catching up july...some more

saw lyle lovett and his large band play, last weekend in Salina.

















though, first we stopped at the Cozy Inn for some burgers, chips and pop.


















the show was at the beautiful, old Stiefel Theatre. we had our programs flapping, (like old ladies in church, lyle commented) because of the heat. but the sound was great, as were our center balcony seats.

















the theatre is full of old architectural elements. but many I couldn't capture without using my flash.

















my friends and I were almost speechless in enjoyment and excitement.

and I left with a tank top that reads "lyle lovett my baby don't tolerate"

catching up july

back in mid-july. my brother had an art opening at one of our downtown galleries. the cobalt gallery, inside the pages bookshop.
















my brother has the ability to be good at whatever he attempts. he can create beautiful and mysterious things. this includes his darling children.







































a fun evening. (wish my photos did better justice to the art.)

mid-july

with harvest over. and the 4th now past. we've past summer's mid-point. now we get the heat.

we had a storm last night. one of those summer things that blow a strong hot wind, then crack & thunder, rainy. then you wake up to wet morning air.

realizing how i'm not ready to lose summer yet. last night I munched on a salad made mostly of freshly-picked tomatoes & cukes.

and the morning light is so much brighter than winter's.

the cicadas hum as the sun drops. I find their outer shells in the morning, tucked into my garden plants.

and the fireflies come out. like night sky glimmers.

if only it wasn't too hot to bake some cookies.

(image found courtesy of Google's Life archive)

105degrees and roma tomatoes

a fat green roma tomato, an heirloom plant. which my mother gave to me.
over a hundred degrees today.

the tomatoes surely enjoyed the heat.

summer seems to be moving too fast.

my thoughts are not moving along with it.

summertime

at day, hot. in the evening, warm. at night, breezes.

cicadas & fireflies.

eating out of the garden.





















handfuls of purple coneflower.

and in a couple of days, a pool party with fireworks.

kansas june saturday

evening at my brother's. kids ran around in swimsuits.
except my nephew, determined to be naked.
friends. family. beer. food. soft summer air. cool in the shade.
a hayrack ride. without the hay. and with an old smelly tractor.
wheat is ready to harvest.
soybeans are just coming up.






















my smiley niece. in a dress that I made for her.
she's more than just cute.

bicycle dreams

this western "fairway" flyer didn't sell at my neighbor's garage sale. so, they had put it on the curb for trash.

I walked by it and couldn't pass.

she's a little heavy. and a little rusty. but when I sat on the seat, seemed to be a perfect fit.
so now she waits, in my garage. for someone to make her pretty again. so I can go for a ride.

one day. dream a little dream.

june time

june.
it starts right after I turn another year older. gasp.
it gets hot. you "have" to turn on the a/c for the first time.
and then it rains. and everything is cool again.
you get your first sunburn.
and you remember that with the amazing growing garden you have, you also have gangly, indestructible, chameleon weeds.

















a new dress for little A.
sewing for myself, just not as much fun.





















learning to grow tomatoes in pots.
in effort to get more sun.

















sweet peppers.

















and that basil, is happily in the ground. (but, somebody has been munching on my marigolds)

may weekend

some things mother nature has going on for my birthday.

so along with a pretty bouquet from my mom, a lovely fantastic spa afternoon with friends, and a late morning of pancakes and sunbathing, I've had a good weekend. and I've got presents, a manicure & pedicure, and a sunburn to show for it. and it hasn't quite ended yet. since I still have dinner, and have yet another day off from work tomorrow.

thanks everyone, who wouldn't let me forget today.

storms and sunsets

this afternoon rolled in a big storm. of the sort I imagine we only see in Kansas. heavy, dark, warm, humid, then all of a sudden filled with cold wind. clouds billowing. and then the rain falls.
and you wonder if the hail will. and you listen.

















and it all filters away. leaving everything wet. and with different anticipation.
after it tumbled out, the sun went down. and as it did, I tried to capture the glow it left on my house.

and now for the weekend.

into may days

I had decided to thin out my geranium population & thrown one into my compost pile. this one has decided to continue living.

I always forget how rainy early May is. I managed to get my tomatoes planted, and some zinnia seeds. but all else, still waits. I know it will be warm soon enough.

knowing that I'll be a part of the now, 2nd annual, Garden tour this year. means I keep thinking about July.

in the meantime, being stuck inside means I should go clean my bathroom.

on the agenda for the summer, getting back onto my bike. I've even found a kind bicycle-y soul who will get it tuned up & fixed for me.

happy mother's day to all my motherly figures out there.

two days and two cries later...

the other night we got rain.
more than a little. all at once.

we missed a tornado, but got the wind.
made everything muddy, and messy with debris.
my backyard became a pond.

and throughout the past two days, I've periodically been in the basement.
praying my sump pump would keep going.
as I dumped gallons upon gallons of water from the water-vac into the pump.

two days, and two breakdown-and-cries-b/c-i'm-overwhelmed later, I think the water has lowered...in the basement and the backyard.

but, it is supposed to rain again. hoping it only sprinkles.

open windows

I think of how many times during the winter,
I wanted a day warm enough to open my windows.

and now, I'm amazed it is here.
breezes, birds, lawn mowers and warmth.

last night's crashing thunderstorms kept me awake,
and the cat hiding downstairs.
but this morning, everything green...looked brighter than it did yesterday.

almost May

planted hollyhock seeds. which my grandpa gave to me. I adore the little white notes he wrote to label the seeds. I've planted them along the tallest part of my wooden fence. I can't wait to see them.

also sowed some morning glory seeds which my mother had collected for me. she discovered them growing up an elderly woman's fence. apparently, they are mini-morning glories.


















some of the basil has been moved outside. soon into bigger pots.

















wild violets. they are weeds, basically. growing everywhere in my yard. I've been digging up clumps and moving them to flower beds. because they are pretty & purple, weeds.

this past weekend I saw Kris Kristofferson play at the Orpheum. it was just him, his guitar and a harmonica. I felt a little overwhelmed by the idea that I was actually seeing him in person.

it is almost May. I have dresses to make my niece. and I'm feeling burdened by home ownership. and frankly, am once again, very uncertain about how to feel regarding my bday.

new favorite

william eggleston.
not new, but a new favorite photographer of mine.

colorful & southern.

thinking about basil

seeds. 7 days old.

thank you Spring.

buttercream for birthday cakes

little adorable had her first birthday party.

her brother helped her blow out the candles. (he also made the decorating decision...of placing the three pink candles in the cake)

she happily stuffed in her mouth, and covered herself all over, in a mixture of buttercream frosting and bananacake. which I adapted the recipe from here.

buttercream frosting, is by the way, delicious. and friends and family, pictures will be on flickr.

for a birthday

little A. will be one next week.

thought I'd use the occasion to try some papercut-art. partially coached by this artist. while in awe of this.

fun.

spring teases

we had a few days of sprinter (as my friend, d., likes to call it)

it was beautiful.

and then my allergies hit me like a brick to the head.

then the cold winds came down again.

and it is winter again.

oh well, whatever.

march

february once again, didn't fail in being one of the crappiest months of the year.
but here we are at March.

















and there are some good things ahead.
like the green of daffodils popping out once again.

















soon, a 1st birthday for my little A., her present I'm working on. inspired by papercuts here.


watching the progress of a friend's building home (bound to give us all envy).


and having a few days ahead, in which I'll get to wear flip-flops again.


















the elderly black cat has looked for little ladybug. but I think he's resigned himself, that she is
no longer around to lick clean his ears.
i'm realising that having just one cat, is quieter and cleaner, than two.

am planning to order some garden seeds. because it is close to time, to start some seeds.

and am hoping, that with Spring will come new & good things.
usually, it does.

great things list #16

believing in my president.

watching him speak to Congress on national TV. and smiling. with a feeling of
confidence. and even, getting a bit teary-eyed.

and wanting to clap right along with everyone there.

little ladybug

the day I brought her home.















the day I said goodbye.


thank you ladybug. for 15 years of good kitty love.

sleep well.

friday the 13th

I have a black cat. He is constantly crossing my path.

Choosing to think this means I'm lucky today.

#16

thanks, Abe.

adoration

yes. i'm still in awe.

I should probably post something of substance. but all I've got on my mind
is the glory of trusting my president again. and this crazy spring-like weather we've been having.

and the one month I have left to create a birthday#1 present for little A.

ad astra per aspera

happy kansas day.

great things list #15

morning sunshine in the kitchen.

taken his seat.

yes we did

i'm still amazed. thrilled. relieved. hopeful.

only about an hour to go. before our next president.