Fall Time in Missouri

"Nature" is what we see—
The Hill—the Afternoon—
Squirrel—Eclipse—the Bumble bee—
Nay—Nature is Heaven—
Nature is what we hear—
The Bobolink—the Sea—
Thunder—the Cricket—
Nay—Nature is Harmony—
Nature is what we know—
Yet have no art to say—
So impotent Our Wisdom is
To her Simplicity."
~Emily Dickinson

One of the great things about living where we do is the COUNTRY!

Our house (actually it is more like a cottage) sits on 8 acres. To the south of our home is the pond. To the west is a huge corn field. Turning east is acres of woods leading up a hill. If you go north , you hit the creek. My family loves to explore the many areas surrounding our house. Nature and wildlife abound. From the deer that walks by our house, to the heron that fishes our pond. There are creatures and plants of all shape and form right out my front door. Some of the animals that I have encountered by just literally opening up my front door include rabbits, deer, snakes, groundhogs, and coyotes.

The woods provide endless hours of exploration for the kids. Our neighbors own over 60 acres, and we have access to most of the land. The woods leading up the hill is full of trails. The kids like to go quading on the trails. Our neighbors are moving their horses over soon. They want my husband to teach their daughter how to ride. He was raised on a ranch, and is proficient in riding. We will have access to the horses when they come over. Burt keeps threatening to get our own horse, but if we end up moving back to South Dakota he doesn't want to transport a horse. I guess it will be neat to have our neighbor's horses to ride. Actually, it might be better, all the fun without any of the expense or work! Can't wait until Mustang and Portia move over here.

Brendan and McKenna like to go on nature walks. Brendan likes to pick out walking sticks. This one might be a little too big.

His favorite thing to do down at the creek is to pitch rocks. The bigger the splash, the greater sense of satisfaction he gets.

Lilly is already 6 months. I can't believe how much time has gone, since we brought her home. She really is the sweetest pup. So good with the kids. Boston terriers really are the best dogs with kids. If you are looking for a small indoor dog for kids, you can't go wrong with a Boston. Lilly loves to go trailing with the kids. Sticking her nose into everything.

Lilly looks so stylish in her new dress.

McKenna's favorite thing to do at the creek is to find rocks. She is a rock hound.

She likes to find round rocks, which she uses in our ceremonies. The creek provides many rocks.

She also likes to pick wild flowers.

She managed to convince her brother that her flowers were mistletoe, and he owed her a kiss.

Fall here in Missouri is just truly beautiful. It is my favorite time of year, and I feel truly blessed.

The Halloween Hare

The Halloween Hare

Gave the kiddies a scare

Late on a Hallow's Night.

Popping out of his hole

With a mask black as coal

Giving the Tricksters a fright.

Not a minute he wastes

Gobbling chocolates in haste

Left while taking their flight.

Louisburg Cider Mill

Burt and I took the kids to the Louisburg Cider Mill in Louisburg, KS, this weekend. We really had a good time. The Louisburg Cider Mill makes the most delicious apple cider I have ever had. They have a 100 year old cider press that squeezes the fresh juice out of the apples. You can watch the cider being made from the apple washing to the bottling. The kids were really fascinated by the whole process. They were really impressed by the machine that screwed the caps on the jugs, and they liked the fact that they could then taste the final product. The mill also makes cider doughnuts, which are amazing. Brendan is a donught feind! He loved watch the batter drop and watch them sizzle down the conveyor belt. The donughts were as tasty as the cider.



This weekend was their fall festival. Crafts, music, and good food abound. There is also a corn maze and pumpkin patch. The kids loved picking out their pumpkins, taking great care to find the "perfect" one. We tried the corn maze, and boy was it tough. There is over 7 miles of maze. After awhile we were just beat, so we cheated lol. We cut through to get out.



It was the perfect place to get us in the mood for the fall season. Bring on Halloween.

Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Wild West Show

We had so much fun this weekend! We went to the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm for their Wild West Show. It really was a blast. The kids were transported in time by the sights and sounds of the Wild West. The Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop is located in Olathe, Kansas. The farmstead was an original stop on the Oregon and California trails. The farm was founded by James and Lucinda Mahaffie in 1858. It is currently a museum, often hosting reenactment events, such as the Wild West Show. Three of the original Mahaffie farm buildings still stand, and it is the only remaining stop on the Santa Fe Trail. It is a fun place to visit even when they aren’t hosting an event.
There was so much stuff to do at the farm. There were gunfights, Mariachi bands, dancers, craftsmen, and a Wild West Show. We got to take in the Wild West Show. The performances consisted of trick riders, trick shots, fire eaters, and so many others. One of our favorites was the woman who recreated Annie Oakley’s trick shot show. McKenna was real impressed with Miss Oakley. She and I went to visit “Miss Oakley” in her tent. Afterwards McKenna was inspired to do some shooting of her own. We took her to the shooting gallery. It was her first time shooting a rifle, and she hit the bullseye several times! She was a natural. The guys at the gallery were impressed, as were her Dad and I. We have dubbed her “Little Miss Sure Shot”.
Another person McKenna was excited to meet was the Teddy Roosevelt. McKenna is really fascinated by Presidents. She can tell you the name of every President, including which number they were President. She also knows facts about many of them. Her favorite President was Lincoln, followed by Teddy as a close second. She and the Teddy actor had fun swapping Roosevelt facts. As a reward for her knowledge on Roosevelt he gave her a Roosevelt campaign button. She was impressed with that.
The fair also had several performers. I enjoyed watching the Mexican dancers. The dancers represented different regions of Mexico. They were so cute. Burt enjoyed Charro Jerry Diaz. He had Mexican Dancing Horses. The horses were so beautiful, and it was really neat to watch them move in time to the music. Jerry’s wife and four year old son join him in the performance. His son, Nicholas, was so adorable. Below is a video of part of Charro Jerry’s act.



The kids got to participate in so many activities and events. Some of their favorites were riding the stagecoach, hitting the pinata, panning for gold, making wooly sheep, and leather stamping. They also got to ride horses and ponies. The kids also met other animal friends. They encountered sheep, goats, oxen, and bunnies. They even met a wolf.
There was so much to see and do that we didn’t even get through it all! If you ever get a chance to go to Olathe make sure and stop in at Mahaffie. The Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop will definitely be one of our regular stops now.

The Bore

the bore

the rambling talk of a fool
so loud and verbose
whose words prattle on
disregarded by most
impatience is what
you have incurred
mocking a mind
with your bloated words
disteem your badge
earned with distinct
given to a bore
who's never succinct

I'm Lovin' It

I really enjoy my son. He is just such an imaginative child. He kind of lives in his own world at times. A world of fantasy, where characters from stories come to life for him. That is a good thing I think, and I try to encourage it at every turn. He is probably one of the most imaginative people I have ever been around. So , when we went to McDonald's one day and the old clown himself showed up, he was just in awe. Brendan's enthusiasm for Ronald was felt by the whole crowd. When Ronald was looking for a volunteer to help with a magic trick, he naturally gravitated to my son. Brendan giggled with delight, and was so impressed with Ronald's "magic". I wish I had a video of it. Brendan always reminds me to take time to enjoy the simple things in life. He teaches me to enjoy the world around me, and to appreciate the magic that can be found in the most ordinary of place.

Who the heck is that??

It's Ronald!!

I hope he picks me!!!
Can you believe he picked ME??

Time for some magic!

Give my helper a hand.

Send in the clowns.

Ancestor Song

Listen for the Prairie Song,It'll call to you all night long.

Whistling over blades of grass,carried by wind, voices from the past.

Echoing over distance and space.

The Plains version of Amazing Grace.

Let it wash the bitterness from your lips,That rushed from you like a Judas kiss.

Honor the ones that brought you forth,Give your ears to their ancient chorus.

Find respect with each refrain,So their sacrafices were not made in vain.