love the state of my birth...

I hate what it has become.

It was always republican, but it wasn't mad dog batshit crazy like it is now.

I'm glad I left... but I suspect me (and millions of thinking Jayhawks like me) leaving has much to do with what it has become.

being destroyed. It has just become too insane of a place.

It tells a story, sitting there with its headlights in view.
The hideaway covers quit working long ago.
It used to be somebody's dream.

The headlight doors were vacuum operated and spring loaded to fail in the full open position for safety. If the car hasn't been started in a while, or if there's a leak in the vacuum system, the springs open the doors. With vacuum present, it overrides the spring tension and holds the covers closed.

No doubt that car was once somebody's dream car--it likely still is among collectors if it's not too far gone. One of the most stylish and desired cars on the road in its day.

Definitely a story there!

There were a number of models that featured that look: Monte Carlo, Gran Fury, Dodge Diplomat. The Aries and Reliant also looked like that and made for an iconic convertible.

So, if the vacuum reservoir plays out after a long wait, she opens her eyes and stares at you.

Looks like it would make a great project car to tinker with.

I did, and it was exciting. Got really lost in Kansas City, before GPS.

Then, while driving down a lonely, flat highway, I saw to guys dressed in black hitchhiking that looked exactly like Richard Hickock and Perry Smith -- the killers chronicled in the book In Cold Blood. I drove as fast as I could and the event haunts me to this day.

jurors profiting from serving on a jury.

Should Capote have profited from that book having been granted private interviews with those cretins. Is that not a similar scenario?

Anyway - that movie - spellbinding and disturbing at the same time.

Born there. Ain't going back. Ever.

I ran out of gas about eight miles west of there many years ago. On a Sunday morning, about 4:30 am. Not a pleasant experience--nothing opened up until 8:30. Had to walk several miles before a farmer picked me up and gave me a ride to town, dropped me off at a station like the one there. Finally got gas and hitched a ride back to my car, got it started, and got the heck outa there. Never been back since.

Natural gas also.

weather! I'm a born and bred Jayhawker but have traveled the world and settled here in NE Kansas. Not so flat, close to metro areas with shopping and entertainment but you could not pay me enough to live in Western Kansas with all those bible thumpers and crazed rethugs!

Sadly, there are lots of fundies and Republicans in KS...same as in my home state. :sigh: