Kickin' into Summer

Lowell (3 weeks) came to visit in her snazzy summer wear. She loves to kick those long legs.

'40s Palm Beach Look

This pink neon is inside the Rio Theatre in downtown Overland Park. The art deco theater has retained much of its original decor through the various iterations since its opening in 1946.

Real Men

Scott and his pals celebrating his 11th birthday. Happy Birthday tomorrow, Scott! (Unfortunately the photos has some spots so it's hard to recognize the boy next to Scott.)

Scott says the guys are (left to right) David Fritz, Tom Dwight, Bill Haines and he thinks David Thornburg. 

Front Yard Beach

Throw Up Another

Seeing the 2 racquets on the roof reminded me of efforts to dislodge something only to get another thing stuck. I recall doing it with hula hoops in my youth. It was rarely successful.

Fruit Bagging

Apparently this is a technique used for growing organic fruit to keep pests and fungus off without spraying. You have to cut a corner off the bottom of the bag to keep moisture from building up. You remove the bags about 3 weeks before harvest. The bagging is not foolproof, partly because the arch nemesis – the squirrel – will take the bag and rip it open to get the fruit. I will watch to see how this fruit does over the summer.

Golden Gate in Miniature

These two young men were happy to explain how they built these replicas of the Golden Gate Bridge with sticks like you see in the front. They acknowledged they had not seen the actual bridge but were sure these were correct. Just some of the many exhibitors at the Maker Faire at Union Station. Or you could don a cardboard robot and dance around. Takes all kinds.

Look Into My Eyes

Beautiful Lowell eyes at 2 weeks.

Vivilore!

Vivilore is a lush mix of flowers, antiques and food in the Englewood neighborhood in Independence. Our women's group as having a lunch there, and having heard about the gardens, I went along. It is beautiful. Don't know what it would be like for a winter lunch but it was great this time of year. Indoor seating is amongst the antiques with an antique gallery above.

Summer Reading

I have great memories of the Johnson County Bookmobile parking at 67th and Barton for our convenience. It dates back to 1956 and continued until the Antioch Library was built in the 1960s.

Manna from Heaven

At last – measurable rain! It got nice and dark and then dumped 2 inches on us. It's been so rare I felt it was noteworthy.

Taps at the Tower

The Liberty Memorial is again presenting Taps at the Tower. A color guard displays the flags, and a wreath is presented to honor the men and women in our armed forces. Additionally, there is a recitation of the inscription from the Museum and Memorial’s north side Frieze reading, “These have dared bear the torches of sacrifice and service. Their bodies return to dust but their work liveth evermore. Let us strive on to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.” It's a very moving ceremony.

Who's the Star?

It may have been Father's Day, but Lowell stole the show.

SlinkyBall

One of the Art in the Loop installations is this SlinkyBall by Denise DiPiazzo. It has colorful spiraling chutes which you are supposed to toss balls into and watch them go to a central place. Unfortunately no balls were available when we were there. It will be in West Terrace Park through September.

1890s Stone Grandeur

This is part of the stone promenade in West Terrace Park, one of the oldest in the Kansas City park system and part of Quality Hill. The park sits on the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River and the West Bottoms. Apparently shanties populated the area in the late 1890s when the city moved to beautify it and stone terraces and lookouts were built. Part of the park was eventually taken for I-35.

Left Behind

I found this curious, not just because a doorway has been removed and the steps remain but because it would have been a strange place for a door in the first place. So many curiosities when you look around.

Comparing Babies

This is Hayden at 5 days old. Below Lowell is 7 days.

Attack on the Lilies

These darn rabbits are decimating anything green, other than weeds. Their latest target is my (usually) beautiful tall lilies. Several have met this fate. I chased one rabbit that still had the leaf in his mouth. I've tried rabbit spray but doesn't seem to be working. When I had an outdoor cat this wasn't a problem. I think I shall enlist a neighbor cat to sit on my patio.

Summertime in the City

Someone near this intersection has great fun with the statuary. Now decorated for summer.

I'll Get You, My Pretty!

And your little dog too! I found the Wicked Witch in the Crossroads.#wizardofoz

So Much to See

One of the more colorful murals in the Crossroads. So much detail. Notice the elephant around the pipe so it looks like his trunk (see below).

 

In My Arms

I got to hold Lowell! So exciting to have this little granddaughter in our family.

But Does It Float?

This says free so it's a bargain. But assuming it's a boat, is it seaworthy? It seems to be an odd piece. No one has leaped at this opportunity yet.

Political Highlight

Meeting Bobby Kennedy in 1968 at K-State was most definitely a highlight in my then young life, especially getting a photo of it. Gov. Docking doesn't look particularly thrilled. Kennedy was speaking at a Landon Lecture in March that year. Seems appropriate for a #TBT on the 50th anniversary of his assassination.

Welcome Lowell!

Introducing our granddaughter, Lowell Ann Ferguson, born today at 12:10 a.m.

Great Wall of Root Beer

KC Soda Company in the River Market has hundreds of sodas but look at all the root beer. I like that it says any bottle can be chilled for you in 3 minutes. We asked for a recommendation, and he suggested Hippo Huckleberry. It was delicious.

FernGully in Round Hill

The animated movie "FernGully" (1992) was memorable for the destruction of the forests. They are currently taking out 20 healthy, 50-year-old oaks in Round Hill because of work on a a storm sewer project. You can see the tree canopy has vanished along this stretch. To say the neighbors are upset is an under statement.

More trees marked for removal or in the process.

Celebration on the Tracks

One of the KC Streetcars is dressed up for the summer with streamers and confetti.

Twining Star

This clematis looks like a star on a vine.

Hidden Gem

Round Hill Bath & Tennis Club has remodeled to provide a modern snack bar. For those who frequented our neighborhood club in the past, this is quite an improvement. You used to get fla-vor-ice from the check-in desk, and certainly no TV.