Bet you’ve never heard that before. Neither had I, but there’s a first time for everything. I should probably start from the beginning.
It started with a tenant having no hot water. I couldn’t get the water heater lit as the gas was off. So the tenant works different shifts so sleeps at odd times. The neighbor smelled gas outside and was concerned so reported it. The gas company came out right away and fixed the leak but couldn’t re-light the water heater without access to the house. They left a door hanger notice but apparently it’s windy in Kansas so it blew away. So we figure it all out and I meet the gas company at the house to get it handled. “Yeah Cole there was a gas smell that the neighbor reported. So we have a small leak and a mad turkey. The leak is fixed.” “Did you say a turkey?” I asked. “Yeah right there. And I’m not fighting a turkey for you Cole. Not today.” He replied. “Is that because you’re wearing shorts today?” We all get a good laugh. Only in Kansas.
For the record, I know this guy would have fought the turkey with me if I had needed him too. He’s a good dude. As it turned out, I only had to distract the turkey. Only in Kansas.
As is tradition in Kansas, the entire month of May is reserved for graduations. Across the family we’ve had an 8th grade, a high school and a college graduation. Nolan graduated from K-State, and with me being a KU grad, only slightly disappointed me. But he made his Kansas State grandfather very proud. Guess that makes up for me disappointing my dad with my KU degree. So Nolan just wanted a party for the college graduation and a hot tub. College really does teach you practical knowledge after all. However for the 8th grade graduate, it took a cookout, a dinner banquet, an awards ceremony, a graduation ceremony, two dances, a field trip and a family party to complete the 8th grade graduation. Kind of a a mean trick to have all this hoopla just to send these kids off to get picked on as high school freshman. Only in Kansas.
A short 6 hour drive across Kansas brought us to my nephews graduation. We skipped the ceremony to help set up for my sister. I’m a helper like that. On the way we saw a lot of Dollar General’s. But one we stopped in looked like it had been looted. Turns out though it wasn’t. Just no one to stock the shelves so stuff was just stacked up everywhere. People rummaging through it like a zombie movie. Also found BLT flavored potato chips. Only in Kansas
Saw lots of things that made me think, only in Kansas. Like a farm truck driven by a big guy with his friend, a little dog.
Went through the home town of a college buddy who was the biggest Miami Dolphins fan I’ve ever seen. Even had a license plate that said PHINS. He works for the Chiefs. Only in Kansas.
I also saw something else all across Kansas. Things like coal trains, pipelines, and tanker trucks.
Then I saw oil rigs, and refineries and wind mills too.
Here’s where people say “not to get political” or “it’s not personal, it’s business” but to me it is personal. It’s personal to me and to Kansas. The people of Kansas have always been tough, resourceful and resistant. No matter the hand we are dealt, we find a way to make it work. All of these pieces seem to be part of Kansas. Wind, coal, solar, gas. They all have a role. And each one is important. They also all have drawbacks. Instead of arguing which about which one is better, maybe we should discuss how we can make our state better. How we can work together better. Instead of asking “what’s in it for me” ask how can this help our kids.
So it brings me back to the beginning and a small gas leak. A man with nothing to gain, reported an issue out of genuine concern for his neighbor. The big corporation followed all the rules and fixed the problem before it became a major problem. Myself the landlord just had to connect the people that were needed to get the job done. I also had to distract that turkey.
We all have challenges and issues that come our way. We also have a choice of what role to play. We could all choose a role to help others and do the right thing, without asking what’s in it for me. Or we can choose to make things harder for others.
So can a Dolphins fan become a Chiefs fan? Can three generations alternate rival universities? Can a big rough guy have a little dog. Only in Kansas. Can people work together when they have different views and beliefs? Can competing industries work together and make each other better? I hope so. Because I know one thing for sure. No one wants to fight the turkey.
