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Wandering north to the small town of Lawson found larger than life kites flying.  The event was to have been under a partly cloudy sky, but the weather proved itself uncooperative.  Steel gray skies dominated the day, with a cold wind keeping things at a barely tolerable state. The lake was choppy, though scenic in its simplicity and, the 2.5 km hike around the lake, refreshing. The event likely would have drawn many more to the space on a sunny day.    Food trucks stood at the ready for the throngs, ultimately left patiently waiting in the cold. Kite-building activities could not be located, though a variety were available for purchase at what seemed much higher than market value.  Future dates under more copacetic conditions will likely amass a more excited event. . . . further reading Kite Day at Lawson Lake

The birthday of a friend offered up the opportunity to see Bob Walkenhorst of The Rainmakers perform in an intimate setting.  It had been a long time since catching this act and it was no less enjoyable than ever.  Fun music!  Fun times. . . .  further reading Bob Walkenhorst

  An entirely random invitation piqued interest in this event, held at Staley High School in the northland of Kansas City. Friendly faces and tasty treats were made available, but the main event proved to be the dancing.  Nearly every nation was represented through small presentations of song, dance, and cultural display. The Germans were one of the loudest, and for many, the most fun.  Children duplicated their stomping rhythm and swinging motions below the stage, giggling the entire way.  . . . further reading Northland Ethnic Festival (eeckc.org)

An morning adventure out to the Kansas City found one of the new monuments as part of the Kansas City Parade of Hearts, identified as one of the most endangered species in the town.  While that is highly unlikely, it is probably close enough to the truth. The penguins were found doing their usual thing in the grand auditorium built for them.  The crew found quite a lot of amusement here, watching their regular feeding and established swimming acrobatics, surrounded by a display of jellyfish.  The day proved perfect for them, with a few periods of light snow and a little graupel here and there. A trip down to Africa found only a solitary example of the school mascot pacing anxiously.  The cheetah seemed not very impressed with the cooler than usual temperatures on this temporary savanna.  The young explorers did not seem to mind much, as the lack of other population in that part of the zoo meant they could get away with a bit more running and shouting than would ...