Ash Wednesday

The sunset on Ash Wednesday (February 18) was beautiful. But, as we stopped at the corner south of our house on that Ash Wednesday evening, I couldn't help but think about how ashes from massive wildfires south of us were helping to color that sunset. 

We were returning home after a drive through the baby calves. But 117 miles away or so, other cattle owners were fighting fires for the second day and still trying to move cattle to safety. 

It was only nine years ago that so many of these same ranchers lost their homes, farm properties, hundreds of miles of fencing and thousands of cattle in the Starbuck Fire. 

These were numbers from the 2017 fire. It will be days before everything can be accessed from this latest fire.

As Greg Gardiner of Gardiner Angus Ranch in Ashland says, their operation was almost to the point where they could say they'd "recovered" from the 2017 fire. Though how do you truly recover from that? 

The 2026 Ranger Road fire burned more than 283,000 acres. Map courtesy Oklahoma Department of Forestry Wildfires4-RFP-022326. It is still not fully contained - a week after it started.

Beginning a week ago on February 17, 2026, wildfires ripped across areas of Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and Nebraska, killing livestock, destroying structures and sending firefighters to the hospital with fire- and smoke-related injuries. Winds gusting over 65 miles per hour drove flames through dry fuel and kept air support grounded.

The largest fire this time, known as the Ranger Road fire, ignited in Beaver County, Oklahoma, and crossed the state line into southern Kansas, burning more than 283,000 acres. The towns of Ashland and Englewood, Kansas, were evacuated, as were rural residents along the fire's path. 

In television interviews, Gardiner says they learned many lessons from the Starbuck Fire in 2017, and they used that knowledge to try and mitigate the losses in 2026. But even your best efforts doesn't mean that you are able to dodge the inevitable.  

I sometimes wonder about the people who settled the Kansas prairie. Did they marvel at the sky? Did the call of birds wake them to see the hint of color painting the eastern horizon? As their covered wagons rumbled toward the west, did they marvel at the sunsets?

I imagine the temperaments that marked the people who set off from established homes in the eastern part of the U.S. and decided on adventure, traveling westward to a new kind of life.

Since the state was established in 1861, Kansans have had to pick up the pieces from all kinds of natural disasters. Why do they do it? 

 

That pioneer spirit brought people to Kansas. And some of the heartiness remains generations later. 

Maybe the fortitude to stay had something to do with the joy of seeing those cute faces in their cattle herds. As we drove through the cattle lots and watched the baby calves race one another or sip contentedly from their personal "mama milk machines," I couldn't help but think of the ranchers still battling the wildfires.

For those in the wildfires' paths, lives won't go back to normal anytime soon. They are still burying their livelihoods in big mass graves in the burned ground. They are tending to injured cattle, bottle feeding babies whose mothers died, rebuilding thousands of miles of fence. And some of them no longer have a home where they can lay their weary heads come nighttime, after days of physical labor and emotional heartache.

Even today - a week later - firefighters aren't saying the wildfires are totally under control. Instead, they say the blazes are "90 percent" under control. And today is another day when the wind is howling, stoking those embers yet again. 

It's going to take a new pioneer spirit for them to rebuild. Just like us, their families have been on Kansas soil for five generations, and, for a few, even six generations. That pioneer spirit is part of their DNA.

Like us, they delight in seeing new life every spring. 

To assist livestock producers affected by the Ranger Road fire, please reach out to any of the following. That way, you know the money or supplies will go to the people who need it: 

SHAW FEEDYARD: Shaw Feedyard in Ashland is a drop point for hay. Please contact Ryan Koons at (620) 805-4682 if you have any questions. The address is 2428 CR 15 in Ashland, KS.

 

ASHLAND FEED & SEED: Ashland Feed & Seed is a drop point for hay and feed. The address is 1975 CR U, Ashland, KS 67831. Contact the main office: (620) 635-2856.

 

Cash donations can be made to the ASHLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. One hundred percent of the money will be redistributed to those in need. You can donate directly by clicking https://www.ashlandcf.com/donate-today or mail or drop off monetary donations to STOCKGROWERS STATE BANK, 622 Main Street, Ashland, KS 67831, or mail checks to ASHLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, P.O. Box 276, Ashland, KS 67831.

 

KANSAS LIVESTOCK ASSOCIATION is helping organize in-kind donations for delivery to affected areas in Kansas. To donate hay or trucking services, call KLA at (785) 273-5115. Cash donations can be made through the Kansas Livestock Foundation (KLF), KLA’s charitable arm, by going to www.kla.org
and clicking on Donate under 2026 Wildfire Donations. Checks can be sent to 6031 SW 37th, Topeka, KS 66614. Please put “wildfire relief” in the memo line. KLF is a 501 c(3) organization. Donations to the foundation are tax-deductible. All funds will be used to support fire relief efforts for Kansas producers. 

 

From Isaiah 61 - The Year of the Lord’s Favor

61 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
² to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
³     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.

⁴ They will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

 

Ah Kansas!

 

If there's anything better than life - it's life in Kansas.

Kansas Chamber of Commerce, 1930

 

It's been awhile since Randy and I were in school. But we can still complete an assignment. This morning, we spent an hour with Mrs. Kylie Meyer's second grade class at Stafford Elementary School, Randy's alma mater. 

 

Mrs. Meyer gave us an assignment to compare the "then and now" of farming. The second graders are learning about comparison and contrast. Mrs. Meyer helps to illustrate the concept by inviting community members with different backgrounds to talk about their professions or interests and compare them, then and now. 

 

Another Then and Now comparison: When Randy was in second grade, there were two classes of 26 each. This year's class has 16. We also talked about the difference in the number of farms and the county population when comparing then and now.

 

We have gladly participated in this activity for several years now. I put together a PowerPoint slide show with historic photos from both of our families. We were both 5th generation farmers before retiring in 2022. Many of the photos are from books my mom compiled for our kids with memories of family members and farm equipment from my parents' farming legacy. (There are several photos from the slide show and links to family history posts HERE in a blog post from 2022.)

 

 

 

For this year's presentation, I added some information on the number of farms in the early 20th century compared to now. That information was from our visit to the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka on the day after Kansas Day. I suppose a Kansas Day visit on January 29 would have been more symbolic. But, after finding out that 800 people (mostly school children) had been at the museum on Kansas Day to celebrate the state's 165th birthday, we were happy we were able to visit on a quieter day!

 

 

What is Kansas? Kansas is a crossroads. The heartland. A geographic center. The birthplace of ideas that have shaped our nation. A site of adaptation, conflict and consensus. A home of people, ideas and dreams ... Why Kansas? People came to Kansas for many reasons: for the land, for its resources and for the promise of a better life. Some, regrettably, came by force. Kansans stayed to make a home, to make a living or to fight for a cause. While here, Kansans have experienced conflict and cooperation, engaged in innovation and adaptation and promoted celebrations and communities. 

From displays at the Kansas Museum of History

Randy had been to the museum with our Kansas Master Farm Family group four years ago. However, I was sick and didn't get to go on the tour.

Since Jill and crew live in Topeka, we're often looking for something to do when the girls are in school and Jill and Eric are working. The Kansas History Museum wasn't an option for several years. It had been shut down for three years, undergoing a $6 million renovation. It updated the 1980s-era displays to new, colorful, interactive exhibits. 

While we were mainly in Topeka to see the girls' sports activities and to enjoy some family time, we thought the Kansas Museum of History was a worthwhile diversion. The gallery shares personal stories of people who came for many reasons and became Kansans for many more. The new exhibits are broken into four main themes: Bleeding Kansas, Making Kansas, Connecting Kansas, and Changing Kansas:

Bleeding Kansas tells our formative story from the territorial period, tracing the political and violent events that led to our statehood and recounting Kansas' role in the Civil War.
Making Kansas shares stories of people building lives, developing industries and grappling with extreme weather - experiences rooted in the land and its rich resources. 
Connecting Kansas weaves accounts of trails, transportation and the railroad which shaped our towns and influenced immigration and settlement.
Changing Kansas explores efforts for civil rights and social reforms, examining why Kansas is often at the heart of issues with national implications. 

There was also information on Kansas' indigenous history, featuring contributions from all 36 tribes with historical ties to the area.

We have seen the actual mural of John Brown in the Kansas Capitol on another "tourist" day in Topeka. (Click HERE for that blog post.) The Capitol mural was painted by artist John Steuart Curry on the east and north walls of the east corridor of the Capitol's second floor. 

But a reproduction of the mural also helped tell the story of "Bleeding Kansas" in the museum. And I learned something new about the mural:

The famous mural depicts the moral complexities of war, featuring a heroic, yet fanatical, John Brown painted larger than life. Many Kansans opposed Curry's interpretation, saying it misrepresented their state's identify. Frustrated by the criticism and unable to fulfill his vision, Curry refused to sign his statehouse murals and left Kansas. He died of a heart attack in 1946 at the age of 48, never knowing how celebrated his work would become.  

As required by the new constitution, the first Kansas Legislature established the state seal and motto in a joint resolution on May 25, 1861:

 

The east is represented by a rising sun in the right hand corner of the seal; to the left of it, commerce is represented by a river and steamboat; in the foreground, agriculture is represented as the basis of the future prosperity of the state by a settler's cabin and a man plowing with a pair of horses; beyond this is a train of ox-wagons going west; in the background is a heard of buffalo, retreating, pursued by two Indians on horseback.

 

The motto, Ad astra per aspera, which means "to the stars through difficulties," is above 34 stars, representing Kansas' entry as the 34th state in the Union. 

 

What is Kansas? It is the promise of a better life - sometimes fulfilled, sometimes deferred. It is striving to reach the stars in the face of difficulties. It is the joy of belonging, the creation of community.

Kansas is the story of everyday people whose inspiring narratives reach far beyond the state's borders. Some Kansans served the noblest of goals. Some served their own self-interests. Most, just like the rest of us, acted with complicated and very human combination of both. Regardless of their intentions, they all helped shape the world we know today.  

The Emporia Gazette used this cylinder press from 1890 to 1906 to print daily and weekly issues, including William Allen White's influential 1896 editorial, "What's the Matter with Kansas?"

While I enjoyed all the exhibits, I especially liked the "power of the press" section. (I worked as a reporter and editor at The Hutchinson News for nine years and have done a daily M-F radio Central Kansas Report for KFRM 550AM radio since March 2008.) The exhibit featured Emporia journalist William Allen White's printing press and a projector showing Kansas headlines, even as recently as the police raid on The Marion County Record newspaper back in August 2023.

And, of course, both Randy and I were attracted to the displays featuring farming and agriculture.  

I took a photo of this because the windmill was from Clay Center, where my sister lives.

"All parts of Kansas grow good corn, but
in wheat, Kansas can beat the world."

-- Topeka Daily Capital, 1889 

Farming is a way of life in Kansas, impacting its politics, laws, innovations, social customs and traditions. The economy relies on many agricultural businesses, including those related to storing, transporting and processing farm products.

Most early Kansas farmers wanted to grow crops they could sell. The standard farm size of 160 acres was too large for subsistence farming but generally not large enough for commercial ventures, especially as farmers moved west. As technology advanced in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, farming became big business in Kansas. There were 178,000 farms in Kansas in 1910, with an average farm size of around 244 acres. That number dropped to 55,000 farms in 2023, with an average size of 807 acres. Changing - and more expensive - technology, fluctuating crop prices and efforts to make farming more efficient all contributed to the rise of larger farms and agribusiness. With its advancements in agriculture, Kansas came to be know as the Wheat State and the Breadbasket of the World.  

This just scratches the surface. There is also a 1914 biplane made in Topeka, an 1860s cabin, train cars and depot and lots more. Both Randy and I would recommend a visit if you're near Topeka. Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM Tuesday through Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 PM. It is closed on Mondays. 

***

And, just for my memories, we also got to experience several of the girls' activities. 

 We picked up Kinley from school and got to watch her tennis lesson.  

We saw Brooke's basketball game. 

And we got to see a couple of her volleyball games (and witness the coach's skills.)

 

Though I don't have photographic evidence, we shopped for Kinley's 14th birthday presents in Kansas City and ate lunch with the whole family - including Brent and Susan. 

Fun and a little education? It was another great stay.

Butterfinger Mix

Serving a snack that's called a "Butterfinger" Chex Mix probably isn't ideal when you're talking a menu for the Super Bowl. Clumsy Butterfingers and football don't mix. 

But, since the Chiefs aren't in contention this year, I am not overly invested in the game's outcome. So, if one of the teams has "butterfingers," so be it.

Of course, we will still watch the big game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. I'm probably leaning toward the Seahawks. If only former K-State Wildcat standout Tyler Lockett were still there ... Cheering for the Seahawks will also make Randy's cousin and my Pacific Northwest blog friend happy, so there is that. 

But let's get real. This year - like most of America - I'm mainly there for the snacks and the Super Bowl ads. 

This was the second Christmas season that I added Butterfinger Chex Mix to the snack mix repertoire. Our family enjoys the treat, and I also gave away some for gifts. 

 

It's super easy, especially if you use the the Butterfinger Bits. Another option is smashing up regular-sized or mini Butterfingers if you can't find the Butterfinger Bits. If your store stocks them, they are likely in the baking aisle by the chocolate chips and other mix-ins.  

Enjoy - whether you're watching the big game or just need a sweet, decadent snack! It would be a sweet treat for your Valentine, too!

Butterfinger Snack Mix

 

5 cups Chocolate Chex or regular Rice Chex cereal

1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup butter

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups Butterfinger Bits (or crushed candy bars)

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

 

Preparing the coating: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the mixture is smooth and fully melted. Add vanilla and stir. 

 

Place the Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl. Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently fold to coat evenly. Sprinkle the Butterfinger candy over the coated cereal and fold again to distribute evenly. 

 

Transfer the coated cereal into a large resealable plastic bag or a bowl with a lid. Add the powdered sugar; seal and shake until the cereal is fully coated. (I used an extra-large Tupperware bowl for mixing the whole recipe and just added my powdered sugar at the end.) 

 

Spread snack mix out on parchment paper or waxed paper. Cool and dry. Once set, transfer to a serving bowl or store in a sealed bag or bowl until serving.

 

NOTE:

• For the Butterfinger Snack Mix I gave away at Christmas, I mixed red and green Christmas M & Ms in to add a festive color. You could do the same, adding the colors of your favorite sports team.  

***

Need other ideas for your Super Bowl party?

 

Click on the links for the recipes pictured below. Looking for something else? Type "bar cookie," "snack mix," "cookies," "sandwiches," "soup," etc., into the blog search engine. The search engine is found in the upper lefthand corner of the blog post.

Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs AND Sweet & Sour Baked Beans

BBQ Meatballs - Make them full-size or bite-sized

Chili Lime Tacos with Grilled Pineapple Salsa 
Homemade Guacamole

 Cheesy Pull-Apart Sliders

 Zesty Italian Wraps

Turkey Club Pinwheels

Crescent-Wrapped Cranberry & Brie

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

Lemon Muddy Buddies

Super Snack Mix-Up

  

Brownies for a Crowd

Butterfinger Blondies

Peanut Butter S'Mores Bars

 

Southwest Ranch Cheese Dip

 

Baby Boom

A photo from Todd of twins born to one of our mamas, No. 775. We were in Topeka at the time, watching our granddaughters' activities. The twins got to stay awhile in the shed but are now out in the lot with their mama and the herd.

I have a pretty cushy job these days. I get to be the paparazzi for our new baby calves. But I don't have to staff the overnight shifts. Or - come to think of it - the daytime shifts either.

Tye and Todd, who handle the day-to-day care for our mamas and babies, had several days when they took catnaps in their pickups instead of getting into REM sleep their nice cozy beds. Sub-zero wind chills and newborn baby calves are not a good combination. 

The twins have their own "earrings" now. Tye and Todd use a different system than we did. They tag the babies with the mama's number.

I don't think the few cookies I delivered make up for the sleepless nights. But we sure appreciate all their work. It wasn't all that long ago that we were the ones watching the maternity ward and warming up new babies. 

Come to think of it, maybe another cookie run is in order. 

Snow and chilly temperatures haven't made calving easy on man or beast. But - ready or not - it's calving time in Kansas for us and for lots of other folks. We always had people ask why we calved in January and February. Like many Kansas farm families, our operation was diversified. Crop farmers are busy in the spring, summer and fall with those duties. They have time for the extra work that feeding cattle and calving entails during the dormant winter season.

Our mamas and babies have the yellow tags. Tye and Todd use other colors. 

For the last few years before retirement, I was the hired hand who helped with feeding chores and did my best to help when Randy needed to pull a calf. I can't say that I'm missing the time in that rather drafty feed truck every day. But I definitely enjoy the drives through the cattle lots with camera in hand.

 

Some extra hay spread out gave babies a place to snuggle down.  

On one of our trips through the cattle, we saw a mama cleaning off her brand new baby. 
 

It's good that Tye and Todd have a liberal visitation policy. I'm sure the paparazzi will be back.