What we have here is The Keeper of the Plains, created by Dave’s step-father Blackbear Bosin. Here’s the amazon link to the book Dave wrote about Blackbear Bosin: Keeper of the Indian Spirit. And here’s an extensive wikipedia article about all things Blackbear Bosin.
Below is the Mid-American All-Indian Museum, where Dave’s contributions of art, money, and time are legion.
The family tree. Dave lived with Blackbear from around the age of eight, is the only remaining of his generation, and is entrusted with the the copyright for the image of The Keeper of the Plains.
Janis came by for a visit which was lovely. Below is a recent selfie and beside it Janis, Sharon, and Chris in Kauai in 2010.
Some buildings on our tour of Newton.
The Barbie House!
We went into Wichita to admire a string of local establishments including lunch here where we ordered all the highlights – crumbly burger, onion rings, garlic salad (1/2 cole slaw 1/2 grated garlic) and icy root beer in an icy mug.
We were too late for a tour, too bad too. This is the Frank Lloyd Wright Allen House.
Summer in the mid-west, tomatoes and corn.
For dinner we went to another legendary local spot.
Chris was a high school vice-principle for something like 20+ years in one of the two high school in Newton KS (population less than 20,000). So wherever she goes in Newton and the surrounding towns, someone recognizes her saying “Oh Mrs Simmonds! You did so much for me, getting me out of high school!!”
For example our server below said she was such a goof-off in high school she’s glad Mrs Simmonds doesn’t remember her…
At one point the sky opened, like buckets were dumping, 3 1/2 inches in less than an hour. You can see a model of The Keeper in the back against the tool shed.
