Greetings. I’m Laurie Pieper, innkeeper at The Morning Star Bed & Breakfast in lovely downtown Manhattan, Kansas, USA.
For me, as for many innkeepers, running a bed and breakfast is a second career. I have a Ph.D. in Philosophy and have taught Metaphysics & Epistemology, History of Philosophy, and Philosophy of Religion at several major universities. Occasionally, some readers might detect hints of my past career, but probably not.
When I first started teaching Philosophy, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. At some point, however, I decided that I simply hadn’t been imaginative enough. Suddenly, there were all kinds of things that I could envision doing. Having always loved cooking and gardening, running a bed and breakfast seemed a perfect fit for me. With my career change, I came to appreciate just how nice it is to create an environment where people can relax, be comfortable, and feel well treated.
I envision this blog as reflecting who I am and my efforts (and those of my helpers) to create a special place – one with good food, a pleasant atmosphere, comfortable rooms, a lovely garden, friendly people and easy-going dogs. It is also about Manhattan and its surrounds, the people who stay with us and inspire us, what life is like running a bed and breakfast, and well … what I hope you will find to be other interesting things too.
Thank you for stopping by!
A Taste of Morning 
I had never read your profile after following your blog all this time! Love it — life is full of so many choices and interests and opportunities! I look forward to having a little more time to explore some of them as we become empty nesters in a couple years!
P.S. I have fond memories of a couple summers of music camp at KU while I was in high school! 🙂
Good luck, Kat. I am sure that you have lots of interesting things to keep you very occupied!
Hello there! So nice to find your blog! We met a few months ago when we took Dr. Mullis to stay over at your place…. Phil Klebba and me, Sally
Yes, I remember meeting you. It is nice to hear from you, Sally. I really enjoyed having Dr. Mullis stay with us.
OK … and in your spare time …?
[grin]
Spare time? What’s that? : )
Oh never mind … someone will explain it to you, one day. It might not be for quite while, mind …
Congradulations! I have just nominated your blog for the Shine On Award. Here is a link to my post where you have been nominated.http://thebelmontrooster.wordpress.com/2013/12/14/my-shine-on-award-2/
Laurie, how would you feel if I nominated you for the Shine On Award. Please email me at belmontrooster@centurylink.net.
AWESOME BLOG! I will follow. My first blog, The Mystical Mansion and Garden, centers around the past several years in a mansion in Mississippi. I sold it to a group of ladies who turned it into a B&B. Now, I am back in my hometown in Missouri. I really miss the old house and back yard, the sunrooms, and milder winter.
You’ve been nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award! By me! Check it out here, http://thenovicegardener.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/spreading-the-love-around/
I see you’ve gotten a similar award before. But this one is a different icon, started by a different person perhaps?
Congratulations on your award and thank you so very kindly for the nomination. I am pleased that you like my blog. \
Laurie
Hello Laurie 🙂
I really enjoyed your blog posts ! Keep up the great work 🙂
what a lovely job to be an innkeeper.. conjures up images of a very very hospitable person. Looking forward to reading your other posts. and do stop by my space when you get a chance. charu
Thank you, Alice. I don’t know how it took me so long to see you comment. Have a lovely day!
My mother went to Kansas State University back before WWII, which I believe is in Manhattan. You have a nice blog.
Thank you, Gayle. KSU is most definitely in Manhattan. I enjoy your posts, too.
What a wonderful way to preserve architecture and offer hospitality.There are such lovely old homes in Kansas, aren’t there? Summer vacations as a kid I spent bounding through some smaller towns in South Central Kansas.