Allen to Ponoma Lake; Distance = 37 Miles; People Met = 3
I never knew until this journey what a confused bunch of birds geese are. I don’t question why some still fly north; I assume they are seeking a nearby lake for a temporary resting place. What gets me is when they seem to have no clue which direction they want to go. A day after Cheyenne Bottoms we witnessed two flocks flying in opposite directions. When they met above us they proceeded to fly in circles—once, twice, three times—until both flocks joined together and headed north.
On this stretch we witnessed something similar. One large flock was heading south, the other north. They meet and start to fly every which way before grouping together and heading north towards the horizon. A minute later the same flock flies above us going south. About five minutes later the same flock (I think), after having disappeared near the southern horizon, fly above us again going north. At that point I yelled up: “You dummies, you’re going the wrong way!”
Have they figured it out yet?
We talk to animals quite a bit, mostly cows and horses. The horses run to the fence and look at us expectantly, in a manner I wish to think means “Do you want to play?” but probably means “Do you have an apple?” The cows look at us with ponderous expressions, as if working out the deep meaning behind our conversation … or they run away.
This one can't run away
Dogs are a mixed lot. They usually initiate the “talking,” sometimes a hundred feet or more before we arrive. We reply with shameless flattery: “You’re such a good dog!” They either stop barking to bask in the praise or they bark all the louder to make clear they won’t let their guard down by sweet talk.
Cats disappear on sight; there’s no sense in even beginning a conversation with them. All wild critters are like cats as well, except that an occasional raven may size us up a bit before taking off with an air that suggests we are beneath his dignity.
In between the two days from Allen to Pomona Lake we spent the night at Gwen Crane’s house in Osage City. Gwen grew up on a farm to the southwest; then raised three daughters and a grandson as a single mom. She now has a retirement job as secretary for the United Methodist Church, which is why Ky met her.
Gwen Crane
Gwen is quite proud of her church and filled me in on some of their kind endeavors. Lest I should forget the details Gwen also provided me their most recent newsletter. All the churches in Osage City work together as part of a ministerial alliance that runs ECAT: Ecumenical Christian Action Team. Among the projects of ECAT are the warmth fund to assist with heating and the love fund to assist with more general needs. The churches of the alliance also rotate hosting Lenten meals for each other.
I’ve noticed that a system for rotating responsibilities is another key factor for community approaches. Without this rotation, a community activity becomes more of a heroic activity with one individual or organization in charge. We like our heroes, but I’m reminded of the Taoist poem titled: “When life was full there was no history.” The message is that when people are living well in community there are no heroes.
About two weeks before us Gwen hosted a 24 year old woman named Abby bicycling across country, west to east. That means she might of passed us while we were both in Kansas. Gwen was quite enthused to have hosted Abby and follows her blog. She also was enthused about hosting us, several times thanking us for “picking her” to stay with. So if you are now following us on this blog, Gwen, many thanks for your kindness!!
Day 183 marks the halfway point. Tomorrow, Thanksgiving, marks the end of the six month and the beginning of the last half of our journey. We have much for which to be thankful.
Other Photos
A donkey is kept with horses to protect them (seriously)
Cindy's been in the Cheez-Its bag again!
Proud farming family
They love this type of sculpture in Kansas
This gets the point across
