Thursday with sun

Finally, we saw some sunshine today. These last few days have been cloudy, chilly, foggy and not at all spring-like.

Along with the sun today we had a visitor from Florida - a friend that we have known for thirty-nine years. (Gasp) When you have known someone since they were a teen and now they are an expectant grandfather, it sort of makes you realize that time has moved by very quickly!

Raising a new utility pole

We ran some errands this morning and saw these crews putting up a line of electrical poles. Cold work out there in the 37 degree temperature. It's amazing that they can thread it up through the existing lines, some of which seem to be wrapped. There are lots of skillful people working to keep our lives going smoothly.

The Big Eight Oh

The dogs (or the rear view, anyway)

Visitors

We had a big surprise when two dear relatives arrived along with two doggies. Our temp pup, Mork, was very glad to see Ingrid, the white and tan dog. They run and play just fine. Mostly Belle, the grand dame Lab, protected the raw hide bones and ignored the other two. We were so glad they came to help me celebrate my birthday a day early. There was a cake with candles and a sing-a-long from Texas over the phone.

Later: I cannot seem to blog the photos! It's either Google or me - but something's not working.

Cold bird

When we drove up to this parking lot, there were about 10 robins in this area. With the temperature at 38 degrees they are probably wondering what happened to the 85 we had four days ago.

A Puppy's Rage

Do not leave a pup alone with a box of Kleenex. We unplugged wires, closed doors and thought we had dog-proofed the place.

It could have been much worse; couch cushions, quilts, antique round table claw feet..... I believe this dog does not like to be left alone. We could try some crate training but I don't think we could bear the cries of sadness.

Mork

Two views of Mork. We're working on the command, "Come."

Not much success yet but he does know his name, chases a tennis ball and chews toys and a bone. And he is very lovable, cuddly and fun!

Later: We took a drive to the airport to dine with a free offer for dinner. Mork was left with all his toys in the car. When we left the van with the windows cracked, a terrible yowling started. He has us trained to turn about, return to the vehicle, drive home and order a taco pizza. My steak will have to wait.

Strong South Wind

We can see this flag from our back yard. It is about three blocks away at a car dealership on a busy street.
Luckily, we cannot hear the traffic from there (at least I can't with my limited hearing) and especially today with the wind blowing out of the south in 40 mph gusts.
It was a warm 80 degrees. Forecast for tomorrow? Sixty-eight.

Play Area at Dillon Nature Center

Work should pick up on this project now that theweather is warmer. This is a place where kids can play and as the sign says, "explore, touch, smell, experience, get a little dirty and use their imagination." This is really a good concept.
As most of us over a certain age can remember, we did this in our own yards.

Amish Buggy

We have an Amish community nearby. This is one of the buggies that will seat more family members. I admire their goals and accomplishments.

Moon Shot

With my point and shoot I can't zoom in to get a shot of the largest appearing moon in 18 years. This event actually occurs tonight but we have clouds forecast for tonight so I took this Friday night.
The moon is closer to the earth than usual. It is amazing how the scientist know all these facts!

Springish scene

This is our visiting canine, Mork. It looks as if he is sniffing the pathetic little daffodils that bloomed this morning. After a high of about 80 yesterday, today is a cruel return to strong, chilly winds. Now if we could just get some rain.

A Man and his Kite

Yesterday while we were walking Mork, we saw this fellow with his wind powered go-cart near the Hutchinson water plant. I cannot imagine the pull there must be on those lines that connect him to his kite.
He rolls around on the level ground at a pretty fast rate!

Carole Lombard

This photo is from "To Be or Not To Be" with Jack Benny. Over the week-end TCM had many of Miss Lombard's movies showing. She was a great comedienne, married to Clark Gable and sadly was killed in a plane crash after a U.S. War Bond tour.

Getting To Know You

Yesterday and today have been spent playing with our new house mate - Mork.
He seems very happy watching the squirrels; not barking at them, just watching them. Exploring the back yard keeps him busy.
L. picked up the winter supply of old bird seed, corn cobs and peanut shells on the tarp so Mork won't be dining on any more veggies. Best of all, he slept through his first night in Kansas. The kennel is all cozy with a sheepskin and soft towels but he prefers to pull those out, leave them in a heap on the floor, and sleep on the foot of the bed with us.

Cuddling

Mork loves to snuggle in an odd configuration with Belle, the Lab. Belle is about 13 years old and Mork is one year. We will be keeping Mork for a while while his owner is in school. His parents were both Maltese and Yorkie mixed, so I guess he's a double Morkie. Their other buddy, Miss Ingrid, is not in this photo. She's about six months old and full of energy. Belle and Ingrid will leave tomorrow for their long ride back to the warm country of Texas.

Maybe now we'll get that daily walk in.

It's Complicated

Early yesterday morning we got a call from our son in Texas. He wondered if we would like to meet his daughter at a restaurant in Yoder (about 10 miles from our home.) We said Sure!
She was on her way from San Marcos, TX, to Colorado for a skiing trip with four friends. So we got dressed and drove to the Carriage Crossing.

Over mounds of biscuits and gravy, mush, sausage, scrambled eggs, hash browns and French Toast, we got acquainted with her friends.
A fun way to start the spring break for us. Not sure how much they enjoyed hanging out with the old folks but they did say that most people they've seen in Kanas are friendly and they thought Texas was supposed to be the friendly state.

Ready for Spring at Sears

Looks like a lot of work for somebody. . . .

Hair

This is the longest my hair has been in probably 40 years. Straight hair was always my lot and after trying permanents which make my hair look like Brillo pads, I just gave up and went with no curls. Now, on its own, it is starting to "wave." L. always says, just shave it and get a wig. The one time in the 1970's when I bought a wig, he didn't notice since I chose one that was graying just like my hair. He was shocked when I reached up after supper and took it off with one hand. The look on his face would have been perfect for a "gotcha" moment.

Christmas Lights?

These artificial trees with the lights are at the mall. I don't know if they ever take the lights down but it is March now.
It's a nice light place under the skylight on a cloudy, misty day.

A Very Long List

This sign is in the lobby at the Hutchinson Airport.

These are some very good ideas. I doubt that anyone could do all of these consistently but they are a goal to be reached. I don't believe I'll list the ones here that I need to work on - but the number is high!

Almost Rush Hour

Noon hour on Sunday. Some folks fly in for Sunday dinner at the Airport Steak House for the buffet.

We did it again

We went to Central Christian and brought two meals of Vereneke home. Very tasty.

Carpet Mystery

The top photo shows how our living room carpet looked when we turned on the ceiling lights. At first we thought these marks were shadows from the ceiling fan lamp shades (?) These marks did not show up with natural daylight and the ceiling light turned off.

The second picture shows the same view after the carpet was cleaned on Wednesday. The technician has no idea what these marks are.

The last photo shows the carpet with only the camera flash.



I don't believe we will turn on the overhead bulbs when strangers are present.

Blast from the past

These two teenagers are having birthdays this month. I just spoke with my friend (the young girl on the right) who lives in Texas. We have known each other since 1941, fifth grade, when she moved to town. That is seventy years ago. Amazing to have kept in touch and remain friends all that time.
Can you tell from the photo - the tall one on the left (me) is two days younger.

Spring cleaning

The neighbor is having her pampas grass trimmed down and possibly other chores in her back yard. It must be time to do the yard cleanup. L. did some last week just before it turned COLD again.
Today is nearly perfect - no wind and warm sun with 69 degrees.
We have all the furniture out on the screened in back porch because the carpet cleaner is coming tomorrow!
No fear of rain because L. closed it in with plastic to keep the snow out last fall.
I would like to do like the Japanese and have a "no shoe zone" inside. I'll buy some cheap bedroom slippers, size 11, and see how that works out.