The Last Warm Day.

As I write this, I am sitting on my deck, savoring what is predicted to be the last warm day we Kansans will have for the next couple of weeks. A massive cold front will move in tonight, bringing bitterly cold temperatures to many areas of the Midwest. Here, we will probably not receive any snow or ice. However, some western and northern states are bracing themselves for quite a storm.

It's time for all of us in this area to prepare for an early blast of winter. Storm windows will be closed tightly, garden hoses drained and coiled away, pumps will be winterized, plants brought inside.

This leaf is undecided. Summer or fall?

I worry more about my furry friends than about the windows or water pump. Our own animals will be well cared for, but I am concerned about a friendly little orange kitty who often visits. His owners do not seem to care for him, as he is nearly always outside and seems hungry when he stops by. He also appears to be starved for affection and will beg for pats and ear rubs before devouring the kibble we place in front of him. I'm glad he can find shelter beneath our deck, though it's tempting to invite the charming fellow inside.

Our friendly neighbor.

But just now the sky is a cloudless brilliant blue. The sunlight is glittering off the colorful leaves of oak, maple, and cottonwood as a warm breeze dances through from the south. I have plenty of housework and other chores to keep me busy inside, but I simply must take advantage of this shining day because, after all, dust keeps. Brilliant autumn days do not.

Our state tree, the cottonwood.

Taking it Easy

Pages from Jan's Travel Journal: Monday, April 14, 2014

Another beautiful spring morning! We enjoyed coffee together before driving over to the university where Desmond is both a student and a lecturer. We had a breakfast of pastries and more coffee at a place near the campus beside a cheerful, bubbling fountain. I'm not sure what my little pastry was called, but it had a sweet cherry filling over a crumbly crust. The cafe creme I ordered to go with it was some of the best coffee I had ever tasted.

My beautiful, blue-eyed roommate, Azur.

When we arrived at Desmond's office, we were disappointed to find no one else there. I had been looking forward to meeting the other teachers about whom I had heard so much. After waiting around for a bit, I headed back to town. Desmond had some work to do. Back at the apartment, I busied myself with chores and email until lunchtime. I walked to a brasserie , where I met Matt for lunch. The croque Monsieur I ordered was extra delicious with the addition of green bell pepper. A light salad and fries completed the meal.

An apartment for rent in this building... I'd love to see it!

A little flower shop in Orleans.

I walked slowly back to the apartment, window-shopping along the way. I was looking for a couple of specific items, but not in a hurry. As it was, I lingered a bit too long and was late starting the tomatoes roasting for supper. Des was planning to make tomato tarts for the evening meal, and I had promised to put the tomatoes into the oven. That evening, we enjoyed our supper of tomato tarts, along with a crusty baguette on which to spread duck mousse and pork rillettes. All of this was accompanied by three different kinds of cheese. We finished with a fantastic chocolate fondue for dessert. Life is sweet!