Kansas

Linda and I have lived in Wichita, Kansas since May of 1997 which makes this the longest we have ever lived anywhere

We own a small brick home at 858 Whittier and we are very close to four of our five grandchildren

We try to grow roses and lilies with modest success

We also lived in Topeka for a long year when we had nowhere else to go

The people there became a strong support and even a family for us

Two years ago this September I had five bypass surgery and was on the heart pump twice

My troponin went over 63 which they say is a rather big heart attack

Linda also experienced severe health problems on Christmas Eve of 2008

She almost died from respiratory failure and this became a defining Christmas for me

At the age of 55 Linda began studying Tae Kwan Do and became a 1st Degree International Black Belt at the age of 58

This was a major accomplishment in her life and I am so very proud of her for persevering and accomplishing her goal

Kansas is an unlikely home for us as it is so very hot, dry and a very closed minded society

Two of our favorite Wichita places would include the Zoo and

Our small beautiful Botanical Gardens

The zoo is a place to walk when we want a place other than the Nature Center

We took a picture of this eagle near Watson Park in Wichita one January

A great summer butterfly exhibit and wonderful roses offer a respite from the dry barren Kansas plains

We have taken our grandchildren to the Zoo and Botannica often

Grand Children are the real reason we live in Kansas

Four of our five Grandchildren live here and they are a real and definite part of our lives

I think we are also a definite part of their lives also and they have brought us much joy

We have travelled with them, cried with them and rejoiced with them!

We have substitute taught at the very expensive private school they attend

We never charged during that time for our services just thought it was a way to give back

The Head of the Middle School always treated us with great love and respect

The High School does not even acknowledge grandparents and yet we still were involved

I became wrestling fan of the year for my support of the wrestling team

Watching my grandson's wrestle and my granddaughter being the manager was fabulous

One of the happiest days in our life took place in Kansas

On the day our youngest daughter was married

It was a joyous time and a perfect day and wedding and never to be forgotten

We have driven virtually every major road and a lot of back roads in this state

The highways that define the state are the north south and east west interstates

Then there is highway 54 which is the real freeway in Wichita

We have taken our grandchildren to Mushroom State Park which is very unique

We walk the Nature Center's 1.7 mile loop almost daily

This is our favorite Kansas location

Going west on 54 you used to travel through wheat and corn

But today you just go to Dodge City

There is Greenburg the town that turned disaster

Into a money making and town growing thing

Greenburg has become a symbol for the whole country of rebuilding after disaster

Tons of cattle and pig raising ranches and processing and holding plants are that direction

From Salina to Goodland is a high desert plain area

Filled with some antelope and many storms

Just out of Wichita is a rest area where were stopped and happen to take a wonderful sunset

Salina to Kansas City and that eastern quarter is the really only hilly area in Kansas

Wichita to Fort Scott is again through some farming, ranching areas and a little more greener

Medicine Lodge is an interesting hilly area that is worth seeing

Southeast of Salina is a wildlife refuge we have visited with a herd of elk

Wichita itself is a city of deep conservatism with its own particular brand of "Christianity"

There are wonderful bronze statues throughout the downtown area

Storms really come and go quickly here in Kansas with Tornadoes always being uppermost on your mind

Ice storms however can be just as devastating and more of a surprise

People do not drive well here when it turns cold, rainy and icy which once in a while it does

Hot, hot, and even hotter is what I think of for the weather here in Kansas

Conservative to the point of see it my way or die best describes the political nature of Kansas

Yet there are many really good people here who try to help and have given us much

Probably more but let’s leave it at this!