Having Fun Yet?
Have you heard that saying, “No one ever said on their deathbed ‘I wish I’d spent more time working”?
Well I am guessing they never met a farmer. I am pretty sure there have been some death bed thoughts that went something like “But I need to get to that field to till the weeds.”
Summertime when I was a kid was going to beaches, riding bikes, playing with friends and swimming.
In rural western Kansas where harvest is in full swing, fun and play are on the back burner. In fact most of the time it is hard to get a farmer to leave his fields. You practically have to drag them only with the promise to return quickly.
Well today we aren’t going anywhere and the weight of bills to pay, will the wheat get out of the field, and how many bushels will it make are heavy on many farm families minds. But I can’t do much about that. And as much as I would like to take a week at a beach and go fishing and swimming, that won’t happen soon either.
But I heard a fun song yesterday, saw there was a new dance out and it made me happier. And it reminded me about having fun right where we are at.
I am not the best at fun. I like to have all my work done first. But adulting is realizing there is always work to be done.
With just a little over a week until fair and about a month until school starts, time is flying! And the work that needs done is overwhelming. But sometimes I think we need to stop and have fun anyway.
There will always be cleaning and work and bills to pay and they need to be handled.
So let’s have some fun. Let’s laugh a little, kick up our heels even if its in our own backyard or living room.
When was the last time you got silly? You are your husband or wife danced?
I admit to you when dishes fill my sink I have zero ability to laugh or dance. Yet every day the dishes pile up again.
It’s sad for me to say that I need to work on having fun but that is the truth. It’s time to find some joy.
Can you find a song to dance to? Have you heard the Walker Hayes song, “Fancy Like”?
It’s just a fun light song about him and a girl. And if you look it up online there are videos of the dance. Single people, families, couples, are all getting silly. And it’s exactly what I need right now.
You can’t go on without food or water. You need love and joy.
In Ecclesiastes 3 it says, "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens:a time to be be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot...a time to mourn and a time to dance.”
When I get this column finished and the paper sent out, I am going to learn that dance. Tonight I hope to teach my husband and daughter the dance too. And I hope we dance and laugh and remember the moments that bring joy because hardship happens. Right now there are people praying for a loved one to live or wishing they had one more day with their loved one.
I hope we can make today count with some love and laughter. And like the dishes, a field will always need worked.
OPINIONS
A SUNSET
How’s your life going? Some of you are still in summer. We started back to school here this week. The summer sped by faster than I ever remember a summer going by. Life is moving faster and faster and all the things I need to do are falling behind. I... [More]
One Of The Greatest Lies Ever Told
One of my first columns a couple years ago discussed “have to” vs “get to.” Well last weekend I missed a family camping trip to put together the fair edition. I barely left my chair for days. And then after a short break I had to put another paper... [More]
The County Fair
What memories do you have of childhood summers? Are they centered around family? Fun? County fairs? We just completed anothercounty fair. My daughter did well. And I am proud of her hard work. But as I am wiped out exhausted, recovering, getting ready for the next... [More]
Raise Someone Up Today
Right now my world is consumed by the county fair. I literally eat sleep and breathe it. When people ask if we are ready for school, my answer is after the fair we can think about it. When my daughter asks about some future event, my answer is after the fair we will discuss... [More]
One Child At A Time
Last week I mentioned how sometimes life can throw us good surprises. Well last week I had an opportunity to volunteer with poultry testing in our county. The veterinarian showed up and I mentioned how much my daughter wants to become a vet. And could she watch her work. ... [More]
A Little Joy
Hard work. It’s what I grew up with and it’s what I believe in. It’s what we teach our daughter. You want things, it takes hard work. Yes, once in a while you will be given a gift and that is wonderful and be grateful. But the grit and the sweat is what... [More]
Exactly As You Are
My heart is grieving. This joyous Jesus who I came to broken down by life is one many will never know. In people’s zeal they maybe forget how they came to know Him. Or maybe they never had that experience. Before I knew God, I seriously thought gay people weren’t... [More]
Kindness Matters
Here I am less than an hour from deadline trying to come up with something to write about. Many newspapers have begun to remove or lessen their opinion section. With social media and daily news outlets opinions, people have grown weary of more opinion. At least according... [More]
More Opinions
- It's the good stuff
- Jesus Without Conditions
- Casting Stones
- In The Barn
- Stumbling Upward
- The Jug of Oil Will Not Run Dry
- I Will Boast of My Weaknesses
- Ride the Waves
SPORTS
LADY BULLDOGS BORDER WARS CHAMPIONS!!
The Lady Bulldogs were undefeated during the Border Wars, defeating Eads on Friday, 42-7 and Walsh on Saturday 62-5, bringing their record to 3-1. But the winner wasn’t announced until Tuesday evening. Syracuse Athletic Director Josh Johnson explained, “It came down... [More]
JH Basketball Season Underway with JH Boys sweeping Lakin
Monday night at home at the Herndon Gym, the Junior High boys swept Lakin! Head coach Vance Keller said, “We’re a young team with only six eighth graders and 12 seventh graders. We’ve had six total that started the season with injuries so we haven’t had... [More]
Senior Night Volleyball
Three Syracuse High School volleyball seniors were honored on Tuesday, October 5, during the volleyball tournament at Syracuse. Kaetlin Thomeczek, daughter of Joe and Dami Thomeczek has played volleyball since the third grade, playing with Syracuse Youth Activities Association... [More]
HS Track
Head coach Steve Navarro said, “The coaching staff has really enjoyed working with this group of kids this year. They have been putting in hard work despite some less than stellar conditions for practice and meets. We are excited to see what they can do now that we are... [More]
SHS SPORTS WRAP UP
Baseball: The Bulldogs faced the Goodland Cowboys at home on Thursday, April 8, losing game one, 2-22 and game two, 1-17. Head Coach Dustin Doze said the Bulldogs really struggled throwing strikes again and they had too many errors. We need to clean things up if we want to... [More]
Spring Sports Start
One year ago, athletes and coaches were beginning practice for their spring sport, some practicing during spring break, others enjoying the break from school. Soon they found out their break was extended a week, some with great joy, others with apprehension. Then came the unfortunate... [More]
SUBSTATE HEARTACHE
Substate began and ended quickly but these Varsity teams left it all out on the court. In heartbreaking last second baskets, our basketball season was over. The boys lost by two points in the last five seconds and the girls lost by three. A wrap up of the season will come in... [More]
HEADING TO SUBSTATE
The SHS Bulldogs faced the 4-A Holcomb Longhorns for the final home game of the season, with the varsity teams unable to win. The boys will be the number three seed in first sub state match up at home, Monday, March 1, against the number 6 seed, Stanton County. This will be the... [More]
More Sports
NEWS
City of Syracuse Weeds Notice
Thankful for the rain but the weeds have grown! Let's clean them up Syracuse! Notice City of Syracuse The City of Syracuse will be enforcing Ordinance No. 592 SECTION 1.WEEDS TO BE REMOVED. It shall be unlawful for any owner, agent, lessee,... [More]
Back to School: New Teachers at USD 494
Introducing the new teachers at USD 494. In visiting with the new teachers, a common denominator is their impression of the staff and especially the community who is supportive of the school, but also their admiration of the facility and all it has to offer. High school... [More]
Gracie's Cafe Opens
Gracie’s Café, formerly Western Trail Café in Coolidge, is now open under new ownership and management. The Donaldson family from Bristol, Colo. has purchased the restaurant from Ken and Patty Jordan who operated it for the past ten years. Coolidge Mayor,... [More]
Do You Want To Become A US Citizen
Do You Want to Become a U.S. Citizen? Catholic Charities Offering Free Naturalization Consultation Clinic LIBERAL, KS, AUGUST 2, 2022 --- Naturalization is the process by which people who were born outside of the United States can become a U.S. citizen. For individuals... [More]
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS OF THE AUGUST 2, 2022 PRIMARY ELECTION FOR HAMILTON COUNTY
With 34% of the voters turning out plus 13 provisional ballots, here are the results from Hamilton County. Constitutional Amendment YES 244 NO 195 For United States Senate... [More]
God's Hand on Highway 27
If you were down at the Demolition Derby on Saturday night, sheets of rain and pea size hail caused concern. Many left, others hunkered in their vehicles wondering if it would pass. Information came in waves. The stoplight was out. The railroad lights weren’t... [More]
What Kansans Need to Know about Voting on August 2
WICHITA, KS – July 15, 2022 – On August 2, Kansas holds a Primary Election for political parties to select their candidates for the November 2022 General Election and a Special Election to amend the Kansas Constitution. ... [More]
A Hero
It was a dramatic few weeks and one of the bigger moments got missed. Dakira Limon is a lifeguard at the Hamilton County pool and a hero. An SHS graduate headed to Colby Community college for the animal science program. It is her fourth year as a lifeguard at the Hamilton... [More]
More News
OBITUARIES
Terry Ogden Herndon
Terry Ogden Herndon, 88, of Carlisle, died peacefully at Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln on Saturday, August 6, 2022, after a full and wonderful life. He was the beloved husband for 66 years of Eva (Warmbrunn) Herndon. Born in Syracuse, Kansas on March 15, 1934,... [More]
Irvin Henry (Junior) Lewis, Jr.
Irvin Henry Lewis, Jr. always known as “Junior” Junior was born in a little country house in Stanton County Kansas on January 26, 1932. He was the youngest of 3 children born to Irvin H. Lewis and Effie (Mae) Hardin. The eldest a sister Ethel Lorraine... [More]
Darrell D. Markley
Darrell D. Markley passed away on Sunday August 7, 2022, at the age of 95 at the Hamilton County Hospital ISB in Syracuse, Kansas. He was born on September 23, 1926, in Enterprise, Kansas the son of Oscar Markley and Nellie (Richards) Markley. Darrell was raised in Abilene, Kansas... [More]
Dale Lee Simmons
A Memorial Service for Dale Simmons will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at the Hartman School Gymnasium in Hartman, Colorado,with Pastor Jason Kirkpatrick officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Hartman Cemetery. Per Dale’s request, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation.
Dale Lee Simmons passed away on July 30, 2022, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the age of 81. He was born on February 23, 1941, in Pratt, Kansas, to John and Theda (Carr) Simmons.
Dale grew up in Pratt, Kansas until he was seven years old. The family then moved to Hartman, Colorado,where he played basketball for the Hartman Bears. Dale graduated with the class of 1959, the last class to graduate from Hartman. He was united in marriage to Frances Leah Dennis on August 30, 1959. To this union, four children were born.
When Dale was only seven years old, he began driving a tractor. After his father’s death, Dale took over the family farm at the age of 15. He farmed until partially retiring in 2017. Dale continued to swath hay and operate a grain cart until his passing. Dale served on the Fire and Ambulance Board, Hartman Town Council, and as mayor for several years.
Dale is survived by his wife, Frances Simmons of the home; four children, Denise (Bob) Fazzino of Canon City, Colorado, Dennis (Jackie) Simmons of Hartman, Colorado, Dean (Jessie) Simmons of Hartman, Colorado, and Donna (David) Woodward of Port Orchard, Washington; eight grandchildren, Melissa Swope Woodward, Jeremy (Lindsey) Woodward, Dustin (Grace) Simmons, Kayla (Jason) Kirkpatrick, Dawn (Sean) Kelley, Sean (Krissy) Woodward, Gayle (Clay) Tatum, and Erin (Burley) Jerina; 18 great grandchildren; brother, Robert (Mary Rita) Simmons of Lamar, Colorado; sister, Ginger (Andy) Pittman of Arkansas; many other relatives and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Karen Cook; and stepfather, Herschel Melton.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holly Fire and Ambulance or the Town of Hartman in care of Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 950, Lamar, Colorado 81052. To leave online condolences, please visit www.valleymemorialfc.com.
Kris Elaine (Jost) Jantz
Kris Elaine (Jost) Jantz March 20, 1957 - July 27, 2022 A Funeral Service for Kris Jantz will be held at 9:30 a.m. MST, Friday, August 5, 2022, at the Syracuse Wesleyan Church in Syracuse, KS. Interment will follow in the Syracuse Cemetery. Kris Elaine (Jost) Jantz passed... [More]
Barbara Laureen Fanshier-Phillips
Barbara Laureen Fanshier-Phillips (Daniels), age 83, of The Villages, FL, passed away on July 19, 2022 with her daughter, Shawn Fanshier, by her side. Born January 25, 1939 on the family farm in Kinsley, KS. Barb was a life-long learner with a passion for following her dreams.... [More]
Justin Van Trussell
Justin Van Trussell passed away on Friday, July 1, 2022 at the age of 57 from a motorcycle accident near North Platte, Nebraska. He was born on September 22, 1964 in Germany the son of Ronald V. Trussell and Mona Rae (Alexander) Trussell. Justin began his life in Germany. They... [More]
Dalene Fecht Lewis
Dalene May (Fecht) Lewis passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at the age of 71 at the Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, Kansas. She was born on December 15, 1950 in Garden City, Kansas the daughter of Albert Dale Fecht and Pauline (Finkenbinder) Fecht. Dalene was... [More]
More Obituaries
- Anthony Moldenhauer
- Walter Brownie Stimatze
- Judd Thomas Cherryholmes
- Beverly Lynn Musgrove
- Arthur Gene Coghill
- Dr. Craydon Dean McDonald
- Baxter Black
- Juan Carlos Cordon
©2022 The Syracuse Journal. Powered by Pluto Sites.