Mary Queen of Peace

Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church was also nominated as an archetectural wonder. Perhaps a bird's eye view would capture the parabala shape of the structure. It's defineitely hip 1960's design. If you're a traditionalist, this may not suit your tastes, but it is an amazing structure.

Triangles and Squares

Once inside the structure I ceased to be overwhelmed by sixtiesness of the building. I thought it was beautiful.
The light that comes in from the stain glass must spill into the room at all hours of the day because there doesn't seem to be a time of daylight when some sunbeam wouldn't be reaching through those windows. It was lovely.
The stained glass is done in squares and rectangles-- symbolically the four gospels?
Triangles-- a symbol for the trinity?

For the Father of Lights

John Mack Bridge

Another post-voting 8 architectural wonders of Kansas nominee, Wichita's John Mack Bridge.

It is a lovely bridge. As a bridge it was way too easy to find. We had an address, we drove there. Actually, I think that my navigator knew exactly where it was located without the address.

Carthalite

The voting for the 8 architectural wonders of Kansas is over, but I still have some places that I haven't posted. One of the nominees was the Carthalite concrete work in Wichita. It's interesting and pretty though from the pictures it looks like the bridge is the coolest of the offerings. It is being repaired at this time and is inaccessible. Above (and below) is the Dockum drugstore building.

Allen's Market Building

Griffin Architectural Office Building.

I didn't go and see all of the buildings and there are several more. It is amazing work. Truth be told however, I prefer exploring in the middle of nowhere. I had a good time especially using a local navigator.

Family Resemblance

Usually when I'm mistaken for one of my siblings, it's Jeanette. This weekend however, someone asked me if I was Mary. I think you can see how similar we look in this photo.

Father's Day

This is one of my all time favorite poems and a very nice one for Father's Day.

Fromme-Birney Round Barn

There is a round barn south of Mullinville that has been nominated as one of the 8 Architectural Wonders of Kansas. Let's go check it out.


The description tries to capture it's wonder, but I'm pretty sure you need to see this place to really understand.

It's not round. It's 16-sided.

The best thing about not knowing what to expect is the delight of discovering something truly wonderful.

A stall this nice makes you kind of wish you were a horse.

A quiet spot for watching the wind blow.

The barn is a little self-guided tour. You let yourself in, sign the guest book, look around, buy a memento and leave your money in the metal pot.

Some artist views

"Girl Near Barn"

"Barn Ceiling"

"Dusty Barn Floor"

My list and some poems.

I keep a list at the office of poets whose work I might want to purchase one day. Most recently I purchased Tony Hoagland's What Narcissism Means to Me on the recommendation of the list.


I started keeping a list when I began my current job because I decided to read at least one poem a day to prevent life from becoming unbeautiful. Life gives me (and you) many, many opportunities to call it ugly. If we choose to focus on the ugly we stop seeing the beautiful. The daily poetry habit is an attempt to combat that. Also, poetry makes me happy-- reading, writing, listening-- it makes me glad. Anyway, that habit became a list of poets. I mostly read/listen to the Writer's Almanac, but there are many other sources for poems and some days I need 3 or 4.


Here are some poetry links for the poet I added this guy to my list: Baron Wormser. This morning "A Quiet Life" was today's poem on the Writer's Almanac.

Tony Hoagland: "Windchime". This is from the book I'm reading and has a lovely layered meaning for me only. It's nice the way writing and especially poetry can give that.

And one from Billy Collins because everyone likes to read Billy Collins. "Study in Orange and White" anticipates some summer sightseeing.

I've been contemplating poetry participation again, but I'm still working on it. I'll make you an offering soon.