Alice Cooper Concert

Greg went to see Alice Cooper in Oklahoma recently. He and Mark had tickets to see him at the State Fair tonight. Greg tried to convince me to go. I resisted. Then Trish mentioned she wanted to see a concert. I pushed her into seeing Alice. The Mayor would never choose such a thing on her own, of course. So, that's how the four of us found ourselves at the Alice Cooper Concert at the Kansas State Fair tonight.

Trish and I were able to get tickets across the aisle from Greg and Mark. They had the end seats on one row. We had the beginning seats on the row across from them. As soon as Alice's shadow appeared behind this curtain everyone was on their feet so Greg and I were standing in the aisle all night.



Alice was... well... all you expect Alice to be. There were no snakes, I'm happy to say, but there was plenty to keep one's attention.



There was classic Alice... just like you saw on the Midnight Special.





How can you not love the theatre?



This is theatre... just a different kind than Shakespeare.



School's Out was a sing along. "Sing along" is not a phrase I expected to use in relation to Alice Cooper.



Alice's daughter, Calico, performs with him.



The family that... uh... well... uh... performs... uh... yeah, performs... the family that performs together stays together.

I was waiting for "I Wanna Be Elected," since I was with an elected official. An elected official who only went to an Alice Cooper concert to make me happy, of course. I'm sure she would never have gone to such a thing left to her own devices. Of course not. But, being the great friend she is, she went to make me happy. And then, since she was already there, decided she might as well try to enjoy herself. That's just the kind of person she is - always making the best of a situation.

Alice didn't do the song during the regular set, but ended his three-song encore with it. He dressed the part.



He has his own take on campaign slogans... not something Trish can use I don't think.



I couldn't resist a quick snapshot of Trish during the song.



See what a trooper she is?

In all seriousness, we all had a good time. I've never seen Alice in concert and let me tell you there is no down time at all. For a 60 year old man he's quite nimble. He may be downing handfuls of ibuprofen after the show, but during the show he's giving it his all.

Naturally Greg took these photos, except the one of Trish during the last song. After the concert, we were honored to have our photo taken with Ace Jackalope.



One of the things I love about my life is that it's full of fun surprises. It has been a whole lot of years since I went to a concert like this... a whole lot of years... I guess things come full circle.

However, the humor of watching "I Wanna Be Elected" performed live, while in the company of an elected official, is particularly fun. (Even if she did only go because I begged... BEGGED I tell you.)

It was a good night.



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Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more. Friend me on Facebook.com, Follow me at Twitter.com.

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Governor Sebelius Speaks at Kansas State Fair

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius spoke during a chamber breakfast Wednesday morning at the Kansas State Fair. Each year Wednesday is Governor's Day and she kicks it off at the chamber breakfast.

This is her 14th consecutive fair. She attended eight as Insurance Commissioner and this is her 6th as Governor. She said some of the highlights for her were the year she was part of "A Prairie Home Companion" with Garrison Keillor, and launching the Kansas State Quarter.

She spoke about the aviation industry and her visit to a big air show in England. She said 50% of the general aviation plants flown in the world right now have a Kansas connection. Wichita is the center of that industry in the state.

Energy was a topic for her too. She said, "We need a comprehensive energy plan nationally," and encouraged people to call their representatives and encourage them to help renew the production tax credit for wind energy.

Wind energy is growing here by leaps and bounds, which is logical since Kansas is the third windiest state in the nation. There was a goal to have 10% wind energy by 2010. We're already at that. Two years ago we were at 3%. Sebelius said there has not been a transmission project in Kansas in 30 years, which was part of the problem of getting the power to where it could be used. Currently there are five, private, competing projects. Kansas is part of the corridor known as the "Saudi Arabia of wind."



Sebelius said that "food based ethanol is a bridge. We do not want food/energy competition." She said it's best to move to cellulosic ethanol such as from switchgrass. "We've grown the food. There's no reason we can't grow the fuel," she said. She said this has "huge potential for the future."

She touched on education, and how important that is to the state. "Education remains our single most important economic development tool we have," Sebelius said. She spoke about how most of us have multiple careers and that sometimes requires retraining.

Health care remains one of her concerns. She wants insurance for everyone because 46 cents of every dollar we pay for health insurance goes to non-insured. Eleven cents goes to direct costs - like going to the ER instead of to a primary care physician. People tend to only go to the ER when they're much sicker. The other 33 cents goes to overhead costs - we're not buying anything related to health with that money. That 33 cents of every dollar you and I spend on health insurance is going to extra billing, redundant forms, etc. - basically, paperwork. We spend more for health care and get less for it than almost any developed nation.

She said 80% of the Kansas state budget is invested in health care or education.

After the speech she was going to tour around the fairgrounds. I went to work a shift at the democrat's booth. I left a little after 11 but she hadn't been in that building yet.
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Autumn Arriving Soon

For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together.
For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.
                                                             - Edwin Teale

Autumn seems to have arrived here, even if the calendar says otherwise. We generally have our first cold snap during the fair, but this year it has been rather cool all week, with Monday being downright chilly.

I really appreciate the changing seasons. I like that marking of time as the seasons come and go.

Today when I pulled into the driveway I was looking at these flowers on the side of my sun porch. I can't take any credit for them, the birds planted those lovely white flowers. I did put in some morning glories, and a few pop up every year, which I love.

I realized today that it won't be long before these plants are gone. One night it will get too cold for them to survive and they'll be done with. It seems they've only been blooming a few days - at least in profusion. I could do with a bit of an extended blooming season. But, alas, Mother Nature did not seek my counsel. So, best to enjoy them while I can.

Earn Free Books for Your State

"What Book Got You Hooked?" is a campaign offered by the First Book National Book Bank. It asks individuals to vote for the book that got them "hooked" on reading as a child.

50,000 FREE, NEW CHILDREN'S BOOKS will be sent to the state casting the most votes during the campaign, which ends September  15.

Log on at: http://www2.firstbook.org/whatbook/

Indicate  your favorite book and cast a vote. You may vote as often as you wish. You don't have to give your name or email address, but can if you wish.

After you vote, you'll see a list of state rankings. At the moment, my home state of Kentucky is number one, and my adopted state of Kansas is number five.
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Fair with Kris, John and Tom

Tonight I went to the fair with Kris, John and Tom. We had a blast. Well, I did. Perhaps I shouldn't speak for them. I had them pose for a photo... that's John on the left, his wife, Kris, and Tom.



It was a little chilly tonight, and this is John saying without words, "hey guys... I don't have a jacket... it's cold... lets go..."



We walked around the fair, ate fair food, saw Andrea's prize winning knitted piece, saw the hypnotist show, walked down the midway and did some people watching. It was a good night.

Tom asked at one point if I liked to ride rides. I pointed to first one thing and then another and said, "no, not that - it spins..." "no, not that - it could be scary..." "no that spinning would make me sick..." "no, that might scare me..." What I figured out is that I don't want to be spinning or sick or scared, and the percentage of things on the midway that fall into one or more of those categories must hover near 99% - at least of the things they'll let adults ride. I could do a kiddie carousel. Really, I could do that. I'm such a wimp.

Actually, I do like the water thing where you go down the big slide in a little log thing, whatever that's called. But, it was way too cold for that. And, frankly, truth be told, when confronted with the idea I can't help mentally calculating how nasty that water must be by day 3 or 4 or 7. But, it doesn't spin me, make me sick, or scare me.

Of course, Kris and I took another "cute girl pic." Fortunately, we met up with Greg briefly and he graciously agreed to snap the photo for us. We did it near the Lindsborg booth, including their holiday Dala Horse.



After the fair we stopped by Andrea's apartment where she had hot tea and fresh ginger cookies for us. Plus, there are kitties there to play with - one of whom found my shoes that had tromped all over the fairgrounds to hold fascinating smells.

It was a wonderful way to end a fun night
.
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Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more. Friend me on Facebook.com, Follow me at Twitter.com.

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A Look at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson

What's a State Fair without a giant pumpkin? This one is 652.7 pounds, and grown by Douglas Heathman, who also won in 2005 and 2006. There were only three entries this year. I'm not sure if that means it was a bad year for giant pumpkins or if people have given up because the same people win year after year.



Other, normal sized pumpkins and gourds were decorated in various ways. I wonder if Michael Phelps has ever seen himself rendered in gourd?



There were fictional characters like the tin man.



And penguins and pink flamingos and other things.

These are all in the Pride of Kansas building, which houses many agricultural goodies



There's something I just love about seeing blue and purple ribbons on grain and corn and soybeans. I'm not the only one who enjoys it either.



I'm guessing this gentleman may have interest beyond the ribbons that hold my fascination.

Pride of Kansas also has multiple tourism booths, and one of those is for the Kansas Underground Salt Museum (KUSM) in Hutchinson.



Linda, the director, was there talking to lots of people about this great attraction.



The KUSM is one of the coolest things you'll ever find. You can go 650 feet underground to a salt mine and get to see everything about such an operation and even a peek at the famous Underground Vaults and Storage that is where many movies and TV shows are stored for safe keeping.

They even let you take home a little chunk of salt as a souvenir at the end of your tour.



KUSM was recently named one of the 8 wonders of Kansas. A well-deserved honor.



I haven't covered nearly all of the fair yet, but I wanted to go to the Domestic Arts Building tonight. I heard through the grapevine that my friend, Andrea, won in a knitting category. I wanted to see for myself. Sure enough, there it was.



Andrea is a knitter extraordinaire and says this beaded lace cowl is the "Ice Queen" pattern from knitty.com. I'm a person who can only knit scarves, and doesn't do those particularly well, so this is all pretty much above me but I can certainly appreciate this kind of work, even if I can't do it myself.



I  love looking at the jars of jams and jellies and veggies. It's very homey and one of the things I love about the Kansas State Fair. I'm very spoiled because it happens a few blocks away so I can go and enjoy it for a few hours here and there and not have to do one of those 9-9 full days of wandering the fair grounds.

A regular stop for me is going to see Ron Diamond, the hypnotist, do his show, too. He does three a day generally and I've never been to one that wasn't great. Today he suggested to the guys on stage that were hypnotized that they were in a body building competition.



The fair has something for everyone.

There are jams and giant pumpkins. Honestly, does anyone really need anything else to have a good time?
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Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more. Friend me on Facebook.com, Follow me at Twitter.com.

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I Kissed a Girl Parody

Katy Perry's hit song, "I Kissed a Girl" has been parodied with, "I picked a girl" referring to McCain and Palin. This isn't my favorite parody ever, but it's funny in places. I particularly like the chorus - when you can work in a line about "mesmorize you with my up-do" you have to give credit.

Anyway... for your amusement...

Obama Family

Isn't this a nice looking family? I worked the Democrat booth at the Kansas State Fair this afternoon and they stopped by to get something Obama-related. Due to our Obama stuff going to places unknown, the only thing we had was this poster. They quickly took one and secured it on the stroller, proclaiming their allegiance as they wandered the aisles. I asked if I could take their photo. I'll just say the baby was very content demonstrating support of Obama.

It was interesting to work and talk to people. People were very adamant about telling you if they didn't agree with you. Although one guy was really funny and walked up and said, "Is this where I get my Sarah Palin buttons?" I just said, "Oh, yeah, do you want me to draw you one?" We both enjoyed a good laugh. Another guy asked me as I was leaving if Obama was "left or right?" I told him "both, as in he's left and that's correct." He chuckled and said, "I just knew you'd have an answer." Again, we both had a good laugh. I love being able to enjoy some laughs with people, even if we don't agree on politics. I had a couple of people I know stop in and say, "Patsy, wrong party," to which I replied while pointing to my Obama button, "No, no, this is the guy, this is the man we want." It was all good natured.

Of course, you always have some people who just shake their heads like they can't believe you're so stupid that you would support someone other than McCain-Palin. I work the demo booth every year, but this year it's interesting - people are much more rabid - either way. It's a phenomenon I don't quite understand. Generally, people just wander on by, without looking and maybe you'll get a sneer every 2-3 days. This year people are coming up and engaging us - which is fine - to basically tell us we're wrong. I'm not sure what to make of that. We're just polite and listen and offer information if people ask for it. I wonder if the Republican booth is experiencing the same thing. If so, I'm guessing it's just that emotions are running very high.

I also had the chance to visit with some people I hadn't seen in awhile. Kip and his wife stopped by, as well as the Baker family. Ken and I had a lively discussion, needless to say. Ken and I used to work in the same place and I miss talking with him. His brain works differently than anyone else I've ever met and it's great to talk to him.

All in all it was a good day. In fact, it started quite wonderfully. I was still upstairs at 7 this morning when Trish called to tell me the "light outside is really unusual." She goes running every morning and knows I often don't even peek outside until after a few hours on the computer and phone in a room with the curtains drawn. I thanked her for calling, practically hung up on her in my haste, and literally ran down the stairs. She was right. It was really interesting. I didn't capture it, but the clouds were cool and the light was a very golden haze, for lack of a better term.







I was soooooo glad Trish called. I love having friends who will call me about rainbows and unusual rain storms and interesting light. I am blessed.



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Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more. Friend me on Facebook.com, Follow me at Twitter.com.

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The Prairie Close Up

Yesterday I got to Newton about 5:30. My thought was to hit the thrift store and some antique stores but nothing was open. So, I went to neighboring North Newton and walked at the Kauffman Museum. It, too, was closed, but they have some natural prairie in front of the museum, with trails mowed in them.

I was completely taken with this seed pod. I don't know what it is, but I just really love the look of it. When I was taking the photos in the rain, with an overcast sky as it was approaching 6 p.m., with a slight wind blowing, I didn't even notice the actual seeds. I just knew the shape of it was really cool.



This one is just starting to split open, as you can see.

It took me a long time to appreciate the beauty of the prairie. It can be very colorful like the thistle I showed a few days ago, or the wonderful sunflowers we expect to find everywhere in Kansas.

\

I am headed upstairs soon. I think I need a little extra rest. Hopefully I'll wake up in the morning my usual cheery self.

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Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more. Friend me on Facebook.com, Follow me at Twitter.com.

I am looking for book clubs willing to read and critique my novel when it's completed. If your book club is interested, please email me at patsyterrell@gmail.com. Thanks!

Dinner with Friends at Reba's in Newton Kansas

Wednesday night I drove to Newton, about 30 minutes away, to meet Marci, WenDee and Sue for dinner. It was an invigorating evening during which we discussed the need to build social capital between diverse groups of people.



I met Sue at Kansas Dialogue this year, and knew she was someone I wanted to get to know better. So, I emailed asking if she wanted to have dinner one night. She suggested Marci and WenDee might want to join us and - it's a miracle - but the first date we tried was tonight and everyone was available. Getting four busy people together usually takes far more attempts.



I have known Marci (on the left) for a few years, but have never had the opportunity to connect with her as much as I'd like. She is the director of the Kansas Sampler Foundation, which operates a number of programs devoted to preserving rural culture. She has created her own job, and is making a living being her - something to which I aspire. It's really astonishing what she has been able to accomplish - all as a one person staff until WenDee (on the right) came on board two years ago.

You may recognize Marci from the blog entry when her book, The Kansas Guidebook, was published. I'm sorry to say, if you didn't buy a copy before, it's now officially out of print. And while I might share mine with you, I won't give it up. If you hunt around, you might find one still on the shelves somewhere, but I can't tell you where.*

I met WenDee at Kansas Dialogue a couple of years ago in Colby. She was already a blog reader, which was a fun discovery. WenDee is one of those people who is always fun and upbeat. How can you not love that in a person? She used to live in Garden City, which is a very diverse community in Kansas. Here in the central part of the state, near Hutchinson, it's much less diverse.

Diversity was an ongoing topic. We were referencing some books, including "Bowling Alone" by Dr. Robert Putnam. That remains the best book on the subject as far as I know. I'm so glad I got to see him speak a couple of years ago. It's time for me to reread that book, I think.

I realized during our conversation that all of the time I've spent in Kansas I've been trying to build social capital. It has been a struggle for me. Marci and WenDee were shocked when I said I feel isolated a lot.

Over the years, I've tried various things to make those connections and build that social web. I've learned a couple of things. One is that to have an "agenda" is the antithesis of building social capital. That's just a meeting, then, where you're likely to go away with a to-do list. Two is that - so far - I've not found a way to build social capital in any sort of "institutional" way. The only way I've been able to do it is through personal interaction - often very personal.

It's an interesting topic. I'm sure I'll be thinking more about it in the coming days and weeks.

*EDIT: Jami tells me the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum gift shop has seven copies of the Kansas Guidebook on their shelves. (Isn't technology grand!?!?!)

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Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more. Friend me on Facebook.com, Follow me at Twitter.com.

I am looking for book clubs willing to read and critique my novel when it's completed. If your book club is interested, please email me at patsyterrell@gmail.com. Thanks!

Conservatives Murphy and Noonan discuss Palin Off the Record

John McCain's former campaign chief Mike Murphy and former Reagan speech-writer Peggy Noonan were caught on tape after an NBC interview Wednesday. They shared their real thoughts on McCain's judgment in selecting Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Are these people really this stupid? Or is this a set up? If it's a set up, what is the purpose? I find it hard to believe people involved in national politics don't understand the chant every broadcasting student learns on Day 1 - "If you're around a mic, assume it's live." Do they really make these kinds of foolish mistakes? I'm doubtful. But, it's hard to figure out what the purpose of this would be.

Anyway, you can judge for yourself.

TRANSCRIPT:

Mike Murphy, former McCain advisor: You know, because I come out of the blue swing state governor work. Engler, Whitman, Thompson, Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush. And these guys, this is all like how you want to (inaudible) this race. You know, just run it up. And it's not gonna work.

Peggy Noonan, former Reagan speechwriter: It's over.

Murphy: Still, McCain can give a version of the Lieberman speech to do himself some good.

NBC's Chuck Todd: Don't you think the Palin pick was insulting to Kay Bailey Hutchinson, too (inaudible)

Noonan: I saw Kay this morning.

Murphy: They're all bummed out.

Todd: I mean, is she really the most qualified woman they could have turned to?

Noonan: The most qualified? No. I think they went for this, excuse me, political [B.S.] about narratives and (inaudible) the picture.

Murphy: I totally agree.

Noonan: Every time the Republicans do that because that's not where they live and it's not what they're good at and they blow it.

Murphy: You know what's really the worst thing about it? The greatness of McCain is no cynicism and this is cynical.

Todd: And as you called it, gimmicky.
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Life Bits

For the past week or so I've been trying to take care of my health checkups. This has been such a busy year for the MHA that I've gotten behind on life stuff. Fortunately, I have a few weeks now where things are a bit calmer so I'm taking advantage of those to catch up on life.

I went today for a mammogram, last week for blood work and next week for a physical. I know my blood work was all great, so that's good news. My cholesterol numbers are good. My sugar numbers are good. My thyroid is normal. I don't know what else they know about me after sucking my blood, other than that. I was supposed to go the doctor today but they called to reschedule it for next week. I expect everything to be normal, but I always like hearing that all is normal anyway.

I also want to take some time to work on things in my house. I haven't done anything for a couple of years, other than the essentials, because my focus has been elsewhere. There are some little projects I'd like to get completed. I have a couple of windows to replace before winter, too. The one in my home office is broken. I'm not sure what happened to it, but I discovered it when it was freezing cold and I couldn't get my office warm. No wonder - big hole in the glass! I patched it up because it was way too cold at the time to have a big hole in my house while it was replaced, not to mention the materials wouldn't have worked in the cold. Then it went to being so hot I didn't want to do it. So, the season is here. I need to get it dealt with. The question is do I want to try and do it myself, given my two hour window workshop during the preservation conference, or should I just hire someone to do it. Of course, hiring anyone to do anything is quite the trick. Well, it's no trick to hire them. It is, however, a struggle to get them to actually show up and do the work.

I keep trying to simplify my life and yet when I look at my calendar through the end of the year it's hard to find a couple of days next to a weekend when I can go to Kentucky. I haven't been since Jim's funeral in January. That's the longest I've ever gone without visiting and I'm really missing everyone. I just really felt like I owed my employer some extra hours this year. I was so thankful I could be with my family last year when I wanted to be. But, I've gone a bit overboard the other way this year and am really feeling exhausted mentally at the moment. But, a little time and getting my life in order will make me feel better I'm sure. I just need my life to be more organized than it is now. It's never completely tidy. I just need it better. Much better.

Well, it's time for some sleep. If I could figure out how to not need any sleep at all that would give me more time to get these things done.

What's Appropriate in a Campaign

The news today is about Sarah Palin's seventeen-year-old daughter who is five months pregnant and planning to marry her boyfriend. I'm puzzled why they're not already married if they want to do that - if she's five months along they've had time. Is she more in love with the baby's daddy because her mama is now a VP pick? Are her parents more in love with him for the same reason? Of course, I have no idea.

Now, I'm the first to say that candidate's children should be off limits. BUT, when you trot your kids out on the campaign trail, you're inviting trouble. You don't get it both ways - you can maintain their privacy or you can have them standing behind you while you speak. Whichever way you go, the die has been cast. You don't get it both ways. There's a reason we rarely saw Amy Carter - her parents chose to keep her out of the public eye. Obviously, Palin is not the only one who has introduced her children to the world. But, as far as I know, she's the only one who did it knowing there was a huge issue that was going to be difficult for her child.

If you know your seventeen-year-old daughter is pregnant out of wedlock and you've been a big proponent of family values and abstinence education, which fails - as you can plainly see across the dinner table - why, why, why, why, why would you introduce the whole family on national television? With her holding your baby on top of everything else? It's unfortunate for her daughter that she is the pawn in this whole thing for her mother's political gain. Wouldn't it have been better for her daughter and the rest of the family if Palin had declined the invitation to become VP. Why would a mother thrust her family into the public eye at a time like this, for a party that eschews this very sort of thing?

When you make "family values" and "abstinence" and other such things part of your platform as a politician, and then it's obvious your own house isn't in order, it makes me very suspicious about what else is amiss in your life - public or private. I know parents can't control everything their children do, but when part of your approach to politics is telling others that they're not doing it the right way - they should do it your way, without any sex education - then we're entitled to look at how well that's working for you. If it's not even working in your house - at the source, as it were - how can you possibly think it will work for anyone else?

I have nothing but compassion for her daughter. It's a difficult situation. I've known more than a couple of people who found themselves exactly where she is. They, fortunately, did not have parents holding them up to an unrealistic ideal while building a whole career on that fantasy. The daughter is caught in a web of her mother's making and she has no way out except a none-too-quick marriage.

So many questions have been raised about McCain's judgment in picking Palin, and Palin's judgment with regard to the office. Frankly, my biggest question about her judgment is what kind of mother does this to her child? What kind of mother puts her seventeen-year-old unmarried pregnant daughter in a national spotlight for a political party that supposedly despises pre-marital sex? Is that the most loving way Sarah Palin could think of to handle her daughter's pregnancy? Is she punishing her for her sins? I hope someone digs beyond the surface to figure out the personality of a mother who thinks this is the best thing she can do for her family. That's something I want to know about a potential president.
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Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more. Friend me on Facebook.com, Follow me at Twitter.com.

I am looking for book clubs willing to read and critique my novel when it's completed. If your book club is interested, please email me at patsyterrell@gmail.com. Thanks!

What Conservatives Say about Sarah Palin

A friend sent this link today. It's interesting to hear what conservatives say about Sarah Palin as VP.
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Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more. Friend me on Facebook.com, Follow me at Twitter.com.

I am looking for book clubs willing to read and critique my novel when it's completed. If your book club is interested, please email me at patsyterrell@gmail.com. Thanks!

Scones and Tea

I've been in a real scone mood lately. I just love having scones and fresh lemon curd. Yum!

I've been experimenting with scone recipes. I want something that's a little sweet, but still with that biscuit-like texture. Below is the recipe I've made up that I'm using now. I think I might lower the amount of butter in it just a tad next time and see how that goes. These are a little more cake-like in texture, but I LOVE the flavor.

I prefer my scones plain. I don't want chocolate chips or some other abomination in them. I just want the scone - flakey and buttery. I contend if the scone itself is perfect it doesn't need anything added in. However, watch me quickly and happily consume a scone of any sort that someone sits in front of me.

I think I like them plain because I love them with fresh lemon curd, and I just want those two flavors. But, if there's only butter for them, it's nice to have some additional flavors in them. I'm still experimenting to find the perfect lemon curd recipe. I'll share here when that happens.

In the meantime, here's my recipe for scones.

Patsy's Scones
1 3/4 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
2/3 cup milk

To brush on top:
one egg
1 Tablespoon milk
sugar to sprinkle on top

Mix dry ingredients and cut in butter with pastry blender. Add milk and mix just until blended. If you over-mix your scones will be tough.

Brush the top with the egg and milk mixture and sprinkle a little sugar on top.

Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
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Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more. Friend me on Facebook.com, Follow me at Twitter.com.

I am looking for book clubs willing to read and critique my novel when it's completed. If your book club is interested, please email me at patsyterrell@gmail.com. Thanks!

A Long Walk at Dillon Nature Center - Thistles, Rainbows and More

This afternoon I took a walk at Dillon Nature Center. Greg was out shooting cicadas and called telling me it was really moody because rain was impending. I rushed right out because I didn't want to miss anything.

I spent at least 20 minutes photographing this thistle. I was enchanted with the various stages represented on the one plant.







We were on a trail and we never saw another person out in that area. We saw an amazing rainbow. There had been one when I was headed out there but it just lasted a couple of minutes. This one lasted more than 30 minutes.



At times there were two rainbows visible.



In the last few years I have been treated to lots of rainbows - most recently in Sedan, Kansas. I've seen them at Jackie and Mary Ann's in Kentucky, at Susan's farm, and here. It hasn't been very long ago that Greg and I saw one when we were leaving Skaets. Am I just leading a charmed life or are there more now than there used to be?

I was so glad Greg called me. He said this is one of the things he loves about me - that I'll just drop what I'm doing when something like this comes up. One of the things I love about him is that he'll call me when something like this is happening so I don't miss it.



One of the things I love about a walk like this is that you get little glimpses of life you would miss any other way. I thought I'd share some of the little moments of today with you.







It seems fall is starting to arrive, too.







When we walked back up toward the pond it was closing time for Dillon Nature Center. I was struck by the reflection of the trees and clouds in the pond.



I even took a little video of the reflection with the ducks passing by.

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This is a 360 degree view of a statue up by the visitor's center and pond.



All in all it was a wonderful way to spend a few hours - in nature - with some moody rain. The bugs were serenading us as we left. Just lovely.
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Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more. Friend me on Facebook.com, Follow me at Twitter.com.

I am looking for book clubs willing to read and critique my novel when it's completed. If your book club is interested, please email me at patsyterrell@gmail.com. Thanks!

Being DONE (reblog)

Occasionally I have reason to go back on the blog to hunt for something. I always seem to end up reading a few entries about whatever was going on in my life at the time. Today I read this entry from July 19, 2006. I remember that day and that feeling of being done.

I think this is one of the reasons I have always kept journals - pen and paper, and now online as well. I would not remember that day otherwise. I would remember the shift, but not the moment, the experience. I like to remember moments. Very much.

So... I reblog for your enjoyment, too...

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Sometimes You're Just DONE

I had a really interesting series of dreams last night that involved people from almost every era of my life - long gone relatives, old lovers and childhood friends were blended into a melange of images that left me feeling "done" this morning. "Finished" is good.

I had to get up about a half dozen times last night to go to the bathroom, and I rarely get up more than once, if at all. It was as if my body was cleansing itself as my mind was doing the same. Each time I woke up I would think about what I had dreamed. When I went back to bed I would continue the dream, as if it were another scene in the same play. When it came to a natural conclusion I'd wake up and have to go to the bathroom again. I began to wonder just how much liquid I had consumed yesterday, but it was no more than normal.

The first time I woke up it was only about an hour after I went to sleep. The next time it was about 45 minutes later. Each time it was as if another chapter had come to a close.

Oddly enough, I also took a very long bath last night - as in hours long. That's always a sign of a clearing. When I went upstairs I had an urge to change my sheets, which I did. It was as if many things were pointing toward a clearing out. Not to mention all the cleaning out I've been doing in my house.

Two other interesting things - last night I unplugged the lamp by the bed, thinking I wouldn't be getting up until it was light anyway. So everytime I got up I turned the TV on for light, and yet that never changed my dream pattern.

The other interesting thing is that yesterday and the day before, I stepped on old, rusty nails in my yard that went through my shoe and were sticking the bottom of my foot. I haven't stepped on an old nail since I was a kid, and then it happens two days in a row, in areas I've walked in hundreds of times and never had a problem. Odd. One was in the back of the property and one near the front. I had on different shoes both times, but each time the nail went through the sole of the shoe. Two days ago, it was a small nail and a thick sole in my right foot. Yesterday it was a long nail and a thin solein my left foot. As I was driving to dinner last night I was considering what that meant - it seemed that the message was getting more intense.

The things that occurred to me were, "poking," "not seeing what was coming," "painful," "warning," "when you least expect it," and a host of other things. When something hasn't happened for decades and happens two days in a row it seems worthy of note. Maybe it was just that old business was pricking at me. Neither of them pierced the skin, but they were painful. Old business that's painful - no big shocker there.

When I woke up this morning about 5 and stayed up I took time to write about my dreams. Even before I started writing, I knew the meaning was that I was just "done" - with some people and some things and some situations. Done is good. It frees you to move on to other people and things and situations.

Some of these situations are in the past and some are current. I periodically go through a time when I just clear people out of my life - relationships that just aren't productive, where we really just aren't connecting, where I'm making all the effort in the relationship. I'm overdue for one of those clearings, but as of this morning the time has arrived. It's no big surprise, really, as over the last few months I've been taking my life in a new direction. That always means some people won't fit into your life anymore. Of course, there are also always those people who go through every season of life with you - those are the true, real, deep friends - they are few and they are priceless.

I really finished some old things last night - some of the past that I haven't been able to leave completely behind dissipated. It's a fresh slate.

I woke up determined to leave some current situations and relationships behind as well. There are always things I'm working on in some way or other. I'm officially letting go of a couple of those this morning. If they're meant to be, someone other than me can make them happen.

I'm also moving some people out of my "active" list. If our relationship is not deep now, and isn't growing, there's no point in putting any more energy into it. I'm always open to new friends, but there must be a natural progression toward more closeness or it's just a waste of time. I don't have any interest in casual friendships - you're either *in* it or you're not - if you're not, why bother. Casual is just a drain on one's energy - energy that could be devoted to something meaningful.

Well, obviously, I have much to think about. This isn't a new idea for me - I "clear out" about once a year, but it has never been suggested to me in the way this was. Sometimes, you're just DONE. And this morning I am DONE, with a lot of things.
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Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more. Friend me on Facebook.com, Follow me at Twitter.com.

I am looking for book clubs willing to read and critique my novel when it's completed. If your book club is interested, please email me at patsyterrell@gmail.com. Thanks!

Karma for Focus on the Family - video asking for rain

The conservative radio show, "Focus on the Family," released a video asking people to pray for rain during Obama's speech at Mile High Stadium to accept the Democratic nomination for president. "Rain of biblical proportions" was mentioned.

They have removed the video, but, fortunately, someone else had already put it up on youtube, so we can still see it. Have I ever mentioned how much I love technology?



According to the Rocky Mountain News, "Stuart Shepard, director of digital media at Focus Action, the political arm of Focus on the Family, said the video he wrote and starred in was meant to be 'mildly humorous.'"

You know, I don't see the humor in that. But, I do see the irony that it looks like Gustav - complete with rain - may hit during the RNC next week, leaving networks to choose what to cover. I hope Gustav does not hit. The potential damage to people's homes and lives would be a huge cost. Besides, I want the Republicans to get to enjoy their event like I've enjoyed the Democratic Convention.

But, wow, I can't stop thinking two words. Irony. Karma.

The video has inspired others, including this one by a guy who says he's a Christian but not a right wing Republican. My guess is that right wing republicans do not think this possible, but he says it's true.


________________
Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more. Friend me on Facebook.com, Follow me at Twitter.com.

I am looking for book clubs willing to read and critique my novel when it's completed. If your book club is interested, please email me at patsyterrell@gmail.com. Thanks!