They’re back! The Grambling Gang…..The Ghana Gang…..also knowas Mannie and Romeo….. made a recurring visit to spend their semester break, winter break….Christmas break…..whatever…..at my house. It was not a surprise visit. Actually, it had been long anticipated….since the day they left last August to return to classes Grambling university.

After spending the summer at my house, they picked up their rental car and headed back to Louisiana around 5:00 in the afternoon. From what they told me, it was a long, rather arduous trip. But… They made it. It is the end result that counts. We stayed in touch after their return to their college….mostly through weekly online visits. Four months may sound like a long time. Actually, it glided by rather quickly…..much faster than I had expected. As the months narrowed down to weeks….and the weeks to days….we began to again plan for their second arrival. Or, to put it more accurately and realistically…. I began to plan for their arrival.

Six weeks is a longer than one may think. Things do not just happen. It would be nice if they did…..but, they don’t. Unless we simply preferred to barricade ourselves inside the house for six weeks, become recluses and shut out the rest of the world, somebody had to start making some plans. And…. That would be me! And, let me assure you…. Coming up with activities that are semi-interesting and appealing is not an easy job. In fact, sometimes it seemed to be an almost impossible and futile….if not just a bit discouraging….. undertaking. But, as you read through the following pages, you will see that we managed to fill the time with some worthwhile, interesting and fun activities. At least, I hope they were….. So…. Keep reading.

Romeo and Mannie were scheduled to leave early on the morning of November 25. Since it is a 650 miles or so drive from Grambling to Topeka, they planned on about a ten or eleven hours drive…..twelve at the most….depending on traffic conditions, rest stops and fuel stops. The initial plan, if I can recall correctly, was to pick up the rental car at 8:00…..pack and be on the road headed north by 9:00. This plan would have them sitting in front of my townhouse at approximately 8:00 or 9:00 that night.

The subsequent sequence of events is not entirely clear to me. Maybe they can clear it up. But, I think it is safe to say that they did not leave Grambling at 9:00 or even 10:00. If I recall correctly…..and I admit that probably I cannot….it seems that Romeo had some misfortune and was late returning from a conference he had attended somewhere in California. And…again, I may not have my facts entirely straight….he missed one of his flights and was late arriving in Dallas, which, in turn, resulted in missing the bus from Dallas to Grambling. Mannie picked up the rental car, drove to Dallas to pick him up….. And, this in turn, upset their entire schedule that had been planned. Help me out….either Romeo or Mannie….. Am I even close to the sequence of events?

I don’t recall when I got their first check-in call. Probably late in the afternoon. The time had been adjusted to a 10:00 or 11:00 arrival. No big deal. Plenty of time to take a nap, watch the news and maybe even watch Stephen Colbert. So, I settled myself into the recliner, turned on some music and fell asleep, planning on waking up well before 10:00…..all rested and ready to welcome Mannie and Romeo. At some point in my nap, I was awakened by a call on WhatsApp. It was Mannie. They were running behind….rather seriously behind. Now, for various reasons, the estimated time of arrival had been pushed back to the neighborhood of 2:00 A.M. Wow… There was not much for me to do….except wait. Watch some TV…more sleep…..and wait. Finally, somewhere around 2:30 A.M., another call arrived. Romeo and Mannie had just pulled up into the parking lot and were sitting in front of my townhouse.

Let the fun begin!

Here it was….early Wednesday morning. Romeo and Mannie were no doubt exhausted after the long trip. It would be nice to say that they went upstairs and fell asleep immediately after they arrived. It was not quite that simple. After some perfunctory greetings, they proceeded to unload the rental car…..and, to put it simply….they brought a lot of stuff with them. Even after getting all their belongings out of the car, they still could not go to bed. The mattress that Mannie slept on was under the bed in my room…..just where they put it before they left. During some early conversations, I asked it would help if I would buy a single bed frame. A single bed frame would get Mannie elevated off the floor. And, in my own mind, sleeping on the floor did not sound like an attractive option. I was under the distinct impression that buying the single bed frame was what was wanted. Why wouldn’t it be? So…. I checked on Amazon and found a bed frame for somewhere around $50.00. I ordered it. Good job, Beryl! You have just make somebody’s life more comfortable. Wrong! As it turned out, the bed frame was not needed….unwanted. So…. If anybody out there wants a brand new single bed frame….free of charge, just to get out of the basement….be sure and let me know.

All of sudden, it really was Wednesday morning…..for real. It was going to be a busy day. The first order of business was to return the rental car to the agency….and that somewhere in the early vicinity of 9:00. The next day was Thanksgiving Day. There was a Thanksgiving meal that demanded our attention…. At least, the attention of Mannie and Romeo. I had already planned the menu. Thanksgiving dinner was going to be very traditionally American….with no distracting extraneous elements, like rice, for example…. The meal consisted of turkey, of course, green bean casserole, creamed corm casserole, sweet potatoes, cranberries and pumpkin pie. Sounds pretty much like a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner, don’t you think? To make matters less complicated, I had already ordered the food. All we had to do was pick it up in the afternoon….and we were ready to prepare a delicious Thanksgiving meal.

Nobody felt like preparing a meal that Wednesday evening. Plus, I seriously doubt if we really had the ingredients to prepare it with. The food I ordered was exclusively for the Thanksgiving meal. We took the easy….and sensible….way out. We drove down the El Dorado Mexican Restaurant, an eating place which ranks high on our list of favorites, for supper. I would like to say that we went back home and went to bed for a long’s night sleep…..although I am pretty sure that was not the case.

Thursday morning, the first order of business was to prepare the turkey for roasting. I was still in bed when Romeo and Mannie attended to this. If it had been I, I wold have simply put the turkey into a bag and shoved it into the oven…..and, chances are, it would have tasted just as good. I am sure this was not the case, however. Romeo and Mannie fit more into the category of “Chefs” than I. Things get a little more complicated when they cook.

I furnished the recipes for the food. That was my contribution. Otherwise I stayed completely out of the food preparation activities. The food turned out OK…. I am not sure than it was fully appreciated by everybody, however. You know…. When you are making American food, you pretty much have to do it the “American Way”. These recipes have been prepared, tested, modified and tweaked down through the ages. Sometimes the slightest variation can make a huge difference in the outcome. So… Yes, everybody tried some of the food, but with varying opinions on the final result. As for me….. I ate it all. No complaints. Maybe it wasn’t quite the “way Mother made it”….but yet it was good. At least, we had eaten a typical American Thanksgiving meal. We invited our friend, Sam, to come up and eat with us. And, the day turned out to be pretty nice.

(I am inserting some pictures. However…. Let me explain. The original or real pictures of the meal seemed to have been accidentally deleted. They are gone forever. So…. I am substituting some pictures from last year in their place. The meals were very similar. Just so you know….)

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When it was definite that Romeo and Mannie were coming to spend their winter break at my house, I did something that I otherwise would not have thinking of doing. I wished for snow! Yeah, I know. Those of you who know me well are still probably shaking your heads in disbelief. But…. It is true. Let me modify….or clarify…. that wish just a bit. I wanted a snow that would definitely cover the ground….a white landscape in other words. But, I also wanted the snow to disappear within a day after it fell! You know….. I want to have my cake and eat it, too.

And, almost as if I had some control over it, my wish came true! In fact, it snowed almost all day. By the late afternoon, four inches of snow had accumulated on the ground. It snowed enough that night our snow removal people came over in the night and cleared the sidewalks and porches.

Perhaps you are asking why I, of all people, would be wishing for snow….knowing how much I do not like it. It is because I am a nice guy! And, come to think about it, I must be a heck of a nice guy to wish for snow. However, I knew that neither Mannie nor Romeo had never been exposed to snow before. What a nice treat….a delightful experience….it would be for them to encounter their first snow in Topeka, KS. And, that is exactly what they did.

Late one afternoon, the day after it had snowed, we drove over to Lake Shawnee to take some pictures and record the important event permanently on film. Fortunately, both of them had brought warm winter clothing with them. I was rather uncertain….and just a little doubtful….if they would realize what the definition of “Kansas Winter” really means. I recalled the four years I spent in South Vietnam. When the temperature dropped below 70 degrees, the natives would get out their “winter” clothing and walk around looking like Eskimos. And, because South Vietnam has a tropical climate with a normal temperature sometimes reading close to 100 degrees and a relative humidity about as high, anything 70 degrees or lower seemed “cold” by comparison. They would appear on the streets with jackets, scarves, caps and gloves…..while we Americans were wearing shorts and glorying in the comfortable temperatures. My worries were alleviated when they came trudging downstairs dressed in warm winter attire. We headed off to Lake Shawnee….I wearing my favorite down vest and they in their Kansas winter clothing.

The sun was just thinking about sinking below the horizon when we arrived. It was just as well. None of us had any real desire to spend a lot of time outside….even though the lake looked serene and peaceful on the cold winter day. When our mini-photo session had ended, neither Romeo nor Mannie offered any objection when we hurriedly got back into the car and headed back home. I do not recall asking them specifically, but by the vibes they were giving off, I think I can safely say that neither of them became a real fan of snow that day. Neither of them said, “Can we please stay out here in the snow a little longer.” or “I hope it snows another four inches tonight.” They seemed to share the same attitude as I regarding snow: Snow is pretty to look at….but too cold to really enjoy. The short jaunt to Lake Shawnee served it purpose…. Mannie and Romeo got to “be out in the snow”, and I got to take some pictures of them doing it.

 

To the relief of all three of us, the temperature stayed well above freezing in the succeeding days, and the snow quickly vanished. Yeah…. I was my kind of snow: Here today; gone tomorrow.

One the more interesting things that we did while Romeo and Mannie were here was to make a return visit to Forbes Field, just south of Topeka. Forbes Field was perhaps the most recurring venue of the summer months which they spent here. In fact, we became quite familiar with the sprawling air base. No, there is nothing special to see that would warrant paying it so many visits. In fact, there is really very little to see.

Forbes Field was opened in 1941, back during World War II, as a military installation. Back in those days, it was called Forbes Air Force Base, and was an important military post. The assumption was made that it was a good idea to build major air bases inland….in the interior of the United States….because it take longer for enemy aircraft to seek them out. This was the same principle which was used during the Cold War when several hundred missiles were placed here in Kansas and other Midwestern states. In the meantime, our own aircraft would have additional time to deploy and hopefully shoot them out of the sky before they could do any damage. Fortunately this theory was never tested, although the logic seemed to be sound.

Over the years, the importance of Forbes Field diminished as the immediate threat of war lessened. It is still an active Air Force base. Today is the home of the 190th Air Refueling Wing and also the headquarters of the Kansas Air National Guard. It is also the home of the Topeka Regional Airport. The only problem with this is that at the present time no commercial airplanes fly into or out of the airport. This is not to say that Topeka has not tried to make it a viable commercial airport. Heaven knows they have. Sporadically over the years, the city has been able to attract what might be called “specialty flights” into and out of the airport. For instance…. Flights to Las Vegas, or as connecting flights to Kansas City or Dallas or Denver. But, they have never caught on with the public….probably because Topeka is so close to Kansas City, and it just isn’t worth the extra money to fly that short distance when driving is cheaper and probably easier.

So, today, the airport sits virtually idle….with its 13,000 feet runway just waiting for somebody to use it. In the meantime, the space has been quite profitably utilized by several large corporations as a home for warehouses and small manufacturing plants.

In all our past visits, we more or less drove around aimlessly on the mostly deserted streets. Our only real purpose for being there was so Mannie and Romeo could practice driving in preparation for their driver’s license exam. Those trips were in the past. Our purpose for driving down to Forbes Field this time was to visit the Combat Air Museum. Actually, we had intended to go there this past summer while Romeo and Mannie were driving there, but the day we chose to visit the museum, there was some sort of charitable event being held there. Not a good time to find a good parking space…..nor a good time to visit.

The Combat Air Museum was formally established in 1976, and it has been a repository to showcase vintage military aircraft. On display are a wide variety of airplanes dating from World War I to modern military aircraft…..at least, extending through the Vietnam War. Scattered among the aircraft are an assortment of other memorabilia related to military or combat activities.

This was at least the third time I have visited the Combat Air Museum. And, it was also at least the third time I have visited it in the cold of winter. I knew before we left our house to drive there that it was going to be a cold experience. Accordingly, all three of were dressed accordingly. This experience was somewhat better than previous visits, though. My first visit was probably around twenty-five or thirty years ago. Quite frankly, I had no idea what to expect. Not knowing any better, I assumed that the “museum” would be a “museum”…..and would be heated and comfortable like most museums. Wrong!

The museum is housed in two sprawling old airplane hangars. As one walks in the front entrance, there is no indication of this. The small souvenir shop and the small conference room are heated and comfortable….just as one would expect. Walking though the door into the actual museum….or old hangar…..is, or can be….a shock to one’s expectations. Close the door….and it is cold! The display space is enclosed, of course, but there is no heating source whatsoever. In general, whatever the temperature is outside…..well, that is also the temperature inside the hangar. On the day we visited, the temperature was cold….somewhere in the mid 30’s. Although we were protected from the brisk wind….and that is putting it mildly….it did not change the fact that the temperature inside still probably hovered somewhere in the upper 30’s.

On my first visit there, I had no idea. I wore a light jacket….just enough to protect me from the car to the front entrance. That was a big mistake…. also a big learning experience. I was with one of my German exchange students. He also was not dressed for the occasion. Needless to say, that first time was a short time. The second visit was not a lot better. This time I was with my niece and her husband. “OK,” I thought, “this time I will wear a down-filled vest.” Maybe a good thought in the right direction, but while my torso was protected, my arms where not. I was still cold! And, so were my niece and her husband. We were all cold! Again…. After a few minutes of looking….and freezing…..our primary goal was to simply get out of there and back into a warm car.

This year, finally, I had learned a lesson….the hard way. Before leaving the house, we all walked to the car dressed like we were embarking on an expedition to the South Pole. The admission fee to the Combat Air Museum is $4.00 per person or something like that. This price includes a guide…..if we wanted one. We didn’t. However, one of the guides did accompany us into the hangar and gave us a brief introduction or lecture before leaving us to our own devices. Actually, we really did not need a guide. Each individual exhibit….or aircraft….had a fairly comprehensive description posted explaining its capabilities and mission. We were able to proceed throughout the museum at our own pace.

I doubt if either Romeo or Mannie had seen such a large and diverse collection of military aircraft. I hadn’t until I made my first visit to the museum more than twenty five years ago. Both of them took good advantage of inspecting the aircraft, and when possible, interacting with them. Several of the displays allow them to enter the aircraft, to sit in the pilot’s seat (the cockpit, as it is called) and to get a close up look. Other airplanes had ladders which enabled the visitor to glance inside for a closer look. Both Mannie and Romeo took full advantage of these opportunities.

They were impressed with wide variety of aircraft on display…..and, I think, with the extended period of time they covered…..airplanes from World War I, from the Korean War, from World War II and from the Vietnam War. It was all covered. There is a difference between looking at pictures of these airplanes or seeing them on TV….and being able to see them close up and in person….to touch them, to stand beside them, to interact with them. All of us….Romeo, Mannie and I….agreed that seeing the planes sitting there in front of us was an educational, informative and exciting…..if not exhilarating….experience.

As for my own personal experience, several of the aircraft bring back some rather nostalgic and very personal memories….especially those of the Vietnam War era. During the four years that I served in South Vietnam, I had numerous occasions to experience a few of these aircraft on a personal basis.

While I was serving in the position of Chief of Education for the International Voluntary Services in South Vietnam, one of my major jobs was to travel about the country visiting the seventy-two teachers who were stationed in various provinces throughout the country. During this time, I had almost full access to transportation on military aircraft. In fact, this, for all practical purposes, was the only method of transportation available. Travel on roads and highways throughout the entirety of South Vietnam was unsafe….to put it mildly. To travel on highways outside Saigon or province capitals where most of our teachers were stationed was treacherous….and foolhardy. As Chief of Education, a civilian position, of course, I was afforded the privileges, for the most part, of a military colonel. The International Voluntary Services was funded by….and under the nominal umbrella of USAID….The United States Agency for International Development. Without this travel consideration, it would be been literally impossible to do my job.

As I flew on these visits to the various provinces, I flew in a variety of aircraft. The major means of transportation was to fly on an Air America flight….specifically the C-130 and the C-123. It was an open secret that Air America was controlled by the CIA and functioned as their transportation branch. I had a set of orders which allowed me to board almost any Air America plane flying within the country. No, I was not flying on any covert, secret missions, although I am sure there were plenty of them that were not available for general transport. Most of the people on these flights were military personnel, civilian officials, and also a smattering of local people who paid a price for the flight. Since these airplanes were flying under the guise of commercial flights, there was really no way to know they were operated and financed by the US government.

The other major means of transportation was to hop aboard a Bell UH-1 helicopter, know more commonly as a “Huey”. Access to these flights was on a space-available basis. Most of the time, fortunately, there was no problem getting aboard. Let me tell you…. Being recognized as a civilian with privileges of a military colonel was pretty powerful….and useful. The first couple times I rode in a Huey, I was somewhat apprehensive. Helicopters fly relative close to the ground. They are not as fast as regular airplanes. They are quite small and compact with no luxuries, except for a seat belt. After some time, like most everything else, it became a matter of routine.

More nights that I can remember…..that I even care to remember…..I stood or sat on our second floor patio and watched F-4 Phantoms and F-105 Thunderbirds drop bombs and strafe sections of the outskirts of Saigon. In the beginning, it was somewhat unnerving….if not just a little scary….to observe. Even in the relative security of Saigon, these night time fireworks were an almost nightly reminder that we were living in a war zone. As time passed, the sense of fear subsided. But, never the feeling of awe as I watched the fighter jets swoop down from the sky in turn in groups of four….and either drop their bombs or use their high powered machine guns….or Gatling Guns…to send a steady streak of red to their targets below. At times, it was almost surrealistic….almost like watching a war movie. Except, this was the real thing….and it was being played out only a few miles from our rooftop patio.

Above I said the museum is housed in an old World War II hangar. Well…. Let’s make that two old hangars…. sitting adjacent to each other, but not attached to each other. The distance between the two hangars is a distance of maybe a couple hundred feet. Not so far when the weather is nice and warm. But, on a cold, windy day like the one when we were there, it seems more like a couple thousand feet!

Between the two hangars is a display of a few….three or four…..very large airplanes which are too big to fit into the hangars. Both Romeo and Mannie climbed the stairs to take a look inside the cockpits of the planes. Plus we snapped the requisite photos to record our attendance. As I said, on a nice warm sunny day, this could be a pleasant diversion. On the day we were there, we did not spend an abundance of time inspecting them. Cold temperatures out weighed our curiosity.

The second hangar continued the exhibition, however, concentrating on more recent military air power. And… The cold temperature also continued. But, it was relief to go from very cold and windy to…..well, just cold. After inspecting the aircraft in the second, hangar, it was time to call it quits. Closing time for the museum was approaching. We hurriedly made our way back to the first hangar….the one where we started….and ended our excursion into the world of military air power.

I don’t know if either Romeo or Mannie were inspired to join the Air Force, or even to become pilots, but we spent a worthwhile…even educational and entertaining…afternoon in an environment which is relatively foreign to us….learned something (hopefully) and had fun. And, who knows? Maybe someday if you are flying to some exotic location, you may see one….or both of them…..sitting in the cockpit flying the airplane.

On Tuesday, December 9, we awakened early. Well, for the rest of the world, it was probably not very early. I found myself tumbling out of bed at the outrageous hour of 9:00. That may sound rather late, but keep in mind that we rarely went to bed before 3:00 A.M…..and sometimes even later.

On this day we had planned an excursion to the Geographical Center of the Lower 48 States…..located in north central Kansas near the small town of Lebanon. If we are to believe Google Maps, the distance is 218 miles, and it the approximate diving time is three hours and twelve minutes. That, I think it is safe to say, is the ideal time….the theoretical time….the time we dream about. I knew….from many years of experience, the “School of Hard Knocks”, as they say….that three hours driving time was pure fantasy. But….Why fight it? I may as well be realistic. We would never get out of bed and get ready to leave at 8:00 or even 9:00…..and probably not even 10:00. So…. That is why we didn’t get on the road until 11:00.

Even after we got into the car, we were still not actually heading for our destination. We had to stop and get gas. We stopped at the bakery. We stopped so we could exchange drivers. Mannie was the first designated driver. All of this may sound rather insignificant and petty. But, it all adds up….much more quickly than it may sound.

So…. Here we were heading west on I-70. The maximum speed on I-70, just like the speed on almost every highway in the USA is relative. In Kansas the speed limit is 75 mph. It is common knowledge that no state policeman in the entire country is going to stop a car for going 4 or 5 miles over the posted speed limit. It simply is not worth the time and effort…..and even a speeding ticket for a vehicle traveling 80 has very little chance of standing up in court. There are too many extenuating circumstances to be considered

In our case, the time of three hours and twelve minutes is based on the assumption that a vehicle will be traveling at least the posted speed limit. If we drove faster….we would arrive there sooner. If we drove slower…..we would get there later. If I had been driving, we would have reached our destination in probably less than three hours. I learned long ago that driving the posted speed limit…..or probably a few miles faster….is the only way to stay on schedule. But, to summarize…. Instead of arriving in Lebanon at approximately 2:00, it was pushing 3:30 when we arrived.

I don’t recall who drove that day. If my memory is correct, Mannie drove until we reached a rest stop near Salina, and then Romeo took over. It could have been the other way around, though.

The Geographical Center of the Lower 48 States is a rather nondescript location. As maybe is fitting for a place like this, it is located in a rather isolated rural area, far from…..well, about everything. One of the interesting features….at least, to me…..is that there is a farm located almost directly across the road from the monument. This visit was the third time I have been there. And, every time, I think, “Wow… Wouldn’t be great to live there?” When people ask where you live, you can honestly said, “I live at the exact center of the United States!”

 

 

 

 

 

Really, there is not much there. It is not a major tourist attraction….even for the people of Kansas. In fact, I doubt if a large majority of Kansans are even aware of its existence. The day we were there, we were the only visitors. Nobody else showed up during the hour or so that we were there. We had the entire place to ourselves.

I have to say, however, that even without crowds of tourists, the place does seem rather impressive in its own quiet way. Although it is not grand in scale, it is worth visiting. An official monument which pinpoints the exact center of the lower 48 states is the most prominent monument….and also no doubt the most important. Stand beside this monument if you truly want to tell people that you have indeed stood in the very center of our nation. Each of us….Mannie, Romeo and I….have proof that we among the few people who can actually say this.

 

 

 

Very nearby there is another more visible and perhaps more ornate marker, made of native limestone, which simply states “Welcome to the Geographical Center of the 48 States.” Maybe this makes a better photo because the wording is much larger….and therefore much easier to read. This marker could be considered the most photogenic of the two markers, even though its placement is maybe ten feet from the exact spot. Just to play in safe and to cover all the bases, all three of us had photos taken with both of the monuments directly behind us.

Obviously, the two markers….one a marker and the other a monument…. are the two major attractions. After all, that is what the place is all about. However, there are a couple other secondary attractions. The most visible and obvious is a miniature chapel, made of wood, painted white and not much larger than a medium size kiosk. On none….zero…of my visits to the Geographical Center have I found that it was unlocked and open to the public. Since I have never been inside it….it is still a mystery what it contains. Maybe….probably…..nothing. No matter. It makes a good backdrop for photos….and needless to say, we took advantage of that opportunity.

There is also a small rocking horse “toy” mounted on a spring. Romeo was the only one who tried it out… Maybe because he was the youngest one? Sorry…..No picture of that. A covered picnic area is located between the little chapel and the monuments. Having a picnic was not on our agenda…too cold….so that feature went unattended. A few benches were placed strategically around the grounds. Now…. That was on MY agenda. I sat and rested while Romeo and Mannie walked around and gave the property a more thorough inspection.

 

 

 

We spent at least an hour there….maybe longer. Even when we got back into the car to head back home, I knew there was no way we would….or could….make it before before dark. But, it had been a good day. And, I think it was a fun day inspecting what is really a unique…..certainly one of a kind….monument which is located here in Kansas. A distinction no other state has…..The Geographical Center of the 48 States. We got back into the car, with Romeo driving, and headed back home.

On the trip to the site, we drove on I-70 and then highway US 81, north out of Salina. On the return trip, we drove on US 36. I was not sure if mileage was any shorter….or even it we would save any time. Well…. Now I know. The mileage is actually longer…..and we certainly did not save any time. No big deal. Lesson learned for future reference. It was approaching 9:00 when we arrived back in Topeka. Nobody wanted to prepare supper at 9:00, so we stopped at the Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant in North Topeka and got some take-out food for our late supper.

A lot….if not most….of the time Mannie and Romeo were here was pretty much spontaneous. However, one of the important events we had planned in advance was a return trip to my hometown area of Lyons and Hutchinson. I still have several family members living in that area…..second cousins, niece, nephew, etc. Romeo and Mannie had met some of my cousins and also my niece and her husband on previous visits. Based on observations of those visits, I am going to say that they liked the relatives they met…..and the feeling was mutual.

The first step, as usual, was renting a place to stay while we were there….preferably in Hutchinson. On our two previous visits, we sort of struck out in both places where we stayed. Actually, there was nothing “wrong” with either place. The risk we take when looking for a private short term rental home is that it is not going to be “right” for me. Take for example the first little house we rented. The description was good. The house was good….clean, adequately furnished, convenient. The problem was that it was not right for ME. And, that is difficult to know before actually living there. After deciding which room would be mine….and which was Romeo and Mannie’s….I sat down in a comfortable appearing chair. That one little innocent act changed the entire situation for me.

The owner of the house was coming over to give us the password for the Internet and also to check us out and answer any questions we might have. He was actually a nice guy….and why not? He was a former teacher. After a pleasant conversation, he got up to leave. After he had left, I attempted to stand up and go about my business. One major problem. I was not able to stand up. The chair I was sitting in was a rocker. It was not possible to push down on the arms of the chair without it rocking….and making it impossible to stand up. Well…..after a lot of effort by Romeo and Mannie…..and the possibility that I may have to sit in the chair for the remainder of my life…. I was finally able to stand up. Needless to say, I did not sit in that chair again.

On the current visit to Hutchinson, after reading the description of the apartment several times….leaving it and coming back to it again….I was satisfied that it was an ideal place to stay. The rooms looked attractive and the price was almost affordable. So…. I booked the property.

As we pulled into Hutchinson, we were eager to find the house and get settled in. We got out of the car and following instructions, walked around the side of the house to the designated entrance. This is when we encountered a shocking discovery: The apartment was in the basement. This revelation was totally unexpected. It caught me by utter surprise. Nowhere in the description of the property did I see the word “basement”. (Upon further inspection, we found that the word “basement” did, indeed, appear…one time…. although it was buried deep in description of the property.) At this point in the game, there was little we could do. I would simply have to be very careful….and depend on Mannie and Romeo to help me make it up and down the stairs safely.

We rose rather early on Saturday morning in order to meet up with my niece, Wanita, for breakfast. We met at our usual breakfast venue…. The International House of Pancakes. Surely there are better places to eat….one that is not part of a national chain. But, unfortunately, we do not know where they are. So….we drove to the good old International House of Pancakes for breakfast. I mean…. There is nothing wrong with the place….and we had a good visit with Wanita. But, I can’t shake the fact that there is probably a better….locally owned….place to eat breakfast.

It was after eleven o’clock when we walked out of the restaurant and bid farewell to Wanita. We were left with a couple hours of time on our hands before driving to Lyons to meet up with two of my cousins, Luann and Dennis. For a while, we drove aimlessly around Hutchinson….through Carey Park…. then out to the western fringes of the city in attempt to find a disk golf course my cousins had built and donated to the city. We also checked out the location of the United Methodist Churches. Mannie and I planned to attend church on Sunday morning.

The main attraction, however, was a visit to the Hutchinson Art Guild. This is a regular stop almost every time I am in Hutchinson. The gallery features works of art from local and regional artists. The exhibits are constantly changing, so there is a new display every time I stop by, It may not be the MOMA, but the local artists they showcase are very talented, indeed. And… Who knows? Maybe some day in the future, one of the paintings I saw here will be hanging in a prominent art gallery in New York City.

We left the art gallery in sufficient time to drive to Lyons to eat a late afternoon meal with my cousins, Luann and Dennis. We had arranged to meet around 2:30….and promptly at 2:30 we pulled into their driveway. As usual, we sat around and talked for a while before leaving to find a place to eat. The first restaurant we tried was not open, much to our disappointment. That Mexican restaurant was housed in the old former Winter’s Service Station and general store on the northeast outskirts of Lyons, maybe a mile from my boyhood home. Back in those day, that would have been considered very close to where we lived. It was nothing to ride our bikes that distance to buy a Coke, some penny candy or some bubble gum. My younger brother and I often scrounged for old Coke or Pepsi bottles…. They were made of glass back in those days. We would take them to Winter’s. They would pay us the princely sum of two cents per bottle. If we could find five empty bottles….Wow! That meant we had earned a dime….ten cents! A fortune to us.

We settled for eating in another Mexican restaurant on the west side of town. It was another of our go-to places. Sunday afternoon is apparently not one of their busier days. Aside from a couple other tables, we were the only ones there. But, that was OK. We talked for a while, until it started getting dark….and it was time to head back to our little basement apartment in Hutch.

A trip to Lyons in the Christmas season would not be complete without seeing the iconic symbol that the town is famous for….at least, in Central Kansas. We had to take some pictures of the famous bell on the water tower before we left town. Even when I was a small child, this bell was known far and wide. And, for a little kid like me, it was awesome….something to behold. The night the bell was first lighted (lit?) for the Christmas season was a big night in which a multitude (at least, it seemed that way to me!) of people showed up in the downtown park to “ohhh and ahhh” when the switch was tripped to turn on the lights. When this happened, we were sure that the magical spell of Christmas had truly begun. The bell was first constructed on the water tower in the year 1938….which, by happy coincidence, is the year I was born. So…literally….that Christmas bell with its shining red lights has been there for my entire life.

After arriving back at our “dangerous” apartment, we sat and played games for a while until our interest started to wane. I had bought two new game for this visit…..one of them was a trivia game. And, of course, a newer version of Family Feud….the game we love to dislike. Romeo and I spent the rest of the evening watching TV.  As in the previous house we rented, this one did not actually have cable TV…. It had a subscription to Roku TV. I don’t know if this is free or simply cheap. But, it seems to be a popular choice of the home owners who apparently wanted to save a little money.

The next morning…..a Sunday morning…..I was up early, ready to go to church, just as Mannie and I had mutually agreed. As I sat and waited….and waited….. it became apparent that was not going to happen. When Mannie finally appeared, it was far too late to even consider the possibility of attending church. Oh well…. I had kept my end of the agreement….

Since going to church was out of the question, I sat and waited until Romeo and Mannie woke up and were ready to do something. Since coming to any sort of consensus was more or less out of the question, I made the unilateral decision that we were going to drive up north and take a look at Coronado Heights. We had vaguely talked about doing this, and Sunday afternoon was free…..so why not?

Coronado Heights is located near the town of Lindsborg. I had been there before….probably multiple times…..when I was still a kid. I can vaguely recall going there on various special occasions for picnics. I strongly suspect that some of these visits were in connection to our church activities. But, that was a long time ago. The strange….almost uncanny fact is…. When we arrived there on that chilly Sunday afternoon, it was sort of like….well, deja vu. It did not seem as strange or foreign as I had expected it to.

As legend….or maybe the truth, who knows?…..records it, an explorer with the surname of Coronado traveled north from Mexico searching for the Seven Cities of Gold. I know….You are probably saying he should have checked Wikipedia or something before he started his journey. About the only gold one will find in Kansas is in a jewelry store. Anyway, he mounted the 300 feet high bluff over looking what is now called the Smokey Hill River Valley. Obviously he was disappointed. I can see him now….standing there mumbling, “This was a waste of time. There in no gold around here.” So, again as legend has it, he and his men turned around and went back to Mexico. Who knows? Probably embarrassed. But, certainly with no gold. The territory was formed into a state park back in l936 as part of Franklin Roosevelt’s Public Progress Administration.

The park was new to Romeo and Mannie, however. I am not sure what they were expecting. Probably something a little more grand than what they saw. Maybe I overstated just a bit what Coronado Heights really is. But, on the other hand, in Kansas anytime a hill exceeds 300 feet tall, it definitely stands out. One of the guys asked if my car was capable of making it to the top. Yeah…. It did. No problem. After we had reached the top of the hill….Coronado Heights….I think both of them appreciated the view. There is unobstructed vision for 360 degrees. Like the song says, “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever”. If there had been seven cities made of gold, Coronado would surely have seen them.

 

 

 

 

Really, there is not a lot to see at the summit of Coronado Heights. The most impressive structure is the old castle….constructed in 1936. It dominates the landscape, and it can been seen for miles around. There is nothing inside the castle….it is just an open area….except for a large fireplace sort of grill and some concrete benches. There is plenty of evidence that this grill has seen ample use over the years. A roaring fire would have felt good on the day we were there. Although Mannie and Romeo didn’t do it, it appears that a good number of visitors have carved their initials into the stone walls to enshrine their visit for ages to come. The castle makes an excellent shelter for indoor picnics on days with inclement weather…..or when the temperature happens to be cold outside.

 

 

 

We did not have a picnic, but Romeo and Mannie seemed to have fun poking around the castle….although there is really not a lot to be found. It is sort of “What you see is what you get.” On the other hand, I think it was intriguing to them that the castle is still standing after ninety years.

 

 

 

 

A large stone fireplace….cooking grill is probably a better description…. is the most prominent feature outside. The grill is surrounded by a picnic area. One can only wonder how many family picnics and family reunions and other assorted parties have been held there over the past ninety years….certainly the facilities are unchanged from the first time I saw them back in my childhood. All of the structures are obviously original…..unchanged since the day they were constructed. They were built to endure….massive stones and solid construction. There is little doubt that they were will still be there….unchanged…..should Romeo and Mannie want to being their children to see it someday in the future.

 

 

 

 

After Romeo and Mannie walked around looking off into the distant landscape, and after taking a few pictures, we headed back to Hutchinson.

We had arranged to meet three of my cousins for dinner. We had agreed to eat at an old established steak house on North Main Street, just outside the Kansas State Fair grounds. The name of the restaurant is Skaets Steak House. This place has been there in the same location forever…figuratively speaking, at least. I wouldn’t even attempt to count the times I said to myself, “I am going go there and eat someday.” I said this to myself when I was just a kid…..and penniless. And, I also said this to myself after I had a job and could well afford to go there. I have often asked myself, “Why didn’t you just go there and eat?” I have no idea….not even a clue. I just didn’t.

When I contacted my cousin, Kathy, who seems to be sort of the spokesperson for the group of sisters, she gave me a list of four suggestions on where we could possibly meet. Skaets Steak House was on the list. And, I chose it with no second thoughts. Finally, after more than eight decades later, I was finally going to walk inside the iconic restaurant, sit down and eat a meal. Romeo, Mannie and I arrived almost precisely on time that Sunday afternoon….5:30 P.M., just as we had planned. Within seconds of our arrival, the ever so familiar blue-gray Toyota Prius with the K. State tiger emblazoned on each side pulled in, too.

Kathy, Terry and Becky, my cousins, stepped out of the car and immediately and enthusiastically accepted Romeo and Mannie into our group. As we entered the restaurant, I….nor they, apparently….had no idea what to expect. We weren’t surprised nor disappointed. It appeared to be very similar to the places we frequently go to here in Topeka. Comfortable, but not pretentious. Full of casual diners, many of whom appeared to be regular diners. A good menu with familiar and reasonably priced food. Yes… We immediately felt comfortable in these surroundings. The service was good. And, my gregarious cousin Kathy lost no time in engaging a couple of the waiters and waitresses in conversation.

As we sat and talked, the group tried to include Mannie and Romeo in the conversation. Sometimes this is difficult on first encounters, but I never had the feeling that either of them was intentionally ignored or excluded. But…. When family members get together… Well, the conversation usually revolves around….You guessed it: Family. The conversation flowed, the time passed quickly, and all too soon it was time to call it a night. However, the next time we meet….and we surely will….. the “formalities” are out of the way, and Romeo and Mannie will feel more part of the fellowship.

Even after a couple hours in the restaurant, it was still relatively early. Too early to call it a night. Romeo, who had done some research of things to do in Hutchinson over the Christmas Season, found a place….and I am still not sure if it was a private residence or a commercial business…..that was listed as a “must see” event. With nothing else on our agenda, we decided to pay it a visit. Somewhere on the western fringes of Hutchinson, was an elaborate display of Christmas lights. It could be compared to “Winter Wonderland” at Lake Shawnee here in Topeka, except maybe on just a lightly lesser scale. As we slowly drove through the winding lane, the lights, the decorations were gala vision well worth our time.

After we completed our tour of the light display, we drove through a couple of the more affluent sections of Hutchinson, admiring even more imposing Christmas decoration before returning to our apartment for the night….and an another evening of games and TV.

The account of our sojourn in Hutchinson would not be complete without an account of one very unpleasant incident. You may recall that earlier I mentioned the fact that the apartment we rented was located in a basement. You can believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that if I had known this, there is no way in the world that we would have considered staying there. Unfortunately….and I think at no fault of mine….this fact was not made a prominent part of the description in the online advertisement.

Let me emphasize that there was nothing wrong with the apartment. It was clean; it was attractive; it was well furnished; the Internet connection was good. Well…. It didn’t have a regular cable subscription….but we have sort of grown used to that. For Romeo and Mannie, the apartment was ideal. And, they liked it. On the other hand, they are just a little bit younger than I am.

Aside from the lack of conventional cable….this apartment had ROKU, instead…..the bathroom had a walk-in shower, which was a big selling point when I was checking out apartments. But…Unfortunately (for me!) it had no grab bars. Absolutely nothing to help prevent me from falling. This was not good.

Despite these two distractions, I could have accepted them and lived with them for a couple days. No problem. The major problem was the long stairway leading down to the basement. Not only the long stairway down! But, also the long stairway up! I tried to exercise extreme caution as I walked up and down the stairs. Both Romeo and Mannie were at my side making sure that I made it safely. On the first couple attempts there were no problems. Mannie stood at the top of the stairs….Romeo at the bottom. I could reach out to them if I needed help. It worked.

On Sunday morning, as we were leaving to drive up to Coronado Heights, I started my slow and careful trip up the stairs. One step at time…. Holding on to the rail….Get both feet on the step before taking another one…. Mannie went ahead and was waiting at the top of the stairs. All was going well….until the very last step. It happened so suddenly that I barely knew what was taking place. I  tripped on the very last step. I was helpless. There was nothing to grab once I had reached the top step. Mannie reached out….but it was too late. I was lying, helpless, on the floor at the top of the stairs. My right leg was pinned at an awkward angle beneath my body. Mannie took my arm. I attempted to pull myself upright. My right leg was still pinned beneath me. I had no leverage to attempt to push myself up.

As I lay there, the situation looked bleak. Mannie called to Romeo who was still in the basement apartment. Romeo appeared in what seemed to be an instant. Now both of them were attempting to help me stand up. With some effort we managed to free my right left from beneath my body. Now both legs were free. We made another attempt to pull me up off the floor. No success. They simply lacked the strength to pull me up. I lay there in pain. It was starting to appear that the only solution was to call a rescue unit. “Just give me a minute to rest,” I said. Then, “OK, let’s try it one more time.” Exerting all the strength and will power at their disposal, and using all the strength and will power at my disposal, we gave it another heroic attempt. This time I slowly, unsteadily was able finally stand up.

“Just give me a minute to rest, and I will be OK.” There was either a small bench or a chair which I immediately sat on….summoning back my strength. On the bright side, the entire misadventure could have turned out differently. I could have fallen backwards and tumbled down the entire flight of stairs. I do not even want to dwell on the consequences of that scenario. The owners of this property can easily prevent this sort of accident from happening again by merely making is clear and obvious in their description of the property that the apartment is located in a basement…..that whoever rents it can expect to walk up and down a long flight of stairs. Buyer beware!

We returned to Topeka on Monday afternoon, December 22….and then our thoughts turned to Christmas. First and foremost was unpacking, setting up and decorating the Christmas tree. It was sort of a big deal…..for me and Romeo and Mannie. I am not going to swear to it….but I think this was a first for both of them: Having a Christmas tree. I will leave it up to you to ask them for sure.

Back in my childhood, the night we bought and decorated our Christmas tree was magical….one of the most exciting events of the entire year. Mother would unpack all the Christmas decorations….the lights, the tinsel, the icicles, the ornaments, the decorative candy canes. And, of course, the angel or star that was place at the pinnacle of the tree. We kids….and I am mostly talking about my younger brother and me….were not allowed to touch the lights. That “honor” was reserved for my older sisters and bother…..and, of course, my parent. My younger brother and I would watch with anticipation until the lights were circled around the tree….always starting at the top. When the lights were finally arranged perfectly, each of us put an ornament on the tree in turn until the last one had been placed. We searched for the “ideal” place for our ornaments, most often, probably, being coached by one of our older siblings. I mean…. This was important stuff, and it had to be done right! After the ornaments, came the tinsel, again mostly a job for the older ones. But….the icicles. Now that is where we had almost free reign to place them anywhere we wanted. And… We took the matter seriously. After all…. The tree had to be perfect.

Our family had a Christmas tree for as long as I can recall. Even after all of us had grown into adults, decorating the Christmas tree was an occasion we all looked forward to. Sometimes it was not possible for all of the family to be together to decorate the tree, but whomever was available was always there to ensure that the tree was decorated and ready for the holiday season.

 

 

 

 

The last tree I decorated at home was the Christmas after I returned home from South Vietnam. It had been six years since I lived at home….three years in the Army….three years in South Vietnam….and that evening brought back a lot of fond memories. Well, that is not quite correct. The very first year I lived in my new, just-built house I had a tree. I was persuaded (and it didn’t take very much) to go out into the field behind my house and cut down some sort of evergreen tree that grew wild back there. It was a disaster. The branches were like stickers; it all too soon dried out and began shedding all over the floor….and it was ugly. So…. I am not counting that one. Only trying to erase it from my memory.

OK… After that nostalgic throwback, let’s get back to the present.

Romeo and I had discussed getting a Christmas tree even in the summer while they were here….especially how tall the tree would (or should) be. Romeo has all in favor of buying a rather humongous tree….. six or seven feet tall. Wow…. The ceiling in the front room is only seven feet six inches tall. A tree that tall would hardly fit into the room, especially if we intended to put a star on top. I was also concerned about blocking the warm air from the furnace vent. Sometimes we have enough difficulty in heating the house without intentionally setting something in front of the vent.

The debate continued during our weekly online chats. Romeo does not give up easily…..and neither do I. Initially, it seemed to me that a five feet tree would the ideal way to go. We could set it on a box to get it off the floor a bit and still keep the warm air flowing freely. After they arrived, we began to look at trees more closely….taking measurement and all that kind of stuff. After a bit more discussion, I relented and ordered a six feet tall tree….one that could sit on the floor and still not impede the flow of air.

I ordered a six feet tall artificial spruce tree with 800 branch tips with a folding stand so it could be stored and used annually. Actually, it was a good looking tree. Along with the tree, I also bought 80 Christmas tree ornaments and a 73 feet long string of 200 LED lights. So… On the Saturday afternoon following Thanksgiving Romeo was eager to set the tree up. The tree came in three separate sections to make storing it easy and more convenient. It was packed into a narrow box….so narrow that before we opened it, I was suspicious that we had been ripped off with some sort of malformed excuse for a tree. And, my suspicions were not relieved when Romeo first took the tree from the box, But, then he started straighgtening up the little “twigs”….800 of them, remember….and the tree began to take shape. I joined in the task and helped him. And, after maybe 15 minutes we had a nice looking….and realistic looking…..tree sitting before us. Maybe you are asking where Mannie was during this time. Actually, he did not seem to share the same enthusiasm for decorating that Romeo and I did.

Romeo started stringing the light around the tree. It soon became apparent that 200 LED lights were not going to complete the job. By this time, Mannie had appeared on the scene to check out what we were doing. The only thing we could do was get into the car and drive to Walmart to buy some more lights. I had forgotten to buy something to go on the top of the tree. The obvious choices were either a star or an angel. We saw a nice looking star that would nice on top. We headed back home to complete to decorating.

Mannie joined in the fun and helped Romeo hang the ornaments on the tree. They carefully and judiciously placed each ornament. Between them, they managed to create a visually stunning tree. Not only did they have fun….but I think they were proud of the work they had done….and rightly so. The crowning moment of the evening was plugging the tree into the electrical outlet….and knowing all the work had been worthwhile. This, hopefully, will be a process which will be repeated again and again for many years to come.

Depending on how you look at it, decorating the Christmas tree may have been the most exciting experience of this year’s Christmas Season. But that may be up for debate, depending on which one of us you ask. I am merely making a personal assumption….and stating a personal preference. But, it was only one of the activities we did to celebrate the season.

We looked a lot of Christmas lights around the city. Several evenings we braved the cold weather, got into the car, and went in search of Christmas lights. They were not difficult to find. Topeka has an abundance of lavish displays to look at. First and foremost among the Christmas light displays is Winter Wonderland. For the past twenty-eight years, this display has been a major fund raiser for TARC….Topeka Association for Retarded Citizens. They raise money which is used to support citizens with intellectual and developmental issues. At the present time, it touches the lives of about 2500 children and families.

Winter Wonderland is open from Thanksgiving weekend through the first of the year. This extravaganza is located on the east side of Lake Shawnee, and it covers about two miles of roads that wind their way around the lake. The display of lights is a feast for the eyes and depict a wide range of Christmas-related themes. Think of almost any topic that is related to the Christmas season….and the odds are it will be represented in this display. Of course, the major display are scenes of Christ in a manger….and the characters associated with the Biblical account of the birth of Christ….Joseph and Mary, the shepherds, sheep, the Wise Men, the star of Bethlehem. The scene would not be complete without angels. It is all there, the entire Christmas story….visualized in lights.

The secular scenes and characters from Christmas tradition are not neglected. You want Santa Claus? You got him. His elves? They are there, too. And, the season would probably not be complete without Rudolf and his high-flying reindeer companions. Throw in some candy canes and some snowmen….maybe Frosty?….and then you are getting some idea of what to expect. Take my word for it….or better yet, to see it for yourself.

Winter Wonderland take weeks to assemble. Stop for a minute and consider the planning, the logistics….not to mention the hundreds of thousands of lights which have to be installed. Not only installed….but arranged so they make recognizable objects….and tell a story. The price of admission is merely $10.00 per car. It is an inexpensive, fun and exciting way to contribute to a worthwhile community endeavor.

Romeo and Mannie and I actually drove through the display a couple times. The first time we had a tendency to rush though the displays. Our pictures were not very good. The pictures from our second effort was more successful….mostly because this time we slowed down….took our time….and took our time to enjoy the drive.

The citizens of Topeka, like the citizens of most cities and towns, go all out on Christmas decorations. Throughout the Christmas season we spent several evenings merely driving around looking at lights. One of the more lavishly decorated neighborhoods is the Potwin area….located on the near northeast side of Topeka. This neighborhood has long has the reputation of being one of “the” places to enjoy an evening of driving up and down the streets gazing at the lights. Just like us…. We spent an enjoyable evening joining the dozens of other sightseers who had the same idea as we did. Our time was well spent, I think. And, I hope I am safe in saying that all three of us, Mannie, Romeo and I, found the time to worthwhile and pleasant.

Another notable display of Christmas trees was set up in the Fairlawn Plaza Mall. This traditional display was a charitable benefit for SLI (Sheltered Living, Inc.) of Topeka. The trees had been decorated by various organizations and individuals and donated to SLI to be auctioned off to the highest bidder to raise funds for the organization. I am not sure how many trees were on display. Maybe 100 of them? At any rate, the trees were set up on tables in the long corridor of the mall. Many of the trees were not decorated in a traditional manner….what we would normally expect a Christmas tree to look like. Instead, the trees was decorated with a different “theme”….and some, in my opinion, rather bizarre. Maybe I am bound too much by my concept of what a Christmas tree “should” look like. But a Christmas tree decorated with dolls? With old 45 rpm disks? With Boy Scout badges? I guess that just isn’t my idea of what a tree should look like. Actually, I think our own Christmas tree….the one that Romeo and Mannie decorated….was more attractive and in better taste than many we saw at the Fairlawn Mall. I also questioned who, exactly would buy such trees? Somebody, I guess….at least…. I hope.

Christmas Eve finally arrived. Mannie and I attended the Christmas Eve service at The First United Methodist Church. This has been a long-lasting tradition for me, dating back to the year I first started attending the church in the early 1970’s. While many other churches conduct Christmas Eve services, many, if not most, of them are held in the late afternoon or early evening hours. I am not sure why they hold the services at such an early hour…..probably because they think it will improve the attendance. Or maybe because it is a more reasonable hour for children. Or maybe it is to give families more time to spend together on Christmas Eve.

The First United Methodist Church in Topeka actually holds a variety of services on Christmas Eve….. One in the afternoon intended for the children of the church. Each age group sings songs, acts out little skits…..things of that sort. There is another service in the early evening. It is a less formal service and is designed for those people who would rather not get out so late at night. And, then there is the service which begins at 11:00 P.M. It is a more formal service….more solemn, perhaps….which is attended by us people who like the formal structure of the service, not to mention its beauty…its grace….it style. It is one hour of scripture, music and spoken word, all of which convey the meaning of the birth of Christ. The service ends with the singing of Silent Night, as each member of the congregation lights a candle and the lights in the sanctuary go dark….and the service ends almost on the stroke of midnight….Christmas Day.

Mannie and I made a special attempt to arrive early because we knew that parking spaces would be scarce…..especially parking spaces for handicapped individuals. We were fortunate enough to find a somewhat convenient parking spot. Special Christmas music was performed prior to the service, so we sat quietly and listened to the music while we waited for the service to begin. The sanctuary was already approaching capacity when we arrive almost thirty minutes early. The most convenient seats available were those in the very front. That was OK. We had a front row seat to the service.

At midnight, after the service had ended, we took our traditional drive down Wanamaker Street. It is only night….the single night….of the year when this busiest street in Topeka is totally devoid of traffic. It is empty….a ghost town…. It is a little spooky to see the Walmart parking lot completely, absolutely empty. And, to me it is one of the Seven Wonders of Topeka. Please don’t ask me what the other six are!

We….or at least, I….started discussing Christmas gifts long before Christmas Day arrived. “What do you want for Christmas?” This inquiry was unanimously met with the reply of “I don’t care.” This response can become a little bit annoying after a while. “OK… You don’t have to tell me specifically. Just give me a category….a hint….a clue.” This did not help much. There was still no response that was going to help me choose a gift. And, let’s face it…. Both Mannie and Romeo are difficult to buy gifts for. Even after spending a few months with them, I still had no clues as to what they like or what their interests are. After weeks….and yes, it was weeks….of prodding, both of them finally said they wanted one of my paintings as a Christmas gift.. Romeo’s preference was that I paint a new painting for him. Mannie preferred to choose one that I had already painted. Wow…. Finally. That wasn’t so difficult….was it? Even though I still wasn’t exactly how sincere they were being. But, the die was cast. Both of them would….and did….receive a painting from me for Christmas.

 

Me? I tried to make it somewhat more simple for them. Anything would have been great! Anything they gave to me would be forever valued…..setting on their self forever. But, as I said, I tried to practice what I preached. “I want something personal with either YOUR name on it….of Ghana….or Grambling University….on it. I think that pretty well opened up the possibilities. And, I was not disappointed. In fact, I was happy and very touched when Mannie presented me with a lighted plaque with my pictures and an inscription on it. It is proudly displayed and is lighted twenty-four hours a day. Romeo gave me a “bobble-head” figure of myself…with the word Grambling written on it. It looks somewhat like me….maybe. At least they got the short sleeve shirt, the shorts, the black compression stockings and the black shoes….and the white hair. It is sitting on Romeo’s shelf….and will stay here….well, forever. Yes…. I will treasure these gifts forever because Romeo and Mannie gave them to me. But…on the other hand, they should also treasure the paintings I gave to them…. Someday they can sell them for about $20 million each….when they finally get tired being sentimental about me!

 

 

 

I receive two other gifts this  year that were notable and will also be displayed in my townhouse forever.  Both of them have special significance because they came from special people in my life.  The first of these gifts was given to me by my cousins  while were were visiting them in Lyons.  My cousin, Dennis, is a master craftsmen in the most true since of the word.  He produces some extraordinary works of art which I have admired for years.  This year he presented my with a handmade clock which he made specially for me. It is an amazing example of fine art….not a painting….but a clock.  And, not only a clock, but a clock with a Jayhawk on its face.  What more could I ask for?

My friend, Jason, gave me a special cup with his bank’s logo on it.  It is also a work of art in its own special way.  It is not a clock which you can buy off the shelf at Walmart.  It came in its own exquisite gift box.  It is too nice to ever use for mere drinking.  It, too, will remain on his shelf for everybody…..myself included…..to see.

Several days earlier, I had made an executive decision that we would spend a quiet, uneventful day together on Christmas Day…..just the three of us. No big meal to prepare….no extra preparations. We all rose late on Christmas Day, exchanged our gifts….and just lounged around the house until it was time to eat a mid-afternoon lunch. Most restaurants were closed both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day…..and that is understandable. In fact, Christmas Day is the ONLY day of the entire year when Topeka is virtually shut down…..nothing is open, aside from service stations and some convenience stores. We chose to go to the China Pavilion to eat. The owners of this Chinese buffet have long opended its doors on Christmas Day to accommodate those people…like us….who did not want to spend the time preparing a Christmas meal. So instead of dining on turkey and dressing….or other time consuming meals…..we, instead enjoyed a meal of good old Christmas shrimp, egg rolls, rice…. We were not alone in making this decision, apparently. It was somewhere around 2:30 in the afternoon when we walked into the China Pavilion. It was at least filled to three-fourths its capacity. I later talked to a friend who had been there during the noon hour. The only thing he could say was, “Wow! It was packed!” After an extended, but pleasant, Christmas meal, we returned back home. It was our first Christmas together….and one that I hope is repeated many times.

The final Big Event of Romeo and Mannie’s six weeks visit was our trip to Rock City Park, up and out in north central Kansas about twenty miles north of I-70 near the town of Minneapolis. Rock City is a collection of somewhere around 200 very large sandstone boulders which are distributed over an area about the size of two football fields. These large rock formations were formed in the neighborhood of two million years ago. At least that is what scientists claim. And, I am not going to argue the fact.

 

 

 

I know they have been there for at least three years! That was my first encounter with them. Actually this is only place in the world where such a concentration of this type this type of sandstone boulders can be found. Another important distinction for the state of Kansas! For sure, they are an impressive display….and it sort of appears that Mother Nature placed them in a rather picturesque pattern…..maybe so they would make a good photo op?

 

 

 

Maybe you are asking…. What are these rock good for? What can you do there? The answer is probably…..not much. Other than the fact that they are visually pleasing….interesting….unusual….maybe somewhat bizarre…. They are fun to climb on. And that may be the major attraction. It was for both Romeo and Mannie. They spent a great of time exploring the area….and, of course climbing the rocks. That activity proved to be most fun. One would think that once you have climbed one rock….then you have done it. All of the other rocks are the same. But, at Rock City each boulder is unique….different sizes, different shapes, different challenges, different poses to strike… Each rock presented its own unique satisfaction and offered its own rewards.

 

 

 

So…. Why not? Go ahead…. Climb all of them… They didn’t quite climb all of them, but they got a good start. As for me…. My rock climbing days are in the past. I was very content to watch Mannie and Romeo as they accepted the challenges of becoming “pretend” mountain climbers and scaling the heights of the miniature, make believe mountains. And, as always, I was the official photographer and recorded their enjoyment and laughter in pictures. It was a fun and worthwhile diversion, but, as will most things, it was time to leave it behind and move on.

 

 

 

Although it was a few miles out of our way….and we were not going to make it back home until after dark….we decided to drive over to Cawker City and take a look at the World’s Largest Ball of Twine.

Let me be quite honest. This is not a destination event. It does not rival the Grand Canyon….or even Rock City. It is, however, a unique and odd-ball roadside attraction. It is rather widely known in the state of Kansas. Everybody hears about it….but nobody goes to see it. Well… That really is not true. We went to see it!

The World’s Largest Ball of Twine is easy to find. It is located on the main street of Cawker City, on what I think it also a highway. There it is, sitting under a gazebo type structure on the south side of the street….and a convenient parking lot adjoining it. The ball of twine is 46 feet in circumference….and it weights 27,000 lbs. That is about 13 and a half tons! It is a little too heavy to pick up. If you unroll the ball of twine, it would measure a staggering 8.5 million feet long. You can wrap a lot of packages with that much twine. According to the sign, it was started back in 1953 by a local farmer. By 1963 it has grown large enough to be carried into town and put on display.

Yeah… To some people it may seem a little bit corny….somewhat rural. But, on the other hand, it is a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the people of Cawker City to come up with a one-of-a-kind attraction which they can call their own. Come on…. Would you have thought of it? And, again, it makes a good picture….probably one that your friends do not have….and have not seen. We didn’t linger there for long….probably longer that we should have, though. The sun was thinking of setting when we left. A couple hours later, we were back in Topeka, picking up some Chinese food from the Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant, and heading back to the warmth and comfort of our townhouse.

To be honest…. Most of our time was spent in the townhouse….Darrah Tower….as it has been nicknamed. Everyday life took place here within these four walls. Yes, a lot stuff went on here….

One of the activities that Mannie and I actively engaged in was painting. The “painting studio” is located in the basement. For a few years the painting studio was on the dining room table. It really wasn’t bothering anything. I rarely….no, never….use the dining room table for eating, unless there are guests for dinner. And, that happens once….twice at the most…. a year. Eventually I simply got tired of the mess and confusion is caused. Once the paints….and brushes….and other painting utensils are on the table, there really is not much that be done to keep it clean and orderly. So about a year ago, Carter built a “painting table” in the basement, and all of the painting paraphernalia was moved down to the basement.

While Cezanne was staying here, his girl friend came to spend a few weekends. Now… She is an artist. While she sat creating her (literal) masterpieces from nothing else but her imagination…..and while Cezanne, for the most part, simply sat watching her….I worked on a painting of my own. It is….well, what should I call it? A mosaic type painting with my initials embedded in it. I like it…. And, so did Romeo…or at least, he said he did. Regardless, that is what he decided he wanted for his Christmas gift.

These painting are labor intensive, to say the least. First of all the initials of the person must be drawn on the canvass….and drawn in such a manner that they are distinguishable. Then, using a pencil, an intricate series of “pieces” are drawn over the canvass. In order to make it somewhat realistic, there must be literally dozens of little spaces created….to resemble small individual pieces of glass. Each of these little spaces….or “pieces” must then be filled with different colors of paint. Of course, the initials must be painted so they are distinguishable from the remainder of the background. The end product, if all goes well, will resemble a stained glass window with the initials embedded within the painting.

While I sat and worked on this one painting, Mannie worked on his paintings, too. It takes an estimated six to eight hours to complete my painting. About two hours is the max on channeling my attention toward painting. Consequently we were down in the basement three or four nights working. As I said, I was working on Romeo’s Christmas gift….and I wanted to do an acceptable job. Mannie’s paintings were a gift for me. As I said, he asked that he be allowed to select a painting that I had done previously for his gift.

As we painted, my back was facing him, so we did not engage in a lot of conversation, except for a few intermittent exchanges. We were both absorbed in the tasks at hand. The painting I was working on was labor intensive and required a great deal of concentration. During the time it took me to complete one picture, Mannie was able to produce three pictures….four, actually, because he painted over one of them because he was dissatisfied with it. The three paintings that he did produce were all pure Mannie. No input from me. Which is good. When he presented them to me on Christmas morning, they were one hundred percent his work….his ideas….his creativity. Actually, Mannie started another painting, too. He sort of hit a road block, so to speak, and left it to complete at a later time.

 

 

 

For some reason Romeo chose not to join us during any of our painting sessions. I have no idea why, but he declined all the invitations which were extended to him to come join us. Of course…. That was his decision.

Food preparation is always an important event….if not a ritual….when Romeo and Mannie come to visit. And…. Yes, rice was the ubiquitous food….again. And, chicken. And the various stews, soups and sauces, of which I am still confused as to their difference. But, on the other hand, it not of major importance to me. I merely accepted their word for what we happened to be eating on any particular night.

 

 

 

Happily, we did manage to make some progress….a baby step, at least….toward expanding our culinary horizons a bit. It was like pulling teeth from a chicken, as my mother would say, but one evening for dinner we actually had meatloaf. Good old staple, familiar American meatloaf. It was what I hope turns out to be a ground breaking step in future meals. And, the encouraging thing is: They actually liked it! Or pretended they did. I will even accept that! And, they also seemed to like creamed corn and scalloped potatoes….and cheese cake. The question is: Will they remember these innovations when they return? Will they still like them. Or will we have to start from ground zero again.

Yes… There was more fufu and more banku. But, only for them. As I explained earlier: Been there; done that. And, I did not like that. I was perfectly content…even eager….to eat my old diet on these occasions. Mannie, however, was always kind enough to prepare some rice for me. I think they simply cannot imagine a meal with no rice……and z meal with no rice is something that I dream about! At meal time, at least.

We continued to eat out on a regular basis, too. Always in the same familiar places. Still following long standing tradition, we ate lunch with Jason on Wednesday….always at the Ichabod Grille. Jason and I tried this place once, and it has become our regular go-to eating place. Back in “the old days”, we always asked, “Where do you want to eat this week?” Now that question is no longer asked. It is a foregone conclusion. It is understood that we will eat at the Ichabod Grille. As I may have pointed out previously, the food is excellent, as well as plentiful, and the prices are among the cheapest in Topeka. It is easy for both of us get to; parking is plentiful….and convenient; and the personnel are super friendly and accommodating. In fact, they do not even bother to ask what we want to order. They just bring it to us. I think that both Mannie and Romeo like the place, too. They have never registered any complaints….and they also tend to order the same food every time we eat there.

One of the other two places where we are bound to show up when dining out are The China Pavilion…..without a doubt the best Chinese restaurant in the city. This is a favorite of Sam’s, and we are semi-regular customers on Fridays.  We are also familiar faces in this restaurant, too. We all feel at home there. Again, the food is good….and plentiful. But….That depends on you since it is an all-you-can-eat buffet. It is casual dining at its best with a wide variety of food…..and a relaxed, no-hurry atmosphere. I think we have eaten there with Jason. But, when we are dining by ourselves….or with Sam….this is probably the place he chooses.

As mentioned previously, Jason and I eat lunch together every Wednesday. We have been doing this for several year. It is our “Wednesday” thing to do. He has gotten to know Romeo and Mannie fairly well, and when they are staying with me, they are also regulars at these lunch meetings….no matter where we decide to eat.

On the other hand, both Romeo and Mannie are also fond of El Dorado Mexican Restaurant. If either of them has the option of choosing where to eat, it is a good bet this is the place they might choose, rather than China Pavilion. It could be a toss up.

When we eat at home….and that is normally where we eat….the evening has sort of evolved into a distinct and regular pattern. We eat supper, after which Mannie and Romeo do the dishes. After the dishes are washed and put away, they go upstairs….probably to send some alone time, one on one time with their cell phones. For me…. It is nap time! I turn on one of CD’s, close my eyes and sleep for eighty minutes….let’s say from 6:30 until 8:00….the duration of the CD. This is a habit or pattern that I have developed and followed for more years than I can remember. If I miss my nap….and sometimes I do….though it is not any fault of my own….it throws my entire day off. I take care to always take a nap.

At 8:00, or shortly thereafter, I hear Mannie descending the stairs. Over the time he has lived in my house, this has developed into a tradition…..our special time together. Mannie doesn’t seem to be a fan of watching TV. Mostly we simply sit and talk….discuss…sometimes argue (in a friendly sort of way, of course). Spending this time has enabled us to get to know each other better and to understand each other on a more significant and thoughtful basis. I am going to venture an opinion and say that Mannie has a more philosophical personality than most people I talk to. But, Mannie also has a humorous side….although it is understated and a bit more subtle than my average friends.

At 10:00 Mannie goes back upstairs to do something….something I have never figured out. Maybe it is to check out his cell phone….maybe to work on one of his “projects”….or to do something on his computer….maybe to sleep. I really don’t know. But, in any event…. Here comes Romeo walking down the stairs….almost always wrapped in his blanket.

The time I spend with Romeo is an entirely different scenario. It is 10:00….time for the local news, which is always playing in the background. However, at 10:35 when Stephen Colbert appears on the screen, our attention shifts. Our eyes and ears are focused on the TV screen. If we are at home, you can bet we will be watching Stephen Colbert. And, if the show is a rerun, you can be equally certain we are watching Jimmy Kimmel.

On this most recent stay, Romeo introduced to two new TV shows. I think Romeo has quite possibly seen every TV show that has ever been produced in the past ten years….while I pretty much stick to my old familiar favorites. One of the TV shows that he really seems to like is “Friends”. I can honestly say that I never watched even one episode of that show during all the years is has been in existence. Why didn’t I watch it? I don’t have any idea. It just didn’t seem like something I would like to watch. And, also with the exception of “Antiques Roadshow”, I never turn on the TV until 10:00…..and then I watch my old standby favorites. So… In order to please Romeo and because I didn’t want to completely monopolize what we watched, I relented, and we started watching “Friends” on a regular basis….sometimes as many as three or four of them in a row. Yeah… It is an entertaining show….funny and engaging. After Romeo left and went back to college, “Friends” simply lost its appeal….and it is no longer on my nightly agenda.

Now…. Another TV show he introduced me to was an entirely different story. In pre-Romeo days, I had never heard of a TV show called “Shark Tank”…..and even if I had I probably would have passed over it without giving it a second though. “Shark Tank”? Who would want to watch a show about sharks swimming around in a pool…or river….or wherever. No…. There not a chance that I would have watched it. But, at Romeo’s suggestion I agreed to watch it. Wow…. It is not about vicious marine life….or the ocean….or of people actually fighting off sharks. It turned out to be an intelligent, as well as entertaining show that showcases new products which ambitious first time entrepreneurs are asking for money to jump start the products which they have developed. If you have not seen it…. Watch it. It is not what you might first think. And, like I said it both educational and entertaining. And, for me, it is addictive. I continue to watch even now when Romeo is 600 miles away, back in college.

Romeo and I had sort of a non-verbal understanding that we would turn off the TV at 1:00 A.M. This is when we took advantage of the time to sit and talk…..about a lot of stuff. Sometimes Mannie would some back downstairs, but more often than not, he could be found up in his room….sound asleep!

This pattern sort of evolved during the summer months….and carried over into this latest stay. And, it works well….although maybe it would be nice for all three of us to sit down and have a conversation together sometime.

A couple important items that do not mentioned enough….. One: for probably forty years each Sunday morning I drove down to Topeka to attend church…..The First United Methodist Church. Unfortunately, as my mobility deceased, walking up the steps which led to the church became more difficult….and then virtually impossible. Oh… I could probably have done it, but I live in constant fear of falling….tripping on one of the steps. If I were by myself this could end up not being a very pretty scene! Reluctantly, I opted to simply stay at home and watch the worship service online. It is certainly not the same as being in the sanctuary in person….but it does afford the opportunity to be part of the service….even remotely. While Mannie was here, we went to church almost every Sunday morning. It was a great satisfaction to me….and I think, to him. That simple act of kindness….although it was mutually beneficial….meant a lot to me. And, it is one that I will never forget.

Oh, yes….. One Sunday….the last Sunday before he left to go back to Grambling…..we attended a service at a Roman Catholic Church. Mannie is a Roman Catholic, but he was kind and considerate enough to accompany me to my church. Upon his return, I am very hopeful that we can make some sort of arrangement whereby we can go to both of our worship services. Maybe attend the Roman Catholic service on Saturday evening….and then continue to go to my church on Sunday. That would be a very agreeable plan…..hopefully, for both of us.

One more thing…. And, I have hesitated to discuss it….mostly I do not want it to appear that I am looking for sympathy…. As years to by, my mobility has gradually decreased. As those of you who know me are aware, my knee joints are, for all practical purposed, gone….bone on bone. And, the doctors are very reluctant to replace them because of various reasons. And, for a number of years, there have been issues with my heart, and this will probably never improve. As a result, there are problems with mobility and also with strength and stamina.

Both Romeo and Mannie and Jason have been great! They understand and they never hesitate to lend a hand without a second thought. Among many other reasons, this would be reason enough for them to earn a lifetime of gratitude and affection. They have been my guardian angels, to to speak. They have consistently made my life easier and more livable and joyful. Need I say more…….

So….. As we always knew it would…..The time came for Romeo and Mannie to return to Grambling University to continue their education and prepare for bright futures. For me, it was a sad day. But, they will return. And, that is something good to look forward to.