Those Bradford Pears. Beautiful, but not substantial. This one is in the parking lot used by the Emporia Farmers Market. A year ago, most of the pears that lined this lot were destroyed by a vicious ice storm. Last night’s thunderstorm got this one – maybe it was lightning, maybe wind.

About 3 a.m. a big storm moved through and I got up to unplug my computer. And I let the cat in. As the lightning flashed in the darkness, I kept repeating: don’t take a shower, don’t take a shower. I quashed the impulse to shower and went back to bed.

The sky over this morning’s market. It was dry when I was there, the rain just started falling again at 9:30.

Jim Wallace trades a chicken for some cash.

Marilyn Wallace visits with Florence Haskett. Where was Tom? If he was there, I missed him.

Jim and Marilyn Wallace will be at the Tallgrass National Prairie Preserve on Sunday with their petting zoo.

From The Emporia Gazette:

The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve will offer a weekend of family events at the preserve north of Strong City. From 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, living history interpreters at the preserve will demonstrate historic haying and raking methods using draft horses and 19th century machinery.

Sunday will be children’s day. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., children can pet farm animals, feed the chickens, milk a cow and clean the stalls. Kids can earn a Spring Hill Ranch Certificate after doing chores.

Monday will school day. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the schoolmarm will give penmanship lessons, and teach spelling and reading from the McGuffey Readers at the one-room Lower Fox Creek School.

A 6.4-mile bus tour of the preserve’s back country is available at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. daily from April 26 to Oct. 26. The cost if $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 5 to18. There is no charge for children 4 and under. Call (620) 273-8494.

It’s Tracy and Rand Simmons who bought a bunch o’ chickens (from Jim and Marilyn) and other food for their family.

3 Comments

  1. Cheryl,
    I was not at the Farmers Market as I was a home ill. I have a nice case of pneumonia. I could be in the hospital, but I promised to be a good boy and do a lot of rest. The rest is a difficult request because of the growing season and my two senior dogs require a lot of exercise in the way of walks. It is now Sunday evening. Dogs and Tom have cabin fever.
    Florence wanted chicken from Jim and Marilyn. That is the reason you did not see me.

  2. Is it walking pneumonia, Tom? I didn’t think you were your chipper self when I visited your garden last week.

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