classic tonganoxie split

almost got another tornado last night. a guy we just met (and were over at his house down the block) turns to me when it got really still just before the lightning started firing up on both sides of us (from the north and the south) and says "looks like a classic tonganoxie split, i'm going inside", referring to a native american chief that was supposed to have put a curse on the area of Lawrence to not see any rain (a pox on the white man for his deeds) and people have turned it into a myth that relates to tornadoes where almost any tornado goes north or south of it - sometimes just smacking the edges, but occasionally it hits the lake and splits to go around. it still causes severe thuderstorm damage in the middle. just no turnado. lots of damage to our cars from the hail bigger than golf balls pounding us. sounds like everything is going to smash in. next time i'll take a picture.

this one isn't mine. it's from an article in the LA Times about storm chaser tours in the plains here taken by Robin Rauzi. i just liked it. i can't wait until i get to say to someone, "looks like a classic tonganoxie split" to their surprise.

seems like i've crossed some kind of line

I bought a lawnmower today from a guy named Gary. Wendy pointed out that it was easy to remember his name because of his giant brass belt buckle that was unsettlingly prominent. nice guy. $50 - and what a beaut. talked him down from $75. I haggled down the price of some little antique tins of tobacco and a cool license plate from kansas with a buffalo on it (wendy's not into that one) yesterday in this little antique shop/house in the middle of nowhere with an old guy in overalls that ruled. His name was Larry, of course.

I can't explain my feelings about the lawnmower. I feel as if I've crossed some threshold into middle-age or something, but it was filled with a satisfaction I didn't expect (not the buying but the mowing MY lawn). Maybr I was already there because it feels strangely familiar. I feel grown-up... and part of something I was sure I didn't want. Not miraculous. Nothing all that interesting and you just might miss it if you don't slow down but altogether simple and good. from the smells of fresh cut grass to the cold glass of water drunk with shoulder dirty and wet from wiping the sweat from my brow.



Whose life is this?




Nice, though...

dancing to the rhythms of the love

the wedding was great. we were unwitting players in the puppet masters dance. transformed by love and passion.



actually, there are more pictures by clicking the title of this.

tying the knot

Wendy is now Mrs. Etter. Pretty amazing day.


On the cliff overlooking the Pacific. San Simeon, CA. A month of constant rain broke for the day that we were married. A fortuitous sign.


Right afterwards with Noah Levine who did the ceremony. He's become a really good friend and it was an honor to have him preside over the occasion. More info on his biness is available at www.dharmapunx.com



I've joined the club.




I couldn't be happier.

There will be more pictures of the wedding coming soon...