This afternoon we have our first get together for a possible Southeast Kansas Art Group. It could be me just sitting there alone, or fifty people. No way to really prepare for specifics.
I am not great in new environments, think Alex Rover from "Nim's Island". So here goes, hoping it all goes smooth.
Showing posts with label southeast kansas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label southeast kansas. Show all posts
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Back From Conference
I spent the last two days at a Writer's Conference. Good info, good people, good times had by all. But, wondering if I should move on next year.
I have gone to this particular conference for 4 years (I think). And although my time there is accurately described above, it is not really aimed at my target market. When I first started going it was to get my feet wet in the world of conferences. Now, I fear, it is time to spread my horizons a bit wider.
Not that I have outgrown them in any way, many of these folks put what I do to shame! I just need a different challenge than what I get there each year.
So, now I am looking for one to go to that;
1. Fits my needs (Target Market)
2. Is relatively close
3. I can afford.
I have gone to this particular conference for 4 years (I think). And although my time there is accurately described above, it is not really aimed at my target market. When I first started going it was to get my feet wet in the world of conferences. Now, I fear, it is time to spread my horizons a bit wider.
Not that I have outgrown them in any way, many of these folks put what I do to shame! I just need a different challenge than what I get there each year.
So, now I am looking for one to go to that;
1. Fits my needs (Target Market)
2. Is relatively close
3. I can afford.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Cotton Process
Before I grew cotton this summer I had never seen it first hand. I live in southeast Kansas and I am told there are two cotton gins in the state. (Which is nothing compared to Alabama, Tennessee etc..) This is about as far north as you can grow it, from what I understand.
In each boll there are four of these that pull off and fluff up.
As you pull them apart you will find seeds inside. Each of the 'bumps' in the above holds a seed.
You have to pull each one out and separate the fibers.
It is a slow and relatively tedious process that took me a number of hours to do by hand.
Once I was done separating the seeds and fibers I chose to put them both into plastic bags to protect them from any pet hair, dirt etc... I was told to expect a Grey toned fiber, but instead it is a sort of creamy white.
In the left are the seeds that I will keep back for next year. On the right is all of the fiber packed into one bag. To see how much it is packed, consider that the previous image has only a very small amount outside of the bag. Think of purchased batting, once you start pulling it from the bag it's as if it is on steroids and expands up to 10 times in size.
In each boll there are four of these that pull off and fluff up.
As you pull them apart you will find seeds inside. Each of the 'bumps' in the above holds a seed.
You have to pull each one out and separate the fibers.
It is a slow and relatively tedious process that took me a number of hours to do by hand.
Once I was done separating the seeds and fibers I chose to put them both into plastic bags to protect them from any pet hair, dirt etc... I was told to expect a Grey toned fiber, but instead it is a sort of creamy white.
In the left are the seeds that I will keep back for next year. On the right is all of the fiber packed into one bag. To see how much it is packed, consider that the previous image has only a very small amount outside of the bag. Think of purchased batting, once you start pulling it from the bag it's as if it is on steroids and expands up to 10 times in size.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
BY GOLLY! IT'S COTTON!!!
It's finally here!!! What a great surprise when I rounded the corner of the yard I saw bits of white. Needless to say I ran for the camera. :0)
There are about 14 plants total, and each has a number of the bolls. Not enough to really make anything. Now you can all call it 'Cotton Picking Humboldt' for a reason :0)
There are about 14 plants total, and each has a number of the bolls. Not enough to really make anything. Now you can all call it 'Cotton Picking Humboldt' for a reason :0)
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Kansas Cotton - AHT Garden
Last month it was flooding, this month it is dried up and blowing away. The melons are pretty much done producing. As are the maters, green beans and cucumbers are all things of the past.
But the cotton, ahh the cotton :0)
Inside this weird 'bumb' lurks the makings of a cotton sock, sweater, or perhaps....just fluff. But I am waiting patiently.
From what I have read it should open in about a month, if the conditions are favorable.
Good page for cotton information.
Lots of gourds. Surprisingly the vines are still blooming too!
Garden - "Watch Cat"
Pumpkins look healthy and ready to pick. Too bad we didn't expect them to be at this point until at least mid September.
But the cotton, ahh the cotton :0)
Inside this weird 'bumb' lurks the makings of a cotton sock, sweater, or perhaps....just fluff. But I am waiting patiently.
From what I have read it should open in about a month, if the conditions are favorable.
Good page for cotton information.
Lots of gourds. Surprisingly the vines are still blooming too!
Garden - "Watch Cat"
Pumpkins look healthy and ready to pick. Too bad we didn't expect them to be at this point until at least mid September.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Flooding Southeast Kansas and Coffeyville
Corn and other crops throughout Southeast Kansas have been left with a great deal of damage. Expect anything related to jump in price.
Corn that about ready to be harvested is now useless for anything besides compost.
___________________
On June 30th Coffeyville, Kansas withstood one of, if not the worst flood in its history. Below are images taken on July 8th, 2007. A corridor through the damaged area has been made for traffic to go through a section of the damaged community. Driving through the path you can only get a small taste of the ruins left behind.
No one is allowed into much of the eastern portion of the town, except for emergency and government personnel.
As you get into Coffeyville on 169 coming from the north you are met with flashing light and a guarded highway.
Walnut
Police, National Guard, and Sheriff's officers are seen throughout, keeping people out of the restricted area.
Some of Coffeyville's finest
Some of Coffeyville's finest
Look close at how high the water was, and how the truck is now sitting.
Local Refinery
'Stuff' on the side of the building is oil
Notice the top edge is darker from the oil
Markings left on homes after searching
Only a fraction of the homes involved. Two weeks ago people lived their lives in these structures.
Spots around town have been set up as post for necessary personnel.
Businesses on the west side of town are opening back up for business. Boiling water order has been lifted. Interstate Fair and Rodeo has been cancelled for 2008.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Kansas Flood or "How Diane Spent Her Summer Vacation"
Today is my normal day off from my day job. But I considered going in when I heard that the new highway, was open to the south. BTW WHY do we still call it the NEW highway when it is over 20 years old?
Husband and I drove around during a lunch break to see how things were going. The image below is the traffic backup on the new highway. I told the day job (library) if they got busy to call, and I could probably be there in about 15 minutes. This pic obviously shows I was wrong.
The water has receded to where life is beginning to return to normal. For some that is....
Iola, KS (10 miles north of where i live in Humboldt) homes affected are labeled with either yellow or red signs. The yellow, is logically to show caution when entering. There were a large number of homes though with the red signs, as it usually is this includes a large percentage of people in low income areas.
"Keep Out Uninhabitable"
As you come into the south side of Iola there has already been a large amount of cleanup. But there are still bails of hay sitting along side the road where they were drug and left.
Husband and I drove around during a lunch break to see how things were going. The image below is the traffic backup on the new highway. I told the day job (library) if they got busy to call, and I could probably be there in about 15 minutes. This pic obviously shows I was wrong.
The water has receded to where life is beginning to return to normal. For some that is....
Iola, KS (10 miles north of where i live in Humboldt) homes affected are labeled with either yellow or red signs. The yellow, is logically to show caution when entering. There were a large number of homes though with the red signs, as it usually is this includes a large percentage of people in low income areas.
"Keep Out Uninhabitable"
As you come into the south side of Iola there has already been a large amount of cleanup. But there are still bails of hay sitting along side the road where they were drug and left.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Southeast Kansas Flooding Update
I live in Humboldt, Kansas. The population less than 2000 and is approx 30 miles from Fredonia, a town seen on the weather channel this weekend. Record breaking flooding levels in the entire region. Iola, ten miles north of us, has evacuated the south part of the community. Twelve counties declared as a state of emergency.
Word is that the water has not been this high since 1990 so below are images taken over the last 24 hours. (posted July 1, 1 pm, 2007)
This is the road on the west side of town. In a small town such as our this is a major occurrence, at one point there were even people in lawn chairs.
Another shot of the bridge west of town. There is a house on either side of this image, on either side of the street. One on the right has had water into the structure, the one on the left up to the house but not into. (Neither house is visible in the photo)
Homes on the south side of town have been flooded. These images were taken last night just before sunset. You now can not reach the road I took from.
This was taken from the overpass looking at 169 highway south of town, at about 7pm last night. Since then the water has gone over the road and it is now closed. The only way out of town is to get on 169 going north and not get off until Kansas City, 100 miles away.
This road is also now closed, image taken last night about 7 pm. It is the road you get on to get to the overpass shown in the previous image.
Can no longer get to this area either, west of town. In the distance you can see the bridge referred to in the first image.
Word is that the water has not been this high since 1990 so below are images taken over the last 24 hours. (posted July 1, 1 pm, 2007)
This is the road on the west side of town. In a small town such as our this is a major occurrence, at one point there were even people in lawn chairs.
Another shot of the bridge west of town. There is a house on either side of this image, on either side of the street. One on the right has had water into the structure, the one on the left up to the house but not into. (Neither house is visible in the photo)
Homes on the south side of town have been flooded. These images were taken last night just before sunset. You now can not reach the road I took from.
This was taken from the overpass looking at 169 highway south of town, at about 7pm last night. Since then the water has gone over the road and it is now closed. The only way out of town is to get on 169 going north and not get off until Kansas City, 100 miles away.
This road is also now closed, image taken last night about 7 pm. It is the road you get on to get to the overpass shown in the previous image.
Can no longer get to this area either, west of town. In the distance you can see the bridge referred to in the first image.
Taken last night at about 7 pm. The bridge I stood on to take this image is no longer accessible.
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