Soft Shoe and Chorus Line

It looks as though Scott is doing a dance and the rest of us are the supporting cast. Is it any wonder we have difficulties getting photos of our kids?

Zombie Apocalypse

We apparently have reached the end times and this dude is rising from a dumpster. Someone is clever.

Alone in the Quiet

Shawnee Mission Lake

Serious Artists

Chalk the Walk OP was about spreading joy, optimism and inspiration through the magical power of sidewalk chalk. These young artists may not have written inspiring messages but they were spreading joy.

All Things Sunflower

Mission celebrated its first Sunflower Festival along Johnson Drive. The only sunflowers were in the window displays. They had a window art competition for merchants. I liked the one below.

Protecting the Monument

This monument to the Daughters of the Confederacy was vandalized in the wake of the current Confederacy statues controversy so it has been boxed until it could be moved to a secure location. It was removed from its concrete pad yesterday. It used to be on the site of the current JC Nichols Fountain so it's no stranger to moves. See the statue here.

Amazing Pipes

A 10-year, $2 million project resulted in this amazing pipe organ in the sanctuary of Village Presbyterian Church. You can see Elisa Bickers, principal organist, better on the screen. This organ wouldn't fit just anywhere. It has 3,600 pipes, with 30 reused from the previous organ. We attended one of the inaugural concerts.

Who's In Charge?

Happy birthday to Frances, who looks to be impatient about how her grandfather is handing out New Year's Day celebration items.

Maximum Saturation

Even the fountains have left their banks and submerged their water spouts. Also, please note that you shouldn't ice skate, in case you were considering it.

Solar Sunset

I decided not to attempt to photograph the solar eclipse but just to absorb the moment. Here's a part of the 360 degree sunset at totality at 1:09 p.m. Below Cindy and I met Solar Dog, who was roaming around at Smithville Lake to remind people to wear solar glasses.

Drinking from a Flower Pot

Stacy brought me this mug from Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. I love it! Who thinks of making a mug that looks like a clay pot?

Rampant Fungi

So many mushrooms are popping up with all this moisture.

Interurban Art

We visited the new Interurban Art House in Downtown Overland Park, created in the old post office. It houses several artists studios and has exhibit space. It was open as part of Third Friday. We also found our old neighbor, Mayor Carl Gerlach. Not many guys make Howard look short.

Jellfish Plants

How cool is this? It's an air plant inside a sea urchin shell to make it look like a jellyfish. You hang them and leave them. Apparently you soak them in water every few weeks and you're good to go.

Like Father, Like Daughter

Howard obviously has a golf club. Not sure what Hayden has to imitate him - maybe a toy golf club.

Strang Line Trolley System

This model at the Overland Park Arboretum is intended to depict the Strang Line Trolley System from 1903. From this angle you can see the trolley line at the top and the train depot.

Kansas City Live

It's quiet in the daytime in the Power & Light District.

As Close as the Backpack on Your Back

A prayer to let the kids know that God is as close as the backpack they wear when heading off for a new year of school.

Tranquility

Last Blast of Summer

With school starting, these kids got one more day in the sun during Dog Days of Summer at Overland Park Arboretum.

Center for Academic Achievement

The new Shawnee Mission School District administration building looks like an architect's rendering here but it's real. It's ultra-modern looking and is built where Milburn Junior High School (later Antioch Middle School) stood on 71st street. It consolidates several operations.

Dodge City Part 2

Stacy and Hayden are hanging out in Dodge City in Antioch Park some 34 years ago.

A Surprise Is Coming!

It's unusual to see surprise lilies (or hardy amaryllis or whatever you want to call them) as they come out of the ground because usually they magically appear in amongst other plantings. You can see one blooming at the back.

Steps of Tranquility

Strike Three

Actually, I now think someone is just messing with us because the other side is usually correct. Maybe they want to see if the public is paying attention.

How Many Lightbulbs?

Hope they use LEDs so they don't have to be changed often. Interesting light fixture.

Dodge City Is Waiting

We spent a lot of time, as a kid and then as a parent, in this part of Antioch Park. It's still available for kids to roam free.

Pig on the Loose

This guy was blowing around on a driveway. He's going to take off if someone doesn't tether him.

Snack Time!

I love that I have the giant bowl of popcorn and Steve and Susan have very small ones. I love the phone on the little table at the back.

Celebration Time

Stacy and Joey are ready for birthday cake.

Important Information

When planning your route, this is important to know.