Strawberry Picking

We picked delicious strawberries at StoneBriar Farm in DeSoto. Vala found it preferable to have strawberries brought to her.

 

 

Hope Blooms

Ada Koch designed this heart in the Parade of Hearts with the poppies that have been a sign of hope since World War I. She says her heart signifies the hope that Kansas City can overcome tough times and come out stronger and more loving.
 

Reluctant Birthday Girl

Libby didn't want to blow out the candles on her beautiful rainbow cake. Turning 3 can be stressful. But others enjoyed the cake, including Lowell (below), and they all were awash in color. The price of rainbow cake.

 

Dinner Music

We were having dinner in the park when Moon City Big Band began a concert. It was delightful.
 

Praat jy Afrikaans?

My junior assistants managed to put us in Afrikaans when we were checking out.
 

All Aboard

Not sure if Allan is driving a train or a tractor with Mom on the back and Helen and Ethel smiling along. Picture is labeled Polk Street 1928.
 

A Spot of Fun

Someone put rocks like these out during the stay-at-home, which made for fun walks. I was delighted to find a new one. Maybe the culprit is at it again.
 

Remembering and Honoring Our Veterans

The American Veterans Traveling Tribute Vietnam Wall, a replica of the Washington, DC memorial, has been installed on the south lawn of Liberty Memorial through Memorial Day. Vala and I visited and she took a tour of a helicopter that flew missions in Vietnam.

 

A Parade for One

We stumbled upon a parade with this young woman in a convertible and a few cars following while in Emporia. We are guessing she was on her way to her quinceañera.
 

The Bride and the Maid of Honor 50 Years Later

Here we are 50 years later. Barb and Charlie celebrated their 50th anniversary with a large cake, made by Barb.

 

Zebra in the Neighborhood

I spied this creature on my walk.

 

Waiting in the Firetruck

That's the firetruck playhouse at Fairway Park. They love driving it and just climbing on it.
 

Golden Anniversary

I was maid of honor for Barb in 1972. This weekend we're going to their 50th wedding anniversary party. How can that be?
 

Pod Warning

Hayden and I have seen this sign for a couple of months on our walk to Franklin Park. The house next door has had a POD parked in its driveway (visible through the bushes) all that time. Usually PODs only appear for a short time. Prairie Village last week passed an ordinance that, beginning July 1, a POD can only be at a home for two consecutive weeks. I suspect this had something to do with that.
 

Just a Chat

Colin was quite entertained by Vala's comments. He was happy to have her visit.
 

The Nelle Peters Touch

We wandered through the "Literary Block" or "Poets District" apartments west of the Plaza and I was delighted to see these beautiful elements of the 1920s architecture still intact. Nelle Peters, a renowned female architect, designed several apartment buildings from 1927-1929. Some have been razed. These two features are part of the Rousseau and Cezanne Apartments. I don't know what the apartments are like today but the exterior design is impressive.

Wellness Walk

I joined Hayden and girls for the Shawnee Mission District staff and family 5K. Rather warm, and Vala slept for about half of it. The girls liked the pancakes at the end the best. Lowell wanted out at the end to walk across the finish line.

 

Self Portrait

We were attempting to use the remote but Vala thought the TV remote was controlling the camera.
 

Water Fun

The heat is good for water table fun.

 

Just One Chair

Reminds me of how we used to have to watch TV - all on the sofa looking to the side. I don't actually know what was happening here. 1955
 

Selecting Plants

Vala was picking the plants for the garden. My job was to be sure we didn't nip any ankles.
 

Where Horses Once Dwelled

I've been fascinated by this stone facade in Penn Valley Park for some time and finally went down to investigate. Turns out it was built in 1910 by the park district as a stable for the park's horses and as a storage barn. It remained in use until 1990 and was largely destroyed by a fire in 1991. The facade has remained and has been incorporated into Just Off Broadway Theatre. You can see a corner of the new theater building through the arch. Mystery solved.

 

Parkinson's Walk

Cindy and I joined other folks from Colonial Church to walk on behalf of Jan Parkinson (next to Cindy) in the Parkinson's Foundation Moving Day walk at Liberty Memorial. Jan, who has Parkinson's, is one of the founders of the walk in Kansas City. There were about 30 of us from Colonial.
 

Celebrating Moms

Both daycares had Muffins with Mom. I got to go to Adam's event and Hayden enjoyed her muffin with Lowell at the start of the day.

 

My Greatest Gifts

For my birthday, Stacy and Hayden hosted a wonderful family dinner. I was surrounded by these treasures.
 

I Found It

Adam found our name on the brick walkway at Round Hill Bath and Tennis Club.
 

Birthday Greetings

Mom and Dad liked to create signs. Birthday greetings to me in 1986.

 

Can We All Just Follow Directions?

I never understand why some people feel the need to show all their yearly stickers, especially when the directions say to put the new one on top of the previous one. I don't care how long you've had this license plate.
 

Fairy Wedding

An imaginative homeowner created this scene.

 

Drink to the Royals

Messenger Coffee Company makes a Royal Blue Latte made with blue butterfly pea flowers, lavender, honey, and marigold petals. It was quite good as well as beautiful.
 

Gardening Assistant

Lowell helped me get the pots ready for the planter.