haphazard musings

Other photos from Lindsborg

 

 

I love how they put this building together - I think its called tongue and groove - either way its pretty old school.

 

 

 

 

 

# 82 - complete.

82. Visit four unique Kansas attractions. (4/4)
            Botanica - Wichita (5.9.09)
            Boot Hill - Dodge City (6.19.09)
            BoBo Drive-in - Topeka (9.26.09)
            Coronado Heights - Lindsborg (4.18.10)

Done.

We went up to the land of Sweden, well Sweden in Kansas - Lindsborg a couple weeks ago to a a little lunch with Ryan's grandma, Joe, Cindy, and grandma's cousins.  It was pretty fun.  We actually went on a tour of the original homesteads where Ryan's great-grandparents fist settled after they came here from Sweden.

There were some pretty interesting stops and fun things to photograph. 

The one that lets me check off number 82 was Coronado Heights.  It is said to be the farthest north place Coronado went on his search for the City of Gold.  In the 1930's the structures on the top of the really tall hill were built as part of the Works Project Administration.  It does have a pretty good view.

The moss or algae or whatever growing on the sandstone was awesome.  I loved the colors.

 

 

 

So that sums up Coronado Heights.  There were some great other photos from some other stops, but I will post those on another day.

If you want to see the rest of the 101 in 1001 days check here or check for other updates by checking here.

Mid-day Monday Energizer

*Edit - Motivator*  Thanks Rachel.

So, I was going for a nice alliteration there.  That's a nice English term for you.

Its the one that means all the first letters sound the same.  For Example:  Lindsay Loves Lime Lollipops.

However, I couldn't find another word for energizer that starts with "m".  I even used the Thesaurus.

No dice.

But I digress (Not that this is an unusual occurrence, I digress on a regular basis.  Its what makes me, me.). 

This little clip had Ryan and I (and Adam and Jill) laughing out loud.

Its funny because its true.  Not in ways that us ladies would like to admit.

But I have said "You'll make a great wife someday.  Just not for him.  He is a jerk...etc, etc, etc." 

Check it out.

#48

Plant 2 trees. Done and done.

(Check the whole 101 in 1001 here.)

Yep that's right, Uncle Mark, we finally used that gift certificate to Brady Nursery. 

We bought a lovely tree.  Its nice and big and was really beautiful before it rode home in the trailer at 70 miles an hour on the world's windiest day.

But here it is.

 

It had so many lovely white blooms.  Oh well, next year we can enjoy that.

Thankfully, we have some nice friends who will help you dig a hole when you need it. 

Seriously, digging in Kansas soil is a tough job.  One time my dad and Ryan made me sit on a gas powered post hole digger to improve its digging ability in the clay.  Well, let's just say it didn't end well.  Especially when my mom saw what was going on.  Pretty sure, "mom instinct" kicked in despite the fact that I was 25. :)

Gotta love that she still wants me to "be careful."

 

And here are both trees to complete No. 48.

A trip to Manhattan

Ryan and I took last Wednesday evening and went to Manhattan to watch his littlest sister get her percussion groove on.

Seriously, that girl can really groove.

It was way to dark to get any photos especially since no flashes were allowed. 

But Ryan and I had a great time exploring a little bit.  Its been a while since we had been to Manhattan.  So we visited a few places.

Our first stop was...

 

Its our favorite stop in Manhattan.  So Long Saloon.

Next time you're up there.  Check it out.  Its on the corner of Moro and 12th.

I had this.

 

In case its unclear - its a burger and fries.  The best burger and fries in Manhattan.

The Resist Temptation (burger with a fried egg - seriously, if you haven't tried it you should) and the Summer Brew.  I would highley recommend it.

The other best thing they have.  Raspberry Chipotle Bean Dip.  Yep.  TO DIE FOR.

And it might kill you.  Seriously if you ate it every day. 

But once in three years - I think I am in good shape. :)

Then I just took a few pictures to get used to my camera a little more.

 

Gotta love green copper roofs.  Ryan said they were oxidized, I think.

 

Not in the best focus, but I love the way the clouds and the back light kind of put a halo around the building.

 

Gotta love messages written in chalk.  I kind of miss the days when the most important things I needed to know were communicated in chalk.

 

And, that's where Ryan proposed on a little walk around campus.  Its a funny story, perhaps I will relate it to you sometime.

 

Hale.  One of my favorite places.  Lovely building.

 

I love the angles and lines of Anderson Hall.  It was first built in the 1880's if I remember correctly from my tour guide days.  But it has been added on to and renovated and changed ever since.  All the changes have made for an interesting and unique building. 

A little known secret about the building, you can go through underground tunnels and get to Holtz and Seaton Halls.  Its pretty sweet.

Thanks Em for the invitation and the walk down memory lane.

So I don't usually preach,

but today I am feeling compelled.

I am going to get on my soap box for a minute.

I also don't usually disrespect people that have been elected for public office, because I think they deserve my respect whether I agree with their policy or principles or not.  Because, like me, they are just a person who has the right to think what they want and deserve respect for being willing to be public about it.

So, however, today, that might all go out the window.  It will be back tomorrow, but I will still feel the same way.

As my mother will attest, I don't really enjoy confrontation.  I know that may surprise some of you, but believe it, because its true.  I don't enjoy it.  But at times, when I feel led I will confront what needs confronting.

I wouldn't recommend being the one that is confronted because I tend to yell.

So here we go.

I have had it. 

I am fed up.

I am about ready to explode.

Public schools are getting the short end of the stick.  The state government is not doing what it is constitutionally bound to do.

And you can't get around it. 

Its the Constitution.  Well, not the Constitution, but it is a legally binding document.  I would assume.  And isn't that the job of legislators and the judicial system and the executive branch to support and uphold the constitution?

SO perhaps they should consider a few facts:

1. The base state aid per pupil is set at $4,492.  It is a law.

However, currently, the state is paying out $4,012 per student.  Now I am not so good at math, but I am pretty sure I can tell that those aren't the same.  If its a law, and the legislature and the governor aren't following it, then why can't I go 85 mph on I-135?  If they can pick and choose, I can too, right?

2. According to the audit conducted in 2006, a strong association was found between the amounts districts spend and the outcomes they achieve.

"A 1.0% increase in district performance outcomes was associated with an 0.83% increase in spending."  To me that means every dollar I invest in education is well-spent.  So why are we continually taking money out?

3.  Kansas as a whole is ranked in the top 10 in state testing scores.  But it also ranks 38th in average salary. 

So, I would deduct that we do a whole lot of good with not a whole lot of mullah.  Anyone in the business world would say that we are certainly doing something right.  Top 10 results with bottom 12 in expenditures, that means we are getting some bang for our buck.  How much more can we cut before our results suffer?

(I'm almost done.  Stay with me.)

4. According the budget recommendations for the State Dept. of Education from the House Committee, they would like to cut the base state aid per pupil to $3,881 totaling $85,949,000 and cut the supplemental general state aid by $85,949,000. 

To me (and keep in mind I am not a math whiz) that seems like another $171,898,000 in cuts to education for FY2011.  That is just nuts.  Absolutely outrageous.  Where else do they expect school districts to cut? 

You can only fire so many folks before the class size is so large that chaos will reign. 

You can only cut so many programs before kids begin dropping out at alarming rates. (How many kids do you know go to school only for the football or art classes?  Obviously not the best reason to stay in school, but hey, they are there right?)

You can only do so much before schools start loosing their accreditation because they aren't meeting the standards set by the government that is pulling the funding.

So those are the facts.  If you are interested, I can give you some resources to check out.  Just leave me a comment.

My message is this: People in Topeka, start thinking straight.  We need people in leadership positions to do what is best for all the kids. 

Please quit doing what you think will get you re-elected and do what is right.

Do you need me to clarify what is right?  Oh, ok.  No problem.

Fund Education.  It will save you billions (literally) down the road in social services alone. 

Do you need another reason?  Ok.  Easy as pie.

Every child is important.

Every child deserves the same opportunity you had growing up.  You know that thing that got you where you are today...its called an education. 

Without it, you would certainly not have been elected to a public office. 

Without it, perhaps you would be reliant on the decisions of your government so your kids could have a better life than you. 

Perhaps that's a legacy you might like to leave behind.  We could call it the "I don't really care what happens to anyone else's kids" legacy.

Is that something you would like to be known for? 

I would guess not.

So leave this legacy.  FUND EDUCATION.  Its the right thing to do.

On the way home

from Easter in Sabetha, we stopped at the historic stone arch bridge that is just off of Highway 50 somewhere between Florence and Newton. 

I don't actually know where it is.  We just watched the entire way for the sign that said turn here.

We must have slowed down about 5 different times.

But we finally found it.

Sadly, by then, it was way too dark to get any good pictures.

But I tried anyway, this is what happened.

 

That's the best I could do on a slow shutter speed without something steadier than my lap.

I guess I would have to say, I need a little (or a lot) of practice with the new camera.  Oh, I still haven't told you about that, well I will. 

But you will have to wait.  Its part of the reason for shoddy picture taking - currently only the manual focus option works.  And let me tell you...

we are spoiled.  Auto-focus is just about the most amazing thing.  I didn't know how bad I would be at manual-focus.

Now I do. 

So, back to the story...I was bummed.

But Ryan said we could go back.

However, the bridge was actually really cool.  I love old stuff.

 

Ryan did however, scale a very large pile of stones.  

Isn't his shirt cool?  Its a little hard to see, but if you want to know more about it go visit my friend Paige.  She will tell you all you want to know, plus some. :)

Then as we were leaving there was a pretty sweet sunset.
 

 

Lack of auto-focus strikes again.

Oh well, I will practice.

Happy Tuesday.

Our family (the Fraiser side)

is a little nutty, always fun and up for anything. 

For real.

This is what we, "grown ups" (everyone is 18 or older), do when we all get together for a holiday.

study.

 

hang up boards.

 

And shelf type things.

 

make lots of hard boiled eggs for deviled eggs (which I like now...I didn't before) and

 

Easter Eggs.

Yep, we still make eggs, and we loved every minute.

We also play Wii...its funny.

You should watch your grandpa try to do the ski jump.  He became a crashing ball of snow every time - even with Ryan helping. : )

 

Or watch your brother-in-law hula hoop. 

 

So stinking funny.

 

We also like to swing from the tire swing.  You should try it some time.

But you'll have to find your own tire. 

This one's ours.

grr...Ryan takes no challenge lightly...we love him for that.

 

 

And, just because we actually took a nice normal picture...here we are after the Easter Egg Hunt.  It was quite the affair.  That's why we look tired.

Then or Now?

I love that we can still head out our front door and find places that look like they haven't changed in over 70 years. 

I obviously also love the sepia setting. 

Sorry - I am what I am.

Anyway, I took these on the way to Sabetha, KS for our Easter celebration.  So chalk this up as one of my favorite things.  Sepia photos that take me back in time.  I love to think about how people would have lived way back when.  Ok, I am done rambling.  Just look at the photos.

I love those clouds.

 

 

I am intrigued by windmills. 

 

 

If you take the power lines out - which I don't know how to do - it would be a little more old timey.

 

Love this house.  I need a veranda.  They call to me.

#92 - Learn a new crafting technique.

Done.

Yep. 

I did it. 

I learned a new technique and completed a project.  No. 92 is crossed out of the list.

I remembered how to sew.  I knew once when I was in 7th grade.

I got a blue ribbon at the State Fair.

Then I didn't try again until I was 26. 

Yep.

That is about 13 years later.

Just goes to show you can teach an old gal new tricks.

 

I made a blanket - a quilted blanket.

It was actually much easier than I thought. 

I was pretty nervous that I was going to waste a bunch of money on something that would look funny.

But it looks pretty good.

 

The only sad part - I killed my machine doing it. 

Its true, the 1972 Kenmore finally said goodbye.  I took it to have it fixed up in November, but apparently it just won't stay healthy.

So, I am now in the market.

 

Luckily, I beat the deadline.  Little baby Brown isn't here yet. 

So as a tribute to the old Kenmore, I dedicate this, your last project a baby blanket to you.