Kansas Fences and Sisal Twine

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Some fences are built for privacy; however, this one in Kansas attracts attention!
The artwork is created from a variety of scrap metal and road signs.  In 2010 when we saw this fence on a road trip to Texas, we didn't have time to visit the studio, but I would imagine the designer has an interesting story.

Another attraction we drove by is the world's largest ball of twine in Cawker City, Kansas.  Frank Stoeber started his ball of twine in 1953.  By the time of his death in 1974, he had 1.6 million feet of twine on an 11-foot in diameter ball, and it is believed he had the largest ball of twine in the world at the time of his death. 

Francis Johnson of Minnesota began a twine ball project in 1950 and wrapped twine 4 hours a day for 39 years, passing Stoeber's record.  His twine ball was 12 feet in diameter at the time of his death in 1989. 

 However, the residents of Cawker City decided not to let Stoeber's project stop.  Every year they hold a Twine-at-thon where residents wrap more twine around the ball.  The world's largest ball of sisal twine is now their claim to fame.
The variety of interests in the world makes it a fascinating place.  Every person is in some ways like a book full of interesting stories waiting to be read.  If you walked by the designer of the fence or one of the sisal twine ball creators, chances are you'd never guess.  People don't usually wear nametags with a title and table of contents.  We have to talk with them to find out!

It's important that we think of the heritage we will leave behind.  For what do we want to be remembered?  Will our legacy be the patience invested in a ball of twine, the love shown to our families, the concentration involved in our chess games, the kind deeds we do for others, or a combination of these things?  When we come to the end, a lot of things we now consider important won't really matter. As someone once said, "Only one life, 'twill soon be past; only what's done for Christ will last."
"Common looking people are the best in the world: that is the reason the Lord makes so many of them."  
--Abraham Lincoln


Linking with:

Check out TexWisGirl's blog for links to more fences from around the world!

103 comments:

  1. Now that is one neat fence! And now, thanks to you, I have seen the world's largest ball of twine *smiles*

    Happy Thursday, Bethany! Hugs

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    1. Have a great day also, Stephanie! There are some things no one should miss out on in life! ;)

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  2. loved the 'stew-dee-owe' sign! what great finds, bethany!

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  3. Wow...that is really interest artwork! How cool!

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    1. Isn't it neat how there are so many different kinds of art?!

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  4. Love this! So interesting! I love visiting places like this one. :-)

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    1. The cool part is running into sites like this when one is least expecting!

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  5. Very interesting post Bethany. Love the very unique fence you shared!

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  6. You definitely have some interesting photos here. Love the signage and that giant ball of twine. Love the quote by AL. He was one of the best.

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  7. Bethany,it is very interesting place. Heritage is very important in every family...

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    1. Agreed! It is fascinating to learn about family history.

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  8. That huge ball of twine is fascinating and the fence is pretty cool, too. I love that you visit such interesting places. Have a blessed day... :)

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  9. Wow that is a fascniating fence and I bet that would be a very interesting and fun place to visit. The big ball of twine was also quite interesting. I can't imagine why anyone would wind twine 4 hours a day like that but to each their own.

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    1. Ha! True...To me winding twine for 4 hours would be boring, but I spent 10 hours or so at a chess tournament yesterday, and to some people I imagine that would be incredibly boring! (Though I had a great time!)

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  10. What a neat fence. And wow...that is an enormous ball of twine. O.o
    Your words are wise. :)

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  11. I love roadside attractions like this! I think they are an easily overlooked fascinating detail of what makes America what it is and, of course, road trips what they are :)

    Enjoyed reading the thought-provoking, true, and inspirational thoughts you shared at the end, as well.

    Have a blessed day!!
    ~Jazzmin

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    1. Isn't it beautiful how the countryside has so much character?! You have a blessed day as well! Thank you Jazzmin!

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  12. I need one of those fences on my farmette!

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  13. The collection of signs and yard art is so much fun! But I was stunned...there REALLY is a biggest ball of twine!!!!

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  14. Olá amiga, amo criatividade...lindo!
    Doce abraço Marie.

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  15. Looks like he creates art out of found objects, aka junk. I bet he does have an interesting story.

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  16. What a unique and original way to put up fences, it looks awesome! - great quote ;)

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  17. What an interesting fence, and what a good and thoughtful post.

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  18. Very clever and fun idea for a fence! The creator must have had so much fun creating it. And, that really is a huge ball of twine!

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    1. The fence must have been (or perhaps still is) quite the project!

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  19. lovely places, are this in the usa? ❤

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  20. Bethany, yes, the variety of interests in the world is amazing. My husband always says "However unusual an interest you could think of, there's probably already a magazine for it!"

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  21. Very enjoyable and interesting post, and how fun to see all those signs! I do like Abraham Lincoln's quote at the end. :)

    Thanks for stopping by to comment on my gate and fence.

    Lindy

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  22. Well, I have never seen anything like that! It is amazing. WHAT a ball of twine!!!! xo Diana

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    1. I don't think Cawker City will ever suffer from a twine shortage.

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  23. Fascinating, thank you so much for sharing!

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  24. Bethany, very interesting post. Thank you for sharing. Have a nice week.

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  25. Wonderful post, Bethany. You are already so wise at such a young age.

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    1. Thanks Martha! I'm trying to learn; there is so much wisdom still to be discovered! The Bible is an awesome source, and many interesting things can be learned from other people.

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  26. Love the writing! I do think of what will I be remembered for, and hope I leave a good heritage. Great pictures too!

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    1. From what I've seen on your blog, you are building a beautiful heritage!

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  27. Would LOVE to see this in person. So unique. Have a great weekend Bethany!

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  28. YOU CAN DEPEND ON Texas TO HAVE INTERESTING FINDS. eNJOYED SEEING THEM AND YOUR VISIT.

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  29. Wow...this is just too creative for words!!!

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  30. Oh wow! I will have to add this to my "need to visit" list! Definitely something I would have a blast doing! And thank you for your sweet comment on my blog Bethany! I love to hear from my followers! You have a great blog and you have exceptional talent in photography! Keep up the great work! Have a great day! --Emelie Claire http://happilylivingmydream.blogspot.com/

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  31. Such a unique and interesting fence. Quite fascinating! Thank you for sharing it with us.

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  32. Very cool finds, I enjoyed this post!!

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  33. That is a huge ball of twine! Love Lincoln's quote you shared.

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  34. I feel like somewhere, a long time ago, I heard about that ball of twine. I like hearing the story behind the two balls of twine, that's so funny and interesting!

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    1. It sounds like Johnson and Stoeber had a competition going! I wonder if anyone winds balls of twine now!

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  35. hey, i know that junkyard! actually the old family farm i sometimes speak of is located not too far from there. we've stopped and taken pictures, too, and that was in 2010 or 2011 as well! i was by there this summer and it has actually grown. never been to the ball of twine, though. i really need to!
    such a neat post and what a wonderful surprise to see this post and that you've been through some of my country!

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    1. Oh wow, Abigail! Neat to hear that you've seen it too; sounds like we were pretty close to the same place at the same time! I hope we can coordinate better if we ever are near the same place again (that was before I started blogging). It seems like junkyards have a propensity for growing; glad to hear that one is no exception!

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  36. Very interesting . . . and you're right, every person has their own story to tell.

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    1. I was just talking with an older lady the other day. No one would ever guess that she had been on a safari in Africa and a mission trip to Jamaica. People are pretty fascinating once you get to talking!

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  37. What a great find! One thing I like about blogging is seeing things I wouldn't otherwise get the chance to see. Love this!

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  38. Olá amiga, passei por aqui para desejar-lhe uma abençoada semana.
    Beijos do Brasil, Marie.


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  39. It's an example of creativity in orthography; I'm afraid my creativity in this area often expresses itself without my knowledge. ;)

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  40. Thanks for another interesting and thought provoking post, Bethany. I want to leave a legacy that will encourage others to know Father God through Christ and be empowered with the Holy Spirit to serve Him...challenging!!!

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  41. What a STUNNING post my dear friend, you all the time finding something special for us.
    The quote is just too good! Hope you enjoyed your weekend, Liuba G.

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  42. Hey Bethany,
    Enjoyed your post and the picture of the road signs. :) Just to let you know, I answered your question about okra on my blog. Not sure if you saw my reply or not, but just letting you know. :)
    ~Ashley
    creatingpreciousmoments.blogspot.com

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  43. Surely this is a site well worth seeing.

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  44. This one looks amazing. I love the unique design. It is like a piece of functional artwork.

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  45. That's truly interesting twine ball and the tradition which people continued even after the death of the original creator is amazing, it's gonna be a ccontinuibg history to their great grandchildren.
    You've got great blogposts. Will surely come back to read more.

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  46. "Drive along the road until you get to the thing on the fence" - perfect directions to the owners house I assume.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  47. Very interesting post, Bethany. I love how you correlate it to our Lord, and life.
    Good job.
    Debbie
    xo

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  48. Particularly beautiful and fencing.
    Beautiful photos Bethany.
    Best regards, Irma

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  49. I guess as long as there are people with imagination in the world there will be strange goings-on!

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  50. The best sort of advertising!!!

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