County Fair Time

Its County Fair Time again in south East Kansas.

Spent a warm morning watching young folks learn how to judge livestock the other day. It never fails to amaze me how much work, effort and pride they take in their work.

Skywatch Friday

Typical Sky these days in SE Kansas. You can count on hot temperatures, (not as bad as some years) humid afternoons (the kind that influence long naps in the cool of the house) and lots of field corn.

We helped our in-laws put up sweet corn a few weeks ago.  They are in their 80s and still grow a garden big enough to feed a small elementary school. The break of dawn found us dividing up the tasks-who would pick, who would shuck and who would take on the kitchen duties (the hardest it seems to me). Two of us settled under a shade tree and played tag team pick-shuck while we swapped stories. My wife and her mom commanded the kitchen assembly line; cut, clean, blanch, cool and bag.  Seventy five pints of corn and six hours later we all decided we had had enough for the day. Taking a long drink from a cold beer my father in law stated " there's still half the field that will be ripe next weekend". We all looked around and rolled our eyes. "Well" he said "maybe I'll just call some folks to come pick what they would like." My mother in law sat for a moment sort of giggled and said just loud enough for her husband to hear; " I'm gonna just come out tonight and take that electric fence down and let the coons have it".

The day begins.

The first of many bushels headed into the kitchen.

For more skywatchers check out this link.

Skywatch Friday July 31st

Sunset from Helen and Elmer's Place 

Leavenworth County, Kansas

Link here for more sky watchers.

Thanksgiving at the farm

 We spent the Thanksgiving Holiday at my wife's family farm. The Land has been in the family continuously sine the territory was opened in the 1850s. Her ancestors settled here after immigrating from Germany. The barn is not the original, but its close to 100 years old.

I took a hike around the acreage past the cattle and back to the barn.

 A mismatched and multicolored group of kittens dashed to the safety of the old corners and feed bins. Except for a few brave souls.

 Where milking cows once stayed out of the cold Kansas winter nights with mules and draft horses, a lone pony now keeps the faith.

For more camera critters visit here.

For more Scenic Sunday visit here.