Tall Tales from Kansas

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.