One Last Peek at Wichita

We left Wichita by way of a topless bar. Whoa, back the truck up...a topless bar? Well, we didn't go in! As you can see, the gates were securely padlocked. Here's the story: Edith wanted to show me some of old downtown Wichita (which is quite lovely, BTW), so we drove around the area on Sunday morning before we went out to the Arb. There were many photo ops, but this one along a deserted alley was the best. When Edith lived here last year, this was NOT a topless bar; how quickly things change. The bar is housed in a very old brick building that has a courtyard area protected by a two-story brick wall with high windows in it...perhaps part of the original building in earlier times? You can look up through the windows to see colorful graffiti-like paintings on the building's wall. The 'art' just begged to be photographed! If you want to see more, you'll have to wait  until they open the gates. I guarantee that as fun as these paintings are you won't find me inside...my topless bar days are long over!

More from the Arb

During last weekend's visit to Bartlett Arboretum, I took some audio/video clips of the Wichita Caledonian Pipes & Drums hoping to give you a taste of their wonderful bagpipes. After fiddling with Blogger most of yesterday trying to get it to upload, I finally was convinced that all those folks who have complained about not being able to upload videoes on their blogs since the first of the year were right; I could not get anything to upload! So...here are some other memories from my magical weekend. I really didn't want this couple on the bridge, but clicked this just as they shared a quick kiss. I think it's much more interesting than the one I took with the bridge empty. Note to self: people in a photo aren't always a bad thing. In fact, I should include people more in my photos!

This lovely little tree is called a 'Weeping Peach.' I've never seen one before. It has beautiful blossoms.

And of course....the tulips were beautiful! Robin commented several times during the weekend how unusual it is for everything to come into bloom at once. Because of the winter's weather weirdness, the tulips, daffodils, dogwoods, redbuds and lilacs were all blooming at the same time. Her thought is they all got together and discussed their 100th birthday celebration and decided they all needed to be in their Sunday best for it! And just  in case you're tired of all that pink...here's a jolt of blue!

Happy 100th Birthday!

Yes, I've been 'away' for awhile, but for a very good reason. I spent the past weekend at one of my favorite places, the Bartlett Arboretum. If you're a regular reader of this blog, you'll remember that I traveled to Belle Plaine, KS last year to help my friend, Edith at Art at the Arb. This year it was a special event as the Arboretum celebrated its 100th birthday! We spent two full days with fun people, wonderful music, and glorious weather. What better way to celebrate 100 years of beautiful, blooming tulips, lilacs, daffodils, pansies, redbuds, dogwoods and the most magnificent loblolly pines?

And the Heavens Opened Up...

The gray cool day gave way to tremendous storms on Saturday night. We had lightning, we had thunder, and we had rain, lots and lots of rain. When Edith and I arrived at the Arb on Sunday morning, this is the sight that greeted us. Euphrates Creek was completely running wild! What had been a pleasant stroll thru the grass, up over the bridge, and into the formal gardens on Saturday was on Sunday only navigable by boat. Robin, the artists and the musicians held a quick conference in the bandstand and decided that at least the artist's booths and church would be canceled. Everyone pitched in to help folks load up, pull vehicles out of the muddy field, and put away a hundred or more folding chairs. As the old Shaker saying goes..."Many hands make light work," and soon everyone was ready to go. That's when the MeloDivas showed up. With everyone in colorful boots, it just screamed for a picture.

Lots of laughs and giggles later everyone had memorable pictures of boots in a puddle and the Divas holding hands and leaping into the air. What fun! We all drove around to the front of the Arb, the Divas pulled out their instruments and the singing began.

Musical Memories

Here's the line up of musicians that we heard last weekend at the Arboretum. I think the music was my favorite part of our time there. It ran the gamut of bluegrass, country, old standards, gospel, and Cajun. Robin and her band kicked off the schedule and played over an hour. That's Robin in the big hat; to her left is Kentucky, her new husband! They were married at the Arb on Easter Sunday. Even though it poured rain that day, Robin was determined to have an 'outdoor' wedding and literally brought the outside into her house. As she toured us through her adorable cottage, she apologized for it looking like a 'Harry Potter' house...there were flowers and vines and branches from shrubs and trees everywhere festooning the stairway, tangling from a tiny chandelier and in every kind of vase. The other singer is Jennifer Petterson. She lives at the Arb and helps Robin with gardening and event planning. Both women have CD's which I purchased to keep the musical memory of my weekend alive.

Robin's CD, Songs from the Garden, can be purchased on her website and proceeds go to help restore the Arb.

Robin, her Soil Sisters, and Angels keep Barlett Arboretum alive and lively, full of warm, welcoming fun, and melodies from the gardens.

Tip Toe Through the Tulips

While the trees weren't leafed out yet at the Arboretum, the tulips were in full bloom and absolutely breathtaking. The pink ones are called French Mix and border the walkways in front of Robin's house. The red ones fill raised beds in the formal garden. The stone cross overlooks the stream the flows through the property. It's a very tranquil spot. Saturday was cool and windy, so everyone was bundled up as they walked the garden paths. The weather didn't dampen anyone's spirits, though. Other things in bloom included the dogwood trees and a few azaleas; irises will be next in line to pop.