I've got a lot to cover, so hold on!
First of all, earlier last week, when I mentioned I'd have the Friday off from teaching, Mare grew excited and expressed to me how the boys and I would need to get out of the house and give her some peace for a couple days. So, I took her words to heart and let my mom know early on the boys and I would be going down to Humboldt to visit them for the afternoon.
That Thursday night I was at school until 7:30 or so for parent teacher conferences, and we all went to bed early so we could make the most of the day.
On Friday I got up as usual and made biscuits for the family. After we got everyone cleaned up and our teeth brushed, Jack, Leo, and I set out in the red family car. Our first stop was at The Palace where Jack and I got our hairs cut. In addition to the standard joke my dad and grandpa usually made when asked "Did you get your haircut?"; to which they (and now me, because I am, afterall, my father's son) I reply, "I got them all cut!"; as I said, in addition to that old standby I've added this one (which, as far as I know, I've created all by myself): when the barber got me in his chair and asked, "Okay, what do you want to do here?" meaning, direct me with what to do to style your hair; my new reply is "Well, just make it look exactly the same as this, only three months ago."
I thought it was clever.
It had been a number of months since I'd had a hair cut and as one student pointed out it was "looking kind of wavy." It reminded me of the cartoon character Captain Caveman, who could pull items from out of his body hair when the occasion presented itself. It was a real hair helmet. But, it's been tamed now.
We arrived in Humboldt just in time to go to lunch with mom and dad. Coincidence? I think not. I tried the pork chile dinner at Estralita's. It was shredded pork in chile sauce served with refried beans and refried rice, salad and hot flour tortillas. Well, it wasn't offensive, but it wasn't particularly savory either. It seemed to lack seasoning. It was filling.
Jack ate two full grown adult tacos and quite a bit of chips and melted cheese. Leo sat on dad's lap and ate some of his chicken enchiladas and chips and cheese. Estralitas was painted up nicely and festively. They had loud classic rock pumping out over the loud speakers. I don't know if it's good or bad, but that same painting of the seven arch bridge was on the wall.
From there, we retired to mom and dad's house for conversation, advice, coffee, and amusing anecdotes. Of course the boys were quite entertaining and the weather was pleasant.
We returned to Ottawa by supper time and cleaned the boys up and put them to bed and tried to get to bed at an early time.
Saturday morning we ate a hearty breakfast of oatmeal and toast and again got the boys ready for a big adventure. We packed up the bicycle trailer with necessary items and I fitted the Wee-Ride on the front of the bicycle and we headed out about 10:30 or so.We pedaled south of town to the Ottawa Municipal Airport and enjoyed an extended lunch picnic in an adjacent lawn. From there we pedaled on East to Rantoul, Kansas. There we had a big time playing with neighbor kids at the Rantoul City Park. That's where Jack saw his first three leg dog. That three legged dog fetched a stick like no other! We ate more of our snacks and left there for home. We took the Flint Hills Nature Trail home to Ottawa and arrived home just in time for supper again. I have a knack for arriving at meal time.
Click on these highlighted words to see a map of our route
On Sunday I got the boys around early again and I took them to church for the second Sunday in a row. I know, I know, what a dad, huh. Anyway we rode the bike again, because we just didn't quite get enough of it the day before. We attended the First Christian Church of Disciples of Christ. It's okay. I don't know if my "church search" is over. I'll probably try out some others.
Mare had a nice little outdoor fire prepared for us when we arrived home from church. We cooked our hotdogs out on the fire and laid on the tarp and blankets in the yard and listened to the first half of the Chiefs game. The weather was ideal. Then, we had a big, pleasant surprise when my grandma Irene came to visit! It was awesome for her to hop in her car and come visit. We had a great time talking out on the porch and since she's my dad's mom, we enjoyed an afternoon of conversation, advice, coffee, and amusing anecdotes. Just before she left we ate a slice of chocolate pudding pie. We were very glad she came to visit.
We scrubbed the boys and sent them to bed because I'd worn them out. Mare and I watched The Cove before we went to bed. It's a documentary about the slaughter of dolphins. It's pretty disturbing.
Anyway, long story short, I had a great weekend with my family and lovely weather doing what I love.
We're blessed, we pray blessings on you.
I know this was kind of terse and not that entertaining. Sorry. I'll try to take my time next time and make it much more entertaining for you.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
What a gal!
There's a few other clues pointing to the winning nature of Kali which are evident from the photo: a winning, pretty smile; all business hair, pulled back for speed and aerodynamics; hydrating orange colored beverage for the winning edge; efficient, practical sleeves cut off serve a twofold purpose: to allow for flexibility and movement and secondly to accentuate the biceps and intimidate the opponents essentially scaring them into submission with a show of dominance, which means she wins the victory before she even walks onto the field; a no smoking sign behind her which means she's way too smart to consider that disgusting and destructive bad habit; notice she's outside of the "cage" which means no force can defeat her, they can only hope to contain her; and most impressive of all . . . her will power to literally turn the world on its side!
We are very proud of you. Your hard work and effort have paid off, and will continue to do so as you make YOUR OWN way in the world. We love you Kali.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Round it up to a decade
Today marks the ninth year of marriage for Marian and I. That's the longest I've stuck to doing anything in my life. Weather on October 13 this year easily reminded me of why we chose this month for our wedding and future anniversaries: it's gorgeous! The sun beamed and a breeze swirled. Leaves changed color and fell from their branches, then curled on still lush green grass. It's a great month in which to get married.
Marriage has been easy for us. We're best friends and decided beforehand divorce would never be an option. That's not to say we don't have our moments. Sorry to burst your bubble for all of you out there I know were under the impression Marian and I could do no wrong- make that all of you under the impression Marian could do no wrong- actually she can do no wrong, but I certainly make up for the both of us. Living with me and being married to me must be such a joy (insert sarcastic cough here).
Without titillating you with all the details of the hardships which go along with being contractually bound to me, I'll just say I don't make it easy. I try to make it easy. Sometimes I don't make it easy for her, though. She's the best wife in the world. She must be the best wife in the world to stay married to me. I couldn't live without her. I know that's hyperbole, but I feel as if I couldn't live without her I love her so much. I'm certain I don't show it in enough ways and am usually caught up in my own selfish desires and aims. She deserves to be placed on a pedestal. It is one of my goals to make her feel placed on a pedestal.
I love you Marian. I'm looking forward to our best years yet.
Marriage has been easy for us. We're best friends and decided beforehand divorce would never be an option. That's not to say we don't have our moments. Sorry to burst your bubble for all of you out there I know were under the impression Marian and I could do no wrong- make that all of you under the impression Marian could do no wrong- actually she can do no wrong, but I certainly make up for the both of us. Living with me and being married to me must be such a joy (insert sarcastic cough here).
Without titillating you with all the details of the hardships which go along with being contractually bound to me, I'll just say I don't make it easy. I try to make it easy. Sometimes I don't make it easy for her, though. She's the best wife in the world. She must be the best wife in the world to stay married to me. I couldn't live without her. I know that's hyperbole, but I feel as if I couldn't live without her I love her so much. I'm certain I don't show it in enough ways and am usually caught up in my own selfish desires and aims. She deserves to be placed on a pedestal. It is one of my goals to make her feel placed on a pedestal.
I love you Marian. I'm looking forward to our best years yet.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Boys' night in; girls' night out
This past Saturday night Marian had a rare opportunity to join a couple of her friends for a "girls' night out". I encouraged her to go and try to enjoy herself as she rarely gets any time off away from the boys and with adult friends both. They'd made plans to go to the city to attend a free concert of some kind (probably some of that rock and roll music the young ones like so much these days) and a sleepover at one of the girls' houses. She was scheduled to leave our house in the afternoon to meet the first of her friends in Lawrence and go from there.
The boys and I ate a big breakfast and took our baths in the "functional" bathroom we have (it is functional, but lacks minor cosmetics like flooring, lighting, mirrors, sink, a door etc). I hooked up the bike trailer to my trusty 70's model Takara 3speed, and attached the Weeride front baby seat to the crossbar. The canteen was filled with high quality City of Ottawa tap water from the kitchen sink, a soft sided lunch box was filled with a trio of buttered biscuits leftover from when Jack earned the assist on helping to make breakfast; a couple of quartered turkey, cheese, and Miracle Whip sandwiches and an apple completed the picnic. I took along hoodies for the three of us even though it was sunny and warm, and a book bag full of books we planned to return to the library and replace with a new stash.
We said our good byes to Mare, and she tried to make it meaningful , but the boys were just ready to get going, so with the blaze orange trailer flag flapping and my yellow construction vest reflecting and all three of our noggins protected by the best brain buckets our LBS (abbreviation for Local Bike Shop, a.k.a.
Wal-Mart) had to offer, we took off.
We took an indirect route (the long way) so I could go by the Casey's store and make use of their free air compressor. I'd taken along my pressure gauge for just such a task. I made short work of that and was pleased to need only add a small amount to all four tires. I was further pleased to learn the recently re-blacktopped stretch of old highway 59 from the north Casey's store into town at the Kansas highway 68 junction had recently been re-striped as well to include a bicycle lane on each side, and a turning lane down the middle. It was a nice six foot or so lane I felt comfortable in, even pulling the trailer.
We went to the city library right off and quickly replenished the supply of children's books. I had thought there was supposed to be an outdoor concert near the library at a downtown lot park, and as I listened closely at the library bicycle rack, my suspicions were confirmed. It didn't sound like my kind of music, (probably some of that rock and roll music the young ones like so much these days) but, I was looking for just about anything free, outdoor, and fatiguing in nature to a three year old and a one year old. We pedaled over to check it out.
It was indeed an outdoor concert and a loud, and apparently disgruntled, young man complained about something or other in a part growl and part whine. Luckily, the boys weren't interested in the music, but were interested in the other little boys and girls running around like heathens all over the place. I figured they were safe enough on their own in this downtown park adjacent to Main street, so I just pulled my cap down over my eyes and layed back in the shade of a tree and prepared for a nap. Not really. I wouldn't quite do that! I did pretty much let the boys run around as much as they wanted and climb around on the different benches and cement planters and the gazebo like thing there (an interesting side-note: despite having a smallish gazebo like thing permanently on location and available for the needs of bands, singers, performers, etc, the outdoor concert did not make use of it; instead, a largish, rather ugly fifth wheel flatbed trailer was backed into the street at an awkward angle, cutting off traffic, for the performers to, well, perform upon. Furthermore, it was out directly in the full brunt of the sunshine, which was considerable on this afternoon, while the gazebo thing was up tight against the side of a building and was therefore in the pleasant shade. Also, none of the permanent seating which was in the park faced the street, it all faced the gazebo thing. I know it was small, but it seemed to me it would have been a minor inconvenience just to use the dang gazebo!)
The boys took me up on my granted freedom and played really hard all through the remaining songs of the "angry young men" band; all through the husband and wife country style novelty songs duets (example: Shopping at 7-11 instead of Stairway to Heaven performed on banjo); they played partway through Souled Out too; perhaps the best band I saw, although it annoyed me that the lead singer insisted on singing ". . . very sTupersticious . . ." with that extra "t" at the beginning. Somewhere amid this trainwreck of musical styles, the boys ate the biscuits and sandwiches and one shared cherry snowcone.
It was getting on close to five oclock and I'd promised to take the boys to the park too, so we geared up and pedaled toward Forest Park. There, the rest of the edge the boys possessed was rendered blunt by "equipment" and "other kids" and trying to actually move about with agility in that 6 inch deep pea gravel they keep under all the swings, ladders, and slides. Around six oclock or after they started hinting around at being hungry, so we split.
At home, a crock pot full of ham and beans had been percolating all day, and before we'd left for the day I'd baked a pan of cornbread, so the kitchen smelled fantastic when we entered. Since it was a special occasion of sorts, I let the boys eat their dinner watching a Bob the Builder episode on DVD.
I finally recognized these boys after all the park dirt and dried up snot was removed from their faces in the bath and they looked so much less like heathens I thought Marian and I should bathe these boys every night! But, I quickly came to my senses and decided bathing them once a week when we remember was good enough for someone else at one time, so it was not going to change on my watch (JK). Leo was right ready for bed and required no persuading. Jack, though worn down, still required further attention. He came back in the kitchen as I was cleaning it up after putting him to bed and wanted to know about the words he'd been singing all this time to The Star Spangled Banner. I did the best I could to explain it so he'd understand it, but it's difficult to explain things so simply, especially when they haven't experienced much and just don't know a lot. I tried to remain patient and use repetition, and I think I satisfied his curiosity. Since mom was gone for the evening, I let Jack sleep with me in mom and dad's bed. He was like a rock and didn't move, I don't think, all night.
Sunday arrived and we fixed breakfast again and I took a bath and cleaned up the house and sent the boys outside to play. Mare came back home around noon and we all ate lunch together before we left in the afternoon to go the the pumpkin patch for a hayride, moonwalk, hay bale maze, and slides. The boys had a blast and so did the parents. Jack picked out both pumpkins for himself and Leo; they were good ones. Right as we were leaving it decided to rain, so we timed that just right.
Marian's night out went without incident, and as predicted she had a real fun time, but was very anxious and glad to be home.
My last entry on this blog directed readers to get out there and enjoy the weekend and "do something"; well, I feel like I practiced what I preached and enjoyed a full weekend with my family. I hope you did as well. We love you; We're blessed; We pray blessings upon each of you our friends, and all our enemies too.
cb
The boys and I ate a big breakfast and took our baths in the "functional" bathroom we have (it is functional, but lacks minor cosmetics like flooring, lighting, mirrors, sink, a door etc). I hooked up the bike trailer to my trusty 70's model Takara 3speed, and attached the Weeride front baby seat to the crossbar. The canteen was filled with high quality City of Ottawa tap water from the kitchen sink, a soft sided lunch box was filled with a trio of buttered biscuits leftover from when Jack earned the assist on helping to make breakfast; a couple of quartered turkey, cheese, and Miracle Whip sandwiches and an apple completed the picnic. I took along hoodies for the three of us even though it was sunny and warm, and a book bag full of books we planned to return to the library and replace with a new stash.
We said our good byes to Mare, and she tried to make it meaningful , but the boys were just ready to get going, so with the blaze orange trailer flag flapping and my yellow construction vest reflecting and all three of our noggins protected by the best brain buckets our LBS (abbreviation for Local Bike Shop, a.k.a.
Wal-Mart) had to offer, we took off.
We took an indirect route (the long way) so I could go by the Casey's store and make use of their free air compressor. I'd taken along my pressure gauge for just such a task. I made short work of that and was pleased to need only add a small amount to all four tires. I was further pleased to learn the recently re-blacktopped stretch of old highway 59 from the north Casey's store into town at the Kansas highway 68 junction had recently been re-striped as well to include a bicycle lane on each side, and a turning lane down the middle. It was a nice six foot or so lane I felt comfortable in, even pulling the trailer.
We went to the city library right off and quickly replenished the supply of children's books. I had thought there was supposed to be an outdoor concert near the library at a downtown lot park, and as I listened closely at the library bicycle rack, my suspicions were confirmed. It didn't sound like my kind of music, (probably some of that rock and roll music the young ones like so much these days) but, I was looking for just about anything free, outdoor, and fatiguing in nature to a three year old and a one year old. We pedaled over to check it out.
It was indeed an outdoor concert and a loud, and apparently disgruntled, young man complained about something or other in a part growl and part whine. Luckily, the boys weren't interested in the music, but were interested in the other little boys and girls running around like heathens all over the place. I figured they were safe enough on their own in this downtown park adjacent to Main street, so I just pulled my cap down over my eyes and layed back in the shade of a tree and prepared for a nap. Not really. I wouldn't quite do that! I did pretty much let the boys run around as much as they wanted and climb around on the different benches and cement planters and the gazebo like thing there (an interesting side-note: despite having a smallish gazebo like thing permanently on location and available for the needs of bands, singers, performers, etc, the outdoor concert did not make use of it; instead, a largish, rather ugly fifth wheel flatbed trailer was backed into the street at an awkward angle, cutting off traffic, for the performers to, well, perform upon. Furthermore, it was out directly in the full brunt of the sunshine, which was considerable on this afternoon, while the gazebo thing was up tight against the side of a building and was therefore in the pleasant shade. Also, none of the permanent seating which was in the park faced the street, it all faced the gazebo thing. I know it was small, but it seemed to me it would have been a minor inconvenience just to use the dang gazebo!)
The boys took me up on my granted freedom and played really hard all through the remaining songs of the "angry young men" band; all through the husband and wife country style novelty songs duets (example: Shopping at 7-11 instead of Stairway to Heaven performed on banjo); they played partway through Souled Out too; perhaps the best band I saw, although it annoyed me that the lead singer insisted on singing ". . . very sTupersticious . . ." with that extra "t" at the beginning. Somewhere amid this trainwreck of musical styles, the boys ate the biscuits and sandwiches and one shared cherry snowcone.
It was getting on close to five oclock and I'd promised to take the boys to the park too, so we geared up and pedaled toward Forest Park. There, the rest of the edge the boys possessed was rendered blunt by "equipment" and "other kids" and trying to actually move about with agility in that 6 inch deep pea gravel they keep under all the swings, ladders, and slides. Around six oclock or after they started hinting around at being hungry, so we split.
At home, a crock pot full of ham and beans had been percolating all day, and before we'd left for the day I'd baked a pan of cornbread, so the kitchen smelled fantastic when we entered. Since it was a special occasion of sorts, I let the boys eat their dinner watching a Bob the Builder episode on DVD.
I finally recognized these boys after all the park dirt and dried up snot was removed from their faces in the bath and they looked so much less like heathens I thought Marian and I should bathe these boys every night! But, I quickly came to my senses and decided bathing them once a week when we remember was good enough for someone else at one time, so it was not going to change on my watch (JK). Leo was right ready for bed and required no persuading. Jack, though worn down, still required further attention. He came back in the kitchen as I was cleaning it up after putting him to bed and wanted to know about the words he'd been singing all this time to The Star Spangled Banner. I did the best I could to explain it so he'd understand it, but it's difficult to explain things so simply, especially when they haven't experienced much and just don't know a lot. I tried to remain patient and use repetition, and I think I satisfied his curiosity. Since mom was gone for the evening, I let Jack sleep with me in mom and dad's bed. He was like a rock and didn't move, I don't think, all night.
Sunday arrived and we fixed breakfast again and I took a bath and cleaned up the house and sent the boys outside to play. Mare came back home around noon and we all ate lunch together before we left in the afternoon to go the the pumpkin patch for a hayride, moonwalk, hay bale maze, and slides. The boys had a blast and so did the parents. Jack picked out both pumpkins for himself and Leo; they were good ones. Right as we were leaving it decided to rain, so we timed that just right.
Marian's night out went without incident, and as predicted she had a real fun time, but was very anxious and glad to be home.
My last entry on this blog directed readers to get out there and enjoy the weekend and "do something"; well, I feel like I practiced what I preached and enjoyed a full weekend with my family. I hope you did as well. We love you; We're blessed; We pray blessings upon each of you our friends, and all our enemies too.
cb
Friday, October 8, 2010
Nothing Golden Stays . . .
Some of you may recognize that saying "Nothing Golden Stays", or something to that effect. It was probably made famous by the gang of ragamuffins and rapscallions which constitute the characters which make up the classic young adult book by S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders. It's actually from a poem by Robert Frost which one or more of the characters quotes in the movie. It's an allusion.
I chose the quote as this entry's title because of the quickly changing weather. Today, and each day of this week previous has been sunny, golden, and warm. I want to remind each of you to get out there and enjoy it while it lasts. Not too long from now the weather will likely be cold and wet, followed by cold and dry, trailed by really, cold, and possibly intermixed with really, really, cold and snowy. So, get out there and rake your leaves into a pile and burn them if it's safe and admissible where you live. Get out and go for a walk and enjoy the warmth of the sun. Get out there and, of course, go for a bicycle ride. Go for a motorcycle ride. Go for a ride on a horse. Go for a ride on a hay wagon. Carve a pumpkin. Throw a football around. Take your kids to the park. Do something to enjoy this awesome, mild weather.
School this week went along just like a well oiled machine. We were even treated to a cookout today, on Friday for lunch. The first quarter is virtually over. The school year is mostly breezing by, which must indicate I am having fun. Well, that may be a stretch, but it's not miserable. I have much better kids this year than last year. The new schedule seems to make the day go by quicker as well.
Mare will be going out for a much needed girls night out on Saturday night. So, that means we'll simultaneously be enjoying a boys night in at home. Mare works way harder than I do and she almost never has a day off, so she deserves a fun night with adults. She'll be going to a free concert of some kind and hanging with her bff Lisa.
I've been doing some research this week about how to accumulate wealth, and I'm giving you all fair warning: my family is going to be rich. I'm speaking "in faith" here. This is rather new to me. I've never been one to let money concern me. Part of that is because I'm blessed with a rich dad; literally and figuratively. He tried his best to teach me to be a rich son, but alas, as the saying goes you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. Although dad was willing and able and in fact tried to teach me financial literacy, I chose not to engage in it or apply it. Well, that's all changed. Part of my education is reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad. It's a book I highly recommend.
I keep a list of "prayers", if you will, with me all the time to remind me of my goals and, again, speaking in faith. It's too bad I waited until 35 years old to do this, but I'm focusing on the future and the now. If I apply myself for the next twenty years, my family will be rich and I'll only be 55. I can become a millionaire, literally, in that time.
So, you've been warned.
I have a great life. It's only going to get better. Love you all.
cb
I chose the quote as this entry's title because of the quickly changing weather. Today, and each day of this week previous has been sunny, golden, and warm. I want to remind each of you to get out there and enjoy it while it lasts. Not too long from now the weather will likely be cold and wet, followed by cold and dry, trailed by really, cold, and possibly intermixed with really, really, cold and snowy. So, get out there and rake your leaves into a pile and burn them if it's safe and admissible where you live. Get out and go for a walk and enjoy the warmth of the sun. Get out there and, of course, go for a bicycle ride. Go for a motorcycle ride. Go for a ride on a horse. Go for a ride on a hay wagon. Carve a pumpkin. Throw a football around. Take your kids to the park. Do something to enjoy this awesome, mild weather.
School this week went along just like a well oiled machine. We were even treated to a cookout today, on Friday for lunch. The first quarter is virtually over. The school year is mostly breezing by, which must indicate I am having fun. Well, that may be a stretch, but it's not miserable. I have much better kids this year than last year. The new schedule seems to make the day go by quicker as well.
Mare will be going out for a much needed girls night out on Saturday night. So, that means we'll simultaneously be enjoying a boys night in at home. Mare works way harder than I do and she almost never has a day off, so she deserves a fun night with adults. She'll be going to a free concert of some kind and hanging with her bff Lisa.
I've been doing some research this week about how to accumulate wealth, and I'm giving you all fair warning: my family is going to be rich. I'm speaking "in faith" here. This is rather new to me. I've never been one to let money concern me. Part of that is because I'm blessed with a rich dad; literally and figuratively. He tried his best to teach me to be a rich son, but alas, as the saying goes you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. Although dad was willing and able and in fact tried to teach me financial literacy, I chose not to engage in it or apply it. Well, that's all changed. Part of my education is reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad. It's a book I highly recommend.
I keep a list of "prayers", if you will, with me all the time to remind me of my goals and, again, speaking in faith. It's too bad I waited until 35 years old to do this, but I'm focusing on the future and the now. If I apply myself for the next twenty years, my family will be rich and I'll only be 55. I can become a millionaire, literally, in that time.
So, you've been warned.
I have a great life. It's only going to get better. Love you all.
cb
Monday, October 4, 2010
Another historic day
Our family drove to Humboldt on Saturday to attend the Biblesta parade and celebration. It's always held the first Saturday in October and this year marked the fifty-some year anniversary. As is usually the case, the weather was ideal. The sun was fully out and cast a golden, yes, heavenly aura on the day; temperatures stayed in the low seventies, just right to wear a pair of jeans, long sleeve shirt and jacket. Meteorologically speaking, we couldn't have asked for a better day (unless of course you like warmer temperatures, or cooler temperatures, or cloudy days, or rain).
For as long as I have attended this event my grandma Bonnie has presided over the west side of 8th street along the parade route, directly across from the town square where the vendors sell food, the beans are cooked, and the entertainment, well, entertains. She's pretty well as dependable as clockwork in this respect and through the years I've expected to find her, or to find any of her three daughters, or their children (except mefor obvious reasons) seated their and keeping room for the rest of us arriving late. You can then imagine how disoriented and confused I became upon arriving at the aforementioned location to find no one I recognized seated there! However, the planets quickly realigned themselves and my faith in humanity was restored when we spied Grandma making her way toward us. Turns out she had some last minute costuming to perform for the actors on the First Baptist Church of Humboldt's float depicting Moses and the burning bush, a float which garnered them the "Best Dramatic" award from the judges.
Speaking of awards, my dad's motorcycle gang (club) the Chariots of Light Motorcycle Club hosted a bike show and dad won the people's choice award and a monetary prize of $500 accompanied by a trophy. He claims he stuffed the ballot box with his own votes. It could be. But it could also be his bike is just that bad a**! The votes cost $1 each and the money went toward a food pantry. Though I don't know where the prize money came from. Incidentally, his handlebar mustache is gone and replaced with a well trimmed goatee, and his pony tail has been replaced with a hair cut a few degrees longer than a flat top.
The big show for Biblesta this year was the inclusion of the Marching Cobras. They are a performance group from out of Kansas City. Several males ranging in age from what appeared to be middle age on down to elementary school vigorously played all manner of drums and a couple dozen young ladies danced in sync to the rhythm. These people were energetic. The rhythms they played were explosive and exciting and the dancing was pretty well executed and precise. They were a crowd favorite.
On a big semi-trailer in the town square a contemporary Christian band performed. These were a group of young men, teen age to early twenties I'd guess playing electric guitars and a trap set. They were popular with the young people and looked like they were able to keep the attention of the old people as well. It was a far cry and a big improvement from the years I remember growing up when the entertainment was aimed at stuffy adults and were primarily state name choirs like The Missourians; The Oklahomans etc. Their look was matching suits and matching hair helmets. This new generation rocked out! I also heard them conduct several heart felt prayers and praise and mentioning the saving grace of Jesus' blood and His resurrection, and giving genuine respect to our veterans and expressing true thankfulness and appreciation for what Biblesta is all about. I was impressed when at the end of their set, the lead guitarist and vocalist removed his electric guitar and handed it down to a young man in the front row, (yes there was a front row, which means by definition there were more than one row standing and having fun) presumably to keep.
Our family had a few bites of our grandma Bonnie's funnel cake, but we didn't indulge in any "fair food" like we usually make it a point to do. Instead, upon arrival to Humboldt we stopped at Moon's grocery and bought some French bread and some good cheese and drinks to sort of have a picnic while we waited for the parade. Mom brought her good dutch oven cooker to fill with beans from the free bean feed and I rode in her truck to steady the container while she drove to her and dad's house for supper around five thirty. I met Damon from Bentonville, Arkansas, a fellow Chariots of Light club member and friend of dad's up for the festivities. He sported a nice racoon look from the sun and wind burn of the three or so hour trip to Kansas. It was his first time to visit Kansas and I hope he'd agree he picked a good destination and time to finally make it. He relocated from New York City to Bentonville and is quite enamored with the small town life.
Dad's cousin Eddie and his wife Brenda were in attendance for the parade and then at mom and dad's for the beans. Eddie fondly recalled his first year attending Biblesta a few years back at dad's invitation when dad was in charge and promptly placed Eddie in the parade driving a gator and following the horse entries as the ever important, much coveted position of "poop scooper". I tried to put a positive spin on it by renaming it the "road apple harvester" position, but it only improves the looks of the job on paper. Mom pointed out to him how much of an impact it had on him because he clearly remembers it.
The beans were good. They needed salt right away, not after four bowls full. Grandma Irene was there at dad's and she'd brought along some of her chow-chow she'd made, or dad's sister Betty had made. I'm unsure who made it, but it is really good on ham and beans. I'd brought along some spicy peppers to mince and add to the beans. Mom had made corn bread. Ross came out and ate with us also. It was good talking to him. He had an auction to run the next day so we were asking him all about that business. I don't know why, but auctioneering has proven to be quite the conversation, never failing to pique our interest.
We all had some laughs and enjoyed a good day. The boys had a great time. No matter what your beliefs are, it is still quite moving to attend a celebration which takes full advantage of the right to free speech. Not only that, it's a celebration which focuses on the Christian heritage of our great nation. Lastly, it's an opportunity to take in a celebration which is centered around an undisputed literary classic. It's small town at its best. It's people at their best. It's Humboldt at its best, and I hope it continues true to its mission for many more generations to come.
For as long as I have attended this event my grandma Bonnie has presided over the west side of 8th street along the parade route, directly across from the town square where the vendors sell food, the beans are cooked, and the entertainment, well, entertains. She's pretty well as dependable as clockwork in this respect and through the years I've expected to find her, or to find any of her three daughters, or their children (except mefor obvious reasons) seated their and keeping room for the rest of us arriving late. You can then imagine how disoriented and confused I became upon arriving at the aforementioned location to find no one I recognized seated there! However, the planets quickly realigned themselves and my faith in humanity was restored when we spied Grandma making her way toward us. Turns out she had some last minute costuming to perform for the actors on the First Baptist Church of Humboldt's float depicting Moses and the burning bush, a float which garnered them the "Best Dramatic" award from the judges.
Speaking of awards, my dad's motorcycle gang (club) the Chariots of Light Motorcycle Club hosted a bike show and dad won the people's choice award and a monetary prize of $500 accompanied by a trophy. He claims he stuffed the ballot box with his own votes. It could be. But it could also be his bike is just that bad a**! The votes cost $1 each and the money went toward a food pantry. Though I don't know where the prize money came from. Incidentally, his handlebar mustache is gone and replaced with a well trimmed goatee, and his pony tail has been replaced with a hair cut a few degrees longer than a flat top.
The big show for Biblesta this year was the inclusion of the Marching Cobras. They are a performance group from out of Kansas City. Several males ranging in age from what appeared to be middle age on down to elementary school vigorously played all manner of drums and a couple dozen young ladies danced in sync to the rhythm. These people were energetic. The rhythms they played were explosive and exciting and the dancing was pretty well executed and precise. They were a crowd favorite.
On a big semi-trailer in the town square a contemporary Christian band performed. These were a group of young men, teen age to early twenties I'd guess playing electric guitars and a trap set. They were popular with the young people and looked like they were able to keep the attention of the old people as well. It was a far cry and a big improvement from the years I remember growing up when the entertainment was aimed at stuffy adults and were primarily state name choirs like The Missourians; The Oklahomans etc. Their look was matching suits and matching hair helmets. This new generation rocked out! I also heard them conduct several heart felt prayers and praise and mentioning the saving grace of Jesus' blood and His resurrection, and giving genuine respect to our veterans and expressing true thankfulness and appreciation for what Biblesta is all about. I was impressed when at the end of their set, the lead guitarist and vocalist removed his electric guitar and handed it down to a young man in the front row, (yes there was a front row, which means by definition there were more than one row standing and having fun) presumably to keep.
Our family had a few bites of our grandma Bonnie's funnel cake, but we didn't indulge in any "fair food" like we usually make it a point to do. Instead, upon arrival to Humboldt we stopped at Moon's grocery and bought some French bread and some good cheese and drinks to sort of have a picnic while we waited for the parade. Mom brought her good dutch oven cooker to fill with beans from the free bean feed and I rode in her truck to steady the container while she drove to her and dad's house for supper around five thirty. I met Damon from Bentonville, Arkansas, a fellow Chariots of Light club member and friend of dad's up for the festivities. He sported a nice racoon look from the sun and wind burn of the three or so hour trip to Kansas. It was his first time to visit Kansas and I hope he'd agree he picked a good destination and time to finally make it. He relocated from New York City to Bentonville and is quite enamored with the small town life.
Dad's cousin Eddie and his wife Brenda were in attendance for the parade and then at mom and dad's for the beans. Eddie fondly recalled his first year attending Biblesta a few years back at dad's invitation when dad was in charge and promptly placed Eddie in the parade driving a gator and following the horse entries as the ever important, much coveted position of "poop scooper". I tried to put a positive spin on it by renaming it the "road apple harvester" position, but it only improves the looks of the job on paper. Mom pointed out to him how much of an impact it had on him because he clearly remembers it.
The beans were good. They needed salt right away, not after four bowls full. Grandma Irene was there at dad's and she'd brought along some of her chow-chow she'd made, or dad's sister Betty had made. I'm unsure who made it, but it is really good on ham and beans. I'd brought along some spicy peppers to mince and add to the beans. Mom had made corn bread. Ross came out and ate with us also. It was good talking to him. He had an auction to run the next day so we were asking him all about that business. I don't know why, but auctioneering has proven to be quite the conversation, never failing to pique our interest.
We all had some laughs and enjoyed a good day. The boys had a great time. No matter what your beliefs are, it is still quite moving to attend a celebration which takes full advantage of the right to free speech. Not only that, it's a celebration which focuses on the Christian heritage of our great nation. Lastly, it's an opportunity to take in a celebration which is centered around an undisputed literary classic. It's small town at its best. It's people at their best. It's Humboldt at its best, and I hope it continues true to its mission for many more generations to come.
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