Traveling Hammer

How Big Are Those Pancakes?

2011-11-12T14:40:00.003-06:00

I forced my passenger to indulge at IHOP on our way to Kansas City last week. Although, his vegetarian meal of bowls of bagged salad and over-ripe fruit didn't look too appealing. I, however, truly enjoyed my eggs, bacon and pancake. I say, "pancake" because that was my concession to Weight Watchers. It was sooooo satisfying to taste that warm, buttery, syrupy, cakey delight. I think my pancakes are probably better, but I would probably eat the whole batch. Anyway, as we got back on the Interstate, I felt REALLY guilty and I'm pretty sure I felt my thighs expanding.

Spooky

2011-10-31T21:43:00.003-05:00

This character is wired to the post of the Railroad Crossing sign near my house. He's been there for about 6 weeks. I don't know who put it there but I'm surprised that no one has removed it.

It Really Blows Here

2011-10-27T16:45:00.001-05:00

Seems like all I have to post about is the wind. Maybe you can see why, now.

Just Another Day in Paradise

2011-10-16T18:11:00.003-05:00

This is the view from my patio a couple of weeks ago. I had been working at the kitchen sink and happened to look out the window. I thought it was a grass fire and since the wind was blowing (again) 30 mph, I wasn't sure whether to get out the garden hoses or start hauling my photo albums and other treasures to the car.

It was a scary sight. Amid all that smoke is a sunflower processing plant which could provide a lot of fuel for a fire.

Here you can see a little hint of it.

I eventually found out that it really was just smoke. The fire, which started in a cornfield, was nearly two miles away. A cigarette is the suspected source. The firefighters had it pretty much under control until it caught a pile of railroad ties. The newspaper said that a ditch was dug and the ties were pushed into it to finish burning. Evidently, if they were buried they could continue to smolder.

My Treasures

2011-10-07T14:18:00.004-05:00

Have you ever noticed that photographing children is as difficult as herding puppies. It's a miracle if you get them all facing the camera at the same time. This bunch of rowdies are all 4 and under. As you can see, some aren't used to sitting in one place very long and some are hams for the camera. I picked the third photo down as the 'successful' one.

and more wind

2011-10-06T20:06:00.002-05:00

The last time I posted it was about wind and today it's still about wind. Today was a doozy, we've had sustained 35 mph winds with 50-60 mph gusts. I'm so tired of listening to the house creak and moan and wondering what's going to blow away.

The Interstate was closed for a few hours from here to the Colorado border because of high winds and reduced visibility.

I'm hoping it will slow down now that it's dark but the National Weather Service is issuing severe thunderstorm warnings.

The cornfield down the road from me was harvested last night before the wind really kicked up. That freed a lot of dried shucks to decorate my fence. The bright side is that the wind will blow out of the north before long and they'll go back where they came from.

I think this may be a good night to sleep in the basement. I'll relish the quiet.

Wind Damage

2011-10-01T19:11:00.008-05:00

Back in August, I took a 'me' day and drove out to Colorado Springs for the day. Spent a few hours at the Flea Market, ate lunch at Olive Garden and drove back home with my treasures. I arrived to find that we'd had 70 mph winds while I was gone. My vinyl fence didn't stand up too well.

Several sections were blown out and one section I was lucky to find in the railroad ditch to the south.

Some of the posts on the west were bent over.

We put up this fence in 1999 and it's withstood similar winds, so I guess the posts have reached the end of their life. I'm going to replace them with steel, but all the contractors are booked up. The 'fence guy' said he couldn't get to it until next year.

My plan is to get as much of the work done as I can to save $$$ and make it a job someone might be able to do in one day. Then I hope to beg one of the contractors to do the 'small' job. If I can get them to set the new posts and pour the concrete, I think I'll be able to put the rest back together.

I've reattached the panels that blew out and taken down the panels that were attached to the posts that need to be replaced.

Purchased a diamond blade for the saw and cut the concrete on both side of the posts.

Smacked the concrete really, really hard with a sledge hammer. Actually smacked it many, many times,

The cuts helped everything to break away neatly.

The new steel posts are painted and ready

Now I'm waiting on the guy with the tractor to come pull out the bent posts. I've only called him 3 times and he was to be here yesterday at noon. I truly don't think that I have it left in me to dig them out by hand.

Hybrid??

2011-09-30T20:59:00.006-05:00

I spotted this unusual vehicle at the local truck stop this morning. I wish I'd been able to stop and ask if he manufactured it. It really looks like a clever idea. Someone was a big thinker. There was too much traffic to get a better picture and I have a phobia about getting run over while taking pictures.

What's this for?

2011-05-17T19:39:00.005-05:00

Hey! What's going on here? (They are standing on a stool)

Nothing

Just making bubbles.

See what we made.

The grandsons wanted to know what that egg beater was for. It was a cold day, otherwise I'd have put them outside with a bucket of water and the dishsoap.

p.s. That's what my kitchen looks like with 9 extra people in the house. It's just wonderful!

Tongues

2011-05-14T12:00:00.000-05:00

Did you ever notice how important tongues are? Somehow they have a direct link to intense concentration and even balance.

2011-05-13T20:27:00.002-05:00

Last weekend I attended the Marble Days Parade in Bonner Springs. Moon Marble Company makes it's home there.

This isn't exactly the picture I have in my mind when I think of men in kilts, but he was enjoying himself.

I loved the colors of this lady selling paper flowers.

People from the Renaissance Festival participated. They had some elaborate costumes.

This long-legged fellow put on quite show- high fiving the kids and dancing to the music.

July 12, 2010

2010-07-18T19:29:00.006-05:00

Biggest hail I've ever seen.

My mother tells me that I've seen bigger, but I was about 4 years old, so I don't remember very well.

My "new" camper that I've had for 3 months was totaled by the insurance company.

Ordinarily the metal roof on my house would not be covered for cosmetic damage, but the hail caused the edges of the panels to lift up at the seams. So they totaled the roof, the siding on the north and east sides of the house, all of the guttering and downspouts and other things I don't even know how to fix. All told it was a whole lot of money. It would seem that I should be happy, but I would rather not have to spend the time getting estimates and finding someone to do the repairs. For that matter, I wish I had some good advice about what I really need to get replaced. Then, too, I can't forget that someone has to come up with the deductible.

I really should count my blessings, I wasn't going to insure the trailer but decided that I would just through the summer. Guess I won't have worry about having time on my hands for a while.

The Joys of Home Ownership

2010-06-29T22:29:00.004-05:00

I've been away from home for the last two weeks. We evidently had some serious wind during that time.

My fence had several sections blown down or torn loose.

Several brackets that hold the rails for the pickets are broken and, of course, I can't get them anymore. I finally took one to a metal shop and they are going to make some for me.

My yardlight had a broken bulb. My son-in-law designed the tower so that it could be lowered to change the bulb. I didn't think I could handle the weight of it so I asked a friend to come out this morning to help me. He said to call when I was ready to set up. He must have forgotten, as it is still in this position tonight. I think I'll go turn off the breaker so the dog doesn't have it shining in his house tonight.

Then there was the heavy park bench blown over and some metal sheeting on the shop loosened. I'm truly glad that I still have a roof on my house.

reVitalized Victorians

2010-06-16T22:33:00.003-05:00

We spent today in Cripple Creek. There are four 1880 something Victorian houses that the town gave to Habitat. They were moved to make way for a new casino. Habitat has been working on them for close to five years and our group is trying to finish the touch up work. The historical society wanted them saved because they were just a few of the homes that had survived two fires that nearly destroyed the town.

The houses were moved up the mountain, gutted, straightened and additions made to make them large enough for a modern family. I was told that at least one of them was leaning and you could see daylight through it.

I learned to apply a stucco finish that I might like to use on the foundation walls of my own house. (This is not me, please don't tell her I used her picture!)

I took my camera today, but left the memory card in the card reader. These were taken with a point & shoot. I hope to get better pictures tomorrow.

Hit & Miss

2010-06-15T19:39:00.006-05:00

I'm sorry that my posts have no theme or flow. Internet service is so weak, I throw things up here when I get a signal. We arrived at our build site Monday morning to this hole in the ground.

By the end of day 2 we had a good start on setting the green blocks. They are styrofoam and concrete will be poured inside to make the walls.

Sunday, we did a little sightseeing. This 100+ year old gazebo set on a man-made island in a little lake at Green Mountain Falls, Colorado. They used a rowboat to reach it up until the 1930's.

Across from gazebo clings this stubborn tree.

About a block past the lake, we encountered this sign............

and turned around to return to the car! I'm practicing my FIRM, LOW voice.

2010-06-15T17:19:00.003-05:00

The view from my front step yesterday morning. This is looking east. Down the mountain is Colorado Springs.

We drove up near Florissant Colorado to do some touch up and cleaning on this house. It is being sold to provide funds for ones under construction. It was built about 6 years ago as Habitat house, but the family chose not to keep it. We were told that it would list for $100,000 fo $115,000. Housing sure is expensive in the mountains.

Our day ended early as a storm blew in. Lots of thunder, lightning and hail. It's hailed three times since I've been here, but warmed up today.

On the road, finally

2010-06-13T19:56:00.006-05:00

Rainy day-all the way. The cool day was a blessing to me. I didn't worry about the engine getting too hot or having tire trouble. Which do you think is more dangerous, texting or taking pictures while driving?

Oh,looky there, something is following me!

There was some concern that the "new" camper was too heavy for the pickup. Looks like this will be my new top speed. Keep watching, you'll get to see it turn over to 100,000 miles.

Going to work.

2010-06-13T19:46:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is our first day of work. I can't get my pictures to upload with the campground wi-fi, so here is a teaser. Taken up in the Rocky Mountains on Saturday.

Almost Ready to Roll

2010-06-11T21:19:00.003-05:00

I'm nearly loaded and ready to go.

I've been working at it all day. Oh, throw in a trip to town for a tire repair.
Anyway, I thought I would be so ready, I could get an early start.

Then these little buggers appeared and the radar showed 3 tornados to the west and one to the northeast.

We are in a tornado watch and severe thunderstorm watch until 1:00a.m.

So, unhook the trailer and put the pickup back in the garage. Better one vehicle get hailed than two.

I'm thankful that I'm not sleeping in a campground tonight.

From my last trip to Oklahoma

2010-06-04T22:17:00.003-05:00

Playground Princess. Isn't she lovely?

She'll even share her bubbles with you.

Future Fireman?

A good dismount is important.

A little help from your mommy doesn't hurt either.

View From My Front Step

2010-06-01T16:38:00.003-05:00

Oh, no! Look out for that pole.

Whew! He made it.

Wouldn't that be fun?

Cornice - Corbel - Finial & more

2010-05-29T19:40:00.008-05:00

Pictures taken while visiting in my mother's hometown of David City, Nebraska.

What's with the anvil?? (This one was in Seward, Nebraska)

Another Strawberry Lover!

2010-05-26T12:05:00.002-05:00

( I personally don't like strawberries, but the pickers are pretty darn cute.)

Hi, Dad

What are you doing?

Maybe I should look closer.

Oh, I think I see something.

Yay!

Strawberry Picking Time

2010-05-25T13:47:00.005-05:00

Looking, looking, ......

Oh, what have we here?

Now what?

Tasting party- no charge!

Surrounded by Thunderstorms

2010-05-23T22:22:00.001-05:00

Zooming in

2010-02-16T13:24:00.001-06:00

I zoomed out as far as the camera would go to get this.

When I tried to get closer, he took to the sky,

circled around to taunt me,

and flew away.

Stripping

2010-02-15T21:35:00.005-06:00

I recently acquired 10 yards of this beautiful fabric. My plan is to make placemats and a table runner for the church bazaar.

To weave with the fabric, I first need to cut it into 1 1/2 inch strips. Weaving catalogs have a black cast iron strip cutter that seems to be the tool of choice. My choice is to not spend the $180 if I can avoid it.

I ordered this little gizmo on line. It uses various arrangements of sharp blades to create different width strips.

You then pull the fabric through it to cut strips. In this case, I got what I paid for. It's supposed to clamp on your table, but in actuality, it hooks and the only table I have with enough lip to hook it on is the coffee table. It worked pretty well with strips one yard long, but the 10 yard strips take too much start and stop. I have to get on my knees and pull about five feet through and then regrip it and pull another length. It doesn't come out perfectly straight but probably good enough.

Here's a view of a placemat on the loom. The blue on the ends is a header that will be turned under and stitched down.

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Circles

2010-02-04T20:41:00.000-06:00

Circles can hold things together.

Circles can light up your home.

Some circles are very old.

Circles can take you from one place to another.

Circles can make you dizzy.

Circles can give you comfort.

Circles can make you look famous.

Traveling Hammer

2010-02-04T18:49:00.002-06:00

I've read some blogs that talk about digital logos. I've given some thought to the elements that I would include in mine, if I had one. My three year old grandson answered the question for me in a very frugal style. I have re-created it above for your viewing pleasure.

On that note, I'm wondering if I shouldn't change my blog name since I haven't helped with a build for a year.

To get motivated, I've been studying the Habitat for Humanity build listings for the spring, summer and fall. Read about the Care-A-Vanners here. Last year was the first that I haven't participated in one or two builds since I started volunteering. Right now, I'm considering Sheridan, WY; Winona, MN; Talequah, OK; or Woodland Park, CO.

Another consideration is that taking 2-3 weeks in the middle of the summer can ruin my yard for the year. It's hard to find someone to feed and play with the dog, mow the grass and water the trees on my little acreage. Expensive, too.

Maybe all this wondering and studying is an indication of cabin fever. The seed catalogs have arrived, surely spring will be here soon. Right?

Where have I been, you ask.

2010-01-31T19:58:00.007-06:00

Such kind readers to miss me when I don't post. I think my most faithful reader is my mom, who by the way will be 85 years young this week.

After all my family left at Christmas, I got back to a little weaving. I made this scarf with some leftover yarn. I think it's pretty, but I don't like it. Does that makes any sense?

I took these pictures this last weeekend.

These little monkeys

were building a birdhouse.

They only had one pair of safety goggles, but they seemed to work it out.

These ladies weren't exactly interested in each other, but the one with hair was fascinated by the fluff on her cousin.

Then, there was new game called "rescue". Near as I can tell, it involved one boy laying in the toybox while the other played with the toys. Maybe details will evolve the next time they meet.

.....the sun going down on me.

2010-01-13T20:21:00.005-06:00

Just for fun, a photo taken from Exit 79 on I-70 about sundown today. The picture reminds me of this lyric from the song, Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me.

News is slow.

2010-01-11T19:46:00.005-06:00

Pictures from Big Ed's located in Bird City, Kansas, population 408. In addition to the classy decor, they have great cuts of meat, bare wood floors and original tin ceilings.

I don't actually admire the decor, but I thought it would be something to blog about. I still haven't figured out exactly what I would write about, but immediately after taking these pictures, I knocked my camera off the table and this image was stuck on it.

Lucky for me, my son was able to take it apart and repair it.

The End!

Sweatshirt

2010-01-09T21:49:00.003-06:00

I promise that I'm not going to blog about weaving all the time, but I tried a new fabric today. I had these pieces of sweatshirt material that I was never going to use.

I turned about half of it into this. The color placement is purposely random.

I don't know how it will wash, since it was hard not to stretch the fabric as I worked it in. I also don't know what I'll do with it. I have a little pink in one bathroom. Maybe it would be a nice absorbent mat in front of the shower?

The bonus is that I have one less pile on my sewing machine table.

Overheard on a cold winter day.

2010-01-07T10:45:00.004-06:00

R: My bwoon won' t fly anymore!
M: Mine doesn't either.

R: Let's play "fishing."

I caught a fish, I caught a fish!

M: I caught a fish.
R: I did, too.

M: I caught another one that looks just like the other one.

M: I'm going to get in the water.

M: Do you want to come down?

R: Na, I'm still fishing.

R: I'm getting tired of fishing.

Kitchen Rug

2010-01-06T20:31:00.003-06:00

I finished my first "real" rug today. Earlier, I practiced by making a little table runner size. I've wanted to make new rugs for my kitchen for the last couple of months, but had to put it aside, first, while the house was a wreck getting new flooring, then while I had conjunctivitis in both eyes and my face, then while I had a respiratory infection and lastly for Christmas. This one is in front of the sink. I made it 24" X 64", but now I'm thinking that I made it too long. I'm starting a matching one for in front of the stove, but probably not as long.

I used many yards of neutral colored fabrics that I got in a garage sale box this past summer. Weaving is so much fun. My friends better watch out, they'll all be getting my projects for Christmas next year!

Waynoka, Oklahoma

2009-12-15T21:15:00.012-06:00

This weekend we visited the train depot in Waynoka, Oklahoma. You can dine on Mexican food in the restaurant located in the restored Harvey House and see trains speeding by outside the window.

If you take young boys, don't expect them to be very hungry.

You may even get lucky and a train stops while the crew has lunch.

The upper level is a museum. One room was set up to look as it did when the Harvey Girls were in residence.

Read more about the Harvey House here.

The restored building is quite beautiful.

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Weather

2009-12-10T00:53:00.000-06:00

This weeks topic for Friday My Town Shoot Out was chosen by Carrie from Goodyear, AZ. Carrie is interested in weather, so here you go Carrie.....weather from Northwestern Kansas.

Most of these are file photos. These were taken in August 2006 by my son-in-law just south of my town. It did damage a sign and some windows at a motel near I-70.

This tornado was a few miles north of our home back in the 90's, it destroyed an irrigation system.

A blizzard in the mid 1980's created this drift reaching to the roof of a mobile home. My children picture here are now 28 & 31.

An ice coated weed.

A view of my house from the back yard.

A rainbow from this past summer.

Any Ideas?

2009-12-08T21:04:00.002-06:00

I am clearing out things around here. A lot of stuff I brought home from my office when I retired. I don't know why. It's not like I'm going back to work in that field. I've collected local phone books since 1976. Well, I didn't really collect them, I just didn't throw them away. I think I'll call the museum tomorrow and see if they'll take them. Any other ideas? I know, I could just take them to recycling.

Cool Grandma

2009-12-08T18:31:00.003-06:00

I was told recently that I had cool toys. Having just rearranged my toy area, it's tidy enough to show you. I made the toy box in a shop class before my daughter (who is 28 years old today) was born. It's made of wood from the telephone switchboard that I worked for many years.

Email from a friend.

2009-12-03T20:17:00.002-06:00

A friend forwarded this to me. It's one I hadn't seen, but I like the message. It reminded me to refocus instead of stressing about Christmas.

Letter from Jesus about Christmas --

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa’s and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of
them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one,
look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :

I LOVE YOU,
JESUS

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Faces & Smiles

2009-11-26T20:12:00.011-06:00

This weeks topic was chosen by Sarah from Idaho. The only difficult part for me, was limiting the number of pictures I post of my grandchildren.

Grandsons

Same boys 2 years later.

The Adventures of Verity

2009-11-25T10:11:00.005-06:00

"Follow the Yellow Brick Road, Follow the Yellow Brick Road, Follow the Yellow Brick Road!"

Looks like I hit the jackpot.

While I'm here, I'll just tidy up a bit.

Wishing you a "Happy Thanksgiving" and blessings to all.

The Morning Drive

2009-11-24T11:33:00.002-06:00

On my way to work Monday morning.

This changed to big, fat, wet snowflakes in the afternoon. They melted on the ground and turned to ice last night. My driveway is a sheet of ice. The high today is predicted to be 49 degrees, but currently the wind chill is 27. Here's hoping the ice gets a chance to melt before night.

Friday My Town Shoot Out: My Town's Premier Attraction

2009-11-19T18:39:00.005-06:00

This weeks topic chosen by Kent. I chose the Cooper Barn at the Prairie Museum of Art & History. First is a picture borrowed from the net as it looks today. It's touted as the largest barn in Kansas and in 2008 was voted one of the Eight Wonders of Kansas Architecture.

The following are pictures of snapshots I took when the barn was moved in 1992. It was moved from the original site of Foster Farms about 15 miles from Colby. I believe the Cooper family owned it at the time it was donated to the museum, hence the name. It was parked overnight on a county road near our house. The kids just had to go see it on the truck. It appears we weren't the only ones. I really need a scanner, these glossy prints don't photograph well at all.

For a better view of the barn and the dimensions read here.

2009-11-15T20:58:00.006-06:00

Pictures from my weekend weaving class.

We learned different patterns by weaving a sampler. The loose little ends are where the yarn was joined together. They will be trimmed after the piece is washed. I did make a lot of mistakes, but hopefully you can't see them.

I've been wanting to learn to weave for some time now. My son found this small loom for me at a garage sale this summer. I wanted to learn to weave rag rugs and was trying to teach myself using a book. I decided to take the class at the Yarn Barn to help me fix any bad habits. I learned a lot, but probably not enough.

The bottom pictures are of a rag sampler I tried at home. I wasn't totally displeased with it, but I need to do a little more reading about the warp.

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Places of Worship

2009-11-13T06:00:00.001-06:00

This weeks topic was selected by Rebecca. Be sure to click on her name and see what she has to show you. You can also check out the rest of the Friday My Town Shoot Out group.

This old church makes me think of cars with white walled tires, Easter bonnets, ladies stockings with seams and little girls with frilly dresses and white anklets. I wonder how long the bell will remain hanging.

Out of the Mouths of Babes.

2009-11-12T13:13:00.004-06:00

I know you've all noticed what cute grandchildren I have. My grandsons are 6 months apart in age and get to see each other about twice a year.They've finally reached an age where they like to play together. Picture is from this summer just after they both arrived at Grandma's.

I want to tell you a story related to me by my daughter. Her son is the one on the right. He likes to talk to just about anyone. He was out on the driveway while his daddy washed the car. The teenaged girls from across the street came outside, wearing shorts that revealed part of their "hineys." Riley called out, "Where are your pants?" They got in their car and drove away. We may have to work on his pick-up technique in the next 16 years!

Numbers & Years

2009-11-11T08:21:00.002-06:00

What does it say about us when we begin to reference everything by it's age? There is a man doing carpet installation at my house this week. He's a very nice fellow and pleasant to visit with. He mentioned that he had his 20th high school reunion last year, making him about 38 according to my calculations. It dawned on me that I'm old enough to be his mother. That is, if I'd begun my family at 19 like both of my sisters. Maybe it is the fact that his hair is going gray! This morning I calculated that I've had my waffle iron for 37 years and I've been saying all week that a everyone should get new carpet as least once every 25 years. I also remarked that I have lived in this house for 31 years next month.

How time flies when you are having a life. I think I need to write one of those "bucket lists" and get moving.

Waiting

2009-11-10T08:34:00.006-06:00

Fall harvest is finally in high gear. October, when it normally starts, was very, very wet. Farmers couldn't get into the fields without getting stuck and the grain was too high in moisture content for the elevator to take it. November brought very mild warm days, so the harvest is on!

There's a constant line of trucks waiting to unload at the elevators.

This was 7:00 pm last night.

Please excuse the bugs on the windshield. It's not wise to stand on the highway at dusk during harvest.

Unusual Clouds

2009-11-08T08:12:00.004-06:00

This was taken yesterday near Bird City, Ks.

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Skylines

2009-11-06T09:27:00.006-06:00

Kate, also from Kansas, chose the topic this week. She says, "My topic is up to bat this week and I picked Skylines. One of my favorite things to see when I go to a new city is the look of their skyline - and for me, skylines can be the look of a small-town Main Street or the giant buildings of a huge city's downtown or a field full of corn. What is the "skyline" that you think of when someone mentions your town?"

Well, I live on the opposite side of the state where it is very flat. This is a picture of the industrial part of my town viewed from the road that I live on. To be fair, most of the buildings are one-story structures.

The taller structures that you could possibly see from other directions are our courthouse:

and of course, the grain elevators.

I like this perspective best.

Who is that guy?

2009-11-01T02:42:00.000-06:00

Two year old Mcclellan at the Mediterranean cafe in Lawrence, KS.

Early Blizzard

2009-10-31T10:39:00.000-05:00

We had snow Thursday night. I think we caught the edge of the storm as Western Colorado and Nebraska received more. I arrived home just an hour before I-70 was closed from here to Denver.

The drift on my front step.

I was poky getting outside this morning, so it is already beginning to melt.

I believe the apple tree will give up its leaves after this.

Indy, my dog, was eager to get out. He loves to play in the drifts.

Even the geese have decided it's time to go!

Wayne, Nebraska

2009-10-30T21:33:00.000-05:00

In our travels this week, my mother and I went to Wayne to visit my cousin- her mom and mine were sisters. We'd never been to her home, but had heard about it for years. She and her husband are the third owners of the house. It is just chock full of charming detail. It still has the original light fixtures in all of the rooms. Many rooms have matching wall sconces. There is also a "back" stairs, a solarium, the original fireplace with built-in cabinetry and a cold room (now transformed into a bathroom.) A very interesting visit.

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Park Landscapes

2009-10-29T21:10:00.005-05:00

I think I may have confused a little with last week's post. I remember this park as a child. There was a pair of swans on the lake, then one died and even though others were brought in, they just didn't prosper. We could drive clear around the lake back then. Our parents were always telling us to stay clear of the swans if we didn't want to get bitten. This park is located in David City, Nebraska where my mother grew up. We visited family this week and I took the pictures as we left Thursday morning.

Did they change their minds?

2009-10-27T16:28:00.003-05:00

I'm with my mother visiting her sister in Nebraska. We spent today visiting thrift stores. After I saw several plaques and wall hangings with similar quotes, I started to wonder. Did they change their minds?

Probably they just cleaned house or it was something that no longer matched their decor. Still, I thought it was worth a post!

Bras Across the Kaw

2009-10-25T19:35:00.003-05:00

This weekend I've been visiting Lawrence, Kansas- home of The University of Kansas and the Jayhawks. These are pictures of a project to raise breast cancer awarness. This is the third year of the project. Donated bras are strung end to end across the Kansas River bridge. I believe they are left up for one week. I took these pictures Sunday morning on the way to church and they were gone later that afternoon.

You can see the sign for Kansas River on the edge of the first picture. Kaw was the older, Indian name for the river.

You can google for more information.

Friday My Town Shoot Out:Childhood Classics

2009-10-22T22:56:00.001-05:00

I apologize for your wasted trip over here. Life got in the way and I don't have a post ready for this week. I'll be checking in to see how everyone interpreted this assignment.

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Sunrise/ Sunset

2009-10-16T05:29:00.012-05:00

The topic for the Friday My Town Shoot this week was chosen by Sherri. It has been overcast and rainy all week so these come from my photos earlier this summer.

This sunrise picture was taken on the west side of Sebelius Reservoir near Norton, Kansas.

Shots of the same sunset 5 minutes apart. Outside of Oakley, Kansas.

2009-10-10T20:47:00.003-05:00

A smile,

makes your face beautiful

and reflects back at you all day long!

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Silhouettes

2009-10-08T21:28:00.001-05:00

This weeks topic chosen by Carrie. I'm so happy to share some of these. I thought they were flops, but they were just silhouettes!

The top of a combine during fall harvest in the background, milo in the foreground.

Our town has a home owned carnival so this sets at the fairgrounds year round.

Small town wooden grain elevator.

More carnival ride.

Combine auger unloading corn.

Steering Wheels.....and Boys

2009-10-04T07:00:00.001-05:00

Suggestions?

2009-10-03T02:49:00.004-05:00

I'm trying to think of a better way to paint the wall and ceiling above my basement stairway. My husband used to use these planks placed closely together. He was 6' 4" and I'm a foot shorter so I still need some extra reach. (The netting was custom made to keep the little ones from falling through-it will probably be in place until their heads are too big to go between the spindles and yes I noticed the dust.)

I'm thinking, "Hire a professional."

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Photo Study of a Building

2009-10-01T20:47:00.002-05:00

This week we are to do a photo study of a building. "Look at the angles, the light, the windows, doors, special features, its uses past and present." I took these pictures this past summer. I think this building may have had many special features that you just don't see anymore. Notice the small offset window. I wish I could get a shot of the door. I can only guess at it's past uses.

I couldn't get very close,

but I was able to use my zoom.

Whatever it's current use, it will remain a mystery to me!

He's Got The Moves

2009-09-30T22:19:00.002-05:00

I picked this drum set up at a garage sale a few weeks ago. This is my 3-year old grandson showing his moves. He was using the milk carton for a stool. Sorry, I didn't have the sound turned on for my camera but it's really just as well!

Add a Caption

2009-09-26T21:38:00.003-05:00

I find I have a lot of pictures that I want to share, but not much of general interest to say. So, since I think these pictures are blog worthy, I'll leave it to you to add the caption. Thanks for your help!

A

Friday My Town Shoot Out: My Favorite Place to.....SHOP!

2009-09-24T20:30:00.002-05:00

The topic this week was chosen by Cindy over at Just Alaska. She chose, "My Favorite Place to __________" and we got to fill in the blank. I seriously didn't think I would come up with anything because I don't have a lot of options here. Then it came to me. The thing I enjoy most and admit to being addicted to: Bargain Hunting!

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Domestic Animals

2009-09-18T17:55:00.002-05:00

I nearly played the slacker this week. I came up with this picture of my grand-cat. Her name is Jazzy and I think she's about 11 years old. As you can see, she has a slight weight problem.

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Aged and Weathered

2009-09-10T21:00:00.001-05:00

The topic this week was chosen by Pauline from New Zealand.

Gem, Kansas-

Ten miles from my home, I'm told this community was once larger than Colby. That must have been a century or more ago. We have about 5,000 full time residents. In 2008, the population of Gem was listed at 87, down from 96 in the 2000 census.

A long time resident of the community told me that a couple of farmers bought this building for one dollar when the school closed in the 1960's. They were going to tear it down and recycle the bricks. They planned to ship them to California, selling them as used bricks, only to find out that the mortar was harder than the bricks!

High School

Gem, Kansas- Methodist Church

Gem, Kansas-drugstore

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Windows & Doors

2009-09-03T21:45:00.001-05:00

Topic this week for Friday My Town Shoot Out is Doors & Windows. I admit to taking a few shortcuts and using file photos this week. I just didn't take the time to get out, but I did enjoy having my daughter and grandchildren here for the week.

This window hangs at the top of the picture window in my living room. My husband bought it at an auction. It had some broken panels and started life at the top of a window in an old house. He deconstructed it, put it back together and framed it just for me. I've always liked stained glass. I'd love to be able to custom build a home and use it wherever I wanted.

Here is the door on the fire box of a steam tractor,

this is what's behind the door when the engine is ready to work,

and this is what could be behind the door when the engine is being safety checked.

I think the windows and doors on my pink 1962 Thunderbird are pretty classy.

Here is what I saw one day when walking up to my daughter's front door (before she moved to Oklahoma). You just have to take the picture before it's gone, thus the quality. Still in my book, it's a keeper.

You take your shots when you find them!

200th Post

2009-09-03T19:38:00.004-05:00

For my 200th post, I'm sharing a picture of my family. They're the reason I started blogging. It was a way to let them know what I was doing while I was gone from home for a month on Habitat builds in the spring of 2008.

This was taken in July. We'd been outside all day at a Thresher Show- the guys don't usually wear bib overalls. My daughter's family is on the left and my son's family is on the right. My grandsons are 6 months apart and my grandaughters are 10 weeks apart. I'm so proud of all of them.

Just Because.....they'll soon be gone.

2009-08-30T12:48:00.003-05:00

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Incongruous

2009-08-28T09:07:00.003-05:00

I chose this week's topic. It may have been one of those ideas that sounded good, but was difficult to execute.

"Incongruous: meaning out of place, ridiculous, inconsistent, contradictory. Things mis-labeled or not where you would expect to see them, just odd stuff that you might be used to seeing everyday and we would find interesting or amusing."

I got the idea from this boat parked in front of a barn. It has obviously not been moved in a while. We are at least 60 miles from any size body of water.

I live in a small Northwest Kansas town. Last week a water tower was being added to boost the water pressure in a newly expanded area. I didn't get to see how they do it, but evidently they erect these things from the ground up, because it was missing a "Y" on the bottom.

You wouldn't expect to see palm trees in this flat arid country, but the Chamber of Commerce is using a slogan "Oasis on the Plains" and this truck stop complex calls it's self "The Oasis." The trees are constructed out of metal and I believe fiberglass. I know there was concern about those branches breaking loose in one of our 70 mph winds.

- complete with parrots.(click for a better view)

Another thing you don't expect to see everyday is a real semi-truck suspended so high in the sky that it can be see for miles.

Lastly a bonus from my trip this week. It comes from Pratt, Kansas. How's this for a town with a sense of humor? If you zoom in on the "hot" you can see the gingerbread detail around the top.

Decimate

2009-08-22T12:11:00.004-05:00

I really, really hate these things and they really, really love the four-o-clocks by my front door- which I seldom use. I think an extended family moved in out there. I've been picking and smushing (gross), but they are pretty good at blending in. So it's a race to see if the plants are decimated before the worm family. I'm doing my part.

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Signs

2009-08-21T06:45:00.001-05:00

This week's Friday "My Town" Shoot Out topic is " amusing or interesting signs in your area." I think I found that my town just isn't that amusing.

This sign is posted at the end of my friends' driveway.

Can you tell that they have horses?

Lunch for sixty?

2009-08-20T20:44:00.005-05:00

I couldn't decide on a title for this post. The first one that came to mind was,"Oh, my aching feet!", but given the background it seems more than a little self absorbed.

I coordinate the funeral meals for our church. Today we provided lunch for the family before a memorial service. Customarily, services are held around 10:00 with lunch following. For the last several years we've been serving a casserole with salads and desserts. We ask how many to expect, but it's always just a guess.

I use this old-time favorite recipe for the casserole:

Tator Tot Casserole

Brown together:
2 lbs hamburger seasoned w/salt, pepper & onion

Add:
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of celery soup
2 cans green beans, drained

Top:
2 lbs. tator tots

Mix browned, seasoned burger, soups & green beans. Spread in the bottom of a 9 X 13 pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Top with the tator tots. Bake at 350 until bubbly & brown.

Although this recipe should serve 12-15, I estimate one recipe per 10 people to be served, just to be safe.

I call my list of faithfuls who volunteer to donate food or work in the kitchen and they bring salads and desserts. Just before the meal I pop pans of yeast rolls in the oven to give the kitchen a comforting, homey smell. Who doesn't love the smell of fresh baked bread?

We don't charge anything for this, though families often make a donation, and we don't have a budget, it just always works out.

A time or two, I have been pretty stressed when the attendance greatly exceeded the estimate. Then there was the time that Pastor invited everyone downstairs for lunch when we only planned for 70, but still it worked out okay. This jobs makes you believe in loaves & fishes.

Here's a picture of some of my helpers today. Don't they look lovely? Sorry, I didn't get a picture of everyone. There were three more of us.

Wasn't this a pretty spread?

If These Old Walls Could Talk: Part 3

2009-08-14T21:53:00.005-05:00

Old, Old Schoolhouse? I blogged earlier about "The Old School House". While I was on my photo safari, I spotted this old foundation on a narrow road. I had decided it must be the remains of a school or church because of the wide step. Then Aunt Dinah told me that the previous school had been North & West of the "New, Old School. Exactly where this is. There are no buildings around it for miles. Can you imagine having to mix the concrete for this by hand, maybe even hauling the water. Building was really hard work back then. I wonder if there was a well, probably an outhouse. What did they heat with. It didn't look like there was a source of firewood nearby. Do you suppose the kids rode ponies to school at one time?

See how far back it sets from the road, just the footprint of a memory. I wish I could order up a video of that time. Would I see muslin and homespun?

P.S. Yes, I do know that this doesn't actually have walls.

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Relaxation

2009-08-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

The object of the Friday My Town Shoot Out posts is to use an assigned theme to post photos of my town. This week's theme is "Relaxation" chosen by Lena at Spirits of Lena.

This time of year, lots of people, mainly children, like to relax here.

I would relax there too, if I could be INVISIBLE.

Relax here and leave with peace.

Some people like to relax here.

The most frequent place for me is this.

I take a little something from here.

Children are welcome.

Travelers can check their email. Students surf.

I can trade in a book from home.

I can even check out a cake pan! What shape & flavor would you like for your cake?

Have a wonderful weekend. Mary

If These Old Walls Could Talk: Part 2

2009-08-12T13:46:00.009-05:00

This picture is the first one to give me the idea for If These Old Walls Could Talk. It's the farm house where my mother-in-law grew up. After his parents divorced, my late husband spent many happy hours here with his grandfather as a surrogate parent and teacher. His grandparents were still living here when we met and his grandmother permanently moved to town after grandpa's death in 1982. Aunt Dinah and her husband lived here for some time after that until economics forced them to the cities to make a living.

This probably never was a fancy house. I remember it as a house of enameled tin cupboards, linoleum, wallpaper and contact paper. A bedroom was made into a bath when plumbing was brought indoors. A couple of lean-to porches had been added on.

The water was collected in a cistern from the windmill.

The fins of the old blue impala stuck out of the doors of this garage.

This old hump roof barn was just leaning a little, the first time I saw it. Now, it has collapsed to less than half its former height.

I also remember there always being room for company at the table. My husband talked of fried bologna for breakfast and milk stored in the freezer because they were so far from town. He talked of grandma letting him and his cousin roll cigarettes in this old wash house from newspaper and coffee grounds to "get it out of their systems". I think he got the scar on his lip from the same cousin in a tussle over a toy truck.

I remember picking cherries and the auction held there to sell the farm equipment. I remember these old folk out in the road ditch digging sandburrs and stickers when he took me to meet them for the first time and the old upright piano on the porch that we brought home for our daugher to learn on.

I only have a few years of memories from this house before things changed. I know there are many others who have more and every one of them felt like a V.I.P. when they were at the farm.

That's the kind of grandparent that I want to be remembered as.

If These Old Walls Could Talk: Part 1

2009-08-11T20:06:00.001-05:00

This old school house sets nearly 20 miles from the nearest town. The roof has long ago fallen in but the walls seem stubbornly straight and strong.

Who decided to build it here? Why did it close? Did it serve any other purpose after the school closed? It looks like a modern building, but it's looked this way for the 30+ years that I've been driving by. It must be at close to 60 years old.

I asked my husband's cousin, Vonita, what she knew about it. She called the school Mirage and thought she went to school there in 1953 or 1954. Previously they had a one room school house like all the old time pictures. She said this building had all the grades in one room,too, but not very many students in any grade. It had indoor plumbing so they didn't have to use an outhouse or drink from water jugs anymore. They brought their lunches to school, but there was no refrigerator so her mother wouldn't send meat sandwiches just peanut butter and jelly. Maybe soup in a thermos. There were no buses, so her parents or grandparents took them to school. I think it would have been 10-15 miles from her house. Town was south of the school and their home was east.

I'm so glad I asked her. She had lots more to say about school days there, but I'll wait for her to blog it and then give you a link. She said her wedding shower was held there in 1967.

On second thought, she did tell a few stories in a post earlier this year. Go on over and read about them at Mago's Meditations, please remember that we are only related by marriage! (just kidding, Vonita)

This just in from Aunt Dinah, who was in the same grade as Cousin Vonita. Actually, they were the only ones in that grade. She said the school was built in 1956, first school year 56-57 and closed 5 years later after the 61-62 school year.

That Long Lonesome Road

2009-08-08T06:53:00.005-05:00

I alluded to my photo safari a few days ago. The area I explored consisted of large ranches and farms. Not very many people live in that area, anymore. Many roads have road markers, but they are little more than tracks between two fields. I took one of those and had to turn around after a mile because it didn't intersect with any other road. Some of the roads cut through a large ranch and I had to cross numerous cattle guards. I also turned around on the road pictured below. Looking in the rear view mirror, it occurred to me that no one else had used this road in the past few days. So,it was unlikely there would be anything to see. I like the bright spot of road at the top of the picture. The sun was shining through a hole in the clouds.

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Power

2009-08-07T05:11:00.000-05:00

This week's Friday My Town Shoot Out topic is Power, suggested by J9, She asked: “Power - where do you get your power? Is it electric, hydroelectric, solar, wind, natural gas? The things that power our towns or it could be things that empower you personally, or places to go to regroup, regenerate your own personal power.”

I cook and heat with natural gas. This is a natural gas compressor station owned by Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline. Although they don't work here, my son and son-in-law both work for the company.

I get my electricty from here.

Through here.

Maybe from here, or someplace just like it.

I think of power here at our county courthouse. They have the power to make us pay our taxes or lose our property. The county commissioners decide what services we will have and how much they will cost us.

There is power here.

This isn't power until you don't have it.

I get refreshed here every week to make me ready for the coming week.

This is powerful.

Powerful good!

New Header

2009-08-06T16:23:00.008-05:00

I went for a cruise through the countryside today. I'm working on collecting pictures for a theme that you will see later. I can just hear the anticipation building, but be patient. I'm going to Oklahoma this weekend, so it may be a while. I'm home now with 90+ pictures. Many of my hands and fingers because I saw things while I was driving and couldn't stop. I was suprised to see this field of sunflowers in bloom. I think it's kind of early, but now I'll have to pay more attention to see if other fields are blooming. I drove 80 miles in four hours and most of it was dirt roads. It's been a fun day.

These air planes are bonus pictures. I wasn't looking for them, but happened to see two in the same day. The yellow one is a spray plane, but I'm not sure about the other. It flew low over me while I was standing in the back of the pickup taking pictures for Friday My Town Shoot Out. Bear in mind, my brother-in-law told me that it costs $50.00 per acre to spray his corn for bugs. This is costing someone some serious $$$.

County Fair Parade

2009-08-05T21:33:00.006-05:00

What's a parade without the color guard? I would love to see everyone salute the flag as it passes. So many things fall out of custom with disuse.

We didn't have many of what I think of as traditional floats. I missed getting pictures of the horses, shriners, firetrucks and other individuals.

The implement dealers participate by showing off their new equipment. Many are so big they can't go down the street with out removing parts.

The theme this year was: Thrills, Squeals and Ferris Wheels, so this combine shows some spirit.

The kids enjoy it all. There is so much candy thrown that they bring sacks to collect it in. Reminds me of Halloween. My youngest grandson has his mouth full as he reaches out for more.

It's okay to eat stuff I pick up from the street today, isn't it Mama?

Can You Hear Me Now?

2009-08-04T22:04:00.004-05:00

I'm in Grammy mode now. My grandchildren (all four) were here last week. I have so many great pictures that I may do "Grammy" posts for a month. This little guy will be three years old one week from today. He answered no to this question twice before I got the video camera. He keeps me laughing.

Kissed by the Sidewalk

2009-08-03T07:00:00.003-05:00

I just love the symmetry of this little face, even with the sidewalk kisses.

Home Remedy for Boils

2009-08-02T15:49:00.003-05:00

My son complained that he thought he had a boil on his forehead. His wife and I searched for home remedies on the internet. The one I saw the most said to secure a piece of raw bacon fat to the area before going to bed. Comments said that the boil would "erupt" ( the best word that I can think of) or come to a head by morning. While we couldn't convince him to put raw bacon on his head he did agree to try a slice of cucumber to see if it would have a drawing effect. He said it was so cold it gave him a headache, but we didn't hear him complain of the boil again!

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Outside Food

2009-07-31T09:59:00.010-05:00

Oh, this was perfect timing. My family was here this week and we went to the Tri-State Antique Engine & Threshers Show at Bird City, Kansas. The first few pictures show the kitchen on the show grounds and the line going in to pick up our food to eat "outdoors"

Grandson Riley

Brother-in-law

Son and grandaugher, Verity

Yum! Ribs from the grocery store.

Warming the ribs and grilling the veggies at home. Never mind that he's using my salad tongs.

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Reflections

2009-07-20T21:53:00.005-05:00

This week's display is kinda slim pickin's. I don't have much imagination and I'm not a very consistent photographer.

You have to use your imagination with this one. It was taken through a window. If it was on a mirror, isn't this what you would see? Am I right?

My view from the pedicure chair today.

I've used this picture before, but I think you can see why I used it for "Reflections"

My first picture this week when I realized how hard it was going to be

Random Pictures During Wheat Harvest

2009-07-20T20:31:00.010-05:00

Okay, this guy is full (look at the top), where's the grain cart?

Eat my dust?

A little off topic. Looking between the rows of corn.

My fifteen year old niece is operating this one. Too bad all the windows are dirty. She's a very pretty red head. She was on a band trip to Europe and was so worried she would miss harvest. Her dad said there would be plenty left when she returned.

How high is an elephant's eye?

This guy is always good for color.

What kind of train would you call this? I'm glad I don't have to drive it. That's what I know!

Somebody's gonna get dumped on.

It took a whole family to run this combine.

This truck driver doesn't want her trailer overloaded.

Combines do a "do-si-do"

We're finished here. Where to next?

Not Just a Redneck

2009-07-17T23:03:00.005-05:00

After doing the Friday My Town Shoot Out this week, I realized that all my yard pictures made me look like a Jeff Foxworthy relative. Really, I have a couple of normal things. My husband built this pergola for our 25th anniversary. Poor guy, he didn't even know what one was, but I described it and he built it. He did say that I was watching too much HGTV. The chairs were purchased at a yard sale long ago. I used to paint them every year, but I've fallen behind. I hung the windsocks up this year after I found them in the garage. We used to have a place at the lake when the kids were small. We always hung these on the deck to make it known we were in residence.

My old metal lawn chairs don't get much use, but they are a bright spot near the back door of the garage.

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Yard Objects

2009-07-16T19:32:00.009-05:00

Topic for the Friday My Town Shoot Out this week is Yard Objects. This is a fun project. If you would like to join the group, just go to the site and sign up. Anything out in any yard qualifies, however, I didn't read that part until I started to post. These things are in my yard.

A little junk art steam traction engine made decades ago by a local farmer.

A large bell on a pole. This was given to us by my mother-in-law. When our children were young, we would ring it when it was time to come home. We had a dog that followed them and he would always get home first.

This is collection of found objects at the corner of my driveway. A cement ring for a man hole, left by the previous owners. Iron implement wheels and a cement pillar we made by pouring excess concrete into a wooden crate. I tried to plant things that don't need much water since it is a long way from a faucet.

A push rod for a natural gas compressor engine. It weighs several thousand pounds. If I understand correctly, the ones in a normal car engine would fit in the palm of your hand. My husband brought it home with the idea of donating it to the Thresher Show, but he didn't get a chance to finish his project. Since I have no way to move it, I painted it to make it a conversation piece.

A non-functioning fire hydrant. My husband, a volunteer firefighter for 25 years, bought it at a flea market. Our house is outside the city limits, so there are no real fire hydrants here. I painted it, too.

Ice Cream Treat

2009-07-16T07:03:00.006-05:00

When I was in Wichita a few weeks ago, I took my oldest grandson to Braum's for ice cream. His choice was the bright blue, called "Birthday Party". This week we went to Baskin Robbins where he again picked the bright blue ice cream, this time called "Blue Rasberry".

He didn't realize his mouth was turning blue as he ate. First, he tried to see it by sticking his tongue out as far as he could.

I used my purse mirror to show him.

After that, he watched himself eat while holding the mirror.

This boy likes blue ice cream.

Do you have a favorite color/flavor?

Do you remember these?

2009-07-14T14:44:00.002-05:00

I'll bet alot of you had these Tupperware measuring cups. I've had mine for over 30 years. I think they came in gold, green and orange. I like that they have 1/3, 2/3, 3/4 sizes. The handle of my 1/3 cup is marred where our long buried dog chewed on it. No, I didn't intentionally let her play with it.

The new Tupperware measuring cups don't have holes in the handles or they didn't the last time I saw a new one. I broke a hook on my matching hanger so I've been using cup hooks in the door, but the cups swing around on them when you open or close the door. I found this orange one at a garage sale sometime ago and just got it drilled out and hung up today. Now I feel organized!

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Texture

2009-07-09T22:30:00.001-05:00

Canadian Thistle

Tractor tire tread

Pine Cone

Wheat stubble

Cedar Berries

Extruded Metal

Cat Whiskers

Sawtooth Leaves

Weeds gone to seed

Thistle Seeds

A Splash of Color

2009-07-09T06:00:00.001-05:00

While walking with the dog, I notice this little spot of color.

Could it be some trash that caught in the weeds? Could it be someone's parachute from their fireworks?

Oh, maybe some hollyhocks migrated from the compost pit.

The strangest things grow over there. A few years ago I found some volunteer pumpkins. They must have crossed with a gourd. The skins were bumpy so the jack-0-lanterns looked like they had warts. They were difficult to carve as the skins were quite thick and hard.

A Little Bit of Red

2009-07-08T14:27:00.003-05:00

I once heard an interior decorator say that every room should have a little bit of red. These little bits of red sure are a lively focal point in any room.

Happy Birthday

2009-07-05T21:12:00.005-05:00

While my daughter and family were here this weekend, we celebrated a first birthday. Mariell's birthday was July 1, but since we celebrated on the 4th she also sported a patriotic little dress.

I baked the cakes, my usual version of red devil's food with buttercream frosting. Marcy reused some decorations she salvaged from her friend's wedding cake. I think it made a lovely birthday cake.

We also collaborated on this fun little Lady Bug. Not professional quality, but fun just the same. The "yady bug" was Riley's favorite.

Friday My Town Shoot Out: Celebrate Life

2009-07-03T07:10:00.000-05:00

Pictures within a half-mile of home.

I don't appreciate electricity until it goes off.

Ripe Mulberries

Dryland Corn

Not quite ripe wheat

Happy Dog

Another Mystery Quiz

2009-06-27T21:03:00.005-05:00

Just for fun. What do you think this is? It's ________________, doing_________ while_________________. Can you fill in the _______________?