Tall Tales from Kansas

I hope you will share in the birthday celebration with me

Today, April 17, 2024, marks the 13th year anniversary of the birth of Tall Tales from Kansas. Just as with all things related to the passage of time, it seems so long ago and simultaneously like it was just yesterday. In this period of time, I have composed 3,621 blog posts, received 15,658 comments, and had 946,773 page views. These numbers really don't mean much unless they are considered in comparison to other blogs, which doesn't really make sense to do.

You have traveled with me to Europe on 4 occasions, we have visited 12 states, hiked in multiple national parks, collected stones and shells along the beaches of California, and sampled the wares of so many coffee shops I can not remember them all.  There have been weekly trips to the farmers market, daily walks all around Lawrence, and great experimenting with our sketch books, knitting needles, and sewing projects.

As if that wasn't enough, we have discussed books, I have shared with you what it is like to be a palliative care nurse, and attempted to start conversations about the importance of making sure our loved one's know what our preferences are for care at the end of life. My family members have been good sports about being talked about on the blog as have my friends. Their great patience with my picture taking and story telling is appreciated.

There are some of you I feel "close" to even though we have never met, and there have been a few chance meetings with several of you that have been delightful. You have all shared much with me through the years and that has made this blog a better place. 

All of this is to say, I hope you will have some cake (or pie) today or tomorrow and share in the birthday celebration with me. Way back in April 2011 there were a lot more blogs than there are today, all things change with time, but for now I am still enjoying this ride. 

Thanks for continuing to read, comment, e-mail, and share in your own way, however it feels best to you.  

showered with all the goodness in the universe

In the run up to tomorrows' surgery, here is what I have to report: 

I have enjoyed thoroughly ALL the messages and blessings from dear ones. Tonight I feel very loved and showered with all the goodness in the universe as I head into tomorrow.
Extra banana pudding has been consumed in the name of carb loading for maximum healing after surgery. Still have some saved for post-op though I might have to throw it away if they are starting to "turn". 
Re-watched all the videos about what I am supposed to do/know/be ready for, with surgery. I was thinking about practicing how to get in and out of bed with the aid of my walker using proper body mechanics, but decided that was going too far. 
Written a list of all the catastrophic events that may happen (but probably won't) in my journal. This was in the name of getting those thoughts off the hamster wheel in my head and into a book that can be closed.
Packed a small bag of essential items I will need at the hospital. Including the special tube of hand cream that Dottie sent me along with a Nancy Drew book that we loved when we were kids. 
Labeled the walker Joan lent me so it won't get lost in the jumble of walkers at the hospital. I know assistive devices sometimes get up and walk around of their own accord and wind up in strange places in health care settings.
Printed off my advanced directive and put brackets around the most important stuff, and reviewed EXACTLY what that means with Chris. 
Changed the sheets on the bed. Started the cleansing regimen that includes multiple showers, special wipes, and absolutely NO lotions. Sheesh. My old skin is used to LOTS of lubricating balms after a shower. 
Drank special carb/protein drinks that will put my body in its best possible position for optimal healing.
Figured out a name for my new hip. More on that later. 

Catch you all again in a few days, when I will fill you in on all you may (and may not) want to know about joint replacement surgery in the era of ultra modern medicine. In the meantime, I am keeping my eyes on the prize - the delight of all the walks I will be taking in the coming months.

he was married to a showgirl, Agnes Rosina King Franks

No farmers market post this weekend... because I did not go to the last farmers market of the season. For absolutely no good reason other than it was coldy-cold (my word for bone chilling cold), the wind was blowing, and the fireplace was calling my name. 

I am finishing up this very satisfying knit and may also have just wanted to sit, and work on it. 

In news from Kansas, it's important to report in on the beginning of birthday week (#99) for Marti Huff.

We celebrated with lunch at Browne's Irish Market in Kansas City. The potato soup is velvety smooth but still with small chunks of potato for chewing and a sprinkling of cheese on top. You must have a Browne's Reuben on the side and don't get just a half. Get a whole sandwich because the next day when you are having the second half for lunch you are going to thank me. Even with carrots on the side instead of the soup, it's fabulous. Toasted marble rye bread, a healthy stacking of corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and just the right amount of dressing so it's not dripping wet. Perfection. 

As usual, we had good conversation and lots of laughs. When I told Marti I had recently heard a quote from Oscar Wilde about... learning to love yourself because it's the beginning of a lifelong romance... she proceeded to tell us about her grandfather, Ernest Russell Franks, and how he sometimes divulged secrets about parties on a houseboat on the Thames with his pals John Burroughs, Oscar Wilde, and James Whistler.  By the way, he was married to a showgirl, Agnes Rosina King Franks, who was in the original production of Gilbert and Sullivan's, The Mikado, at the Savoy theatre in London. I simply love these strings of connection to the past through people I know. It brings history to life in a most wonderful way. Thanks for this little gem Marti. 

The rule about not buying any eggnog until after Thanksgiving was broken this weekend when I saw a bottle from Hildebrand's dairy, in Topeka, on the shelf next to the half and half. One small glass along with the first cup of morning coffee makes for a most excellent start to days off between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  This may be the year I realize that it's best to plan on 2 bottles for the month of December. 

In the list of things that have made me happy this past week, there was also this fabulous sunset out the back door.

And just one more thing, Chris is downstairs in the kitchen right now cooking up a big pot of chicken and noodles for supper, AND I am off tomorrow. Happy Sunday night all.  

...the more I value the roots that were started at Marymount College

This past Friday night I zipped over to Salina after a days work and met Peggy, my old college roommate, for the centennial reunion at  Marymount College of Salina. Under a harvest moon, late at night, it was the very definition of atmospheric. 

I hadn't really planned to go, but Peggy's sister, who also went to Marymount - a 1972 graduate, was on the planning committee and eventually made us see the error of our ways.  Here we are below, in front of Antionette Hall, where we lived for 4 years in a teeny tiny room with 2 beds, a small desk area with a chair for each of us, the communal bathrooms down the hall, and the phone booth right outside our door. We thought it was the nearest thing to heaven on earth. 

By the time we got there in 1977/78 we had card keys and I don't think there was a curfew anymore. I don't recall that being a problem anyway. Peggy's sister and her friends were "campused" in 1970 for sneaking out of the chapel windows, and being unable to get back in, were forced to stay out until 6am when the dorms opened, at which point they were spotted by someone who reported them. Peggy's mom was able to retrieve the letter that was sent home to the parents informing them of this behavior, so her dad (who would likely have come and brought her home) was none the wiser. 

The Coyle sisters above after mass in the chapel which was part of the weekend experience. Marymount had a fabulous music and theatre department in addition to the stellar nursing program - the alums put on quite a performance with the music for the service. It was fun to see people we went to school with and catch up on what they are doing now. It was also great to see some of the Sisters of St. Joseph, the order that started the college in 1922. 

Above with Sr. Mary Fran Simons, who graduated from MMC in 1960. I haven't got the words to describe what a stellar human she is. You will just have to take my word. There are amazing women in this community and the influence they have had on all of us runs deep.  

In addition to being able to see the dorm, we saw the fine arts building and relived our moments of glory in student directed shows. There was a quick glimpse into the gym, a great tour of the administration building, and we walked all over campus saying "remember when we..... " at all the spots we walked by. I am not a reunion attendee by nature, but I am so glad I did not miss it. The older I get the more I value the roots that were started at Marymount College and have been nurtured through the years by all we learned there, from each other, about what is important in life.

it's going in our 3 ring binder wedding album

This past weekend, Chris and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. How is that even possible? 

We look pretty much the same as we did back then huh?

We celebrated simply here at home. Champagne on the front porch, a three layer cake (because occasions like this call for cake), and trying to remember just exactly what happened that day.

We flipped through the 3 ring binder that is our wedding album. We bought film for our friends and family and asked them to be our photographers. It worked. 

We went to the basement to look for our cake topper but were unable to locate it. Maybe by the 50th? But here is what I know for sure. THIS cake (made by my new favorite baker at Alchemy Coffee & Bake Shop) was fabulous. If you need a cake for a special occasion, I recommend them highly. 

But let me get back to the photos for a second. For some reason I find this shot of me throwing my bouquet extremely hilarious. 

Chris and I are now in possession of the 40th wedding anniversary plaque. It originated with Chris's parent in 1986, then went to Tom & Jan in 2011, Steve and Janelle in 2014, Mary and Ron in 2015, Dan and Ann in 2018, and now we are in possession of it until 2032 when John and Sheri will take it over. After that it moves to the next generation of Mulvenon's. 

Please let me remember exactly where I put the card and list that goes with it. Actually let me just tell you, it's going in our 3 ring binder wedding album. Please write that down somewhere in case I need to call any of you in eleven years.

number 3000

Happy Friday all.  As I sit down to write tonight, it's worth noting that this is the 3,000 post I have sent out into the world since the inception of Tall Tales from Kansas, almost 10 years ago. If you would have asked me at the time if I thought I had 3,000 posts in me, I think I would have said "maybe not?"

Through all the seasons and the beauty of each, the adventures, travels, culinary delights, books to discuss, my family stories, what I see at work, things that bring me joy or make me sad, I don't tend to think about the whole of it. When I walk upstairs after a day of work to sit at the computer and tap out what is on my mind, it is not generally planned out in advance. Sometimes, I start to write something and before I know it, things have moved in a much different direction than they were headed at the outset. 

It's kind of a funny thing, this blog. There is no specific purpose to it, other than to give me a chance to share my views on life. To tell stories, share the quirky/courageous/funny/complex individuals whose lives touch me daily at work, rhapsodize over my love of food/books/nature/art and craft, and anything else that pops into my unpredictable brain.

It has been a ride. I have met some very special people because of this blog. Individuals from across the globe whose paths would likely not have crossed with mine, if not for the world of the internet. For the friendships, the opportunities, the comments left that broaden perspectives, for all of this I am grateful. Thanks for checking in from time to time.

I wish you each a wonderful weekend. I am planning on doing as little as I can get away with, while sneaking in as much relaxation as possible. My formula for bliss. 

a baby raccoon and his 3 brothers (?sisters)

Everyday marvels #1 through #4

Firstly, on June 15th at 7am, while walking at the Lawrence nature center off Folks road, I encountered a baby raccoon and his 3 brothers (?sisters). All climbing a tree. Slowly. In single file. Amazingly wonderful to get to see this. 

Secondly, on that same day, when I pulled out off the garage I saw what I thought was a leaf sticking to the stucco of the house. But NO. It was a female imperial moth. Which I have never seen before. It was huge (maybe 6 inch wingspan). And furry/feathery.

Thirdly, here are the 3 robin eggs in their nest on the front porch. I grabbed this while mama was getting a drink. I don't like to get too close and make her nervous. Can you believe that amazing color?

Fourthly, the cone flowers are blooming. They always are coming up in new and unexpected spots. Which is a marvel unto itself. 

 Nature is truly astounding. 

not a combination that I would have normally considered nirvana inducing

While out galavanting around town, in my neighborhood, and all points in between hither and yon recently, these are the things that made me swoon.  A holiday place setting, a cat, leaves, the "everyday bowl" at the filling station coffee garage in KC (midtown location), and what may be the last of my roses for the season. 

Actually, I could wax poetic on the insane deliciousness of that everyday bowl for another paragraph or two. Instead I will just say that the combination of kefir, cooked quinoa, sliced banana, blueberries, toasted sesame seeds, spiced honey, and peanut butter is not a combination that I would have normally considered nirvana inducing. I was so wrong. It is my life's mission to inform the masses. Starting with you.  

until he started shooting the place up one day because he disagreed with something that was being said on the floor of the senate

Since it seemed to us everyone was dashing around recently, getting in their last trip of the summer,  Chris and I decided to jump on the adventure band wagon.  And take a field trip.  Even though we are decidedly not going back to school this week.  

We evaluated all our options within a reasonable driving distance, and picked... a tour of the state capital.  In Topeka.

Oh I can hear the groans from here.  

But since we don't have an ocean to drive to, or a mountain to climb, we made do.

The capital was renovated a few years back at the cost of something like 300 million bucks.  

We decided we should see what we paid for.  

If you are a fan of history and architectural details, you will find it enjoyable.  

Especially if your tour guide keeps on schedule, and tells you interesting tid-bits of information that she has picked up over the years.  Like the fact that the soldier who shot John Wilkes Booth worked at the capital for awhile until he started shooting the place up one day because he disagreed with something that was being said on the floor of the senate.  

We wanted to see the John Steuart Curry mural "Tragic Prelude" that depicts John Brown and the anti-slavery movement. 

And while it is impressive, my favorites of the murals were the ones on the first floor. 

These photos do not do justice to them.  They are by David Overmyer, a Topeka native, and represent significant events in the history of Kansas.  I loved the bold lines and colors.  When Sister comes to Kansas we are going to drive over and sketch them.  

Unfortunately, our timing did not coincide with the tour of the dome.  Chris was very disappointed because he really wanted to climb the 295 steps to the top (no elevator available).  We will go back for that.  The view of the city and surrounding country is supposed to be spectacular.   The figure on the top of the dome is Richard Bergen's Ad Astra Bronze, depicting a member of the Kansa nation.  

And that is the story of Chris and Carol's last big hurrah of the summer. Tomorrow we will resume regular programming.  

The end.  

showered with blessings

It's hard to believe that it has been 37 years since Chris and I walked down the aisle together.  Starting out on some sort of adventure.  I don't think anyone REALLY knows what they are doing when they get married.  Of course we THINK we do.  We know it all when we are young. 

It was overcast in Salina Kansas on this day in 1981.   Angie said we were being "showered with blessings", that it was good luck to get married on a rainy day.  Maybe she was right?  

What I know is the years have flown by.  And, it has been an adventure.  Filled with lots of laughter, plenty of give and take, and all the things that are part of a marriage that endures.   Happy Anniversary Crystal Vanon.  I think we are ready for whatever the future has in store for us.