By now I bet most of my readers are under the impression that I totally ignore the fall holidays. This is not true but all my spare time that is not devoted to celebrating the season are spent preparing for the Christmas season. In all truth fall happens to be my absolute favorite season.
I have been wondering what are Christmas traditions you have that don't involve sweets, decorating, parties, or gift exchanging?
For me that is charity. Each holiday I donate to toys for tots, grab a angel off the angel tree, or take food to the food bank. This may not be Opera at the Met, but I see this as a classy holiday tradition.
Throughout the year I regularly take supplies to Blue Star Mothers. But the holidays I focus on those less fortunate.
If you have never done this I highly suggest this become a yearly tradition. No matter how small the gift you will make a difference in someones life.
I still remember as a child how we would go select a gift or two to take to the Toys for Tots. And then my Aunt and I would take them and deliver them to a Marine. As we were selecting the toy and dropping it off we would talk about the importance of helping the less fortunate. I see this as an indispensable life lesson that has suck with me and shaped who I am even today.
In lean years I have often purchased my gifts at Big Lots or the Dollar Tree. Other years I have tried to get the latest and greatest toy. But every year I do something. After all something is better than nothing.
I find that I get the most joy from picking out a Angel to buy for.
I try to pick the tweens or teens (most people go for the little ones.) I like getting the teens so that I will know that somewhere someone is opening a outfit that will make them feel good about who they are - and how they look, even just for one day. I cant help thinking how great it was to get all the cool new clothes for Christmas when I was in middle school. How I would labor over what to wear on the first day back.
If you are a parent I would suggest you and your child(ren) select someone together at about their age so that they can help in this gift selection.
Today while sorting thru my blogs I follow on google reader I came across a post for Bloggers care: Operation Christmas Child. Which in truth is what spawned this post. I don't know if the is the avenue I will choose to support this holiday season but I wanted to share this link for a good cause.
If you have never participated in an anonymous gift giving program before I hope you will consider it. If you do please take a moment to share a story or thought. Or as I asked in the beginning, how do you celebrate the holiday season? What makes Christmas, Christmas for you?
Your thinkin's so complicated
I've had it all up to here
But it's so overrated
Love and hate it
Wouldn't trade it
-Aerosmith
10 year reunion.
This weekend.
The itinerary is this: Football Game, Dinner at the Jenks Aquarium. All this for $80. As for me I am just going to the Game. I have been watching the RSVP's online very closely. Thus far I am not feeling all that compelled to attend. Especially not at $80 a head. From what I can tell the reunion will be mostly comprised of STUCO (student council for you non- BAHS folk) kids. This is a group I was never involved with.
To further add annoyance to this phenomena that is the 10 year reunion I am noticing a trend in the classmates that passed on. The only ones that are being listed are the popular kids. I emailed the moderator about this but it has not been taken care of as of yet so here I would like to add Donnie that passed in 8th grade, and Richard Winland that passed in the winter of 1997. They have added others that passed prior to graduation but not these two.
Now please do not get me wrong. I loved my high school experience and would not trade it for the world. None the less I feel it is too soon after high school for a reunion. Have we really changed that much since then? If a classmate wants to see me or contact me it is easy thru the wonders of the internet or cell-o-phone-o I am easily reached. But I really do not want to live out my own Romy and Michelle experience just yet. But I do know better than to claim I invented post-its.
I will be punking out early from work to attend the Homecoming parade. If you are going to be there please let me know, maybe we can catch up.
Otherwise for you - my classmates of 1999 give a holler some time we can chat over beer or coffee. I am not against seeing any of you but this reunion - its just not my bag baby.
My soul slides away
But dont look back in anger
I have been looking back over things from my past quite a lot lately.
Looking at things 20 years in the rear view gives an interesting perspective on my childhood. Knowing people for who they are today causes me to see things that happened very differently now. It is actually quite the conundrum.
You see the only person who actually holds the answers to these questions in their entirety will never divulge the truth. It is not in his nature. That person would be Darrell (for those of you just tuning in that is my biological father).
I was told as a child that my stepmother hated me. Darrell told me these things at 7 yeas old. What kid would question the words of the man who is supposed to love them and care for them above all else? I was afraid of her and even defensive. I constantly looked for evidence of this statement. Please understand my Stepmothers family was always (and still is to this day) so good to me. To me they will always be my family. Darrell and my Stepmother split when I was in the seventh grade. Aside from potentially loosing contact with my brother I was relived at the chance for the drama to end.
And here is where things get funny.
Darrell remarried. I have never been close to that woman, and do not refer to her as more than 'step mom # 2'. We may have interacted 5 times over as many years. Each time was awkward. Her family was not warm to me, this caused me to long for 'my' step - family. I was not comfortable in this situation but still I had hope that this woman would be kind to me. Maybe even like me.
Still the drama did not end.
It spiraled.
In a years time this woman and I hit a wall, no mutual respect. No boundaries of any kind. Things with Darrell became worse. Abusive language was commonly hurled at me. I don't know if it was me becoming a teen who would stand their ground rather than tuning into a sobbing mess of "Daddy I love you, Daddy I am sorry" was what sparked it, or if he got worse. Perhaps it was a combination of the two. By the time I hit 18 we were, and still are estranged. I expect this will not change.
I am pleased to report one change in my life. As Darrell and I grew apart I came to know my Stepmother as a person, a good person who loved and cared for my brother as only a mother can. At once I respected her for getting my brother away from that crazy man whose DNA we share. Over the last year I feel like we have began to forge a friendship. I still refer to her as my 'Step mom' (to tell the truth she is the only step mom I feel I have ever had). I don't honestly know how she feels about this, but I expect if she is reading this she will let me know. She is like that, out spoken - kinda like me (I like to think). I have come to see her in a very new light and have began to reexamine my child hood in my idle times. I simply find my mind wanders there. It is like this is my own personal rubix cube. Looking back I wonder if Darrell told her similar things about me to ensure we did not become close and he could be the only one we cared about when we were together as a family.
Honestly I will never know the truth. But I can say one thing for certain. If I had the chance to trade my messed up child hood for a normal one I wouldn't do it. Was it hard and often heartbreaking, yes. But the people that came into my life as a result are more than worth the pain. I have a PHENOMENAL baby Brother, step mom who is excited for me and my friends. This coupled with the rest of my family and my friends makes this life pretty damn good. At last I can not look back in anger.
Dont look back in anger
I heard you say
At least not today.
Oasis
Don't look back in anger
10 years since 1999
10 years since my senior year
10 years since the STUCO blood drive
10 years since Columbine
10 years since the school evacuations
10 years since wild accusations
10 years since empty threats and hollow fear
10 years since BAPD guarded the senior assembly from every door and hall
10 years since we changed
10 years since I chose to not live my life in fear
Some world events shape your life, some days in history you will never forget where you were or what you were doing. For me these days start at Clinton's first inauguration, OKC bombing, Diana's death, Columbine, 9/11, and most recently Obama's election.
I would say Columbine shaped me in so many ways I face my life. It was my senior year. I had just walked into my English lit class and it was on the TV. The weeks that came after lead to how I face tragedy to this day.
I watched as my school was threatened that the same would happen to us. Parents called their children out of class for their safety. My friends who were not 'normal' - who dressed differently were targeted as the ones fueling this fear. I saw each of them being sent to the office to face a battery of questions. In tenth grade I had a history teacher who brought to life the Red Scare, then my junior year I had stage managed our production of Aurthur Millers the Crucible. To me this was the same injustice.
I clearly remember the blood drive where the entire school was evacuated because of a bomb scare. We all sat out on the baseball field while BAPD SWAT searched each room. I felt like a sitting duck - I wanted to leave. Then a week later was the final assembly of the year, the senior assembly. It had to be rescheduled due to a threat, and the BAPD was standing at each door fully armed, parents would not allow students to attend school - fear was the predominate feeling. I was given the option by my mom to miss school, I declined. The pep assembly was quiet, almost silent. We had to sit with our teachers like we did in elementary school. The end of the year pep assembly had been such a riot my junior year, this was such a let down. I made up my mind that day that I would never allow fear to prevent me from living my life. This is a theme that has resurfaced, first at my graduation, then 9/11, and during my time as a navy wife.
Now the students at my school wear id badges around their necks, I can only imagine so many other things have changed since then. I hope that Columbine taught the larger 'us' more than how to live in fear, I hope someone other than me can look back on this and say it shaped who they are for the better. So many lives were lost.
I got my birthday card from my fraternal Grandparents. Enclosed was a letter. I miss them both so much. But a reoccurring concern that Darrell could stop in at any given time prevents my visiting them.
My Grandpa has Parkinson's - my Grandma is doing all she can to care for him and keep up with day to day work. To me Parkinson's is like a stroke - it causes that same fear in me. The last time I saw Grandpa was 2 years ago - at that time he was not the same man I remember. What I remember is a prankster, a man who could do anything - even if it was not necessarily a good idea (like climbing a telephone pole to trim a tree - only to have the pole snap in half with him on it). Darren is having trouble with his shoulder. Cheryl and Brandon sound fine. Darrell - Darrell is not getting out of bed much these days.
I do not visit because I fear another attempt at a surprise reunion between Darrell and I. I would visit if only I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that he could not spoil the visit. I am afraid that my reaction would hurt my Grandparents more than my staying away does.
Since Darrell has moved back to Okmulgee my Uncle Darren has stopped all communication with me. I no longer have a alli in the family. Always before I would talk to Darren and arrange for him to let me know when Darrell would not be able to show up. My best guess is that he cut contact to prevent lying when questions about me were asked. I am trying to respect that, but I do miss my family.
As most of you know family is more than important to me. I try to be a dutiful Granddaughter, and help the entire family any chance I get. I feel so guilty that I am avoiding the fraternal side - especially considering they are less than 3 miles away from my maternal Grandmother.
Revenge is a dish best served cold - how do you serve a guilt and regret omelet?
Tonight NKOTB is playing Tulsa, I remember when they played here last time. Skelly Stadium. Me in chick jeans with bows, neon pink keds, and a neon pink NKOTB hangin tough t-shirt. Sadly I will not be going tonight. All thanks to having been laid off - I can only hope to go in another 10 years.
Darrell - my bio Father once was a Okmulgee Sheriffs Deputy in one instance he was found in a hotel with a inmate he was transporting while sharing a bottle of booze. This same glowing father figure took me on drug busts at the ripe age of 7.
Every time I think I have put all connections from me to him to bed another sneaks out. This Sunday was no glaring exception. I attend the same church I have all my life - my family is there - I know everyone there and it is a very small congregation - less than 70 members on the role and only half of that attend. It is a safe and familiar place. No surprises just safety and familiarity. This past week there were 'new people' who as it turns out knew me. Just as service started he said "I know you - you are Darrell's daughter."
All I could think is that I would rather be remembered as the kid who set fire to a local barn than that. I spent the entire service thinking of what I would say when the inevitable question came. Would I launch into blunt and gory detail? Wold I mention all the memories firmly etched into my mind?
After service it happened - he asked how my father was - to which I calmly replied "I honestly don't know, we have not spoken in over 10 years." To which he replied 'well - its his loss.' Then he and his wife asked how I was and how mom was. Both their faces were so - so familiar. It was haunting - they wanted hugs and I had NO idea who they were. Everyone at the Sheriffs dept knew me but I did not always know them.
Today I placed it. They were my friend Tanya's mom and her moms boyfriend at the time. I have been wrapped around the axle about this all day - it just occurred to me and now I am feeling better. But man - you just do not expect that in a church full of family.
Years ago someone very close to me - my brother from another mother gave me this book.
At times I can be a wee bit cynical... shocker right?
This thanksgiving is a glaring reminder. It is Thanksgiving when I miss my urban family most. Over the last 2 years my blogs toward Thanksgiving have shown a marked change in Thanksgiving. As a human with a allergy to turkey this has not been a red letter day historically. It improved in the time I spent on the east coast - this is thanks to my urban family. (If you want the details please review older posts in this blog).
Now for this years thanksgiving - 27 people at last count. I love my family - I love my (step-) Dads family. His step moms family I am still learning to accept. Primarily her son in law and his children. (Would this make him my step - uncle in law?) Any way - the guy seems prying - rude -condescending -and self righteous. Great recipe for me to be around right? He lives out of state so exposure over the years has been limited at worst. But this year he will be celebrating Thanksgiving with my family. The first time my mother has hosted T-day. A day when I am to act as host, he will be there. When I learned of this I began the threats of a poison dart gun. My cousin suggested lawn darts - easier to make look like a accident. Mom overheard this discussion and forbid lawn darts - until today, she called to see if I had lawn darts I could bring tomorrow. Guess my Pollyanna mother forgot the poison dart discussion.
Wish me luck tomorrow. For now I will be up all night cooking the ham. Miss you all!
I am going to re read my book now. TTFN
I has been ten years since I removed my biological father from my life.
My biological father Darrell was a volatile member of my past. I will save the gory details other than to mention that he had a untreated borderline personality disorder.
Ten years ago this week I made a choice to remove him from my life, permanently. He showed up at my high school, proceeded to beat me up, and take away the car he gave me when I turned 16. The last things we said were as follows:
Darrell: Give me a hug and tell me you love me.
Me: I wont do that, I will not say something I regret.
It is just hard to believe it has been 10 years when at times it still feels so fresh.
Where have I been? Whatever became of me? You may wonder. So do I. Funny how time slips away. A week of nonstop adventure in Utah with senior son, his wife, and their two children, left little time for writing or reflection. And then closing down my house and studio there, traveling to Seattle via Grand Junction, Colorado, and Salt Lake City, only to arrive in the noise and traffic of the city and stand dismayed before a desk piled high with mundane busyness demanding my immediate attention - well, it’s daunting and disheartening and depressing. Instant stress. Avoidance and denial kick in. Can’t just turn around and go back to the mountains. Can’t deal with the pile. So I went for a walk . . .
Once again I am at a brick wall. I feel like I need something to fill up an emptiness that is lingering and tugging at the back of my mind. Maybe this calls for a bit more destination reading. That would be nice, but my allergies are on a war path and the Great Out Doors is causing me to struggle to breathe.
At the moment I am living my life on vibrate. This means I am avoiding most unplesant-ness. So much is happening. Alli's Bridal Shower this Sunday. Austin May 3. Parents Move May 5. Derby Fundraiser somewhere in there. All Night Skate May 16. Roller Derby May 18. Alli gets hitched May 23. Brew-con May 24-26. Schools Out Bout June 1. Relay for Life June 6.
I find myself craving a weekend that is just mine. No obligations. Mine.
A weekend where I can sleep late. Go to a park or Zoo. Have no one expecting me to be anywhere or do anything. Mine.
After I get off Friday Night I might just do that. Disappear. Sweet Relief. Don't Call. I wont be there. Rest assured I will return the following Monday. Possibly with a better outlook on life.
Growing up my uncle Richard Allen called me RAT. It has stuck with me all my life.
Yesterday marked the beginning of the year of the rat.
I am hoping that in keeping with the Chinese zodiac that this will bring good fortune in the job hunt.
A Rat Year is a time of hard work, activity, and renewal. This is a good year to begin a new job, get married, launch a product or make a fresh start. Ventures begun now may not yield fast returns, but opportunities will come for people who are well prepared and resourceful. The best way for you to succeed is to be patient, let things develop slowly, and make the most of every opening you can find.
Today I have a interview with a Optometrist. Hopefully that will bring good news.
Also let me mention, I am in fact a Rooster.
I am having little... and by little I mean NO success in finding a job. My hope is that this dry spell in the employment history will draw to a close soon. The job I mentioned earlier has yet to respond to a call or thank you letter. At this time I have elected to move on. All the area Hospitals have my application, as do many of the area government offices and staffing services. Somethings gotta give.
Until that time I am trying to keep a stiff upper lip and delve into other tasks. Like a little pleasure reading from a long forgotten favorite author. Much to my delight I have discovered he has a online journal that is regularly updated. I expect that I shall visit it at least as often as I visit post secret. Fulghum has been a part of my little moral compass for years, beginning with All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten at the ripe old age of 11. Thus my young mind was tapped and eager to drink in this scholars thought, ideas, and experience. Fulghum was at my side during adolescents. Each of his stories a benchmark for my journey thru life. His words were there to guide me thru the dark times with my father, each time I feel that life may get the best of me I return to his books, the amazing security blanket wraps its self around me with the first words. It is thanks to this man that I saw Einstein as not just a scientist but a thinker and humanitarian. He is the one who lead me to want to sit in Einstein's lap and savor the world, for this and so much more I owe a debt of Gratitude. Last night I was drawn to the shelves where I selected my companion for the week. This week shall be a trip thru It Was on Fire When I Lay Down on It. This is my favorite of his to date, tho I must confess I have not read his more recent works. If anyone were to look for a gift idea for me I would like to mention I only have in my possession the following books: Words I wish I wrote, Uh-oh, Maybe (Maybe Not), and It was on fire when I lay down on it.
To my friends if you have never considered reading his books, please do. A fresh look at life is always good. I hope each of you has a author who brings you these same happy feelings in times of dissatisfaction. I hope bring you better news in the days to come. For now I encourage you to pick up a book. So often life passes us by with out the chance to savor. Savor a book for me.
I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge That myth is more potent than history That dreams are more powerful than facts That hope always triumphs over experience That laughter is the only cure for grief And I believe that love is stronger than death.
- Robert Fulghum
PS. Look for his link to his Journals in my friends menu to the right. ---> He is after all one of my longest friends, right up there with Dr. Seuss, and Charles Schultz.
I ran across this article in the Tulsa world. Jill was in girl scouts with me, was in class with me, and was my best friend. I am so happy to see that she is getting everything she wants out of life!
Well, I thought the whole point of going to the reunion was to impress people. I mean, how am I gonna impress ANYBODY by selling ban-lon smocks at Bargain Mart?
Grant came home from work the other night with a web address to his high school reunions website. Can it really be possible? It is already time for a 10 year reunion? Already this is bringing up questions for me. Obviously since I now live in the same town I graduated from I will run in to classmates from time to time. It doesn't seem like enough has happened in my life to warrant a class reunion. I imagine everyone sits around at reunions to compare war stories. My stories aren't that great, my life hasn't changed that much, and frankly I am not sure that there is a soul from high school I even care to see. I tried to keep up with the folks I cared about, some have lost touch, that's cool. But why do people decide to go to a class reunion? Already I am feeling the internal pushing to better myself before the dreaded weekend a year and a half from now. The biggest push, loose weight. By damn it I want to look at least as fit as I did in high school. I finally figured out what drives my weight loss, spite. I can help others better themselves, living situations, or anything else...... alas only one thing will fuel me to better myself. I am fueled by spite. I feel I have to be the best I can be just to prove I could.
Christmas day and yes the wind was sweeping down the plains. All was going well in Grandmas house aside for the normal yearly stressors (everyone woke up late, had to be other places, couldnt get thier ass in gear, etc.). Grandma got these awful leg cramps and they wouldn't relax. She looked a bit like Daffy Duck freaking out but it was serious. We were gathered around the christmas tree in the living room and opening gifts.
In the same tedious way we have for years:
-youngest to oldest
-open all socks first
-stop
-repeat process with all gifts
Just as Grandma was at LONG LAST getting to her gifts we heard BOOM
I jumped up (probably said oh shit) and ran outside. A limb fell on Grandma's house right over the Christmas tree. It punctured the shingles, some ply-wood and you could see some insulation… but when it fell we where all around the Christmas tree in the house except Richard Allen (my uncle) and Andrew (my cousion). The first thought was a car hit the house because it was so loud and the house shook. I saw the tree, and kept running. I was concerend that somthing might have fallen on RA or Andy who were in the backyard with the dogs. I just kept running (important to note that I DO NOT run) and calling for them (worried they might be hurt). Appearntly it was the funniest face I have ever made. Appearantly it was not nearly as frightening hearing it out doors.
Fortunately when I opened up Grandad's garage (he passed 10 years ago and no one has really touched it since) I found everything I needed just inside the door, all together. It was like he was ready for this. We had roofing paper, roofing nails, and a hammer just waiting.
We were able to take care of the tree and patch it all in under a hour. We did not have Christmas lunch till 6 PM as opposed to 3PM but we were all safe. Everyone was there to help Grandma and we had everything we needed to do the job. It was pretty cool.
Afterward we came home and had christmas with my parents and pets.
Notable gifts include:
KitchenAid Pro 600 from Grant
Journey Pendant from Grant
2 weed whackers
digital photo frame from Barbara and RA
Wilsons Leather Jacket from Mom
Gillmore Girls DVDs from Cindy and Grandma
WKRP DVD from Cindy
Hope you had a good holiday too!
Tulsa State Fair attendance dips 7 percent
By STAFF REPORTS
10/8/2007 3:17 PM
Preliminary numbers show the 11-day event, which ended Sunday, drew 987,057; last year, the fair drew 1,055,948. The 2007 attendance figure was the second best in the last five years.
While some people had spoken of boycotting the fair this year because of the closing of Bell's Amusement Park, Expo Square President and CEO Rick Bjorklund said a couple of days of bad weather hurt the fair's overall attendance.
Attendance was up 6 percent after the first five days, but storms on Tuesday and Sunday kept the crowds away, Bjorklund said.
Gate sales decreased 7 percent while food and beverage concessions also decreased 4 percent.
Mega Ride Pass sales were down 17 percent and Midway coupon sales declined 29 percent.
Bjorklund said it was possible the departure from the fairgrounds of Bell's Amusement Park played a role in the drop in Mega Ride pass sales, but said he did not believe it had an effect on attendance.
The Disney on Ice show "Princess Wishes" sold out and the Junior Livestock Auction raised a record $510,000, according to preliminary numbers provided by Expo Square.
-------------------
Is it bad that I find this so deliciously entertaining? Myself and many friends are boycotting anything led at expo sguare after the poor treatment Bells received.
You can find my recounts on this in the following places:
As you will find the Tulsa State Fair used to mean the world to me. Nothing better summed up what Oklahoma meant to me then this one celebration. When the Expo Square Board forced Bells out it crushed that feeling, it made me ill. I want them to see just what they have done.
A few weekends ago my Grandmother had to go to the emergency room.
The story that unfolds needs a bit of a family tree to really be coherent.
My Grandmother is one of six children. The line is as follows.
Edith, Bud, Maxine (Grandma), Stella, June, and David. Edith is in her early 80's and David is in his mid 60's.
And so our story begins.
Grandma calls Edith late on a Sunday Night, "Edith I need you to take me to the emergency room." My Grandmother says in her calm way that she does when things are important. She is after all a properly raised Oklahoma woman.
Edith puts on clothes and as she passes her son Doug that lives with her she says, "Doug I am going to take Maxine to the emergency room"
As Edith's car is backing out the drive Doug calls Uncle Bud, "Edith has gone to take Maxine to the Emergency room." Bud hearing this news then calls David. Between the two of them they decide that if my Grandmother is in fact in real trouble Edith is not in a position to help. Therefore they decide to dispatch Bud's 40 year old son Joe who weighs roughly 500+ and his best friend Mike who is not too far behind him. Bud then calls my Grandma, "When Edith gets there have her call me." As a matter of fact he calls my Grandma twice in the 15 minute drive between Edith's home and my Grandma's. Upon arrival Grandma gives Edith the message and Edith declares that she will call from the hospital.
Meanwhile, Joe and Mike are frantically racing to my Grandmothers home.
When they arrive they find the door to the large screened in front porch locked. In the car they have a flash light and a hammer. They bust thru the porch door and arrive at the front door. It is locked and no one is awnsering. They call Bud and he declares "Kick the door down." Joe tries to kick the door down , but discovers at 600lbs that he cant lift his leg high enough to effectively 'kick' the door. So Joe improvises. He begins to punch the door. Mike claims that it looked like Joe was going thru tissue paper. They begin rushing thru the house (more like a museums) only to realize that Grandma is not there. They then hurry to the hospital (leaving the house with no doors).
Locating Grandma at the hospital takes only seconds, they are glad to see her. Joe says "well I am really sorry about your doors." This sends Grandma into a tizzy, "what's wrong with my doors?" She asks as her blood pressure sky rockets.
(To those of you who have never had the pleasure of meeting my Grandma simply imagine me, 50 years older and twice as opinionated with less of a sensor on my thoughts. That's my Grandma.)
At this Point Joe and Mike head to the hardware store Uncle Bud owns to find a door to fit. Just when they think they have located the door, my mom calls and tells them "if it does not have a window she (meaning Grandma) wont like it." Now they are back at square one, none of the doors have windows.
As all the above festivities happen my Uncle Richard Allen (Grandmas' oldest child) is racing from Tulsa to Grandma's (a hour drive). First he goes by the house to see how door looks. Where he finds Joe and Mike still working on the door well after 2AM. He begins to chew Joe and Mike out. Then he charges to the hospital where he declares "If you are going to the hospital three times in one month maybe we should put you in a nursing home" As I am sure you can imagine Grandma was none too happy with that. Need less to say he is not the Golden Boy any more.
It has been about 2 weeks now since this little trauma unfolded. Grandma came home that night. The next morning she was up fertilizing her garden and sweeping the drive way. It was a simple case of a summer cold. Grandma claims it was the most expensive ER trip ever.
-----
Now you see why they need me back home? I am the only one with the key to her house!
A friend sent me this and I am passing it on.
Tulsa State Fair
Ok, those of you that know Me, know that I have some minor political aspirations. I dabbled in it when the Bell's fiasco first broke out...but now is the time to get serious. I'm sure some of you are as appalled as I am about Bell's being gone. They've been a staple in Tulsa for over 50 years, and the Tulsa State Fair is just not gonna be the same without their presence. So I decided to do something about it.
Below is the link to the petition I've created stating my decision to no longer support the Fair, and the reasons why. There are some very serious allegations on this petition, but to the best of my knowledge, i believe them to be complete and accurate. I ask 3 things of anyone reading this right now. The first is to read the petition IN IT'S ENTIRETY. The second, is to sign it, and follow through. Show the fact that you miss Bell's and everything that it stood for, and that you're not going to support the illegal actions of Tulsa County by not going to the Fair. Finally, the third thing I ask of you is to pass this on to someone. Anyone. EVERYONE. For the administration of Tulsa County to take this seriously, we need the SUPPORT of Tulsa County, and everyone in it. So whether you live in Tulsa, Jenks, Sapulpa, Broken Arrow, Catoosa, Bixby, Sand Springs, Owasso, Collinsville, Glenpool, or Mannford...your voice counts. You ARE Tulsa County. Even if you're not a part of these communities, you may have been to the Fair...share your voice. Show your support for this petition.
Thank you in advance,
Adrian Rolle
http://www.petitiononline.com/TSF2007
At the moment I am dealing with two kinds of heartbreak, one is the loss of history, innocence, and familiarity. The second is more bitter sweet.
As a kid growing up in Green Country some things are universal to each of our lives. I do not know one kid who had never been to Bells. Bells was on the Tulsa County Fairgrounds (better known as EXPO Square) property and paid rent. Notice I say 'was'. Last fall the EXPO square authorities chose to not renew Bells lease that has been in effect since 1951. Today I stumbled across a news article in the Tulsa World. The Zingo is being taken down. As kids we would ride this over and over till 9PM when the law stated that it must close. My first ride on an amusement park ride was the Lady Bugs at Bells. I just cannot believe that they are gone. On the site there is a place for the information on the Grand Reopening in a new location. If I can find a way I want to be there.
The forced removal of Bell's breaks my heart. For me and I am sure others, Bells was one of the last reminders of childhood innocence. I remember vividly the anticipation that I would have knowing a trip to Bells was approaching, from the Lady Bug's, Canoe's, and motorcycles to the time where I would ride the Chilli Pepper plunge to cool off on a hot July Oklahoma night and then ride the Super Round Up hoping to dry off before mom would let us in the car. Bob, Robbie, Jason.... my heart goes out to each of you. I only wish I were closer to help you at this time. Thank you so much for my fondest childhood memories.
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The second as I mentioned is bitter sweet. We always knew Norfolk would not be our 'forever home'. The time has come for us to move on. The Navy is sending us to Denver. Denver holds alot of promise for us and our future. Both of us can complete our schooling. Oklahoma is a short drive away and there are tons of things we have always wanted to do at our finger tips.
I *think* I have settled on a course of study--- x-ray tech. And a school too.
But I am just not ready to leave! When we left Pensacola I was thrilled to get on with it. I am exited to get to Denver don't get me wrong! It is simply this is the first time in my adult life that I feel like I belong. I have my urban family, and my derby family. I am just not ready to move mentally!
At the moment we do not have move date. Some time between July and Sept. The lack of time frame is the hard part. I have delayed mentioning it in blogs because I was not ready to tell all my urban and derby families. I think I may actually cry when I leave. For those of you who do read this ... and you know who you are. I will miss you more than I can say. If you don't come visit me in Colorado I will drag my ass back to VA and beat the living hell out of you. Thank you so much for believing in me.
Most of my readers do not know about my Mother's love of environmental Edcuation. My mother helped write the curriculum for PLT (Project Learning Tree). At this Time Dr. Everett Grigsby, and Mr. Jimmie Pigg became staples and role models in my life. Here you will find my mother recounting Dr. Grigsby in the 2002 Ementor publication on page 2. She alludes to her 8 year old daughter, in short me. What she fails to mention is that at this time I was terrified of any living creature that was not a large dog. The trip to the Black Mesa she mentions was an invertebrate collection, specifically Rattle Snakes. (During this time in our life all vacations were field studies or volunteer work.) Naturally this was not mentioned till we were in the van and well on our way. After all who wants to deal with a freaked out 8 year old? As we traveled I learned that we would be spending our nights in tents, in remote places with no pluming, and worst of all the snakes would be riding in the van with us, courtesy of Big Dave.
As we made the 8mile hike up the mesa I was a whining kid, my mother sent me ahead with Dave (yes the snake collector) and for some reason when he was around the snakes did not bother me. Put me 10 feet from him and his bag of snakes and I was very jumpy. During this trip I saw dinosaur tracks, fossil quarry's, adults chasing kangaroo rats and jack rabbits, and the 3 corners of Oklahoma. I also cam home with a pet Great Horned Lizard that I kept in Dave's box of snakes. Most importantly I began to overcome a fear, when it came time for me to meet Mr Pigg (Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, and noted Ichthyologist) I was ready. (aside from when he tore the gizzard out of a live gizzard shad)
These two men have both passed, Mr Pigg a heart attack, Dr Grigsby a Brain Toumor. But the lessons that they taught me will always stay with me.
- animals are more afraid of you than you are of them
- you can do it
- when no one is looking you can conquer fears
- never judge a person by looks, they always surprise you.
Now there is a Jimmie Pigg labratory at OU (the one reason I may ever visit Norman) devoted to his entire collection of research and specimens. All there so that others and study what he loved. He would always start each fish story with "this is my favorite fish" after all they all were.
Below you will find photos from this time in my life
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