It's Lori's World

Josie turns 9

2011-01-16T07:06:00.000-08:00

Hard to believe that Josie turns 9 today. We celebrated last night with a birthday party at Bret and Rachelle's, pizza... cake... and presents.

Josie and Dale

Waiting for mom to serve cake and ice cream.

With Rachelle's mom, Marie.

Eating cake and ice cream.

Josie invited her friend Kim over for the party.

Luke reading "Treasure Island" before the party.

Rachelle and Jaden.

Our little ballerina. She just started taking lessons this week and this is the outfit she is required to wear.

She's also required to attend every class wearing this bun in her hair, which must be secured with the precise kind of hair pin that ballet Mistress Sharon Rogers requires.

Last but not least

2011-01-03T18:42:00.000-08:00

We finally had a Christmas family gathering with Bret and Rachelle and the grandkids on New Year's Day.

Opening gifts. These kids are still getting presents one week after Christmas!

Josie, Dale and Jaden

Rascally Luke

Jaden is growing up too fast.

Bret and Rachelle with Luke (and Barney, resting his head on my new throw!)

New Years Eve 2010

2011-01-01T12:22:00.000-08:00

We had another great New Years Eve this year, inviting eight friends over for an amazing dinner, drinks, gifts and poker.

As always, I am intensely focused on my food! One of the highlights of the meal was foie gras and pate that Carrie and Joe brought, along with homemade bread and a balsamic reduction sauce for the foie gras, which they ordered special for the evening. I made individual beef Wellingtons and a red wine/shallot sauce, mashed potatoes, corn pudding as well as stuffed mushrooms. Carrie also brought one of the best salads I ever tasted, with roasted butternut squash, candied walnuts and caramelized onions in it. In honor of my birthday, Bonnie made one of my favorite desserts, German chocolate cake. I only wish I had taken more food photos!

My dining table is never big enough for all of the food dishes, so I served buffet style. Unfortunately, my kitchen isn't very big, either! Thanks for your patience, guys. (One of the most amusing sights of the night was watching Carrie assemble her salad on the washing machine in the laundry room.)

Mike never takes a bad photo.

Most of the group played poker after dinner.

Bonnie, Joe and I cleaned up most of the mess. These two are troupers.

I helped. I like this photo because it looks like I'm patting Joe's butt.

My table before the assault. Wish I had taken more photos of a lovely night.

Christmas 2010

2010-12-26T19:19:00.000-08:00

Despite a couple of calamities, Christmas at my mom's house was wonderful once again. A warm and cozy house, wonderful gifts, amazing food and relatives who love to have fun.

Mom with her great-granddaughter Harper.

My sister Lisa and her daughter Ashley.

Ready for the grandkids and great-grandkids to open gifts.

More waiting.

My niece Sara and nephew Dylan.

The aftermath.

Ashley and her husband Kyle.

My beautiful niece Emily.

Mom opening her gifts with Harper and Joe (her youngest grandchild) standing by.

My siblings and I got mom a laptop.

My brother in law Scott helping the kiddos with their toys, using the pool table as their work station.

Dylan.

The littlest one among us, Joe, in his camo shirt and hunting cap.

Emily, Harper, Sara and Mom.

Dale, chilling.

Bob and Debbie's wedding

2010-12-19T07:46:00.000-08:00

My friend Bob Lutz and his new bride Debbie Cook had an emotional but fun and funny wedding last night. Many nice touches throughout.

The happy couple having fun at their reception at the Boathouse.

Karoake was a part of the night and they sang Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe" to kick it off. Both are very good singers.

Bob and his groupies.

I don't know who this man is but he sang an amazing Frank Sinatra song a capella to the couple in beautiful voice.

Debbie with her great-niece and flower girl.

Bob having his first drink at the reception.

I hung out with Fran Kentling.

Fernando Salazar was the official photographer.

Me and Fran.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

2010-12-19T07:38:00.000-08:00

After many years of wanting to see TSO's Christmas concert, I finally went this year with my sister Linda. Unfortunately, we were not very impressed. A good concert but not a great one. Neither of us is tempted to see future shows, unlike the millions of TSO groupies who go year after year.

This concert in Intrust Bank Arena was sold out.

Lots of special touches, including two huge mechanized runways that moved the performers out into the audience.

And platforms that lowered the performers to the stage.

Christmas team lunch

2010-12-19T07:32:00.000-08:00

As has been our tradition for many years, the Features Team had a Christmas luncheon last week at the home of Bonnie Bing. Sadly, our numbers keep dwindling each year. This year, we were down to five:

Here are four of us: Suzanne, Bonnie, me and Annie.

This one with Denise in it.

Suzanne modeling one of her Christmas trinkets.

Presents!

Pugs!

Lunch in Bonnie's kitchen included beef tenderloin with two sauces, shrimp salad, jalapeno poppers, wine and cookies.

Gift exchange.

Bonnie thought I was trying to send a message with this Ho Ho Ho gift wrapping.

Our hostess with the mostest.

More girls weekend photos

2010-12-14T18:35:00.000-08:00

My niece Ashley took these photos from our girls' holiday weekend.

At Sabor, Dale is flanked by girls. He was a good sport about it.

My great-niece Harper fell asleep cuddling with me and her blankie, next to my Mom.

Me, Barney and my niece Emily.

My sister, Linda, and her dog, Comet, who also goes by the name Tommy. It's confusing.

Gift exchange. Linda has her hands full with Barney and Comet on her lap. She's a good sport!

My niece Elizabeth with great niece Harper.

Harper with mom Ashley, my niece.

Girls Christmas weekend

2010-12-12T18:39:00.000-08:00

I invited the female members of my immediate family to my house again this year for Christmas. We shopped, ate, drank, played games and gabbed. Unfortunately, one of the things we didn't do was take photos! But here are a few:

A fabulous dinner at Sabor's. Clockwise from left: sister Lisa, sister Linda, mom Mary, sis-in-law Anne, niece Lizzie, great niece Harper, niece Ashley, niece Emily and me.

Mom and Anne.

Harper, Ashley and Emily.

Anne and her daughter Elizabeth.

Dale and Lisa.

Kids & Sunday & More

2010-12-05T18:06:00.000-08:00

The grandkids spent the day (and night) so we played games, went out to eat and Josie made Christmas cupcakes while the guys assembled a cabinet for our new audio system.
In this photo, we're all looking up with alarm because Josie almost tipped over the book case on us!

Josie helping decorate the tree.

Decorating her cupcakes, which turned out beautiful.

Proud of our 'cakes.

Luke being ornery.

Dale, Jaden and Luke starting on the cabinet project.

Posing in front of the tree.

Mmmmm.... muffins.

Posing in front of their muffins.

Josie the baker, and Luke being annoying. (Josie made me write that!)

How did this photo get in here? In the front yard with Barney.

OK, another old photo, but still adorable. Luke at Boy Scouts.

With Dad, wearing a silly K-State shirt.

Luke being ornery, again.

And Luke being adorable.

Thanksgiving, Part II

2010-11-26T06:11:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Day was spent at home with Dale and my sister Linda. We were small but happy. Dinner was 90 percent successful (hint: don't ever bother trying Mama Stramberg's Cranberries from the NPR show). Then we saw "Love and Other Drugs," which we all liked a lot.

Turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, carrots and cranberries. At least they looked pretty.

Digging in.

The turkey turned out excellent. It really was beautiful but I wasn't quick enough with my camera, apparently.

Dale worked up an appetite by doing two hours of yard work in the morning.

Leaf mulcher.

Early Thanksgiving at Mom's

2010-11-22T19:08:00.000-08:00

There were 23 of us for early Thanksgiving at my mom's house in Great Bend. And yet we had enough food to feed everyone all of the leftovers they could eat that night. Some pics taken with my iphone since my camera battery died on me.

My nephew Bobby and his girlfriend Lisa.

My youngest nephew Joe playing with the toy my mom got him. She got toys for all of the kids, which thrilled them to death.

Joe with his dad, my brother Richard.

My niece Ashley helping her daughter, Harper, with her toy.

My sister, Lisa, helping my niece Elizabeth.

My niece Emily's son, Cade.

And her other son, Kobe, playing with his new toy.

Ashley and her kids, Harper and Hudson.

My sister in law Anne with her daughter, Elizabeth.

My mom with my niece, Emily.

Emily playing pool.

With her brother Bobby.

Ashley, Emily and my niece Rachel cleaning up after dinner. This task used to be done by me and my two sisters. Nice to let the young 'uns take over!

Lizzie playing the new game I brought with me, called Hit or Miss. It was a big HIT.

My sister Lisa playing it with the rest of the gang around the dining room table.

Holiday fashions

2010-11-07T18:50:00.000-08:00

Bonnie Bing held her annual Holiday Fashion Show tonight and, as always, showed some stunning clothes. Unfortunately, a fashion photographer I am not. But here are a few shots:

And the mistress of ceremonies, who had been up since 6 a.m. to oversee her fashion shoot:

Just Joe

2010-11-01T18:06:00.000-07:00

My nephew Joe is an enigma. Talkative yet silent; outgoing yet introverted; happy yet thoughtful! And he's only 3. We all love him, as he is the baby of our large family. Here he is at Rachel's wedding last weekend:

Happy Halloween

2010-11-01T06:57:00.000-07:00

The grandkids always have great Halloween costumes. This year was no exception: Darth Vader (Luke); '50s-era diner waitress (Josie) and Ninja (Jaden.)

I predict that Josie has many "best Halloween costume" awards in her future. She's always choosing something unusual and fun. Last year she was the prettiest and most fancy Southern plantation belle you could ever hope to see.

Rachel getting married

2010-10-31T19:28:00.000-07:00

I was less than thrilled with the quality of my photos but here is my beautiful niece Rachel at her fantastic wedding Saturday.

With her dad, my oldest brother Chris.

Married.

With her cousin Ashley's daughter, and my great niece, Harper.

First dance with her husband, Jordan.

These two are perfect for each other.

Rachel and Chris.

Ready to cut loose at the dance.

Dancing with the flower girl.

ArtAID

2010-10-10T06:28:00.000-07:00

Just a few photos from ArtAID which is a big party/silent auction/fashion runway show to benefit Positive Directions. The runway show's theme was circus sideshow and among the people they had on stage was a burly man with a 15 foot python draped around his neck. Really creepy.

These guys, however, not so creepy:

Bonnie interviewing one of the models, who is not exactly what he/she appears to be.

Taking big hair to a new level.

Molly and me.

Group photo of some friends we ran into.

The blonde with the redhead. And below, a shot of the stage. Unfortunately, I was so mesmerized by the stage show that I put away my camera and didn't take any shots during it. Regretting that today!

Bar hopping

2010-10-02T18:36:00.000-07:00

If bar-hopping means going to more than one bar in one night then we qualified Friday night. First a stop at the Artichoke to hear our friends play in the Riverside Supper Club. Carter Green and Joe Stumpe serenaded their friends and fans.

Some of those friends and fans...

Then it was onto The Horn to hear Bret and his band, Blue Eyed Soul, play. It was a big night out, although we were home by 10:30 :)

McConnell Open House

2010-09-26T06:25:00.000-07:00

Dale and I went to the open house tonight because the city had a tent set up with dinner and drinks for some of the staff, but the rainy weather put a damper on things. Only a few people showed up, so Dale and I wandered around for a bit.

The air show is fascinating, though we didn't get to see any of the aerial acts during the time we were there.

We did go inside this KC-135.

And saw other cool planes as it got dark. I like this photo mainly because of the cloud formation.

And saw lots of servicemen and their families. Then the cold front blew in and high winds caused at least one of the aerial acts to cancel, so we called it a night, too.

Saturday night with the kids

2010-09-19T06:53:00.000-07:00

It's always a good weekend when we get to have Dale's grandkids overnight. We started with dinner at Kyoto Japanese grill.

Soup course.

Onion volcano.

Josie and me in our usual photo together. She's such a sweetheart.

She got her ears pierced today. Quite a big moment.

Then it was over to Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream.

Eating on the patio on a beautiful late summer night. Then, home to watch Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Sunday in church

2010-09-12T17:49:00.000-07:00

Spent part of my Sunday watching Bret's brass quintet perform a concert at Grace Presbyterian Church. The place was packed for a wonderful performance. Bret is on the far right.

Josie, Luke and Dale watching from the balcony.

Luke was antsy but cute as always!

Rolling on the river

2010-09-11T17:35:00.000-07:00

Got my bicycle out for the first time in about five years today and rode along the river on a beautiful late summer day.

Chris and Charla

2010-09-04T07:43:00.000-07:00

Dale and I went to a party tonight to celebrate the 10th wedding anniversary of Chris Shull and Charla Sanderson, who now live in Dallas. Chris and I worked together for about 10 years before he moved. One of the highlights of the evening was the unveiling of a portrait Chris and Charla had taken of them in their Dallas apartment. The photo really was stunning, and perfectly captures the essence of these two crazy cats.

Close up. I think the photo looks like something you would see in Vanity Fair to accompany a story about a sophisticated and urbane NYC couple.

Chris giving his remarks.

Charla.

Chris with Sonia Greteman.

Norm Warminski and Jerry Martin.

Diane McCartney and Dale.

And a shot of this funky piano that Marie King, who lives in the house where the party took place, has in her living room. It is basically an old upright that she decouppaged with sheet music, photos and other papers and documents important to her life. It really is beautiful.

Jazz and a party

2010-09-03T07:17:00.000-07:00

Dale and I went to hear a 23-year-old jazz piano protege named Eldar tonight, at WSU. Great concert, including a mesmerizing rendition of Rhapsody in Blue. The event was a fund-raiser for the Wichita Jazz Festival next spring, which Dale is trying to help organize.

Later we went to a reception for Eldar at the home of Ann Garvey and ran into an old friend, Anita Moore, a realtor who sold us our house.

Ann Garvey with a guest who is being entertained by Ann's conure, a type of parrot that was so beautiful and fun it made me wish I had one.

Put out THIS fire

2010-08-28T07:32:00.000-07:00

Went with a group of girls to an Old Town bar Thursday night to watch buff firefighters participate in a competition to be on a calendar. This guy entertaining Denise and Susan was one of my favorites; I did not stick around for the risque part of the evening, but was told he put on quite a show later.

Katie and one of her favorite contenders.

This -- and lots more -- is what happened AFTER I left. I decided to split during the "interview" portion of the competition. They made folks wait a l-o-n-g time for the good stuff.

Weekend in KC

2010-08-22T19:16:00.000-07:00

Dale and I went to Kansas City this weekend to see the White Sox play the Royals. First stop after checking into the Intercontinental on the Plaza was wine and appetizers at a restaurant called Brio, where we sat outside as a storm blew right past us.

Our dinner -- ravioli Caprese, mushroom ravioli and shrimp and eggplant in marinara.

Our hotel is about two blocks from the plaza. Our room had this great view of the Plaza...

... and this view of the hotel pool.

But alas, our first night at the ballpark was rained out.

We wear soaked running from the parking lot to the stadium. As you can imagine, Dale was heartbroken.

We retreated to our hotel room and drank too much red wine with our friends, Jim and Deb.

The next morning we all went to an offbeat but great little restaurant called Succotash, recommended by my friend Denise.

Inside the restaurant.

We spent the day zipping around KC in Jim's Volvo convertible, with a two-hour stop at the World War I museum, which was amazing. Then Saturday night we were finally able to see a game. Unfortunately, the Sox lost this game but won the second of the double-header. Kansas City is a great town and we can't wait to go back this fall.

Rachel Getting Married

2010-08-14T18:22:00.000-07:00

Went home to Great Bend today to attend a wedding shower for my niece Rachel, left, who is getting married on Oct. 30. Her sister, Sara, hosted the shower.

My niece Ashley also attended. (All of my nieces are beautiful!)

Ashley's sister, Emily, left, was there with her mother, who is my sister, Lisa. And the classy gal in yellow is my mom, Mary.

Afterwards, we all gathered at Mom's house, including all of the kids, to eat pizza and play games and cards.

This is the youngest member of our large family, Joe, who is 3, and obviously, a complete doll, pizza face notwithstanding.

Birthday boy

2010-08-08T06:47:00.000-07:00

We helped Bret and his family celebrate his 40th birthday today at Abuelo's restaurant. (His birthday is actually Aug. 11) This handsome devil doesn't look a day over 39, and we'll just let it be at that. (That way I don't have to age, either.)

Bret and his crazy, funny, darling Josie.

Rachelle with Luke and Jaden.

You know who these people are.

Family photo! Bret's mom, Chris, is behind Rachelle. Rachelle's parents, Marie and John, are behind Bret.

The men of the family.

Housewarming

2010-07-31T07:16:00.000-07:00

Stopped by a housewarming party tonight held by one of Dale's best work friends, Lesa, right. She and her new husband have five kids between them, ranging in age from 2 to 20, and they just bought a home in midtown with six bedrooms and five bathrooms....

..... and a pool.

The house is grand. The Midtown street it sits on (Wellington) is one of the very few in Wichita that remains unpaved.

The house also is across the street from historic L.W. Clapp mansion, which is selling for $1.3 million. On an unpaved streeet.

A good day at work

2010-07-29T06:03:00.000-07:00

Cupcakes, cookies and pink punch for our quarterly employee awards presentation.

Drink du jour

2010-07-17T18:55:00.000-07:00

Pineapple mojito: Muddle together six mint leaves, half of lime (sliced) and half teaspoon sugar in a glass; add a few ice cubes; pour over that 1 tablespoon frozen pineapple juice concentrate (somewhat thawed), 2 tablespoons white rum and 2 tablespoons club soda. Stir it all. Repeat.

Nick and Lexi play poker

2010-07-16T08:26:00.000-07:00

We might be teaching this child some bad habits, allowing her to sit at the poker table, but I figure that 5 years old is not too young to learn the ways of the world. And Lexi is very smart, just like her daddy, Nick.

Lori and Westley

2010-07-15T08:24:00.000-07:00

My coworker and friend Lori Buselt visited the newsroom today to show us the progress her long and lean little baby is making. Westley is about 2 months now, and a very handsome young man. He was pretty much in la-la land when I took this photo.

We didn't plan this

2010-07-14T18:20:00.000-07:00

My friend and coworker Lori Buselt invented a feature called We Didn't Plan This, for those occasions when two or more women in the newsroom wore very similar outfits to work. Lori is on maternity leave, but the feature lives on. Today Molly and I work pink sweaters and gray slacks to work, so naturally we had to have our pictures taken. Molly and I are cold-blooded sistuhs and need sweater protection from the newsroom AC during the summer.

NYC, part 6

2010-07-09T17:55:00.000-07:00

Our final day was spent in part touring the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Dale in a lame pose holding up the Statue of Liberty.

The view of Manhattan from the Statue of Liberty.

Grand Central Station, where we had drinks on our final night in NYC.

I like these photos of Deb and Dale trying to figure out how to get to the Empire State Building.

We didn't go up, but we saw it, once we eventually got there.

Empire State Building in the background.

Dale posing with NYC's finest, who helped us with directions.

NYC, part 5

2010-07-08T17:21:00.000-07:00

At the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Which has a HUGE collection of Impressionistic art.

On the steps of MMOA.

Drinks at Rockefeller Center.

This is part of an unusual but fascinating art exhibit around Manhattan -- about 70 upright pianos were placed all around the city for people to play whenever they wished. This was a man playing at Battery Park.

NYC, part 4

2010-07-07T19:57:00.000-07:00

The spectacle of Times Square.

Deb, looking at the spectacle.

Inside the Broadway Theater, where we saw "Promises, Promises." Look in the mirror in the background to see Dale and me reflected in the far mirror.

A bocce ball club playing in Central Park.

Hula hoopers working out in Central Park.

Dale at a Central Park pond with sailboats in the background.

NYC, part 3

2010-07-06T17:41:00.000-07:00

Jim and Deb waiting in the NY subway for our first full day in the city.

We started out in Greenwich Village, taking in the sights.

New York graffiti.

Chinatown vendor.

Bulk goods in Chinatown.

A street in Chinatown.

Storefront in Little Italy. And, below, Deb looking down a street in Little Italy where we later sat at an outdoor patio and drank sangria while people-watching.

NYC, part 2

2010-07-06T06:59:00.000-07:00

Our first night in NYC was spent mostly at River Cafe in Brooklyn, a charming restaurant that was recommended to us by my friend, Carrie. It's expensive, but we agreed this would be our super-splurge for the trip. This is Jim, me and Dale in the restaurant's beautiful gardens before our reservation. The men were required to wear jackets, and one diner who tried to take his off after he was seated at his table was told by the maitre'd to put it back on. He did.

The River Cafe is noted for its gorgeous view of the NY skyline. The city is across the East River from Brooklyn, so the point of River Cafe is to go around dusk to watch the lights as they come on. Our timing was perfect for this and we were lucky enough to get a table at the windows, although you can see the skyline from anywhere in the restaurant.

The Brooklyn Bridge. I shot this out the window from our table.

I've never had duck so I decided to go for it at a place where I figured they would do it well, which they did. This was duck leg in a white truffle honey and fennel pollen glaze with potato croquette, organic carrots and julienned bok choy.

Dale's dessert, a chocolate model of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Our crew.

NYC, part 1

2010-07-05T18:54:00.000-07:00

For the first time in 30 years, I visited New York City last week. Dale and I went over the Fourth of July weekend with two friends, Deb Miller and Jim McLean. I'll roll out some of our photos in the next few days. Above is the view of Hudson Bay from our (dirty) hotel window. We stayed at the Downtown Marriott in lower Manhattan, near the financial district and just three blocks from the site of Ground Zero, where the Twin Towers fell in 2001.

Naturally, Ground Zero was the first place we visited, although for now it is only a construction site. But to think that 3,000 people died at this site during the Sept. 11 attack is truly humbling. A small museum of sorts has been opened about two blocks away. It gives a photographic history of the attacks and shows the plans for the new memorial...

Which is scheduled to open in September 2011. The two ponds in this model will represent the spots where the Twin Towers stood. All around will be soaring skyscrapers, the most prominent of which will be the Freedom Tower, which will rise 1,776 feet. Three more memorial towers will be part of the development.

One of the amazing stories surrounding 9/11 is the survival of St. Paul's Chapel, just across the street from Ground Zero. St. Paul's has the distinction of being Manhattan's oldest public building in continuous use, and the closest house of worship to the site of the World Trade Center. George Washington had a pew in the church. The photo above is of an old cemetery on the church grounds. This
18th century church somehow made it through 9/11 unscathed and was transformed into an ad hoc headquarters for the rescue workers. It's very odd and touching to see this old church still standing and in use so close to the modern buildings that were demolished in the attack.

More later...

Ladies who lunch

2010-06-28T05:44:00.000-07:00

Lunch on Larkspur's patio with Bonnie and her delightfully crazy friend Sally.

How divine

2010-06-26T19:28:00.000-07:00

Bonnie doing what Bonnie does at today's Sisterhood of the Divine Makeover event. Bonnie organizes this benefit every year, giving head-to-toe makeovers to men and women in a fund-raising luncheon and fashion show, of sorts.

Women and men apply to get the makeovers, and this woman was one of the recipients. I wish I had more photos because this was a really fun event, but my camera just wouldn't cooperate.

Denise took this photo of Jaime and me at the luncheon.

Michael Buble

2010-06-23T18:30:00.000-07:00

I love Michael Buble, and was lucky enough to see him tonight with my friend Denise Neil, who was reviewing the concert for the Eagle.

We had pretty good seats. Good enough to see him this close.

"Home," "Haven't Met You Yet," "Everything," we heard all of the hits, and it was awesome. He's a great entertainer, and I'm so glad I was able to see him.

Lunch date

2010-06-21T17:27:00.000-07:00

I used a gift certificate for Marchello's to treat Bonnie and Denise to lunch today. I had linguine carbonara at this southside eatery. Bonnie had chicken parmesan. Yum. Photo credit: Denise Neil

Father's Day

2010-06-20T17:41:00.000-07:00

Bret with his three adorable kiddos who adore him on Father's Day in the pool.

Went to a garden party

2010-06-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

Not really a party, but a tour of gardens in the North Riverside area, including Bonnie Bing's house.

Bonnie lives along the Little Arkansas River. It is behind me as I take this photo of Bonnie's back yard.

A colorful touch.

Potted plants on the balcony.

Car talk

2010-06-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

Dale drove his car to Carrie and Joe's house tonight for dinner and poker. The reaction was a mixture of jealousy, amusement and ridicule. Joe was a fan.

And so was Bonnie, who took it for a spin around the block.

The river wild

2010-06-16T06:27:00.000-07:00

Shot of the Keeper of the Plains at the confluence of the Arkansas River and Little Arkansas River. We've had some gorgeous but rainy days lately.

The rains have swollen the rivers beyond their banks. We had planned to participate in a canoe trip on Saturday, but it was cancelled because of the high waters.

Food glorious food

2010-06-15T06:25:00.000-07:00

Dick and Bonnie invited Dale and I to sit at their table with a bunch of friends for the annual Celebrity Chef Auction tonight.

This is an event where local restaurants set up food stations all around a giant hotel ballroom. They also have drinks, an auction and a chef/celebrity cookoff, which was won this year by the Marriott chef and Brett Harris, a local TV personality.

They had both dark and white chocolate fountains.

Food from Uptown Bistro.

Denise and Jaime in full party mode.

Even Admiral Windwagon Smith attended. I think the other guy is one of the Steven family that owns Spangles restaurants.

This bitch (the puppy, not the woman!) was sold at auction to raise money for the restoration of the Orpheum theater. The person who bought the pup bid slightly more than $1,000 for it.

And this guy was there just to make sure we didn't all get too uppity at our fancy schmancy event.

Dale really did have a good time, even though he may not be showing it here.

Remembering his dad

2010-06-13T06:38:00.000-07:00

Dale mowing our lawn with the riding mower his dad had before him. Dale's father died in 1996, and had this mower for about 15 years before that. Dale has to do some minor repairs occasionally, but it still works great.

Movie night

2010-06-12T06:34:00.000-07:00

The kids squeezed into our bed watching "Tooth Fairy" tonight before bed.

2010-06-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

Breakfast at Jimmy's Eggs was French toast and sausage for everyone.

Kids' Zoobilee

2010-06-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

Took the terrific trio to Kids' Zoobilee tonight. It was 97 degrees when we passed through the gates. We lasted 45 minutes. The kids were soooo ready to swim and it seemed like we couldn't get out of that place fast enough. But when I asked them later if they'd ever want to go back, they were unanimously enthusiastic. Go figure.

Baby Westley

2010-06-01T19:24:00.000-07:00

Lori and Brian Buselt brought their two-week-old son Westley to the newsroom today to show him off to all of their friends, including me, who got to hold him as he was sleeping. He's a beautiful boy, just like his parents.

Lori and Brian with baby boy.

Co-worker Rick Plumlee holding Westley.

Electric car No. 2

2010-05-31T19:40:00.000-07:00

Dale took delivery of the second of two electric cars he ordered. He sold the first one for a tidy profit.

But he wants to keep this one for tooling around town....

And entertaining the kiddos.

Everyone in the pool

2010-05-30T19:32:00.000-07:00

The kids launched pool season this weekend, and even Dale got in on the fun. I'm not sure but I think he was hiding his eyes as Josie jumped from the ladder. Or maybe it was just chlorine in his eyes.

Dale roughhousing with Jaden.

I'm not sure where Jaden was going in such a hurry. Maybe those kids really do follow the rules about not peeing in the water!

Farewell, friends

2010-05-29T06:57:00.000-07:00

Tonight was our last poker game with Leroy and Tina Leep, who have been faithful friends at the card table (and with Dale on the golf course) for many years. They are moving to North Carolina this week, where Leroy has a new job. But their hearts and families remain in Wichita, so we know they will be back to visit and someday, to return for good.

Mike and Leroy are also good golf buddies.

The poker gang.

Birthday bust

2010-05-28T06:52:00.000-07:00

Molly was so thoughtful and brought a cake to work today for Carrie's birthday. What we didn't know, unfortunately, is that Carrie took the day off. The cake was still tasty, tho.

Wildlife

2010-05-27T18:41:00.000-07:00

Ducks in the front yard. When they saw me they waddled toward the front door. I think they wanted to be fed! Then they lost interest.

Hiding

2010-05-26T18:38:00.000-07:00

I have no idea why Barney decided to back himself into a corner of our bedroom today. He's never done that. Worried me at first, but he is fine now!

Pool opening!

2010-05-24T18:53:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's an above-ground pool, but it promises hours of enjoyment for the grandkids, and truth be known, for us too. Bret helped Dale set it up tonight with Luke looking on.

Luke is officially the first one in the pool.

Mmmm, seafood linguine

2010-05-22T18:00:00.000-07:00

Dale and I had a rare dinner out tonight at a new Italian restaurant called Bella Vita Bistro. I had the seafood linguine with mussels, clams, shrimp, scallops and calamari. Could not complain.

Handprints

2010-05-21T20:24:00.000-07:00

Today we poured some new concrete to act as a base for the MUCH LARGER pool Dale bought for the kiddies (and us) this summer. The pool will be erected next weekend, after the concrete has a chance to cure. Meanwhile, the grandkids put their handprints in the freshly poured concrete.

We poured the concrete next to the driveway in the backyard. It had to be 16 feet in diameter to accommodate the new pool. Of course, photos to come....

Spoiled dog

2010-05-20T20:17:00.000-07:00

This was our makeshift platform to help Barney get on top of our new bed, which is much higher off the ground than he was used to. The cushions are from our basement sofa, but Barney mainly used them as a super-comfy doggie bed.

Alas, now he has to get used to real doggie steps. So far, he's been adept at getting up but skittish at getting down on them. The things we do for that dog.

Spring perfume

2010-05-19T20:15:00.000-07:00

Honeysuckle in our back yard = amazing fragrance.

Baby geese!

2010-05-17T17:29:00.000-07:00

Mommy and daddy goose look over their brood of babies on the side of a very busy street in Wichita. I will be worrying for days now about how these little ones are going to avoid getting into the street. Really hoping they move to a safer place.

Finally, food

2010-05-16T17:53:00.000-07:00

I harvested all of this lettuce from Dale's garden today. Yes, we had salad for dinner. And gave the neighbors bags full of clean greens, too.

These are beets, but I think they needed to be thinned. Still uncertain whether we'll actually get anything from this, but I think the greens are edible.

Artsy Saturday

2010-05-15T13:17:00.000-07:00

Dale and I finally got to the Wichita Art Museum today to see the Norman Rockwell show, which was great. So glad we didn't miss it. It closes May 30, so go. This is me under the Chihuly glass sculpture.

Dale appreciating the art.

2010-05-08T08:42:00.000-07:00

Poker night at Molly and Mike McMillin's house. The glass of milk on the table was mine -- couldn't see enjoying those yummy brownies Jenny made without a cold glass of milk, but it was kind of a switch from what I usually drink!

Avast, matey

2010-05-07T19:41:00.000-07:00

My co-worker, Dion Lefler, was so excited about the costume he assembled for the Eagle's float in the River Festival parade tonight that he donned it midday and wore it around the newsroom all afternoon. The guy is an original, that's all I'm saying.

New bed

2010-05-06T19:36:00.000-07:00

Our new bed arrived and it is huge. Takes up more space than I had imagined, but I'm getting used to it. Barney has a harder time jumping up on it because it's about six inches higher than before, but as you can see, he does manage. Here he is sleeping on Dale's pillow (yea, not mine!) I have noticed, however, that he seems more content to lie on the floor since we got the bed. He's not as young as he used to be, poor pooch. I'm also happy with the bed because the color of the wood, and the style, goes very well with the rest of our bedroom furniture, which we bought 25 years ago. It's still in great shape and there was no reason to replace it.

Flowers!

2010-05-02T17:36:00.000-07:00

I can't help but take images of flowers this time of year. They bring me joy. How can something be so beautiful? This time of year I always reflect on the fact that if it were my time to go, I would be happy just knowing that my days were filled with flowers, birds, blue skies, green grass and trees.

Closeup of geraniums I bought today.

Breakfast

2010-05-01T07:57:00.000-07:00

Crepe with peanut butter, banana and chocolate sauce, topped with powdered sugar. I won't eat the rest of today, I promise.

Defending our title

2010-04-30T07:35:00.000-07:00

This was the 8th year that the Eagle has fielded a team in the KANSEL trivia competition. Last year we got first but this year had to be satisfied with second, out of about 20 teams. The questions were all music-related, and we tanked on the first category, country music. In the eight years we've participated, the Eagle team has won first three times, second three times, and third twice. Shown here are Josh Wood, Molly McMillin, Dan Loving and Nick Jungman. (Josh and Nick are the team stars, by the way. Without them each year, we'd never place in the top five teams!)

Thank God I'm a minimalist

2010-04-28T18:15:00.000-07:00

Began the process tonight of getting ready for new carpet installation by removing stuff that resides on the floors and sits on furniture that must be moved. It seems like a huge task but because I am not a hoarder it turned out not to be too onerous. More to do tomorrow night in preparation for the carpet to be installed Friday.

Full moon

2010-04-26T19:10:00.000-07:00

My little camera just can't capture how pretty this was. But, here it is, anyway.

Poker, Part II

2010-04-25T19:49:00.000-07:00

Longtime friend Fran Kentling hosted a group of girls at her house to play poker, eat amazing food and drink a little wine. Fran has a great house in College Hill and is a fantastic hostess. It's always a fun time at her house.

Poker, Part I

2010-04-24T19:41:00.000-07:00

Played a marathon game of poker tonight at my mom's house in Great Bend, where the family gathered earlier in the day at my youngest brother's house to celebrate his mother-in-law's birthday. This is Eric, a new friend who fled the birthday party to check out the real party at mom's house. Eric's chip count was looking pretty good at the end of the night.

Plight of the killdeer, Part II

2010-04-23T21:50:00.000-07:00

Update: Alas, the killdeer nest is empty. We don't know what happened to the two remaining eggs. It's possible predators got them. Anyway, it looks like this will be a spring without the hatching ritual we've enjoyed the past three years.

Monster machine

2010-04-22T19:38:00.000-07:00

It's a little disconcerting to walk out of the exit at work and almost bump into this massive crane they're using to install a new roof at the Eagle.

Spring color

2010-04-21T19:50:00.001-07:00

Admit it, you know they're pretty.

Plight of the killdeer

2010-04-20T18:57:00.000-07:00

This is the fourth year that Dale and I have observed the habits of the killdeer that make their spring nest in the vacant field near our house. On Sunday, the mother had laid three eggs. Usually, they lay four. On Monday, Dale discovered that two of the three had been smashed -- probably by people who use the field recreationally. The nests are made on the ground, with no protection of any sort around them. Today, Dale found that the mother had laid another egg, for a total of two that are intact. But it remains to be seen whether she and her mate will return to try to protect the nest and hatch the eggs. Stay tuned.

Just another day at the Eagle

2010-04-19T18:04:00.000-07:00

Our roofing project resulted in a small fire and a lot of smoke (not too obvious here). Made us all feel a little uneasy but we pushed through!

Pita pizza

2010-04-18T18:39:00.000-07:00

It's what's for dinner.

Bought a bed

2010-04-17T18:33:00.000-07:00

True confessions: This will be the first bed Dale and I have ever had, in our 30 years. Don't judge! Somehow, we have done just fine with mattresses and lots of pillows and shams. And if you're thinking this looks kind of country, you're wrong. That's just the bed spread they have on it in the store. It's actually more American Colonial. I don't really know. I do know, however, that it was the right price.

Gridiron 2010

2010-04-16T06:44:00.000-07:00

The cast of Gridiron, the annual news spoof show that members of the Wichita media put on. It's always a clever show with some pretty good talent.

Self-portrait in the audience.

Stay classy

2010-04-15T21:41:00.000-07:00

Took this on my way to work today. Nothing more really needs to be said.

Just one more photo of Dale in his car

2010-04-13T06:39:00.000-07:00

Just because it's funny. My friend Jaime snapped this photo on her way home from work tonight. Dale tooling around town in his electric car/golf cart. I'm just waiting for the day he grows tired of this.

Rachelle's big night

2010-04-12T19:41:00.000-07:00

Rachelle performed an amazing clarinet recital tonight at Wichita State University as part of her requirements for earning a master's degree in musical performance. She just has to complete a few odds and ends to get her degree.

Afterwards, she met her adoring public, which included many fans as well as her kids.

With Bret. She seems very relieved, and I can't blame her. It was a demanding performance.

Kids and cars

2010-04-11T19:03:00.000-07:00

Dale's grandkids got their first ride in his electric car today. They were pretty excited, in case you couldn't tell from Luke's face.

Cruisin' down the street.

It's the simple things in life.

Bartlett Arboretum 100th anniversary

2010-04-10T08:06:00.000-07:00

Dale and I went to a dinner and celebration tonight to mark the 100th birthday of the Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine. Among the friends who we shared the occasion with was Dana Britton. (This photo was taken by Dana's wife, Cathy.)

This is Robin Macy, who owns the arboretum. She's a tiny little thing who has more energy and ideas than almost anyone I know. She's restored the arb's grandeur in the 10 or so years since she bought it. It's a wonderful place to visit.

Dana's wife Cathy and Jim Blanchett .

Jaime Green, who is putting together a short documentary about the arb, and Denise.

A very artsy photo of Nancy Blanchett in her vintage sunglasses. (This photo and the one of Jaime and Denise, above, also was taken by Cathy. Thanks for sharing, Cathy!)

New car owner

2010-04-08T20:19:00.000-07:00

Dale got his new electric car today. Believe it or not, it is the first of two we will soon own. He plans to sell one and hopefully make a little profit on his "investment." And he plans to cruise around town in the other. Yes, it's legal on city streets.

Groucho

2010-04-07T18:54:00.000-07:00

This is the cocker spaniel that walked up to our front door shortly after a torrential rain and hail storm last night. We took him in and kept him overnight before contacting the animal clinic where he was registered, according to his dog tags. His owners picked him up and took him home. He was a sweet dog but we're just glad he is back home.

First hailstorm of the season

2010-04-06T17:50:00.000-07:00

It was only pea-sized but came with torrential rain.

Rules, schmules

2010-04-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

The door leading outside to the Eagle's roof.

How can something so ugly be so delicious?

2010-04-03T19:13:00.000-07:00

Dinner was king crab legs with melted butter....

And Caesar salad with homemade dressing.

A good night

2010-04-02T19:09:00.000-07:00

Double-fisting it on poker night with a glass of Spanish red and Molly's famous blue martinis.

April Fool's Day

2010-04-01T18:19:00.000-07:00

Those people at Google have a sense of humor. Today the Google home page was renamed TOPEKA for a day. This comes after the city council in Topeka passed a resolution in March renaming the city "Google" for the month as a gambit to get Google to consider the city as a location for its experimental ultra-high-speed broadband project. You can read all about it here, a very funny explanation by Google's president: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/different-kind-of-company-name.html

Pork!

2010-03-31T18:00:00.000-07:00

I'm making my friend Denise's famous recipe for carnitas tonight for Friday night's poker game! Hope they're as good as hers.

Little Lillian, part 2

2010-03-29T18:22:00.000-07:00

A little more than one month ago, I took a photo of newborn Lillian Ro Grover, her mother Katie and Bonnie Bing. And today, I snapped the same cast of characters in the newsroom when Katie visited. Lil Ro, as she's called, is getting bigger and cuter every day.

Denise couldn't resist lovin' her, too.