Scarecrow increase Ramona's population
By JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
(785) 965-2621
If you asked me my favorite way to eat a meal — alone or with company, I'd say, "alone." It's just my personality — I find that when I'm eating a meal in the presence of others, I'm either ignoring the food or the people. One or the other isn't getting the attention it deserves.
My sister, the psychologist says it's because I don't relish "multi-tasking" — that's fancy lingo for "doing more than one thing at a time." Now, it isn't that I can't do several things at once — it's that I don't enjoy it as much.
Because of this trait I decided I was really smart to have chosen to be "child free" this lifetime because having children is 24-hour a day "multi-tasking!"
This weekend I tried painting the fence at our bed and breakfast, while also making french bread. I accomplished both tasks — although the french bread loaves were a bit larger than usual, given that I'd forgotten they were raising, and the paint job may be a bit more "sketchy" than usual since I forgot where I started and left off every time I went to check on my bread.
My sister, Pat, on the other hand, relishes multi-tasking. In some ways I think she feels comatose if there aren't several projects whirling about her at the same time. It's the artist in her — life is like one big canvas with lots of color, designs, and strokes.
"I can see why you loved coming back here to Kansas in the summers," said Pat as we painted the fence together. "We'd be here for 10 days and take on one or two projects and nothing else." Yep, she was dead-on right!
Now that I live in Ramona, my life often resembles a crowded corral, packed with projects and people, and each one kicks up a certain amount of dust. My approach is to lasso one project at a time, separate, and manage. Pat's approach is to jump on those projects and sooner or later the dust will all settle.
In light of our different approaches, Monday mornings are a relief for me because I have a day that's totally in my control. If Mondays had a soundtrack, the song I'd select would be "I Did It MY way!"
For those of you who are also in a relationship of any kind — be it spouse, sibling, or kids, you know that life is a constant negotiation when more than one person is involved.
So while Pat's off teaching art in Marion, I'm home alone and use the time for meditation, contemplation, writing my column, and tackling office work — all at my own pace and unique style.
To begin my day I decided to fix myself a hearty breakfast. When I sat down at our round dining table with the early morning sun streaking over my shoulder, I was suddenly just filled with gratitude. My hands just automatically came together in front of my heart — it's a gesture that I do often since learning yoga many years ago.
If you saw me, you'd think I was saying a blessing on my meal — and I was, in my own sort of way, although not a word passed from my lips. My version of a meal blessing is more internal, more of a "mindfulness" where I bring my thoughts to the present and focus on what's before me.
Every other concern or task in the day was pushed aside, held at bay, as I took in the beauty of the meal on my plate.
I looked at the crispy potatoes and thought of all the folks who have made those potatoes possible — from the farmer who planted them to the ones who harvested and bagged and shipped and delivered and finally placed them on the shelf at the grocery store.
And then the eggs on my plate. For those I blessed Paula and Max Morgan and Paula's mom, for keeping the chickens, feeding them, gathering the eggs and thoughtfully delivering five dozen every couple of weeks.
When it came to my wheat toast I had to bless all you farmers who planted and harvested, and my mom who ground the wheat and made the yummy bread. And the butter that melted in the crevices of my toast was blessed as well, from the cows to the people who make and deliver it.
My peppermint tea had somebody in the fields picking it (I've seen pictures of the women in India who harvest tea — it's amazing). And I even blessed my cousin, Vicki Schubert who gave me the beautiful cup that held my steaming beverage.
Oh, and can't forget the wonders of electricity that brought my meal to life — I even blessed Mr. Manspeaker who works for Westar. He's always so prompt to fix, mend, and install. I couldn't forget to give thanks for my body — my taste buds that savor every different flavor from peppermint tea to milky butter. And my teeth for grabbing and chewing and grinding those crispy potatoes. And my eyes that reveled in the sight of vibrant yellow eggs and the crusty brown of my toast. And my fingers that delighted in the warmth from my tea cup and my ears marveling at the silence that surrounded me as I ate.
And what about my stomach that knows exactly what to do with what I've eaten — like a masterful chemistry lab it divides and conquers, performing thousands of tasks so that what I swallow turns into energy that translates to thinking, touching, feeling, creating.
I believe that's why we were supposed to have blessings at meal time — to cultivate gratitude, to create a moment where nothing else is in our focus except the miracle of the meal before us.
And if people are included in that ritual of eating, let it be with joyfulness and gratitude multiplied by as many folks as sit at the table. If there's conversation, let it be in celebration. Now that would be a meal to savor.
Usually we think about gratitude in November when Thanksgiving is approaching — but really, every day can be a moment of thanksgiving. This week, as I talked with several Ramona residents about their weekly activities, I discovered lots of people who were grateful.
Frank and Anna Mae Stika, longtime Ramona residents who now live in Tampa, sure feel thankful for all the folks who attended the benefit for their daughter, Lisa Hanschu, on Saturday at Papa T's bar and grill in Hope.
"Lori Moldenhauer was in charge of the whole thing and she did such a good job," said Anna Mae Stika.
"We had standing room only," said Anna Mae. "People came from all over — Hutchinson, Wichita and Salina. It was Lisa's birthday, so in addition to the benefit, family and friends brought birthday presents too."
It was such a successful event, Anna Mae was just overflowing with news. "All around the goodness of the day, the people who came, the love and the support, made it a wonderful day. There's more good people in the world than bad," said Anna Mae with gratitude in her voice.
For those who have been reading my column, you know that Lisa is having a bone marrow harvest this week. She and her husband, Ronnie Hanschu, flew to Houston for the procedure that will keep them there all this week.
"This harvest is quite an ordeal," said Lisa's mom. "Lisa will undergo 80-100 punctures in each of her hips as they extract her marrow. But Lisa is a strong person and she always has a strong attitude."
Anna Mae said she's had an ache in her heart since August 9, 2002, when Lisa was diagnosed with leukemia. "But Lisa says there's a purpose in all of this," said Anna Mae, "and certainly a lot of good things have happened, that wouldn't have happened otherwise."
"Something changes in your life, when your child faces a challenge like this," said Anna Mae. "You don't want it to be your child, you'd rather have it be yourself."
Frank and Anna Mae are spending nights out at the Hanschu's Ramona farm, taking care of their grandkids, James and Anna, while Lisa and Ronnie are in Texas. "James and Anna have their chores and there are lots of animals to take care of," said Anna Mae.
A couple weeks ago I was talking with Ronnie and Lisa about all that's happening in their lives. We were discussing how life is here in Kansas compared to where I used to live in California.
"Do you think Kansas folks are really all that different from people in California?" asked Ronnie. "Yes, in many ways," I replied.
And one of the marked differences that I see is just how personally supportive people are of each other out here. When Lisa's life-threatening situation became known, benefits starting popping up all over.
Another benefit is being held this Sunday evening at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ramona. A spaghetti supper is scheduled from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the parish hall on 4th and E streets. The proceeds will help defray some of the costs of Lisa's bone marrow harvest.
The supper is sponsored by the Morris/Marion County Branch of the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
"Whatever we raise at this event will be matched by the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans," explained Paula Fike, a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church. Her husband, Warren, added, "The Lutheran Brotherhood and the AAL joined to create the Thrivent Financial."
Another similar benefit was held this last Sunday at the Lutheran church in Lincolnville for Kim Shields and her children, who lost husband and father in a recent farming accident.
"They had three delicious soups at the benefit luncheon," said Orvell Brunner, who attended. "Broccoli, chili, and noodle soup. Our whole family attended, and Paula and Warren Fike and the Deines family were there too."
Other news from Orvell and Lauren is that they got new siding on their house. "I don't know if that's newsworthy," said Orvell, "but we feel like we got a new home!"
Joe and Janet Fike took Naomi Fike to the Ramona Cafe for Sunday dinner. Naomi had a new outfit she'd been waiting to wear and this was the perfect occasion. Janet, who always comes with edible delights, produced a pumpkin pie for dessert and Naomi's sister-in-law, Martha Ehrhardt, was invited over to enjoy the treat.
Two Ramona friends — Trevia Schneider and Frances Buxman — share the same birthday, Oct. 26. Often the two ladies celebrate together but this year that ritual was interrupted when Frances was admitted Saturday into the Abilene hospital.
Frances's doctors were concerned about her heart so she had to spend her birthday and several more days in the hospital. We're all hoping that by the time you read this column, she'll be back home.
Trevia, on the other hand, was in Herington at her daughter, Tina's, where she celebrated her birthday along with two grandchildren's birthdays — grandson, Logan and granddaughter, Jacie. "We had ice cream and cake and then the kids headed for their computers to play games," laughed Trevia. "Even my grandson, Jonathan Gehrke, from North Dakota, called to wish me happy birthday."
Trevia and Frances did get a mini-birthday celebration on the 15th when the Ramona ladies gathered at Butch's Diner in Tampa on Wednesday for coffee. "Trevia and Frances bought us coffee and rolls," said Paula Fike, who was there, along with Marge Hanschu and Orvell Brunner.
Harold and Betty Ohm just returned from a trip to Hubertus, Wis., where daughter JoAnn lives. Daughter Brenda, who lives in Platte City, was turning 50 on Oct 13, and wanted to celebrate with her sister. The Ohms and daughter, Brenda, were in Wisconsin from Oct. 8-14.
"We took several little trips, and had a fish fry and even brought cheese home," said Betty.
Don and Norma Bird celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary the first of this month and the gift they gave themselves was season tickets to the community theater in Salina.
"I know it's crazy, but we also bought ourselves a Latina cockateel," said Norma. "We thought it would keep our cockateel, Suzie, company, but Suzie hates our new bird, which we call Sissy." Norma admits that they aren't sure if the birds are male or female. "I think Suzie might be a Sid," said Norma, "and I wouldn't mind because we don't need a bunch of baby cockateels."
Suzie and Sissy, no matter what their sex, are still behaving coolly toward one another. "The other day Suzie spent one whole day sitting in Sissy's food dish!"
Angel Harold, one of Ramona's city council members, looked like the pied piper on Sunday as she rolled down main street pushing her granddaughter in the stroller, and followed by her niece, Skyler Harold and nephews, Tommy and Robert.
The kids, who live in Herington, were spending the weekend with Aunt Angel and Uncle Johnney, since their mom was undergoing back surgery. Tommy was entertaining himself by catching grasshoppers. He had two huge specimens between his fingers and was encouraging them to do battle.
"I remember when I was a kid I used grasshoppers as cattle and horses in my farmyard," reminisced Angel. "When they'd crawl out of my fences, we'd have a big roundup."
Angel's granddaughter, Shelley Kidd, will be in Ramona more often in the future, since Angel's son, Clint Kidd recently purchased the Klenda's home just west of where Angel and Johnney live. Clint works in Herington at Bowman Livestock Equipment.
Emily Staatz came running over to our house carrying a small black case. She burst into the kitchen and exclaimed, "I finally got my clarinet!"
Emily has been wanting to play an instrument and wasn't sure if the flute or clarinet was her favorite. But finding a clarinet at the recent Ramona citywide garage sale, seemed to cinch her choice. After a little minor repair, Em and her parents, David and Jane Staatz, went to Salina Saturday to retrieve the clarinet.
Emily was so excited that she was even down at the Ramona Cafe on Sunday showing everybody her new clarinet
Cole Svoboda and Nick Kleiber, two of Emily's fourth-grade classmates, were a bit distraught last week when they stopped by our bed and breakfast where we were painting. "Pat, we need help," said Cole breathlessly. "We need to write a report about the history of Ramona and Gertie's in the hospital! Can you open the museum for us?"
Indeed Gertie Schubert, whose house is a lot like a museum, had a brief three-day stint in the hospital as doctors monitored her swollen leg. Thankfully, Gertie has given the Dirt Gambler's Museum many of her pictures and stories, so in her absence we could help.
I put down my paintbrush and Cole, Nick, and I went to the bank building for a mini-tour of the museum. As I explained pictures and told stories, Cole was taking thorough notes, since he was the official note taker in the team.
"Now we need to know about some of the buildings in town," said the boys. So I took the camera and photographed them in front of several buildings as they learned the history and stories. "We're going to get an 'A'," said Cole in confidence. "This is going to be the neatest paper!" announced Nick.
The boys were even reciting bits of history that they learned during the recent scavenger hunt that Jeannie Weber created for the Ramona block party. I have no doubt that their report will be a stunner.
Mayor Connie Smith is another person who cares about the kids in Ramona. This Saturday she is giving away pumpkins to all Ramona kids 12 and under, and asking the kids to return the pumpkins all decorated the next day. Connie plans to put the pumpkins on display in the barbershop window — it'll be a spooktacular nighttime display from Oct. 26 to Nov. 1.
The pumpkin event is sponsored by the Smith's family business, DC Trucking.
More scarecrows are appearing every day as Halloween approaches. This last weekend we finally got our scarecrows stuffed and propped — Pat's doing yoga, I'm exercising on a stair step, and Tooltime Tim is leaning against a tree having a Pepsi!
Tony Meyer said we could put a scarecrow on his porch. "Make it two old guys talking to each other," instructed Tony. To remind us, Tony threw a bunch of old clothes out on his front porch chairs. By this weekend we'll have replicas of Tony and Erich having a porch chat!
And that's the news from Ramona where our population is growing with all the scarecrows in town, but fortunately none of them have a driver's license so a traffic jam is still two parked cars and a dog in the road.
