An Invitation

Musings from the Heartland

- a showing of their art -

Pattie Wall, Jan Schoen, Cher Heller-Olson and Gary Ozias

November 1 - 30, 2010

Salina Country Club, 2101 Country Club Road, Salina, Kansas 67401

(785) 827-0388

Where I Stand Sunday

We aren't really standing, we are underneath the truck, with our feet on the frame, looking at the serial number of the "hydrovac".  The hydro is an interesting piece of equipment that we are still trying to understand what it does and how it works with the brakes.  The brakes locked up on us recently - while at the landfill.  Interesting how we got it unstuck, well enough to drive it back home.  Then they were stuck again, then we unstuck them, now it's driven around without touching the brake, or it will lock up again...once we figure out this 'hydrovac' we will be back in business.  Don't worry it doesn't go off the farmstead for now.  Little by little, this truck is being redone (I like to think of it as 'remodeled'...cause I can remodel just about anything at this point in my life).

1950 Chevy - 1 1/2 ton truck

Where I Stand Sunday is an ongoing photo essay examining the different places I spend my life standing. Too often we take for granted the everyday places we spend our lives walking on. If you'd like to join me and a few others (who faithfully post this day) by posting a photo on Sunday of places you've been on your blog/photo hosting site/website, leave me a message or a comment and we will include you in our fun.

Happy Halloween

Ok, it's our fourth year here - we got a phone call that there would be a Halloween parade in "town" at 4:00 this afternoon. I decided it was time to go see the kids and their costumes.

This is a little town that used to have lots of businesses and people, but as many smaller towns on the Great Plains - population is dwindling.  There were 15 (count em - 15) kids in this year's extravaganza.

But that doesn't cut down on the creativity of some parents - those wheels are painted paper plates, the engine a painted box, with shoulder straps, a black plastic tub for the smokestack.  Woo - woo!

There are many great ladies in this town.  They spread out a "Trunk or Treat" at the end of the parade route.

And, yes, this was my favorite costume (and hair).

We hung out til the sun went down...those cirrus clouds are making for some awesome sunsets.

A Pastel for Today - Chair

"Easy Chair #1"

8" x 8"

pastel on Canson paper

I have this wingbacked chair, although it is just plain gold velveteen.  I found it at a second hand store in Wheatridge, Co.  I used it in my classroom for a time for a shared reading/author's chair. 

Kids loved sitting in it, it made them feel 'regal'.

I gave it a new life...artistically - and added some pizzazz.  Thanks for stopping by!



Little Shu

You may remember this one. It's on it's way to the MAPS (Mid American Pastel Society) Small Painting Show at the Kansas City Club today.  Show is from Nov. 3 through Jan. 3rd at 918 Baltimore, KCMO. 

Where I Stand Sunday

I miss seeing the changing of colors on the aspen trees in the high country of Colorado...but if you look closely here in Kansas, there are lots of variations of fall colors to get excited about.

Looking out the co-op window...love the light that the sunset creates on the tops of the trees and the shadows it creates from there.

Yesterday, we drove far away to look at some farm equipment.  I never thought I would spend time doing that activity, but it gave us the opportunity to try out a Mexican food restaurant in another town.  It was quite nice. 70 miles, one way...we plan to visit it again soon.  For this girl, to be away from decent Mexican cuisine, is just a travesty. 

One more, the sunsets from the co-op door are amazing these days.

Oh ya, here are a few close-ups of those trucks..

Old, well-used and too pricey and too expensive to 'make right'...was the verdict.



Happy 85th Birthday to my DAD!!

My Dad...85 years and still goin strong.  Healthy and happy!  Son of a farmer who left the farm and never went back.  Usually has a little notepad with 'projects' listed on it to keep him busy, along with taking care of my mom who is fighting cancer - and putting up one hell of a fight, I might add.  Loves watching baseball and football, mowing the lawn.  A super organized guy. 

Cheers Dad - have a great day!! 

Patterns of Weather and the Seasons

Around here, one knows and enjoys the signs that the season is changing. It screams it.  Migratory birds begin their overhead trek, squirrels gather and bury walnuts in the yard, harvest is happening in the fields, the turfgrass millipedes and spiders are scurrying here and there - inside and out.  Cool days, then warm days, then cool again.  No hard frost yet.  Usually that happens here between the 1st and 3rd week in October.  So bring it on. 

...and this fellow comes back to tap on the window.

I have been hearing his little 'cheep cheep' in the tree outside for a few days - and now we hear the 'tap tap' on the window.  Check out my blog entry last year..I think there is a pattern here.

Perhaps he should have a name, since he returns each year? 

Getting ready for an art show at the Salina Country Club in Salina, Kansas for the month of November with three other artists. Try to get by to see it - if you are in the area.  Nov. 1st - the end of the month.

Where I Stood This Week

The RV was out of it's covered parking for some maintenance and cleaning. So we thought, hey, dogs in tow..let's do a little trip to somewhere close by for a couple of days and nights.  Destination...Lovewell Reservoir.  It's a Kansas State Park in North Central Kansas, near the Nebraska/Kansas border.  Beautiful place, of course anywhere the leaves are changing is pretty to me. 

Upon remembering what I had heard while staying at another reservoir in Kansas and doing a little research, I found some interesting numbers.

Apparently, there was a great flood in July of 1951 in Kansas and Missouri.  At the time, there were only 5 dams in the state of Kansas.  After that time, the U.S. Dept. of Interior planned for 13 major upstream reservoirs be constructed in the Kansas basin alone.  I think I have been to about 4 of them in the last 4 years.

This is from the reservoir overlook.

Not a fisherman, but looks like there is a plethora of choices here.

If you look to the little cove to the left of the pontoon boat, that is where we camped in the RV.

This 'water use' was closed down most of the summer due to a problem with blue-green algae contamination.  From the looks of some watercraft activity, it must not be a problem anymore.

I think there are 2 or 3 individuals that may have enjoyed it more than we did!



Where I Stand Sunday

Steps in progression..

first I stood over the inside elevator grate, where they dump the grain from the trucks.

which is right inside that lighted doorway...

Next I stood on this platform, in this cage...

with doors shut and pushed the UP button.  Up, up, up about 150 feet inside the elevator.

So I could stand here...

at the top of the elevator. Tyler (my boss) is standing there with me.  I am so afraid of heights..but I wanted so badly to go up here and see my world from a different perspective.  Wow!

To the west...

to the North...you can see the new CORN bunker in the center of the photo.

Oh look!  There's my car and the fertilizer shed and the scale where the trucks pull on to weigh their grain!

My house and property are in those nearest set of trees - right in the center along the horizon. 

Another view from above.  Ya,  Kansas IS flat in many parts...but where there are trees, I think it helps to break up the landscape.  I got a new view of my 'hood' from up here.

A close-up of the tallest part of the drive-inside elevator.

Oh look, Steve is coming back from the West pit - having dumped his load of milo into the bins there.  Better get back to it.



A few more shots and I am ready to descend back to the ground.

All I can say is, "Very cool!!"

Where I Stand Sunday is an ongoing photo essay examining the different places I spend my life standing. Too often we take for granted the everyday places we spend our lives walking on. If you'd like to join me and a few others (who faithfully post this day) by posting a photo on Sunday of places you've been on your blog/photo hosting site/website, leave me a message or a comment and we will include you in our fun.

While Driving Down the Highway (yes, in the middle of nowhere)

Sometimes one just has to see for themselves...

OK, turn around and take a better look...Hmmmm...that is quite a set-up!

I followed for a moment...flashing lights and those orange/red triangle made them highway legal.

I was impressed with the 'outfitting' of this rig. It had a lot of things an RV has - storage wise.

Going down hill towards a narrow bridge...

Look at those solar panels on the roof!  And that white pooch just made me watch even closer.  Me thinks there is a 'painting' somewhere in this photo op.

A little free advertising...

Message heard load and clear y'all..

I guess that's the idea. Headed WEST - or is it "Westward HO!"

 Actually hubster called from the field/road to tell me about this...I had heard this little parade was around these parts...had to go see...the story is worth repeating - just hope those 'bullhaulers' and 'grain hauling semi's' see it before they blast by. 

For me?  It was fun to see.  Around here, things DO happen once in awhile.

P.S. - to give credit - if you want to read more about this man and his mules -  find it here.



Pastel of Cows by Pattie Wall

"Lazy Afternoon"

5" x 7"

pastel on Wallis sandpaper

Peaceful and serene - cows lazing in the field lessen the 'hubbub' of the day.  Getting ready for 2 shows...little ones are so doable in an afternoon.  Done from my own photos from our recent trip West.

Pastel Portrait on Velour Paper

"White Dress"

pastel on velour

8" x 10"

using photos today...I have so many new ones, captured or borrowed..

Where I Stand Sunday

Today I stood with my coworkers at the grain elevator - in the country - in Kansas - (who would have ever thunk it?)  It is 'harvest' time. Nothing better prepares you for an understanding of life in a farming community than my job right now.  

There is teamwork and dedication, along with camaraderie, gaiety, laughter and high spirits.  This is what the people who farm - live for. Wheat planting along with milo, corn and soybean harvest...the beginning and the ending of the cycle.   It is exciting to be a part of, partake in and observe.  Hubster is hauling grain - an important 'game piece' as well.  I knew there was a reason that October is a favorite month of mine.  I am certain that this October will create fond memories.