January 14, 2008
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….I’m buried in bookkeepping!
…in case anyone is wondering, that is. It’s been a long, dry spell for me, as far as posts go, because when I’m in this facts and figures mode, I must keep my nose to the proverbial grindstone and get it done. There are deadlines that must be met, and they are looming large!
But even the busiest bookkeepers and their husband-ranchers must take a break once in a while, and we had one. It was, of course, a working vacation (if you can call 30 hours a vacation!) but I’m all for excuses, whatever they may be. This time it was pure bull. Really. We went to buy a bull.
We bade our loved ones (read: dog, cat, chickens, horses) goodbye, pointed the wagon (read: pickup truck) westward into the sunset and headed out just after noon. By the time we got to the first watering hole (read: town) we gave the horses a rest and got some chow (read: soup, sandwich and the best coffee in the world at Panera Bread.)
Feeling stronger now, we managed to put in four more hours on the trail before stopping for the night in the old settlement of Independence (Kansas, that is. MUCH farther west than the town of the same name in MO.) Time for a little more grub (read: fabulous dinner at Brother’s Railroad Inn…does that sound like the name of a wonderful little Italian restaurant to you???? Did any Italians make it farther west than KC???? Yep, they sure-nuf did! Toasted ravioli with a homemade marinara sauce, chunky with fresh tomatoes, and salad with homemade bleu cheese dressing that I’m still smiling about…all to die for!) and then we hit the hay (read: warm, toasty room and beds with duvets!). There was a big day ahead and we needed our rest.
Morning came early (it always does with my husband, wherever we are!) and we were back on the trail before 7, watching the sunrise over the eastern flank of the Kansas Flinthills. A hard freeze had everything coated with a layer of icy frost, and it was a beautiful sight. Passing a conservation area, we saw a small lake completely covered with a huge flock of snow geese. They were waiting for the sun to get up before they arose, and we pulled over and listened to the honking. The pictures I took didn’t materialize–it was still too dark. But it’s a nice memory. Wish you could share it.
In a few minutes, we passed this old schoolhouse, and after 15 seconds of intense begging, the wagonmaster turned us around so I could try pictures again. (This time the light was a tiny bit better.)
I loved thinking about the families who built this…they were real pioneers, truly braving the elements to carve a new life out of unsettled land. I always have to wonder if I could have done it…would I have survived?
Our destination was a homestead near Eureka.
The Suhns raise registered Brangus cattle, and Vern is known far and wide for his experience in genetics. Alas, the lots became very muddy as the day warmed, and I didn’t take pictures of the livestock. You wouldn’t have been able to appreciate the stock for wondering at the mud!
While the wagonmaster and the homesteader looked at cattle, I knitted.
Emma needs a new little cap, and this one took shape while I listened to positive and encouraging K-Love (a group of radio stations that play contemporary Christian music.) Three hours later, we headed back east toward home, stopping at every used farm equipment dealer we passed…and somehow, not passing a single promising-looking antique mall/flea market! But it was still a nice little outing, and I am of the mind to take ‘em where and when I can get ‘em…and am always glad to have ‘em!
One more picture…
My mom and me! We were co-hostesses of a women’s group on Saturday, and we decorated the tables with snowmen. This one was on the counter from which we served the food. Our little corner of the world has had no snow this winter, so we’re having to make do with fake snowpeople. (I know, I know…some of you have had too much of the frozen stuff! I just want a little, just once, for about one day…)
Hope you all have a good week!
Comments (8)
Oh, Janet, how you do make a description of a day so much fun to read! I want to read some of the other things you write! You gave me just the smile I needed tonight!
I’m glad your wagonmaster turned around and let you get that picture of the old school. Yesterday I watched a movie clip of Judith Montana B. on a quilt show. She took lots and lots of pictures of the little run down and old buildings in her town of Laveta. Then she made simple watercolors of them and embellished them with her famous thread and bead work.
Such a special pic of you and your mom.
“Intense begging”, not good to use often, but used wisely it works every time!
Reading this makes me want to go wrangle up something or other! You look SO good in hot pink!!! After your 30 hour vacation are you refreshed and ready to hit the books again?
What an interesting and well-written post! I’ve never been to Kansas–I’ve been to Kansas City, but on the MO side! I feel your pain at being buried in book work. I hate it so, and I keep putting it off. You and you mom? Nah, I think it’s your sister! =)
Jan, your trip sounds great….I love the way you look for the little joys along the way, and the photo ops, whether actual or just mental ones. Remember the neat quote from some famous photographer that says something like, “Being a photographer is learning to look at the world as though through a camera’s lens, even when you don’t have your camera”? You have the gift of doing both that, and looking at it with a writer’s eyes and heart. Or maybe they’re the same thing. Looking at the world with an artist’s eye. Looking for the footprints of beauty and wonder that the True Artist left behind for us to find!
Great picture of you and your Mama. I know the meeting went well..the snowman is adorable! And so is Emma’s hat.
Okay, I’m really jealous you got to see (and shoot, too!) that old schoolhouse. Wow. I love it.
Wish you were here to go shoot some palm trees and alligators with me!
Enjoyed the trip with you. Wil really liked the pic of the old school house. We raise Angus and get our registered bulls nearer to home. I’d enjoy a trip such as this one. Seems we never get a break. We could easily take one if Wil wasn’t glued to this farm.
We traveled much more before retirement and farm than we do now.
Hey Janet! I didn’t realize how much I look forward to your pictures until I got this post in my mail and didn’t see any at first! The schoolhouse picture is amazing – I love the colors (and the intense begging, lol). There are pinks throughout it – the grass, the wood of the house – maybe reflecting the sunrise. Have a great day! Pam
The smoothie is easy. 1 cup of frozen fruit and 1 cup of milk (1% or 2%) or soy milk. Blend.
I created the omelet recipe from the one they gave. I made it with three eggs – one for me and two for Cerwin. So I am not sure of the measurements. I used spinach because I had steamed some for a prior meal. I had cottage cheese on hand and decided to try it.
We both liked it. Use olive oil or low fat margarine for frying.
The recipe: 1/4 cup egg substitue, 1/2 cup steamed zucchini, 1 oz reduced fat cheese.
My recipe: 1 egg, steamed spinach, cottage cheese. Maybe start with 1/8 cup of spinach and 1/8 cup of cottage cheese per egg, if it looks like you need more – add more.