Welcome spring and deadly highways
The torrential rains we suffered this past week were miserable, weren't they? But have you noticed all the great looking wheat fields we have all of a sudden? They are so
The sun is rising earlier and setting later. Spring will officially be here on the 20th of this month. Somewhere in the past week or so, robins have appeared in full force. They are so cheerful — the harbingers of spring even before we are entitled to be in the season. The mister gunches and grumbles because they awaken him before the alarm. He calls them "burping chirds." I am glad to hear them. I love Kansas. It will be weeks before the northern states hear the early morning songfest.
We decided last week that we want our money back from the KDOT for the "super-two" highway they constructed less than 10 years ago between Florence and Newton. I am not sure how we go about requesting that refund, but the road is simply a mess. It already has been repaired several times on the western stretch from the "13 Mile Road/Indigo" to Walton and is once again full of huge ridges, cracks, and potholes. The passing lane between here and Florence deserves one of those "uneven pavement" signs with a car tipping perilously to the right. "Beware, all ye who enter and stayeth to the right as the sign sayeth
Why do we allow our legislators to pass laws granting state projects to the lowest bidder? How 'bout we tell them to give it to the highest bidder just one time and see if the job not only gets done, but stays done? In the meantime, I want my money back. "First Street" from east of Elbing to Newton is safer, less congested, and I'd bet a gazillion dollars cheaper. The back roads to Florence are certainly more picturesque.
I love Kansas. The best trails between towns are the rural ones. Slow her down to 45 mph, roll down the window and turn off the radio, hear the "burping chirds," look at the greening fields and a sky so blue it hurts your eyes.
This paper goes to all the pertinent government folks in Topeka and Washington (or at least to an office manned by their staff members). You know
I love Kansas. We are all so "down home" and personal with our many legislators. Let's see what happens. Hopefully, they won't take over our blacktop and gravel roads to make them better. Wouldn't that be a disaster?
In the meantime, happy spring. I just love Kansas.
— SUSAN MARSHALL
