Don't let the difficulties of the present moments overshadow the reality of God's promises. God's promises still stand. And God's promises are stronger than our failures.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Tuesday in Kansas

We left Arkansas on Monday headed for Estes Park, Colorado by way of Winfield, Kansas.  We always stay at a small campground in Arkansas City, Kansas, far away from the crowd of the festival.  There’s been a horrible drought here and there’s little to no water in the ponds; even the rivers are showing lots of sandy bottoms with small streams still flowing down the middle.  Oddly enough the sunflowers/black eyed susans are still blooming beautifully, as are a few other wild flowers.


Because we were here early we went to the movie on Tuesday night.  Saw “The Help” by the way and thought it was a great movie.  The theater was quite large I suppose – 8 theaters.  There were a total of 7 people, including us, in “The Help” and no one in any other theater.  No one.  Nada.  It was eerie  it was so empty.  Tuesday night in Kansas is silent and dark and there are few people out. 

We stopped and bought festival tickets at their down town office.  

There’s still a real down town in Winfield, and in Arkansas City too.  Small, but hanging in there!  Driving around you can still see traces of what it was like in the fifties.  Picture the shaded streets and sidewalks of your childhood and you’re seeing Winfield.  There’s a nice, small college here which means they have all the fast food you want on the main highway; but off the highway it remains almost in a time warp.  I love that.  We visited the college coffee shop and McDonalds to read e-mail but didn’t want to waste much time on that.
It got cold and windy and rainy.  Even under the roof of the grandstand the rain blew in.  I wore long underwear and jeans, a short sleeved tee, a long sleeved tee, a sweatshirt, a coat with fleece lining, ear  muffs and a hat, gloves and covered with two blankets.  Oh and opened the umbrella in front of me to try to keep the rain off!  And I was still cold.  The music was good, the food wonderful, the friends worth all of that!  This picture is of my sister and me...she's on the row above me.  Only my eyes showing!

When we drove by the campground next to the fairgrounds this is what we saw - and we were so glad we didn't try to camp there!

Back in the camper I have this great “coffee table”.  

We found the basket at WalMart a few years ago and Jerry put casters on the bottom for me.  You’d be surprised at all that it holds!  

The pink sack contains the patterns I bought this week in Newkirk, Oklahoma at a little quilt shop I found there. 

Underneath is my iron, a top I’m working on, my Featherweight and all the things I need to sew with.  

My dining table is perfect for that! 

I’m making another jelly roll strip quilt, this one from Moda’s Favorites of Kansas Troubles line.  I should have it finished in another day but I brought another jelly roll with me, just in case.  And of course, lots of hand work.  

Right now DH and I are riding out a terrible storm in McDonalds.  There's a tornado watch until 4:00 a.m., it's hailing and the lightening is awful!  Wonder how long they will let us camp out here using their internet.  :)  


Anybody miss me?  I’ve been gone nearly a week already!  J

19 comments:

Unknown said...

Yes, I did! I thought about you today, and decided you were off on a trip somewhere. LOL

Hope you don't get blown away in Kansas. We had a slight shower of rain, enough to wet the street and it quit. If you can, please send some rain to Texas : )

Have a great time . . .

Carol said...

I remembered you telling us you were heading out to Colorado, but I had forgotten exactly when! lol

You mentioned seeing "The Help". I went to see it with my daughter and thoroughly enjoyed it. We laughed through quite a few scenes!

I hope the weather improves for you!

Carol (NJ)

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I remember you mentioning that you go to Rocky Mountain now and then - I should have checked and see when you were going - we just left there yesterday!! now over to western CO. Have fun! they closed the trail ridge road one day we were there because of snow!
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

paulette said...

I missed you!! Glad you are having fun despite the weather!! Love your coffee table...and all the goodies inside it! Take care and happy camping!
P

Tracy P. said...

Marlene, that's funny, I was just thinking of you today. I'm so surprised that you were dressed as warmly as we were at my son's football game this morning. There was a guy who brought several extra pairs of gloves in his pocket, and people snatched them up shamelessly! What a wonderful trip. You two have such a nice rhythm about your life in retirement. Good for you!

Lucky Duck Dreams said...

Stay safe! Enjoy Estes Park it is a beautiful place.

BarbCarol said...

Just got home from SC today. Dropped Keith at OKC airport for another job in KS. I was going to say how sorry I am for missing the festival again this year but you and Sherry Lynn look so miserable that I am less sorry now. Let me know your return timeline. Maybe our paths will cross. Did you send me this thunderstorm

Lindah said...

Now that, my friend, is a Sewing Basket! I've not seen one big enough for the kitchen sink, er I mean the sewing machine, too. It's terrific. And even more terrifc is your DH for adding wheels to it.

Pooh on the storm timing. I'm sure the sunflowers are glad for the moisture, tho.

Hope you have a great time on your vacation and stay safe and well.

God bless,
Linda

Grammy Staffy said...

Of course we miss you. I am sorry that the weather has not been nice for you. It has been really nice here... why don't you come and visit so. Cal? The Staffy Spa is a nice place to stay... well actually it is not any thing too special, but it is friendly and free.... and has a sewing room that you could use any time you wish.

Have a good week. I am getting packed up to go on a cruise. I am not really up to it but I am sure I will enjoy it once I am on the ship with my friends.

I will be in touch when I get home. Hugs, Lura

Julie Fukuda said...

Please be sure to check in and let us know you are safe. I know you are enjoying the trip.

Lori said...

I remembered you said you were heading west so assumed that why the absence. I love how you have a place for everything in your camper. That foot stool is wonderful. Hopefully the storm passed and you're back on the road again. Have a wonderful and safe trip!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Oh, of course you are missed! But I see that you are missing nothing from your coffee table!! You have evrything you need to sew! Have fun!!

Cindy said...

I've been to Estes Park!

Love the coffee table basket.

Carrie P. said...

I didn't get to see any of those sunflowers when we drove through Kansas, but I did get to see a sunflower quilt at a welcome station.
Stay safe!

Purple Pam said...

Yes, we miss you. Yes, I have boiled all the water from the egg pan and, yes, I had brown spots and cracked shells, too. It seems I cannot even boil water! Hope you survived the storm warning okay. I don't know what that would be like. I have lived in states where they do not have storms like that to deal with. You are so brave. Love your little Featherweight. Did I tell you I bought a purple one?

Arkansas Patti said...

Yep, you were missed and am glad you found a McDonalds to catch up with us.
That cold looks like more than I could bear. The music would have to have been really great. You are a trouper.
Sure hope the weather has calmed down for you. Stay warm.

Pat - Arkansas said...

I hope the weather clears for you, and the storms stay far, far away!
You are a well-prepared quilter, I'd say! Very clever use of your basket on wheels.

Lee said...

What a trip! enjoying despite the weather which is nice.

Val said...

How fun! Sounds like an adventure! I LOVE your coffee table basket!!! Have fun!!! Be safe.