8-20-10 Boys and Their Toys

As many of you know, Kyle (son) just returned from Walt Disney World where he spent six months in an internship. He was a castmember, working in transportation; specifically, the monorail. Before he left, he decided his dad, who loves trains, should have a, fully functioning, monorail set. They had a great time setting it up together. Tim has decided that the monorail set is the "train" set that will be around our Christmas tree this year.

8-19-10 Muppets In Star Wars

Okay, one may think that I'm a Star Wars fanatic. Well I do like Star Wars, but I like the spoofs of Star Wars even better. Mr. Potato Head, Muppets, M&M Guys, and even Legos, have spoofed Star Wars. Thanks, George Lucas, for my collection of Star Wars (spoof) memoribilia.

8-17-10 Where's Mickey?

Last February, I posted a picture of our son's bedroom the night before he left for his internship at Disney World. Well, guess who returned?....He'll be home for a few days before leaving again for Kansas State University.

8-16-10 Mr. Potato Head meets Star Wars

Okay, so call me "a big kid"! I have toys & stuffed animals sitting around in my home office. My lastest addition (thanks to my son who just returned from Disney World) is "Chipbacca" (left). The other one, "Darth Tater" I got from my son for Christmas several years ago.

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8-12-10 Got Milk?

This time of year is when farmers bail their fields. Every time I see these hay bails I think, to a giant, they look like shredded wheat. Got milk?

8-11-10

"Sunsets are forever

they happen every night

sunsets blow my mind away

and that is just so right
for they are one

of nature's little gems

and many colors make

so always watch a sunset

and your heart will never break."

poem by Jishi Santos

8-10-10 A Flint Hills Summer Sunset

Although the day was hot and humid, the evening was ablaze with a summer sunset.

8-8-10 Bad Dog

We were at the lake this weekend. After dinner, Friday evening, Tim & I wanted to shoot the sunset. When we left, I told Keilo, (the dog), "No, you can't go," and I walked out the door. Big mistake! This is what we came home to. Apparently, Keilo thought he was going!!

8-4-10 Summer Heat

The Daily Shoot suggested "weather affects us all. Make a photo of something affected by the weather." As you can tell, this hosta is not fairing well in the summer heat.

8-3-10 Pioneer Bluffs Barn

Pretty much speaks for itself!!

8-2-10 Honey Bees

While I was wandering the grounds of Pioneer Bluffs Ranch a week ago, I came across two bee boxes. They were "a buzz" (sorry!!) with activity. Wonder if the ranch plans on selling the honey? Yummy!

8-1-10 Looking Out the Barn Window

Old wooden barns have such character. They remind us of a time gone-by. The glass has imperfections, the wood is old and rotting in places. However, many stand the test of time.

7-31-10 First Anniversary

One year ago today, our daughter & son-in-law were married. It's hard to believe it has a year since they pledged their love. Can you remember your first anniversary?

7-30-10 Watermelon Anyone?

Nothing helps cool you down than a slice of watermelon. This was very ripe, sweet, and oh, so good!

7-29-10 Little House in the Woods

Still at Pioneer Bluffs Ranch, in Chase County, Kansas. This shot made me think of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her "Little House On the Prairie" series.

7-28-10 Tricycle Ridin'

Remember, when you were finally big enough to ride a tricycle? Your feet just reaching the pedals, making the pedals go faster and faster, then coasting until you stop? Ahhh, childhood!

7-27-10 Rogler Original Homestead

This was the original Rogler homestead. The foundation is made from flattened limestone rocks. At some point, cement was poured for the floor and to secure the walls, between the timbers, & a more secure roof put on. The glass in the windows are original as they are warped and show imperfections.

7-26-10 Inside Looking Out

Pioneer Bluffs Ranch: I'm inside the farmhouse, standing in the parlor, looking out this magnificent leaded glass window. This ranch was started in 1859 by the Rogler family. Not sure when the farmhouse was built. I'm assuming in the early 1900's.

7-25-10 Pioneer Bluffs Ranch

Last night, we drove from the lake over to just north of Matfield Green, to a ranch called "Pioneer Bluffs". Up until about 4 or 5 years ago, this was a working ranch, right in the heart of Chase County, in the beautiful Flint Hills. The ranch was sold to a non-profit organization, whose mission is to preserve the land and the ranching way of life. We came here to listen to the author of "Prairy Erth", William Least Heat-Moon speak about his book and to watch a documentary that was made regarding his book about Chase County and the ranches there. Over the next few posts, I'll tell more about the ranch and the documentary that will show this fall on PBS.

7-22-10 Asian Warrior Ship

This was taken at Disney's Animal Kingdom, in the Asian section. It's a replica of an Asian warrior ship.

7-21-10 Cindy's Castle

Okay, so this isn't "my castle", but it does belong to a girl named Cindy. Glad I don't have to clean it!!!!

7-20-10 Rolling Flint Hills

I know I have posted several pictures of the Flint Hills in Kansas, but I just can't get over their beauty. As I look out over them, I try to imagine what the settlers might have been thinking as they traveled west. There actually are places where wagon wheel ruts can be found imbedded into the ground.

7-19-10 Woody in Legos

Was looking at the pictures on my phone and found this one of Woody made out of Legos. We were (briefly) in the Legoland store at Disney. I've told my school kids that when I grow up, I want to work at Legos, building things.

7-18-10 Very Old Homestead

Went to the lake this weekend and saw this very old homestead off in the distance, nestled in the beautiful Flint Hills. Just had to go check it out. I wish I could have gotten closer to see inside. Looks like it would make a great haunted house!

7-15-10 Abstraction

Today's Daily Shoot suggested "making a photograph of patterns &/or shapes that aren't recognizable objects".

7-14-10 Bloomin' Roses

It's so hot today! Went outside to see if I had any garden left and saw the roses in full bloom. Everything else is wilting in the heat, but they look great.

7-13-10 Tower of Terror

"Picture, if you will, a glittering hotel in it's heyday." You notice that the elevators are not working. You start looking around, when you find the boiler room service elevators. You step, only to become the unsuspecting passenger of a 13-story elevator malfunction. You, have entered, "The Twilight Zone's Tower of Terror"!

7-12-10 Main Street Time

Just liked the composition of this. This was taken on Main Street at Magic Kingdom.

7-11-10 Milkweed Pods

Went walking at the lake this morning and saw the milkweed pods bursting forth their silks. I had never seen this before. In doing a bit if research, I found that the silks were used as life vest stuffing during WWII. Sure would take a lot of them to fill one life vest.

7-9-10 Interesting Ride

Disney does an excellent job in creating the illusion that you are actually there. This bicycle was a prop in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom. It looks like something out of Indiana Jones.

7-8-10 Caught in the Act

About a week ago I bought and hung this bird feeder in our backyard. Yesterday, I caught Mr. Squirrel stealing bird seed. I thought it was funny how he's only holding on by his tail.

7-7-10 Patiently Waiting

Here's Keilo, sitting on the dock, waiting for me to return from a ride on the jetski. He's such a "momma's boy."

7-6-10 Spectacled Owl

At Disney's Animal Kingdom Park, they had a "Flights of Wonder" show that featured over 20 different species of birds, from exotic birds to birds of prey. At the commands of the handlers, the birds would hunt, sing, soar, and sometimes swoop over the crowd. This is a Spectacled Owl. He was brought out at the end of the show.

7-5-10 Expedition Everest

This roller-coaster attraction is located at Animal Kingdom. The train starts out climbing the snowy mountain, passing through bamboo forests, waterfalls and fields of glaciers. Only to find out that the "rail tracks" have been destroyed. At this point, the train turns into a roller-coaster, taking you down the mountain, twisting and turning, backwards then forwards, through darkness, snowy canyons, and treacherous caverns; ultimately bringing you face to face with a Yeti (guardian of the Himalays). What a ride!!!

7-4-10 Liberty Square Singers

This ensemble appears at the Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square, Magic Kingdom. Their sound is impeccable. They perform in the atrium before you enter the theater to watch a 22-minute show about how the presidents shaped America. All the presidents are featured as an audio-animatronic. The sound, move and look like the real presidents. President Obama even recorded his figure's speech.

7-3-10 Stroller Parking

Totally amazed by the number of strollers at Disney World. There are actual "parking" signs where you can park your stroller before going to an attraction.

7-2-10 The Dapper Dans

This post is in honor of my dad. These are the Dapper Dans, a barbershop quartet that sing on Main Street Disney at Magic Kingdom. My understanding is if you are a barbershop quartet singer, you can sing with them. As a barbershoper, my dad has done this. Keep on Singing, Dad!

7-1-10 Cinderella's Castle

Although this was my third time at WDW, I still enjoy walking around Cinderella's castle. I guess it brings back childhood memories. But I hear Cindy isn't the only princess getting her own castle. I heard that several of the other princesses are in the process of getting their own castles located in other parts of DW. The fairy godmothers will have some traveling to do if that happens.

6-30-10 Magic Kingdom Entrance

This was the view at the entrance of Magic Kingdom at WDW. We spent our first day at this park.

6-29-10 Flying Over the Clouds

We got back from our vacation to Orlando last night. Had a great time visiting our son who is participating in the college program at Disney World. On our flight back, I took some pictures of the clouds we were flying over (at 32,000 feet). We had to alter our route "slightly" the pilot said, to avoid a thunderstorm. Great cloud formation, however.

6-22-10 Kelso School

This is another country road in the Flint Hills of Kansas, in Morris County. The white building in the distance is the Kelso Schoolhouse. It is now closed, but served the area up until the 1940's.

***NOTE: I will be on vacation the next few days and unable to post. I look forward to sharing with you my adventures when I return.

6-21-10 Rabbits, Rabbits, Everywhere!

I know, it's another rabbit picture. However, I'm finding they are getting friendlier as I'm able to get closer and closer to them.

6-19-10 Framing the Prairie

When I read today's Daily Shoot, "frame within a frame", I had the perfect picture. Not too far from the lake is an old, falling down, structure. I'm not quite sure if it was an old school or church. I didn't go completely inside as there isn't much of a floor left. However, this was the view through one of the windows.

6-18-10 Travelin' Across the Prairie

I wonder what the pioneer settlers thought when they reached the Flint Hills of Kansas? This piece of art, located just outside of Council Grove and made out of steel, pays homage to those who were looking for their piece of The American Dream.

6-17-10 A Winding Country Road

This road leads to Kelso, and points north, in the Flint Hills of Kansas.

6-16-10 Old Merry-Go-Round

Ever ride on one of these, either at school or at the church playground? I found this one at a small park located in the Flint Hills of Kansas, on grounds where a church once was located, near what used to be the town of Kelso.

6-15-10 A Blue Herron

We have a pair of blue herrons that have taken up residency at the lake. This one landed on our dock as he/she was scoping out where to get it's next meal. Sometimes at night, when we have been sitting on the dock, we will hear a "swooshing" sound as their wings flap as they fly by.

6-14-10 Life on the Prairie

The lake we go to is in the heart of the Flint Hills, in Northeastern Kansas. This is over looking a farmer's ranch near the lake. The gate and poles frame the shot.

6-13-10 Flooding at the Lake

Last night, we had over 4 inches of rain in a very short amount of time. This caused the city lake to come out of it's banks. In the 38 years we've been going to this lake, I've rarely seen this happen. The lake does have a natural spillway that empties into the federal reservior, so it won't be out of it's banks for very long. However, tonight, the forcast is for more rain.

6-12-10 Molly and the Squirrels

Our neighbors dachshund, Molly, loves to chase the squirrels. Once she has chased one up a tree, she will sit there for 30 minutes or longer waiting for it. What she doesn't realize is that the squirrel has crawled along the branches, jumped to another tree and is telling all of his squirrel friends how he has once again, slipped away from that crazy canine.