BEAUTIFUL SITE!!!!

Once again the sunflower field is in full bloom. It is a site to see!!!! I'm sorry they won't be flowering when Number 2 Daughter gets home.

Since the field is on the highway this year, there are lots of people stopping to take in the wonderful view & take pictures..

Great Quote for the Day:

Home is not where you live, but where they understand you.

Christian Morgenstern

Whoopee

Another weekend, another demolition derby. EJ & I are beginning to be ddg's (demolition derby groupies). Hee! Hee!

This one much different from last weekend. Spectators were allowed to bring their own ice containers -- the beer was really flowing. People were a lot louder and a lot more animated.

The heats were even more exciting. Maybe the drivers had their own ice chest. All in all it was a lot of fun and I didn't see anyone getting out of line. EJ go a lot of great pictures.

County Fair

It's that time of the year again. The wx was outstanding -- cool with no humidity. We couldn't have asked for a better day for the parade.

They had some new things in the parade this year -- performers from the Renaissance Festival.

Had to put this in for AME. Your old boss and his kids.

The Fair is indicative of the last of summer --- a sad time. School starts next week.

Another Airshow

We took in another airshow - this time at the New Century airport. On display were several types of WWII planes including the Japenese Zero below.



The plane below was a Piper Cub that was used in WWII as a red cross plane. Believe or not this was a way to transport the injured.


They had a lot of army equipment on display. Some of it was from WWII.

It was a great day for the show as the wx was not too hot or humid. There were hundreds of people there over the two day period. It rained on Saturday so we went on Sunday. We had to ride a school bus to the site. I was a little concerned about Dad making it but we took a chair for him to rest in when necessary and he did fine. I think he really enjoyed it.

AMERICAN BARNSTORMERS

It was an absolutely beautiful day. After working all morning, Dad & I took off for the Lee's Summit airport to look at the American Barnstormer's biplanes that flew in for the weekend. There were a variety of planes built in the 1920's. They were in pristeen condition.

I took my first ride in a biplane -- a 1929 Travel Air. What a way to fly!!!! The pilot & plane were from Iowa City. I would love to go again.

The planes were from all over the country. Check out all the planes: www.americanbarnstormerstour.com/barnstormers.asp

Musical Evening

I had a wonderful time attending Elizabeth's recital last night. There were kids of all ages there to perform -- from the youngest at 5 to the oldest at least 60 in all stages of learning. The evening was capped by the performace of a family from Paola comprised of Mom, Dad and four daughters ages 11, 9 (twins) & 7. Those girls were remarkable. They played the fiddle, banjo, & mandaline. They could really sing too. Most of their songs 30's bluegrass.

Oh yes, and Elizabeth did a great job of guitar picking with her instructor. She is quite talented.

The performance was held in a local artist's art studio. The atmosphere was quite informal and people could come and go without creating a lot of disruption.

Way to go KU

How 'bout those Jayhawks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great Day in Kansas!

Finally two days in a row of nice sunny wx. It is even sunny on a Saturday.

We drove to LWC to see the planes that were due to fly in. However, there were not very many interesting ones. I will post the best ones we viewed:

This pretty Cessa 140 has been completely restored. It is beautiful!!!!

This "Red One" is an experimental plane.

This Stearman & Waco are home based at the airport.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

OK guys!!!! Where are your pictures? We endured temperatures in the teens and single digit wind chill to get our photos!!!! We need them for uscauseandeffect.com

(Double click on these photos)

SANTA?

We had about 2" of snow today. This event really excited Toto. She loves it when it is cold and snowy.

She heard some noises in the fireplace and was sure it was Santa coming early. We couldn't keep her away. She climbed into the fireplace as far as she could possible get. At one time all we could see was her feet on the logs, the rest of her was up in the fireplace..

It turns out it was just a bird!!!! It came through the damper and flew all over the house with Toto in pursuit. It was upstairs, downstairs, in the lamps, in the window with Toto hot on its trail. We put her in the kitchen but it didn't stop her from barking and jumping to get out.

Finally Dad caught it, threw it out the door and it flew away. A bit traumatized!!!

WE DODGED A BULLET

We were so lucky!!! everyone around us really got hit by the ice storm yesterday. There are lots of people in McLouth, Oskaloosa, Leavenworth, Valley Falls and further north without electricity. It will probably be a week before they all get power back. Some say they won't get electricity until after Christmas. Bah Humbug!!!

The trees and the sidewalks had lots of ice but the streets were clear:

HAPPY THANKGIVING

The colder wx has finally arrived -- just in time for Thanksgiving. We wish you all a happy holiday and a very safe one.

Halloween '07

We had a great Halloween. Our decorations were fantastic, scary & foggy. However, we didn't have a lot of goblins this year. We had a lot of older goblins and a few little ones:

This house jester gave out treats to the trick or treaters

Anxiously waiting for something to happen.

Aren't they cute????

Tara & son

Nathan & Will

Nice family picture!!

A Weekend of Fear!!

Friday was spent working with The Mortician Assistants Production Company as they filmed their movie for the Wild West Film Festival. What A great group of young adults!!!

Gooooooooooooooooooooooood Luck Guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Toto's day

It was a great day for a dog walk and we we quite surprised at how well Toto did. She didn't seem to pay attention to the other dogs. She just went about her own business.

She wasn't always on her best behavior! This doggy was just trying to make friends with her!

Getting ready to walk!!

The face of a winner with her prize!!! (Best trick dog) What a face!!!!

Whew, what a day!!!!!!!

SIZZLING IN KANSAS

It is certainly hot in Kansas now!!! Temps have been hovering in the 90's with high humidity and no relief in sight.

The county fair is in full swing. We went out for our annual breakfast at the 4-H building and viewing of the livestock. The kids certainly have some fine looking animals and it appeared they made some good money at the auction last night.

We had a chance to talk to a lot of people we don't see very often. I would have been more fun if it hadn't have been so hot!

IT'S GONE

I know you won't believe it, but the last Harvest Gold appliance is gone! After 28 years our dryer pooped out. Dad wanted to get it fixed but I told him it was time to let it go. It had served our family well!

Florida trip

Here are some pictures from our visit to Cyprus Gardens. We had a great time and it was a fantastic day!

This is an albino wallaby with its mother!













































These are the roots of the cyprus tree down below. They grow out of the ground and they are referred to as knobby knees!!