The Empirical Manifesto

As catttitude, the kids and I left the house to get the kids to school, like he was every morning, there was Grandpa Bill, sitting in his Grand Marquis waiting for us to come out of the house. He was chewing on a toothpick. I called in and took a day off work, sliding into the passenger seat, marveling at this opportunity and wondering if he knew he'd passed away.

We spent the entire day hanging out and doing things - and at the end of each activity, he found himself surprised he wasn't tired. We took turns driving, went out for coffee, read the paper and went back to his apartment. He didn't seem to notice the place was dusty and boarded up, rummaging around for something. I had to go to the restroom, but didn't want to leave him - not for a minute - so brought him into the bathroom with me where he laughed at my new found comfort level with him (They had torn out the stool in the guest restroom so I had to use the one which was thankfully still affixed to the one off the master bedroom).

Then I heard someone else in the house, bumping around! I stealthily worked my way around the small apartment until I saw my neighbor Justin, and his entire family. This was their house now! No longer dusty and boarded up they were all home for lunch, Justin, his wife, two kids and their friends - it was a bustle of activity - and I inexplicably forgot my pants during the investigation. I could hear Bill coming into the room, and I wanted to explain, but they just smiled as I introduced Bill to everyone when he came into the room. Everyone shook hands and smiled.

Shortly thereafter we left again, making our way to an Italian restaurant where Bill and I engaged in an eating contest of sorts; I knew he was having too much fun, so suggested we stay for a second meal, and he pulled out his wallet, but I told him it was my idea so I would pay for it. He seemed to really like that, never growing tired, and excitedly anticipating his second meal in a row.

The entire time we were together, he just seemed so happy and filled with adventure and I was amazed at both his stamina, and the fact we were enjoying another day together, despite the fact I couldn't understand how it was so. I decided to simply marvel in its wonder, and enjoy his company as long as it lasted.

I awoke having enjoyed my newfound time with him very much, but in a bittersweet sort of way, what with his passing again in the forefront of my conscious.

St. Fidelis Catholic Church was nicknamed "Cathedral of the Plains" by William Jennings Bryan, an affection which makes Catholic leadership cringe, as it infringes upon protocol - that being, only a church which houses a Bishop can officially be termed cathedral. Now I have visited Canterbury Cathedral in Britain and other churches in the United States, but have never seen stained glass anywhere as breathtaking as found here.

Because of that I almost didn't share these pictures, as the anemic 700-pixel preview images do not do the full-sized ones justice, and because I don't always click the "embiggen" image link, I know there are those out there who also will not. I do save my clicks for those pictures which I think deserve it, and many of these most assuredly do.

Underneath the SR-71

I was unusually fortunate in that two of the eight "Wonders of Kansas" happened to be in the same small town - Hutchinson. Closer than my previous outing to Manhattan, but ultimately more exhausting - two "wonders" in a day was simply too much. And I'm only 40! My great-grandfather-in-law is FIFTY YEARS OLDER THAN ME. I hope I have as much energy when I'm his age. Add to that exhaustion, though I was promised the day off, I ended up working until midnight the night before on an "emergency" (no loss of life, so...) at work and six hours into my day I was recalled. Fortunately we had just completed our tour of the Kansas Cosmosphere! (A Smithsonian Institution Affiliation Program)

Nose-to-nose with the SR-71

While the SR-71 is always an impressive display, this wasn't my first rodeo. But I have to admit to being very impressed by its stance. It was angled downward, and you could go right to the front of it and look up at it eye-level. It was a terrible and awe-inspiring sight to behold! And this display was just the proverbial tip of the iceberg. We spent two hours in that place but easily needed another two.

I am a jellyroll.

The first part of the tour concerned itself with the technological advances of Nazi Germany during their war effort - the events which lead to the space race. And this was Bill's era, having served in WWII for this purpose. Also having myself grown up under the threat of nuclear apocalypse and later serving during the Cold War years, I found myself learning entirely new things concerning its inception - all tied back to Nazi Germany. It was fascinating! I wasn't expecting to learn as much as I did when we set foot in that place. And with Germany having been my first duty station, I was amazed at the museum's attention to detail. Very well done. Even Bill said it 'refreshed' many things.

The Space Race

The majority of the aptly named "Cosmospshere" was dedicated to the Space Race. And having grown up an All-American Boy in urban metropolis, USA I was quite familiar with each step and portion of our endeavors. THE COSMOSPHERE GAVE EQUAL TIME TO THE SOVIET UNION - something I was very nearly entirely ignorant of! It was fascinating to learn brand new stuff! Not only the attention to detail, but the 60-second films and genuine space-worthy artifacts! Again, I was not anticipating learning as much as I did. This was a perspective I never had growing up. I was a schoolboy all over again.

One small step

After the expansive entrance with with SR-71, we went down two flights of stairs through the start of the museum and were just heading into the Sound Barrier room from the WWII room when Bill wanted to head back to the restroom. Two flights of stairs up and across the entryway and he was winded. Did I mention he's older than me more than I am old? Two things - while they didn't have a fleet of electric wheelchairs for loan like they did at the Salt Mine, they did have one for use. And - we had the place to ourselves. I will ALWAYS take him on a weekday. Sure scheduling a day off in the middle of the week is a bitch, but this ease is the fruit of that labor. One giant leap.

ehowton - cosmonaut

"In regard to depth and size, the Cosmosphere's space artifact collection is second only to that of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Similarly, the Cosmosphere's Hall of Space Museum harbors the largest collection of Russian space artifacts outside Moscow."

I have six more "wonders" to see. If we stay on schedule (one per month) we'll be done by the middle of 2012. Wherever shall we go next?

http://www.kansassampler.org/8wonders

An Excerpt from my Memoirs - WWII Mission:
Bomb a railroad bridge at Rovereto, Italy

The briefing completed, all mission members stood and hurried outside to waiting airplanes. Soon, the roar of two thousand horse-power engines deafened the senses as 72 airplanes awoke and began moving along the taxiways. Each aircraft arrived at the end of the steel-plank runway in proper sequence to join the circling formation above the field.

( November 16, 1944 )