just a small town boy

Well, I am not really a small town boy. I am an army brat, who lived everywhere growing up, so I guess I have always had the urge to travel. Still, it is nice to call somewhere home and that somewhere for the last twenty years has been Wichita.

I enjoy reading the College Hill Commoner, the best paper west of the Hudson, written and edited by someone who came from the Hudson River Valley. (I think I got that right, if I didn't Barry will correct me.)

There are a slew of Wichitans traveling to Europe this summer despite the dismal exchange rate. Will and I left June the 8th and have been scooting by car throuygh France, Spain, and eventually, Italy, and maybe Switzerland and Germany. My wife Robin and daughter Hannah will join us in Florence. Craig and Deana Robinson, along with others on a K-State sponsored trip, friends and newlyweds, Nick and Tara, and other friends from Overland Park, Carol and Chris Walker. We are all converging on Italy from different directions and can be found in the area in and around Florence.

Salut.

Wichita Symphony Showhouse

All pictures posted on shutterfly.

Here is the livingroom chest, part of the Castle Bromwich collection from Theodore Alexandre and available at Traditions Furniture.

The room is French in style, casual in approach, and comfortable in use. The artwork recreates European themes.

wichita symphony showhouse

The Showhouse continues until the 21st of June. Here are some more pictures of the rooms:

The Sid Dickens wall is a golden yellow paint with faux finish. The curtains and blinds are by Marion Alley.

Symphony Showhouse in Wichita

The Symphony Showhouse XVI, at Victor Place and Rutan, runs from May 31 until June 21, 2009. Tickets are $12 at the door.

Writing Blindly

There is a common theme that runs through our lives - that we have no clear idea of why we reach out to other human beings and no clear idea of the real meaning of our lives. This is the subject of Roger Rosenblatt's short story, "I am Writing Blindly," which centers on the message written by Lieut. Captain Dimitri Kolesnikov to his wife from aboard the sunken and doomed submarine Kursk. Captain Kolesnikov's writing to his wife is remarkable because it was only discovered when recovery efforts succeeded in raising the Kursk months after all members aboard had died from lack of oxygen, and all the more remarkable because 23 of the 118 crewmen had survived the initial explosion that sank the submarine in contradiction to the statement of the Russian Naval Command that all crew members had immediately perished. Finally, the writing is remarkable for the simple fact that Captain Kolesnikov wrote the message entirely in the dark.

Rosenblatt's existential belief is that the human species must search for meaning in life even if that search is unlikely to give us a clear and definitive answer. Rosenblatt's "Job-like" conclusion is that, "[O]ne writes to find God in every sentence. But God (the ironist) always lies in the next sentence."

Even when our circumstances are not so dire as those of Captain Kolesnikov, we reach out to family, friends, and even strangers to make a connection that defines our purpose for being here. Yet, like Kolesnikov there lurks the uncertainty that our message will be heard, or worse, denied by those we expect to listen to what we are saying. With such uncertainty lurking behind every move we make, it is not surprising that many individuals refuse to make the effort to make that connection with humanity. And, yet, we should all take heart from the tragic but ultimately uplifting story of the Kursk - sometimes our messages are heard.

Killing in the Cause of Christ

While he was at church this Sunday morning, Dr. George Tiller was shot and killed by an unknown murderer. Dr. Tiller was gunned down in the presence of his wife and the church congregation, the Reformation Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas. The murderer sped away in his car.

Killing in the Cause of Christ is an idea I have never understood or agreed with. Jesus Christ certainly did not advance the idea that killing another human being is justified. No, Christ taught about forgiveness, compassion, and understanding. He taught of redemption and faith, of love for our fellow men and for peace on earth.

Murder is just that - murder. The killing of Dr. Tiller was the cold-blooded murder of another human being.

Symphony Showhouse 2009

The Wichita Symphony is again hosting the Symphony Showhouse. The showing is at Parkstone Development at Douglas Avenue and Rutan Street and runs for three weeks beginning May 28, 2009.

Traditions Home is proud to contribute to the design of the Symphony Showhouse.

The design team consists of Marion Alley, Marilyn Rine, Dayna Rosencutter, Diane Fletcher, and Vicki Guernsey. The design is French in flavor. The colors are rich reds, yellow, and golds.

The design concept is to create a comfortable living environment. The flow of traffic is maximized by placing the sofa in the bay where it commands the view of the living area.

The chandelier provides a warm light and the use of Sid Dickens tiles are a bit of personal whimsey. The curtains were custom made, as well as the blinds.

The wall color is gold with a slight faux finish to give the area the look and feel of a French manor house.


The Parkstone Development will be the tallest condominium devopment in Wichita when completed.






Look for other exciting retail and office opportunities in the area.

Bob and Andy

I am learning how the blogger works and just wanted to see if I could upload a picture to the blog. Apparently, I can.

The picture of my father-in-law and brother-in-law, Bob and Andy, got me thinking that life in
Wichita is really pretty good. I know I complain about Wichita a lot. I didn't grow up here and can think of a lot more exciting and beautiful spots on this earth.

Still, "It's a great place to raise a family." That is what I always say when anyone asks why I live here. And I guess that is true. I have been here for over twenty years now and have raised two children, Hannah and Will, one in college at DePaul in Chicago, and the other in high school at East High in Wichita.

As you can see from the photograph, we are sitting on the back porch enjoying the beautiful weather. (It was at Andy's house.) There is a beer, glass of wine or scotch somewhere, but you don't see it in the photograph. The food is always great and the conversation between family members even better.

I have known friends who have left Wichita for Hawaii, California, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Not everyone stays and not everyone comes back, but the ones that do come back, and there have been many, always say, "It is my family that brings me back."