I'm Tired of the Whining

I live in a town in the middle of Kansas with about 50,000 other people. It's a nice enough town - has some good stuff, has some bad stuff, has some average stuff. Probably much like the town where you live.

But Hutchinson, Kansas, has some unusual things, too. We have two world class attractions in this burg that people come from all over the world - literally - to visit - and for good reason.

Something else unusual is that Hutchinson has a very active arts community, that continues to grow. It seems a good percentage of the people I know have an artistic bent - music, art or other endeavors. Every third Thursday of the month there's a downtown gathering with live music and art - all free - and you'd be amazed at what you see and hear.

Hutchinson boasts a world-class golf course, Prairie Dunes. I don't play golf, and don't care much about golf, but people come from all over to play the course. People also come to play softball. Every summer thousands play at the Fun Valley facility. In addition to various sporting events, the annual state fair brings many visitors for the fair and the big name entertainment.

Throughout the year you can attend any number of free arts events, courtesy of the Hutchinson/Reno Arts and Humanities Council. These might include lectures, art exhibits, theatre, concerts, festivals or any number of other things. There's a symphony orchestra, a Theatre Guild, and an art center. There's the state movie palace, the beautifully restored art deco Fox Theatre, which brings in a lot of entertainment, too. The Dillon Lecture series hosts speakers like author Daniel Pink and actor Henry Winkler - the cost is $5.

Recently, a new place opened downtown called "The W." It's an intimate venue with entertainment. You can eat dinner and watch great performers - music and comedy. Also downtown, a local businessman is trying to bring entertainment to Memorial Hall, a venue that hasn't been used extensively in recent years.

In the past eight days I've seen Emmy-award winning comedian Bob Nelson along with comedian Longhorn, who was great; a concert featuring Uncle Kracker, with opening act Rehab, with Scott Allan Knost from Wichita prior to them; seen artwork from six different artists; listened to Raging Sea, a Celtic Band and the Gazaway Mountain Boys, a bluegrass band; and attended a lecture by a doctor who just returned from helping victims in Haiti. This list doesn't include the lecture by the NBC News Space Consultant I heard this morning in my own workplace, but which was open to the public for free. The grand total for all of this entertainment was $15.

If I were a sports fan I could be taking advantage of the National Junior College Athletic Association basketball tournament being played in town. Or I could have visited our zoo with a nice collection of native animals - it's free. If I were a golfer I could have played the public course in Carey Park, or just enjoyed it or one of the other parks in town during this first taste of spring. I might have also walked or biked one of the trails, or hiked at Dillon Nature Center, which is a treasure. Those are free, too, in case you were wondering.

Many times I have to decide what I'm going to do on any given evening because there are at least a couple of things happening I'd like to attend. So, you'd think that would be the case for everyone in town, right?

Well, unfortunately, you'd be wrong. Because while some of us are out doing, others are sitting around complaining there's nothing to do. I am continually shocked how we can all be living in the same town and perceive it so differently. What is it that people want?

Admittedly, a community of 50,000 is not likely to attract entertainment like Billy Joel/Elton John's Face to Face Tour. Friends and I drove the 45 minutes to Wichita to see them a couple of weeks ago. Even if you lived in a major city, you could easily spend more time than that getting to a concert venue. So, there's access to that, even though it's not in our town.

I am growing suspicious that people simply want to complain. It's easy to sit back and whine after the fact that things weren't exactly as you wanted them to be. Why not, just this once, participate in something and maybe get a feel for how complex it is to create such events? Consider that someone is taking a risk to give you the option of seeing art or hearing a lecture or listening to music - it may be financial or time or energy or pride they're risking - and it's most likely all of them.

I'm not a native, I'm not a member of the chamber of commerce, I'm not even a "booster" of the community. I'm just putting out the facts. I'm fed up with the whining and complaining that there's nothing to do in Hutchinson. There's more to do than I can manage to do in the average week. Even though we may not have the same tastes, I think my fellow residents, with the slightest bit of effort on their parts, could find things that appeal to them.

And effort is the key. Do people knock on my door to tell me about cool things I might want to attend? No. They do not. I regularly check online calendars and sign up for newsletters that tell me what's happening. I connect with people and organizations through Facebook and other sources that let me know what's going on. None of these things costs anything, and they're available to most folks. If you don't have a computer at home the local library has free computers you can use - and free classes to teach you how to use them if you don't know.

I'm tired of the whining. Devote that energy to participating in the community - maybe even creating something yourself. You might see it differently from the other side.

Home

I've lived in Kansas more years than Kentucky, where I spent my first couple of decades. But it's still Kentucky that I consider home. I own a house in Kansas, but Kentucky is "home." Kansas is where I live, but if someone asks me where I'm from, I answer, "Kentucky." I will always be a southern girl. Always.

Rebecca Ryan asked the question of our group last year - "What do you long to come home to?" I've been thinking about that ever since and I still don't have an answer. Or, maybe I do have an answer, and it's just too inconvenient to accept, so I'm unwilling to give it voice. Regardless, I'm still pondering that question.

Maybe "home" is always where we spend our formative years because we understand they impact our entire lives, shape who we are at our cores, and influence every decision we make long after those years are over. Perhaps designating that place, that space, as "home" is our way of giving due to how critical those years are.

Regardless of the reason, I know Kentucky will always be "home," regardless of where I live.

Things are Hopping

Things are hopping our little burg. The NJCAA tournament is held in Hutchinson each year and teams come to Kansas from all over the place to vie for the title. It's just as exciting for those in the National JUNIOR College Athletic Association tournament as it is for those in the NCAA.

Speaking of that, I don't really keep up on basketball since I left college, but I did catch the last few moments when my beloved Kentucky Wildcats won their game Sunday afternooon. I'd love to see them win the tournament, and will be rooting for them, even though I've lived in Kansas longer than Kentucky. But UK is my alma mater and that's where my loyalty lies. If, heaven forbid, they are out of it, then I'll root for Kansas - whichever team it is.

At work we're very busy, preparing for a big event in April, and also because this week we have many visitors. Some are folks who are here for the tournament and others who are out of school because it is Wichita's spring break. It's very fun to have the whole place full of people.

Thursday morning is our monthly "Coffee at the Cosmo" and we have a guest speaker this month - James Oberg who's the NBC News Space Consultant and formerly worked with NASA. We have a different topic each month, and serve coffee and pastries to those who come - all free. I think it's such a cool thing. I always enjoy them.

I decided this month I was going to bake a coffee cake to share. We'll still have donuts and the usual goodies but I wanted to add some extras. I tried a new recipe and tested it out. I definitely recommend it.




Coffee Cake

3/4 white sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg plus enough milk to make 1 cup
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Topping
1/2 cup flour
1 1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup butter

Cream sugar and butter. Add dry ingredients alternately with egg and milk mixture. Mix well. Pour into greased 9 by 13 pan. The batter will not be thick in the pan, but will rise as it bakes.

Mix topping by cutting butter into dry ingredients. Spread on top of cake mixture and bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes.

Ch-ch-ch-changes... of time

Today was the first work day after daylight savings time. I just don't care for this foolishness at all. I want it to be whatever time it really is - you know, when the sun is directly overhead at noon. Why can't it just be the right time?

When you think about it, it's all rather foolish. We're so tied to the clock that we can collectively decide to "change the clocks" but we're still slaves to them.

It's laughable to me that only Americans would think we're so important that we can change the time. The time. But, we do it every year.

I have a great deal of respect for Mr. Benjamin Franklin, but I don't think this is one of his better ideas. Maybe I'll feel differently when I've had a full night's sleep.

Pi Day Pie

This is my pi day pie. It's coconut. Just like Mama made. Well, at least it's her recipe. I can't say it tastes the same.

Happy Pi Day... it comes around every year on 3.14... make a note for next year!

Things I Learned Today

Every day is a learning experience and today was no execption.

Today I learned:
1. if you suddenly get the urge to see how calligrapher's ink works on tissue paper, it's best to use disposable gloves - I'm not telling you how to live your life, and you certainly don't have to use gloves, but I plan to make use of them during this process in the future
2. if your calligrapher's ink is too thick to give the desired effect, a small glass jar that pimento came in is perfect for thinning the ink with some with water
3. this will likely make you want pimento cheese sandwiches for lunch
4. if you don't have any pimento in the house, or even if you do and don't want to mix it up, a grilled cheese sandwich is a fine substitute

Happy Pi Day

It's 3.14 - Pi Day. I may have to bake a pie. Happy Pi Day!

Comedy at The W in Downtown Hutchinson Kansas

Commedian Bob Nelson played at The W in downtown Hutchinson Kansas tonight. He is from New York, but now works in Branson. He did some of his famous bits tonight.



Nelson has worked with many names you'd recognize - Jerry Seinfeld, Paul Reiser, Eddie Murphy and more. He won an Emmy and has appeared in movies like, "Kindergarten Cop."



Opening for him was Longhorn the Commedian, who I really enjoyed too.





The W is bringing in some great acts. Between them, the ongoing Third Thursday art events, the Hutch Hall productions and all the Arts and Humanities Council does, Hutchinson is becoming quite an active arts community. Very cool.

Jon Bon Jovi in Wichita

Greg and I went to see Bon Jovi in Wichita Thursday night.



The stage was crescent shaped, and he played to the whole audience, which was great for us because we were sitting behind the stage.



Of course, as I mentioned to Greg, some would argue that gave us a great view of Jon Bon Jovi's best side.



I was not unhappy with the seats.



He was totally into it the whole show - very energetic - definitely giving people their money's worth.



I guess that might depend on how much you paid, but I can't think of anything else he, or the other guys, could have done to give a better show.



He knows his audience. At one point he was talking and said, "Well, I'm going to stop talking. You didn't pay to hear me talk. You paid to hear music and watch me shake my ass."



And shake it he did.



And Richie Sambora played guitar like only he can do.



I was really struck by how they were all very much a "band," instead of Jon Bon Jovi's backup group. Credit all around for that. It's amazing for any group to stay together like they have - largely the same group for more than 25 years.

Catching Up

I just got in from a Bon Jovi concert. We were sitting behind the stage, but some might say that gave us a great view of Jon Bon Jovi's best side. Photos to follow.

Prepared for Anything

I was in Wichita today delivering camp brochures to schools. This was my fourth day doing it, and I've got one more day to go. But I'll be able to finish later this week.

I've decided a great way to learn any city is to visit all the schools. I've seen parts of Wichita I didn't even know existed. In the process I've found homes I'd like to live in, neighborhoods I'll enjoy driving again, and details I probably never would have noticed.



Today I turned a corner going to a school and was struck by this assemblage of flower pots on a porch. I stopped to take a photo because it felt so much like spring. Tonight when I looked at the photos I noticed they had a snow shovel on the other side of the door. I guess they're hedging their bets. Maybe it's the porch equivelent of "knocking on wood." No need to tempt fate or Mother Nature.

I had lunch with Martha today, which was very nice. The other days I've been eating something really quickly, and one day waited until after three when I couldn't deliver anymore to have lunch, but today I took time to visit with Martha and it was great. Whenever I have a conversation with her I leave with something to think about. I'm blessed to have a few friends who gift me with new thoughts on a regular basis, and she is one of them.

Today she mentioned that as people get older they start to realize time is not limitless, and choices have to be made about what they'll do with their time. Of course, for me, time has always felt in short supply - I've felt like it was scarce since I was a child. We were talking about this and I asked, "So do most people think time is unlimited?" She said, "I think so." Out of my mouth came something that made me laugh internally. I said, "That's not very logical."

The reason that made me laugh at myself is that "logical" is not one of the top 10 or 20 or 50 words I would guess someone would use to describe me. Yet, there it was, popping out of my mouth as if it were the most natural - dare I say "logical" - thing imagineable. That caused me to think about the other things I view in logical terms. There are some. I may have to make a list and see what the common thread is.

I came home a little earlier than usual tonight. I've been heading to Wichita early, so I could start delivering there around 8 a.m. and then staying on it until 4:30 or 5 when the last school closed before coming home. They've been some long days, and some definite effort involved, but this is very targeted marketing. Today I did the last school at 4:45, so I got home tonight in time to do a new piece of art.



I bought a 1942 magazine at the flea market Sunday and used some bits from it in this.

Tomorrow I'm in the office and will try to get caught up on some things. I have no doubt that new things have popped up while I've been on the road the last couple of days, and I already had a long list of things on my agenda. I guess I'd best get some sleep so I can be fresh in the morning.

Home is Where You Get Your Start

I saw a note recently that said, "Home is Where You Get Your Start."

Those are very true words, in more ways than one. Home is where we learn to walk, speak and function. It's where we learn the ways of the world, at least the part of it we'll be working within for the first few years of our lives.

Home is where we learn the basic building blocks we'll need to eventually make a home of our own. What we learn at home, in those early years, impacts us through our entire lives. Children in lower socio-economic homes tend to have lower vocabularies, and research shows this negatively affects them throughout life. So, yes, home is where we get our start.

But it isn't where we finish. At least it doesn't have to be. We can take all the good of home, of those formative years, and add to it. Or we can become mired in whatever was negative about those years and hold it tightly so it's an anchor we never move beyond.

I've thought about this before with regard to racism. If you teach your child racism, they will never be able to move beyond your world where that's accepted. They'll remain in your world, which may be your desire anyway. It just seems cruel to handicap a child in this way. Obviously, racism is far more complex than this, but I've just thought about how limiting it is for a child to learn that behavior.

Home is where we get our start, and depending on who is in that home with us, and how they see the world, we can flourish or flounder. Even children in lower socio-economic situations, with parents who use fewer words each day than their more well-to-do counterparts, can grow beyond that.

But, it's much harder for those children, who grow up to be adults who are still working hard to achieve. I always wonder what they would be or do if they had a different start. What if they had gotten a start that didn't require them to work extra hard to function at a basic level? What if they had come from a home where the basic needs were taken care of and all they had to do was learn? What if?

Of course, that's always the difficulty -the what if. We are all a mix of nature and nurture and we can't ever separate one from the other. So that start we get at home is just that - a start - the beginning.

Chocolate Cupcakes

It may not look that good, but trust me, it tastes good.

You know I wouldn't hold out on the recipe, so here it is!

Chocolate Cupcakes

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup milk

Cream sugar and butter. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Bake for 15-18 minutes at 350 degrees. Makes 18 cupcakes.

I used my new favorite chocolate frosting, but you can use whatever you prefer.

Frosting
1 c. sugar
1/3 c. milk
5 tbsp. butter
1 c. chocolate chips

Mix sugar, milk and butter in saucepan and boil for one minute, stirring continuously. Add chocolate chips and stir until melted. Po

You can dip the cupcake into it upside down when it's freshly made. Or let it cool a bit and then frost as normal.

Studio

I spent about six hours in the studio today. I lose track of time when I'm in there. This is the latest thing I'm working on. It includes paint, watercolors, pastels, fabric dye, and more. I love the process and getting to mix the colors and create the patterns.

Earlier in the day I went to Home Depot to have them cut more boards for me to paint on. They were very pleasant, even though I know it's a pain to cut all those smaller pieces.

Last night a young man named, Brant, was incredibly helpful. Then I went over to the paint department and the young lady there was great.Today a man named, Bryce, happily cut a 4 by 8 sheet for me. All very pleasant to deal with and very helpful.

There are so many things I need to be doing around the house, none of which I accomplished today, but I enjoyed playing in the studio.

Paint Samples

Last night I went to Home Depot to scope out some board to have cut to paint on. I couldn't help visitng the paint sample area, which is not a place I need to go. I always have the urge to paint a room. Of the things I need to do in my house, painting rooms is not the most pressing.

But look at all those pretty colors... all the pretty colors...

I resisted.

Today I had some board cut to paint on. Hopefully I will be able to satisy those urges to play with color with small amounts of paint in the studio instead of gallons of paint on the walls.

Elton John and Billy Joel in Concert in Wichita

Wednesday night Greg, Mia, Sharon and I went to see Elton John and Billy Joel in concert at the new Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita. The concert was great.



The pianos rise from under the stage and they do a few numbers together. Then, Elton John does a set by himself, then he leaves the stage and Billy Joel does a set by himself. They finish with a few more songs together. Ending, of course, with "Piano Man."



Billy Joel is much chattier with the audience, and is very expressive.





He got the audience laughing and gave us a range of emotions.





He also did a number playing the guitar. I didn't even know he played the guitar, but I saw it with my own two eyes. He gave us some of that more typical rock and roll persona than being behind the keyboard all the time.



Naturally, watching both of them play the piano was wonderful. Billy Joel's piano rotates a couple of times so everyone gets a chance to see his fingers on the keys.



Elton John seems to be much more about playing and singing - more serious and focused.





Both of them were great.





The lights play a part in the show too, accentuating various songs.





I really recommend the show. They were fabulous individually and together.

Blogging Woes

I've been unable to publish on the blog for a couple of days. I think all is resolved now, but fear not - all is well with me.

Learning My Place

In the last year and a half or so I've had to "learn my place" in various aspects of my life. This has not always been a pleasant or graceful process. Maybe it never is if our place isn't what we think or expect it to be.

I heard someone talking about Edgar Allen Poe recently and they mentioned that he had never seemed comfortable in the world. They speculated it was because he was orphaned at an early age and so he never felt like he belonged anywhere, that he fit anywhere.

I think the difficulty comes when the place we've long defined as "ours" is no longer occupied by us. When we lose our place, we lose our footing. There's much flailing around as we struggle to get a grip again, and find a new place. We have to learn how to function within this new framework that's not of our own choosing.

It feels alien to be removed from a place we've always thought of as ours. It's nearly impossible to fathom that we are no longer welcome there, no longer wanted, no longer needed. We thought it was "ours" and we held steadfast to it through thick and thin. But, then, one day, we realize we have to learn our place again. The one we knew, that we were comfortable with, is gone. This place, this space we thought would always be ours to occupy, is gone. Our place has been eliminated, usurped, modified, gifted, or otherwise changed.

Although it's heartbreaking, we have to accept that it will never be again. It's gone. And we must go on to another town, home, job, relationship, whatever "place" it is.

We'll never again have that same feeling of coming home to that figural place we knew as ours. The world gloats as its good fortune of taking the place where we felt steady, loved, comfortable, and stable. Now we can only begin the search, and the long road of mistakes, that will lead to learning our new place.

Treasure Trove

This is how my day started.



These are boxes of brochures to be delivered to schools. I couldn't get all of them in the van, and didn't get all of these delivered today, so needless to say I'll be making more trips to Wichita in the coming days.

This is how my day ended.



Look at this treasure trove! My friend, Jami, gave me all these goodies today. I'm just beside myself with the possibilities they offer.

Of course, some of them are destined to be framed, like this amazing Christmas postcard.



Some will be used occasionally, like these delicate little napkins.



Some of them may find their way into art projects. So many lovely things. I couldn't wait to spread them all out on the table in a pile tonight and get a photo to share with you.



So many lovely things from such a lovely person. Thank you, Jami!

I spent part of the weekend at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. It's one of my favorite spots in the area. Of course, it's not the best time of year to see lots of wildlife. It's known for birds, but you often see lots of other critters around.

Saturday I spotted this deer - one of 13 that were grazing in an area near the road. This is the look of a deer that knows it's on a game refuge and it's not hunting season. Most of them didn't even bother to look up, none of them ran. The couple who looked up were more annoyed than frightened by my presence.



Saturday night Greg and I went to the Fox to see the play, "Late Night Catechism." Martha couldn't use her tickets and passed them on. It was really hilarious. I learned the appropriate way to address a nun is, "yes, sister." It seems to be a very versatile phrase.

The whole weekend was nice weather wise. I went out for a walk in the neighborhood this afternoon. It was great to need only a couple of layers, but not hats, scarves, gloves and coats on top of them.

The best part of the weekend was my sister in law, Mary Ann, calling Saturday morning and sounding normal. When she had lung surgery late last year they messed up one of her vocal cords so I haven't talked to her much in months. It sounded like it was such a strain for her to talk, and my brother's not a big talker, so I stopped calling. Fortunately, she has recovered fully and sounds normal again. I'm so thankful.

As always on Sunday night, I wish I'd gotten more accomplished over the weekend. I either have too many projects or not enough energy or some combination of the two.

Feeling Good About The World

I'm feeling pretty good about the world tonight and this young man, Jason Klamm, is why. He has been working with the Cosmosphere's Education Staff to redo a camp area used for one of the elementary camps, Lunar Base, we offer each year. It is his Eagle Scout Project.

He raised the money for the project and created these various "pods" connected with tunnels to outfit the room. Previously they were using tents. Jason's dad helped him build, his mom helped with the sewing, and some of the other boys from his troop helped set it all up today. I was so incredibly impressed with Jason and the other boys from his troop.

You can see the whole story in the Hutchinson News on Monday, so I won't begin to tell it here. But suffice it to say that spending a couple of hours with Jason and friends today left me feeling pretty good about the world and its future.

Okay, yes, I know, I'm easily swayed, but this was impressive. And he's impressive. Tom mentioned today, and I concurred, we'll all be voting for Jason Klamm one day.

Otherwise my day was a very busy one - I didn't even have time to go to lunch. It was a real pity because it was a beautiful, gorgeous day so I hated it that I never got to leave the building until after 5 and by the time an appointment was over it was 7 and dark before I got home so I missed the sunshine.

But, it's nice to go to bed feeling good about the state of the world. At least one little tiny, Eagle-Scout-to-be part of it.

Bonus question of the day - courtesy of Tom:
On the side of the lunar base pod Jason is standing in front of, what is the crescent shape?



Did you say the Moon?



Me too.



But it's a lunar base, so that's the Earth.