Last summer in the middle of August we were returning from out West.  As part of the return we drove through the little state of Kansas-wow-I loved every bit of the flat lands with the views that went on for miles and miles.  The delightful fields of sunflowers with their big round heads hanging over in row after row.  I loved the dirt roads that ran off into the horizon.  We pulled off the highway and drove on the old road that ran parallel.  It was a beautiful day-the blue skies went on forever filled with fluffy clouds that looked like cotton balls.  On the drive out I really didn’t have time to enjoy the views so I felt like this was actually the first time I got to take it all in.  Steve pulled over on a dirt road in the middle of all these farm lands –I got out of the car and took in the vast expanse-I have never been anywhere before this where there was so much flat land.  We have a lot of farms in Ohio-but we have rolling hills but Ohio fields seem more broken up.  In Kansas the fields met the sky and the roads look like they ended where the earth and sky met.

We stumbled upon one of the most unique state parks I have ever been to.  Mushroom Rock state park was something that everyone should see.  I felt as if I was Alice in Wonderland surrounded by rocks that look like giant mushrooms!  It wasn’t a very big park and it was in the middle of nowhere but it was a treat.  I stomped around the rocks in my cowboy boots with my imagination running back to that of my childhood-I felt as if I was 5 again with these magical mushrooms.

When we left Mushroom Rock State Park we headed down the dirt road and came around a corner into the empty village of Carneiro.  It was a tiny little ghost town-I didn’t explore too much with the no trespassing signs  and some of the buildings looked like they may have had a resident or two.

Kansas was breathtaking for me, I would love to head back there and explore the whole state someday.

On March 19th of 2011 there was a super moon-the Perigee Moon.  My Dad was a physics and science teacher his whole life.  At this time my Dad was sick but we thought he would be getting better.  He was staying at home and we were all taking turns looking after him and making sure he wouldn’t get himself in trouble.  On the 19th we talked about the moon he said “This is a once in a life time moon.”  So I asked “Dad would you like to drive out a bit in the country where we can park and see the moon?”  and he immediately said yes.  So we visited as Dad talked about astronomy and the moon.   Finally it was dark-well not so dark because the moon lit up the sky and set a beautiful glow to the earth.  We found the right spot –not too far out of town on a hill with the moon reflecting in a small pond.  I tried to get some images of this moon but didn’t want to spend too much time away from the time with Dad, so the images I have of the Perigee moon aren't so good but the look on Dad’s face was something I will never forget. 

Every time I see a full moon I think of this evening-I think of all the stories Dad told us about the skies.  I think of the times he would remind me when Venus would be visible or when there were meteor showers.  So that being said with all the talk of the super moon this last week, I anxiously thought about it all day on Monday-I was working a 15 hour shift and new I wouldn’t be home until after 10pm.  As soon as I could I rushed home, changed my clothes and grabbed my camera-I took my memories of my father and ran to the front yard where I stood with my camera and my memories and took over 200 pictures.  One more gift my Father left us- a love of the big moon and the night skies.

I am writing today during work, so I will be juggling station duties, training and 911 calls.  Hopefully things will be quiet so I can get through today’s ramblings.

At the end of August in 2013 we traveled to Columbus then to Parma of course for shows that Mr. Trent had.  Now we were pretty exhausted at this time because we had just come back from the Sturgis trip but the show must go on so we hit the road.

 He opened both shows for a band called Ollie Vee.  These gentlemen are from Canada and are not only fantastic to listen to but fun to watch.  I would highly recommend looking them up and if you are lucky enough to be in an area they are touring check out their show at the very least check out their music you won’t be disappointed.

 The show in Columbus, Ohio was at a little club called the Shrunken Head.  We had been there before and I absolutely love this bar.  It is a very cool venue.  Instead of going home of course we rolled the old RV up toward Parma Heights, Ohio for the next day’s show at a great bowling alley known as Yorktown Lanes.  Yorktown Lanes is another great venue with some wonderful people.  Not only some fun bowling but a very nice bar with fantastic music, food and atmosphere. 

It was a relatively short drive –compared to some-between the two venues.  We were able to take our time on the trip up and we decided to stop in Mansfield, Ohio and explore a bit.  We didn’t stay too long but I was able to catch a few images along the way.  This is typically how our time goes with as much traveling on the weekends and at times even into the weeks.  I get to meet some really nice people along the way, hear some new stories and capture some fun images.

I can’t believe it is Labor Day all ready!  As we roll from a wet cooler summer into what is forecast to be a somewhat warmer September I am trying to be positive about the seasons ahead instead of sad about just how fast this summer has passed.   I am watching my Grandson play and thinking about what we are going to eat on this great holiday.  In prior years we haven’t done much –once in a while we go to the Stark County Fair but this year we are being pretty low key-hanging around the house throwing some potatoes in the oven and some burgers on the grill.

 I am charcoal all the way with the grill-and a big Kingsford fan.  I haven’t succumbed to the hecklers of my old grill, taunting me and advising me to go with a gas grill.  I like the big fire when I start the grill then the hot white charcoal and the delicious smell of the meat cooking over it.  Once in a great while I even through in a hickory chip from my Grandpas’ property.  They are very old hickory chips and I think of him and summer days down at his cabin when I see the smoke curl out of the fire and around the meats flavoring them.

As I watch my Grandson I also think of how we watched a Monarch Butterfly grow from an egg till it hatched out of the chrysalis.  I had him set the butterfly free.  He was more excited about setting it free than any of the rest of the process.  As the beautiful Monarch flew away he jumped up and down exclaiming “I freed him I freed him!  He will be with his family and friends now!”

Well here’s to a new season of adventures!