"Elk County Morning"

[Ole Granny]

No date or author for following article from the Wichita Eagle Editorial Page.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I have over the years.

                                              " Elk County Morning"

   "The sounds of an awakening Elk County morning echo crisply through the still-damp summer air.  As warm jewels of light welcome the birth of a new day, minute droplets of moisture obediently disappear from slender blades of grass.

   Colorful valleys tucked in between the subtly rolling hills of Southeast Kansas already are stirring with activity.  Bushyy-tailed squirrels scamper from tree to tree.  Peeking out from burrows, rabbits can be seen surveying for greenery on which to nibble.  The flurried sounds of brightly-colored locusts can be heard as the insects leap and bound, blending into the variegated surroundings.  In the pasture, cattle graze freely, swishing their tails at flies and mooing occasionally. 

   The freedom and open beauty of this farm country are a credit to Kansas, a state too often regarded as being modest in scenery.  Residents and visitors to this area know better.  The open-air freshness of the land provides insight as to what it is to be at one with God and his creation.

   All too soon, the day melts away in the intense heat of mid-July.  The day that started out long has become all too short.

   As the sun embarks on its journey beneath the horizon, and intangible blanket spreads across the land, leaving a trail of darkness in its wake.  Sleep beckons to natures's weary creatures who unconsciously await another dawn.  With unhurried calmness, nature remains in abeyance until the hour of a new birth approaches, revealing a new and beautiful Elk County morning."

[Janet Harrington]

I love that.  Wish we knew who wrote it, but, alas, some things are just that way.

[Wilma]

Yesterday, as we were coming home from Wichita, tired as I was, when we reached the hills and pastures, I relaxed.  The green rolling hills with contented cattle here and there is a picture that probably can't be found any other place on earth and I didn't even go to sleep, did I, Janet?  Or maybe it was her driving that kept me awake.  Anyway, I love this beautiful country.  As for peacefulness, try sitting on the bank of a farm pond in the middle of a pasture, far from a road, with your fishing line in the water, the sky blue above you, wildlife coming down to get a drink.  You can't beat that.

[Teresa]

I agree Mama Wilma.. It doesn't get better than that..

and I agree about staying awake while Ta Ta is driving..

Lord Have Mercy!
There isn't any way that I could sleep with her behind the wheel.. noooo-sireeeeee.. tooo scary for me to close my eyes..

[Janet Harrington]

The only reason that you don't go to sleep when you are with me is because you are afraid I will tell bad, bad things about you.

[Mom70x7]

I've been hoping all those 

I will tell bad, bad things about you.

were really, really GOOD things !     

[Jody]

All we need is for some one to set this to music.  I can just hear Glen Campbell now.