December Moon

The Moon was very close to the Earth and very bright this Full Moon; and we had clouds. This is at Lake Shawnee after it was very dark and very cold for a while. Even after it was this dark we could hear flights of geese honking as they flew over and landed in the lake.

Star of the Show

The tree decorated by this star is in Lawrence, but the star was made by our friend George here in Topeka last year and is still as beautiful as ever. Happy Winter Holidays to anyone who celebrates any of this season, for any reason.

Peace

The hands belong to one of my sisters; the wish for peace belongs to everyone.

National Day of Protest in Topeka

All over the country today, and in Topeka, people protested the passage of Proposition 8 by the voters of California, and spoke out in favor of equal rights in marriage for ALL people.

Coots & Grebes

I was calling all these little waterfowl "ducks." My sister instructs me that these are coots...



...and these are grebes. So be it. (Taken at Lake Shawnee where the moon was).

Full Moon November

Taken at Lake Shawnee yesterday evening.

Even More Fall

I just can't resist these colors. Can you tell it's my favorite season?

Most from Ward Meade Park yesterday...

More Pretty Fall

...and a duck.

Hicks Block

Hicks Block, the oldest apartment complex in Topeka, built 1888-89 and still standing. I think people do still live in these apartments.

There are some beautiful interior views here (by Topeka photographer Carol Yoho). I hope they still look this good inside; the place was sold in 2005 at auction.

Weird, A Little

The name, the building, the location...all together make this place just seem a little weird to me.

Topeka Has Lola's Has Poetry

Poetry reading at Lola's Saturday evening, Joe Harrington and Cyrus Console.



Dennis Etzel, the driving force behind Top City Poetry and a poet and teacher himself, introduces the two readers.





Joe Harrington, poet and professor of English at the University of Kansas. A bit more of his work is here.


Cyrus Console, poet, Topekan, KU student.



Part of the crowd watching Cyrus read.

It was a lot more interesting than it looks here, I promise. Please check the Top City Poetry blog for announcements regarding upcoming readings. The next one will be on Saturday, November 22, and will feature three poets--Brian Daldorph, Carl Tillona and Israel Wasserstein. Come enjoy!

More October Farmer's Market

I haven't been able to get to the Farmer's Market much this year (I work most Saturday mornings), and one of the last times I tried it, I got rained out before getting any pictures. But yesterday I was very successful and delighted to find the market full of sun and people and colors. Click for the larger views for full effect.



Pumpkins and watermelon and customers.




Gorgeous gourds at Rees Fruit Farms stand.




Heavenly honey from Country Creek Honey in Meriden (OK, that's only almost Topeka, but I bought some and it is good).




Herbs for your health and culinary delight, forgot to note the name of the herb growers.




Not everything there is produce, of course. These colorful rag rugs are from Rodecap Rugs. Machine washable.




Albo Glass Studio and Ebb & Flow Arts shared a booth.




All the blown glass is from Albo Glass Studio, owned by Doug Sheafor.




The fused glass is by Laura Engelhardt, Ebb & Flow Arts.





The pictures don't do these beautiful pendants justice.





Larry O'Hara of 5 O's Sweet Kettle Corn working the big kettle. I should note that Larry and I used to be co-workers, and he's apparently still as ornery as he ever was.






And finally, flowers. Amazing mums! These are all the glorious blazing colors of fall.

October Farmer's Market

I don't remember which vegetable stand this was, but aren't they lovely? I'll be posting more market pics, and something else, later today or tomorrow, so stay tuned.

Ooops...they did it again

And I think I'm through with this series. Probably.

Friday, 10/10/08, it fell another $.10/gal at the first station I shot a pic of but I'm not taking any more. Maybe if it drops down to $1.50/gal. Maybe then.

Another edit: It fell down to $2.39/gal at this station before beginning to climb back up. The lines of cars trying to get in and out of there were absolutely insane!

Believe It Or Not!

Yes, and it's terrible to think of gas just below $3.00/gallon as "cheap."

Changes

The yellows and oranges and bronzes and reds and burgundies are overtaking the palette of greens...some pictures from Gage Park this afternoon.

The oaks and maples haven't really gotten started yet, though.

Butterfly Milkweed (by Greg W.)

Maybe the brightest of the summer wildflowers around Topeka--I love seeing a field of these joyous blooms, and as the name indicates, the butterflies love them too. The adult butterflies feed on the nectar, and the Monarch butterfly caterpillars eat the leaves and make themselves unappetizing to critters who want them for lunch.

I like that.

Coneflower (by Greg W.)

Another nice flower picture, thanks, Greg! This is what I call a coneflower. Not being a botanist except in the most amateur of ways, I can't say exactly what sort, but it's a wonderful summer sight.

Monarda (by Greg W.)

Monarda, known to me as "bee balm." A mid-to-late summer bloomer in this part of the world. It attracts bees, butterflies, and sometimes even hummingbirds. If I make a wildflower garden, I'll certainly plant some. We need to help out our pollinators!