She Said It Was Usually About My Flowers!!!

Recently, on a special trip to St. Louis, my NOW daughter-in-law told her sister that I have a blog.  When her sister asked what I write about, DIL said, "Usually about her flowers...." 

Well...here I go again!!  :)  

Lots of knock-out roses...gave two plants away...still have too many:

 And snapdragons........

 In several colors......

 Yellow being my favorite.....

 And while I say I don't like roses...this one is very pretty.  But still has those "big-assed" thorns I hate so much!

And so, life continues to be incredibly boring on the plains of Kansas.  The wind blows too hard to ride comfortably (I know, who said I needed to be comfortable!!!???)   But it'll get nicer soon and I'll be back out riding.  (Also, one of my main "co-riders" is in Arizona hiking the Grand Canyon and I hate riding alone.)

Count your blessings....have a wonderful May.

Here's where the "proper" people should quit reading:

A friend of mine used to say on May 1:

"The first of May

The first of May

Outside screwing starts today!!!"

Get yerself some!!!

And They Lived Happily Ever After.....

What a fantastic weekend I just had!!!   In order to maintain some privacy, I won't post photos of people here....but my son and his sweetheart of several years got married last Sunday morning.

I went to St. Louis on Friday, arriving about 3:30 pm.  The "couple" came to the hotel (Drury Inn...very nice!!!) and we got ready and went to meet the rest of her family.  I'd never met any of them before so was naturally a  little nervous.  Went to a Mexican foods restaurant (El Maguey) and it was great.  Super, super neat people.  Her parents, her twin sister and her husband and 2 year old son (what a doll!!!), her other sister and her husband...all were fantastic people.  I felt quite comfortable within just minutes of arriving.  A lot of food and drink and getting "stuffed!"

Then Saturday am while the bride and her female entourage had "mani's & pedi's", my son and I took in The Container Store and REI.  Both places extremely addictive!!!  WOW!!!   I'm actually glad they're not local!   At noon my son dropped me off at the Pastries of Denmark restaurant where I met the other women plus the daughters' godmother and her daughter.  Lunch was "girl talk" and "wedding talk"...and a lot of fun!

Saturday night was the "dress up" dinner at Bristol.  VERY nice...the food was exquisite, the service was too.  Again...what a great group of people.  And again...a lot of food (and drinks) and laughter.

My son spent the nights with me at the hotel, so Sunday am I followed  him in my car to the Old Hickory Golf Club where the wedding was to be held.  Beautiful setting!  The bride was stunning!!!  She's truly a very very pretty girl!

I'd never been to a Jewish wedding before and was in for a treat.  Many customs that I was uneducated about..and found absolutely fascinating.  The grandfathers' prayer shawl was draped over the chupah (canopy).  There were two glasses filled with wine; one to be passed from family member to family member, each taking a sip while the Rabbi said the blessings.  The other glass was a couple's blessing to be shared by the bride and groom.

Since this was an interfaith marriage, the Rabbi read/sang the seven blessings in both Hebrew and in English.  The couple circled each other seven times, maintaining eye contact.  This is to confirm they will protect each other (and more.) 

A ketubah - a marriage contract - is arranged and signed by both bride and groom, the Rabbi, and two witnesses.  It will be displayed in the couples' home.

The ring exchange was also different than I'd seen before.  The groom places the ring on the bride's right hand index finger as vows are spoken.  Then the bride places the groom's ring on his left hand ring finger.  Then the bride is told if she accepts her groom as her husband, the two of them should move the ring to her left hand, ring finger.

Also at one point the bride and groom each hold one end of a knotted handkerchief (the bride's grandfather's or great grandfather's I think) while repeating vows.  And then of course, there's the smashing of the glass.  The glass is inside a cloth and the groom steps on it and smashes it.  I read later that it is often said that's the last time he'll get to put his foot down!  :)   

After the ceremony and lots and lots of photos, we went to a private room for a wonderful brunch.  The parents of the bride then had a "crowning."  Traditionally after the last daughter is married (today it is sometimes the last child..male or female), then crowns are placed on the heads of the parents and their children dance around them.  Two wreaths were available and the bride and groom placed them on the parents' heads and then all three daughters and all three son-in-laws danced around them and gave them kisses.  Lots of laughter and fun!!!

All in all, an absolutely wonderful weekend!  What a memory!  Oh...and also both the bride and the groom had chosen songs to be read during the ceremony.  My son chose "What Are You Doing For the Rest of Your Life" and the bride chose "This Is Always."  Lyrics can be googled if you're interested....every time I read them I'm still leaky-eyed! 

I'm delighted to see my son take this step.  I'm delighted with his bride...she's not only beautiful, but smart and talented as well...and much more!  This is good...this is very good!

Count your blessings...mine are HUGE in number!!!  And I do appreciate them!

Tornado Weather!!!!

Wow!!! Quite a day! I had a craft show until 2 p.m. today and was rather concerned as the weather gurus were warning of severe storms all across the Midwest today. When I left the church where the craft sale was held, I commented on how "us Kansans can feel tornado weather." There's just something you sense after you've been around them a few (hundred) times. It's too warm, too humid, too everything. Smells funny even.

I actually got home just a few minutes after 2:00, flipped on the tv, and have been glued to it ever since. Tornadoes everywhere! The reporters were jumping from one cell to another all day and evening. It's now 1:10 a.m. and it's just beginning to slow down. Hutchinson is currently getting rain (much needed rain) and it appears this is part of a line of "the last" of the storms.

Hutchinson seems to have been spared much damage ... actually none in my part of town (I think)...but a lot of damage everywhere else. A few minutes ago they reported that estimated damage in Wichita will exceed 283 million...and that will change with daylight. Lyons, Raymond, Salina, Marquette, and on and on...all had damage. So far I haven't heard of any deaths and very few injuries. Again, that may all change with daylight.

Bedtime...I can sleep with rain....count your blessings and stay safe.

A Day at the Dog Show

Today Carol and I took in the Sunflower Cluster dog show held at the Kansas Coliseum near Wichita. It's a four day event put on by the Salina, Wichita, and Hutchinson kennel clubs. I think this was a first "in-person" dog show for Carol, and it had been several years (about 20-25??) since I'd been to one. We had a great time!!

We got acquainted with quite a few breeds and both of us gained knowledge. We watched a lot of obedience work (my old favorite) and several of the breed rings...of course, Dobermans (my old love.)

This gorgeous gentleman, Marshall, a Bernese Mountain Dog, acquired enough points to finish his championship today. (That's a cool wet chamois on his hind quarters..not shaved or anything!) However....earlier in the day Carol and I had stopped and chatted at length with a woman with the most gorgeous, HUGE...123 lbs. of HUGE...Bernese Mountain Dog. "Indy" had taken Best of Breed yesterday...and turned out he took it again today. He's already a champion and goes in under a "Specials" class.

As I said, we had met his Mom earlier in the day and watched several other conformation rings and obedience rings, then went back by that area just as the Berners were being judged. So we stuck around. At one point, Indy needed to be groomed a little so I held his leash while Mom groomed. She turned her back and of course, he decided to lie down. I kept his front end up but he managed to get his hind quarters on the ground. When a 123 lb. critter that I don't know wants to do something, I'm probably not the person that should be holding the leash! So...after another round of quick grooming, she asked Carol to hold Indy's 8-month old niece while she took Indy over to the handler. She handed me a chunk of bait and said, "Here....keep her distracted...watch your fingers!" Hellooooo.... actually it was never a problem....so long as one doesn't mind watching your entire hand being inhaled!

But I think Carol was falling in love...and I think the pup was too! I've kicked myself that I didn't get a good photo of Indy, as he did wind up taking Best of Breed again today.

The Berners' mom thanked us several times for helping her out...and we thanked her right back for letting us. It was an up close and in person adventure. FUN!

Also I got acquainted with a Lowchen...had to ask what it was...nice small-medium dogs. Also had a great encounter with a beautiful Bouvier des Flandres. I had always been under the impression they were not particularly friendly. Conversation with the owner was enlightening. She breeds for temperament....and obviously was having good success. Her dog was charming! And beautiful!

Also gathered some information on English Springer Spaniels for a friend of a friend looking for a quality puppy.

It's been over 25 years since I shown a dog (Doberman) in obedience...and a lot has really changed. However, watching today, I would love to do it all again. One of the nicest things: to be shown in Obedience, Agility, or Herding classes....they do NOT have to be registered breeds. So....adopt a rescue dog and have a ball! Sure is tempting....hmmmmmm.

Great day...great friend...great fun! And tomorrow supposed to be nice and we plan to get in another ride. Did a little over 25 miles yesterday and it looked like it could open up and pour on us at any second...but it didn't! Hurrah!

Count your blessings...enjoy life...you only go round once! And watch out for the Easter bunny...he's out delivering, ya know!!! Happy Easter!

Comfortable

This is what I woke up to this morning. How can she make the back of that chair look soooooo comfortable? I took a couple of photos, gulped some Diet Coke...and came back upstairs to do this post....and she's STILL crashed out on the chair!!! What a life, huh?
P.S. I got in 30.1 miles on the bicycle yesterday. Another great ride!

Springtime in Kansas

It's Spring in Kansas....and I'm lovin' it! You'll notice it's still the same old mulch...soon...very soon I'll put the new stuff down. And all those little green noses sticking up..those are hostas. This flower bed is way too full and in far too much sunlight...I didn't plant it, it came with the house...and I'm probably not going to change it. I like it just the way it is..simple for me. Or is that simple like me....hmmmmm.

Life in the Real World

Last Tuesday I went to Joplin again to spend a few days with my sister after her second chemo treatment on Monday. I was there until Friday. (Ok...just typed a bunch and then deleted it. The world doesn't need to know all that!) Bottom line: If I ever need to be jailed or wind up going to hell, just put me in Missouri! 'Nuff said?

It rained from about 30 miles from home until I returned home on Friday and got just south of El Dorado, Ks. (About an hour and fifteen minutes out.) (And that may well have been the BEST of it!)

Since then it's been gorgeous here!!! Yesterday Mary, Carol and I rode 28.28 miles and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. I needed both the physical exercise and the emotional/mental release. Good GOOD friends...they're wonderful!

This a.m. Carol and I rode to Nickerson to meet her husband who came over on a motorcycle for breakfast. It made us coming back into the wind (usually one rides INTO the wind and then gets a "free ride" home), but the wind is pretty mild today and we had a great ride. Another 27.49 miles for me!

Everything is blooming and spring is so beautiful and colorful!! Red bud trees, Bradford pear trees, crabapple trees, jonquils, daffodils, tulips...even peoples' clothing is more colorful. I love Spring!!!

With that....count your blessings. They're plentiful when you just get to thinking about it!!! :) Count down: Only four more weeks til a wonderful event!!!! :) :) :) :) :) ;)

New Area of Bike Path

Yesterday and today were both absolutely incredibly beautiful days...perhaps a little windy in the view of a bicyclist...but truly wonderful. Yesterday was 82 degrees, and Mary and I rode 20 miles. Carol's fighting a sore throat/cold so she has taken a few days off.

Today Mary had other plans...and it was just too nice to stay home. It was 80+ degrees with winds out of the south at 16, gusting to 26. Oh well...still nice!

Hutchinson has two bike paths. One runs from about 22nd and Hendricks south down through Carey Park at the south end of Main Street. It's about a 12 miles loop and a nice path that gets a lot of use.

A couple of year ago a new path was started at about 38th and Plum, going east and south to Lorraine; crossing Lorraine and heading south to 30th. I've ridden it many, many times. Recently they added more to that path. It now continues on south of 30th down past 23rd, then east out to Halstead Street. The newest part is very "big city park-like." It twists and turns and is incredibly smooth and wide. Lots of prairie dogs along the edges and down in the drainage ditch. They really barked and chattered when I rode through that area. So long as they don't start chasing bicycles I'm good with them. Cute little critters....until they invade MY yard...then they'll become "RODENTS," and I'll want them gone!

With a fairly strong south wind riding the bike path is probably better than riding the roads. On the path I'd go east for a while, then south into the wind, then back east again. And coming back was just pretty great...tailwind! I only got in a little over 12 miles...I could have done more but just needed a little outing and 12 miles was fine. Maybe again tomorrow??? We'll see.

Count your blessings...and be sure to get outside and enjoy some of this wonderful weather we're having. I heard it was 80 degrees in Chicago today...first time in 22 years that it's gotten into the 80's in March. Hello, Chicago!! :) (Some of you understand that!)

Great Rides

Wow!!! We have been having some gorgeous weather here. Last Friday Carol, Mary, and I rode and got in 30.5 miles. For March, that's pretty incredible in Kansas. Usually we have WIND!!! in March. Not so...well, at least not so bad.

It's about 6 pm Monday and the temperature is still 80 degrees!!!! And the wind is probably less that 15..maybe even less than 10 mph. AWESOME!!!! Carol, Mary, and I rode again this afternoon and it was absolutely perfect. Didn't even have to wear leggings! 27 miles!

After I got home I oiled my chain and pedals (and shoes)...then decided it was just to nice to quit with the outdoors stuff. So I cleaned the patio off....that hasn't been done all winter and it was pretty messy. I trimmed two clumps of zebra grass (like pampas but the stripes go horizontal instead of vertical) and emptyed a large pot of black fountain grass from last year. Thought maybe I'd be able to reuse some of the Miracle Grow soil but when I tipped it over into the polycart, it was a solid mass of roots. Well....that's interesting...because I had another one just like it...only it was planted in

a clay pot with fatter sides. So, knowing it was full of roots (and wouldn't begin to just be "dumped out"), I first cut the top completely off, then started with a butcher knife, sawing and digging and sawing some more. Finally I got most of the plant and main roots out of the pot. Haven't decided what I'll put in there this year. The fountain grass did very well there last year, but if I go back that way I'm going to have to dig the rest of this dirt out. Maybe something simple with shallow roots that would function even if the dirt does have leftover roots??? We'll see.

We have another ride scheduled for tomorrow and I'm totally looking forward to it. However, the weather guesser did say more wind tomorrow. Again...we'll see.

One of my new favorite expressions: The good thing about the future, it comes just one day at a time!

One more thing....speaking of the future...less than 6 weeks before my son and his sweetie get married. :) :) :) I'm really looking forward to that!

Count your blessings...they're numerous!

Jonquils & Hyacinths

I took a couple of friends to Wichita this morning to catch a flight to Washington state and thought I'd drop by Menard's and pick up some mulch. It snowed/rained/sleeted/iced in Wichita last night (Hutchinson [about 50 miles northeast of Wichita] had a LITTLE sleet...no rain, no real moisture, OF COURSE)...and while everything was already clean and clear and melted dry by the time we got over there, I chose not to buy mulch today. Wet, icy bags....nah...not today. So the mulch still looks horrid...but I do have a few flowers...and signs of lots more in the coming days/weeks.

Sure looking forward to Spring....but curious/worried about Summer. We had virtually no winter. The other day I heard one weatherman say, "Puxatawny Phil said six more weeks of winter..." and the other reporter said, "We haven't had six weeks YET!" However, I do remember a few posts back that we had a HUGE snowstorm - 18" of snow - on March 29, 2009. It can happen!!!

Barring that, I'll keep hoping for a summer that's as mild as what our winter has been. Last summer was HOT!!!!

Count your blessings....say your prayers...and plant spring lovelies!