July 4, 2008 at Parkville, MO!

Jess, James, Mary and I went to Parkville, MO for the Parkville Community Band Symphonic Wind Ensemble Concert, under the direction of Steve Berg. The band played on the lawn in front of Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel on the Park University campus. The concert started at 7:30 PM. We got there at about 8.

We plopped down our folding chairs and listened to the incredible music featuring Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture", patriotic and Americana music. Also music from the Broadway shows "Chicago" and "Man of La Mancha" was played.

Between the band concert and the fireworks display Mary and I walked a block or two to down town Parkville where a carnival was set up. The portable "Johns" were located there. The town is quaintly laid out. The police were directing auto and pedistrian traffic very efficiently.

I so wished that I had taken my camera with us on our walk. I saw a great view of the steepled MacKay Hall located on the hill of Park University campus as it looked from our viewpoint in the town which lies in a valley.

Other missed photos were of Mary and I meeting and petting "Fat Cat". He was a large feline having mostly grey fur with some white. This cat was being walked in a stroller complete with blanket. He was such a good cat staying put in the stroller. He loved being petted.

As the sun went down the air cooled enough so that a light jacket felt good. Mary and I returned to our spots by Jess and James on the hill of Park University and waited for the fireworks to begin.

The fireworks were awesome. The show lasted about a half hour. They fired off some pretty amazing fireworks.

We walked about a mile to where our car was parked. We noticed fireworks throughout the valley. That was way cool.

As we were driving home I again realized what and excellent driver Jess is. When we were slowing down for stopped traffic ahead of us Jess moved to the right of the car in front of us. Just then he then had to speed up for a short distance to avoid being hit by a driver that was coming up on us way too fast from behind.

When we returned to NKC we saw a deer at Swift Street and NE 32nd Ave. I was very excited. The deer the ran back into a wooded area which was very good.

We made it home safe and sound after another memorable summer experience with folks we love.

The Campout June 28-29!

On Saturday evening June 28th Jess and I started out on our camping adventure. We chose to go to the Watkin's Mill State Park near Lawson, MO about 30 minutes from our house. This camp out would be the beginning of Jess's weeks long vacation.

We camped at space 93 at the beautiful, well kept campgrounds. We were excited to finally spend the night in the camper of Buffalo Bob after having the truck for 7 years.

The night of the 28th we heated some soup on out camp stove for supper. We delighted in watching the amazing fireflies which were numerous. Neither of us had seen so many fireflies at one time.

I slept fairly well. I loved having a Porta-pottie in the camper. It was so nice not to have to walk five minutes to get to the campsite rest rooms whenever I needed to go.

Jess fixed breakfast of cantaloupe an bananas. Two squirrels decided to make an appearance. It was fun watching them scamper around. Jess threw them a slice of cantaloupe but they didn't eat it.

We then sat in our camp chairs. I drew Jess a card as I looked to the wonderful nature we were surrounded by for inspiration. Jess read a sci fi book. While sitting under the shade of the tall campground trees an unusual looking Caterpillar fell from the tree and landed on Jess's ankle. I put it back on the tree and it went on it's merry way.

We went on a small nature walk around the campsite and discovered a rare looking black and white stripped butterfly. Jess took an excellent photo of it.

After leaving the campgrounds Jess and I ate at the KFC in Excelsior Sprs. ending a very nice camping experience.

Scottish Festival January 27, 2008 Lawrence, KS!

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Jay jammin' with the Scots.

More Tooting.

Behind the scenes.

Me high steppin'.

My guy.

Sweetie Jess with Mary in background.

Havin' a friendly conversation.

Reverend Douglas Phenix on accordian.

Maria Anthony on sitar, Megan Hurt on electric violin.

Maria planin' guitar, Megan playing the acoustic guitar.

Cordellia Brown Singing and playing the violin. Larry Carter on guitar. Clark Jamison and John Findlater on drums.

Connie Dover singing and playing the keyboard. Mason Brown singing and playing the guitar.

What a fun event. On January 27th Jess and I drove to Lawrence for the Scottish Festival that was held at the Lawrence Art Center downtown. We met Mary there and Jay (Mary's son) joined us for a while. Before the performance there was an hour and a half jam session. Anyone could join in. Jay had fun playin' his little flute and learning to drum.

I thoroughly enjoyed doin' the gig or fling or whatever it's called. I followed the bagpipers, one in particular who was very nice letting me dance to his playing. Sometimes other young women would join me in dancing.

The performance of the pros was awesome and very well done. I enjoyed myself very much. I also tried some of the Scottish dishes that were loving made and brought to the event for to be sampled and savored.

Hawkfest June 7, 2008 Topeka, KS!

The tent we sat under

Jazzy Smiles

Watch out world here we come.

Hey there James

The Stage

A Jazz Group

Well it's cool with the breeze blowin through the tent.

Mary

Me

That "Oh no not another picture" look.

Yummy fixin's

An accidental Photo

Sisters

Nicely craved bench

El Mezcal Restaurant Topeka, Kansas

Saturday June 7, 2008

James, Mary, Jess and I went to the 13th Annual Hawkfest, Jazz & Blues Festival on the grounds of the Kansas Expocentre, Topeka, Kansas. Silly me I thought it was called the Hawkfest in honor of the KU Jayhawks. No, not even close. It is called the Hawfest for Coleman Randolph Hawkins (November 21, 1904–May 19, 1969), nicknamed "Hawk" and sometimes "Bean", was a prominent jazz tenor saxophonist. The event was free.

At the Hawkfest the four of us had an interesting time. We were kept cool by sitting in a large tent where there was excellent air flow. I personally liked the groups that were not so well known. Sam Rivers was an important honoree at the fest but I didn't like the style of jazz he and his group were playing.

After leaving the Hawkfest Mary, James, Jess and I went to The El Mezcal Restaurant at 511 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS. The food was very good and the atmosphere was excellent. All in all we had a good time on June 7th taking in a Jazz Fest and good Mexican food. That's a fun combination.

It has been fascinating to broaden my musical and cultural horizons this year by going to some Jazz events. In January of this year Jess and I met Mary, Krista (her daughter), Will (Krista's husband) and Krista's friend at the Blue Room, Kansas City. The Blue Room is part of the American Jazz Museum in the historic 18th and Vine District, it is both a jazz club and a museum that celebrates Kansas City's connection to swing, free-funk and anything in-between.