Tall Tales from Kansas

he tells me how to put band-aids on sometimes

On the drive out west last weekend the fields were green and gold and the sky was blue. 

There were some pretty spectacular clouds too.  All photos by Chris as I was busy tending the wheel.  When on a road trip, I will generally say something like "sure would be great to have a couple of shots of the wheat fields to show on the blog" and he gets the hint.  Even though he is the photography major I don't hesitate to offer my suggestions about just what I am looking for in a photo.  I am pretty sure he always appreciates it.  I mean after all, he tells me how to put band-aids on sometimes.  

most of all, for me, it's about nice people, like the Salmons

Before I tell you about all the marvelous things we saw at the Smoky Hill River Festival on Saturday, I want to start this post with my FAVORITE thing about the festival this year.  Just so you will be clear and so it doesn't get lost amidst all the other stuff.  My very favorite thing was meeting Bill and Bev Salmon right as we were leaving.  When I asked if I could take their picture they were not only obliging and friendly, but Bill made sure that to tell me their last name was "...Salmon, like the canned fish". 

There was plenty of shade and spots to sit, wonderful art, great people watching, artists giving demonstrations, stuff to eat, cold things to drink... in other words, something for everyone. 

Whew!  If you are still with me thanks for your persistence.  See why I didn't want the Salmons to get lost?  The Smoky Hill River festival remains the "hands down best" of all the festivals I have ever attended.  It's the great park and big trees with lots of shade, art, music, and stuff for kids to do... but most of all, for me, it's about nice people - like the Salmons. 

to do some more intense concentrating

The other morning while I sat on the front porch drinking coffee and giving my plants a little bit of water, I watched an industrious pair of robins building a nest. 

I was completely unaware what excellent gatherers they are.  They can hold quite a load of building materials in their beaks at one time. 

I also observed them in the tree searching for twigs that broke off easily to use in their nests. 

 

Fascinating, the things you can see when you are just sitting.  Meditating. 

When I finally came back inside Chris told me he just read that "the combination of intense concentration and relaxation may trigger the growth of new brain cells".   So I poured another cup of coffee and went back outside. 

To do some more intense concentrating... and practice my bird in flight photography skills.

 

be sure you have a good line to tell them

 Dogwoods are pretty in front of brick houses, windows with lace curtains, and lakes.

They photograph well in shade or sun and close up or from a distance.

I like them pink, or white, or pink and white. 

The only piece of advice I will give you about pictures and dogwoods is this:  if you decide to stop in front of a complete strangers house, wander onto their front lawn, and point and shoot in a way that could be misconstrued as snooping, AND the homeowner pulls into their driveway while you are doing this,  be sure you have a good line to tell them and make sure you are very effusive in telling them how beautiful their tree is and how much you loved taking pictures of it and how you really hope they don't mind. 

you gotta shoot while the shootings good

In case you didn't get the memo, tonight marked the beginning of spectacular sunset season in Kansas.  Maybe in your part of the world too? 

I sure hope so, for your sake.   I pulled into the garage at 6:36 pm and these were snapped between 6:37 and 6:38.  You gotta shoot while the shootings good around these parts.  

how I curse the wind when it's blowing fierce

The only good thing I have to say about the gale force winds we have been having lately is that they brought in some amazing cloud formations the other day.

Thick and puffy and so white against that unnaturally blue sky.  So pretty it's almost enough to make me forget how I curse the wind when it's blowing fierce and cold on my face on the trek to and from the car at work each day.   Almost.

 

where you can break into show-tunes if you are so inclined

Last year when we went to Palm Springs, we stumbled upon Moorten Botanical Gardens and were delighted by our visit there.  In keeping with that tradition, sister found an even more spectacular display this year at the Sunnylands Garden Center.  By more spectacular, I mean polished, bigger, displays with multiple plantings, and well laid out walking paths with great views to the snow topped mountains of San Jacinto state park. 

If you find yourself in the area, visit both places.  You will not be disappointed.  Bring your walking shoes and prepare to be amazed.  Did I mention the garden is FREE? And that they have a "performance circle" where you can break into show-tunes if you are so inclined?

"a law was made a distant moon ago here, July and August can not be too hot, and there's a legal limit to the snow here in......" 

Name that show!

captivated by the shadows and the light

Cloaked in good intentions, early this morning, I began the process of putting away the holiday hoo-haa. 

Then I got side tracked by the poinsettia in the sunlight.

Moments of sunlight are fleeting at this time of year.  That's the excuse I have selected to explain my lack of progress.  This evening I remain captivated by the shadows and the light.

There will be plenty of cloudy days in the week ahead for completing chores.  Today I am making hay while the sun shines, striking while the iron is hot ... in other words, sitting in the sun and thinking about the meaning of life. 

life without the ritual, aroma, and taste of baked goods would not be a happy life

You might conclude after looking at these photos that I like sweets.  And you would be right.  I come by it honestly.   As soon as the Moss girls were old enough to turn on the stove, our heads were in the cook books...looking for recipes to try.  Making and eating treats is something that has always given me great pleasure.   

When I was looking at Instagram today I saw this quote "realizing there are certain things that will simply never work in my life is not admitting failure".  Amen to that, Amen, Amen, Amen.  I am now wise enough to know that for ME, life without the ritual, aroma, and taste of baked goods would not be a happy life.  With that said I give you my favorite baking photos of 2015. 

 

going to connect with my community

Next up in the "year in pictures review" are a set of photos from my 2015 Saturday morning visits to the Lawrence Farmers Market.   This was hard.  There was no way to pick only nine, so I allowed myself 14.  Being as I am the boss of the blog and all. 

The market is as much about the people and the feeling I get when I am there, as it is about the produce, flowers, and everything else you can buy there.   I used to tell Chris I was going to "connect with my community".  Which is exactly what it has become a way for me to do.  Ridiculously corny.  I know. But I feel like a nicer person when I am at the market.  I WANT to talk to strangers and smile at them.   Go figure. 

From the comfort of my little art room on the 2nd floor of Tall Tales headquarters, on this eve of the new year, I raise my glass of merlot to each of you. 

 

starting from the top left corner

The end of the year is a good time to look back.  Try to figure out where the year went.  Think about moments.  Little bits of time that were spent in utter appreciation of an instant that will not be here again.  While I don't always like carrying my camera with me, I will admit that I see pictures all around me.  All the time.  The world is a beautiful place. 

I am going to feature some groups of my favorites over the next few nights.  Loosely organized around a theme.  Here are nine of my favorite walks of 2015.  Starting from the top left corner and working to the right, then left across the middle, and back to the right you have... Lawrence, Palm Springs, Philadelphia, Oregon coast, Lawrence, Topeka,  Mendocino Headlands, Glass Beach, and finally the Ozark Mountains.

 

Sunset 11.21.15

Because I am not ready to put away Thanksgiving decor, or say good-bye to the 11th month of the year, here is one last November photo for 2015. 

Sunset - 11/21/15.  Tall Tales Headquarters, Lawrence Kansas.  

if you don't have a sister that you can travel with

I used the iPhone camera for all the posts I did from our Grand Tour of California on the road.  That does not mean that I did not take over 1000 photos with the Nikon.   You know that means you have to look at some.  Right?

Take heart though.  It's just photos and only a few words.

Just to say that if you don't have a sister that you can travel with, I am sorry.   Boy did we make some memories.  I took notes too.  For the record.  In case someone tries to change any important details later when I can't remember. 

Val, the yaquina head lighthouse volunteer

There is something very nostalgic about lighthouses.  They evoke the seafaring ways of days gone by ... or some such like that.  The thought of a little lighthouse on a rocky coast with a loyal and trustworthy operator keeping ships safe from the perils of the sea.  I'll stop there, you get the idea.  There were several along the Oregon coast we visited. 

What I'll tell you is it's hard to get a good shot of a lighthouse up close.   Especially one that's crowded with visitors all trying to get the perfect shot as well.   I tried from a number of perspectives.  Then I just gave up and stuck with the long shots. 

This is Val, the Yaquina Head Lighthouse volunteer.  She had some coast-scopes (telescopes trained on the seals and the birds on the coast) set up for people to look through.  The seals were interesting but the Cormorants were my favorite to look at.  Lucky no one was behind me in line and Val said it was my tax dollars at work and I could look as long as I wanted. 

There weren't any volunteers like her at the Haceta Head lighthouse.   But there was a cute boy.  Whose mom's carried him up the path to the lighthouse when his legs had just as much as they could take.   To his credit my legs got a little tired too.  I was going to ask Chris to give me a piggyback ride but thought better of it. 

My favorite shot of Haceta head lighthouse was from seal cave on down the road a bit.  Looking at it through the mist and fog make you appreciate the need of a good navigational aid.       

muffin yellow and bee fuzz yellow

I am presenting  the following yellow "names" for consideration to the manufacturers of crayola crayons in the event that they decide to add some spice to their current line-up.   We Kansans know a thing or two about the color between green and brown and directly across from purple on the color wheel. 

In the following order we have - majestic sunflower yellow, sweet corn yellow, wrist warmer yellow, spiky yellow, breakfast yellow, Saturday morning yellow, muffin yellow, zinnia yellow, and bee fuzz yellow. 

I am pretty sure muffin yellow and bee fuzz yellow will be two they will want for sure.  

an amazing shade of green

If you have never been to Kansas, and you have an idea in your mind what it looks like, and that idea is flat and boring, you have been laboring under a false impression.

The flint hills of Kansas are one of the most beautiful places in the world.  Right now they are an amazing shade of green because of all the rain we have been having.  The blue sky and the cool clouds aren't too bad either.  Thanks to Chris who captured all the photos in today's post during our road trip last week.

it helped hide my dirty windshield

Point and shoot mornings between May 27th and June 8th on my drive to work.

 "Orton-ish" effect added in Picasa.   I thought it helped hide my dirty windshield a bit better.  The world puts on a pretty good show this time of year between 05:55 and 06:05 am.  With or without the addition of the effects. 

I heard the line leader call out to me

 You knew I would keep going back until I saw this. 

I don't know if baby geese are cuter than baby goats OR if baby goats are cuter than baby geese.  But I do, for a fact, know that they are both much cuter than the snakes a little boy out there was quite excited to point out to me.  

I am pretty sure I heard the line leader call out to me to come back anytime as they paddled away.   I hope you like watching baby geese grow up as much as I do.  Next photo shoot:  flying lessons.  

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including copies to send to the grandparents

it's a good idea to start building the list years ahead of time

All I want to do is be off every day in the spring and get up early and go on walks and watch blue birds flit around in fields and then stop and pose for me in the branches of trees.  That's it.

I met a man today at work who told me "you don't retire from something, you retire to something".   That made sense to me.   Running towards something brings a whole different picture to my mind than running away from something does.  

I am going to add bluebird photography to the list of things I am going to retire to.   It's going to be awhile, but I think it's a good idea to start building the list years ahead of time.  

lying down on the sidewalk

Walking the neighborhoods in Lawrence is a great way to experience spring.   I saw trees in front of houses, an amazing display of muscari bulbs, cobblestone sidewalks strewn with petals, tulips, robins on fences, flowering fruit trees, and the most interesting old light fixtures.

I pulled over for the tulips and found so much more in the space of a few blocks.   The muscari bulbs were crazy fabulous.  I was lying down on the sidewalk to examine them closely enough to suit my purposes.   There will be some of them planted here at Tall Tales Headquarters this fall.   For sure.  

I will always and forever be completely delighted

I hope that spring in your neck of the woods is shaping up as nicely as it is here. 

We've had some sunny 70 degree days, some chilly 34 degree nights, winds, rain, a smattering of pea sized hail, and some of the thickest fog I have ever driven through. 

In other words, a typical Kansas spring.

In the flower department, other than daffodils, nothing says spring like forsythia bushes and magnolia trees. 

They are the first real show stoppers.

No matter how long I live, I will always and forever be completely delighted each March when this magic happens. 

it was a thing of beauty

Sunset.  Saturday, January 17, 2015.  6:31pm.  Oh my. 

It was a thing of beauty. 

we kept our opinions to ourselves

Scenes from Saturdays walk.  Before the temperatures plunged.  When I saw a mouse peaking out from a tree, a red-tailed hawk perched high overhead, a thin layer of ice in the stream, and every once in a while a small glimpse of the sun. 

I did not take a photo of the young man running in shorts.  His legs looked red and chapped by the wind.  He probably thought I was over-dressed in my hat, coat, mittens, and wool cowl.   We just smiled at each other when we passed and kept our opinions to ourselves.  

small bits of days

These are not the best pictures I took in 2014.  They are just a sprinkling of moments that jumped out at me as I scrolled through photos from last year.  Each one a taste, a smell, a feeling. 

They summarize the year in a very ordinary way.   Small bits of days that remind me when I look back, that it was in fact, a pretty good year. 

nice way to start Boxers Day

As I was getting ready to start a load of laundry this morning, I looked out the window and saw this beautiful golden pink color creeping across the sky to the east.  Having my priorities straight, I threw down the dirty clothes, threw on a jacket, grabbed the camera, and raced out the door.

I heard a rooster crowing as I walked back home.   Nice way to start Boxers Day wouldn't you say? 

hitting the trails in lawrence

This past weekend we had two beautiful warm days in the upper 50's which made it impossible for me not to get in a little walking on some of the new trails in Lawrence.   I have said it before, and for sure I will say it again, but seriously ... Kansas really is beautiful.  And I don't just mean the fields of sunflowers, the amazing sunsets, and the produce from the farmers markets. 

All these photos are from the trails at Rock Chalk park.  Thanks to Jan for telling me about them AND giving me a map.  When you come to Lawrence to check out all the great restaurants and coffee shops be sure to throw your walking shoes in the back of your car so you can see these fabulous blue skies for yourself. 

if that is even possible

I for one, am quite delighted with the return of the sun to it's proper location in the sky.  Which means where I can watch it going down right before dinner as I stand at my kichen sink. 

I like the golden hour best in the fall.  It's a thing of beauty.  And on a Friday night, with a glass of wine in hand, and a trip to the pumpkin patch planned for the weekend, and who knows what other trouble I might get into... it's even better than beautiful.  If that is even possible. 

the perfect setting for a lively post-exhibit discussion

Saturday we went to the Alexander Gardner exhibit at the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City.  It's a collection of photographs from 1867-1868 and focuses on his work in the American west. 

Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, Kansas 1867. 

This is a lovely textural composition that is made from the caps of liquor bottles.  It has absolutely nothing to do with the photography exhibit but I liked it very much all the same. 

The exhibit is free and runs until January in case you live in the area.  May I suggest Cafe Trio as the perfect setting for a lively post-exhibit discussion.  It's just a few blocks away and if you get there in the next several months the patio is a lovely place to sit. 

you never know when you are going to have a two "pullover" night

I could see a storm brewing over Lawrence tonight on my way home.  Westbound on K-10.  This was one of those nights when a "pullover" was needed. 

7:55pm

7:58pm

8:00pm

And when I thought it wasn't going to get any better I pulled back onto the hiway, only to pull off a minute later because I realized it WAS going to get better.

8:03pm

I love the overlapping layers of clouds best.  Sure was glad the trusty Nikon Coolpix was in my purse.  You never know when you are going to have a two "pullover" night. 

the elements of surface pressures or weather systems

June is the month of magical sunrises in Kansas.  Each day it's a little bit different but always spectacular.  These shots were all taken from June 6th through July 1st, with my little Nikon coolpix, on my morning commute, between 6:02 and 6:13 am.   

I do not understand all the elements of surface pressures or weather systems that make the sunrise look the way it does each day.  But I do know that I never get tired of looking at it. 

we also recommend wrapping your head in a warm towel

I almost forgot to tell you about something I learned when I was at Big Cedar Lodge a few weeks ago.   It started with me bemoaning the fact that Dottie got all the hair in the family.  I have never been able to comprehend this.  She said it had nothing to do with heredity.  

She swore me to secrecy then revealed that if you go out on the night of a full moon, after having collected the spit of a turtle and combined it with flowering quince petals to make a paste that you rub on your head while standing on one leg it encourages the development of new hair follicles. 

I thanked her for this tip and told her I was going to think long and hard on it.  Then I ran back to our cabin, took the cinnamon rolls out of the oven, made coffee, and told Mary Ann what she said.  We decided rubbing the extra frosting from the pan on our scalps while talking to a female cardinal might just do the same thing.

We also recommend wrapping your head in a warm towel after the frosting application and taking a nap. 

If you guessed this was a tall tale carefully crafted in order to allow me to show you 6 more pictures from Big Cedar Lodge you would be right.  Everything except the part about wrapping your head after the frosting.  That is the whole truth, and nothing but.  

 

can one capture the essence of a wedding in macro mode?

In honor of the 3rd birthday of Tall Tales from Kansas I picked up my old Nikon point and shoot and went outside to take some pictures today.  The old way.  The way I used to take pictures way back when Tall Tales was a brand new baby.  When I had to get up at nights to check the crib and be sure she was ok. 

While I was doing it I remembered that lovely little feature where you press the button with a flower on it to put the camera in macro mode.  This allows you to stick the camera right up close to something and it will still focus and take the picture.   I don't know how it is that I had forgotten that, but I am glad I remembered.  I am re-charging the batteries now.  Chris and I have a wedding to go to on Saturday night.  I am taking the point and shoot.  I wonder ... can one capture the essence of a wedding in macro mode? 

 

 

simple perfection

We've had some mighty pretty sunsets around these parts lately.   I loved the transition of the spectrum of colors in this one.   Simple perfection.  

24 hours ago when you were flipping dials and buttons on your camera

Have you ever changed the settings on your camera in an attempt to get a decent shot of a super cool lightening storm?  

And end up not being able to get a single halfway decent shot of the lightning?  Have you had that experience?

And the very next morning, have you by chance gotten up early to go to the farmers market because you have not been able to get there for the last 2 weeks?  And you take lots of pictures as is your normal modus operendi.

And then when you sit down at 9:30pm to happily select the best of those great images you captured you look at the pictures and say "what the %$#^ is going on?"

And only then does your mind go back to 24 hours ago when you were flipping dials and buttons on your camera.  And you finally realize that you did not return those dials and buttons to their normal settings.  I'm only asking because I would hate to be the only person who has ever done such a thing. 

we live in a social media world

I read this column in last Sunday's paper with interest. 

When I first started my blog in April 2011, I was uncomfortable taking photographs in public.  I went about it very surreptitiously.  Almost embarrassed to be doing it.  Kind of like the first time you make up your mind to wear bright red lipstick.  I felt like an imposter. 

Those days are mostly long gone.  My camera is now my friend.  We like to go out together in public.   When I see something that makes me go "oh", I tell my camera and together we decide on a good angle.  I am very respectful of the object of my lens and never make a fuss about snapping a shot.  Sometimes I will ask before taking a photo;  if I get an inclination that I should.  I have very seldom been told no.  

Be it good or be it bad, the bottom line is we live in a social media world.  I have always thought that you should not have the expectation of privacy if you are hanging out in a public venue.   I guess I can understand if someone thinks maybe you are going to use their picture inappropriately, and for sure I understand parents who might not want their kids picture taken for that reason as well.  What do you think?  Discuss amongst yourselves and get back to me on that one. 

tonight our optic nerves were on the same wave length

You know how you hate it when you see beautiful light hitting something and you take a picture of it and what your eye saw and what the camera took were not the same thing?   That did NOT happen to me tonight.

Tonight our optic nerves were on the same wave length.   Our ISO's were in synch.  Me and the camera had a mind-meld.  We were in harmony.   Yada yada and blah-dee-blah.   What I mean to say is the sunflowers from Saturday mornings' farmers market were more beautiful on Tuesday night at 8:15pm with the light from the west filtering through the blinds and onto the table than they were on Saturday morning. 

I am showing you so you won't have to take my word for it.  Not that I doubt that you would. 

I wanted the nostalgia route

I am starting to get into a 4th of July frame of mind.  It began last week on a 2 lane road in a small town somewhere north of Tonganoxie but before I reached Atchison. 

Can you say Americana?   I did not look at a map before I set out for Highland.   I plugged the final destination address into my Garmin and did not do any second guessing.   Somehow it figured out that I wanted to take the nostalgia route.  

It was a magical trip.   I was in the moment.  Not wanting to be anywhere else but right where I was.  I made friends with these cows who said I should come back when they had babies to photograph.  I agreed. 

Meanwhile, back in Lawrence, the fireworks stands are up.  I am so glad they cooperated with the red, white, and blue theme I have going on here today. 

the restfulness of white

Clouds, cream cheese frosting, wedding dressing, mashed potatoes, towels at a spa... and flowers.  Just a few of my favorite things that are the palest of colors.  I generally prefer a bright hot mix of pink and orange, but have to admit there is a place for the restfulness of white.   Happy Friday!

through my windshield

Late spring mornings as seen through my windshield on the way to work.  All photos taken this month, between 06:01 am and 06:06 am, eastbound on K-10 highway.


One of the things I love about going to work early at this time of year.  Everyday, something beautiful to see. 

the color between blue and yellow

Emerald, lime, sage, chartreuse, forest, moss, olive, jade, kelly, pine... if it's green, I like it. 

I also have a great fondness for blue.  But in this moment I am all about the green.   

reality is over-rated

The snow was blowing when we woke up Sunday.  It was hard to see through the windows because the screens were so packed with snow.   It makes me cold just thinking about it.  We settled on pancakes and bacon for breakfast to warm our innards before we headed out for snow removal duties. 

Then I cut up leeks for soup and Chris made an orange cranberry sauce for a pork roast and we both pretended that it was already Spring.   Reality is over-rated. 

un francobollo per questa cartolino, per favore

From the first glass of wine at La Perla in Amalfi, to the white wine by the sea in Atrani, to the Campari and soda streetside in the late afternoon (with all the Italian men whose wives had chased them out of the house) to the espresso at Nettuno in Paestum...

..... I recall each and every one of the drinks of Italy in 2008.   Unfortunately, I find myself unable to remember what I did with the Italian language CD's.    I am searching madly for the spot where I put them when I got home.

Brushing up on my conversational skills before we take off for Spoletto is a must.   One of my favorite parts of the trip to the Amalfi coast was going into a little shop in Praiano where I asked in Italian (with my best accent of course) if I could buy some stamps for our post cards.  The octagenarian behind the counter smiled and responded with many words I had never heard before.   I had to back-peddle and explain in broken Italian that my repertoire of phrases was limited but he didn't seem to care and we had a nice "moment".   It's these connections that make me smile when I look back on trips ... and remembering the mediterraneo we sipped as we sat at a table near the end of a cliff in a fabulous garden at Villa Cimbrone in Ravello.


Who knows what delicious drinks and moments await us in Italy in 2013.   I am closing my eyes right this second, setting the scene in my mind.

a study in green

As I look forward with eager anticipation to some GREEN.  I present a study in green from the archives of Tall Tales. 

mid-day, nearly sunset, early dawn, dusk

 One tree + sky + clouds + light = many amazing combinations.

I would never, ever, scoop up a field mice

If I was a big hawk I would sit up in trees like this all day long. When the right breeze came along I would swoop down and ride the currents.




But I would never, ever, scoop up a field mice or any kind of rodent for that matter. 
I would have to draw the line at that.   If I were a big hawk. 

I kept expecting Moses to come down from the mountain

The sky tonight was MAJESTIC. 

Seriously, I thought I was at a movie and kept expecting Moses to come down from the mountain.

I called Chris and told him to do his thing because the light would be gone in 5 minutes and I was at least 57 minutes from the camera.

He was only too happy to comply.  

Photo credit:  Chris Mulvenon

pink is a perfectly lovely color

You could infer from these photos that I like pink.

I do in fact think pink is a perfectly lovely color.   I actually wore my pink pajamas and looked at my new pink watercolor brush pen as I selected the pink pictures for this post in which I have used the word pink six times (in only 3 sentences). 

I decided to "posterize" it

This sunrise photo didn't turn out quite like I wanted so I decided to "posterize" it.   When I saw the result I decided to posterize the whole rest of my day.     

Except for the pancakes.  I preferred to eat them "non-posterized".  With just a smidge of special butter from Denmark. 

I don't ever intend to stop being amazed

Do you think I am obsessed with the sky?

 

I was just organizing some pictures and realized that  I probably do take a lot of these.   In Kansas there is a lot of sky to look at.   I don't ever intend to stop being amazed. 

Well officer, the moon was talking to me

At 5:40 am yesterday morning I crept from my bed.  I fumbled for my glasses and headed for the back patio.  Yes, on the weekend.  Why?  The MOON!  It's big and full and just begging to be photographed.  Between 5:42 and 5:46 I took about 60 shots of it.  I kept these 4.

 
 
I put the camera in manual mode and just stopped at every setting on the dial -  click click click.  It's still dark out at 5:40.  Even with my glasses on I can't see which setting is which.   I figure why not try them all?  I guess I could get out the cameral manual, but where's the adventure in that?   I prefer to just keep trying.    As long as the neighbors don't see me in my lime green, flamingo patterned,   rumpled,  capri pajamas out on the patio messing around and call the police.   I'm thinking they might not take me seriously if I told them the moon was talking to me.