Junior Ranger

Photo: http://parkrangerguide.com/

Have you ever wanted to be a park ranger?  Well, now, your kids can!  If you live vicariously through them, you can be a ranger!  Want to know how?

When we went to the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve last week, I saw a young boy be sworn in as a Junior Ranger!  I asked the park ranger about it and he told me that there is now a program where kids can become rangers!

The kids do a workbook full of things like: "Circle the animals that you would find on the Tallgrass Prairie.  Fill in the blanks to complete the song 'Oh Give Me a Home'" etc."  There are also more parts of the booklet that they fill out as they come to the prairie and go on the walking trails and visit the prairie.

If you are looking for an educational activity for the summer that also includes physical activity this is a great one to check out!

My blog is moving!

Just a heads up....you can now follow me at:  http://countingjoywithbecca.wordpress.com/

Soda Fountain

There is one more place you must go if you go to Abilene, KS.

You don't find old-fashioned soda fountains much anymore.  However, there are some great places in Kansas, maybe near you that you can find one.  Check here for more details about soda-fountains near you.

Mom and I went to "Bankes Drug, 304 N. Broadway. 785.263.4330. Open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. It's a 1920s seven-stool soda fountain with round mirror and 1972 Formica counter top." -Source:Kansas Sampler Foundation

Photo: Kansas Sampler Foundation

If you want a (I am going to try on the names someone who really knows can correct me) Green River, Brown Cow, Cherry Ice Cream Soda, or just a vanilla cone, a soda fountain is the place to go.

The Old Store, Johnson, KS.  Photo: Kansas Sampler Foundation

Joys Counted

Schoolhouse, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

309. Seeing Susan and Michael.

312.  M & T fixing my car.

320.  A beautiful drive on a sunny day.

322.  Being the first person to see Lucia climb stairs.

326.  Dinner from the crock pot.

Friday Book Review

Photo: Amazon.com

The Imam's Daughter: My Desperate Flight to Freedom, is the biography of Hannah Shah, the book's author.

Hannah grew up as the daughter of a Muslim Imam in England.  Despite how religious her family may have looked on the outside, things inside their home were anything but peaceful and happy.  Hannah's father abused her for years in the cellar of their home.  Her mother turned a blind eye to it, and her siblings treated her horribly.  Hannah finally has the strength to tell a school counselor the abuse that she is facing at home. However, when she gets home that night she finds the school counselor sitting in their home talking to her father.  She realizes that the Muslim law rules above all else in her Muslim community and there is no help that will come unless she does something to help herself.

I really enjoyed this book.  I felt it was eye opening and engaging and I would definitely recommend it!

A Trip to the Prairie

There is a beautiful place near where I live called the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.  There are many wonderful things about it.   

This is the house that is on the property.  You can go inside and tour it.

The woodwork in the house is amazing.  The window in the picture is actually a floor to almost-ceiling one that opens up and you can walk out onto a balcony.  Thankfully, they are getting ready to do some period authentic renovation in the house.  These beauties should be preserved.

Also on the property are a lot of great outbuildings.  Including this barn!  It is huge on the inside.  The entire preserve has great walking trails of different lengths as well as history of the house and the area available multiple ways for visitors.

My favorite part?  The beautiful lawn to spread out my old quilt and spend some time reading and sleeping.

For more information on planning your trip click here.

Joys Counted

Photo at Tallgrass Prairie Nature Preserve

280.  Putting out my porch furniture for the summer.

282. Two hour nap.

286. Text from R.

292.  Being able to sit outside during lunch in the sun.

299.  First bike ride of the Spring.