K-Monster's Halloween Birthday

Saturday was Halloween and K-Monster's birthday is a couple days prior so my daughter held his birthday party so they all could go trick or treating afterward.
New decorations this year was the giant black pumpkin and black cat whose head went back...

...and forth.

There was the ghoul in the old pickup truck, the bones on that dash light up and what's left of the old spider they had built several years ago.

Saturday was a beautiful, sunshiny day. After eating pizza they all went outside and played on the trampoline and with the Nerf guns.

Little PK had my old camera and was being a shutterbug. I'll post some her pictures later.

My brother brought his new toy, and Airsoft gun, that the boys had fun shooting at pop cans and Styrofoam plates.

K-Monster had a giant cookie instead of a decorated cake.

And we sang 'Happy Birthday' but there were no candles.

After cake/cookie and ice cream it was time to open the presents. Most of his presents came in the form of cards with money in them, which was just fine with him.

Then we were directed outside where his new bicycle and Nerf gun were waiting for him.

Time for everyone to get dressed up...

Isn't she just the cutest little witch?

Here's our group of Trick or Treaters all ready to gather loads of candy.

Golden Wheat AHSGR October 18, Fall Meeting

FALL MEETING and Election of Officers

Sunday, October 18, 2009 - 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

1:00 p.m. to 1:30, gathering and registration; 1:30-2:30 potluck dinner

2:30 to 4:30 p.m., program: Immanuel Lutheran Church

909 South Market, Wichita

Come enjoy a unique program at our annual Fall meeting. The meeting will include Election of Officers and a presentation of Wheat Weaving by Martha and Marie Voth of North Newton using Turkey Red wheat. Their picture and an associated article were on the front page of Active Aging at the beginning of August. You will want to remember to move your chair to the front of the room during the presentation so you can see because their beautiful handiwork is too fragile to pass around.

From our President:
Dear Golden Wheat Friends:
Our October meeting is fast approaching, and First Vice President Harold Popp has come up with another great program. Please put October 18 on your calendar and plan to join us as twins Martha and Marie Voth share their skills of Turkey Red Wheat Weaving and Marquetry with us. One of their specialties is making beautiful pictures of old buildings from wheat straw (marquetry). It is also time for election of officers. You all come!

...After our covered dish dinner and meeting with election of officers, Harold Popp led us all in singing some songs in German including "How Great Thou Art", dedicating it to my dad's memory.

Next was the program given by the Voth sisters on creating artwork from wheat. They said that in the beginning they had used wheat grain in their artwork and they really liked it but so did the bugs. Now they remove ALL grains and seeds from their art medium. They told us about coloring and shaping the wheat and showed us a special tool that splits a wheat stem into six fine pieces that they then twist into a tiny rope with another machine.
They showed how they would take a picture and make copies of it, adjusting and cutting it into sections to get just the right angle to begin making their art.
The different sections are on varying thicknesses of cardboard to give the dimensional effect.

The butterflies below were for sale. There had been three of them but one was sold before I got a picture of it.

The sisters also wore pins that they had made from wheat.

Notice the 'rope' pieces on the pin below. Click on the picture to enlarge it.

Here is a picture of a golfer and the original picture it was made from.

All Kansans out there will recognize our state seal.

I thought these sunflowers, wild geraniums and butterfly was really pretty.

The camera did not do justice to this depiction of Russian Belarus' Glorious Birds.You can see the depth quality on the porch of the house below.

Sorry I couldn't get a better picture of this grand prize winner, it was behind glass and there was quite a glare from the big windows above. For those not familiar with Wichita KS, this is the Sedgwick County Historical Museum, formerly the Wichita City Hall. One of Wichita's 'castles'.

This beautiful cross is a wheat depiction of the ornate iron crosses in many of the GR cemeteries.

Next are the barns and farm scenes. This one a combination of wheat and watercolor.

Many of these are on a velvet background. Note the chicks to the lower right that are woven wheat and mounted on the frame.

This farmyard belonged to their Uncle William, done from old photos.

They consider barns the 'Castles of Prairies'. This one is about putting up hay on the Voth farm.

Another very enjoyable and informative meeting. The Voth sisters are very talented and if you get a chance you should see their work in person, it is amazing!

The Funeral

Does your family take coffin pictures? Some families don't. I remember dad telling me that he had an uncle that didn't believe in having his picture taken, something about graven images. But dad had seen a picture of this same uncle in his coffin, the only picture ever taken of him. On the Tuesday evening before the funeral the family gathered at the mortuary for the official viewing. Dad looked peaceful, at rest, sleeping the sleep of angels.

Wednesday, September 16 the little church in south Wichita was packed tight with friends and family.

The flag draped coffin stood stately in front of the alter.

Pastor Strother Gross was a good friend and joined in singing many songs with dad. The service was personal and from the heart.

Cousin Dianne requested to sing, I remember her singing at grandmother's funeral, dad's mom, so many years ago.

The pallbearers loaded the coffin up for the final trip.

Dad was a proud Marine and the color guard stood patiently waiting...

...along with the bugler.

Silently the color guard moved in determined form, raising the colors from the wooden coffin...

...taps began playing from across the headstones.

When taps had ended the flag was folded...

...saluted...

...and presented to my mother.

...the final farewell for a life well served.

The pall bearers filed past and placed their corsages in front of the grave.

Back at the church the ladies of the church prepared a wonderful meal for the family.

Cousin Dave picked up dad's guitar from the table and began to play...

...soon we all circled round and joined in. This is what we always have done when we get together.

The video I had put together for dad's 80th birthday played on big screen in the background.

And we sang, and we laughed...

...and we remembered that this is what we ALWAYS do. Below, the remaining two of the five brothers and a little sister.

And everyone noticed the absence of that golden rich tone that was my father's voice. A voice I could always pick out no matter how large the choir. I'll be listening for you, daddy.

Harold C. Heinrichs, My Father

Heinrichs, Harold “Harry” C., peacefully joined heavens choir Thursday, September 10. Harold was born December 13, 1925 in Kirk, Colorado to Cornelius P. and Helena (Klassen) Heinrichs. He was the middle boy of five brothers and a little sister. At home Harold learned the qualities of Christ's love that carried him throughout his life. He also learned the joy of song and fellowship with friends and family. Harold also loved his country and December 8, 1943 he enlisted in the Marines. As a radio operator and tail gunner of a Hellcat he participated in the occupation of China. Sergeant Heinrichs, with a Good Conduct Medal was honorably discharged July 9, 1946. Upon his return, he worked with his brother, Arthur, as a blacksmith, did some farming and even worked as a rancher in the mountains of Colorado, his home state. He then made his way east to Goodland. It was there he met and married his wife of 59 years, Vida Nielee "Lee" Seigal, and became a foreman for Rhoads Construction. While at Rhoads, he met John Evans and Archie Lynch, his eventual business partners. After the three worked as sub-contractors on the first Learjet building in Wichita in 1960, they decided Wichita might be a good location to go into business for themselves. So, two years later, they founded Evans Building Co., which specialized in commercial and industrial construction where Harold worked till his retirement in 2007. At home Harold was involved in his Church, Southwest Presbyterian, as an Elder, adult Sunday School teacher and singing in the choir among other activities. He was active in Boys Scouts for many years, going on camp outs and teaching the boys songs around the campfire. In his community he was active in the Southwest Neighborhood Association whose concern was the welfare and safety of those living in the community. Another organization that Harold was deeply involved with was the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, being a National member and also a member, and on the board of, the local Golden Wheat Chapter. Through AHSGR Harold and his family shared a bond with others going back to ancestry of German colonies living in Russia for hundreds of years. By doing various volunteer work to raise funds, money sent to the National Headquarters helped to save and purchase vital documents that had been "lost" for years behind "the wall" dividing Russia from the rest of the world and Harold was able to connect with his Mennonite ancestry that had before been unknown. A hobby that he enjoyed was wood carving and he had a fondness for carving 3 dimensional pictures of covered bridges. In all this Harold shared his love of singing and a constant in his life was his guitar and song. Harold and his wife, sometimes accompanied by grandchildren traveled hundreds of miles many times over the years attending family reunions for both of their families. Harold loved and was greatly loved by all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren which he spent as much time with as he could. Harold is survived by his loving family; wife, Lee; son, Kent (Debbie); and daughters, Leann (Ben) Strobel, Norwich KS; Carol, Tucson AZ; grandchildren; Melissa (Aaron) Goodman; Jerry, Ted & Bobby Strobel; Shandy (Keith) Worsham, Shad (Melissa) Valentine, Harry & Jimmy Sammon; 16 great-grandchildren; brother, Wesley (Ann), sister, Kathy (Gordon) Fahlgren and sister-in-law Ima; many nieces and nephews and extended family John Ross, Lucy and Hong Fritts and Willa Applegate. Visitation at Resthaven Mortuary will begin Monday at 11am till 9pm Tuesday. Services will be at Southwest Presbyterian Church on Wednesday at 10am. Interment will be at Resthaven Cemetery at 11:30am. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to any of our Veterans groups or a charity of your personal preference.

The Wichita Eagle has also done a written an Obituary for the Business section in today's paper. I copy it here below...

Evans Building co-founder loved to teach and make friends

BY RICK PLUMLEE
The Wichita Eagle

In an industry where sharp words are often spoken, Harold "Harry" Heinrichs brought a sense of humor, kindness and respect to construction sites.

A co-founder of Evans Building Co., which has operated in Wichita since 1962, he also had a can-do attitude.

"He was the most congenial guy, easy to get along with," said Larry Hopper of Hopper's Glass, who worked for more than 40 years on job sites with Mr. Heinrichs. "Whatever he said went. All it took was a handshake. You didn't need a contract."

Mr. Heinrichs died Thursday at a Wichita hospital. He was 83.

In an interview with The Eagle shortly before Mr. Heinrichs retired in January 2008, his wife, Lee, recalled the time he fell 15 feet off a Brewster schoolhouse roof.

"I didn't fall off, I walked off," he said with a chuckle.

A native of Colorado, Mr. Heinrichs joined the Marines at the age of 18 and served in the Pacific during World War II. He returned to Colorado to work as a blacksmith, farmer and rancher.

He later moved to Goodland, where he met Lee. They celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary Sept. 2 at the hospital.

Mr. Heinrichs helped found Evans Building with John Evans and Archie Lynch shortly after the three worked together at Rhoads Construction in Goodland.

Bill Johnson, now president of Evans Building and John Evans' nephew, has been with the company full time since 1973.

"Harry wasn't afraid to teach you anything," Johnson said. "And he always looked at the good side no matter what was going on."

As the company's general superintendent, Mr. Heinrichs was on the front line in dealing with customers.

"They liked him because he was a hands-on guy," Johnson said. "There was nothing he couldn't build."

During Evans Building's early years, it bid on a contract for a particularly large, complex structure for an Emporia company.

Johnson said the company owner called Mr. Heinrichs and asked, "Have you ever built anything like this?"

"No, I haven't," Mr. Heinrichs replied.

"Can you do it?," the owner asked.

"It goes together one piece at a time," Mr. Henrichs replied, "so it won't be a problem."

Johnson said that was typical of Mr. Heinrichs.

"There wasn't anything he was afraid to tackle," Johnson said. "He kept it simple."

For a number of years before he officially retired, Mr. Heinrichs came to work three days a week to repair equipment and tools.

"He was very caring and fun-loving," Kent Heinrichs said of his father. "I don't know if he ever met a stranger. He liked people."

Mr. Heinrichs was also a former deacon at his church, Southwest Presbyterian, and in recent years was active with the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia.

Besides his wife and son, he is survived by two daughters, Leann Strobel and Carol Heinrichs.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Southwest Presbyterian Church, 1511 W. 27th St. South. Interment is at 11:30 a.m. at Resthaven Mortuary and Cemetery, 11800 W. Kellogg.

Lost Ladybug Project

In Sunday's Wichita Eagle I saw the following article...

Scientists in search of nation's lost ladybugs
BY MARY ESCH
Associated Press

ITHACA, N.Y. —A year after they launched a nationwide search for dwindling native ladybugs, New York researchers are breeding colonies of them from insects found by citizen scientists in Oregon and Colorado....

The article gave a link to the project's website (here). If you're looking for an interesting project to do with your children, this one has all sorts of resources.
I'm always seeing ladybugs in my garden and have noted that they don't all look the same, so this was quite interesting to me. Today I went out with my camera and found the one below on the okra. After looking at the picture on my computer I believe that there were also larva, most noticeably to the left (possibly two?) and then to the right. All out of focus. This ladybird, it's actual name, looks to be a seven spotted, an import from Asia.

The next one I found on a cucumber leaf, it's a Multicolored Asian.

And this larva was scurrying around on a leaf beneath it.

Many years ago I found a mass of these larva on the cement foundation of my house that is kept warm being on the south side in the sun. At that time I didn't have a clue WHAT they were. After doing some research I finally that they were ladybird beetles. Amazing the transformation they make. So grab your cameras and head outdoors for a ladybug/ladybird beetle hunt, maybe YOU have some nine spot in your yard.

Small Town Snapshot Sunday #14

Bountiful Harvest!

With the weather being cooler than usual I've been going out to collect from my garden every other day and every time I have at least two of these baskets full of vegetables. I am currently giving away vegetables to friends and family because my freezer is full.

On Sundays our little town is usually very quiet. This afternoon I put two baskets of vegetables in my bike cart and rode over to my daughter's house. She only took a few yellow tomatoes and a bell pepper. I thought I might find someone else out enjoying the weather to give some veggies to but the streets were pretty empty. I did find my daughter's neighbor getting out of her car and she took one zucchini. I rode to my dil's house and she took the rest of the tomatoes and the other bell pepper. Her mother was there visiting and she took the zucchini off my hands to give out at where she works. I really hate for veggies to go to waste.

Update on my dad: He had gone home on Friday but was back in the hospital Saturday night, low blood pressure.

59th Wedding Anniversary

My mom and dad were married September 2, 1950... 59 years ago today.
I called my mother this morning and wished her "Happy Anniversary?" The question in my voice because dad is in the hospital. She said that she was going to go to the store before going up to the hospital and get dad a red rose.
I went to the hospital later because I wanted to get a picture of them together for their anniversary.
We're hoping that dad can go home on Friday. We'll just have to wait and see.

I LOVE YOU, Mom & Dad!

Small Town Snapshot Sunday #13

Wendy at On the Front Porch hosts Small Town Snapshot Sunday. Check out the other participating bloggers on Wendy's blog, then join us and post one of your own!

I'm having difficulty putting together a STSS for this last Sunday. Last Tuesday my dad was taken by ambulance to the hospital. He has had health problems for several years now. He's been in and out of the hospital, but this time was different. I called the kids and they visited him on Wednesday. On Sunday my dh and I, my daughter and her family and my son and his family loaded up in our vehicles and drove to the big city from our small town. Dad looked pretty good really. He was sitting up eating lunch when we arrived.
He talked a bit with the great grandkids, but his hearing isn't to great anymore and it makes it difficult to carry on a conversation.

So he watched cartoons with them.

Tomorrow mom will be calling hospice to find out what they can do to help if dad is released to go home. Please have a look as some of the previous post I've done about my dad, my hero.

Small Town Snapshot Sunday #12

Wendy at On the Front Porch hosts Small Town Snapshot Sunday. Check out the other participating bloggers on Wendy's blog, then join us and post one of your own!

This post is going to say it was posted on Sunday Aug. 24th, but I probably won't get it posted till late Monday. It's been Grand Central Station around here for the past week, every day we've had family here. Last weekend a bil (there are 5 of them) asked if he could come visit, where he's at was holding their yearly celebration and it gets a little too congested for his liking. Also on the weekends I usually have one of my daughter's two sons here on the computer in the playroom. On Thursday the hubby and I were talking about going to town to shop when there was a knock at the front door. I find one of hubby's nephews with another bil. The nephew's wife had to come to Wichita for a class of some sort so he was making rounds visiting everyone. We hadn't seen him in a while so it was a pleasant surprise. He said he tried to call but didn't get an answer. I checked the numbers he had and there was a mixup with the area code which is why he didn't get hold of us. He was back out on Friday with pictures that he'd left in the room the day before. On Thursday my youngest asked if I could watch his children on Saturday so he could take his wife out on a date and I told him I would. Saturday morning another son was out with his boy who always calls my youngest's boy to come play. Then in late afternoon the girls are brought over. They all want to dress up and I am told to take pictures and make another story. We'll see...

The Princess, being a true Kansas girl, loves her ruby slippers...

Princess Knight doesn't like being type cast and likes changing the whole good/bad, girlie/tomboy thing on a whim...

The wings she is wearing I purchased off Ebay several years ago. One of my future craft projects is to make my own wings for fantasy play.

Check out the pink dress up shoes she's got on. I had convinced her to leave them off when we were traveling around the yard.

After they tired of the dress up play they came and asked if they could use the walkie talkies and asked to go to the park. The park is only a block away. While they were gone, K-Monster and I moved the TV from the guest room and his Xbox to the still unfinished studio. He had also brought his new notebook from school which he was able to get on the Internet in the studio. When the others came back from the park we surprised them with the games set up in the studio.

K-Monster helped them with the games on on his notebook.

I think they're getting a little too comfy in my craft studio. :) But I'm glad that I have it to put to use in such a way.

I wish I had taken pictures later because we put up two of the tables and brought in two queen size air mattresses and aired them up. K-Monster put a movie in his Xbox and he and the son's children spent the night in the studio. Sunday morning they were up fairly early for breakfast. Saturday late I had gotten an email from my mom to meet them for supper at 5:30pm Sunday. I had forgotten, but a long time family friend was in town. So after the son finished putting in my new mailbox and post we went to town. We had a wonderful visit and didn't get home till quite late. The week ahead doesn't look like it's going to slow up any either. Shopping on Monday. Doctor's appointment on Tuesday. Possible visitors on Wednesday......

Rainy Days & Sundays

We've had rain for the past two days, so I haven't done much of anything outside. My grass is really needing mowed but not till it dries out. I was driving home from downtown on Saturday and a bird landing on a telephone pole caught my attention. It is a hawk/kite of some sort and I thought it might be the same one that I had photographed earlier but I'm not so sure. This one appears to have a light colored head with a dark body and the other seems to have a dark colored head. The under body of the other one is light colored but I can't tell what it's back looks like.
Sunday my daughter and her husband brought over a truckload of lumber to burn in my fire pit. This was the remains of what once was K-Monster's fort/clubhouse and it was getting to be a hazard.

All the in-town grandkids came over to swim and eat icees.

The fire got hot enough the the sil had to find a long board to move things around with.

Below is what the fire pit looks like after two days of rain. Amazing that the full truckload burned down to nothing. You can see how intense the heat had been by the yellow grass all around the pit. I shouldn't have to worry about taking the weed eater to that for a while.

Took some pictures of the flowers that have bloomed around my garden. Only two large ones.

A pink zinnia...

Is this a giant marigold?

The same two from the other side....

The tomato plants are loaded but still not ripe.

Pumpkin is still looking good, but all the other vines are dying around it.

Just a lazy rainy day today. All the kids went back to school last Thursday. Need to figure out when to have the last swim of the season and get the pool drained.