Purple Joy

Miss Lowell enjoyed that her Bumbo was the same color as her outfit.

Tunnel Vision

A tunnel under the railroad tracks on Gary L Haller trail. We counted 6 trains that we went through while were on the trail.

Heron Hunt

We saw this guy standing in the murk of the very dry streamway at Craig Crossing in Lenexa. He was hunting and eventually caught something. This is usually flowing water.

Ranchmart Express

The Ranchmart Shopping Center train has been refurbished for the 60th anniversary of the center at 95th and Mission. An exhibit by the Ranchmart Theater shows some of the plans for the south side. The first part was built in 1958 with the south portion constructed in in 1968.

Evergreen Bunny

She rather blends in to the background but this human size rabbit was standing guard over the yard. She is a patriotic lass.

A Fjord Hotel

All the talk about the moon walk 49 years ago reminded me that we were in Norway at the time and they came running to tell us to watch the TV. This is Susan, me, Debbie, Cindy, Scott and Gina sitting outside our Sauda (Norway) hotel. Too bad Ingrid isn't in the picture.

Garden Gazing

Fun with my new crystal lens ball for photography.

Fungi Farm

I found a large crop of these tiny mushrooms on my walk. They are so dainty and intricate up close.

Monet's Vantage

A statue of Claude Monet sets on a patio at the Overland Park Arboretum to paint the beautiful Monet Garden.

Flower Festival

Family Tree Nursery is displaying its container gardens at the Overland Park Arboretum this year instead of in the nursery parking lot. A much nicer setting, if a bit further to travel.

A Giant Looms

Union Station has been invaded by dinosaurs and this guy is outside to greet you.

Paths of Destruction

You can see why this tree had to come down. Pests have been at work for awhile. You can see their tracks around the edge of the rotten core.

Nightclubbing

Saturday would be Mom and Dad's 72nd anniversary. They are newlyweds in this photo.

Détente Has Ended

Why now? The squirrels (or chipmunks) and I have co-existed peacefully this season – until now. You can see the dead begonia in the foreground. You can't see the giant hole the culprit dug in this pot. Until now my fight has been with the rabbits. The squirrels caught me unawares. Game on.

Soda Jerks

We had root beer floats after church to celebrate summer and a successful Vacation Bible School.

Finn Is 1!

We celebrated Finn's birthday with hats and cake. And he met his cousin Lowell.

An Old Friend Is Back

So nice to see the sign on the Western Auto building lit again after being dark the past few years. The tenants of the building (now lofts) funded a replacement of the bulbs with LEDs so it could shine in the skyline again. The sign on the 100-year-old building dates back to 1952.

Lacy Summer

So many fallen leaves show this lacy pattern. Don't know if it's the intense heat or a pest. Makes for intricate patterns although I suspect it's bad for the trees.

A New Species in the Arbuckle Wilderness

This wind turbine farm in the Oklahoma Arbuckle Wilderness can be viewed from a scenic turnout along I-35. It's not the sort of scenery I was expecting but apparently this wind farm creates enough clean energy for 23,000 homes a year and will provide millions of dollars for the local economy. The turbines are impressive when viewed up close like this.

Campers in Training

One of our first camping trips to Colorado. Rather looks like we set up camp in a field.

Kumback

Love this great facade in Perry, Oklahoma. The inside is equally cool. Unfortunately we were not at the right time to eat so can't report on the food.

The Last Supper?

This fascinating art is in Zoli's Pizza in Dallas. Star Wars seems to be in their blood at this fun restaurant. Pizza is good too.

Shy Millipede

This human size millipede on the Wichita State campus was lurking in the shrubbery.

Anticipating Baby Thompson

Drew and Niomi opened gifts while Niomi's mother looked on at their baby shower at Public at the Brickyard. Great place. They have lots of loot now when Baby Boy arrives at the end of the month.

Patriotic Flowers

These hibiscus paired nicely with the flags in celebration.

4th of July Frivolity

Just a few of the sights at Village Fest. Finn was quite pleased with his new police car. A small child was eaten by a dinosaur and kids were sailing down a large slip n slide. Extremely hot but a fun day.

Molten Boredom

I always thought snakes were the most boring part of 4th of July but Dad loved them. Stacy and Hayden are patiently watching.

A Little Sparkler

Happy 4th of July from our littlest sparkler. And a bit of Americana.

Lushness of Summer

Despite the heat, my patio garden is flourishing.

Among the Seeds

Merriam's Flags 4 Freedom surround the seed sculptures for the next week. In the park and along Merriam drive are 1,500 flags, including the black and blue one in support of law enforcement. They are dedicated to officers lost in the line of duty. The yellow ribbons are in honor of specific military vets. It's an impressive sight.

All Things Lavender

Washington Creek Lavender outside Lawrence is abloom with lavender, although the harvest is almost done. They have racks of lavender drying, after which they shuck it to make sachets, soap and more or distill it to make oil and hydrosol.

The distilling station.