John a Lookin' Around

Community Jam

2012-01-22T19:05:00.000-08:00

Time for our monthly jam. Our hobby music club, the Kansas Prairie Pickers Association, hosts a monthly jam at the Auburn County Community Center. I don't make it to all of them, but today I made it. It's a nice community gathering of players and listeners.

Auburn is a small town. It seems the small towns understand do-it-yourself music as a community event. Don't need a TV or video games. It's face-to-face networking. Most of our club members are from the smaller towns around Topeka. "T Town" doesn't get it. The small towns make their buildings available for our type of activities, the small cultural non-profits the build community. It's a nice atmosphere.

Smoked!

2012-01-16T16:42:00.000-08:00

I guess I needed to start the new year with a piece of equipment failing. At least I get sketching time out of the expense. This time it's our blender. We're not sure how old it is, but it's a nice one. WAS a nice one. I was making a batch of hummus when it spewed some electrical burn/melt smells and slowed down until it stopped. Puff of smoke and all! Luckily no fire.

New appliances don't tend to impress me. Too many stories of people buying kitchen appliances and never using them. Out cupboards were full so we weren't going to get a food processor until the blender died. We had to wait a couple decades, but now is our chance. In a few days we had our food processor.

As soon as we got home I had to make something. We viewed the DVD and the breads looked good. They always look good to me. So I chose one that looked like cinnamon rolls (labelled Breakfast Bread?) and went to town. The mixing goes SO fast in these things. Results came out great. This thing is going to work fine.

As for this sketch, it's using my Noodler's Ahab flex nib pen again, with Lexington Gray ink. I still like it but I'm learning some things. This ink takes much longer to dry than my art marker pens. That would go for any fountain pen that lays down as much ink as this does on wide lines. I need to keep my fingers away or ink smudges everywhere! Also, once in a while a mysterious ink drop comes from nowhere. It just shows up. I can't tell if its from the nib or the feeder under it or from the pen body. Time will tell. I still love the ink feed rate and the ease of changing pen width. It's still a keeper.

Manhattan Meeting

2012-01-11T03:57:00.000-08:00

Had a meeting in Manhattan last night. That's Kansas, the "Little Apple". Our State 4-H Venture crew is planning our summer backpack trip with the teens. I've been a volunteer for a few years. This time we met at a coffee house in the little business/beer district near campus we call Aggieville. I decided to get there a little earlier so I could sketch the storefront. It was getting dark but with street lights it would still be sketchable.

I set up my little three-legged stool in a nook along the sidewalk across the street and was sketching away, in my own world, when I heard "Hello, John!" in an unfamiliar voice. Nobody knows me here and I'm invisible! I kept sketching but the voice got closer. It was a cousin of my brother-in-law that we camp with a couple times a year. He hails from the Topeka area like me, 60 miles to the east. K-State basketball is playing tonight so he must be here for the game. We exchange pleasantries and he leaves with a couple others I didn't know. Then I had a vision of a future conversation. He'll go back home and strike a conversation with my brother-in-law - "Say, I saw John huddled in a dark corner in Aggieville secretly doing something by himself, oblivious to the world. Is he OK?"

New Pen

2012-01-07T05:49:00.000-08:00

This journal entry is just one more combination of pen, ink, journal and coffee house. I'm at Juli's Coffehouse, taking a couple lunch breaks to test a new PEN! Gee, I love to do this. I thought I was happy with my current art supplies. But no, a friend (that's you, Cheryl) mentioned the Noodler's Flex Nib pen (at only $20, gouletpens.com). She knew I use a Namiki (msrp $180). Now I'm not proud of what I paid for the Namiki. I'm not a fountain pen snob. I'm a pen and ink addict with no 10-step program to save me. Anyway, Cheryl wanted to know how these two pens would compare and if I would conclude that the Namiki is worth the money.

Short answer - the Namiki is worth the money from the standpoint of quality material and construction and it's visual presentation. This thing's a piece of art and joy to use. And it PERFORMS. I'll pay for performance. That's probably why I'll never have a $350 fountain pen (which I lust for), because they may be build better yet, but won't perform better.

Back to the Noodler's. I'd like to meet the company CEO. He wanted a fountain pen for the common person, at a reasonable price so that the fountain pen could take its rightful place as a price-viable mode of written communication, and he did it! The features that mean the most to me - nice fit in hand (I like the fuller barrel of the Ahab), impressive ink flow rate (maybe too fast for some when you spring the tip for a wide mark), variable width (easy to shift from fine to broad), massive ink capacity, and colorful bodies.

Now, to get to a $20 product you need to shave some corners. They do that through cheaper parts and design. I don't know about fountain pen design (what you don't see in the pen) but from a performance standpoint the Namiki is not 9 times better. I'd be happy with the Noodler's alone. I love them both. I think I saw on the Goulet website they refer to the Noodler's pen as a "novelty" pen. Not sure what that means. It's a full function pen that does everything I want. I'm hooked. I'll be using both fountain pens.

Spend what you're comfortable spending on a pen. It's how you use it that counts. Both pens will get me to the paradise of pen and ink sketching.

Wilma's Obsession

2011-12-22T21:43:00.001-08:00

Ahh! The smell of a busy oven in the holidays. Food is such a part of it all. Watching Wilma cook up a series of confections gives me the idea for a sketch, so I get my gear out and sketch to the smells that only fresh baking can produce.

As the journal says, she has a love/hate relationship with the baking tradition. It's stressful and rewarding. She has trimmed down the quantity from a few years ago. Back then she did candies, too, like chocolate covered cherries. Very talented. Very addicted to creating confections. The whole extended family knows it, too, and has come to expect tasty treats when Christmas rolls around. They even put in a word for their favorites in the hopes she'll keep making them. We'll end up freezing some, too, so we can extend the good times.

A Late Present

2011-12-20T19:43:00.000-08:00

I wanted to get a camping stove for my daughter and her husband. They're just starting out and don't have much in the way of camping gear. Unfortunately my normal retailers were all out of them. So, I decided to sketch it and give them an IOU. I don't think my daughter ever gets out to my blog so I'm safe in posting it before Christmas.

As for the stove, it's a model I've had for many many years. It's still produced, and still gets great reviews and hasn't been replaced by anything that impresses me. I'm prejudiced.

Enough Already

2011-12-18T10:26:00.000-08:00

We had two events this year to make it the worst weather damage year we've ever had. We've been dealing with replacing and fixing things ever since a hail storm in April and a lightning hit in July. I had these telephones and electronic gear ready to throw out but wanted to sketch them first. They are now in the garbage can. The TV was fixable, which required replacing 2/3 of the electronic boards. Unfortunately the damage from the lightning wasn't enough to exceed our deductible so repair and replace was on our dime.

As for the vehicles, we had to junk two of them and we bought one back from insurance. We fixed the Suburban. Local body shops were inundated with jobs and will take a year to get back to normal.

Just had our roof replaced. The local contractors have enough repair work from that one 10 minutes storm to work through next Spring. We were in the house when the hail hit, and we could tell from the low rumble sound that we were in trouble. Some more car damage needs to be fixed, but we're basically through it all. Dealing with insurance for hail damage was a protracted effort but I can't complain. They paid out as they said they would in our policies.

As for the sketching, this is the first time for using Noodler's Lexington Gray in my flexible fine nib fountain pen. For journaling I have always used my Pitt Artist marker pens but this time I used my Namiki pen and used varying pressure to get the variety of widths I needed. I think it worked well. The Lexington Gray didn't bleed like the Noodler's Black does. The pen gets carried to work, too, for day-to-day writing. If I need a quick pick-me-up I'll secretly do some warm-up calligraphy exercises with it just to watch the flexible nib do it's thing.

A Cold House

2011-12-03T20:11:00.000-08:00

Just one more thing that needed to be fixed, which gave me something to sketch. Our furnace stopped working this morning. It's not freezing out yet, so it's not dire straits, but it's a very cool rainy dreary day. The bones get cold faster that way. I call a service guy. While we wait, I decide to bring in some wood from our wood pile so we can fire up our small wood-burning stove. But wait, it's been raining all night and is raining now, so the wood is soggy. With a rain jacket on I dig for drier wood and build a pile in the cold and wet weather. Seems like I wait for the worst weather to stock the wood pile. Doesn't take long for the repairman to arrive. He diagnoses the problem and changes out the ignitor and we're all fixed. I start up a fire anyway and brew up some coffee so I'm quite cozy as I sketch. Not a bad day after all.

New Coffee Shop

2011-11-25T11:17:00.000-08:00

Well, Thanksgiving came and went. Now it's the day after. We don't do crazy shopping for Black Friday but sometimes we'll hit a store or two. This time Wilma wanted to go to a sewing store and I remembered this coffee shop next door. We both get something out of this deal. We had a nice time and I got a sketch out of the deal. I was able to do the whole thing before leaving the coffee shop. Those always feel good.

New Tech (I'd Make A Good Wife)

2011-11-22T05:07:00.000-08:00

This just isn't what a guy should be saying, but I love my new iron! I know what you're thinking - why does this guy have an iron and why does he enjoy it? It starts with a story.

Over 30 years ago when Wilma and I were dating, we'd talk about many things. In that process she declared that she would not iron, make my lunch or get up early just to cook my breakfast. In pondering all the things to decide if she was "the one", these seemed small. Since she did marry me, these could be considered a verbal prenuptial agreement, so I'll honor them.

Therefore, I iron those shirts of mine that aren't wrinkle-free. These are the shirts that feel softer and the ones I prefer to wear, since the wrinkle-free treatment produces a harsher texture. But I still tend to be lazy so I have both.

In the course of our 30 year marriage we have not upgraded irons. The old iron still worked and I thought it was fine until I used a newer one at a motel while on business travel. The extra steam it produced made a world of difference. Gotta have a new one!

Last weekend we bought this one and I'm in heaven. It has a wide stance to hold it upright, automatic shut-offs for time-out and falling over, and a swiveling power cord. There's a neat little clip on the cord so it can be wrapped up and secured. This all appeals to me as an engineer. Great design and attention to detail. Part of the steam control can even be taken out for cleaning, so there's attention to maintenance, too. So I tried it out on this weeks shirts. It glides with ease and has a nice slow steady stream of steam. Then the burst of steam when you push the button. Wow! I've been missing a lot these last few decades. This is the right tool for the job.

Sketch Crawl Nov. '11

2011-11-20T15:37:00.000-08:00

This was a windy cool day in Excelsior Springs so we spent it indoors. Kate arranged for us to spend time at Raymond's, which is a home furnishings place in the old down town. This was our first time there. As with all the buildings in this part of town, the architecture is old and elegant. This place has been kept up, too.

I had a chance to talk with those running the store. That's how I learned about the money transfer gear. They asked about our sketching so I explained the whole sketch crawl and illustrated journaling thing.

Then off for a bite to eat and compare notes and chat with Kate and Vicky and assorted spouses. Christiana had to leave early. This was a shot in the arm to get back into sketching. As my lack of recent posts indicate, I've been off my game lately. I'm hoping to fix that.

Quick Bike Tour

2011-08-30T18:45:00.000-07:00

Well, calling it a tour may be a stretch, but it was an over-niter for both of us and we used my pannier bags for our luggage. We hit the Prairie Spirit Trail in eastern Kansas. I've been wanting to try a rail-to-trail bike ride with motel so that Wilma and I could do it together. She doesn't sleep on the ground anymore so my loaded touring method with camping gear doesn't work with her. That will just be my solo thing.

All went well, and Wilma would almost agree with that assessment. It was a bit warm Saturday. I wanted to be off the trail by the time the day's heat arrived but we were running a little late. We hit 95F and there wasn't as much shade on the trail as I was hoping for. It took the wind out of our sails. But we made it fine and recouped in an air-conditioned motel room. We just waited for the sun to go down a little before we hit Ottawa for eating and seeing the sites.

I love cruising small town Kansas on a bicycle to see the sites. I learned that on my two trips with Biking Across Kansas (organized ride), where we'd cruise the cities each night where we stayed. Sunday we got up early to beat the heat and the going was better. We watched the sun rise as we were pedaling South, back to Garnett. We gave a dozen farmers having coffee at the local dive pit-stop something to talk about with our biking attire as we came in for a bite. I had a nice chat and ear-scratching with a blue healer in a pickup in the parking lot as we left, waiting for his gossipy master inside.

That all made for a 58 mile two-day outing, which was the most Wilma has ever done. I'm proud of her! Also, we're still married . . . so far . . . I think.

Some Scenery on Business Travel

2011-08-24T20:16:00.000-07:00

I spent a day inspecting some utility construction of one of our member coops. Coming back I drove through my Alma matter, K-State. I love to visit Manhattan, with it's coffee shops, grab a bite, and visit either the K-State Union bookstore or its rival, Varney's bookstore. This time it was Varney's and I picked up a new product for me - Art Alternative's "Pen & Ink" fountain pen and their 3.5"x5.5" sketch book that copies the Moleskine style. Then, while driving out of town I stopped at a scenic overview of the Kansas River Valley at sundown to try it all out. They built this neat stop after I graduated. So, here's the first sketch with that pen and that sketch book. The pen is $16, a bottle of ink was $6 and the book was cheaper, too. Seems to be entry level stuff, but it seems to work good so far. Next I'll check the claim that the ink is waterproof for using watercolors.

Omaha on Business

2011-08-11T05:43:00.000-07:00

Well, time for our quarterly SPP TWG meeting. This time in Omaha. Our hotel is down by the restored Old Market area, so we can walk around after the meeting and check out their neat restaurants, bars and shops. Meeting with my peers is great but I like to get away from it, too. I knew there would probably be a big chain coffee store somewhere, but I like the small independents and if they were here, they'd be on the outside fringe area of the high rent district. Wednesday night I was in the mood for a decaf latte. I found Scooters in the high rent district, but they had no decaf. He recommended a competitor, and it was an independent! It's a neat little shop on the fringe of the developed area and they had my decaf. I decided to stop by the next day after our meeting disbanded at lunchtime and do a sketch and, since I'm there, have another cup of joe as I write the text. Sometimes I love business travel.

Sketch Crawls

2011-07-26T05:32:00.000-07:00

I've made it to the last two Sketch Crawls in Excelsior Springs. That's just northeast out of Kansas City. They're organized by Kate Johnson. The June crawl was at Van Till Farms, just outside of town. It's an interesting blend of winery, restaurant, green houses to supply the restaurant, and part time pizzeria. Never been there before, but I cruised their website in advance. Their old-style masonry wood-fired oven is a slap the the face of technology. The work tools caught my eye initially, so I sat out in the sunny heat to sketch and sweat. Then I moved around for the other views. We would then sit and chat and eat. This is only my third crawl so I'm still getting into the swing of it.

Then the July Sketch Crawl was in the town at their City Hall. The building name is Hall of Waters, and hails back to their heyday as a resort town using their mineral waters. This place is build with interesting architecture and materials. I don't know the name of the style, but it has plenty of sketch potential. I started outside in the heat but came in after an hour.

My next sketch will be about our recent lightning strike that wiped out a bunch of electronics. This is added onto a hail storm in April. Bunches of insurance claims. The sketch is in my mind.

On the good side of life, my herb garden has proved to be very delicious. It's fun to cook with them. The smell is heavenly. I'll need a sketch of that, too. Stay tuned.

Berry Patch Prep

2011-06-16T16:29:00.000-07:00

Everything is waking up around here. I love Spring! The hummingbirds are back. Flowers are up. Wilma's flower and veggi gardens are planted. We're starting to eat fresh veggies.

I can't put off clipping off the dead growth in the blackberry patch, so last night I got busy. I can't seem to get used to Kansas humidity, even though I've been here most of my life. When you don't move around it's fine, but work a little and it gets sticky. Oh well.

Wheat is starting to turn, so harvest isn't far away. When your are a major wheat State, that a significant event, at least in eastern Kansas. Western Kansas has already lost most of the Winter-planted wheat. That's a bad thing.

This is my second year of growing herbs. I plan to sketch later about them. They're not growing very fast but smell great.

High Pressure Fun

2011-06-13T05:54:00.001-07:00

I had our deck and porch railing all cleaned and stained for our wedding festivities and visitors, but I didn't get the sketch done right away. Had the pen work finished but I had to clean up the place and store the equipment away before I got the color done. So, I drug out the sprayer last night to finish it and here it is.

That high pressure sprayer is one heavy piece of gear. I'm glad I have a brother to borrow it from. It's fun to use because you can see progress while you're working. There's also something primal about working with water that's fun. Think about it. When you walk by a puddle of water, doesn't an inner voice say "Step In It!". It's the learned cultural side of us that says adults don't do such thing (when other people are around). When you're out in a canoe or kayak or raft you have to smile and splash. Of course swimming is all about fun, even as an adult. With the exception of flooding, water is just plain fun. I also just remembered that human skin is not like that of other typical mammals, but like that of our dolphin friends. We are made for water . . . so step in that puddle!

Time's a Changin'

2011-06-09T16:24:00.000-07:00

Amy's wedding was Saturday. Wilma and I have been busy (mainly the women) getting ready. Saturday morning Amy and Wilma were getting their hair done etc. etc. and I was left at home, alone, until my first duty, which was to take her dress (which was in a plastic bag I couldn't see into . . . drats!) to the church and pick up a platter of sandwiches for the bridal party. Then show time. So as I set, passing the time of day and listening to music, cup of coffee, I see this champagne cork Amy used for a spiked punch for the girls. I was fiddling with it and, of course, it called out to me to be sketched. Had it done before I went to town for my assigned father duties.

The wedding went fine (other than the sandwich shop didn't see our order and had to do a mad rush to fill it). Words just don't describe it all. It's special (and that sounds so lame). I once thought watching weddings was OK but not THAT mushy. Then our kids got married. Wow!

Note: The purplish color is close to the official event color.

Spring Break

2011-05-08T20:30:00.001-07:00

It's a little late, but here's my journaling for our Spring Break this year. Went to see our son at his new job, and it's in Seattle.

For this trip I didn't get to sketch much at all. Too busy and now time to myself. So, I took plenty of pictures for sketching after we got home. It's not my preferred way, mainly because I take too long to post-process everything (witness the slow posting). When I sketch in the moment, it's finished when the moment passes and not several weeks later. But, it's still fun to sketch it at home.

Seattle was fun to explore. Our son had the itinerary set, and all we needed to do was keep up. I've got sketching locations figured out for our next visit(s). We now have a feel for what Seattle is. Experienced some typical cloudy/rainy time and some partly sunny time. This Kansas boy wants to do some big boat sketching, and I want to research the different types of deep sea fishing and crabbing boats so I can understand the equipment differences.

I think it would take a lot of visits before I'd get bored of Seattle.

Invitations close to done

2011-04-06T00:03:00.001-07:00

Well, I've been busy lately. Instead of sketching my creative time has been spent on wedding invitations for our daughter. My calligraphy originals went to the printers for the invitation, RSVP card, Reception card and Map card, and we like the results. Now it's time to address the envelopes. The finished product is shown at the left. I used some watercolor pencil to add a splash of color on the owls. At a bit over 100 invitations, that is 200 owls! That took me a while. The folder is creased (got to buy more gear!) and folded. The map card is creased and folded. Then I used transfer tape to glue the invitation to the backing to the folder. And, because of all the paper being cut (the invitation backing sheet plus misc.), I bought a nice table top rotary paper cutter.

As for addressing the envelopes, my corner of the basement is shown below. It's nothing fancy or expensive, but I like it. I have my hot tea and nice music and my quaint little domain. It's a slow process but it's worth it.

I'll be getting back to sketching after we get these in the mail. We had a quick trip for Spring Break to Seattle where our son just got a job. No time to sketch live, but I took pictures so I could work up the sketches later. That's in the work. Just not enough time.

More later.

Criminal Rat

2011-03-16T16:16:00.001-07:00

I wouldn't know what to do without critters getting into trouble around here. This Winter we had our first pack rat in the garage. He sure caused mischief! Expensive mischief. I ended up having to kill him, and I sure don't like doing that.

We all have our place on this planet, but our garage is not the place for his home. He sure was a cute rascal, though. One tough rodent, too. Mouse traps and poisons had no lethal affect on him. He could crawled up all shelving. He could chew everything but metal into shreds. The whole garage was his kingdom, and he laughed at me freely. . . until I corned him with an old broom handle. May he R.I.P.

On another note, last weekend I noticed a dead vole in the tiger pit (egress window well) and mentioned it to Wilma. She HATES voles because we think they are the ones eating all her flower bulbs. I thought she'd be happy. WRONG! She says they're cute and was sad to lose one. . . go figure.

To The Printers

2011-03-13T06:31:00.000-07:00

Our girl's getting married and I'm taking on the invitations! I've dabbled in calligraphy for years and love it. My first big project was twenty nine years ago when I addressed envelopes for our wedding. I have a standing offer to my nieces and nephews that Uncle John will address their envelopes as a gift. Some have taken me up on it, and they were rewarding to do. Being of German descent I really enjoy writing out some of the traditional names. They look sharp in calligraphy.

For Amy I wanted to do it all from scratched. I pitched the idea after coming up with comparative costs to commercially available offerings, and they "gave me the job". Amy went with a pocket fold format, with individual cards for RSVP, Reception and Map. With invitation they are folded together in a pocket fold envelope. She had the idea of the owls, so I came up with a simple sketch after looking over the Internet for sample owl sketches. I needed to find out what "makes an owl" with minimum line work. All my work is done large scale and scaled down by the printer. I've gone with an off-set printer (good stuff) because my dad was an off-set pressman and I wanted it done in a way he would be proud of, since he's not here to see the event.

The last picture also has a mock-up I made to illustrate the concept. I'll have more pictures later of the finished product.

PS: I finished the roto-tilling this weekend and didn't blow my cool once!

Be Patient, Doofus!

2011-03-11T17:15:00.000-08:00

Sometimes things happen that seem bad initially, but have some merit in the long run. For example, this bruised fingernail. It will take months to heal, and is a constant reminder that patients is a nice virtue. Every year, before the snows come, we like to till the garden with organic matter so it can rest the Winter. I had problems with the roto-tiller (again) and I worked myself into a frenzy. Slamming that nail between a flying strap buckle and the utility trailer rail came along to refocus my attention.

Tomorrow I'll rent the roto-tiller again to start the new growing year. The weather is going to be nice and Wilma says it's time. Not even going to try the old roto-tiller. I'll see if I learned anything from a few months ago.

Broken Borders

2011-03-09T04:57:00.000-08:00

Wish I could say my absence was because I was abducted by a space alien and I was just returned home after months of human experiments. But nothing so grandeur. I just fell out of the habit due to a splash of activity and never got back in the saddle. There is probably a deep seated psychological explanation, but I'm not smart enough to figure that out. I do know that even though I wasn't sketching, I was viewing the world in terms of what would make a good sketch. I'm addicted. So here I am again.

Border's Book Store is going under. That's old news to anyone not living under a rock. As a family we like to shop book stores. Each of us may have a favorite but we like them all. In most towns in Kansas we don't have multiple choices in each city of the BIG book stores. Take out a BIG store and it changes things like family traditions. When we visit Lawrence, we usually hit Border's. Guess now we won't. We'll still have our independent book stores, but things will be different.

On The Arkansas

2010-09-23T23:03:00.000-07:00

Well, it's 1 a.m. and I just got home from a business meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas. Figured what's a few more minutes of no sleep in order to post the journal entry I sketched while I was there.

A couple of my peers recommended the river trails built along the Arkansas River in Little Rock. Drove to Murray Dam and Lock and spent the time until sundown walking this great trail. The city built a HUGE bridge for pedestrians over the river and lock system. As if that wasn't enough to gawk and sketch, a crew was repairing the shoreline rock, right under the bridge! I had a front row seat, as did the dozens and dozens of citizens coming out to walk/bike/run/photograph on a nice full moon evening. This was a jackpot way to spend time away from home. I pulled out my sketch gear and got busy.

Headlamp

2010-09-10T20:36:00.000-07:00

Times have changed. In the old days, when a headlight was out, you needed to buy a heavy glass sealed beam. Remove and replace took some time. A bracket around the face of the lens sometimes moved and the headlamp would need to be re-aligned. These days it's a lot easier. Amy's low beam went out on the passenger side. The new halogen beams are a snap to replace. Then I got to lookin' at the old bulb. It was actually a busy piece of equipment with many surfaces interacting, and a very colorful O-ring. The chrome base of the glass bulb even had ornate cut-outs. This thing just called out to be sketched!

Pictures for Winna

2010-09-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

At my friend, Winna's, request, here are pictures of our house, with a fresh coat of paint. The pictures don't show the left and right parts of this crooked ranch style house. Didn't paint them and I wanted to show the paint. The siding is Masonite with imitation wood grain. The siding came alive with the new paint. Didn't realize how dull the old paint was.

In the first picture, note the intersection of the porch roof and the house roof. That's where the wasps came out of to sting me.

In the second picture, the eave is 16' above ground where the walkout basement is. That was one tall ladder I had to climb. Glad I don't freak out with height.

I just took these pictures tonight because we have major rain moving in from the Gulf Coast tropical storm. Won't see the sun for a while, and it's the sun that makes the color pop out. Next I'll recondition and refinish the deck and porch woodwork. Never-ending.

Ah-Fresh Paint

2010-09-07T20:21:00.000-07:00

Time to paint the house. Mostly done as I post this. Took a while to get started because of rain, heat, and other obligations/fun. It sure looks nice now that it's done. Just wish it lasted a few more years between paintings. These latex paints sure beat the oil-based paints of my youth. Painting buildings around the farm was a protracted effort. Clean-up was a real job. The youth of today that learn how to paint won't know what they missed.
Note: The main color of our house is yellow, not the version of salmon that my scanner chose.

150

2010-08-09T19:42:00.001-07:00

Well, here's the primary driving motive for our recent rash of canning jam this year. It's been a great activity for the three of us, for the teamwork needed to pull it off. The canning continues, too, even though we've met our goal number of 150 4-oz. jars of jam. One of our campgrounds (good ol' Clinton Lake, land of criminals singing into the Quiet Hours and felony banjo) has crab apple trees. The're ripe! So, we are trying some crab apple jelly. I think we're going to have a bit of excess inventory. We haven't hit regular apple season yet, either.

Command Central

2010-08-06T19:29:00.001-07:00

We're in the thick of it now. Canning jam. It's not every year we can a lot of jam. Just don't go through it as much as an empty nest. However, our son does raid the jam/jelly stock when he's back home on visits. I like having a reason to can, and having a bumper crop of blackberries is one such reason. The next blog post will tell of another reason. I just like the sights and sounds of the kitchen when it's in production. The stove is Command Central. All the counter tops in arms reach are strategically stocked to feed the canner and to take its output. Then the random sound of popping lids as they cool. It's a flashback to childhood years by Mom's side watching. It's an event.

Fruit of the Land

2010-08-01T14:11:00.000-07:00

Fruit time! We have plenty of blackberries now. And two trees of peaches. Kansas peaches. Doesn't have the rich sound of Georgia peaches, but they are ours. These are dwarf fruit trees. We didn't need big ones, just smaller ones to give us some fruit to play with. Right now it seems more like work than play. The blackberry bushes are taking over the world. They sprawl a little more every year. Every three days I go out to pick more. It's been over a week of that, and with the red fruit on the vines it looks like another week of picking. Time to start canning and freezing.

BAK 2010: Final Day

2010-07-30T20:54:00.000-07:00

June 12, Saturday

Boy, it was a hot and sweaty night last night. I hate camping in humid heat. Eastern Kansas is more humid than western Kansas. I grew up only 35 miles west of here, so I should know. Hard to sleep when you're sweating. Oh well.

Woke up to a breakfast served by Chris Cakes. He's known for his flamboyant style of cooking and serving pancakes. This meal was on BAK. We had them for a breakfast on our 2007 ride, too. They're fun, and the food's good, too.

Then we hit the road. It's a short day planned, with a finale at Leavenworth and a catered hot meal for lunch. The first picture is our crossing of the Kansas River. I have a history with that river. Grew up in Topeka area, which is a Kansas River town. Then college at Kansas State in Manhattan, which is near the source of the Kansas River. I've floated St. George to Wamego a couple times. I like that river.

We met a confusing lady in the morning. Cody was in lead and stopped first, because she asked if he could carry a bag of green beans to town to the homeless shelter. We caught up with him and stopped, too. She asked if we heard the voices . . . the voices in the traffic. They come from the tires. We told her we didn't. She encourages us to keep trying. She said it's important to tell people what we're doing on BAK, and there are many Lords. She doesn't know who the authorities are, and we all have different levels of authority. We could tell our conversation should end and we needed to move on. We bid her farewell.

Half way through the day our average speed is 15.2 mph! I can tell the week has made me stronger. We have overcast but no rain. Made it to Tonganoxie just fine. Then . . . RAIN, and rain and rain. It never ended for the remainder of the day. Some lightning but not close and mean. No big wind. The mood dampens. We keep pedaling. Wet doesn't kill you.

We make it to Leavenworth and the rain picks up. The traditional BAK individual ceremony, when the trip ends at the Missouri River, is to dip the front tire in the river for the symbolic end of the trip. We had trip notes on where to go, and we tried, but we couldn't find the river access point. We're soaked to the bone, visibility decreasing and we're lost, so we decide to scrap the tire dipping (we did find a beautiful park with a river overview) and proceed to the park for the cook-out. Many others are in our situation, so we cruise to the park together.

We get there and need to wait an hour before the food's ready. Only two shelters. One is full, and the other will be used for serving. We huddle under some kids playground equipment until food is ready. We unload trucks in the rain. We're served food in the rain and most riders need to stand in the rain to eat, too. We scurry to eat under the playground gym with a partial cover (that few others have seen). We're starting to catch a chill as our wives arrive and we load up and leave.

But, we do have a good ending. We stop at the Depot Restaurant, which is a refurbished Depot. Wilma hadn't eaten yet so she ordered a regular meal. The rest of us had eaten a soggy BBQ chicken dinner in the rain, so we each ordered a hot cinnamon roll and I added a hot coffee. As we waited for the food to be served, we changed into dry clothes. We had a great chat, good food, dry clothes. Life is good.

Will we do a BAK again? We don't need to think about that now. It's time to stay dry for a while.

37.9 miles
Vavg 13.9 mph
2 hr 43 min
Night: HOME!

The End.

BAK 2010: Day 8

2010-07-30T05:20:00.001-07:00

June 11, Friday

Today was a good day. I don't take weather for granted anymore, and the weather was clear and warm. Ottawa was to be the lunch stop, but it was too early in the day, at around 10 a.m., so we went on. We made a pit stop there, though, at our first Casey's on the trip (a gas station convenience store chain that I like). Had to stop for a cookie and 16 oz. of cold chocolate milk! I've been craving the milk. Amy says it has an excellent blend of nutrients you need when exercising. Boy did that go down good!

At an early Sag Stop we were set up in the entrance driveway to a working farm, maybe 50 yards from the house. We were all self-absorbed in cooling down and eating something and topping off our water bottles, so it was easy to miss a young boy and his toddler sister watching us from their house steps. Amy and I noticed. I grabbed the camera and went over. Struck up a conversation with the young man, who spoke with confidence. He told me it was his Grandma's house, and she was inside with their dog. The dog is really nice but doesn't like big groups of people. He was here visiting his Uncle. He also pointed to the pasture where he has a horse. I asked if I could take a picture and he was happy to get his sister positioned, and at the last minute put his hat on her. It was the cutest thing. Great kids.

One of the Sag Stops today had a theme of Kansas History. We were all asked trivia questions from a book about Kansas. The success rate for correct answers wasn't particularly good.

We made it to Baldwin City for lunch. Found a non-chain pizza place called Wheat State Pizza. Their crust was a whole wheat blend, and they had a lunch buffet going. That hit the spot. The day was getting hot and the air conditioning felt good, too. We stayed a while.

Made it to Eudora, to their HUGE Middle School. It big and new. In the demographics of Northeast Kansas, Kansas City and Lawrence are growing communities. Between the two is Eudora. People wanting to live out of Kansas City but still work there move to Eudora. Good tax base thus good school facilities. They brought out a couple bands to play for us, turning it into a mini festival for BAK and their community. All the concessions were there so we didn't have to ride into town, which was probably good because it's a big town by BAK standards. Ran into Bill and Robin, fellow 4-H Venturer volunteers. Nice chat, and BAK veterans in their own right. They plan on doing it again soon.

At our nightly town meeting we heard the news that we have a 40% chance of rain tomorrow, our last day. That puts a damper on things!

67.1 miles
Vavg 13.1 mph
5 hrs 5 min
Night: Eudora

BAK 2010: Day 7

2010-07-29T21:52:00.001-07:00

June 10, Thursday

Well, today was the day for our Kansas Flinthills and tallgrass prairie. Before we got to them, one of Amy's Achilles tendons acted up and she could not pedal without great pain. We stopped at a Sag Stop and talked to them. She could stay there until she could catch a ride with someone driving to our next overnight city. Reluctantly we leave her behind and head out. Dan and Cody take lead and I won't see them until I reach Osage City for the night.

I hit the sign designating the Flint Hills and keep on. The towns are far apart and I'm not sure where lunch will be, but I'll figure it out as I go. The hills were very long but not particularly steep. Never been on hills that long. It becomes a muscle burn. I think I'd like the scenery just as fine through a car windshield.

The designated lunch town was too early. I'm hungry when I hit Allen, but it's not a city that responded to BAK planning staff. It's just too small. The only hot food was the local bar, but it was a neat place to spend time. Food was good and the wait staff did a good job.

On to Osage City. The school had a confusing layout. Most of these schools have been added on to a little at a time and tend to meander around. Plenty of food vendors again, and all is good.

I'm pleased that I can keep up with the biking. Still not fast but I am steady and no body parts are injured or in pain. I think I'll make it.

64.9 miles
Vavg 11.7
5 hrs 29 minutes
Nite: Osage City

BAK 2010: Day 6

2010-07-28T20:33:00.001-07:00

June 9, Wednesday

Finally, a day without rain. It was a mix of sunny and partially cloudy. I liked the clouds because it kept it a bit cooler. Today I had my introduction to 'rollers', and I like them. They are hills that aren't too long or high, but the downhills are long enough to be fun. We have a mix of pasture (cattle) and crops. The wheat has a couple more weeks and it's ready to harvest. The heads are turning tan but the shafts are still pretty green.

The heads have turned enough that I could eat some wheat berry's. I've done that since I was a kid. It makes a neat chewy gum.

We hit Abilene for lunch. It's a BIG town compared to what we've been through and we had traffic and four lane streets to show for it. They are also big enough that they really didn't care we were coming through. We ate a great buffet at the largest Pizza Hut in Kansas, but they didn't know we were coming through. I ate a lot and never got full. That's one beauty of this BAK thing, and the 'regulars' all joke that BAK stands for Buffet Across Kansas.
In the afternoon we hit a small town selling home made ice cream at their city park. That hit the spot! That's where I saw this older couple and I had to take their picture.

Then we hit Herington. WOW! It was their first time to host a BAK overnighter, and they tied one on for us. (After the ride I conclude this was our best community stay.) As we arrive in town we are greeted by families out in their yards with young kids, all waving. They had townspeople at key intersections directing us when we needed to turn. At one, the person was handing out small bags of Chex-mix type snacks, as we rode by. We hit the high school and set up camp. The superintendent walked around with a bull horn spreading the word for scheduled activities. He was clearly being our father figure for the night, which was a nice touch.

Their local Christian rock band, Red Letter, performed for us in late afternoon. It was hot and sunny, and most BAKers were inside resting. But I love live music so I was there, front and center. Didn't bring my chair. Then I see a young girl, maybe a Kindergartner, struggle to carry a chair to the audience area. The folding chair was about as tall as her! She couldn't quite get it over the parking bumper, so I went over to help her. I carry it to the grass and ask her where she wants it. She thanks me and points over to the area in front of the band and tells me I can set in it. I thank her, but say I'll move it there and she can set in it. Then she explains. She's drinking a fruit juice. She needs to drink it and not get it on her blouse because she's going to play T-ball soon, and she brought the chair for me. Ahhh. A golden moment.

We had tons of food booths set up. When the sun was still up, sales were slow, but as the shade sets in, the crowd supports all of them.

77.4 miles
Vavg 12.4
6 hrs 13 min
Night: Herington

BAK 2010: Day 5

2010-07-28T20:05:00.000-07:00

June 8, Tuesday

Once again, we had storms through the night. Kinda getting used to the rumble to sleep by. Packed up wet gear again. The gear stays wet until it's set up at night, but it does dry fast.

We had big open pastures now. Saw some long horn cattle. Amy had a flat at the top of a long hill with a beautiful view. Nice panning, as the view was great the fix a tire. She did it mostly herself.

Lunch was in Hunter, which is a painfully small town in the middle of today's route. BAK hosts three or four meals, and this was one of them. This little town all pulled together to prepare and serve a BBQ chicken sandwich meal with a side and dessert and drink. Very impressive! They had a community bulletin board with each community person's name and responsibility.

Then, in the after, we hit two food stops. The first one was the pie lady from KC, who sets up a roadside restaurant for pie. I had rhubarb! Then, a little further, in a small town the community center was open and the local 4-H group sold pie, ice cream and cookies. Amy and Dan ate there. Some people ate pie at both places. It's a BAK thing.

Then we hit a young family with a lemonade stand. The kids were cute, and were sure interested in the hundreds of bikes riding by their farm. Of course, we had to buy some.

We got into Minneapolis. Set up our tents behind the bleachers on the football field. Showers were scalding hot and unusable. Food vendors around the high school and also a shuttle bus to town offered more. We were hungry and ate at the high school. A potato served on an aluminum pie pan piled high with trimmings! Then we caught the shuttle to town for ice cream in a church basement. Then we walked around the downtown. These small towns are really nice for bicycling. Not too spread out, and the people appreciate the business we bring in.

76.1 miles
Vavg 12.4
6 hrs 6 min
Night: Minneapolis

At the end of the day, Amy sits back and patches the inner tubes for the THREE flats she's had on this trip so far. They're all patched now, and ready for more action.

BAK 2010: Day 4

2010-07-27T20:18:00.000-07:00

June 7, Monday

Storms again through the night. Packed up wet gear again. Some tenters woke to being in a pond. The business community set up a huge white tent and served a breakfast ala cart buffet that made for a great start. Clouds are quickly approaching from the West (just like yesterday). Dark clouds. The four of us have decided that Amy and I are slower and will stick together. Dan and Cody will ride faster, but will wait for us at each sag stop to make sure all is well. This works fine, and Dan and Cody take lead today.

An hour and a half into the ride the storm overtakes us (8:30 a.m.). This is different than yesterday. Wind and horizontal rain, then the lightning starts. First far away, then a mile to the left. Then, when I view Amy on my right I see a lightning strike in the field behind her, no more that a half mile away. Time to seek shelter! About 40 of us find a farmer who opened up his tool shed for us to wait it out. Then he brings out towels to dry off, and stays with us the chat. Real nice guy. The picture is blurred, but I still liked it. The farmer is in the middle, of course. That old shed had the same smell as my Grandpa's tool shed and my Uncles tool shed (both farmers). That blend of dirt and grease and oil and metal parts. It was comforting.

As time passes, though, we loose precious body heat in our tight thin riding clothes. After an hour or so the rain lets up a little, the wind dies a lot and the lightning stops. Amy and I pound down an energy bar each because we're starting to shiver, and hit the road. Doesn't take long to build our heat back up. In about five miles we hit Nicodemus, a historic Kansas town known for it's early black citizens. The historical center, run by National Parks, opened for us and let us get warm. We caught up with Dan and Cody there, and told stories.

It was a long day. Got into Osborne and all the food was there at the High School. Nice. Plenty to choose from. I had a Taco Salad and an ice cream (ice cream is a recurring obsession). Had a great evening meeting. A local singer/songwriter was there to help us all day, plus sing a song for us. At the meeting, a long-time staffer told us today was in the top three for bad days. They have never seen a lightning storm light that before. That makes me feel a little better.

69.4 miles
Vavg 11.5 mph
5 hrs 59 min 41 sec
Night: Osborne

BAK 2010: Day 3

2010-07-27T19:45:00.000-07:00

June 6, Sunday

We had storms through the night, which means packing up wet gear. A sound I like in the mornings is the hiss of the tire pump. After you pump up the tire to 100+ pounds pressure, you hear a big air pressure release hiss when you take take the head off the valve stem. That's a sound you hear all over camp.

We hit a church on the way out of town that had a pancake feed. Long line (get used to it), but good eats.

68.1 miles
Vavg 13.3 mph
5 hrs 5 min
Night: Hill City

As we rode East, the rain clouds followed us, then overtook us. We rode in the rain about 3 hours. Nothing wicked, just wet. Lunch at Trish's in Hoxie. Long line (get used to it), and it took 2 hours. But we were dry and warm inside, and it's wet and cool outside. I didn't mind.

The crickets started singing in the pastures once we passed Hoxie. Starting to see more crops and less pasture. One of the sag stops had our perrenial Sag Hags, all in their fine sleep attire. These ladies have a fun-loving attitude, and it's a shot in the arm to see them for a quick stop.

Arrived in Hill City and set up camp. The town set up a free shuttle bus system to take everyone downtown where food vendors were set up in their city park, and retailers downtown were open. We ate hot sandwiches in the park, then went to Majestic Cornerstone for some ice cream.

This was the first long mileage day and I'm content. My legs are shot but overall I feel fine. Nothing over-used. I did pop an ibuprofen, though. The legs will be revived by morning. Tomorrow will be longer yet.

BAK 2010: Day 2

2010-07-26T20:20:00.000-07:00

June 5, Saturday

Bright and early, we load our gear in the moving truck labeled for campers. The schedule states a mass start this morning, but, unfortunately, it wasn't to be. Don't know why. Would have been neat. Today is a nice flat ride to Colby. Met another Dad about my age with a T-shirt that said Odd Bird. I had to ask, so he explained his daughter is in California and is the singer in a band with that name. He is spreading the word. That's neat.

39.7 miles
Vavg 13.5 mph
2 hr 56 min
Night: Colby

We got to Colby and our stay was at Colby Community College. Nice campus. We set up camp and see that Twister Bar and Grill is close and we're hungry. As it turns out, BAK bikers fill the bar, with only two tables of 'locals'. Hot sandwiches and cold drinks. Just fine.

Then we rode to their historical museum. The large white barn was moved in, and is a wonder of woodworking. The tent was set up for Chautauqua, but it was for tonight not the afternoon. Wish we could have seen the historic re-enactors.

Real mileage will start tomorrow, with about 65 miles. I'm a bit anxious because I didn't get the training mileage in that I had hoped for. However, I did maintain regular workouts on our cheap home gym stuff. Hopefully that's enough.

BAK 2010: Day 1

2010-07-25T20:10:00.000-07:00

June 4, Friday

We pulled Friday as a vacation day to get out west to Goodland. Registered there about 4 p.m. Our wives drove us out to the Colorado/Kansas border, took our picture, then left us to pedal back to eastern Kansas. From l. to r.: Dan, Cody, Amy, me. We pedaled back to Goodland. It was a good flat fast ride to build confidence.

19.8 miles
Vavg 14.4
1 hr 33 min
Night: Goodland

I had a chain problem. Real noisy derailleur. Seems my changing of the chain last night a midnight was threaded wrong. I had to break the old chain down and re-thread it there on the road side. Then it worked fine. Nice to know I can handle it.

Camp at Goodland High School. Picture is of Amy and Cody. Each night we have a town (BAK) meeting and tonight's didn't have many people, at least not 850. I suspect they'll join later.

Pre-BAK

2010-07-24T14:36:00.000-07:00

Late night Thursday, last minute adjustments, around midnight. We leave early tomorrow. Should have finished all this a week ago, but we didn't. I decided to put on a new chain, but it made too much noise so I put the old one back on. Amy's putting on new tires. What training I could get in will hopefully be enough. My total training mileage of 400 should have been around 700 miles. March snows delayed training until April.

The last time we did BAK was 2007. Dan, Amy and I. Good memories and some stressful memories. This time fiance Cody suggested we do it again, this time with him. After what Dan called a "lapse in judgement" we decide to do it. Memory of 2007 aches and pains have faded.

This year BAK has 800 registered bikers (our typical number) and 60 support staff that ride. Each night is coordinated and is usually at a High School or similar educational institution. Roughly half of us bring our tents, half of us sleep on the gym floor or in the hallways. Local non-profit groups have volunteered to operate food booths as fund raisers for themselves and a convenience to us. We really appreciate them. BAK uses rental moving trucks to haul our gear to the next night's stay. We wake up, eat, pack up and load our gear in the trucks and hit the road by 7 a.m. (no set time) and a typical day is 6 hour in the saddle. This is every day for seven days. You get in a groove after the first couple days.

BAK 2010

2010-07-23T19:54:00.001-07:00

Well, this is a delayed posting. I just finished it, but it's for a bike ride I did the first full week of June. Life has been hectic lately and I'm in a sketch idea backlog. It'll happen, just not spontaneously.

Anyway, for the second time I've done the Biking Across Kansas (BAK) organized ride. The first time was in 2007 with daughter, Amy, and brother, Dan. This time we add Amy's fiance, Cody. Actually, Cody was this year's spark plug to get us all to go. It's his first time and he had enough of our stories and wanted to experience it himself. The process of pedaling 6 hours a day and fighting 860 other people for showers and food at local high schools doesn't lend itself to sketch journaling. I kept a traditional journal and took pictures. So, what I did here was a recap sketch journal entry after the fact. For my blog I think I will take one day at a time for this seven day journey and make a post based on my journal and add some pictures. Then back to my regularly-scheduled sketching. Stay tuned.

Felony Banjo, II

2010-07-11T20:22:00.000-07:00

First off, WHO STOLE JUNE! I've never missed a whole month of blogging since I've been at this. No excuses are being offered. It just happened.

Now, if you remember from last July 4, our family camps out with extended family and friends on July 4 (and other holidays) at Clinton Lake in northeast Kansas. Part of that tradition is evening picking and singing at least one night, around the campfire. Ed on guitar, me on banjo. Last year, for the first time, we got shut down by authorities because it was Quiet Hours. A first.

So I wrote a protest song of sorts to memorialize the event, and was looking forward to singing it this year in its debut. Daily storms got in the way. Ed's son drove his family in from Tennessee (with huge 5th wheel trailer and truck) and really wanted to hear his Dad sing, so on the last night we huddled up under Ed's awning, in light rain. Started at 9:30 p.m., when the rain started to let up.

Things went well until 10:15 (Quiet Hours start at 10). Nobody camping close to us and people with any sense are all inside their campers to stay dry, so I thought we were safe. Nope. The deputy walked in, suggested we make this our last song and walks off. Well, we think another couple songs won't hurt. Wrong. He keeps driving by and stopping to watch us. Tension builds. I'm ready to quit but the group wants to push the envelope. I sing my "Shut'em Down" protest song and everyone loved it. Just one more song. But as we're playing we see a second patrol car pull up to the deputy. We sing more. A third patrol car pulls up. Then a fourth. Then a fifth. I don't feel so good. I think five night sticks and five 9mm semi-auto pistols trumps a banjo and guitar. We call it quits, quickly, and disperse as the five cars eerily drive in close formation into the camp to shut down some illegal fireworks (very few this year) and US. Once again, my banjo is my weapon in the commission of a crime.

We all make it to our campers without incident. A couple guys in our group stay up and the deputies clamp down on them for laughing too loud. We can't win.

So, another year, another violation of federal regulations. This just isn't working.

Our Little Girl

2010-05-05T19:53:00.000-07:00

She's growing up and I can't stop it from happening. It's a thrill to watch it happen, yet part of me pines for the old days, too. She'll be fine. We'll see about me.

I had a 2-day business meeting in her town recently and crashed at her apartment for the night. That gave me a chance to sketch her chair. On my way home after the meeting I stopped to sketch one of many buildings at her campus. The final piece came when she was home for a weekend and I snapped a picture of her wearing her engagement ring. Then I figured what to babble about. I feel better now.

877

2010-04-16T20:12:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was the big start of Spring around here as far as yard and garden work. Wilma tended the garden. I hit the yard and took her car in for new tires, while taking some fun time, too. One morning was clear and warm enough I could eat breakfast out on the front porch and watch the country wake up. Always like that. Each year I pull some pasture cedar seedlings. This time of year the ground is moist and loose and the grass isn't green and thick enough to hide them, so I can pull the out, either by fingers or with pliers. Usually I bag them up, but this year I just threw them in the wheelbarrow for the burn pile and counted them . . . thus the title of this sketch. Got more than I figured. I found the youngin's to be very graceful and attractive, even if I hate them. The donut shop just opened up this year. It's open 24-hours a day with drive-up service and can seat probably 100 people. What a business model! Hope they make it. Need to rest up for next weekend.

Tools Of The Road

2010-04-13T20:53:00.000-07:00

I was having tires put on Wilma's car Saturday morning and had time to kill, so I packed along the bike and rode to a coffee house. As luck would have it, our Shunga Trail was close and I could get a 14 mile round trip in. Topeka doesn't have much for cyclists, but it does have the Shunga Trail, with it's nice surface for riding/walking/running and follows Shunganunga Creek. I brought along my sketch gear and figured I'd find something to draw. Once I had my coffee and was ready to draw, I thought of my tools. Love tools. I actually forgot it had some of the features. Much better gear than when I was a kid.

Spring Break 2010

2010-04-09T20:43:00.000-07:00

This year we decided to check out Santa Fe for our daughter's Spring Break (her idea). We've visited once before a few years ago and wanted another look. Made a 4-day holiday out of last weekend and took Amtrak from Kansas City to Lamy (closest train depot).

The main purpose of the trip is a family short vacation with a full schedule of things to do. I usually like a loose schedule with a few anchor events, but when time is short ya gotta keep moving. So, travel journaling had to take back seat and I sketched when I could work it in. Luckily I still managed to get most sketching done on the trip. The writing and maps followed when I got home.

That's it for this trip. Don't know if my travel sketch process will stay the same forever, but it works for now.

Spring's Here

2010-03-31T16:01:00.000-07:00

Well, I think Spring has arrived in eastern Kansas. I think that deserves a journal entry. Never know in the future when one will ponder historic trends. The wife is getting antsy to plant the vegetable garden so I dashed out last night and tilled the garden. I feel it's going to be a good year for growing things. Soil looks real nice, assuming you like dirt.

Joy In Order

2010-03-22T19:02:00.000-07:00

This project took way too long to get going. Years of contemplation. I should have just done it a decade ago: building shelves for the kitchen pantry.

I usually said I'll do it in the Spring when it's ideal working condition in my garage/shop. But I waited too long. To save some do-it-yourself dignity I did it this month in a very cold garage, just to get it off "the list". But it's done! Looks fine and I get a warm feeling seeing all the order it has instilled in our kitchen supplies. Wilma doesn't take it to that level, but loves the shelves anyway.

Five Cents Worth

2010-03-04T05:05:00.000-08:00

Back in Little Rock for a little business travel. Time to kill so I sketched a Jefferson nickle I found with a really neat Lewis & Clark engraving on the back (Jefferson was the president to authorize their expedition, so it all ties together well). Tried out Noodler's ink in my new fountain pen in my new sketch book. The waterproof (?) ink still doesn't work. It didn't work in my Moleskine Sketch books either, so I'll give up on it for my watercolor pencil work. I still like it for writing (and calligraphy) and pen and ink sketching. Had a chance to get into Ozark Outdoor Supply store again (maybe I shouldn't bag on women who like to shop). It's a house converted into a retail store. They have serious gear for hiking, backpacking and canoe/kayaking. Just packed to the walls with stuff. Love the place.

Hall of Waters

2010-02-27T20:30:00.001-08:00

I went on my first sketch crawl today. It's the one organized by Kate Johnson in Excelsior Springs, MO. I'm one lucky pup to only be 90 miles from real sketchers and water color artists that do crawls and let hacks like me tag along. We had quiet sketching time in the early afternoon hours. It's neat to be with people that understand these things can't be hurried. The Halls of Water has a neat long tall room full of glass designed to bring in the sun, with a (former) water bar area that now sells bottled water and misc. goods, and a free history lesson if you ask. Then a jaunt over to a local restaurant to talk things over and eat a bite. A person could get used to this.

Cleaning the 853's

2010-02-25T18:19:00.001-08:00

I've been a Shawnee County (Kansas) 4-H Shooting Sports air rifle instructor for about 15 years now. It's enjoyable working with youth on a project they really like. I see all types of kids with all types of other interests, but on our shooting nights we share an interest in target shooting. We get a couple chances a year to shoot in competitions with other counties and the kids get to meet their peers. I get to watch them grow in both age and abilities. I may be an empty-nester but I still have my kids.

Old Iron, New Bread

2010-02-24T18:26:00.000-08:00

Cooked up some bread using a new approach my son told me about. It's the crunchy crust/soft inside type, and it doesn't need to be kneaded. This isn't even work.

I made my second loaf this week. The first loaf, made while the kids were home over the weekend, didn't last long and I only got one piece. Bummer.

There's a story behind the Dutch Oven. It's Wilma's, inherited from her Mom. Wilma, an accomplished cook, says she never saw her Mom use it, so it probably hasn't been used for 50 years. It's been out in the garage forever . . . patiently waiting. Well, it came to life and it's neat to use such antiques for their intended use. It's going to be used pretty often now, thanks to this bread recipe.

New Old/Old New

2010-02-13T07:36:00.000-08:00

Here's a couple new gadgets for me.

One is a new item just like the old days. No high-tech material in this pocket magnifying glass, just steel, leather and glass. Retro (and it was hard to find, too). I heard of a nature guide in a National Park that carried one around his neck to show his tour group the fine details of small nature. Then I heard of sketchers carrying one to inspect and sketch all things small. That's enough reason for me!

The other item is an old item from my daughter, that's new to me. I may be the last old kid on the block to get an MP3 player. Been looking at the technology for years but never figured out when I would actually listen to it. Well, I figured I'd listen to it when I exercised (an activity I strive to do regularly but haven't made it there yet). My daughter recently received a nicer one so Dad got her hand-me-down. Boy are they neat! It's old and has no clip to fasten it to your clothes, so I use a potato chip bag clip for that. Goofy but functional in the privacy of my own basement workout.

Here's a picture of my new journal, freshly stamped with a "return if found" stamp I had made, and a touch of calligraphy for a title page. I feel it's all me, from stitch to sketch. Feels good.

Just Saturday

2010-02-06T20:26:00.000-08:00

It's just been a quiet Saturday, working around the house. Took some time today to clean out a corner of the basement. We've been saving used boxes, but it's time for them to go. Lately I just got irritated when I looked over to see the messy stack, and today there was time to take care of it. I feel better now.

Also cooked up some Red Quinoa Porridge. Recipe was in the box of Quinoa (small beads of whole grain from South America). We'll have it tomorrow. Very simple ingredients. Wilma is not impressed with how it looks. I think it has potential. My observation is that if you're going to pursue eating healthier, you keep an open mind. If you only eat what you've always eaten and you're gaining weight, you'll never loose weight. We'll try a bunch of recipes. There's common ground somewhere.

I Found Balsamic

2010-01-31T20:32:00.000-08:00

I know the rest of the world already knows what this stuff is . . . but I just found it. Always heard the name. My recent readings on food and health point to the benefits of whole foods, and cooking from scratch. One author of a cook book mentions balsamic vinegar on her short list of base ingredients to have around the kitchen, so I bought some. Now that I have a bottle of good stuff I recognize the taste from foods at our Italian fare restaurants. It seems related to other things I like: malt vinegar for fish (thanks, Great Britain), brewed soy sauce (Kikkimon), and burgandy wine served at room temperature. All these are old foods that pre-date our industrialized food industry, too, which is something author Micheal Pollan advocates. Hmm, maybe there's something to this whole food thing.

BUT, I'm not turning veggie. Although I won't become a vegatarian, I'm beginning to think that vegatarians have more things right than wrong in their beliefs. Looks like we kinda screwed ourselves up with this diet most of us have that they call the Western Diet. Pursuit of profits have created a food industry that has mislead the way we've learned to eat, but it's not hopeless. I've got more to learn. Still not sure who I can believe and who I shouldn't.

As for my journaling, I am now using one of those tall green journals seen in my last post . . . one of my babies. My Moleskine had a few pages left, but I just can't bring myself to sideline my new journal until the Moleskine is finished. Journaling in the book I just made is like eating the crackers I just made . . . they're whole . . . they're me . . . they're basic. It just seems like a good way to go.

Note: Using the doggie biscuit cutter to make the crackers was my idea (yes, I have a recipe book and cutters to make pet food). My daughter was not humored.

First Batch

2010-01-25T20:16:00.000-08:00

Well, I've been busy applying what I learned in one of Roz's book binding classes at the Minnesota Center for the Book Arts. The red journal is from class, and measures about 5"x6.5" landscape. I made a second one (green) at home to make sure I remembered the process. Then three small ones about 3"x5" (scraps) and three 5"x8". All these used Velin Arches light weight watercolor (printmaking) paper. Then I made two at 5.5"x7.5" using Strathmore Aquarius II, also a light weight watercolor paper. Some of these will be going to family, which will just give me a reason to make more. I've wanted to learn bookbinding for many years and I'm tickled to finally do it. When I finish my current Moleskine, I'll start using one of the green 5"x8" journals, and I'm not looking back. (p.s. two thumbs up for Roz and her artistic and teaching skills)

Way Too Much Snow

2010-01-10T09:33:00.001-08:00

Well, the snow just won't quit here in eastern Kansas. We had our first big snow in a long time, 11 inches, on December 24/25. Then last Wednesday, less than two weeks later, we get pounded again. This time 5 inches but much more wind and much colder. Wind chills -10F to -20F. And I get to shovel in all of it. We've blown shut many times and I'm all sore. Borrowed my brother's Ford 8N (see post of April 22, 2008: Tribute to the Ford 8N) with a blade and bladed us out once and for all today. The winds have finally stopped pushing the snow. The neighbors and us have seen nothing like this in the 12+ years we've all been out here.

Note on process: The sketch of the mailbox is my coldest I've done to date, at a sunny 7F.
I did it lead free, which is my habit lately, but especially for the time savings. A pencil sketch would take too long. In a short 5-10 minutes my fingers were numb, so I had to add color back in the warm house. The waterbrush would have frozen up. A couple neighbors drove by as I was sketching, so they probably question my sanity.

First Latte of 2010

2010-01-03T06:58:00.000-08:00

Another year begins. Of course, that calls for a cup of joe. Since it's a snowy holiday, I made it at home, and decide on a latte, using some homemade marshmallows that my daughter and I made this week. They work Great. I've also been pondering what I did last year that I wanted to get done and what I might want to do next year. I don't get wrapped up in making a New Year's resolution but I do like to give it a think. Hope everyone gets a chance to spread their creative wings this year . . . without pulling a muscle.

Too Much Snow

2010-01-01T14:21:00.000-08:00

We've been here for 13 years and this latest snow storm drifted the worst we've ever seen. The snow hit the day before Christmas. December snowfall for Topeka set a new local record. Most of the driveway was fine, but the start and ending of the driveway both had killer drifts that took quite a while to dig out. Makes me think about what to do when I'm all gray and not able to shovel. Some of the neighbors have nice REAL tractors with blade and/or front scoop, or little Bobcats to do the work. Seems overkill . . . until you have drifts like this. The workout felt good, though. I still ate too much but some of the guilt went away from this exercise.

Christmas Cards

2009-12-19T14:30:00.001-08:00

Time to send out the Christmas Cards. The younger generation doesn't seem to be too interested in the tradition, but I won't let loose. We include a family newsletter that I try not to get too braggy or annoying. Digital pictures are easy to add. Then I use my calligraphy tools to add a personal touch on the addresses. It keeps my hand in shape, and is a satisfying project . . . a simple pleasure of the season.

Hunting, Day 4

2009-12-12T11:06:00.001-08:00

It's the middle of my fourth day deer hunting. Lunch break at home. Didn't see any critters, of any kind. I made this sketch this morning in the field. I just continued sketching my rifle and noticed all the turkey tracks in the snow. They're EVERYWHERE. Been a quiet day in the field, but I was able to listen to the flock of turkeys wake up in the ravine not far from me. Some times I think of all the things that need to get done at home. Xmas shopping. Sending out cards. Working on some bookbinding. So much to do. But setting out for a few hours makes it all slow down ... and I always like a snowy landscape.

Hunting, Day 2

2009-12-05T14:31:00.001-08:00

Busy time of year. Holidays and hunting season means typical routines, like sketch journaling, get interrupted or modified. I was finally able to make a sketch on my second day of white-tail deer hunting. So far the deer have made it untouched (my luck the last couple years). Haven't seen any yet, but we have tracks all over the place. Today was a beautiful day to sit and watch nothing. It's enjoyable to be settled in before sunrise, in the cold, to watch the fields wake up. My good old turkeys strut by and mosey along. They don't mind me and I love to watch them. Broke out the sketch gear and did the whole page from my ground blind. Kept the water brush in shirt pocket to keep it from freezing. It all works fine, even with gloves. Finished drawings may be another story, though. I'll stick to sketching.

Porubsky's

2009-11-22T10:13:00.000-08:00

Porubsky's is a Topeka tradition. It was founded by a mother/son combination. The grandson of the son just received a grant to film a documentary on the store and tavern. I've eaten there twice (open for lunch only these days). I wanted Wilma to experience it so we went to eat there before we went to see the film. This place is known for chili and simple sandwiches. Unfortunately, they were out of chili, so we need to go back later. But we ate the cold plate, which is a plate of bread, cheese and meat and you assemble. Very small place but rich in community history. The store is on the left, tavern on the right. It's a small Russian German immigrant community with the major local employer being Santa Fe railroad, yards and maintenance shops. The mother and son are both dead now and the future of the store and tavern is uncertain. The culture that created and sustained it has changed so much that it probably won't make it in the long run.

More Business Travel

2009-11-07T06:38:00.001-08:00

Note: This post has a landscape orientation for the first two pages, which makes it tough to post here. You just need to jump pages to read the text.

I had a trip to Denver for a meeting with other engineers from other companies. The meeting itself wasn't very sketch-worthy, but I had one night on the town and went to an outdoor gear store and a couple coffee houses. Our first jobs after we got married were in the Denver area, 27 years ago, so it's like a visit with an old friend after a long absence. The mountains to the west had their white dusting of snow, typical for this time of year.

As with any place we've lived, there are things I miss and things I don't miss about living here. Guess I need to focus on the good things about where ever I'm at.

Engine Work

2009-11-02T20:46:00.000-08:00

Small job on the Corolla. Took a while before it dawned on me that the temperature guage wasn't indicating proper temperature. I diagnosed the thermostat after looking it over. Never replaced one before but it's a smaller job so I took it on. Now I have great joy watching the temperature guage move up to medium and I know all is well because of something I fixed. Just like when I apply the brakes I know they are mine, too. The simple joys of a weekend mechanic. Didn't even need to use one cuss word on this job, either.

Just For Fun

2009-11-01T19:45:00.001-08:00

Had some fun over the last week. Entered a promotional competition at Starbucks for their new VIA instant coffee product. Made a 2-minute video and posted it on http://www.youtube.com and www.starbucks.com/via (http://www.starbucks.com/via/occasion/inthewild/recent/video#sorting-anchor and titled "Using Starbucks VIA in the Kansas Wilderness"). Also entered a recipe for a hot drink I put together (http://www.starbucks.com/via/occasion/recipes/recent/story#sorting-anchor and titled "Wilderness Latte"). No way I'll win in a national competition, but it was fun doing it and I got my 5 minutes of fame by having it visible on the Starbucks website.

Walkabout 2009, Part II

2009-10-24T07:38:00.000-07:00

This is the second half of the travel journal. The sketching worked well
because it forced me to slow down, which wasn't a bad thing.
I'm not in as good of shape as 40 years ago
when I started this backpacking thing. There's no hurry. I usually get in trouble when I have flashbacks of the energy levels of youth and try to do it now. Gotta keep grounded and hike smarter, especially since I'm solo. Don't need any overuse injury complicating things. And this trip showed me the enjoyment level is just as high as when I covered twice the distance. Actually more enjoyable because I'm absorbing more of what I see and smell and feel.

In reading what people are posting on the web about solo backpacking, one said that it's not better that going with a group, it's just another form of backpacking. It's still fun to go with a group but it's a totally different experience because you're always interacting with the others. That communication is fun but distracts from experiencing what's around you. I think that says it well. That's also why it blends so well with sketch journaling, which is also about absorbing what's around you. They were made for each other.

One last thing I wanted to note here. When Wilma and I took a week in July '08 to see Glacier National Park I created my first travel journal. It was a combination of pre-trip, trip, and post-trip sketching and photo transfers. I like that approach for big trips. But another approach is to have a goal that when the trip is over, the journal is over. I wanted to try it, so for this trip that was the goal. The sketches you see are done live (one from memory) or not at all. The only exception is the map (which took some post-trip analysis) and a couple factoid inserts. My conclusion: the "sketch now or never" is OK if you're in control of your time, but I don't think it would work for trips with others. That said, it sure is nice to be finished with the journal and not drag it out.

Walkabout 2009, Part I

2009-10-21T22:20:00.000-07:00

Last year I took a 2 day/2 night solo bicycle trip to stretch my legs. It was backpacking the two prior years. This year I decided to try backpacking again. I like to have something to plan for and to exercise for. That gives me a chance to be in fair shape one week out of each year. It's a goal. Maybe I'll be in fair shape two week out of a year in the future.

Since I sketch more now, I'll pack my sketch gear. Had to reduce some, though. The graphite pencils and erasers and gel pens didn't make the cut. Only the watercolor pencils and Pitt Artist pens. The journal is the one I just made from Roz's class in Minneapolis. Looking forward to trying the new paper, and to carry my own handmade creation.

This day's post is the first half of my travel journal. The other half will follow. The trip went well. With no long distances planned and only myself to accommodate, I'd stop hiking when something struck my fancy to sketch, and I could hang around camp to get sketching in. Works well. Missouri has some beautiful country out there.

Minneapolis Weekend

2009-10-13T17:43:00.001-07:00

Had a great long weekend in Minneapolis. Roz was offering a bookbinding class thru Minnesota Book Arts (web addresses in my journal page). The wife and I pulled an extra day off work and had a look see. Quite the organization and city. Quite the teacher. Now I have my first hand-made hard cased journal with a new paper to explore for sketching. Roz says it's good stuff so I'm itchin' to try it. More later

Rodent Wars

2009-10-04T21:26:00.000-07:00

Well, it's that time of year. Rodents attack us so I attach them. War. They've invaded our garage and the Taurus. Today I washed the Taurus, removed back seat, vacuumed the mouse turds and nesting material, and shampooed the cloth interior. The darkened mouse piss wasn't fun to wash off the seats, but at least it didn't penetrate into the seats. It cleaned up well. I know . . . TMI (too much information), but this is my daily life. Can't figure out why they got into the car, though. It's spotless with no food source. Maybe they just like Fords.

Walnut Valley Festival

2009-09-24T05:35:00.000-07:00

This is our annual festival. It's probably the biggest outside music festival in Kansas. Mostly music I'd call Americana: bluegrass, folk, celtic, singer/songwriter, etc. Good mix. We probably missed a couple in the last two decades or so. Kids went in diapers thru high school and loved it. If they weren't grown and on their own in other States they would still be attending. Didn't camp this year, though. Traditions change. I just love the fresh food smells and constant music from the four stages and campgrounds, strolling through craft booths and meeting old friends. If I had more time I'd try harder to get into jams. Plenty of them but I like to see the stage acts first and for a one day visit there just isn't enough time.

Wheelbarrow Workout

2009-09-18T15:54:00.000-07:00

Too much yard work lately! Just no time for fun stuff. The grass needs to slow down someday. Maybe when the snow flies. I have a bike ride in a couple weeks with a brother and my daughter and her boyfriend. Happens every Fall. That's one reason I do like this cooler season. Things to do outside.

Brian's Wedding

2009-09-14T04:42:00.001-07:00

Finally finished my journal for Brian's wedding. Whatta weekend! Going down a day early seemed like it would have kept things at ease, but we were busy the whole time. Neat to see all the family coming together for the occasion, as it's a 5-9 hour drive for our side of the family. All went well. Brian and Michelle both like live music so we had plenty, with the two dads contributing (brought me joy). I also got to jam with their college friends at Bee Tree Park in the evening. Still doesn't seem like he's old enough to be a married man, but he's no younger than I was at the time.

Good Omen

2009-08-26T20:52:00.000-07:00

Our son is getting married this weekend! Big time for the 'ol family. We drive 5 hours to St. Louis and spend a 4-day weekend there. Just seems like yesterday we were changing his diapers. Wilma needed a new purse for the occasion. Once I saw it, I knew I needed to sketch it. She's got good taste. She found it after a long shopping period and it was desperate for a while. This one is a little larger than she wanted but it will be more useful for other times, too. It worked out great. Hope the wedding goes the same way. I'm not worried about the marriage. Our son picked a really fine young woman to marry. Looking forward to getting to know her better.

Stop Growing!

2009-08-19T05:24:00.000-07:00

This is one funky year. Usually about one month is cool and wet. Not this year. I'm just in a daze . . . month after month . . . seems like every night it's either raining or I'm mowing. I do love mowing, but enough is enough. As my meters indicate, this really isn't a big thing in the scheme of things, but it's still frustrating. It's cutting into other things to do. I had this sketch pretty much done before I thought of the Zombie angle. The last time I mowed (gee, it was two nights ago because it rained last night) I felt like I was in a daze and just going through the motions and I thought . . . Zombie!

Brake Job

2009-08-15T09:57:00.000-07:00

I had a chance to expand my mechanical skills last week. As typical, it started as an afternoon job and expanded into a week-long ordeal. Just my luck. But it was enjoyable. I like jobs like this that are physical as well as technical.

The shape of the torque plate (the bracket that hold the caliper and disc pads, the foundation of the whole brake system) struck me. A rather slim yet hefty cast iron 3-D casting of precision and strength. The rough finish was tactile. The color varied slightly by varied aging processes. Then I think of the energy it takes to produce such a part. Energy to mine the iron ore, energy to smelt, energy to heat to 2730 degrees F to create liquid metal to cast. Then energy to mill, drill and tap. And this is just one of thousands of parts on a car . . . one car in our mini-fleet of a typical American family. We really ARE a country of energy hogs. And it's like dieting. It's easy to figure out it's time to loose a few pounds (OK, like 25 pounds) but yet another to do anything about it. I like my cars.

...100... This is my one hundredth post! I'm putting this in smaller font. Don't want to distract from the REAL post here. It sounds like I'm bragging, and I guess I am. But it means something to me to have sketched and journaled and posted one hundred times. That means this just isn't another fad with me. I get distracted sometimes by a flaming interest of the day. Looks like I'm in a routine here and this is now part of my lifestyle. I like that. And this made one LONG post of 351 words (I used Microsoft Word to count because I was curious). But it’s my little kingdom and I can do that. I am grateful to all those who have visited my blog over the last 1.4 years and hope some will always find it interesting to stop by. I’ll always be checking out your sites, too.

Some Days Are Diamonds

2009-08-10T22:40:00.000-07:00

The critters have been active lately. The rat came over to me from the field being baled and just looked at me from about three feet away. The tree I was cleaning up was close to the property line and the baling in progress. I stared back. I think he wanted to file a complaint. Not my land being baled! More drama in our Tiger Pit (basement egress window, see Tiger Pit tag for other journal entries). This particular vole wasn't as wild as the previous one and I easily removed him with my scoop-lift-throw technique. They're so darned cute with their stubby little tail. After he landed, he started moving rapidly toward me. Keep in mind I'm in the Tiger Pit, with my eyes about a foot above ground. Here comes the vole, right at me! I'm at eye level with him and he's looking bigger and bigger. Then he jumps toward the rim of the Tiger Pit. I'm feeling pretty trapped and start to wave him off when I finally see that his burrow is along the edge of the Pit. He had me going there. If it was the deer mouse I would have put up a white surrender flag.

Loss of a Loner

2009-08-06T20:34:00.000-07:00

We had some spooky wind earlier this month. It made the house moan for only the second time in the 12 years we've been here. When it was done, I walked around the yard to see what the damage was. Our big trash bin was moved half way around the house. A two wheel dolly was slid across the driveway apron. The attic access panel in the garage ceiling was sucked into the attic. That was about it. . . I thought. Then I looked further from the house and saw we lost our original singular tree on the land. We've planted plenty of trees from day one, but this was the only original tree we had. It was never 'beautiful' but it had a royalty sense about it because it's been here so long, all by itself. So this weekend I'll be using the chainsaw to cut up what I can for firewood and haul the rest to the burn pile, and the land will begin it's next chapter without its lone sentinel.

Cabbage Convert

2009-08-04T05:40:00.001-07:00

More garden produce sketching. We had some good looking cabbage this year. A little cabbage goes a long ways, so a couple heads is enough. Wilma cooks up a big batch of bierocks and freezes them for quick meals. Can't beat them! Once in a great while I'll find a restaurant that gets close to their quality, but not often. This is a dish I got introduced to when I married her. Glad I did . . . both.

Pepper Harvest

2009-08-03T04:55:00.000-07:00

So far this summer I've had two batches of these chili peppers, a.k.a. Anehiem or banana pepper. It's not my German heritage that got me into these things. I guess I've adopted them. It's not universal for the household, either. Wilma can tolerate them in small doses. That's meant preserving them in small portions so I can play with them for Saturday lunches, etc. My favorite is to make a smothering sauce to serve over burritos we buy as fund raisers for school kids around here. For as good as these peppers are I have yet to run across another person who grows them and processes them. Can't figure it out.

Felony Banjo

2009-08-02T18:26:00.001-07:00

Ok, maybe not a felony, but it's my blog and I can sensationalize for the fun of it. At a family camp-out I was jamming with a family friend into the Quiet Time, entertaining our families. Ooo . . . criminals! We violated the Rules and Regulations of a federally owned campground. That's breaking a federal rule. A rule is almost a law, so this was almost a felony. What bugs me is that I tolerated loud boom boxes all day and that was legal. We play live music and we're shut down. Oh well. We'll be at it again at our next holiday camp-out.

Bigger Than Its Size

2009-08-02T18:11:00.000-07:00

These things are never planned and never hit at a good time. Our hard disk drive failed. We had time enough to get our files backed up. We're back up and on-line now. From an engineering perspective these drives are a modern wonder. From a customers perspective, they are a real pain to replace, and the mass marketers of PCs aren't set up for good customer support. It's a long boring story of what it took to swap out drives. Most of us have been through it. The worst part was loading the drivers. The origin driver CD wasn't current enough. The Dell on-line driver download utility doesn't work (their words). Bla..bla..bla. I learned a lot but lost a lot of blogging time. I'm back in the saddle now, though.

Stay Tuned

2009-07-28T06:58:00.000-07:00

We have a hard drive crashing at home. It's a prolonged death that we thought was a virus or spyware or malware. Took a week to diagnose and it's dying. Still under warranty and the replacement HD is in the mail. It will be a while before I can post again. This is an illegal post from work (against company policy) but I wanted to clarify that I'm not slackin'. More sketches to come.

Old School Baling

2009-07-17T05:44:00.000-07:00

When I was out running errands I caught my second cousin Vernie out baling with his son. What struck me is this is the type of baling rig I earned spending money on when I was growing up. Mostly fond memories, some not. Smooth thump-thumping of tractor, diesel exhaust smell (not bad, it grows on you) clanking and banging of the baler, dust, swaying stance on wagon. Then, if it's alfalfa, a sweet smell (and HEAVY bales). Most baling today is the large round bales. More mechanical - less human labor. I chatted with them. They still cut the square bales because horse owners like them. They can feed them out easier. And horse people pay well. They're used to spending mass hordes of money . . . they own a horse. I asked to snap a picture and went on my way. Decided to try a WC paper sketch rather than my usual Moleskine sketch journal, w/pencil, Pitt pen, WC pencils and color pencils.

Long Weekend in Ely

2009-07-09T06:42:00.000-07:00

The week before the July 4 holiday Wilma and I took a 4-day weekend to the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota (OK, it's a little crazy driving 746 miles for two night in a cabin, but I'd do it again). Had an offer we couldn't pass up to visit friends who were up there for a longer stay. I've been up there a couple times for canoe trips but Wilma hasn't yet. Good chance to show her what this beautiful country is like. Ely (pronounced e-lee, for anyone who cares) has just over 5200 people and is a tourism town today. In recent times it was big in steel, and it's in transition. The transition hasn't been easy. They call themselves the "end of the road" because of their closeness to Canada, separated by a wilderness of lakes, streams and forest. Big things are canoeing/fishing in summer and snowmobile/dogsleds/cross country skiing in winter.

It's a neat town. The outdoor supply stores are serious and it looks like they are all individually owned (no chains). Outfitters. Wide assortment of stores. Great restaurants. Their radio channel, FM 94.5, WELY, is public radio that plays an eclectic selection of music(?), has local commercials(?), and sets a mood for the place. It has an Internet stream at www.wely.com, along with the other radio station at www.boundarywatersradio.com (blues, jazz and eclectic). Both cover local issues and you get a real feel for the town. I listen some at work on my PC.

As a coffee addict I love their Front Porch Coffee. The weather is much cooler than Kansas. Lakes are clear and plentiful. A canoe on your car roof is considered normal. Company was great. What more is there?

Some Kind of Wild Flower

2009-06-20T20:30:00.000-07:00

I've been working on assignments for Kate's class. When I only use a brush, it's not pretty, but I'm learning. This is one of the assignments and I could use a pen. This is my first watercolor wash, too. Just learned what that was last week.

The back half of our property is a prairie hay field and always has been. There are three or four types of wild flowers that come up every year. This is one of them. I'll need to do some research to see what they all are. Probably will need to sketch all of them over time. It's addictive. The more you learn, the more you want to learn. Maybe I should have just been a couch potato.

Dad's PBJ Sandwich

2009-06-15T22:06:00.000-07:00

Decided to take a night off my homework for Kate's Watercolor Pencil class and do a regular journal entry here. This started as a challenge in another journal group I'm in (LoveThisJournal) but I wanted to share it with my bloodline, some of whom follow my blog. I was a teenager before I learned that everyone doesn't eat this sandwich. I thought it was a standard. Then I was perplexed that most people, when learning what's in the sandwich, actually found it disgusting. Go figure!

Who's Winning?

2009-06-08T23:23:00.000-07:00

The weekend started off rather routine. But then I found where the wood bees have been chewing up our deck. They've been flying around lately, but I never saw them land anywhere. I went into attack mode! I didn't say smart mode. Limited revenge, but a little research and some shopping around and I have a game plan to continue this war on a more thought-out basis with poison. Then, Sunday night, I had more critter problems. This time it turned out better for all involved. If you remember, in my April 22, 2008 post, I had another vole and I drew my approach to removing them from the Tiger Pit (basement egress window well). Those little buggers are fast, and really cute. Somebody needs to run a psychological profile on a vole. This one, too, had quite an attitude. Not like the timid mouse. Now I just need to get the wood bees under control.

Last One In

2009-05-25T11:33:00.000-07:00

We forced ourselves to make reservations this year for Memorial Day to start camping. Always comes too soon, but if you don't make plans, things don't happen. The mud daubers were at it again (see last Sept.7 "Camping Time"), causing mischief and mayhem with their nests. Very enjoyable time, though. Forgot salt, pepper, cinnamon, bug spray, and forgot to check charcoal (but we had enough). Thought we had water and electric services but only had electric (had half tank freshwater and it was enough). Not bad for first camp of the year. But we got labeled as "Last one in".

PS: I'm taking Kate Johnson's Watercolor Pencil class for the next 6-8 weeks so my posts here will be less frequent. But they'll continue.

More Business Travel

2009-05-15T06:29:00.000-07:00

Spent a couple days in Tulsa on business, in the downtown area. They were getting ready for their MayFest celebration, but it wasn't going yet. From a travelers perspective, downtown is dead after 5 p.m. I walked around for supper and found nothing. Not many people, few cars. So I walked back to the hotel to eat. The misty overcast funk didn't inspire me to sketch anything, either. On the drive home, though, I found a little oasis in Chanute, KS. I love small towns that are putting some effort into staying viable. Their downtown development efforts were visible. Made a nice place for a supper break . . . and a sketch. For dessert I had their yogurt shake (Tornado) with crushed Captain Crunch cereal. New combo to me. Mmmm! They even have a web presence at www.grandmasubs.com. I sketched as some storms blew by, then headed home.

Garage Shopping

2009-05-04T21:44:00.000-07:00

It's not every day you can go garage shopping instead of garage sale shopping. In a couple years we'd like to have one built. Time to get up to speed on what the options are and how much we need to budget for. A local dealer is based in a small town 20 miles north of here. I've wanted to spend an afternoon in the town, anyway. Holton has the traditional town square in the middle with retailers around it. A few places to eat. A quilt shop for Wilma. My only regret is that they DID have a nice coffee shop. Not anymore. We ate lunch there, too. We like local non-chain restaurants, where the locals eat and talk to each other. This place didn't disappoint us, either.

Just One More

2009-05-01T05:18:00.000-07:00

I make no apologies . . . I'm an outdoor gear nut. A recent mail order sale, mixed with an already fairly new tent being too small for all needs, caused me to buy another tent. They are my little castle in the wild. A touch of security that really isn't that secure. But I think this one will do the trick. We'll see. It can hold my duffle bag and my banjo along with me, so that makes it close to perfect already. I set it up in the living room to check it out and decided to do my first sketch of it before I took it down.

A Gardener's View

2009-04-26T20:42:00.000-07:00

This post is for Wilma. I'm not the green thumb . . . she is. I enable her hobby, and gladly. That means roto-tilling and eating, and maybe some help picking and processing. I like to watch the whole process. We had some weather problems yesterday. As a result, I was out this afternoon, sitting on a 5-gallon bucket, sketching the withered remains of a tomato plant while another storm was blowing in over my head. When it started raining again, I came in to finish the sketching as it stormed outside. Hook cloud seen just southwest and headed for here, but will probably miss us. Needed to wait for the lightning to move on to upload this blog. And through the process I learn something from Wilma's perspective . . . a gardener's view.

First Crop

2009-04-25T18:33:00.000-07:00

Love this time of year. The air warms up, rain storms begin, everything greens up. Our first produce this year is the asparagus and it's growing well. Wilma has been picking enough this week that we can freeze some for later, too. Rhubarb won't be far behind.

We had our first tornado watch and warning this afternoon. Tonganoxie, northeast of here, had one touch down. Kansas Speedway had to shut down the NASCAR truck race and had a few vehicles blown over and farm building damaged. It begins. Wilma just planted tomatoes (grown from seeds inside over several weeks), tomatillos, peppers, cabbage, etc. Sad to say the rain, wind and hail did a lot of damage. We'll know more when it dries out some.

Killin' Weeds

2009-04-21T20:20:00.000-07:00

I can't help it there's been a lot of stuff to sketch lately. It's been a dry spell lately, but I figure I sketch when I see stuff, and I cool it when I don't. We finally had a calm dry evening so the wife and I jumped at the chance to spread weed killer for the dandelions. It's an annual ritual. I question the results, but we have piece of mind knowing that we did all we could to keep the weeds under control. Done 'till next year.

Opener Changeout

2009-04-20T18:57:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm done! Both garage door openers are now changed out. I've changed out the two smoke detectors, too. That just leaves the phones and the answering machine to replace, and we'll be ready for the next lightning storm. This job took on a life of its own. I have that luck. Even now it's not 100% done. This morning Wilma's opener button #1 opened her side, but button #2 opened BOTH doors. I spent time tonight reprogramming. Thought I had it. Hers works fine. However, my button #1 opens both and button #2 opens mine. Go figure. I'll try again tomorrow after I sleep on it.

Last Burn

2009-04-19T20:14:00.001-07:00

Yard work is done for now. Been real rainy lately. So, I'm back in the garage changing out my garage door openers. My radio's tuned to the weekend programming on our public radio station. A bit of chill in the air, which reminds me I need to summerize (as opposed to winterize) my kerosene heater. So I've got heat, music and I'm working with my hands on a project. It doesn't even bother me that lightning caused all this trouble. It's a project that I can handle and gain some experience from. As I watch the glow of the mantle, feel the heat rise silently as I look down on it and smell the slight kerosene odor, I couldn't help think . . . SKETCH.

Spring Sprung

2009-04-18T21:46:00.001-07:00

Well, my sketching has been sidelined a bit lately. I'm trying to replace the two garage door openers that the lightning killed, and the project just seems to keep growing. Stay tuned . . . sketch to follow. But, while doing yard work lately these darn tulips kept insisting that I sketch them. The yard isn't really green yet and the trees aren't awake yet. Kinda blaa. So, when these darn tulips spring up with the hyacinths they radiate color on steroids! You just gotta stare. Told myself I really didn't have time now to sketch. That worked for two days. Third day . . . I'm out there with my journal sketching. While doing my first mowing of some of the yard I see other things going on, too, that needed some sketching. Now that this sketch is done, I'll finish up on the garage openers.

P.S. Happy Birthday to me, or at least my identity as john-alooking.blogspot. Just noticed that one year ago today I started this blog! Glad I did.

Gig Night

2009-04-07T17:10:00.000-07:00

We, the 89th Street Bluegrass Band, perform at a local coffee shop three or four times a year. Last Saturday night was the latest gig. Things went well (sometimes they don't). A few mistakes but we covered most and had fun. For once, all band members had people in the audience to see them, be it family, church or just plain 'ol friends. We do three one-hour sets. A sign of success is when you don't scare them off before the first set is done.