Why I Love It Here {Western Kansas}

There's something different about this place and I enjoy it very much. The atmosphere, the people, the way of life...it's just nice. Maybe I like it so much because I'm not from here? Maybe because I've lived in the city so I have that point of view as well. Either way, I want to share why I love Western Kansas so much!

 

 

 

 

 

Do these even need captions? Seriously. I think the land here is naturally beautiful. Yes, of course, I love city lights but being able to see this scenery by day and the bright stars by night is pretty awesome.

 

 

One with the land. It is so neat to see crops being grown around my house and watch this place get busy when it's harvest time. The oil industry also keeps our area busy - most of the time.

People know your name. So, I guess this can sometimes be bad especially for people up to no good, but honestly, it's kind of cool when you randomly meet people and they ask your name and realize they know your family.

I don't have to dress to impress. It is very laid back here. People are way too busy outside, sweating like nobody's business to even worry about slapping their face on. My husband loves me and says that I'm beautiful without "that stuff on my face", but I love not having to wear "that stuff" to run errands. I'm sure I could do this anywhere but here, it is not expected and I'm down with that!

 

Events are a big deal. We are not close to any big event venues so we don't get too excited about huge concert tours but when the County Fair or Old Settlers Reunion is going on...now that we get excited about!...It's the little things.

Small town USA. When we lived in town, I worked at a local fuel/automotive shop. It is sort of like one of those you see in the movies. The old men gather in the mornings with a cup of coffee, talking about equipment or plans for the day. Did you know that places around here still have tabs? AND they take checks too! I couldn't believe it when my husband said, just write it down or tell them to put it on my tab, when we grabbed food at the shop or bar. I guess it's ok because everyone knows where we live (and knows our family). Another good thing about living in a rural area is that when you are in need, there is usually someone who can help you out. I am still trying to get used to borrowing things from people for just a bottle of booze, a meal or a hand shake - knowing that you'll return the favor one day.

What do you love about where you live? Is it similar to Western Kansas?

Rain, Rain, Go Away

For so many people, rain is a great thing. And to an extent, it is. But too much of it, can be a bad thing for those of us that depend on dirt roads to make a living. I am sure the farmers are ecstatic that their crops are getting the much deserved drink they need to grow healthy. But for the oil field workers - in particular, the tanker truck drivers - it is not good at all.

Our house is located a little over a mile off of the nearest highway. If my husband can get to the highway that's great but then he has to worry about getting into leases to load and unload the oil. The roads to the leases are dirt, not necessarily well maintained and all it takes is one or two good rains to make it impossible to get in and out of. It's been raining for forever days.

The time my son and I get with my husband is wonderful but our bank account is depleting. I'm not going to lie that I am a little worried but I am trying to have faith that everything will go back to normal. This makes me realize how uneasy it must be for farmers to have to depend on the weather to ensure a good season or not. I am not a fan!

Luckily, we are not completely confined to the house. We have 4 wheel drive vehicles that get us to where we need to go with a little sweat from gripping the wheel as we slip and slide. So until it dries up and everyone starts talking about the drought again, I am using this time to catch up on family time, school work and preparing for upcoming events that are sure to be fun.

Have you been effected by the weather?

Grow Things! [one]

Hello! I have decided to document my adventures in gardening. Since Matthew and I bought our home last October, we acquired a nice garden spot that was screaming for us to start using this year. So a couple weeks ago I started growing some plants indoors. I will try my best to take weekly pictures.

First, we decided what we wanted to grow. Here's our list: onions, kale, tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, potatoes, corn, carrots, green beans, watermelons, cucumbers, blackberries and blueberries.

So far I've planted onions, kale, tomatoes, peppers and strawberries inside. We visited a local store to purchase planting pots and soil that can be put directly into the ground when the time is right. I used just a muffin dish to hold them in. We have a great spot upstairs that is well lit for them to grow. I've also put a used water bottle by them to squirt them daily since they don't require too much water and it saves my preggo self some steps!

Here's week one:

Along with planting these inside, my husband borrowed a rototiller from his brother to till the garden outside. I snapped a few pics of him "working the land". LOL

Week two:

 

Week three:

The only plant that hasn't sprouted anything so far are the strawberries :(
I'm patiently waiting...

Thanks for reading!

Harvest 2013

This is a big thing around here...Wheat Harvest.

I've never experienced it before now and let me say, it's been quite interesting! I love how alive the county seems to be with all of the big tractors and trucks moving around.

Last night I got to go with Matt to help a local farmer who also sold Matt our house and also owns the veterinary clinic with his wife in Utica that Matt's stepmom works at. Matt's job was to get the grain truck, meet up with Randy in the combine (aka: green chopper thing), Randy will "top it off" with what he's cut since loading the truck last and Matt will haul it into town (Utica) to unload at the elevator then take the truck back.

It was very interesting to me to see the whole process. I have been pretty much a city girl my whole life. I have to say though, this is sort of neat and I love where I live. I especially love the people here. I do miss my family a whole lot!!

Here are some pictures I snapped from last night. Hope you enjoy them!

Leaving the field to meet Randy

Randy topping off the top with more grain

We were next to go into the elevator to dump the truck

Outside of the elevator we were just in

The sunset after we got back in the bronco to head home

A piece of wheat I picked out of the field that wasn't chopped up