Tall Tales from Kansas

a population outbreak

We are having a "population outbreak" of butterflies around here.  I read about it in the paper yesterday and told Chris to grab his camera and his net because we were going on a field trip. 

Apparently male Hackberry Emperor butterflies need to consume salt to complete their sexual development (that's what I read in the paper anyway).  As soon as we arrived at the Fitch Natural History Reservation they began to land on us.  

A swarm of butterflies is not annoying like a fly buzzing your head or a bunch of gnats trying to get into your eyes and ears.  

We walked around for an hour or so marveling at the site. 

Me:  Wow!  have you ever seen so many butterflies in the same spot?

Chris:  No.

Me:  Geez can you believe all these butterflies?

Chris:  No.

Me:  Isn't this amazing?

Chris:  Yes. 

On the way home we stopped at Sonic for a chocolate shake.  It's important to replenish yourself after a salt donation. 

for ankles it's best to stick to one

The prize for the best collection of hats under one tent at the Farmers Market went to this group this morning.   Fedora + knitted + straw + ball cap = headgear diversity. 

I also discovered a new accessory trend that I wanted to pass on so you all won't be left behind when it takes off like wildfire.

These girls explained to me that a different color for each extremity is best, and it is permissable to wear multiple coils on your wrists but for ankles it's best to stick to one. 

Meanwhile back at iPad central I am finding myself being drawn into a vortex.  How is it possible to find so many things to explore on one little device?  Flipboard.  Instagram.  Facetime.  Holy Cow!

the new iPad that has come to live at our house

Since someone already told you about the new iPad that has come to live at our house I feel it is important to tell you the full story.  It seems the Harvey boys were telling Lewis Mulvenon all about how they are so into "words with friends" and he came home very sad because he couldn't play with them.  

So the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth is that the I-pad belongs to Lewis and I can use it when he can spare it for a few hours. 

The experience of buying the I-pad was a dream.  I walked up to the store.  A very tall nice boy opened the door and wanted to help me.  I told him what I needed.  He sent another very nice young man (Brook) over to help me with my questions. Brook explained everything to me.  Selections were made.  I didn't even have to go to a checkout counter.  My new I-pad was brought out to meet me.  We walked over to Jan's table.  She set me up and made sure I knew the basics.  

The night before I went to the store I had a nightmare about buying Lewis's new I-pad.  I am happy to report with the help of the tall nice boy, Brook the nice young man, and Jan the set-up lady it did not come to pass. 

the fragrance alone is reason enough to plant one

This snow queen oak leaf hydrangea was planted in 2005.  I had seen one on a garden tour and thought it was so pretty.  It appealed to me because in the fall the leaves turn a deep bronze-red color and the flowers change from white to a subtle pink.  It's about 5 feet tall and has turned out just like I hoped it would.  Except for one thing.

One really, really, good thing.  It smells divine!  I don't know why I never noticed it until this year.   Maybe it needed to have enough blooms on it to generate enough fragrance for me to pay attention.   Whatever the explanation, the aroma alone is reason enough to plant one. 

a hearty hibiscus to try in a pot on the back deck

This is just my way of saying that in addition to the animals, there were also PLANTS at Henry's Plant farm.  I don't think you can buy a donkey or an alpaca or a peacock but you can talk them out of some plants.  Very healthy looking ones at that.   They had some tiny Zinnia's that will be perfect for inside flower arrangements.  I also got a hardy hibiscus to try in a pot on the back deck for something different.   There will have to be another trip made very soon to get more of the rich, dark, potting soil they had as well.   What can I say?  I made friends out there.  I'm going to have to visit often. 

2 ears + 2 ears = bring me to my knees cuteness

Did you know that Peacocks can get on top of trucks?

Or that they make a REALLY loud screeching kind of yelling sound if you get too close to them? 

Did you know that pigs really do like to lounge around in the dirt and mud in a shady spot?

What about alpaca's?  Do you know anything about them?

Things like they are really good at staring contests, and have very interesting teeth.   

You probably did already know that 2 ears + 2 ears = bring me to my knees cuteness.  But I am going to show you anyway.     

It also goes without saying that every little girl loves baby kitty cats and will do anything to hold one.   Her very gentle grip won me over.    

All these things I saw at The Henry's Plant Farm just outside of Lawrence, Kansas this past weekend.  You can wander around to your heart's content and if you're like me, make a list of things to look up when you get home.  It's also free and another one of those uniquely Lawrence Kansas things it's my duty to tell you about. 

chris insisted on attaching a rope around my mid-section

We are unable to see the horizon from our house.  That did not stop me from  attempting to get a stunning photo of the solar eclipse.  I hung out of the second floor windows in my art room Sunday night to get the best possible perspective of the event.  Here is what my camera saw. 

It was pretty and it was certainly bright, but I didn't see what I thought I would see.  I don't think my neighbors directly behind me could believe their eyes either.   Chris insisted on attaching a rope around my mid-section in the event that I might suddenly tumble over the sill.  Happily, for all involved, I kept my footing.  

for this fellow it's not about sport

In Lawrence it is not unusual to see fitness minded, aerodynamically attired, cyclists peddling their way all over town.  

For this fellow it's not about sport.  It's about comfort, and innovation, and wearing your plaid shorts with your early 80's rock band t-shirt and your white shoes with your black socks, if that's what feels right today. 

love at the farmers market

I found love today at the farmers market.  Flower love, 

cinnamon roll love,

and love love.  

Under the spell of all that love, I surrendered to the call of the flowers.   I don't have any peonies in my garden.  That is something I should remedy.  

when I find the Dizzy Three I'll let you know

Given my love of coffee and my great like of vodka, my curiosity was piqued when I stumbled across this news flash. 

I haven't been to the liquour store to see if it's available here yet.  I have placed that on the to-do list of my personal shopper.   In the meantime, here it is Friday night.  The WEEKEND as we say at our house.  It's perfect porch sitting weather.  The fountain is burbling.  I made do with cold coffee (3 oz), plain vodka (1 oz), kahlua (1 oz), milk (1 oz), and a splash of simple syrup. 

When I find the Dizzy Three I'll let you know if it makes a significant difference in the overall flavor of this concoction.  In the meantime, please note the precarious balancing feat I pulled off with that nice glass on the arm of my rocker.   Just know that I did the balancing before I did any drinking and I did not re-attempt once I had commenced sipping.