Feed the Birds

Folks along the Trolley Trail have been very creative with this statue - putting bird feed in her upraised hand, adding birds and even adding a line of cats on the wall behind to watch the birds.

Veteran Tiny Home Community

The new housing for homeless Vets through the Veterans Community Project. The vision is a community of tiny homes supported by a community center and mental health services. The first community will have 52 tiny houses; these 13 tiny homes that opened yesterday and 89th and Troost are the first phase. All have electricity and full bathrooms. The hope is that eventually this project can be replicated in other cities.

Introducing Elliott

The newest member of Stacy and Joseph's household. He wasn't interested in having his photo taken so you have Matt's hand in the picture.

Respite from Winter

Found some green and a touch whimsy.

Sand Volleyball Still in Season

The sand volleyball courts on Holmes keep the competition going by enclosing the courts. Hayden played here one summer.

Go Royals!

A little left over street art as we celebrate the Royals this weekend with the Fan Fest.

The Legislative Process

Ray at work listening to Gov. Bennett in Topeka. This is the period when I was reporting for the Capital-Journal. However I was not "allowed" to cover the governor, as senior staff got those beats. It does scream '70s. I don't recognize the Capital-Journal reporter in the group.

Have You Noticed ...

... how cool these steps near 47th and Pennsylvania look?

Light Before the Dark

Howard caught this sunrise yesterday at Minor Park Golf Course. Reminds me a bit of the solar eclipse. But this also was the bright spot for the day. Sun disappeared after that.

Living Art

Picasso Exotic Aquatics has some amazing aquariums. They will place them in your home and then maintain them. So it's like a piece of art – all you do is enjoy it (instead of cleaning, stocking, etc.). The fun of an aquarium without the angst.

Winter walk

A stroll from the Nelson. I'm guessing the snow is gone now.

It's Melting!

The lone skater at the Park Place rink was not letting the melting ice deter her. Don't know if it was a malfunction or just the unseasonably warm temps after the arctic blast.

What Is an Orangery?

This question arose last week after I posted my photo of the holiday display at the Kauffman Memorial Garden. Orangeries can be traced back to Italy where the wealthy created greenhouses so they could have citrus fruit year round. Conservatories are an out-growth of that. Here you see the oranges at the Kauffman garden, allowing them to call it an orangery.

Random Family Grouping

Howard and Stacy holding Calvin and Holly in June 1992. I'm guessing it is Holly's christening since she's in a fancy dress. Interesting that Howard and Stacy are holding the babies. Where are their parents?

Everybody's Cold

The 0 degrees and -20 windchill didn't make many happy. These geese at Antioch Park were sheltering in place. Below one was apparently assigned as the lookout.

The Last Hole

I took this of the 18th hole at The Posse golf course at Paradise Pointe in Smithville following the memorial service for a good friend and golf buddy of Howard. The service was at the golf course because Ron played there often with Howard and others. It was a fitting setting.

Commissioned into Service

After 5 months and 50 plus hours of training, I was commissioned as a Stephen Minister yesterday. I was part of the class at Village Presbyterian because Colonial is too small for its own but will serve out of Colonial. Stephen Ministry provides volunteers to walk with people through crisis - not fixing, just providing support. We'll see how I do.

The Rivers Run Below

The rivers meeting at Kaw Point have a layer of ice on top but are rushing quickly just below the ice.

Gone Fishing

The Kauffman Garden Orangery holiday display featured this bear in his snowshoes sitting down to fish among the poinsettias. I caught the display on its last day. The orangery is the greenhouse on the north side of the garden.

Battle of the Books

Shawnee Mission District middle school students waited for instructions from Mrs. Ferguson before battling it out over questions about books they had all read from the William Allen White Award nominees. Hayden made the trophy (below) three years ago and this year her students finally won it! All the kids knew the books quite well so it was a nail biter. It was at Hocker Grove, which I hadn't been in since I left there after 9th grade.

First Snowman

Stacy and Hayden created a snowman back in 1983. They might have had some help.

Ocean Wild

Enjoyed the presentation by Brian Skerry, a photographer for National Geographic, at the Kauffman Center last night. He has amazing photographs and stories. (photo by Brian Skerry)

On Thin Ice

The deep freeze is giving way gradually but ice still abounds on Brush Creek.

Time to Plan

Since the weather outside is frightful, time to study the options for planting in the spring.

Clothes, Please

Some signs really make you wonder. Why is it necessary to stipulate this?

Always Alarming

When they come out and mark utilities – and draw orange lines – in your yard, it's concerning. We've had utilities working in our neighborhood for a few months but not sure what this is. I'm sure I won't like it if they are digging along here.

What Cold Looks Like

The Northland Fountain runs all year so it's a beautiful sight in the winter, gleefully depicting the cold.

The Burkhardt Girls

Ethel, Mom and Helen in 1928. I thought it was appropriate in light of Helen's death on December 21 at 97. (Gussie liked to write on photos.)

Big Sonia

Fascinating film about the life of Sonia Warshawski, a Holocaust survivor, who ran a tailoring shop with her husband at Metcalf South for years. Fascinating story of survival, both during and after World War II. The film was produced by her granddaughter. Makes your problems seem small.

Time to Rest

Santa's work is done and he's due for a rest. One of my favorite Santas.

Happy New Year!

2018 – Here we come in a very chilly way.