Busy Time

Well, once again, I have not been posting on my blog. This is such a busy time and I'm not tagging all of the bases at work or at home. With the start of our VITA Volunteer Tax Site and the addition of evening hours, I have been working a lot of additional hours. I also have an opportunity to pursue grant funding that could help increase our volunteer support of isolated frail elderly or teens that are struggling in school. Both are really needed, but I can only go one direction with the application. I'm trying to figure where I would have the most dependable local partners and which would make for the stronger application. There is a lot to be done in a short time to prepare the concept paper. I need some time to focus

At home, in an effort to make better use of my space, I have taken almost everything out of my art room. Things are a mess. Along that same time, Dennis is working to organize our filing system. We have taken everything out of our file cabinet. We probably should not have taken both of these projects at once. To top it off, I'm trying to finish a clay tile mosaic for the Friends in Action Art Auction. The art work which goes on display at the Hutchinson Art Center, February 18. We will have 30 art pieces from local artists on sale by silent auction at a March 4th event.

Oh well, one day at a time.

Partridge Near the Dumpsters

I got a big kick out of reading in the Colby Free Press that there was a very large bird roaming around Colby Grade school earlier this month. After a lot of excitement and a call to the police, it was decided it wasn't a danger to anyone, so I think they just left it alone. I thought I would link to the Free Press news article, but I couldn't find it. According to the newspaper report by Kevin Bottrell, the bird was a 13 to 14 inch chukar partridge. A native of Asia and Europe, this game bird has been introduced in several western states, "It is the national bird of Pakistan." And there it was roaming around near the dumpsters at Colby Grade.

I love the picture of the partridge on the front page of the paper. It was taken by Kathryn Ballard, a Free Press staff member. I just think that is the funniest bird I've ever seen. That bird was even wearing a little Zoro type mask. Someday I would like to do some sort of art piece with this crazy bird for my inspiration. What a hoot.... or screech..... or chirp..... or

Weekend in Colby

Dennis and I drove out to Colby, Friday evening, to spend the weekend with Dad and Mom. Saturday afternoon, Dad drove us out east of town where the Linvilles farmed in the 40's and 50's. It was interesting to hear of the family and their neighbors from those early days. It was fun.

Dad remembers helping plant the trees south east of the house. He believes it was part of a conservation program.

Now of course, fifty years have passed so things are not the same. We were surprised to see that Bubba and Kutter (Kyle and Erin's boxers) have relatives living out on the old farm. : )

We then drove on east and north through Halford, then on back to Gem.

It was an enjoyable afternoon. Some may be surprised, but in rural western Kansas there are intersting things to see.

Busy Times at the Creek Again

Yesterday, Dennis, Julie, Michael and I drove down around Cheney Reservoir which is very near the farm. It is not frozen solid at all, but there was a layer of ice on the top.

After that we drove over the the farm. We were surprised to see that after an absence of more than a year, the beavers are back. Just a week ago there was no sign of them. Below is a beaver dam they have been working on.
This piece was about at least two inches around. What amazing teeth would cut this off with

such a clean cut. While most of the trees cut seemed to be gnawed to a point. This was "sawed" right off. I found it amazing. The tree below shows a small tree that has been gnawed off by the beavers.

Michael and Julie actually saw a beaver with its head and paws peaking out of the water.

The beavers were once very active in the creek, but then they were just gone. We heard that someone down the way had given someone permission to do some trapping. We believe they may have gotten caught in traps. It is exciting to see them active again.

Much as we are happy to see the beavers, we do have gophers and opossums that we wish would move away. That feels rather hypocritically.

Julie and her boyfriend, Michael, are visiting for the weekend. Today, they wanted to go to the Hutchinson Public Library to see my art exhibit. Later they went to Dillon Nature Center.

Fly Away

Calm in the Chaos

Dennis and me.

Speaking of Dillon Nature Center, Dennnis and I went for a walk there last weekend. It was cold, but the snow, ice, geese, and bright blue sky were worth it.

Article in The Hutchinson News Spotlights VITA Volunteer Training

A taxing instruction

The link above will connect you to a nice article in The Hutchinson News today focused on our VITA Volunteer Training held yesterday. The tax law portion of the training will be held Tuesday through Friday next week.

Saturday Update

• Several people have asked and I guess I failed to mention that my art work on display at the library is for sale. Thirty percent of any piece sold goes to the Hutchinson Public Library. My prices are $30 to $100 for this show.
  Last week when we went to the movie, I turned my phone off. I'm sure it came home with me, but of course I can't call it so I've been without it for 9 days. Poor Dennis, I keep borrowing his. Hope I don't lose his too.

• Dina always says the computer is a good thing, but it can take up a lot of your time..... I'm think she is right.

• Dennis and I went to Dillon Nature Center today. No, we didn't try to ice skate. I'll post some pictures later.

It's Cold Out There

I rode to the farm with Dennis on Wednesday. Below, is a photo of him filling his bird feeders. The milk jugs on top of the feeders help keep the squirrels from eating all of the food. When the temperature is so very cold there is one good thing. That is that colors are much more vivid and crisp. Unfortunately my photo don't really show that, but it is true.