Harvest

In traveling to and fro the last couple of days, my husband and I have been privileged to see the beginning of the wheat harvest in central Kansas. It is a sight that gives me a sense of excitement each and every year.
When I was little, my dad would take me out at the beginning of the harvest to show me the combines going in to the fields for the first time. He would be excited and that was passed to me.
Now, have I ever driven a combine or somehow taken an active part in harvest? Nope!
But who in the area is not moved somewhat by the sight of combines in the field?
So, the last couple of days have been an absolute delight. I am seeing the combines and feeling the excitement for my dad. He is probably smiling and pointing out the big machines to whoever might be beside him at the time and they too, are feeling the excitement.

Summer time

We drove to church this morning only to figure out it had started an hour earlier. I was not about to show up for the end of church, so we just kept on driving. George and I thought we would just take back roads home. See the country side.
Along the way I smelled my absolute favorite scent of summer: alfalfa in bloom, right before it needs to be cut. A sweet fragrant smell you get for only one season. I have always loved it. It made me think of other senses and smells that come only with summer.
Walking in the evening with my dogs and the whiff of someone grilling outside. It evokes the thought of that same someone cooking for their family, but making it a little more special by doing it outside.
The smell of sheets or towels that have dried in the sun and breeze. The fabric smells of the sun.
The smell of rain right before the storm hits. It is almost startling. The feeling something different is coming. Something that will wash things clean.
Hearing the laughter of children after the sun has gone down and they are still out playing. Curfew has been extended because even the parents don't want to go in yet or spoil the moment.
Having the windows opened at night and hearing the train cars being moved in for the upcoming harvest.
How many come to mind for you?

Testing, one, two

I have had several medical tests of late. After getting really sick in April it seemed to be the prudent thing to do. Now they are done and I am no longer waiting. Thing will be fine. Drugs will do the trick and no more waiting in Dr.'s offices or at clinics or in a little room.
Whew!
One of the situations I oberved through this (and with my father when he was facing treatments and end of life issues)time was the amount of time spent in these places just waiting. And the amount of people doing it. Having our lives controlled by all the appointments and all the waiting. Instills a sense of hopelessness. At least to me.
Surely there has to be a better way.

Good Neighbors

I am in need of assistance. I have a neighbor that has not always appeared to be entirely stable. Stories of Pat go way back in Ellinwood. So those times she has been in her backyard in the middle of the day or night yelling profanely at who knows who or what, we have said it is just Pat being Pat. Those times we have seen her out mowing her lawn and throwing her lawn mower here and there... well, it was just Pat being Pat.
Or the times when we have accidentally mowed an inch over the percieved property line and she digs a trench on her side to keep us from going over that line again. We just shake our heads and think about decorating our side of the demilitarized zome to at least add some humor and light to the sight. We haven't, but we do think about it.
Today, she went over the edge. Pat was mowing her back lawn by the fence. As she came up to sweetpeas we have planted to grow on our fence, she started tearing them off. I yelled out "Hey!" and Stop That!". She did it again! I asked her why she had to do that. Her response was that they were on her side and the police told she could.
Now let me explain something. Her house is in a state of disrepair to say the least. The roof is coming apart. Shrubbery is growing in the eaves that are still attached to the house. The garage is a fire trap. Every time the wind blows (remember this is Kansas and that is all the time), the shingles from the house and garage come into our yard. It is a very sad sight to behold.
Pat does not live there (lives with mama down the street) but she collects mail there.
So what do I do. What will be next?
I worry that something will happen or someone will do something to her house and it will come back on us. She is that unstable.
Any response? Any suggestions?
I am serious about this folks.