We enjoyed watching for signs of the changing seasons, delighting in the fact that we learned to recognize certain powerlines along I-435 that seemed to attract an unusually high number of migrating birds, watching the sun rise and the sun set while on the road. Mark discovered a tree along K177 that looked like it had been struck by lightning, but survived. We refer to it as “Mark’s tree” and have taken several pictures of it. One day, last year, in March, we managed to take pictures of the sunset behind Mark’s tree and, within minutes, turning to the East, take pictures of the rising lunear eclipse. I still remember that it was bitterly cold, the wind whipping viciously across the prairie.
Having to get up, every Saturday, at seven in the morning was - well, let’s just say that we were looking forward to the day that we wouldn’t have to do that anymore. At the end of May, I closed my Manhattan studio and in June, moved to Olathe. I still teach three of my students in Manhattan, but now, “Manhattan Day” happens on Thursdays, and with perhaps one or two exceptions, I have always travelled by myself.
Last week, because I had been not well enough to travel on Thursday, Mark and I drove to Manhattan on Saturday. Having a bit more flexibility, thanks to the generosity of my students’ parents, we didn’t have to be there until 1:30 in the afternoon. Still, it brought back beautiful memories of our many, many Saturday trips to Manhattan. We strolled through Aggieville, used Kirstyn’s Christmas giftcard at Krystallos for new earrings, had a cup of soup at one of the coffee shops, went to teach the lessons, then to Hastings for a cup of coffee and a smoothie. Before going back home, we decided to stop at a jewelry store to look, again, at rings. We found the set we liked the best, and after some consideration (mostly because they had to order my ring in my size) went ahead and purchased the rings.
A most beautiful ending to a beautiful Manhattan Day.
