Every person who grew up in the Soviet Union has photos like these stashed in their dusty photo albums. Not all Marriage Palaces used to belong to the Czar’s family but any self-respecting city had a place where the new units of society were forged or at least registered under the watchful stare of Jesus Christ Vladimir Illych Lenin.

In Leningrad the florid stairs of Tchaikovsky march filled the old palace of the czar’s cousin, Prince Andrei Romanov, as a happy couple mounted the deeply carpeted stairway to the elaborate hall where they would be married. Except for the informal dress, the wedding of Elena Pogorelova and Nikolai Smolin might have been a scene in the czarist Russia. It was, ironically, the newest in the “socialist” marriages.

Previously the Communists required civil marriages to be businesslike and perfunctory. But since many comrades missed the ceremony and ritual of church weddings, the government decided to add a bit of romance. The Leningrad “Marriage Palace” is the nation’s first, but many others are planned. In the palace’s waiting rooms Elena and Nikolai could enjoy piped-in music before hearing the speeches at their warm-hearted ceremony. A pleasant room was provided afterward for a champagne reception. Some 500 couples a month have come to be married at the palace and hear the council member admonish, “I wish you happiness and love. Complete happiness is impossible without creative labor for your country.”

Since we were in the area yesterday, we drove to the Schreiman Orchards to pick up some peaches. I read about the place in the Star several years ago and we usually make a trip there several times a year to buy peaches and later in the fall – apples. For me it’s not just a shopping trip, I can get peaches and apples much closer to home, it’s an excuse to drive along  the Old Trails Road – one of the most picturesque stretches of highway on this side of the state of Missouri. Along the road you will find historic markers, museums, multiple wineries (but wait there is more), and at the end pick up a basket of peaches for the road.


People who make fun of my love of pickling should take a note that even I draw the line at the red beet and/or jalapeno pickled eggs.

Some day we should find a designated driver and tour the area. Seems like they are having an event on the August 15th.

I haven’t done this for a while:

Undecided?

And the prize for the biggest penis sign goes to (drum roll) Julia Lynn for State Senator. She wins by a skin an inch small margin.

If I had a religion I would be switching it right now. You probably can’t read this sign photographed at a local Backyard Burgers restaurant but it says:”FREE 1/3 BYB (backyard burger) with church bulletin”. Last time I went to a synagogue I didn’t even get a free bagel. For those keeping a score: Jesus – 1, other deities – 0.

My parents always chided me for hunching and looking down, but, it turns out, I always knew what I was doing. For the non-filthy report on FiestaKC check out Happy In Bag.

And now we dance:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp-ATy9tkrg