Just now I was sitting out front, relaxing as the sun set. It's 75 farenheit here on the dead end; no wind, wispy clouds. I am clean now, after two days in the wilds of Kansas fishing and camping. It can be dirty business down in there where we were at...
As I sat outside though a few minutes ago, I quieted my mind and listened to a mockingbird. I couldn't see her-him-it, although I tried. But I could hear. For ten minutes I listened, and never once did the mockingbird repeat it's song. What a repertoire! No pauses in between either. One to the next...
The winter was awful.. but finally, my reward. Miracles never cease, and I couldn't be happier about being here in this crazy crazy 'world.'
Many of the pictures below were taken by my son. It was Jeff, X and I, at Melvern Lake, Kansas. You on the east and west coast's sometimes refer to Kansas and everywhere else in between New York and California as the 'fly over zone.' These pics are for you... well, everyone. All my friends. Kansas can be pretty nice at times.. like this weekend.
Jeff has a bunch of great pics too. I hope he posts some.
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And I still maintain that the second picture is horrid.
Fun weekend was fun.
COOT MURDER, YEEHAW
And, uhh, you got me about my east coast fly-over zone mentality. Kansas, huh? I never woulda thunk it. Glad to know though. Tanks fer dat!
Troll FaceX, it was still alive... just shaken after the collision.
Charlie. Lot's of land between those coasts.
FM: Kansas beavers is smart.
You and your son do the most amazing and trippy things together. You and Jeff X really should collaborate on a book together. You have a perfect handle. Very modern day Steinbeck-esque, ala, "Travels with Charlie."
You boy is so doggone handsome and photogenic, like his daddy.
You caught me in a particularly mushy mood this evening. I just love this post, your photos and your incredible ability to broaden the father/son relationship to it's outer limits. Awfully good stuff.
Big squishy hugs on you and Jeff. And sending your "coot" a prayer.
That was very very, deeply cool - boys in the beyond, where we're meant to be.
Love the kid. Love the light. Thanks Trig - that is a treat. Underrated.
Happy Spring Trig!!!
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I was born in Kansas, lived there off and on for several years - it has it's own beauty. Folks complain about 'flat' and no trees - as you can see above there are trees ;). Flat now, that's a bit harder to argue - but I think my greatest memories in all of that flatness came from the ability to see a storm forming, and coming my way, from miles in the distance.. Whether it was full of the pyrotechnics of electricity, the ropey tail of a tornado or a huge red wall of dust that blotted out the skyline, these are memories that remain uppermost in my mind when I hear Kansas :).
Kim G... as it should be. Thanks man.
Gary: glad you made it over here you being from Kansas and all. Yes, there are hills, and trees. Lakes and wild Indians and Buffalo stampedes still to this day!
Loriane a coot is a kind of duck. They sit in flocks on the lake and eat minnows (I suppose), and we chase them sometimes.
Leeper, the red buds are in peak. Glad you noticed.
femmy, thank you. That coot was on the weak side of the gene pool.
Seer... glad to see another Kansan here. Beautifully you have described the storms. The section we were in is on the edge of the "flint hills" and is quite hilly actually. Stereotypes be damned. It's freaking pretty down there and we love it.
HG... you would!
Scarlett... indeed
Joan H.. nice pics huh. Glad you enjoyed.
Rita, yep. The fruit of my labors.
Lovely shots, Trig. You oughta try the great Western Basin of Lake Erie for sport fishing sometime: walleye, perch, trout, whitefish, you name it, it's pretty much out there.
I loved every one of them. beautiful pictures. ahh spring indeed. **
You might have to take me with you one of these days. Maybe. I'll have to think about it. (still traumatized from boat outings as a little girl with brothers!!!)
Awesome pics, you coot crippler.
There's no place like home
There's no place like home
I envy you your Kansas spring. We're still having winter, with the addition of blowing dirt.
Highly rated too.
B1... it was a young coot, you old gammy bastard!
Ooh Buffy.. We just had a fish dinner that was very nice. Wish you could have joined us here in OZ.
f. monkey: you win a free trig fish and chips dinner for noticing my new name o' the week.
SM, the grinch bones days were freakin' awful. We definitely have the loved 'change of seasons' around here :)
TME believe it or not people come from around the world to see Kansas. I know. Who woulda thunk? Thanks for noticing the pic of the sunset with the son hand taken by the son. He has an artful eye.
Stacey, I thought of you when posting this. Especially the beaver tree, and the driftwood impaled into the sand. Thanks.
Lou H.. well said sir:)
High Lonesome.. gee thanks for the dirt. Your Spring will be there soon.
Same for Bluesurly... no red buds in Nebraska yet? Next week!
scanner, yes that is a channel catfish in the back. Good eye!
voicegal, good time indeed. And a long time coming. Jeez!
Rick.. I agree about the sunsets *
Caroline:: strange and beautiful like you. Especially strange. Just kidding!
Oh boy, a TINK PICK!!!
**wanders off to fondle myself... again!****
Teehehee!!
**wanders off again to go molest himself while watching Lady GaGa**
Rob.. Americana? I suppose that is exactly what this was about, although I only just now realized that. You're a good man. Good to have you back around OS.
So, I think you and Nana should post more pictures.