Route 66 Trip

Last summer, Greg and Mark and I went on a two week cross country trip, doing some of Route 66, and taking in the sights along the way. While I had the best of intentions of blogging the whole trip, that didn't happen. Between the three of us, we took about 6gb of photos. So, it's not that I didn't have plenty to work with. But, the best laid plans, yadda yadda yadda.

So, I'm going to just share some of the photos here. They're in any particular order. I am obviously not going to get that done. So, there will just be photos coming.

Maybe after doing some of these I'll get around to doing the ones from Puerto Rico, a trip I took before the Rt. 66 trip.

If I don't get to it soon, it will be summer again... Ah, life... going at a faster pace than I am...

Sleepy Sunday

I went back to bed this morning at about 6:30 and slept until about 11:30. Then Greg, Mia and I went to lunch at Anchor. I came home and went back to bed and slept until about 5. I went to dinner with them and could have easily went right back to bed afterwards. But, I've been working on things I wanted to get done this weekend for the MHA. I'm going out to drop things at the post office in a few minutes and then I'm going back to bed.

The energy healer's work has obviously left me needing a lot of rest. She always warns of that, but I've never had this much of a reaction to her working on me before. But I feel so much better emotionally than I have in ages. Last year was a really hard year for me on many levels and they all took a toll on me.

I have a grant that's due on Wednesday and I'm going to take very good care of myself the next couple of days to make sure that gets to its destination on time as it's a very important one. I've got a lot of the work done it already - just have to put it in the proper format.

The moon was gorgeous tonight. I drove out to the edge of town to try and get a photo, but I didn't get anything decent. However, in hunting for a photo foreground, I did drive down to the courthouse. There were too many street lights to get a moon photo, though.

Body Healing

I can tell my body is healing. This is good. The emotional things have physical components and I can really feel them this time. I went to bed before 10:30 last night - practically unheard of for me - and didn't wake up until a bit before 4 this morning. I generally wake up about 4 hours after going to sleep, again at 6 hours if I don't get up. So, to sleep for more than that is pretty unusual.

I got up and ate some yogurt and pecans and drank some orange juice. I think I'm going back to bed and try to sleep some more.

But, it's interesting that I can feel so much of a physical component this time when I never have before.

Saturday

I got up this morning and started working on the house a bit. It's getting a little messy and I know it's on the border. If I don't get a handle on it, it's going to turn into a big mess. I got a little bit done today.

Then Greg and Mia and I went to Roys. They're closing for a couple of weeks for vacation so we had to get a fix. Then we went to Wichita to hit Ebersoles for rocks and jewelry bits, and then to pick up my fabric at JoAnns.

They're having a romantic dinner now, celebrating Valentine's Day. I've been working on some MHA things, but I think I'm going to go on upstairs and work on some house things and then hit the sack early. It has been a hard week and I'm exhausted.

On the upside, I'm feeling the best emotionally I've felt in more than a year, so that's a bonus. Obviously, the money spent on the energy healer was well spent.

Saturday

I got up this morning and started working on the house a bit. It's getting a little messy and I know it's on the border. If I don't get a handle on it, it's going to turn into a big mess. I got a little bit done today.

Then Greg and Mia and I went to Roys. They're closing for a couple of weeks for vacation so we had to get a fix. Then we went to Wichita to hit Ebersoles for rocks and jewelry bits, and then to pick up my fabric at JoAnns.

They're having a romantic dinner now, celebrating Valentine's Day. I've been working on some MHA things, but I think I'm going to go on upstairs and work on some house things and then hit the sack early. It has been a hard week and I'm exhausted.

On the upside, I'm feeling the best emotionally I've felt in more than a year, so that's a bonus. Obviously, the money spent on the energy healer was well spent.

Energy Healer

I went to see my energy healer today. She was in town at Diana's store for appointments and I had one this afternoon. This is the third time I've been to her and it was one of the more "intense" experiences I've had with her. It was good. Very good. Healthy.


I had a speech at 6:30 this morning, and went to the office after that. It was so pretty watching the sun start to hit the building across the street. I love my office and now that I have high speed internet and a different computer there can actually be there much more, which is nice. I'm still in and out all the time because I can't really do my job sitting behind a desk, but it's cool to get to spend more time there.


Today was Lily's first birthday. I didn't get to see her today, but saw her briefly this week. I'm not sure what day - I've been working so much the days are kind of a blur - it may have been Wednesday, but I'm not sure. Anyway, she's looking so darned adorable these days, as you can clearly see.


Mia is in town. She and Greg are celebrating Valentine's Day this weekend since it's on a Tuesday and they can't be together. I went out to have a snack with them tonight and say hello.

I think we're going to hit Roy's tomorrow. They're going to be closed for a couple of weeks so they can go on vacation, so we need to get a Roy's fix before then.

Art of Gracious Living PCN #9

Click here for the Art of Gracious Living PCN #9
Journaling is one way you can increase your happiness level. It is growing in popularity.

It's something almost everyone has the tools to do - all you need are paper and pencil. You do not have to write every day and there is no right or wrong way to journal.

You can find many sites online that offer prompts or you can come up with your own topics. Recording your thoughts and emotions is beneficial.

Click here for the Art of Gracious Living PCN #9

Friends

The last couple of days I've had some good times with friends. When I'm working on something intensely as I have been the last few weeks, I always make it a point to have some fun everyday. Otherwise, I get really bitchy. None of us wants that. Especially not me. I can't get away from me.

Yesterday, Virginia and I went to lunch. It's a rare treat to get to have lunch with her and always pleasant. We went to Jeanettes, and I had not eaten there at lunch, so it was good to try out something new. Virginia came up to the office because she hadn't been there before and wanted to see it.

After work I called Teresa and asked if she wanted to get a bite to eat. I hadn't had a chance to see her lately and was missing her. We had a fun conversation.

Today I went to Horizons to judge a chili contest along with two other board members. It was a neat event. Jane pulls off some cool events out there. She's a jewel.

I only ate a little bit of each because Jocelyn and I were going to lunch afterwards. It's rare to catch her, so that was a treat.

Our energy healer is in town, and I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon. Then tomorrow evening she's giving a speech, which I'm going to attend. I've worked so many long days lately that I'm taking tomorrow afternoon off. I just have to have a little break. Plus, my day is starting at 6 in the morning with a speech, so it's not like it will be a leisurely start to the day! But, that's OK. I'll have time to get a lot done before lunch with Trish and Teresa.

Music for Art of Gracious Living

I'm so excited to learn this morning that I have permission to use Tino Izzo's music for the Art of Gracious Living Podcasts. Chacra Music has given me permission to use a bit of the music as a signature for the podcasts. The cut I will be using initially is "Elusive Memories" from the "Foreign Skies" CD.

This was an incredibly popular CD when I worked at Radio Kansas and I have loved having a copy of it. "Elusive Memories" is the Art of Gracious Living in sound, so I'm thrilled to have permission to use it. They are being most generous.

When I started thinking about music for the podcast, this was the first CD that came to mind. I ran to the kitchen and got it out of the CD player and popped it into the computer. It took only about 12 seconds to realize that this particular cut was perfect.

I had grown very attached to the idea of using it, so I'm tickled they have given permission. I realize many people who do podcasts just use music without permission, but I did not want to abuse the rights of the artist or his record company.

I will be posting additional information about the music, and a link to their website will become a permanent part of this page, but I wanted to share the good news right away.

Pretty Purple Flowers

As I was coming home from a meeting early this evening, I was talking to Greg on the phone about how my tulip and daffodil bulbs have started sprouting. It's too early for that, but it has been so warm, they're coming up.

As I walked by the flower bed and glanced down, I couldn't believe what I saw - a pretty little purple flower. Everything is supposed to be dead. It's February 7. In Kansas. It's supposed to be cold.

Instead, there are tender, green shoots all over the flower bed. I do have some daffodils that are supposed to be up early, but I'm not sure even they are supposed to be up this early.

I worked on the grant that's looming over my head today until a little after 4 when I had a United Way meeting. Tomorrow I'm hoping to get the grant a little further along and also finish up some membership things.

Early this morning I went to Dutch Kitchen for some breakfast. I took the laptop and did some writing while I was out there. It's an odd juxtaposition to be working on a laptop in the midst of a restaurant where you're surrounded by Mennonite/Amish farmers. But the cinnamon rolls are amazing.

I feel like I'm incredibly dull these days - all I do is work. I must find some time for fun in my life soon. I'm taking Friday afternoon off. My energy healer is in town and I have an appointment. I've worked so many 16 hour days lately that I need an afternoon off.

I've been looking at a trip to South Dakota. Just a long weekend kind of getaway. There are so many cool scenery sites within such a short distance there.

I've also been working on the Art of Gracious Living website and shows. This week's program is about journaling and will be available on Friday. The show is starting to get some notice here and there so I really need to put some attention toward it.

In addition to my flowers that shouldn't be here now, the other day Greg saw a frog. Yes, a frog. It was in the water in Missouri. It's on The Lope .

I'm so glad to know there's no global warming.

The Art of Gracious Living is Featured Podcast

The Art of Gracious Living is one of the featured podcasts at iTunes this month.

Podcast PCN#8 Available

Click here for the Art of Gracious Living PCN #8
This week's podcast is about how to find constants in our busy daily lives to help us focus. We live in a fast paced world. We deserve to take a break now and then to restore ourselves.

One of my favorite ways to take a break is to fix a cup of tea and do nothing but relax as long as it takes to drink it. If you happen to have a couple of cookies to enjoy with it, all the better.

Do not allow your employer, your family or anyone else to deny you the ability to relax and take a few deep breaths every day.

Click here for the Art of Gracious Living PCN #8

Mid Winter Dialogue

Marci Penner played host to the Mid Winter Dialogue group tonight at "The Barn." It was a fun evening with about 40 people attending.

Kansas Dialogue is modelled after Clinton's Renaissance weekends. It happens each August. This was the third year for a mid winter get together. I've been unable to attend either of the others, so this was my first time at one of these.

We were instructed to sit down and then the "waiters" came around and tied bibs on each of us. It was quite the production. Eric was having a bit of fun with Sheila about how tight it should be tied.




We were told to keep our drinks and such at the edge of the table. We were soon to find out why.




This is Lon, who's hosting us in Colby this August. I'm really looking forward to seeing his farm. It sounds amazing. Tonight he was wearing a chef hat instead of a farm hat.




Marci had music to accompany each part of the process. She was the director of tonight's extravaganza.







It was a fun night with much laughter and fun, as well as some interesting conversation.

The topic we discussed tonight was the rural/urban parts of Kansas - can we find some common ground.

The aftermath of our feast was not the most attractive thing I've ever seen, but clean up was a breeze.



Is this a prime example of "Many hands make light work?"

Busy Friday

I had an 8 a.m. meeting of the downtown committee. I'm not sure I really belong on that committee - I'm looking for my place. The whole day was a rush, trying to get mail out the door and keep other things going. Phyllis came in to help me this afternoon and that was a God send. I've been printing more letters tonight and discovered a problem with them. Apparently, my printer freaked out at some time when I didn't know it and I've wasted a lot of paper and ink. I HATE that. This paper is pricey. Oh well... nothing I can do about it.

I hope I get a lot accomplished tomorrow. I have a long list of things I want to get done around the house. Hopefully I won't feel the need to sleep half the day.

Greg and I went to Skaets tonight and met this guy who does haunted houses for a living. I didn't even know that was a job. But, hey, that's what happens when you talk to people - you find out interesting things!

I located some music today that I'd like to use in my podcasts. It's from Tino Izzo's Foreign Skies CD. I loved that music when I worked at Radio Kansas and this piece is just perfect. I wrote the record company to see if they'll give me permission to use it. We'll see.

I need to find time to work on my personal website as well as the podcast one. There never seems to be enough time to focus so I can actually accomplish those things. It does require some focused energy for me.

Anchor Inn Falling Down

This afternoon, Mark emailed telling me part of the fascade of Anchor Inn, a local institution restaurant, had collapsed. Odd that Mark is four hours away, and I'm about 10 blocks away, and he knew before I did. I was getting ready to go to a meeting so left a few minutes early to go take photos.



I arrived to find Tony, the owner, (on the right) and two other guys standing out looking at the damage. It wasn't too long before someone else arrived. It just struck me as so small town America that people were standing in the street looking at the damage.



I guess it happened about 10 this morning. It was after 4 when I went and took the photos, but it was still big news locally.




Greg and I went to dinner down the street tonight and he took some more pix.

Creative Class Conundrum

I have been thinking a great deal about work lately - in all circumstances - from my job to volunteering to any other situation where I'm engaged in "producing" something. I have one consistent difficulty no matter what I work on - a job, a volunteer project, whatever. People are never happy about HOW I do my job. Everyone's always satisfied with what I do and the fact that it's done and done on time, but they're never happy with how that happens.

Years ago, a supervisor said during an evaluation, "it's like you do nothing and then all at once I come in and you've pulled an all-nighter and there are more projects completed than would seem humanly possible." I couldn't then, and still can not, see what the problem with that is. You gave me X amount of work to do and a deadline by which to do it. I delivered the work, plus some, in advance of the deadline. So what is the problem? You wanted to WATCH me work? I'm not a goldfish. The fact that you couldn't SEE me working makes the work invalid?

I worked in broadcasting at various places for nearly 25 years. I was never once late for an on-air shift. I never missed a deadline. I never divulged a source. I never used the media inappropriately. And, yet, there was never much trust in me anywhere I ever worked. There was always much checking up to see how things were going, because things were not happening by the text book. After a few years of delivering decent work on time it would seem everyone could relax, but there is always a need to maintain that tension - I guess to prove the need for supervision.

I don't want to be judged on my methods. Things get done. Can you just never be happy with the end result? I'm sitting here at 12:18 a.m. doing work. I was also doing it at 6:30 this morning. What difference does it make when/where/how it happens as long as it gets done and on time. It would be better to wait until 9 a.m. tomorrow to do it?

It always feels to me like people are just looking for something to be annoyed about. And with me it's my methods.

I'm so looking forward to the day when I am working for myself only and I don't have to please anyone with my methods. No wonder I like writing - editors don't give a flip about when or where you write or by what method you choose to do it. They just care if it shows up on their desks when it's supposed to. It's really a good system.

People continually talk about the Creative Class people and how they want them. Hello? I am it. (The Rise of the Creative Class by Richard Florida) And you want to take the very thing that makes me who I am - the positives creative class people bring to a community - and kill them off. You want to shove me into your preconceived box of notions about what is "right" or "professional" or whatever else. Those things are all changing all the time. You're still stuck in 1953. Read the book. We HATE that. And then you wonder why we don't stay in the community/job/volunteer position/whatever. You won't let us be who we are. You won't look beyond the details and see the big picture. Creative Class people are going to be who they are - they'll just move on. Then you'll sit around and bemoan how your community doesn't have them.

You say you want us. But, you aren't willing to accept us as we are. It's a package. People who are geared toward creative thinking and fresh ideas are not people who fit archaic notions of what a perfect employee/volunteer is. Loosen up. Take us as we are. We bring you some really cool things. Accept them and accept us.

All of my life people have talked about what I'm "capable of," implying it's much more than I'm devoting to whatever project is on tap. I cannot give my all to any one thing. I've got thousands of things going on in my brain at any moment. Literally - thousands. Hundreds when I'm at rest. When it gets down to a couple of hundred I can go to sleep.

I always have dozens of projects that are in various stages of production at any one time. I can't drop everything else and focus only on one of them. And the fact that I have a lot going on is the very reason I bring creativity to whatever project I'm working on with you. Can't you just be happy and appreciative and not belabor the fact that I don't do it the way you would do it? If you wanted it done that way, why didn't you just do it? Why did you ask for my ideas? Because you were stuck. You wanted to use my brain. You wanted "fresh" ideas. Then you want to shove them into a box so they get stale as quickly as possible.

I've decided to call it the Creative Class Conundrum. You say you want us, but you're not willing to make any arrangements to get what you say you want from us. You want to use our brains and our creativity, but you don't want to give us anything in return. When you put us in a box, you get pablum out of us. You can make us sit in the chair from 9-5, but you're not going to get the best out of us that way. Creativity doesn't happen in a box.

If you really want what you say you want - you can't box us in - in any way. So, you've got to decide, do you want creativity and enthusiasm, or do you just want us to show up and do what was done yesterday and last year and the year before? You've got a whole crew of people to do that already. If that's what you want, why do you say you want the Creative Class people?

Why you really want us is because areas that have a large number of Creative Class people are booming - financially and every other way. You want that, too. If you want it, you've got to let go of all the ideas you have about how things are "supposed" to work. Face it, if those things were working all that great, you wouldn't be trying to figure out how to get the Creative Class. You'd be tickled with exactly what you have.

It's so easy, really... all you have to do is leave us alone and let us go at it... we'll do amazing things... if you'll just stop preventing it.

Hard Day

I had a hard day today. I won't bore you with the details but parts of my day really, really, really, really, really sucked. But, people have far worse problems, so I'll just get over it.

As soon as the work day was over I went out to get some sunshine. Blissfully, we had a beautiful day with lots of sun. Even at 5 p.m. it was still nice to be outside.




I went to Sand Hills to walk the trail. I've never done it in January because normally it would be far too cold. I walked it today without even a jacket - only a sweatshirt. It was probably 5:15 or so when I arrived, so that's pretty amazing for that time of day.

Needless to say, the trails look much different with no leaves on the trees. But there are also some vistas you wouldn't get any other time of the year so I'm glad I got to see them.




There was very little green to be found in the landscape. This lichen was about all I could locate. There were a couple of evergreen trees that still resembled some shade of green, but they were approaching a dark beige.

Kansas can be a depressing place in winter. But, I'm so thankful today was sunny, even at the end of the day. I needed some sun. I just drove for awhile, to stay out in the sunshine as long as there was some. Even the sunset was nice - not stunning - but nice.




I got to have lunch with Leah today so that was nice. I always love seeing her.

Art of Gracious Living Podcast

A new podcast is available at the following link. It is about indulging ourselves with small luxuries in daily life. Mine include perfume and stationery.

http://www.podcasternews.com/details.php?N=522

(PCN #7)

Spiritual Fair

I went to Wichita to the Spiritual Fair today. Diana was taking a group over but had a van full of people, so I decided to drive over on my own. I had a couple of errands to do anyway. Turned out I didn't get any of those done as I spent all day at the fair - 10-5.

I had seven different readings today. Each was interesting and some were "right on." What was most incredible was the overlap between them.

Dan Higgins does two kinds of readings, and I did both today. Both were right on target.

The first one I did was finding your animal spirits. It was so very "me" that it was a little hard to believe. For those who know me well, lets just say that the words, "the world is black and white - there is NO gray" came up. Other pertinent things were a sense of humor, fun, and a sense of right and wrong and exposing secrets. Can you say "journalist?"


I also had a reading from Jo Flowers, who is well known, and always recommended. Her whole reading to me was about business and making money with my blog, podcasts and other things that allow me to be me.

That was backed up by other readings I had as well.

The other thing that came up over and over was that I need to stop giving so much to other people and receive. As Dan put it in one of the readings, "you recharge yourself near rivers, but you should not give so much that you need to recharge."

I was careful today to share very little with readers, letting them just tell me what they wanted to tell me. It was amazing how on target a lot of it was - like the river comment.

I was also told by more than one reader that I was very high energy and very intuitive. I knew both of those things already, but today they talked with me about how to channel those things.

After the fair, Teresa and I went to have some dinner at Yia Yia's. We hadn't been there in awhile and it was good. We had the gnocchi and the chocolate souffle. I had pasta as an entree but brought most of it home. It will be great to have it tomorrow for lunch.

All in all it was an interesting day. I'm going to journal about it a bit tonight and see what else comes up. I'm all the more certain that my instincts to pull back from things not related to writing and recording are correct.

Withdrawing

I have not accomplished nearly as much today as I had hoped. But I have rested some. I don't think I've had a day all the past week when I've worked less than 16 hours. And it has been work that wears me out.

I worked quite a bit today. I printed membership letters until my printer ran out of ink. I have to go get a new cartridge. I just didn't want to go out into the world on a Saturday to do that with the other Saturday shoppers.

I also feel myself withdrawing from the world more than is probably healthy. I will have to address that. I'm bogged down with work and that is always difficult for me to slog through. But it's more than that. I'm really examining what I want to do with my life in the long run. I'm questioning everything from the town I live in to the people in my life, or - more accurately - the people who are not in my life.

The guy came today to paint where they worked on the flashing over the porch yesterday. They had to replace some of the wood shingles so he painted today. I haven't seen it in the daylight yet but hopefully it looks good.

We actually got a little bit of rain overnight but things are still very dry.

Greg and I had some Roys for lunch. I hadn't been there all week. Greg loves to tease his gf about going there since she only gets to go there when she visits town. It is amazingly good stuff!

Tomorrow I'm going to Wichita to the spiritual fair. Diana is taking a car load full over. I decided to just drive over on my own. They're going to a movie afterwards and I don't know if I'll do that or not. Will depend on how things are going. I'm also just not very good company for a big group of people at the moment. I'm not in the mood.

Well, tomorrow I must try to get myself interested in the world at large. I am in one of those I-could-just-hole-up-in-my-house-for-a-really-long-time moods.

Challenger - 20 years Ago Today

Twenty years ago today I was sick. I was in bed, exhausted, blowing my nose. Sick. I got up late that morning and padded into the living room. Idly I flipped on the TV.

I was doing news at a radio station at the time, and wanted to see the shuttle launch. My clock was a little off and I had missed the launch by a few minutes. What came on the screen was Dan Rather's very somber visage. I could feel the blood drain from my face. I knew something was very wrong. This was not the face of a man reporting that we now had the first teacher in space.

The first thing I heard him say was that the Challenger had exploded shortly after takeoff. It was reinforced by the video showing liftoff and then the explosion anyone my age has burned into their brains.

As soon as I got my wits about me, I grabbed the phone and called the station. Ordinarily, I co-hosted a 90 minute news show that came on at noon. I called my co-host and said, "I'm coming in. We're doing all Challenger. I'll call you back."

I started working the phone, calling contacts, trying to pull together a show while trying to grab a quick shower and make myself half way presentable. Nothing about me was presentable. I was sick and looked the part.

Challenger had special meaning for this area because Hutchinson hosts The Cosmosphere, a space museum with a collection second only to the Smithsonian.

These were the days before we had cordless phones so I drug the phone into the bathroom in case I got a call back while I was in the shower. I did. Thank goodness. It was a man who worked at the Cosmosphere as an educator, who was literally a walking encyclopedia of space information. I asked him if he would be live with us for the whole show and he agreed. I couldn't believe I was lucky enough to get him.

It was a typical example of treating people well. This gentleman was a quiet, unassuming man who had asked me a couple of favors over the years as I had him, and that day I was thrilled we had that kind of a relationship. Because I was asking him for a large favor - an hour and a half of his time on a day when he was being bombarded for requests. He gave me the time because we had had a pleasant, mutually beneficial working relationship over the years.

The news was still breaking as we were on the air. We were ripping AP copy and watching CNN and using every other source we could find. And we were getting insight that no other news media had.

That's one of the things I loved about public radio. I had the freedom to let this gentleman talk for 7 minutes or 15 minutes or 20 minutes. I read the copy, updated the details, recited the facts, and he explained what it all meant. He knew the equipment, the history, the plans. It was great radio. Although I've always hated the reason we were doing great radio, I've always been proud of that day's coverage.

We had grown complacent about the shuttle program then. We didn't even bother to watch them go up. The only reason for the attention was that there was going to be a teacher in space that day.

The country and the rest of the world mourned. And we still do.

Quote of the Day

In the same way that someone in the midst of a rough crowd guards a wound with great care, so in the midst of bad company should one always guard the wound that is the mind.

-Santideva, "Bodhicaryavatara"

Poof! There were Roofers!

The guy was here doing some touch up painting today and there was a knock at the door. I assumed it was him. But, it wasn't. It was the long lost roofers.

So, now I had two ladders and four guys on the roof.

Did I mention that I had planned to take a nap this afternoon because I was up until 3 and got up at 6? Well, one can't nap when one's home is being pounded on from above. Obviously. So, at 10:51 p.m. I have still have not had any rest.

By mid afternoon I sent the paint guy home. There were too many people here.

The new dishwasher was being delivered between 4 and 5. At 4:45 I called about it. The guy was at Lowes, waiting on them to load it.

Susan and I had planned to have dinner. I called to cancel when I realized the dishwasher project was running long, but she didn't get the message. But, she was very kind and just hung out while they did the dishwasher.

That turned into quite the job. Getting the old one out was not a piece of cake, but proved easier than getting the new one in. I am happy to have a new, WHITE, one in the kitchen. I'm a believer in white appliances.

This morning I did a speech on workplace stress for the Head Start program. I think it went well.

I also printed a lot this afternoon, so that's good. I have stacks of things I want to complete this weekend, but I think for the moment, sleep is high on my agenda.

Busy Thursday

I have been hunched over the computer most of the day - working on a speech I'm giving in about 7 hours and also on grants. The day was topped off by a conference call and a three and a half hour board meeting for Horizons.

I started work at about 6 this morning and it's now 2 a.m. I'm finally ready for bed. I've worked pretty much straight through. I'm not sure how many hours 6 a.m. to 2 a.m is, but it's too many. I need to go over my speech one more time but I need some sleep first. I'll get up early and do it in the morning before the speech.

They're installing my new dishwasher late tomorrow. I will be happy to have that done. I have a lot of writing to do tomorrow, but I'm going to have to have some time for sleep somewhere between speech and dishwasher.

Men and Math

Life is a continual learning experience. It has taken me some years, but I've learned that men and math don't mix. There are some numbers you should never share with a man. These include but are not limited to:

- your IQ (Trust me, regardless of what they say, they are NOT happy if your number is bigger than their number. All men have size issues, and this is one area where that's apparent.)

- your weight (an exception can be made for your physician)

- your age (I'll admit I'm still iffy on this one, but it seems best to not share it too quickly early on. They'll guess at least 10 years younger anyway, so just go with it.)

- your salary (Just don't go there - you'll engender pity or envy - neither is good for a relationship.)

- how many men you've slept with (Yeah, I know, they all say it doesn't matter. They lie. It matters. They want to believe they're only number two or three at the most, and if you can manage it, they'd just as soon believe they're your first. Just let them live in their little fantasy worlds. You'll both be happier.)

Of course, all of this comes from a woman with a string of failed relationships. I don't recall the exact number, and that's probably just as well.

Extraordinary in the Ordinary

This morning I was privileged to hear National Geographic Photographer, Jim Richardson, speak at the Dillon Lecture Series at Hutchinson Community College. He was wonderfully witty and funny, as well as insightful.

Richardson grew up in Kansas and still makes his home here, about 40 miles away in Lindsborg, where he has the "Small World Gallery" on Main Street.

During this morning's lecture, which was beautifully illustrated with his photographs, Richardson focused on the theme that Kansans have a "sense of inferiority" and that they should not. He used photos to illustrate how people everywhere do the same things.

He told a story of being asked by the President of Shell Oil, "Why Kansas?" Richardson said, "I had no good answer. I balked. And I'm sorry." He said the answer he gave was that he grew up in Kansas. And he felt that was a good enough answer, but there is more. He said it was in Kansas that he learned the secret was seeing the "extraordinary in the ordinary." And that when he travels on assignment he's just looking for the "commonplace in uncommon places."

His passion has always been documentary photography. He has always wanted to capture the moments of life that tie us all together.

He showed some photos taken in the plains and pointed out that "agonies suffered in other places that are made into great novels, here are taken for granted."

He mentioned Marci's book, "The Kansas Guidebook," that I wrote about in October, and said the young lady that worked for them in the gallery had found something about her hometown in there that she didn't know. Her response was, "I didn't know it was special."

Richardson knows about how ordinary things are special. He spent many years documenting high school in Rossville, Kansas. Rossville is a town I've only been through, but it's a small town not too far from Topeka. I used to drive through there to see my last boyfriend when he lived in nearby Silver Lake.

Richardson is also known for his years of photographing Cuba,Kansas. Some of those photographs were used in National Geographic and there's also a book. Richardson has done work not only for National Geographic, but numerous other magazines such as Life and Sports Illustrated.

He told some wonderful stories about his experiences photographing all over the world. He recounted one story about telling a homeless man in Edinburgh, Scotland, about Kansas and the pioneer spirit and how Kansas was celebrating its 125th anniversary. He said the man looked at him like he was poor and the homeless man was rich. The man then said, "What's it like to be from a place that's got no history." Richardson's response was, "They're building it right now."

He talked a bit about living in the "photoshop era" and how that has changed photography. He showed a photo from Brittany of the house built between the rocks and used it to illustrate his point that while that could have been faked with photoshop, it would leave out one important point. "What would be missing is the knowledge that someone built the house in the rocks."

He said his photography is all about trying to find the right viewpoint.

At the luncheon after the lecture, he said he does only digital photography now, that he sold all his film equipment last year. Someone asked if he took fewer or more photos on digital, and he said a few more. He mentioned that during one assignment he took about 43,000 photos on digital, and would have probably done about 1000 rolls of film, which would have been about 36,000 photos. The editing is done in stages, but at the end of the photo editing process, he goes to DC and has input into the final choices.

He also said that the captions for National Geographic photos are written by someone who has not been involved in the story up to that point. It's another safeguard to the integrity of the story, and the reason their captions are so interesting.

My friend, Alan Montgomery, got to introduce him. Alan is now a journalism professor at HCC and they are lucky to have him. He is one of the best journalists this town has ever seen - an exceptional writer. We were both doing news at the same time years ago for different organizations so had reason to run into each other on stories occasionally. He was always very kind and generous. I was always impressed with his writing and his professionalism.


Also at the lecture was Larry Black, a local photographer, I've known for years. I caught this snap of them chatting afterwards. That's Alan on the left and Larry on the right.

Let me tell you, it's humbling to be running around with a digital point and shoot, and no where near a top end one, when you're in the same room as a National Geographic photographer.

It was a neat morning. I ran into tons of people I know. I got to eat with Jan, and that was fun. Jeanette was emceeing the luncheon. I got the say hello to Gayla and Eileen and some others. It was an interesting morning.

After the luncheon, I popped in to say hi to Diana and Lily was there with her mom, Taylor. I hadn't seen Lily in ages. She has grown so much.

She's very busy these days - walking everywhere. Taylor is very busy running after her and occasionally catching her. You can see Taylor's legs, following behind her, in pretty much all the photos.

Lily is examining the world at a fast pace. I was reminded of information about the brain and how at birth it weighs one pound. At one year, it weighs two pounds because we're learning so much. An adult's brain weighs only three pounds. Lily will be one year old next month.

This purse is one of her favorite things, apparently. Taylor mentioned today that she's like her Auntie Sarah, who's a very girly girl. Lily is also fond of jewelry. She must get that from her grandma because Diana is too.

Her hands are very busy in this next photo because if you look closely, you'll see that her grandma has some cookies in her hand. Lily is communicating quite well that she wants some.

It was good to see her. She's lively, and learning every moment of the day.

And... talk about the extraordinary in the ordinary - what more example could you want than a child learning. It's common - it happens all over the world in all cultures - and yet it's amazing.

Podcasts

The Art of Gracious Living Podcasts are now heard on The Podcaster News Network. They will eventually be posted here as well, but you can hear the most recent ones by going to:
http://www.podcasternews.com/details.php?P=45

Grant Gone

I put one of the grants in the mail this afternoon and I have another one almost ready to go.

Tonight was Chicks and it was good to reconnect with everyone. Afterwards I went with Greg for him to get something to eat at the new pizza place - Cici's. I don't like being yelled at when I walk in the door. I don't find the fake-fun atmosphere to be fun - only fake. I'm sure I'll go back because I didn't eat tonight and I'll want to try it, but the nonstop yelling and pretend fun is a little too much for me.

It's like Applebees and the stupid birthday songs, which, thankfully, they've stopped doing here. When I want music, I go to a concert. When I want dinner, I go to a restaurant. N'er the twain should meet. Houlihans has started having live music most nights of the week so I can't go there anymore for a nice evening because it's so loud you can't talk. Restaurants that excel at serving good food without annoying the customers seem few and far between. El Potrillo's is about the best in town at the moment in this regard I guess.

Tomorrow is the Dillon Lecture Series with the National Geographic Photographer. I'm going to get up extra early and write some more before then. I have a lot on the agenda this week, culminating with a speech on Friday so I need to keep on task.

Peggy's Retirement Party

Saturday I was privileged to help with Peggy's "Rewiring" Party. She retired at the beginning of this month and her hubby, Gary, threw a big party to celebrate.

Peggy and Gary are absolutely wonderful folks. Peggy is my board president and Gary is an unofficial board member too.

Peggy and Gary are one of those rare couples you see every once in a great while - happy. They seem completely thrilled to be in each other's presence and they're a joy to be with - one on one or together. I never get enough of them.

Peggy's family (that's her mom in the green) and friends gathered around to wish her well on this new chapter. There were about a hundred people attending.



Gary planned a full afternoon, with entertainment and games. There was tons of food. He has asked me about doing the food and I assumed he meant the food. Ended up that he was so organized and planned so well that I did very little. I made spinach cheese squares and helped with some minor things but that was about it.

They also made arrangements for their favorite charities to have tables and asked people to make donations to those instead of bringing gifts. In addition to the MHA and Altrusa, there was the Symphony, the Arts and Humanities Council and the Volunteer Center.





Altrusans were there in full force, some of us helping and some just joining in on the fun. We even had time for some impromptu committee meetings.

It was a very nice afternoon. We should all live our lives in a way such that this many people want to gather to wish us well as we enter a new phase of life.

It's Friday

I love Friday nights. They're the only night of the week when I'm really relaxed. There's something about having a whole weekend ahead and a work week behind that's appealing. Unfortunately, I have to work some this weekend, too.

I spent large parts of the day running around doing errands - the bank, the post office, the accountant, etc. etc. etc. You do very much of that and the whole day is gone. Actually, it was only the whole afternoon. I wrote on grants all morning. I think with just a little work this weekend I can get one of them out the door and I want to do that so I can stop thinking about it.

Tonight I'm cooking for Peggy's party tomorrow. I'm glad to help with things. Peggy and Gary have done so much for me. I will be taking photos so hopefully I'll have some to share here tomorrow evening - at least I hope so.

I'm making Spinach Cheese Squares. This is a great recipe. I got it at allrecipes.com

2 tablespoons butter
3 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 pound shredded Cheddar cheese
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach
1 tablespoon minced onion

Directions
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2 Place butter or margarine in a 9x13 inch baking dish
and melt butter in oven. Remove when melted, approximately
3 minutes.
3 In large mixing bowl, beat eggs well. Mix in flour,
milk and baking powder. When the dough is well combined,
mix in cheese, spinach, and onion. Spoon mixture into the
baking dish with melted butter.
4 Bake for 35 minutes. Let cool 45 minutes then cut into
bite-size squares.