First Sparklers

Both Stacy and Hayden are approaching sparklers with trepidation. Between Dad and I we got them lit and then they were happy.

Fairy Light

Stacy gave me this garden light for Mother's Day. It changes colors - blue, green, red, orange, white. Delightful.

Soaring Spirit

This beautiful flower in the Loose Park Rose Garden is named Soaring Spirit.

The Sound of Summer

On my early morning walk, a predominant sound was of sprinklers - everywhere.

Maker Faire

Maker Faire at Union Station drew amazing displays and concepts (who doesn't want a motorized adirondack chair?) and a huge crowd. Took the entire Sprint Plaza as well as outdoor exhibits. Fascinating.

Skateboard Art

Mulch Mountains

As they've had to take out trees on the old Meadowbrook golf course to make way for the housing development, they are mulching the trees into huge mountains.

Shiver and Shake

After yesterday, can you even remember being this cold? Plaza Lights in 2005 was very, very cold. Thought maybe it would cool you off to remember.

Can You Get My Ball?

Someone probably isn't happy but I don't believe I would go into Brush Creek for it.

Just a Little Nibble

Zoe is taking a bite out of the catnip I'm growing.

Calm Before the Storm

All is ready for the day but very serene without people.

Fun or Folly?

I remember these torture chambers. It looked like such fun until someone decided to start spinning it really fast. I'm surprised that these have not been eliminated like so many things we had on playgrounds as kids that they now deem hazardous to your health. This was, but only self-inflicted.

A Beautiful Reward

Howard gave me these beautiful flowers for completing my healthy eating journey and celebrating the new me. How delightful.

Summer Spectacular

Love my lilies!

In the Hot Summer Time

Celebrating Grandma's birthday on the summer solstice. Must have been hot since Susie and I are half dressed.

Fairy Drop

Just a drop of water.

Art of Architecture

These iconic buildings have been created in miniature out of LEGOs by Adam Reed Tucker, a certified LEGO professional, and are on display in the Commerce Bank complex. Reed, a K-State grad, is a Chicago architect who decided to leave the world of traditional practice and become one of only 11 LEGO® Certified Professionals in the world. As such, he creates models that may eventually become the basis for new LEGO® kits and other products.

St. Aloysius

In Greenbush, KS, you can find the ruins of St. Aloysius, built in 1907 and destroyed by lightning in 1982. The church replaced a smaller one, which the congregation then returned to using until it closed in 1993. I like this historic description: A larger church was needed and completed in 1907. The 1881 church was converted into a community building. The third church stood for 75 years as a landmark before it was struck by lightning and burned in 1982. The ruins remain. The 1881 church was renovated into a place of worship. Thus the second church became the fourth church (not too confusing) on March 9, 1986 and served the people until it closed in 1993.

Memorial Bench

Siblings Gordon, Margaret and Howard on the bench Howard made on their behalf for the nursing home in Parsons where their mother lived at the end of her life. Below is the dedication to their parents. The bench sits in the courtyard where all the patients like to sit.

 

Circa 1623

This first collection of William Shakespeare's plays is on display in the Kansas City Public Library downtown. It was published in 1623, seven years after his death, by two actors who created it from the memory of actors who had played the characters as well as some scripts they could find. It belongs to the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC and is touring as part of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death.
Below: "To be, or not to be" from the script of Hamlet.

Five for Fighting

Stacy and I enjoyed Five for Fighting with the Kansas City Symphony at the Kauffman Center. He's in the blue shirt holding the guitar. We ended with a group sing of American Pie. Great fun.

Camp for the Day

Stacy and I and other members of her Girl Scout troop were making lanyards at Day Camp at Timberlake. As summer starts to heat up, it always reminds me of those fun times. It was so hot out there. And how many times could girls say "what are we going to do now?" But it was great to spend the day with Stacy, and even Mom as she got drafted to help.

Outdoor Office

Makes for a nice setting to work. Her canine companion took exception to my photography.

Why Wouldn't You

... put a Porta Potty on the roof? You'd have to ask the roofing crew.

A Flyby

The deer were coming out by the time we left the golf course last night. This guy stood around for awhile but then took off when I raised my camera.

Desk Lamp

This interesting lamp is a piece by Mick Whitcomb, a Springfield, MO designer who specializes in one-of-a-kind lighting made from architectural and industrial salvage. He was part of the Prairie Village Art Fair. His art also included repurposed (or re-imagined as he calls it) cameras, fans, radios and much more.

An Isolated Grave from 1857

Hayden and I have been intrigued by this gravestone we could see from K-7 near her house. She discovered while she was at the courthouse that it was a child of early settlers so we stopped to investigate. The stone, which is a replacement, reads Asa C., Son of F.M. & E.F. Smith, Born Nov. 15 1856, Died August 30 1857. Seems he was buried on their acreage at the time although the family later moved to Leavenworth.

Lapping at the Edges

The reflecting pool doesn't know what to do with all the rain. You can see the stone wall under water and completely gone on the far side. And the spray is barely a burble.

Recital Time

Stacy and Hayden ready to perform in the spring dance recital, 26 years ago! Morgan has a most colorful outfit.

Heavenly Night

Beautiful sunset from Kauffman Stadium accompanied by a solid win against Tampa Bay.