(Source: beardsleyjones, via thatkindofwoman)

When I saw this cow in Kansas City today, I wondered what in the hell was going on here. One look on Wikipedia gave me the answer. The following info is from Wikipedia:

“The American Hereford Association is a trade organization that promotes Hereford cattle.

“It was founded in 1883 and operated out of the home of Charles Gudgel in Independence, Missouri.

“In 1899 it hosted the Hereford Association Cattle Show in a tent in the Kansas City stockyards. The show was to evolve into the American Royal.

“From 1919 to 1953 its headquarters was at 300 W. 11th Street in Kansas City across the street from the Lyric Theatre. On October 16, 1953, Dwight D. Eisenhower presided over the opening of a new headquarters on Quality Hill in Kansas City overlooking the stockyards and the West Bottoms[1]. The headquarters at 715 Kirk Drive included a famous restaurant but its most distinctive feature was fiberglass statue of a hereford bull on a 90-foot pylon which became a landmark.

“The bull was nicknamed “Bob” by locals (“Bull on Building”) and was either loved as an icon or reviled as kitsch that detracted from the city’s beauty. The statue’s sculptor was Paul Decker with the firm Rochetti and Parzini of New York, New York and it was fabricated at Colonial Plastic Corporation of Newark, New Jersey.

“In 1995 the Association merged with the American Polled Hereford Association.

“In 1997 the Association moved a few way blocks away to 1501 Wyandotte and its headquarters were sold to the HNTB architecture firm which took down the bull. In 2002 the bull was restored to 60-foot pylon across I-35 in Mulkey Square.”

It’s a blustery day in Kansas City, and this morning it was very overcast. Near my hotel is a place called Case Park. From an overlook you can see forever out from the city in this flat land. But more interesting, it was evident that this was home for at least a night for someone. A yellow blanket on the cold walkway, stretched in the shape that would have been used by someone looking for rest. Let’s hope it wasn’t last night.

Friday night fun at Old Town in Wichita, Kansas: one of the locals petting a cat-sized possum on the head with a small stick. The possum seemed to tolerate the annoyance.

Mark Jobson, describing the effect of three Irish car bombs (Guinness and Irish whiskey) : “I could hear what I was saying but it wasn’t what I was thinking.”

What is Kerry Bean up to?

Dinner tonight in Kansas City. Take-out. From the original Arthur Bryant’s. Wrapped in reddish, brown paper: burnt ends (from beef ribs), barbecue turkey, French fries, sauce and pickles. Yes, this is one order.

I am flying from Kansas City to Charlotte early tomorrow, and believe me, I have thought about the fact that it is the day before the 10th anniversary of 9-11. As I was driving to Kansas City from Wichita late today, I seem to been guided by a series of rainbows. I took a photo of the one above with my iPhone. I hope the rainbows are a sign for a smooth flight.

“Chunk” (left) and Herman. Chunk gave Herman a nickname, “Thundercat.” Hmmm! Chunk was our driver tonight in Wichita.