It is raining tonight. It sounds glorious. It smells glorious. And we need it in Wichita. It hasn't rained for a few days, and it was getting dry. But over the past month or two we have had some significant rains.
We are home because the forest is so dry we were kicked out of the cabin on June 1. Since we left there have been two small storms, but the river is running at record lows. We fear it may dry up. The Forest is closed to anyone who does not own land up there - so we could go to Grass Mountain, but without electricity, water, and a dump, we could only stay a few days.
The itch Don and I have to go back to the cabin is almost unscratchable, yet the forecast for the next ten days is grim. No rain before July 1, despite predictions that the monsoons were going to arrive early and be very strong. So far that prediction has gone nowhere! That means that we will not be returning until July 15 at the earliest.
We know we need rain in Kansas, but we need it in New Mexico, too. We are doing our daily rain dance - hoping, hoping, hoping!
Friday, June 22, 2018
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Sometimes It is Just Too Weird
During the summer of 1972, between my freshman and sophomore year, I went to study in Mexico City with a KSU program. About twelve others went too, and at the end of the program, three of them - Lyle Pishny, Mark Holt, and Francie Johnson - drove home from Mexico City. They stopped for one night in Albuquerque, and they spent one night at the cabin before returning to Manhattan.
I had lost track of nearly everyone (except Ann Zutavern), but when I became a Trustee for KSU, Lyle was also a trustee. I made sure to find him and reminded him of several of the things that happened to us during the trip. We had a good laugh, enjoyed renewing our friendship, and moved on.
Last September, we were talking with our friends Carol and Steve King, whose family has had a cabin close to ours. Carol and I grew up together at the cabin, and about 15 years ago, we solidified our friendship, and we have been close ever since. At the time, Carol mentioned that she knew a very fine lawyer in Kansas City named Lyle Pishny. Huh? When I told her I knew Lyle and that he had actually been at the cabin, we all shook our heads in amazement.
Today, I finally had the opportunity to share the news with Lyle. We were at the KSU Trustees meeting, and I was determined to find him. I looked and I looked for him . . . and then noticed he was sitting right below me. Ha, ha! I showed him a picture of Carol and Steve, and asked him if he recognized them. He looked at me, saying, "Carol and Steve. How do you have a picture of them?" When I explained the association, he was as astounded as the rest of us were.
We took a picture of ourselves, and then sent it to Carol and Steve. This is one association that is so weird . . . and so fun!
I had lost track of nearly everyone (except Ann Zutavern), but when I became a Trustee for KSU, Lyle was also a trustee. I made sure to find him and reminded him of several of the things that happened to us during the trip. We had a good laugh, enjoyed renewing our friendship, and moved on.
Last September, we were talking with our friends Carol and Steve King, whose family has had a cabin close to ours. Carol and I grew up together at the cabin, and about 15 years ago, we solidified our friendship, and we have been close ever since. At the time, Carol mentioned that she knew a very fine lawyer in Kansas City named Lyle Pishny. Huh? When I told her I knew Lyle and that he had actually been at the cabin, we all shook our heads in amazement.
Today, I finally had the opportunity to share the news with Lyle. We were at the KSU Trustees meeting, and I was determined to find him. I looked and I looked for him . . . and then noticed he was sitting right below me. Ha, ha! I showed him a picture of Carol and Steve, and asked him if he recognized them. He looked at me, saying, "Carol and Steve. How do you have a picture of them?" When I explained the association, he was as astounded as the rest of us were.
We took a picture of ourselves, and then sent it to Carol and Steve. This is one association that is so weird . . . and so fun!
Pacific Beach
After Caleb's third birthday, the family (two grandmas, two grandpas, mom, dad, and Caleb) went to San Diego to decompress. We could not have gotten more glorious weather, and the beach was not at all crowded. We could not have asked for a better situation.
We took Caleb to the beach, and he loved picking up the sand and squeezing it through his fingers. He was introduced to seals and sea lions, he saw porpoises, and he got to ride several rides at Belmont Park. Mom and Dad were able to take some time to themselves, and Don and I took the 4:00 a.m. wake-up time. We knew littles ones do not adapt to the time zone very easily, so we were prepared.
I am ready to go back right away!
We took Caleb to the beach, and he loved picking up the sand and squeezing it through his fingers. He was introduced to seals and sea lions, he saw porpoises, and he got to ride several rides at Belmont Park. Mom and Dad were able to take some time to themselves, and Don and I took the 4:00 a.m. wake-up time. We knew littles ones do not adapt to the time zone very easily, so we were prepared.
I am ready to go back right away!
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| This little guy sure loved looking at us! |
Shadow of the Wind
I had requested that our book club read Shadow of the Wind, and it was chosen for our May read. I didn't realize the pressure I would feel, hoping everyone would like it.
I had read it back in about 2004, and I really like it then. But when the moderators began to preview the book, I wondered if I had ever read it at all! They described a book I had totally forgotten. So I decided I had better re-read it, and I am so glad I did.
When I first read it, I think I was just trying to get done with it. This time, I was able to take my time. I had missed so much the first time, I discovered. Not usually one to pay huge attention to the writing, I found I luxuriated in the language. One of the moderators described Zafon as a Spanish Shakespeare, he was so elegant with his words.
I had recalled that the scenes were dark, the story was dark, and indeed it was. But I had forgotten how convoluted and twisting the plot was. I had to pay attention again, and I still got confused. Had not remembered any of it!!
If you need a beautiful read, full of action and a challenging mystery, this is it! Love this book!
I had read it back in about 2004, and I really like it then. But when the moderators began to preview the book, I wondered if I had ever read it at all! They described a book I had totally forgotten. So I decided I had better re-read it, and I am so glad I did.
When I first read it, I think I was just trying to get done with it. This time, I was able to take my time. I had missed so much the first time, I discovered. Not usually one to pay huge attention to the writing, I found I luxuriated in the language. One of the moderators described Zafon as a Spanish Shakespeare, he was so elegant with his words.
I had recalled that the scenes were dark, the story was dark, and indeed it was. But I had forgotten how convoluted and twisting the plot was. I had to pay attention again, and I still got confused. Had not remembered any of it!!
If you need a beautiful read, full of action and a challenging mystery, this is it! Love this book!
Saturday, April 7, 2018
The Perfect Pass
For the football lovers, this book is a must read. S. C. Gwynne, who wrote Empire of the Summer Moon, details the life of Hal Mumme and how he created the Air Raid offense. As a football fan, but not a strategist, this book helped me know what to look for in a play and why the Air Raid offense has been effective. I loved this book, and I will probably read it again!
Sweet Baby Mia
Two months ago seems so long ago, and yet it seems like yesterday. Rest in peace, sweet little one.
Saturday, January 6, 2018
The Death of Expertise
What a timely book this is! The author's contention that people in the US disregard the advice and information of experts is well presented in this important book. He discusses not only how people seem proud of the fact that they are uninformed, but he also shows that not all opinions are created equal, despite the conventional wisdom these days. He takes on higher ed and its failings (even though he is a professor), the internet and its influences, the media and their troubles, and even experts themselves.
His advice to read more quality information, read from several sources, and examine carefully claims made by so-called experts should be fair warning to all. Unfortunately, this will probably not be a book that is read by the masses but instead by those who already do those things. I found many examples of myself in the book (I hate to admit it, but it is true), and I gained a great perspective. I highly recommend this book - it is a fairly quick read and well worth it!
His advice to read more quality information, read from several sources, and examine carefully claims made by so-called experts should be fair warning to all. Unfortunately, this will probably not be a book that is read by the masses but instead by those who already do those things. I found many examples of myself in the book (I hate to admit it, but it is true), and I gained a great perspective. I highly recommend this book - it is a fairly quick read and well worth it!
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