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.

6-11-10 Totem Pole

Not sure if these people are Native American, Alaskan, or just like to have totem poles. They have had this at the lake for years.

6-9-10 Floating on Water

The Daily Shoot suggested, "place or find a subject floating on water". So after two days of rain, our backyard is looking like a small pond. With that in mind, I cut this daylily bloom and floated it on our small pond.

6-8-10 The Gift of Flight

There is a grass airfield across the road at the lake. This ultralight aircraft spent some time flying over the lake. I wonder what the lake looks like from up there?

6-7-10 Old Boathouse

This is the side-door of our neighbor's boathouse at the lake. I thought it made an intesting picture.

6-6-10 Sedgwick County Zoo

This sculpture/artwork is across from the Sedgwick County Zoo. We were on our way home from the lake and I snapped when I snapped the picture.

6-5-10 Pool or Spa?

Saw this sign at a garage sale and couldn't resist!!!! This actually is our outhouse at the lake. Yes, we actually used an outhouse for many years. (20+-some to be exact!) It wasn't until around 1999 or so that we finally got indoor plumbing. We were supposed to knock the outhouse down, but j-u-u-s-s-t haven't gotten around to it yet.

6-4-10 Orange Lilies

I noticed last night that my orange lilies had bloomed. This is the first year they have been this big, thick, and bright.

6-3-10 Sittin' On the Dock

I was sitting on the dock and saw this shot. I just liked the composition.

6-2-10 Local Wildlife

Here are some the local wildlife at the lake. For many years now they have been on the lake. I love watching them land on the water.

6-1-10 Little Peter Cottontail

Found this baby rabbit in the yard today and couldn't resist. He (or she) let me get pretty close before it hopped back into the daylilies for protection.

5-31-10 Eating At the Feeder

Caught this bird (not sure what kind) at my neighbor's feeder today. It was fun watching the birds come and go, especially a blue jay, who was too large to perch on the feeder.

5-30-10 Honeysuckle

Down by the lake, we have a patch of honeysuckle that grows back every year. When the breeze is blowing just right you can smell the sweetness. I remember when I was a kid, I would pick the blossom, pinch the end of the blossom and pull the stamen out very slowly to reveal the drop of necture at the end, then put it up to my mouth to taste the sweetness. Yummm.....

5-29-10 A Homeless Birdy

Went walking with Keilo today and found a bird's nest that had been blown out of the evergreen tree above. Looking at the branches I could see how easy it was to have become dislodged.

5-28-10 Cottonwood Country

Went to the lake (located in the Flint Hills) today and wondered what this white stuff was on the ground. Upon closer look, determined that the Cottonwoods were in bloom. In this part of the state (Northeastern Kansas) Cottonwoods are plentiful. This cotton-y stuff helps to carry the seed in the Kansas wind.

5-27-10 New Lawn & Landscape

Wanted to show off what I've been doing this past week. Our daughter and son-in-law bought a new house and now are putting in their lawn and landscaping. After four days of work, the front yard is about ready to be seeded. The backyard is a different story! The backyard is nothing but clay. I'm amazed that anything will grow in it. Son-in-law has been rototilling it to break it up and trying to mix sand into it. Now I know what type of material the settlers built their sod houses out of.

5-26-10 Another Old Barn

I found this barn on my way home from my daughter's house. Looks like it has seen better days.

5-24-10 Daisy, Daisy...

"Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer true...". I love seeing a field full of wild daisies.

5-23-10 Nature Renews

It amazes me how nature takes care of itself. Here in a decayed part of a tree, a plant is starting to grow.

5-22-10 A Day of Geocaching

This morning I met some of my DEN (Discovery Education Network) friends in Pawnee Prairie Park (SW Wichita) for a morning of geocaching. We had a lot of fun, but ended up on the wrong side of the creek and had to wade back across the spillway to return.

5-21-10 Simply Weathered

Keilo & I have walked by this white picket fence all week, and it wasn't until today that I noticed the flowers along the pickets. Although the blooms are past their prime, they look as weathered as the fence.

5-20-10 Yellow Daylilies

This is the first daylily to bloom of the season. With all the rain we have been receiving, more should be blooming soon.

5-19-10 Mr. Blue Jay

We have a pair of blue jays that hang out either in our trees or nearby. I've tried for several days to catch this one, but he's been elusive until today. I'm really going to have to get a bird feeder so I can watch more of our bird life.

5-18-10 Dog Tired

Here's Keilo & Charlie crashed out after a day at the lake.

5-17-10 White-Tailed Doves

We have a pair of white-tailed doves that have taken up residence in our neighborhood. These two will roost on our deck railing or the roof of our house. Tim thinks they have a nest in our oak tree.

5-16-10 A Big Mean Croc

This life-sized croc is a statue outside of the Oklahoma Aquarium. It gives the visitor an idea just how big crocs can get. Kids love crawling all over him too!

5-15-10 Oklahoma Aquarium Run

Tim & I are in Tulsa this weekend for the Oklahoma Aquarium Run. Runners could choose to run a half marathon; 5K (3.2 miles); or a 1-mile fun run. Tim ran in the 5K, while I took photos. The weather was perfect for runners--cool, overcast and drizzle.

5-14-10 Country Irises

Tulips in April; Irises in May. Wish these two flowers would stick around longer.

5-12-10 8th Grade vs. Faculty Volleyball Game

Today we (okay, I didn't...I took pictures!) had our annual 8th Grade vs Faculty volleyball game. We beat them three games out of three. Today was also their last day of elementary/middle school. Next year....high school!!!

5-11-10 Tools of Appreciation

The Daily Shoot suggested to find "tools we use and appreciate on a daily basis" and create a photo. My keys are one the the most important tools I use. They lock my home, allow me to get my mail and make it possible to drive my car.

5-10-10 Wildflowers

Found these wildflowers while at the lake. Don't recall seeing these before.

5-9-10 Fox Creek Bridge

This is Fox Creek Bridge in Chase County, Kansas. It was built in 1898 out of native limestone and has remained in public use ever since. At the present time, the county road that is it on and this historic bridge are part of the only emergency route for the residential part of Strong City north of Highway 50.

5-8-10 Charlie

This is Charlie. He is my brother's two year old Golden Retriever. Despite the fact that the temperature today at the lake was in the mid-60's, Charlie had a ball romping in the water & chasing sticks that we would throw.

5-7-10 Here's Your Sign!

So my neighbor is cutting down this tree in his front yard because it is too close to the house. However, he told me several people have stopped and asked him if the winds/storm last night did that to his tree. (Hello, no other trees or property in the area have any sign of damage.) Here's your sign!!

5-6-10 Br'er Rabbit

Caught Mr. Rabbit eyeing my neighbor's garden. Hope he can't tunnel under the garden fence that is up.

5-5-10 Edible Mother's Day Gift

My daughter gave me this edible bouquet for Mother's Day. The great thing is she made it! I'm very impressed.

5-4-10 A Fence of Shoes

On my way home today and saw these shoes on this fence. I've seen this before on other country fences and wondered if it had any significance? At any rate, it's whimsical!

5-3-10 Beautiful Giant

I found a giant
That holds a secret to keep
Whose heart is defiant
And depths are too deep.

I must stay keen
For he will bless me well
And he did! With wonderous things I had never seen
That I don't have words to tell.

(This is part of a poem entitled, "Beautiful Giant")

5-2-10 Cherished Moments

Today's Daily Shoot suggested "To make a photo of something you cherish today in beautiful light." Keilo was the subject.

5-1-10 Pots on the Deck

Today was the day I look forward to each year. Today we went and bought flowers for the pots that sit on the deck. I so love to play in the dirt!

4-30-10 Nature's Jewel

I was looking over my flower beds this evening and noticed something shiny in the middle of the Live-forevers. As I looked closer, I discovered the jewel-looking object was a water droplet that had remained there all day, through the wind and sun.

4-29-30 Through the Open Door

Today's Daily Shoot suggested walking through a door and take a photo of what you see. This is the view from my kitchen table.

4-28-10 Simply Butterfly!

This is my first butterfly picture. Not sure what type of butterfly, but I chased it for several yards.

4-27-10 Mr. Blue Jay

Keilo & I went back to Swanson Park for a walk today and it was alive with activity. I chased this Blue Jay for 30 minutes trying to get his picture.

4-26-10 Vaaroom! Vaaroom!

Today's Daily Shoot suggested taking a picture of something plastic. As I looked around the house, high on a shelf in the basement, I found this car, one of the kids had made out of plastic Connectix.

4-25-10 Cookies & Milk

Nothing goes together better than milk and cookies....chocolate chip cookies that is!!

4-24-10 Spying on Horses

I was headed over to my daughter's house when I saw these horses in a pasture. When I went to take the picture I saw a fence opening that put them in a frame. They look like they were wondering what I was doing.

4-23-10 Ms. A's Memorial Garden

Last summer we had a teacher that suddenly passed away. At her memorial, money was raised to create this memorial garden. Today, a group of Middle School students weeded, removed leaves and trash, and spread rock over the area. When they were done, they were pretty proud of their accomplishment. I was pretty proud of them too. I know Ms. A would have been.

4-22-10 New Life

Daily Shoot suggested taking a picture that shows "Spring's new life." These are new hosta plants coming up in my neighbors yard.