Adventure 749: North Platte, NE/Holiday RV Park

We left Manhattan around 9:30 after a breakfast of savory oatmeal, which was delicious. Of course, it was cold frozen under a new blanket of light snow. But no worries. We traveled the back roads of Kansas until we crossed the border into Nebraska. At York, we merged with I-80 where we met and were passed by about a thousand sixteen wheelers. But that wasn't the fun part. The fun part was seeing several thousand sandhill cranes. Some were flying in groups both large and small, but most were munching on corn stocks in the fields. According to Wikipedia, the sandal crane is a species of large crane of North America and extreme northeastern Siberia. The common name refers to habitat like that at the Platte River, on the edge of Nebraska's Sandhills, which is the most important stopper are for the cranes on their annual migration. About 450,000 birds travel through Nebraska annually. Some of the same species migrate through Washington state as well, but today we saw about ten times as many as we've seen near Othello, Washington. It made our day, and it made me think how wonderful God's creation is. I don't think the cranes have one political bone in their magnificent bodies, which are huge. Individual birds are nearly five feet tall. They also mate for life, which I think is another good lesson. They do have some enemies, namely raccoons, coyotes, and ravens, but at night they gather together in shallow water cooing and gurgling, thankfully safe in their large group. They're  gray with black tipped wings and when they fly in great numbers, they blacken part of the sky. It's quite a sight for us ground walkers to see them take off in mass at dawn. Seeing them made me realize once again that life is good, especially today.

Who can deny the magnificence of creation?

Judy created this masterpiece this morning itself another reason for joy.
 

Adventure 748: Manhattan, KS Reprise/Post F

We had a perfect day on our last full day here in Kansas. Rod and I drove to North Newton to do volunteer work at the Mennonite Central Committee building which left Judy and Karen a full day of devoted sister time. Rod volunteers every week, and this is the third time I've gone with him which means we've brought Fric and Frac through Manhattan at least three times. There are many groups that do humanitarian work, but few do it as well as the Mennonites. One arm of Mennonite aid is their disaster relief program. Judy and I participated one year for a week South of Oklahoma city after two successive tornadoes ripped through the area. Judy helped in the kitchen and I helped with the building crew.  We replaced the deck on one family's trailer and built a protective covering over another family's well. The second family had been hit twice by the tornadoes. The first took their house. FEMA replaced the house with a trailer. The second tornado took the trailer. When I met the man who owned the property, he and his family were living in a pick up camper that neighbors had set on blocks. Today's volunteer work is more ongoing. Rod and I spent the day sorting shoes, purses, back packs, and coats. Others sort cardboard for recycle. Others sort books which are cut and the paper is graded and sorted. Others gather clothes into 1100 lb. bales for resale. In addition, the Mennonites donate food which is processed right at the center, shipped to Akron, Ohio, and then sent around the world. Finally, the Mennonites around the country hold annual MCC sales, the profits of which help send relief in the form of food and volunteers to places in need around the world. Not only do the programs recycle used goods, but the goods are repurposed for the benefit of those who need it. It feels good to be of some service, even if it's just a day of volunteer work. I smile when I think of helping even just a little bit because it makes me believe that life is good, especially today.

The warehouse building stores the bales of clothes, the cardboard, the food, and the items gathered for the annual MCC sale.

The Mennonite Central Committee building. Storehouse in the back.

Each bale weighs about 1100 lbs. The bales are sold at $.20/lb.or about $220.00. The money goes for disaster relief. The clothes, which a re perfectly good and clean go to those in need.

The shoes are sold for an amount. I don't know how much, but again they are given to those in need.

Books are sorted into two paper qualities: white and pulp. The paper is sold, and again, the profits go to the disaster relief fund.

Once a year the center spends and entire day preparing canned meat which is sent around the world.

Three paid employees coordinate aa slew of volunteers.

While we sorted in Newton, the sisters did sewing projects, took Karen to physical therapy, at a corn dog at the local Sonic, and otherwise enjoyed their day.

Part of the disaster relief is putting together tubs of tools which are delivered wherever they're needed.

Once the clothes are baled, they are secured with wire and moved to the storage building.

Upwards of 98% of the monies by the Mennonite Central Committee collected make it to those in need.

Rod found this old leather helmut among the shoes. I think he suffered a concussion.

A finished bale.

While clothes, shoes, cardboard, and books are sorted, lady volunteers put together what they call "Quilter's Corner" kits, which are sold at the MCC sale. They also gather finished quilts which are auctioned off at the sale. It's all pretty inspiring, especially since it's effort born of love and concern for our fellow man. I think that's how Jesus said it should be.

Adventure 747: Manhattan, KS Reprise/Post E

This morning I listened to Wajahat Ali give a Ted Talk that reaffirmed my hope. We face many things that give us pause, if not panic: a world wide pandemic, income inequality, climate change, systemic racism, bad luck, cancer, mass shootings, and the threat of nuclear annihilation to name a few. Why should we be hopeful in such times? Wajahat offers three possibilities 1) Have faith in God, but tie your camel first. In other words, let go of what you can't control and embrace what you can control. Be present in the lives of those you love. Do what you can to make the world a better place. 2) Invest in joy. The world doesn't need more masochists or martyrs. The world needs what Mahatma Gandhi called satyagraha, meaning love force or truth force. The world needs selfless kindness, honest expression, and humble acceptance.  3) Invest in the narrative of hope because the alternative is apathy and cynicism. It's hard because it opens you up to the possibility of pain, betrayal, and disappointment. That is scary. It's easier to court cynicism because you invest nothing so you lose nothing. But everyone deserves to experience joy every day, even though it's fleeting. Don't misunderstand. It's not as Bobby McFerrin croons, "Don't worry, be happy." There's plenty to be concerned about, but it helps to feed the fire of hope through love, perseverance, and courage. This is what I believe makes life good, especially today. Thanks Wajahat for reminding me.

More wire art. We've been creating wire planters. Just for the fun of it.

The sisters spent time digging in the dirt today. It's their happy place.

Judy says, "Just tell me where to dig, Klink."

Who says a knee replacement will slow a gal down.

These guys are too cute. 

Dig, baby, dig.

We went to the llama farm to get some llama poop. This guy said, "Judy, I'm happy my crappy makes you happy."

Beth, owner of the llama farm, has a big heart for animals. She rescued these donkeys plus two llamas, three horses, at least five dogs, and a couple of cats. She represents the kind of heart that truly nurtures hope. 

Adventure 746: Manhattan, KS Reprise/Post D

Awoke to a chilly thirty degrees, but the promise of blue sky and manageable wind led me to a two-hour walk while Rod gathered clothes donations to take to Newton on Wednesday and Judy accompanied Karen to physical therapy. Afterwards, we had a nice lunch, played a game of Hollywood Gin, and then Karen and I spent part of the afternoon bending wire. We are pleased with the results. While walking, I started thinking about Aldous Huxley's book, Brave New World. Besides the stratification of society, the masses were pacified with a drug called Soma, which was designed to keep the citizens under control. It occurred to me that entertainment is our current Soma, namely March Madness. We Americans are mesmerized by this pretend gladiator clash while the citizens of Ukraine are pelted by live ammunition. The only thing similar about the two is that there is only one winner. It doesn't take much imagination to believe that a new world order stands in the balance. It's quite possible that the Chinese are nonplussed about America's hegemony. Our record in the last eighty years is spotty at best. Further, they've clearly been making preparations to change that world order. In my conspiratorial head, I can easily imagine an alliance between China and Russia. Couple that with either the cooperation or coercion of the people benefitting from China's Belt and Road initiative and the military expansion into the China sea, it's conceivable that China has designs on being THE leader of the modern world. If we assume that there can be only one winner on the geo-political stage, it's hard to see a solution that doesn't involve real conflict. We'll know some of the answers soon. If China backs Russia in any significant way in the Ukraine enterprise, that should be a clarion call for the Western world. On that chipper note, you can all hope my imagination is just that: the fantasies of an old white liberal.  In the meantime, remember that most of us are lucky enough to make life what we make it, and that is good, especially today.

This wire guy is holding an air bouquet for his honey. He doesn't entertain even one conspiratorial thought.

Today's project: Air plant holders.

We've got more planters than plants.

It's all about the rocks.

Adventure 745: Manhattan, KS Reprise/Post C

One of my favorite Kansas traditions is Sunday morning nosh before church. It's usually fresh baked semel, the now famous bread stuff brought over by immigrants from Germany. Semel is served in a variety of ways. Of course, a person can just smash one into his face, feeling the luxurious warmth of the risen gluten and the slight crunch of either poppy or sesame seeds. But that's the vulgarian, usually reserved for those near the oven when the buns come out. In polite company, semel is served with strawberry jam and sharp cheddar cheese. The morning nosh also includes sliced of ham and some fruit. In Spokane we add hot coffee. After the nosh, we piled into the car for the short jaunt to church. Karen was greeted warmly by everyone she met, each one asking how her recovery was going. After church we ate again. This time it's our Spokane Sunday tradition in which I concoct some kind of vegetable scramble after we get home from church. Rod and I then settled in for some March madness, while the ladies attacked the puzzle. Sadly, Cinderella had her slipper smashed, but the games were enjoyable nonetheless. I even find myself rooting for Coach K, even though I'm hardly a Duke supporter. It would be a fitting storybook ending for Coach K's career if he could win it all on the way out. Time will tell. We spent the day inside because even though the sky was blue, the air was once again as frigid as Ted Cruz's soul. There are rumors that the weather will warm up, but ironically it's warmer in Spokane than anywhere we'll be in the next week. Not to worry. The Franz home is a very warm place to snuggle. Rumor has it that I even took another nap today. I may have missed a few plays, but I was awake enough to take a tour of Karen's plethora of dioramas, which warm the spirit in many ways. Basically, cold temperatures and bitter wind aside, life here is good, especially today.

Dorothy, mother of Judy and Karen, loved her cardinals. All of the sisters share the love.

Three of the sisters. Miss Jane is still missing.

Traditional Sunday morning nosh.

If one word can describe a place.

In we go to Sunday service.

Everyone, including me, got into the puzzle solving this morning.

Not to be outdone by breakfast, supper was baked chicken with vegetables. More thin gruel.

We play this card game every time we come to Manhattan. Some years back, Judy and I taught the game to Rod and Karen. It's become a favorite since then.

Adventure 744: Manhattan, KS Reprise/PostB

Literally nothing to report on the adventure front today. We slept in so long we called breakfast brunch. The only task I accomplished was to refill the propane tank at the local dealer. Then, astonishingly, I took a nap during the women's games, warmed as I was by the welcome sun light and a fleece comforter. I can't remember the last time I took a daytime nap. Judy and Karen took a trip to the Saturday market, and then worked much of the day on the puzzle. Of course, Karen did her knee rehab exercises, and the sisters once again filled the house with lovely piano music. I can even admit that I had so little motivation, I didn't even do the form. What all this says is things are comfortable here at the Franz dome where life is good, especially today.

It won't be long until I'm aboard Davey Boy.

Just up from my nap. A really hard day in adventure land.

An old selfie from our last visit to Manhattan.

Rod was only sightly more active than me today. I think he stayed awake during the game.

Abe and Dorothy, the girls' parents, before they were married.

Karen smiling during our last visit.

The basketball games will be over for the week tomorrow, so we'll be back to the card games.

Karen, fresh off her knee replacement. She's doing really well.

 

Adventure 743: Manhattan, KS Reprise/Post A

We blew into Manhattan on a Kansas zephyr, arriving about two. While securing the trailer we discovered a drawer that had dislodged during the trip. Fixing it meant a trip to Home Depot for clamps and glue. I hear my buddy, Dave clearly saying, "A guy can never have enough clamps." He peeked over my shoulder as I repaired the drawer. It went smoothly. Karen welcomed us with a light lunch-"thin gruel" we call it, and we shook the road jitters off ourselves and relaxed. I always like coming to Rod and Karen's mostly because they make us feel so welcome, but also because Karen has a certain style. Over the years I've given her some art. She always makes it look its best. It's fun for me to see something I've done with the distance of , "Oh, yeah, I remember that one." Also, Karen has become my wire bending buddy. She's added the "Air Plant" holder concept, so we'll be looking for rocks this week. Anyway, now we're still watching basketball, though wounded emotionally. It makes me realize the fragility of life. In any case, there are those suffering abject despair and at the same time those for whom life is good, especially today.

The sisters relaxed by twinkling out some piano duet.

Frac at home at 2000 Thackery.

A watercolor I painted in 2005. I haven't painted in a while, so it's like a looking glass.

Rod and Karen had some unfortunate flooding that resulted in a remodel of the basement which turned out quite nicely.

CoCo

A bouquet of wooden flowers on a box with a lid. I made this three to five years ago. Karen's displays always flatter my work. 

Art shot of the day. Karen's fountain off the front door.

All hands on deck.

Karen's new paradigm for wire bending. The "air plant" holder. I found this heart rock in New Mexico. Looks marketable.