June 27, 2012 Luke's Big Day

First it was CB's golf cart.

Then CB's Pontiac.

Then our Sable.

Next, my Mazda died.

After that it was Luke's Toyota.

We were rapidly running out of vehicles for Luke to murder.

This afternoon we found a 2000 Grand Am which was in our price range (CHEAP!) with working air conditioning!  Luke got a new used car and he is happy as a pig in shit.

He told me that he needs to clean it out so he can get his own dirt in it. If the past predicts the future, it won't take long.

They just don't ever grow up, do they?

Just because Luke happened to be behind the wheel when these vehicles broke down, this doesn't mean that he's hard on cars, it just means that he has bad luck!

June 23, 2012 Hot Son of a Bitch

Since I am still crippled (but getting better, I promise), Luke went with me to run some errands this morning.   Even after nearly 3 months, Luke is still patient about hauling me around and helping me with chores.

We went to the local hardware store and while I was waiting in the car for Luke to do whatever it was I was having him do, I thought I should take a photo of the time and temp sign.

I know you can't see the time or the temp on this sign, but my camera allows me to zoom in on the photo so I can tell you that it was 11:56 a.m. and it was 99 degrees.

It seems a bit early to be commenting on the weather, but then again, it is June.  And this is Kansas.

Oh, and Buddy was home on the couch.

No shit.

June 22, 2012 Color Palate

It's been awhile since I took a picture while I was speeding down the highway, but today I risked my life for this photo and I hope you are all tickled pink about my devotion.

There is nothing quite as beautiful as a field of golden wheat butting up against an expanse of growing green corn as far as the eye can see.  I love how the line between the two is straight as an arrow as if a pane of glass divided the two.


The scenery of Kansas is full of hidden beauty.  You might miss it if you don't pay attention.


The politics of Kansas is full of shit, on full view.   You couldn't miss it if you tried.

June 20, 2012 Letter from my Dad

I know I should save this post for Christmas, since this letter was written on Christmas Day of 1989, but I found it today and wanted to share it.  Maybe thinking about Christmas will make us feel cooler...what do you think?

From the time I went to college in 1975 until shortly before he died in 2002, my dad wrote to me each week.  I saved many of the letters and occasionally I will come upon them while cleaninng or shifting books or going through files.

I found this one in my desk at work.  I smiled when I read it and I cried when I read it.

Here's part of what he wrote:  "Thanks for the plant, photographs and donation.  they were all so thoughtful. But most of all, thank you and God bless you for your unyielding support for me.  I know at times I have been a trial."

The letter goes on: "One thing for sure, i want you to never, never lose your values and zest for life and nevergive up the good fight to right injustice and help those who can't help themselves."

But here's what gets me most:  "Merry Christmas to you all and may the new year bring us all peace and love for one another.  I guess if I had a wish, it would be that the hungry would be fed, the homeless would have homes , the violence ended and the wealth more evenly distributed."

Oh yeah.  That's my dad.

June 19, 2012 Dog Days of Summer

Buddy has the right idea - chill on the couch and let Mother Nature do whatever she wants to do outside!

The only time Buddy gets off the couch is when he wants to eat whoever is knocking at the front door or if one of his "parents" comes in the back door.

Sometimes he goes on a walk about around the house, but he always seems to end up back on the couch.

Look closely, he has his legs crossed which always makes me smile.  It's like his legs are trying to be  polite - or as polite as a dog on the couch can be.

June 18, 2012 You Have Got to be Kidding Me.

You will not believe this.....ever since the middle of April, I've been having pain in my left foot.  Keep in mind that my right knee is the one that was replaced so my left leg has been doing double time for many months.

I didn't say anything to anyone because I was having so much fun complaining about my knee.  Who wanted to hear about my foot?  Well, the pain in my foot got so bad I could barely walk and that's saying something from someone who on her best day could barely walk.

So, I called my foot doctor - who I have not had to see for 3 years - and went to see him this morning.  It appears that I have plantar's facitis (I have no idea how it's spelled.  Sue me.) and I have to wear inserts in my shoes to treat it.  And rub some ointment on my foot.  And take some pain medication.

In 2009, I had a bout with PF and it about killed me (that was before I learned what real pain was like) but once I started using the inserts I was cured.  I wonder if walking bare/stocking foot exacerbated that potential for PF.  Don't know, but I'm glad I am getting it treated.

About my foot doctor:  he's a cutie and he's a hoot.  He agreed with my assessment of my orthopedic doctor.  He told me about a patient who wanted a handicapped placard due to an ingrown toenail.  He laughed at my stories and didn't flinch at my language.  (Oh, that's another thing my dad gave me:  the ability to swear.  Really swear, like a para-trooper.  I can hang with the big boys in that department.)

So, until all the pieces work together and heal my foot, then my knee, I shall continue to hobble and walk like the Hunchback of Notre Dame.  The worst thing is having to plan traveling time to get to the ladies room, but  that could be too much information.

And I am not one to give too much information.

Am I?

June 17, 2012 What My Dad Gave Me

Here's a list of things my dad gave me:

The 3rd toe on my left foot.  See how it's kind of deformed?  That's what my dad's toes looked like.  Even Emily noticed when she was trimming my talons, I mean, my toes.

My thick hair.  Dad was bald for most of his adult life, but as a young boy, he had a head full of thick hair and I got it.  Baby and Brother weren't so lucky.

A quick temper which tends to kill the messenger.  I didn't like this in my dad, and I don't like it in me.  But, it's in me whether I like it or not.

A love of books.  I read all the time.  All. The. Time.  I have a book in my car so I can read if I'm waiting on a train or for an appointment.  Books surround my chair, my bed, the guest room bed, everywhere in my house.  A good book is like a good meal; I'll revisit it over and over again.  On the night Dad died I was reading to him, from a book I checked out at the library on his library card.

A curiosity about life and people.  Being naturally curious about things is so great!  It makes even the most mundane activities an adventure.  Dad never met a stranger and he was the smartest person I ever knew (although Brother is a very close second).  Dad's knowledge came about because he was, above all else, curious.

A heart for the underdog and a sense of right and wrong.  Dad was a true champion for the downtrodden.  He not only talked the talk, but he walked the walk.  During his life in Dodge City, he was involved in many activities that impacted the lives of many people in western Kansas.  The same could be said about his years in the legislature.

A commitment to National Public Radio.  Dad had NPR set on every radio he owned.  No one was allowed to change the station.  Heaven help you if you did.  No really.  Heaven help you.  Even if Dad was asleep and you were driving him to, say, Utah  for a vacation, and all you could hear was static.  Even if you changed the station to another station that was still talk radio and not that crazy rock and roll shit.  Even then, heaven help me, I mean, you.

Confidence, laughter, joy.  The list could go on and on.

My dad gave me life and love.

And a kind of crazy toe.