Here's just a few Kansas birds...

My dad was a WWII veteran who for 3.5 years fought in many of the battles on the European front lines. I never fail to remember him and all my other military ancestors who fought so bravely. I think of him everyday. Wars changed them forever; many came home broken. My dad battled alcoholism.

I don't travel anymore, but when I did, going on my first trip abroad was the highlight of my life. We went to Paris, Rome, Greece and Egypt. Egypt was my favorite and we went back again two years later and stayed for three weeks, traveling from Cairo all the way down to Aswan, all by land.

It's hard to spot bald eagles in Lawrence, KS, but they do live around the Kaw River and Lone Star Lake. I'm lucky when I can get a decent picture because they're usually far away, and I have just a simple digital camera (but it's good enough). We have lots of hawks but they've been scarce lately.

I have always loved exploring cemeteries and photographing all of the statuary that lies within. These were just a few taken in Elmwood Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri.

I love taking pictures of abandoned houses, imagining what they must have looked like when they first built, and wondering how they met their demise. Who lived there and why did they leave?

I've had a hobby since I was a young girl: photographing old abandoned houses. My first ones were in Kansas where I was born and grew up. Then in Wisconsin where I lived for a couple of years. Later in Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, wherever I traveled. I love old houses; they have stories.

This year's garden was the best! We started it over 3 years ago by planting native perennials, and this year I planted 7 kinds of peppers. There are still so many plants blooming, and who knows when the first frost will come. We haven't had rain in over a month; I water every few days. #gardening

The tail end of summer which continues to linger in the heat of 80s and 90s for the 5th month straight!

My current favorite: Caryopteris. Periwinkle blue and blooming like crazy. All the bees come to visit continually. #BlueTue #ColorADay #ColourADay#Nature #Photography 🌱📷 #bloomscrolling #flowers

The best and longest-blooming plants I've had this year have been Bee Balm, Boneset, Sneezeweed, and Joe Pye Weed--plus the interesting but short-lived Royal Catchfly. Now the New England Asters and Autumn Joy Sedum are blooming like crazy. I hate seeing spring/summer go, but some make fall ok.

I have my favorites in the garden, and this has proven to be a real "workhorse!" It's a Caryopteris and is covered in the most beautiful periwinkle blue flowers for months. Every kind of bee imaginable is drawn to it so its abuzz with constant activity. #gardening

My jungle of perennials in the blazing 90+ degrees of ongoing heat in Kansas and unusual amounts of rain...

My first trip to NYC with my architect boyfriend in 1988 was the beginning of a love affair with NYC!. I loved everything about it, and having seen the WTC back then makes it all the more poignant now.

I took these photos in 1988 in Little Italy, Chinatown and on Fifth Avenue in my first trip to NYC. I loved everything about the city--and still do! What a vibrant place it is and so much to see and do. Wish I had lived there instead of SF...

And I have Betty Grable (otherwise known as Emmie)!

Hoping everyone has a great Thanksgiving with your friends and family--or whomever you choose to be around.