visit to Gari Melchers Home and Studio

On a recent Sunday Kenyon and I took a tour at the Gari Melchers estate. It is a beautiful older home from the 1920's. Gari Melchers was a portrait artist...and apparently a pretty good one.

It costs money to go in to the home and art studio. Since we have not received a paycheck in months, we didn't do that part of the tour. What we did do was the FREE guided tour of the grounds on the estate. The tour is guided by volunteers and there are a couple of tours like ours scheduled throughout the week.

It was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon...being outside in nature, on a walk, and learning about things I had no knowledge of before. I learned about indigenous vegetation and wildlife...and also about natural elements that were introduced from other places like Europe. But, the best part for me was the insight on what life was like in those days.

There was a carriage area in the front of the house with a cement stoop to let the ladies off. The designated garden area was HUGE. Why? Because that is what it took to produce enough food for their family. Because this man was a sought after artist they had a big and beautiful house and other amenities like ice.

Where they got the ice is the most interesting story to me. It's source is a nearby creek. It was obvious they had created a pooled area kind of like what happens when beavers build a dam, but this was man-made with stones. In the winter they would lay out slats of wood and let the water freeze, then stack more wood on top of the frozen water, and so on and so on, until they had layers of ice. Before the ice melted, they would come out with a ice saw and cut it in to blocks then store it underground. They would serve this treat at parties because ice was considered a luxury item.

Walking the grounds I kept thinking about the value of self-sustained living.

just Sheri, intrigued by sustainable living

bits of my weekend: couples dance

Kenyon and I are still working on making our new location feel like home, and that means getting out and about. We had heard about a community dance being put on by a local church. They were going to provide childcare until 11pm. There would be some food and music. We decided to go. Worst case scenario, we would make a memory that later we could say, "Do you remember that time..."

We definitely made a memory!

We were one of the youngest couples in the room. Most were in their 50's. The music was a jazz band. We knew we were out of place when the lead singer mentioned a song that should take the group back to memories of the Ed Sullivan show. Hmmm...we don't have memories of that show as we weren't born yet. My husband can often have me laughing until I cry while giving what I call his "running commentary." Our dance event was no exception.

It may not have been the kind of event that had us kicking up our heels, but it was an enjoyable experience. Honestly, I was impressed with a church that would go to such lengths to give couples a good time - providing food, music, a fun atmosphere and most importantly childcare.

just Sheri, happy feet

review of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

I am NOT an artist, but I am an art enthusiast. For years I have wished that I could create colorful works of beauty, but alas, that is not my gifting...no matter how hard I wish for it. However, I still love to view works of art and attend performing art events.

One of the things Kenyon and I missed in recent years was the wide availability of art. He proposed to me in the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. In our courting days and early marriage we spent many date nights at a theater event or art show (in Kansas City there are many, as well as in my home town of Santa Fe).

Now that we are back in the US and have a few major metropolises in our vicinity - we are going to take advantage of the amenities available to us (and the time unemployment has afforded us).

Recently we toured the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

There is a sculpture garden, all sorts of paintings and even furniture. The museum had some of the prettiest stained glass windows I've seen up close. We spent a leisurely afternoon wandering the exhibits, picking our favorites, reading about the artists and giving our versions of what statement the art is trying to make. The variety of art is quite unique and because this state was an original colony and a battlefield site during the civil war there are also some unique pieces related to American history.

The best part...admission is FREE.

If you are looking for something to do in the Richmond, VA area. We recommend the Fine Art museum.

just Sheri, appreciative of the arts

take me out to the ball game

Take me out to the ball game, take me out with the crowd.

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack (or a funnel cake), I don't care if I never get back,

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

If they don't win it's a shame.

For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out, at the old ball game.

What a lovely summer it's been. I am glad we were able to partake in a good American pastime, baseball.

Sheri

Bowling

What I've learned in our few months of marriage is that my husband isn't one to complain. He left his family, friends he's had for years, a decent job, and the only city he's ever lived in - he left these things to support me in following my call to NC. What a man! You would think all this sacrifice would earn him a right to grumble every now and then, but he doesn't. I find that I am the one who complains about the weather, or the friends I left, the unfamiliarity of the area. His example challenges me to be more flexible and have a better attitude when things aren't as comfortable as they used to be.

While I was on my last trip I got an email from Kenyon, "I'm bored. There isn't anything to do here." That's the closest my husband has come to grumbling, it's more like a status report, but I got the message. When I came home, I told him that we would try out some of the things we haven't yet, we would take advantage of the opportunities that are available to us.

So, Saturday night when Kenyon got out of class we went to watch the Jayhawks play in the semi-final Big 12 game (yes, I am still a Jayhawk through and through). Then we met up with a couple I met through work - he is from the UK originally but has been living all over the world the last decade, his wife is from El Salvador and this is her first time living in the States. We decided to try out Boone Bowl. When we walked in Kenyon said, "this is the smallest bowling alley I've ever seen." What do you expect? We are in the smallest town either of us have ever lived in. We had a great evening! Flora, from El Salvador, had never bowled before. It was fun to introduce her to this American past time.

Will we go again? Who knows! But, we did make some great memories.

The BIG 3-0!

Kenyon turned thirty. We celebrated for a week! It started with dinner and a party with the Jones family. I got on an airplane the day of his actual birthday, but I left him some presents, a card and a decorated cookie that said "Happy Birthday." When I got back we celebrated again. I took him to Dave and Buster's - a large arcade. We had lunch, then played games. My favorite was the interactive boxing game. You put on gloves, stand on a pad and fight, the game registers your movements. I played it three times. I also always love the car racing games and skee-ball. We had a lot of fun and ended the date with an ice cream. Kenyon got the biggest waffle cone I'd ever seen - and he ate it all!

We leave to India in a few days. I will write again when we return.

July 4th

Kenyon and I had a great 4th of July. We went to Villagefest to watch the Marching Cobras in a community parade and eat good grilled foods. We also went to the pool to ride water slides and enjoy our day off.

In the evening we trecked out North to watch fireworks, in spite of the rain. We had dinner inside at one of the casinos and got to see one of the McFadden brothers preform while we ate our dinner. Luckily, the rain stopped. Allowing us to have a great time riding rides at the carnival, eating funnel cake, and then watching the firework show.

Legally Wed

As if my life isn't crazy enough with a multitude of projects, summer school, work, not to mention the largest India trip we've ever had coming up in a few weeks...add to that chaos - a wedding.

Kenyon and I were legally wed Saturday, June 16 - exactly one year to the day of our first date. We had a small garden ceremony with only a few in attendance. The minister is a man Kenyon has adopted as his dad - Father Jones. A small reception followed at a friends home. She went all out with a three tier cake, decorations and a sparkling apple cider toast. We had friends come from Chicago and the D.C. area to celebrate with us. I wore a hair pin from China and a hot pink outfit from India. Kenyon wore the suit we picked out for him in China. We may have been in Kansas, but this was an international/multi-cultural wedding! I wouldn't have it any other way. We party, party, party from here - in India in August, in Kansas City in August and in New Mexico in September. Hope you can make it to one of the parties.

Not as young as we used to be..

That was the theme for yesterday. I was having Kenyon try some yoga poses with me. He was grunting, I was sweating...half-way through an inverted pose he said, "we aren't as young as we used to be." Which caused me to laugh, loose all concentration, and I ended up in a ball on the floor. Not much later I convinced him to go roller skating with me. I've been sitting in front of a computer for at least 10 hours a day all week working on a conference paper and I wanted to get out and moooove. As we are rolling around the rink he comes up to me sweaty and says, "we aren't as young as we used to be, I just can't keep going like these young folks." On our roller skating excursion I took a nasty fall because there was a piece of some one's stopper left on the rink, that stopped me in my tracks. I've given myself a sore wrist and a bruised tailbone. What was Kenyon's response? You guessed it...say it together now...we're not as young as we used to be. He decided to participate in the speed skating competition at the roller rink. They had a 20 and older category. At the end, he came off the rink panting. The DJ actually stopped the competition because he said the contestants looked tired - and they did. They hadn't even finished one song. Kenyon only had one thing to say while shaking his head...we just aren't as young as we used to be. Have you ever had that feeling? At least we can laugh about it - it did make me appreciate that I can still do yoga and roller skate, because some day, I'm not going to be as young as I am now.

Surprise marriage proposal

Its official, he proposed. And I accepted. He actually asked me three times, once for every ring. It was awesome! I came in blindfolded, he had a whole set-up, including an audience. When the blindfold came off, I saw all the people who were there to celebrate with us. My mom, aunt Carmen and aunt Gloria flew in from New Mexico for the event. What a surprise that was! They were the first thing I saw when the blindfold was removed. When the proposal was complete, it was sealed with a prayer and blessing by the group and Pastor Jones (Kenyon calls him Dad). Everyone said it felt like a wedding (minus the actual license). I felt so loved by all of those in attendance, and especially by my man for all his hard work. I'm a lucky girl! I told you I'd let you know when it happened...well, it happened. Now on to the weddings (that's right, there will be more than one on two different continents) and receptions (that's right, there will be more than one of those, too). Let the celebrations begin!

Boxing

NOTE: this post is not appropriate for children or those who are easily grossed out. I'm serious, there will be blood and gore involved. If you are under the age of thirteen, don't read any further. Others, proceed at your own risk. Consider yourself warned.

Last night I had a first-time-ever-in-my-whole-life experience. I attended a boxing match. I've watched boxing before on TV and can get in to the competition of it all. In the past I've rooted for Evander Holyfield and rooted against Mike Tyson. I've cheered on Oscar De La Hoya. I confess, I even watched that low-rated TV show featuring Sylvester Stallone called "The Contender." Watching boxing on TV and watching it in person are two VERY different things. To be sitting two rows away from the ring to see the sweat and blood, to hear the sound of a fist meeting with some one's face. TV just doesn't capture real life in the same way. Kenyon's brother James has taken up boxing we went to cheer him on. They had little kids boxing - the 79 lb weight class. I called one of those boys Tigger the Tiger because all he did was bounce around the ring - bouncy, bouncy, bouncy. The bloodiest fight was between two 12 yr olds. With one hit there was a bloody mess. He busted his nose and lip. When he popped out his mouth guard he had a pool of blood in the guard. There was a moment I thought I might throw-up. The match was called in favor of the clean contestant and then they wiped up the mat for the next fight. James was round 13. He was in the big boy class. He is 30 years old, married and a father of two girls, and just taking up fighting. He was well matched with his opponent. There were some very big hits on both sides, but in the end James won. I told him afterward, I'm glad he's our friend because I wouldn't want to be his enemy. I know who I'll call if I ever need a body guard.

Rock-Chalk Jayhawk!

It's basketball season, again! I love college basketball. I miss my season tickets. It was one of my many sacrifices in returning to school. Boo hoo! One of my generous professors donated a game to a needy PhD student - ME! I took Kenyon to his first college basketball game. He wasn't aware of all the rule changes, etc in college basketball. He played b-ball in high school and he's watched NBA games. It was surprise to him that there are two periods rather than four quarters and some of the calls are different - such as what constitutes a foul, etc. We had a great time. I was so happy to be in Allen Fieldhouse for a game. The other games have been watched from the comfort of my bedroom in solitude. When I yelled at the TV, I felt kind of silly all alone in my apartment. It's a whole lot better yelling with a crowd of thousands.

bacteria...

I carry my camera just about everywhere. My friend Angela calls me "the historian" because I take pictures of everything. Kenyon gets fed up with the camera some times. He usually says something like, "do you really need a picture of that?," why do you have to always pull out the camera?," or "baby, I really don't want to take a picture right now." We went to dinner the other night in Lawrence before attending a Jayhawk basketball game. Lawrence is a college town. I thought it would be fun to take Kenyon to one of the college hotspots - a KU institution - Johnny's Tavern. Kenyon went in to the bathroom to wash his hands and decided it wasn't a hygenic place to eat. Why? The bathroom was a mess. He heard on TV that 9 million Americans die annually due to bacteria. Surprise, surprise - he wanted the camera to take a picture. I thought I would share.

Lemon Meringue

This weekend Kenyon gave me a wonderful gift - okay, many wonderful gifts, but I'm particularly grateful for a specific one. Friday he bought me a coat from my "wish list" with a matching scarf, hat, and glove set. And it's not even Christmas! He just showed up with it! Saturday, he cooked an elaborate meal while I was studying at the library (I was there open to close. Ugh!). I came home to salad, pork chops, chicken breast, alfredo pasta, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn bread, blueberry muffins, apple cinnamon muffins, and...fresh lemon meringue pie. I can't think of anything so romantic as a home lemon meringue pie. Very impressive! My definition of romance has changed over the years. Rather than fancy dinners, exotic locations, and elaborate gifts - it includes thoughtful gifts from the heart, like a homemade lemon meringue pie. It was such a thoughtful gift and refreshing after a long, grueling, unpleasant day of studying. What a man! Pardon my bragging, I just had to share. I've been enjoying my pie all week. I finished it off last night, enjoying the last piece for dessert.

the Kenyon fairy

This is how I sometimes refer to Kenyon. Why? Because he sweeps in and does nice things and leaves, unnoticed. I don't see him. I just see the results. Since my July trip to India the Kenyon fairy has been cleaning my place. I would leave for work with the ironing board out, dishes in the sink, towel and discarded clothes on the floor, bed unmade. I would come home from work with everything in place. The handiwork of the Kenyon fairy. Since starting school the Kenyon fairy has been busy! Not only does he continue to clean my place. He also shops for groceries. I open the fridge one day and it's empty. Next day its full. Same thing happens with my gas tank - empty to full with the blink of an eye. He takes out the trash, puts away laundry, does errands. I can't count the number of times this semester the Kenyon fairy has been to library for me picking up and dropping off books. I'll use this week as an example. I left last Wednesday to D.C., my place was less than clean and my gas tank was empty. Sunday night when I returned I was welcomed to a clean home. Monday on my way to school I realized I hadn't got gas and it had nearly been on empty - I look at the gauge and abra-ca-dabra...gas tank is full! The Kenyon fairy has struck again! He took mail to the post office and books to the library. He left sticky notes (needed for continuous studying), flowers and a sweet handwritten card. The bed has been made and bathroom clean, and I didn't do it. I am so lucky to have a Kenyon fairy. What would I do without him?

Dating is fun!

One of the things I enjoy about Kenyon is he makes me feel young. Anyone who knows me well knows this is a noteworthy accomplishment. I am generally 10-years ahead of my time - have been as long as I can remember. I feel older than my age and most of my friends are in the age range I feel rather than my actual age. I have reserved Saturday nights to hang out with Kenyon. He works in the evenings M-F and I spend my days (and most of my weekends) studying. Saturday night is my one scheduled time to be a person again. Hallelujah! Each week Kenyon plans fun things for us to do. In the last few weeks we have played pool, went to the arcade, and took salsa dancing lessons (mostly for his sake, I've been salsa dancing since I was a kid). I think the last time I was in a pool hall or arcade was college. I had a lot of fun doing both. I suggest you grab your loved one and take them on a date. Do something you haven't done in years, even if it feels silly at first. My guess is, it will generate some laughs and fond memories. I forgot that dating can be so much fun, but don't just take my word for it...try it out for yourself.

Renaissance Festival

One of my birthday gifts from a good friend was comp tickets to the KC Renaissance Festival. I took Kenyon as my date. He'd never been before. What happens at the Renaissance Festival? Eating, activities, shows, and (my all time favorite) people watching. This is a prime people watching location. Folks of all makes, models, shapes and sizes come in costume. This year I saw a large poodle who's hair had been dyed and cut to make it look like a green dragon with purple polka-dots and a yellow mohawk. No joke! The owner was dressed like a fairy. If I'd had a camera I'd of taken a picture, but I think you get the visual. Kenyon and I walked around, watched a very entertaining magic show, and ate a caramel apple. It was a nice fall activity - with one exception, the weather was about 90 degrees in October! What's up with that! I'm not complaining, it was just unexpected. The KC Renaissance Festival, one of the many activities that make this city a nice place to live...Huzzah!

Homecoming?

I forgot to mention, when Kenyon and I were out celebrating my 30th birthday the funniest thing happened. We had some time between the art museum and our dinner reservations. We were walking around Crown Center and Union Station. You saw the picture, we were dressed up. A girl who looked high school aged asked if we were going to homecoming. That's right...at my 30th birthday celebration I was asked by a young person if I was going to my high school homecoming. I laughed out loud. It was flattering. May I have many more birthday's where I'm mistaken for a high schooler. Ha!

No longer twenty-something

This week I said good-bye to my twenties. I have officially crossed into the next decade...thirty-something. I had a great birthday. Thanks to all of you for the cards, e-cards, phone calls, and well wishes. I put aside the books for a few days and felt like a person again - if only for a little while. Friday night I joined some girlfriends for happy hour and fun at the annual Plaza art fair. Saturday Kenyon spoiled me, he planned activities for the entire day. It was like something out of a movie. Sunday we went to church, then hung out with some close family friends. Monday (my actual birthday) was back to reality. I woke up at 5am to being studying, spent most of the day reading, and attended two classes. Not as much fun as the weekend, but I guess that is the price of being an adult. Ugh!

Foundations

I've been doing a lot of reading (for school, yes) but I am still reading some on my own. Since starting this relationship with Kenyon I have had some old feelings emerge. Feelings of uncertainty, vulnerability, distrust and fear. Things I had thought I had dealt with, but they have unexpectedly resurfaced. I called my old counselor, we haven't met for over a year, I wanted to know if she had any insight on what I might do to combat this. I ended up with some book suggestions; "Hiding from Love" by Townsend and "Lord, I want to Be Whole" by Stormie Omartian. I have only begun the second book, but the first book had some good lessons that I think everyone can benefit from:

LESSON ONE: We are created by God for relationship. We need other people, it is how we are made - like it or not, it's a fact.

LESSON TWO: We may create hiding patterns to protect ourselves from pain, legitimate pain. This is a healthy thing to do, rather than subject ourselves to the pain. BUT (that's a BIG but), when we take these hiding patterns with us to other relationships it is unhealthy. It ultimately isolates us from what we need most - relationship.

I have learned hiding patterns to protect myself from legitimate and very real pain. In order for my current relationship to work, and I want it to work, I need to unlearn these patterns. I need to be vulnerable. I shouldn't run away just because it's uncomfortable. If I choose to run away now, I will just keep running. It would be an unhealthy choice at this point. Okay, enough psycho-babble. I wrote all of this to share this uncertainty has grown my faith. I learned something about God in this. I grew up in the church and I've often heard sermons on how God is our rock and foundation, how he is our strength. I know the parable of the house built on sand and the one built on solid ground. I have recently learned how this applies to our relationships with others. I've been hurt and hurt deeply, but Christ is my foundation. He is the starting point on which I build relationship with others. Will they disappoint me? Likely, because they are human. Can I survive it? Absolutely. Security in my relationship with God helps me to take risks in my relationships with people. In my relationship with Christ I am standing on solid ground with no need to fear. Amazing!

And just so you don't worry...Kenyon is awesome; its not him, its me. He is being patient with me as I work through this. What a man!