Ark Valley News - The View from Sunflower Gardens

The View from Sunflower Gardens
By Marilyn Bentley
Last Updated: August 23, 2018

Enjoying farmers market veggies

Soybeans are green and growing in Kansas fields.

Did you know byproducts of soybeans are used in making crayons and writers ink? Also, it's used in a fuel of diesel-powered cars.

Among the dear hearts and gentle people who live here are the new residents in the new apartment building. So welcome, welcome to all new folks!

We like our Monday coffee chats, Tuesday Bible study, music concerts, puzzle rooms, potluck dinners, our own library, game nights and walks down our halls.

It's been fun to watch the progress, day by day, on the new apartment buildings here.

We also have trees planted here. Always a welcome thing to see.

Some of us are already enjoying the vegetables from local farmers' markets. There have been some county fairs, too.

We liked the cooler temperatures and welcome rains.

In September will be the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson.

Many of us enjoy the library we have here and change of books here. Some like the walk around our buildings.

The new community building has a beautiful interior and senior center rooms.

Remember to pray for our troops and families.

Verse of the week: "The gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus." (Romans 6:23)

Where did you come from? Many here are native Kansans. We came to live at Sunflower Gardens, a comfy home for all folks over 55 years in age.

My roots were in north-central Iowa. The U.S. military brought folks to Kansas from many states. Also working on ranches or in aircraft plants or in the malls drew workers to their new home.

Former Indian tribes gave us names for Kansas towns and counties: Miami, Cherokee, Nemaha, Cloud, Kiowa, Kansa, Pawnee, Pottawatomie, Chautauqua, Wichita, Comanche.

Buffalo are still found on Kansas preserves.

"A little laughter now and then, a little nonsense on the side, was relished by the best of men who really lived before they died." — Anonymous

"The light of God sustains the mind of those who need the way, bestowing inner peace and calm, as bolsters for each day." — Ray Nelson

Ours is an awesome God. How about yours?

Wear seat belts. Watch the speed limit. Smile.

"Be kind, anyway." — Mother Teresa

"Ad astra per aspera"