7-7-2011 A Long, Quiet Country Road

This is one of many country roads in the Flint Hills. Although I didn't take the picture, (credit goes to my daughter, Jessica) I thought I'd post it anyway. Just liked the way it looked.

7-4-2011 Mighty Fine Fixin's

We were at the lake this weekend for the 4th of July holiday. Had a wonderful time with family. This was one the the great meals we had---salmon and fresh veggies & pineapple from the grill. MMmmmmm!

6-27-2011 Coral Reef Bee Balm

We revamped the front flowerbed this past spring and planted perennials. However, spring was a passing thing and it turned hot early. I have been diligently watering, hoping the plant would take hold. Today, the Coral Reef Bee Balm flowered. Although it doesn't have anything to do with bees, it is supposed to draw butterflies. We'll see. I'm just happy the plants are thriving!

6-21-2011 White Lillies

Now that we finally are getting some rain, (could do without the storms, tho!) my lillies are starting to blossom.

6-20-2011 A Bit of the Tropics

This is the first flower on my hibiscus tree. This flower always reminds me of the islands and our trips there.

6-19-2011 Kaw Indian Powwow

This weekend was Council Grove's festival, "Wa-shun-Ga Days." It is held every year to celebrate the town's involvement in being the last stop on the Santa Fe trail. The Kaw Nation used to live in the area during the mid-1800's. Each year they return to Council Grove to participate in the celebration.

6-9-2011 Brown-May Lake

This is Brown-May Lake, better known as our backyard after a hard rain. It's called as such because when we get heavy rainfall, the Brown's (our neigbors) backyard and ours flood.

6-7-2011 No Lemonade Today

When I was leaving school today (conducted a training) I saw this lemonade stand and couldn't pass it up. Wonder if business was good?

6-5-2011 Tiger Lillies

My Tiger Lillies have bloomed and are a very brilliant orange this year. I was experimenting with the macro on my new point-and-shoot as well.

6-1-2011 A Flint Hills Sunset

Nothing is prettier than a Flint Hills sunset.

5-31-2011 Fence Post

Out taking pictures in one of my favorite places, the Flint Hills. I recently purchased a "point & shoot" camera and wanted to test it out.

5-3-2011 First Bloom

This is the first bloom of this season. It's a dwarf lilly. Unfortunately, if we don't get any more rain it may be the only one.

4-23-11 SQUIRREL!!

Two squirrels have taken up residence in our backyard. When I got the camera out to take his picture he was not happy. He just chirpped, chattered and flicked his tail at me. He had a buddy that was smaller and not as adept at climbing trees. They entertained me for quite a while.

4-21-11 Buckboard Wagon

"A buckboard is a four-wheeled wagon of simple construction meant to be drawn by a horse or other large animal....Originally designed for personal transportation in mountain regions, these distinctively American vehicles were widely used in newly settled regions of the United States."--Wikipedia

4-21-2011 The Chaplain is In

Even the soldiers of the Civil War needed to talk to a chaplain once in awhile. I'm sure he had other duties as well.

4-20-2011 Shooting the Cannons

While at "Cowtown: The Civil War", they gave a demonstration of firing a real cannon. I was amazed at the empact the sound waves made. Above the soldiers have their sticks crossed to symbolize a misfire. That way no one will walk in front of the cannon.

4-19-2011 Where Have All The Soldiers Gone?

I saw this shot and immediately thought, "Where have all the soldiers gone?"

4-17-11 Extra! Extra! Read All About It!!

While in "Cowtown" we stopped by the Wichita Eagle City Newspaper to see what the news of the day was. Although the news was quite old, we did learn that the Kansas Pacific Railroad was offering a free ride to claim a part of over five million acres as a Kansas homestead. Sign me up!

4-17-11 Hoop Trundling

This is called "Hoop Trundling". The idea is to roll a hoop, varying in size and made either of wood or metal, with a stick, keeping the hoop upright as long as possible. This was played during the middle to late 19th Century. This boy was demonstrating it at Cowtown, a living museum in the Wichita area.

4-16-2011 Reflecting On the Past

Today Tim & I spent the lovely day at the living museum, Cowtown. They were celebrating the lives of the soldiers of the Civil War. There were re-enactors from the Civil War, as well as, town folk from the late-1800's. Towards the end of the day, some of the Civil War soldiers were firing off the cannons to show what it was like.