencumbered by the logical

One of my favorite things to do, when I am not working, is sit on the couch in the morning and stare out the windows or at the fire. Today while doing this I watched a video on how to make a bucket hat. Then I moved on to watching an interview with Oliver Sachs from 1989 that Dottie had sent me. About this time I decided to put ice on my knee. Then I mulled over the idea of going to Italy with sister. Simultaneously I was sipping coffee and finished quart #1 of eggnog for December, another will be needed. It's way too early in the month for me to try and commit to not having more. Color combinations were considered for month #3 of the Block Studies Collective. After all this I looked at my email. The poem of the day from the Writers Almanac is below.

657 I dwell in Possibility --

by Emily Dickinson

I dwell in Possibility—
A fairer House than Prose—
More numerous of Windows—
Superior—for Doors—

Of Chambers as the Cedars—
Impregnable of Eye—
And for an Everlasting Roof
The Gambrels of the Sky—

Of Visitors—the fairest—
For Occupation—This—
The spreading wide of narrow Hands
To gather Paradise—

It sums up perfectly my preferred approach to everyday life. Here's to dreaming. Dreaming about all that could, might, maybe ... happen. The external world limits us enough, our interiors should be unencumbered by the logical. 

Oliver Sacks interview below for your viewing pleasure. Thanks Dottie!

 

mother nature knows how to put colors together like nobody's business

The clouds were racing across the sky this morning. Casting alternating shadows with gray and blue skies along with golden and rust fields. It was glorious. Perfect for a Sunday morning walk. Geese overhead were the soundtrack. 

This lovely, several day respite,  of highs in the 40's had me out for a much needed walk. Don't get me wrong. I want it to be cold in the winter when it's supposed to be. But a few days every once in a while that are chilly but not face-freezing cold are so welcomed when they happen. 

This subdued color palette of grays, purples, pinks, blues, gold, rust, tans, browns is simply dreamy. Mother nature knows how to put color together like nobody's business. 

After a bracing walk, I headed home for chai tea in front of the fire. Usually a "coffee in the morning" kind of person, there was something about this hike that begged to be followed by a chai tea. 

I hope your December has started out well and you are doing all your favorite things, not getting overburdened by the duties of the holidays. 

highly entertaining even if a bit ridiculous in areas

Let's see, where should I begin to tell you about my latest read - All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. Ok, how about here...
I am glad I read it.
It's an engrossing story.
The 2 main characters start out as young kids and I just loved them. 

There is also this... it gets way off track at points and leads in unbelievable directions that you had no foreshadowing about. You may talk back to the book like I did along the way... "oh come on", "enough of this let's focus and cut to the chase", "you have got to be kidding me", "no way that happened". 

And yet, for all of that, I come back to being glad I read it. I had to find out what happened to Saint and Patch in the end. It was highly entertaining even if a bit ridiculous in areas. After all, it's fiction and we know it's not true.  Still, if you are like me, you do believe when you get caught up in a really good novel. In the end, that's the crux of it. I could not get into it as much as I would have liked to because of my skeptical nature.

I am extremely interested in other's reviews. Do tell. Please. Don't spare anyone's feelings. 

a man getting a haircut at Amyx barber shop before 7am

How about a look at the Holiday Lights on Massachusetts street in Lawrence? I got up early to catch the lights at dawn, when conditions are most favorable for getting some decent shots with the Nikon. Either dusk or dawn will work, for enough light not to have to use the flash. Steady hand required. Some years are better than others. We just do our best. 

The old fashioned street lights make me almost as happy as the lights on the trees. 

The lights are mostly white, with red and green sprinkled in at the intersections and crosswalks for good measure. 

When I looked to the East at the intersection of 9th and Massachusetts I spied the pink on the horizon and was delighted. That along with the streetlight in the distance coupled with the red lights. It is good to be well pleased by the sights that are seen on a morning ramble. 

I captured these fellows out on a morning stroll. Kudos to them. It was "face-freezing" cold and I scurried back to my car, turning on the seat and steering wheel warmers the second I got in. I think they must live in the high-rise condos downtown. It's fun to imagine other people leading lives that are different than yours. "Frank, lets meet at the mailboxes at 6:45 and do a few blocks then go grab a coffee at La Prima Taza". I also noticed a man getting a hair cut at Amyx Barber shop before 7am. Who knew it opened that early?

As I passed Goose Antiques on 9th street, headed for home, I spied this window and veered to the left onto Maine street, turned around, parked the car, and jumped out to get a picture. I am a sucker for a good holiday window... this one hit on all cylinders. 

which you were sipping as it fell

On Saturday morning we had our first snowfall of the year. Oh, it was lovely. Soft, gentle, magical, and best enjoyed from a spot where you could see it while you stayed warm and did not have to think about driving in it. Unless of course you wanted to, and then... well why not? For example, if you needed to buy eggnog to go with the coffee you were sipping as you watched it drift down.  

I am grateful for big windows that afford views of trees, bushes, sky, birds and the occasional squirrel, rabbit, or cat that comes to visit. 

Also the snow, rain, and all other manner of weather that pushes me out of doors to see if I can take just the right picture. The one that will capture the essence of the moment being witnessed.

The way the snow lands and layers on branches, leaves, fences is endlessly fascinating. 

December has arrived. Maybe the tree will get put up today? Plan B would be to sit and read and continue to observe the snow in all it's phases. Options are important.