Tall Tales from Kansas

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. 

...this dot on the map

This week Chris and I went to Union Station in Kansas City to see Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. This exhibit, provides a history of the development of Nazi ideology and how the Polish town of Oświęcim became the place where over a million Jews and tens of thousands of others deemed inferior by the Nazis were murdered.  

This exhibit will be in Kansas City until mid January 2022. It is extremely moving, incorporating voices of survivors telling their stories, along with artifacts and photographs. You move through the different galleries at your own pace, with your individual device and headset that allows you to stop, start, or re-listen as needed. It is not be be missed. I will not attempt to describe it more than this. 

when it was lovingly tended by Sr. Julia Stegeman

In 1977 at the tender age of 17, I set off to begin the journey into adulthood at Marymount College in Salina Kansas.

In addition to a fine education in the art and science of nursing - overseen by Sr. Mary Leon Pirotte, CSJ - there were important life lessons learned in the company of my friends Annette, Michele, Peggy, and Suzie. 

Four of us were recently able to get together and make some new memories as we did our best to recall details, and tell stories ... "who all went on that night raid?..." from our formative years. 

In addition to exploring Salina (Seraphim bakery makes a mean loaf of sourdough & Scheme Pizza remains top notch), attending the Smoky Hill River Festival (more on that later), playing pitch, drinking wine, and eating amazing meals at our Airbnb, we also discussed world events/problems including how they could all likely be solved if we were in charge. 

Peggy and I did not purchase these hats so if you are interested they are available in the antique mall at the corner of Iron and Santa Fe. Don't all of you fight over who gets to buy the one I am wearing. I am available to help with proper placement and hair styling if you want to replicate my look.  

Unfortunately our alma mater closed in 1989 and access to most of the buildings is no longer possible, unless you have a special pass key. 

The mail room hours have not changed in 40 years - FYI. 

The old book store still has a gym flooring.



The chapel has apparently been de-commissioned, but appears much the same as it did when several of us got married there.

The sunken garden does not look as lush as it did when it was lovingly tended by Sr. Julia Stegeman, but nevertheless we appreciated what it provided us. 

Thank you for coming along with me on this self-indulgent trip. Maybe it has provided the impetus for you to contact all your college friends and plan a reunion of your own. We have not figured out how it is that fate brought, and has kept us together, all these 40+ years, but we do not for one second take it for granted. 

plans, ideas, dreams, to look forward to

Beauty, coffee, history, laughter, the search for potential acquisitions, and culinary explorations have become the essential agenda items for days devoted to adventure. Curiosities should also be sought out if possible. 

These crested euphorbias filled the curiosity bill nicely recently.

One will be on my back patio this summer. I feel certain.

These "pop your eyes out" fuchsia geraniums were spectacular. Too early here for planting them, which in no way lessened my enjoyment at gazing upon them.  

This months history lesson was a visit to the Avenue of Murals in downtown Kansas City, Kansas. This project was begun in 2004 with the help of professional artists in residence and involved local high school kids. How cool is that? We only got to 3 of them, there are a total of eight. Shown below are a celebration Mexican folkloric dancing, one which honors the building that housed a local newspaper and features a printer, and one representing modern and traditional Hmong culture. Vibrant and beautiful. 

Below, in the realm of culinary experiences, is one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten. Butternut squash hummus. I must puzzle out a recipe to try at home. Holy Smokes it was good. 

While we were eating it, we came up with a whole list of things to do in the near, and not so near future. It's good to have plans, ideas, dreams... to look forward to. 

P.S. if you live in the KC area and you want to try the butternut squash hummus - get yourself to Brown & Loe in the river market area. 

I filled up all those spaces inside that needed replenishing

Last week when Joan and I met up for an adventure, I told her "tell Chuck you won't be home until at least 3:30, I have plans for us", without missing a beat, she assured me she was up for it. 

If you live in the KC area, and you go to Family Tree Nursery, you probably already know about the coffee spot that's there now (Equinox). Outside! With distanced tables! Among the plants! Some kind of a genius thinker put this plan together. Win-Win. 

After getting a couple of "blue moon" latte's we hit the road for a history lesson. 

We headed to City Hall, where I had planned for us to have a view of the city from the Observation Deck. Which, it turns out, has been closed since COVID hit. 

No matter. This extremely nice security guard and one of his buddies told us to go up to the 28th floor and look out the windows and then go to the 26th floor and look at the photos of all the previous mayors. 

Which we did, and found enjoyable as well as informative. I did not know that Kansas City was "chartered" in 1850. But now I do. The building has a cool Art Deco style with interesting details. A return visit when the deck is open will be planned. 

Next up - the West Bottoms and a trip to the new (to me) Hammerpress location.  I do so love all things letterpress and this store never disappoints. 

We drove among the warehouses and spotted places to return to on some "first Friday" when most of them are open. Antique stores, art spots, places I couldn't say what they were... all interesting looking. 

We cruised by the Crestwood shops to see what was in the windows. 

Then a stop for lunch at Aixois. Which by the way, has the best French onion soup. Their drink menu looked intriguing and when it warms up, cocktails on the patio will be happening. Gosh it was good to get "out" just a bit.  in a way that can only be met in the company of a dear friend. 

P.S. Less you think I am out and about and behaving indiscriminately, Joan and I have both received vaccines (me as a health care provider, she as a volunteer vaccinator), are well versed in social distancing, and are masked up. All the spots we visited had mask requirements, and they were well enforced. 

awesome hair, tap dancing, blue eye shadow, and wearing Candies shoes

Sometimes, you simply can not beat the feeling of working a simple pattern with dreamy yarn and a set of knitting needles that glide through it like butter. That's how I felt with this project this morning. Knitting away while listening on a ZOOM call. Though it may sound counter intuitive, when my hands are occupied, I am a better listener. Stopping to take notes freely with no worries about losing my place. 

This week's grocery store flowers. I am thinking tulips may be arriving soon for purchase? Or daffodils?

This came up while going though my email today ... the design, the colors, the shape... all wonderful. It has been placed in my Ravelry library. To one day be worked up, or not. Just looking at it is inspiring. 

The French knots project surfaced this weekend as well, for a few moments of stitching.

I continue to come back to it. Knowing that one day it will tell me when it is complete and ready for framing.

There was also a lovely video chat today with my college friends. Brought about by Peggy texting us all this photo. Which led to comments about Annette's awesome hair, tap dancing, blue eye shadow, who was wearing whose blouse, and the dangers of wearing Candies shoes. All of which required further discussion

Lifelong friendship is a wonderful gift. 

who knows what could be found there

Chris and I recently took a field trip to the museum of Natural History in Topeka.

At museums I do not read or look at everything.  Nor do I follow a prescribed path through the exhibits. I am a jumper.  Moving here and there to whatever my eye is attracted to.  

Then I pick something to learn about.  Like the fact that two Native American women could set up a teepee in 15 minutes.  

This sewing bag and display of accessories was most interesting, and I thoroughly enjoyed studying the needlepoint sampler below. The colorful border may be my favorite part.  

The hand pieced quilt, circa 1860, was also most pleasing. The combination of dark and light fabrics and especially that orange and blue.

There is a lot to see here.  And plenty of benches where I could sit and wait for Chris as he meandered through at his own pace.  

There is a nature trail outside the museum.  We are going to come back in the spring (with peanut butter sandwiches), and walk through it. They also have an old train inside the museum that warrants further investigation.  

Plus, a whole building that houses the State Archives. Who knows what could be found there. The older I get, the more interesting I find history.