Day Three Hundred and Four: Back on Track

This engineer has his hands full.


Of course, when you are responsible for a model train display that occupies an entire wing of Kansas City's Union Station and in the process winds its way through Disneyland, the North Pole, and (of course) downtown K.C., you can expect to perform a little necessary maintenance from time to time.

This morning at Union Station - Kansas City's renovated downtown train depot - the shadows loomed large over much of the annual holiday display (which is put together by local train enthusiasts).

Come check out what lies beneath the shadows and see the entire display in person - it's quite a presentation!

Day Three Hundred and Three: Anemometers Ready!

It was a blustery afternoon in Lawrence.

As I was riding my bike home from work today and almost toppled over from an unusually strong gust of wind, I started wondering, what is this mysterious force that attacks us from nowhere, keeps flags flying, and allows weather vane salesmen to stay in business?


I never took as much as an introductory meteorology course anywhere in my schooling. If I had, I would have been able to recognize right away that the reason I needed to keep both hands on the handlebars today was the swift movement of air from an area of higher pressure to one of lower pressure, as results when air is warmed by the sun, expands, and rises, making room for colder, denser air to rush in and take its place.

And all this time I've been picturing a big cartoon cloud with puffy cheeks exhaling across our Midwestern state.

Some die-hard blog readers might recognize the flag in today's (artistically rendered) picture as the same Old Glory that adorned Day Eighty-Two's blog entry*. That day in March was a particularly windy one, too. The cherry blossoms now are long gone, and many of the trees in town are bare.

Let's just hope that hot air rising doesn't cool so rapidly as to allow the moisture in the air to condense and fall to the ground as precipitation.

(Somebody looked up "Wind" on Wikipedia...).

Just something to think about next time you're being pelted with nitrogen and oxygen molecules like I was today.

---

* if that is you, you either have a really good memory or too much time on your hands.

Day Three Hundred and Two: City Street Lights

The bridge over Iowa Street connecting KU's main campus to the West campus provides a view down the South side of town.

The stream of car lights (made even brighter by the reflection off of wet pavement from a rainy day) extends all the way out of town to cars traveling under the overpass of the (still incomplete) K-10 highway bypass.

There was a lot of action on the streets this Thursday night.

Day Three-Hundred and One: All Sizes and Colors

The fall colors have almost all fallen.

Many more hit the ground today on a very windy day in Northeast Kansas. Leaves of all shapes, sizes and colors now blanket front lawns and street sides.

Here is a picture that contrasts just a few of the variety of leaves I saw on my ride home from work today.

Day Three-Hundred: The Day the Music (almost) Died

A few years ago I picked up a travel guitar on my way to the Kansas City Airport.

I forget where the first trip brought the instrument and me, but that destination and a couple dozen others have been documented on the guitar itself with the use of permanent markers and a little creativity (and my grade-school drawing skills).

I have enjoyed the Baby Taylor guitar for its ability to pack easily, fit on planes, and withstand most any kind of durability-testing force.

Most any.

Yesterday the guitar, which has been on countless trips and helped me write many songs, met the wrong side of a car tire (is there a right side?) and suffered a broken neck.

The result: instant paralysis and loss of all functionality.

However, we are hoping for a full recovery within two weeks, once a transplant is completed. Technicians are waiting on an new neck to be flown in before they can operate.

After the operation Baby Taylor should be as good as new and playing again immediately!

(I have not heard yet if this is the first ever neck transplant performed on a Baby, but I do know the procedure is very rare. We hope for the best.)

Day Two Hundred and Ninety-Nine: Friendly Skies

Here is a quick (but well-timed) shot from the Baltimore airport, taken moments before Emily and I left on our own jet plane bound for home.

Flying coach does not necessarily provide all* of the room one might desire to stretch out the day after running a marathon, but soon we were back in Kansas City with leg room to spare.



* an understatement.

Day Two Hundred and Ninety-Eight: MCM MMIX

Today was the day!

The 34th Marine Corp Marathon brought more than 20,000 runners to the streets of D.C. this morning.

Of course, we were interested in one runner in particular:

Emily had a great race and got to see some great sites along her 26.2-mile trek.

More importantly, she was supported by (and helped support) her fellow runners the whole way through. making this experience a rewarding one!

The months of training and preparation paid off. The only question now is, where will the next marathon be?

Day Two Hundred and Ninety-Seven: One For Your Archives

While touring D.C. today, Emily and I stopped in the Hall of Archives to take a quick peek at some of the more important documents in American history.

We came away with a greater appreciation of the work of our country's founding fathers - and their handwriting skills.

Day Two Hundred and Ninety-Six: Red Rum!

I've always liked the symmetry of hotel hallways.

Today's picture, taken in the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Washington D.C. (visiting for Emily's marathon!), captures that symmetrical feeling.

For another interesting story about this particular hotel hallway (that I choose not to post on this blog), send a message my way.

Or just rent The Shining.

Day Two Hundred and Ninety-Five: "Save the Clock Tower!"

The Douglas County courthouse, located at the South end of the downtown strip, is home to many of the administrative goings-on in Lawrence.

The building, built in 1903, rests prominently beyond the trees of South Park.

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

It is also the place in Lawrence where you are most likely to hear the phrase, "Doc! I have to tell you...about the night...I go back...!"

Day Two Hundred and Ninety-Four: Leaf it Be, Already!

Ah, Autumn.


Who doesn't look forward with eager anticipation to that familiar period following the autumnal equinox at which the Sun is located at a point directly above the equator when the period of night lengthens to such a degree as to signify to many species of broadleaved plants whose veins extending into the leaves carrying fluids to and from the extremities of the plant primarily for purposes of photosynthesis, the process through which plants use sunlight to turn carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen thus providing energy to the plant for growth, that it is time to begin restricting the diameters of these veins so as to prohibit the transport of fluids that would otherwise freeze in the winter causing damage to the leaves and ultimately the entire organism in conjunction with the decrease in production of chlorophyll, the chemical ever crucial to photosynthesis that also gives leaves their familiar green color throughout the spring and summer months, giving way to the traditional array of red, orange and yellow hues resulting from what is now a surplus of sugars or more specifically carotenoids (yellows, oranges) and anthocyanins (reds) which now become dominant in the leaves with the increasing absence of chlorophyll, all preceding the leaves' eventual fall from the tree and recycling of nutrients to the soil in preparation for the stagnant winter months followed by a season of regrowth in the spring?


More simply put, look at all the pretty colors!

(photo from 2007)

Day Two Hundred and Ninety-Three: Colorblind

About the only thing that could wash out the color of the trees today was the deep blue of the sky scattered behind the clouds.

The bright oranges and reds of the the maple in my front yard were nothing but a silhouette against the backdrop of the afternoon sky.

Day Two Hundred and Ninety-Two: Skeleton Crew

Do not adjust your monitors: today's picture is not only right-side-up, but it is also in full color!


What you are seeing is a row of exoskeletons clinging to a branch as well as some semblance of life.

The line of empty shells almost resembles a memorial for cicadas past. It seems like just yesterday we were talking about their songs of love.

Of course, these sonorous creatures haven't bit the dust - they've simply flown the coop. Having reached adulthood, cicadas shed their skin and fly off to a second life.

The picture above is a color picture, although the silhouetted figures on the white background give it a desaturated and almost cartoonish appearance.

The picture below (also in color!) gives a better view of the (exo)skeleton crew.

Day Two Hundred and Ninety-One: Take Your Pick

A year ago today a boy met a girl. It was a match made in heaven.


Over the next year they shared their interests and passions, struggles and hardships, laughter and joy, and their faith.

They had fun with cameras, with dogs, with family, with travel.

Together they made plans: for dinner, for parties, for trips, and for their future.

A year ago today a boy met a girl. They went out for a drink at a local coffeehouse.

A year later the boy and the girl went back to that coffeehouse where they first got to know each other. They celebrated their anniversary with another caffeine-laden drink apiece and a game of Scrabble (a relationship staple).

The evening can be summed up in one word:


No, not BOOGER. (Although that word did help me nose out a victory in the Scrabble match).

So what is that word? Fantastic, super, awesome, promising, hopeful, fun, unbelievable...

Pretty much anything but "booger." You take your pick.

Day Two Hundred and Ninety: Long Live the Maple Leaf!

Recently I've been showing you a lot of pictures of autumn color in Lawrence and surrounding areas. Much of that color came courtesy of the maple leaves.

Today in Baldwin City the maple leaf was honored with its own festival.

Annual events at the Maple Leaf Festival - held this weekend because it is deemed the optimal maple-leaf-viewing weekend of the year - include a parade (featuring Miss Maple Leaf herself), many booths of artwork and handmade crafts, and plenty of food (as seen below).


Of course, the guest of honor made an appearance as well:

Day Two Hundred and Eighty-Nine: Time to Change

The leaves know it.

Peter Brady knew it. (Go ahead, click the link, it's worth it)

When it's time to change, then it's time to change.


Of course, not all trees are finding that time to be the same. The reds and yellows of the maple above stand out in contrast to its neighbor (still green with envy).

The green that still lingers in the trees only means there are more fun colors yet to come this fall.

Keep checking back to see more!

Day Two Hundred and Eighty-Eight: Hit the Wall

In 1979 Pink Floyd showed us The Wall.

That same year, Michael Jackson went Off the Wall.

Ten years later, in Germany, The Wall came down.

Some walls are good, others not so good, and at least one is Great.

It is often said that somewhere around mile 20, marathoners can hit their own walls.

Let's hope that - if this is true - our favorite marathoner finds her way over the wall next weekend.

Day Two Hundred and Eighty-Seven: Black and White and Red All Over

Many of my pictures recently have focused on the autumn colors. I don't mean to be sticking to a theme, but every day I keep coming across something that captures my attention in a different way.

Today it was the stark contrast of the dark tree branches against the gray, overcast sky.

The burst of color added by the leaves completes the scene.

Day Two Hundred and Eighty-Six: The Road Home

A walk down some of the brick-paved sidewalks in Lawrence reveals a bit of hometown pride.

I took a picture similar to this one last fall, but thought it would be fun to revisit the subject in the photo-a-day blog, and perhaps get a new perspective on it a year later.

The autumn leaves here are adding a splash of color to what might otherwise be an ordinary scene - the same thing they are doing all across the town this time of year.

Day Two Hundred and Eighty-Five: Meeting of the Minds

The football teams aren't the only ones that can huddle during timeouts, as this official meeting of the minds proved this afternoon at the Central Junior High football game in Lawrence.

Day Two Hundred and Eighty-Four: Sunrise on the Lake

Just across the state line in southern Minnesota is one of my favorite places, Myre-Big Island State Park.

I try to stop by the park, which is just minutes off the interstate (though you'd never know it once you were there), as often as I can on my trips to and from Minneapolis.

This morning Farley and I arrived just in time to watch the sunrise over Albert Lea Lake - and found some deer watching the sunrise (and us) as well.

The park is a great place to wander around, enjoy the view, and let the dog(s) run around for a while.

When the lake freezes over, and you take a silent stroll on that frozen ground out into the open air, you start to feel like you are the only person on the planet.

Lucy and Emily weren't along for this part of the journey southward - we met up with them in Iowa, where Farley was once again reunited with his backseat travel buddy.

Next time you pass through Albert Lea, MN, you should make a point to visit the park (you'll see the signs from I-35) - especially if you feel the need to "clear your senses."

It works wonders!

Day Two Hundred and Eighty-Three: To All Those Fallen Before Their Time

To all those fallen before their time
Let this ode be addressed
May the wind's breath guide you down
And grant you earthly rest

Though your time on branch cut short
Now find you safer harbor
Within the shade you helped provide
Beneath your lofty arbor

And lest the black bag cometh
And your time on this turf ends
Enjoy your new found freedom
With your freshly fallen friends

A strong Minnesota wind took many of the leaves off the trees ahead of schedule (or so their greenish-yellow color would indicate).

Only a few oranges and deep reds were mixed in to the six bags that were filled this afternoon with the help of a rake...and...a curious dog.

Day Two Hundred and Eighty-Two: Men At Work

Behind my house and just across the alleyway is the backyard of a neighbor who has an eclectic collection of, well, junk.

The rear of his house resembles an ever-changing ecosystem of rubble, machinery, wire and rock. It truly is a tetanus shot waiting to happen.

I've been waiting for a chance to capture it in all its glory, but I have yet to find the proper angle to do just that.

Today's picture comes close, contrasting the old with the...slightly less old.


The tractor-like steel vehicle has been parked in the yard for quite a while. The Men Working sign is a relatively new addition, and gives today's picture a much-needed splash of color.

While it's true there are many aspects of this neighbor's back junkyard I was unable to capture in one photo, I'm not sure the subject is worthy of another blog entry - so I hope I did it justice.

Day Two Hundred and Eighty-One: Pop Art

Here is a little "pop" art, courtesy of the Lawrence recycling center and a post-photo filter effect!

Day Two Hundred and Eighty: Burst of Color

Autumn is making its way to Lawrence, and this tree was already awash with color in the afternoon light.

Though most of the leaves in town have yet to change, this tree is a sign of the brilliant colors to come!

Day Two Hundred and Seventy-Nine: Autumn Scene

This scene in east Lawrence called out to me on my bike ride home today, so I had to come back and take a picture.

Day Two Hundred and Seventy-Eight: Better Days

This birdhouse in my backyard - one of the early features of this photo blog (see Closed for the Winter from March 1st) - has seen better days.

Following the winter weather and nearly one hundred days with rain this year alone, the humble shelter has finally given into the elements and is officially out of commission.

...unless there are any bird tenants-to-be interested in a cozy place with a skylight.

Day Two Hundred and Seventy-Seven: Special Guest Star

Well, I'm still in the recording studio, and still working on my next album, which is due out as soon as it is finished.

That's about as specific as I can be at the moment, except to tell you that in my latest song to be recorded, Rainy Day Man, I added in some trumpet, trombone and saxophone parts.

I can cover the sax and trumpet parts decently, but I needed a little help with the trombone.

Look who stepped up!

Emily looks as surprised as I was to hear how well she played after not having touched a trombone in a few years.

The brass combo is now complete!

(One of my regular viewers may also recognize this trombone...it is still being put to good use!)

Day Two Hundred and Seventy-Six: Unconventional

High above the rushing traffic of Interstate-670 in downtown Kansas City stand four looming towers. From these towers hang a series of wire cables - the only thing keeping Bartle Hall (the KC convention center) from crashing down upon the busy interstate below. And cresting these towers are four unusual sculptures that not only give a distinct flavor to the downtown skyline, but are also rumored to contain mystical superpowers revealed only to the person brave enough to stand atop them.

This has "Keanu Reeves action movie" written all over it.

Okay, so a few of the facts above may have been "embellished" for dramatic effect.

Nonetheless, these four aluminum and steel sculptures created by artist R.M. Fischer in 1994 do add a bit of intrigue to the downtown skyline.

As for the picture itself, I originally took this shot at an angle to give it a little more motion, but liked the look of it when it was rotated and squared back up again.

The slanted black border emphasizes this "rotation back to normal."

Day Two Hundred and Seventy-Five: All Creatures Great and Small

The community of St. John the Evangelist Church in Lawrence is blessed to have Fr. John Schmeidler, a Capuchin Franciscan, as their pastor.

Today, the animals were blessed as well.

At the annual Blessing of the Animals (held every year on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi), it didn't matter if the creature was great or small; dog, cat, bunny, or lizard; young or old; real or stuffed - every animal present on the church grounds this afternoon received its own blessing from Fr. John....









....even Lucy:

(Farley got in on the action, too, despite not being pictured here.)

About the only animal that didn't look pleased or excited to be there was this turkey, who arrived in a cage on the back of a pick-up truck.

Perhaps he knew that - with Thanksgiving right around the corner - it wasn't a blessing of long life he was receiving...