My First Published Photo

I'm so excited... Grit magazine published this photo on page 7 of their Jan/Feb issue! And they've requested two more photos for their Mar/Apr issue. AND I even get $25 for each photo they publish. A small amount, but I would have been happy just to have it published, so the $25 is another bonus!

For those not familiar with Grit magazine, it's been around a long, long time. I love this magazine for its country roots and its back to basics editorial. If you haven't ever read Grit magazine, I suggest you give it a read. You might just like it!

Bet Ya Didn't Know...

...that we grow cotton right here in south central Kansas!

Winter Moonrise

I guess it's really still autumn.

Wild West Fencepost

Unwelcome Visitor

Are words even necessary?

This critter is sitting on my back porch right now, and he WILL NOT LEAVE. I don't want to take the dogs out because it will be pandemonium and I will most likely end up in the crossfire!!


Update: I let Ringo out and when I came back, it looked like our friend was playing dead. So I took the girls outside one at a time, and we skirted around the critter, who never moved. Barack sniffed at him and then jumped back. I'm sure if I go look now, he'll be gone!

Ruben the Aussie

Ruben, an australian shepherd, is only 6 months old.
But boy oh boy, this guy really wanted to herd the cattle!
He came close to getting a kick in the face.

Autumn Sunsets

October sunset

Our sunsets this past week have been pretty glorious, every single night! I think the chilly autumn nights must have something to do with all the colors we are seeing in the skies. Whatever the reason, we sure are enjoying this beautiful spectacle each evening. I think it's amazing how many different sunsets are possible... the color variations seem to stretch to infinity, and I never tire of watching the sky put on its show for us!

Late-September sunset

More Flint Hills, Kansas!

In Cottonwood Falls...

... a few historical buildings...

... and the Chase County Courthouse.

Kansas dirt roads abound.

Fox Creek Schoolhouse in the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.

Wildflowers behind the schoolhouse.

Southfork Ranch mansion near Matfield Green...

...and the newly built barn to match.

This one's a real fixer-upper!!

Just Another Breathtaking Kansas Sunset SkyWatch Friday

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Flint Hills, Kansas

Historic stone wall in quaint town of Cottonwood Falls

Tonight's Autumn Glow - SkyWatch Friday

Enlarge this one to see the detail... there appears to be two layers of clouds, and there is a newly planted bright green field of winter wheat in the background, to the right. The sun is setting in the west (to my right), and it's casting a golden glow over the entire landscape.

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SkyWatch Friday

Murphy loves a beautiful, misty sunrise.
We had lots of fog one morning this week!

Go to SkyWatch Friday and check out beautiful skies from around the world!

Thank Gawd I'm a Country Dawg!

Tori isn't a fan of John Denver, but she is thankful to be a country dog.

This is How Ringo Rolls.... On Saturday

Color Carnival

My newest flower arrangement for fall, on our back porch deck.

Click on the Color Carnival logo above to see

the other entries at Martha's Color Carnival blog.

SkyWatch Friday

Sunrise over our pond early Friday morning

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Sweet Nectar

Click to enlarge -- wonderful detail!

Watch Out for the Raptors!

We have lots of raptors out here on the plains. I've tried and tried to get some good photos, but they are elusive, or just way too far away! This is the closest I've come to getting a fairly decent picture of one of the hawks flying overhead.

Tonight's Stormy Skies

Yes, a few birds flew in front of my camera!

Morning Glories A-Bloomin!

Gunner the Border Collie

Gunner is a herding dog. His owner (our farrier) said that he's great with goats. Once he was allowed out of the pickup truck, he ran, and ran, and ran, and ran.... well, you get the point. Then he discovered Murphy in his pen and ran back and forth, back and forth, back and forth... and finally, plopped down right in front of Murphy. I guess he decided that he had successfully "herded" Murphy and he was going to keep an eye on him!

The Biggest Bugs Live in Kansas

Just your average cicada... he crawled up out of these flowers as I was watering them the other day! I guess I'll have to admit... I have a fascination for big bugs. And snakes. And sometimes spiders. I just do not want any spiders on me. Then I do the spider dance...

Lazy Days of Summer

Country Fence

Tonight's Kansas Sunset

As these were uploading, I took one of the dogs outside. Just since I took these pictures about 15 minutes ago, now it is lightning within the huge clouds you see here. I wish I had time to get more pics, but it's late and I need to get things ready for work tomorrow!

Pastoral Sunset

A Cute Lil Frog - or Is There Such a Thing?!

This lil guy evaded the lawn mower the other day. Just barely...