Serving the Homeless

Howard and I helped serve 100 meals to the homeless last night. We served in Mill Creek Park. Woo (right) oversees the meals each Sunday night. Colonial Church helps when there is a fifth Sunday of the month. The people, mostly men, just appear as we set up the food tables. Seven of us served. I was in charge of doling out the shredded cheese, which was unfortunately frozen so more of a challenge than it should have been.

What's In Your Driveway?

This Minneapolis-Moline tractor in brilliant orange is parked a few streets over from us. 

Union Station at Dusk

The clouds were so cool it looked like a painting.

Stacy in Repose

I love the reflections in the glass behind Stacy.

What Did They Shoot Off?

So Scott shot something and Dad looks to be gazing upward except I think his eyes are closed. Independence Day 1994, Morgan style.

Outfield Crown

The Royals have a crown mowed into the outfield. Cool.

Taps at the Tower

Sunset was beautiful for the playing of taps (see the bugler below) as part of the commemoration at the Liberty Memorial of the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I.

Summer Snow

The cottonwood trees are spreading their cotton.

Want to Milk A Cow?

The Shatto Milk Company employee in the yellow shirt was explaining how to milk a cow and then the kids could have a turn. Not sure the boy was going to be doing any milking. Shatto, near Osborn, MO, had an open house yesterday. You could watch them milk, milk one yourself, see calves, see the feed barn, and sample the milk.

 

Aerial Ride

I enjoyed rides down three zip lines. It was amazing, as were my companions.

Magic Magnets

What can you make with these magnets? Just lift it from the center squares and you get ... a ball! See below. How cool is that?

Flowers Gone Wild

Grandma Morgan among her flowers at the Madison house in Topeka. She is with her neighbor, Mrs. Hammon. You couldn't really walk through the yard. Nowhere for us grandchildren to play but it looked cool. She would be 117 on Saturday.

Max's (Auto Diner)

Great burgers at Max's. It used to be called Max's Auto Diner but changed for some reason. The same guy, who immigrated from Iran, has owned the place since the late '80s. The menu was expanded to include gyros and other ethnic options a few years ago but you can't beat the burgers.  If you're sitting at a picnic table, the wall hides Wornall, except for the traffic sounds.

 

Walkway Restoration

The beams over the walkway around the Loose Park Rose Garden are being replaced. In the foreground you can see one of the new ones.

Daily Drover Telegram

The Daily Drover Telegram building today as Amigoni Urban Winery. The building was constructed in 1909, and for 50 years (1885-1923) was a daily newspaper for the livestock industry. At one time in its life, someone put in drop ceilings concealing the balcony level. An interesting discovery in the restoration. Interesting trivia: Jay Neff, who ran the Telegram, was mayor of Kansas City from 1904-1905 and a journalism building at Mizzou is named after him.

Flag Day Festivities

George Lafferty hosted a Flag Day party last night in the West Bottoms. Attendees were encouraged to bring flags. These are some of the contributions.

Chainmail Wardrobe

Here are a couple of items to add to your closet. I was cautioned to always wear something under them for comfort. These were for sale from Chainmaille Creations at the Mission Art Walk. The artist really wanted me to try one on. I did not, although it would have made a fun photo.

Recirculate, Don't Dispose

Leawood has Large Item Recirculation Days instead of large trash pick up like we have. While the items in our neighborhood tend to get recycled anyway by folks driving around with their trailers, Leawood is very intentional about it: This event is for items that can be reused/recycled. It is NOT a trash pick-up day. Any non-eligible items placed curbside will not be picked up and will be subject to fines per code violation.

The Birthday Boys

In honor of my grandfather's birthday today and my Dad's yesterday, here they are in Gage Park in 1926.

Can We Take a Break?

My rain gauge shows about 6 inches in 24 hours. I know we need the rain but I would be OK with a day of sunshine before the next onslaught.

Rose Upgrade

Some of the shrub roses Cindy and I planted in the Colonial Garden of Life to replace some older, disease prone roses.

Tread Lightly

Because the stairs are watching. The stairway to an artist's studio.

Clock House

I have always been intrigued by this house along US40 (and visible from I-70) near Lecompton because of its clock. I've learned that it was built in 1905 from a Sears & Roebuck kit and was named Farm House of the Year in 1908. The clock apparently was added during a remodel/restoration begun in 1980.

Fire Juggling

One of the street performers at First Fridays.

Beach House

The owner of this home at Walnut and Meyer Blvd. decided to fill her yard with sand to save on water, time and expense after the $14,000 foundation repair destroyed her lawn. Georgianna Reid loves to talk about her lawn. She is a bit perturbed that someone stole a life-size chess set and some other lawn ornaments. Not all of her neighbors are enjoying the change.

The Little Brown Hut

We Morgan children remember many summers playing in the hut. This is toward the end of its life. Kind of looks like Scott is holding it up.  I think my grandfather built it but that may be completely wrong. Anyone know?

Surprise!

This tulip got creative in finding a way to stand out.
(Thanks to Stacy for the photo. I meant to post it earlier but life got in the way.)

Verdi's Requieum

Stacy and I attended the Kansas City Symphony's presentation of Verdi's Requiem. I had not been to a concert that included the chorus before. The choral balcony holds 160 people. The symphony was not all in place yet.

There Once Was a Bridge

Saturday night the Roe Ave bridge over I-435 was imploded at midnight and removed by morning. Above they are removing the debris and below the roadway is almost clear. They had to put tons of dirt on the roadway to drop the bridge onto. Below you can see a slow motion video of the implosion. Hayden's friend was in charge of the project so she and Matt were able to watch from 435 as it blew up. Quite a project.

A Roll of the Dice

How about a table inlaid with dice.