For Today, Wednesday April 17

Outside my window... The rain falls gently, then suddenly erupts into a brief hailstorm.

I am thinking... Of the things I have put off today to read. I'll blame the rain. 

I am thankful for... My husband who likes to do the same things I do and the fun we have together. 

I am wearing... A dog on my lap as I sit here. Muffet fits the name lap dog to a "T" 

I am remembering... The people in Boston. The victims, the doctors and nurses and those who are praying for them. 

I am going... To put on my rain boots and run some errands. 

I am reading... Lecture notes on Greek history. I am taking a class through Coursera. An online offering of schools across the country. It is hard but I am learning so much.  

I am hoping... The rain keeps up so our farm pond fills up some more. 

On my mind... The need to exercise...the need- not the will. 

From the kitchen... leftovers -  "Cream of Tuesday" as I would tell the kids. 

One of my favorite things~ sunsets, and we have some great sunsets in Kansas. 

From my picture journal... 

I am getting ready to leave for Book Club. This month we read "Life In A Jar" by Jack Mayer. It is the story of 3 high school girls in the little Kansas town of Uniontown.

History Day is a big event at Uniontown High. Mr Conard's student's have won many History Day competitions and a high standard has been set over the years. 

Here begins the story of Irena Sendler, a largely unknown Polish woman who saved over 2,500 Jewish children by organizing a network to spirit them out of the Warsaw ghetto. Parents gave their children to her in order to save their lives. Oftentimes it was only days or hours before the Nazis came for them.  

This is an incredible story of Irena and the girls who brought her story to life. I know we'll have a great discussion. 

For Today

Outside my window... It is very windy and getting colder. Where did spring go this time. 

I am thinking... Of my Mother. Today was her birthday and I miss her so much. 

I am thankful for... The time Charlie and I spent at the land Saturday. 

I am wearing... Warm socks!

I am remembering... Mom's last birthday celebration when she turned 87. I made a cheese soufflé which was her favorite. 

I am going... To update the church website as soon as I am finished with this. 

I am reading... Nemesis by Jo Nesbo. A detective from Norway.  

I am hoping... To get just one "clean up"thing accomplished today. 

On my mind... Charlie's four rules for life. 1. Be impeccable with your word. 2. Always do your best. 3 Don't take it personally. 4. Don't make assumptions.
                                                                                  I sure have trouble with the last two. 

From the kitchen...doing a crock pot roast. The easiest way to fix dinner. 

One of my favorite things~ a good book. 

From my picture journal... Our mallard couple who visit often. Hoping for babies.

Off to a New Start

I realized that I needed to just post something. Everytime I would log on, I would try to think of something clever, pictures, etc. and then would post nothing. So here I am: no picture, but we have a beautiful snow. Nothing clever: but we did get a juicer so I am excited about eating better. Thst's all for now - Charlie just walked in for lunch!

For Today

Outside my window... the trees shedding their leaves, ankle high in some places. Time to get the rake out again.

I am thinking... of my friend Mary Anne and how well she does under pressure.

I am thankful for... my friend Julie who donated 3 bags of yarn from her shop for our prayer shawl ministry at our church. It touches so many people with our prayers and the offering of a shawl.

I am wearing... my new sweater I got on sale and pants from church. Soon into jeans to rake leaves.

I am remembering... when the boys were little and they used to rake neighbor's yards and then bring the leaves home so they could jump in them. Now the trees are big and so are the boys.

I am going... to be in Colorado at the cabin for Thanksgiving and can hardly wait. My favorite place on earth.

I am reading... Mennonite in a Little Black Dress for our Book Club. Just starting.

I am hoping... to accomplish lots this week. Finish my current prayer shawl, clean up more leaves, get in lots of bicycle time if the weather holds and work on the basement. Should I put Christmas list there?

On my mind... my friend Jan who just lost her brother.

From the kitchen... beef stew tomorrow in the crock pot.

One of my favorite things~ tailgating with friends at a fall football game. Especially when we win!

From my picture journal... Halloween with Linden (Pumpkin Fairy) and Maebry ( Death Bride)

Balloon Festival

We boarded a train at 3:30 am in Newton to travel to Albuquerque for the Balloon Festival. We arrived at 2:00 after having breakfast and lunch on the train. It was quite good and very relaxing. We traveled with two other couples from our high school class and got to hang out in the club car, playing cards and talking.





We met 3 other couples from our class who had flown or driven there. Up at 4:30 am Sat. to leave for the festival. The first event was called the Dawn Patrol and it was beautiful! The balloons lit up as the propane flared and they went up into the dark sky.




After that, over a period of several hours, hundreds of balloons were launched. The sky was filled with the beautiful colors - all sent up in a very organized progression.

The evening events were never able to take off due to winds, but it was still a spectacular event.
We drove to Santa Fe on Monday and had a wonderful time walking around the square and shopping. Visited the Georgia O'Keeffe museum which was great. Back on the train at 2:00 pm on Tuesday for the trip home. Good food, good friends and a memorable time.

Kansas Sunflowers

We drove out to our land yesterday and I took this picture of our field of sunflowers. Unfortunately, when you walk up to take the picture, you don't get the whole field. I should have climbed on top of the car!
We passed lots of fields of sunflowers on our way back from Colo. - they are a very popular crop right about now.

Today's Thoughts

Wednesday~September 23

A picture shared...

Mom and I drove out to Colorado last week. My sister, Meg, met us there and we shared a wonderful four days. The main purpose was to take Mom to see her very best friend from college days who had recently lost her husband. Mom got together with Mary and some of their college friends for lunch and they had a wonderful time!

Today I am seeing... rain falling, leaves falling and it seems the months falling away. What has happened to 2009?

I am feeling... sad that Summer is over. I am a summer girl - would much rather be hot than cold, sweaty rather than cool, and outdoors rather than in. I have never really liked AC even though I want to have it on when it's really hot.

I am hearing... the splash of rain through my open window. It is a light and pleasant rain. One I may go walk through with the dogs soon.

I am thinking... of the football game coming up this weekend. I love to meet our friends, tailgate in the parking lot and enjoy the excitement of the crowd.

On The Creek

What a great day. It started out with a Youth Sunday at Harvey County West Park with a church service conducted by our young people; followed by a potluck supper with pulled pork. Heavenly!! Then Charlie worked on the playground in construction at the church. Afterwards we met up with Scott and Mary Anne at Sand Creek for a canoe trip up and back to Main. It was a beautiful evening topped off with wine on the deck. Couldn't ask for more. Have a great week everyone.

For Today

From The Simple Woman's Daybook:

Outside my window ... I can see the pear tree with squirrels getting our fruit off the tree before it even ripens

I am thinking ... that the weekend is too short.

I am thankful for ... my husband who is always there for me

From the kitchen ... this week I made a delicious chicken soup with very simple ingredients - my homemade chicken stock and various vegetables along with the chicken meat. It went well with the rainy and cooler weather.

I am wearing ... cutoffs and an old shirt as we are going to work in the yard soon

I am creating ... a new page for our church web site, complete with a Happy Birthday section where you can send an email to birthday folks

I am going ... try a new wine tonight - Bridlewood Chard

I am reading ... "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch - an amazing story. Not as sad as you would expect - more inspiring than anything

I am hoping ... that we get a great turnout at our church service at the park next Sunday

I am hearing ... the football game from the other room. I only like to watch teams that I know..

Around the house ... too much laundry. Why does it accumulate with only the two of us???

One of my favorite things ... we went to see "Julie & Julia" and I LOVED it.

A few plans for the rest of the week ... a few meetings, Book Club on Thursday night, hopefully a dinner with friends to celebrate Charlie and Errol's birthdays - clear back to Aug. 7th

And a photo to share...this will be the playground we are putting into the church for my father's memorial. So many people donated to his memory that we were able to get a very nice set. The ground is prepared and cleared out so we are almost ready to put it up.