All posts by Red Dirt Kelly

My Little Victory Garden

My Little Victory Garden: Jam Therapy

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Three times my friend communicated that “the blackberries are ready,” and to “meet me at Wellston…we’ll drive down together to pick them.”

But the first time they weren’t really ready. Then the heat was too extreme. Then it rained. And then I think my friend might have gotten tired of trying, and we dropped that plan.

I had already let the thought of those precious blackberries fade from my mind when I drove by my favorite sand plum thicket and spotted the color of ripeness.  I picked a few, took them home to show Mick, and within a few hours we were headed back to strip the thicket and head to the kitchen.

In spite of the lingering effects of chigger bites I suffered the next week, making that jam was a beautiful thing.  You see, I’ve been writing and coding and building tables for my dissertation.  And jam therapy seems to be the best thing to clear my head this summer.

I’ve cleared my head six more times since then…

Mick’s friend called and reported that his “daughter’s pasture had wild blackberries, and would we like to come pick some?” Our answer was, “Yes!”

Our arms were scratched, I picked up a piece of wire in the pasture that made a horrible screeching noise against my brakes, and it was so hot our clothes were soaked when we finished.  But we got about 6 or 7 pounds of blackberries and my second “jam session” was once again a beautiful thing.

Then I called my friend Cathy because she had planned on going for the original blackberry run that never happened and I wanted to chat with her while picking fruit.  I knew my contact down in Blanchard had grapes and that it was time for them to be turning.  So after she answered, I said, “Hey, wanna go pick grapes with me?”  And she responded, “Yee-haw” or “Yippee-Skippy” or something like that.

So the two of us packed our containers, do-rags, rubber boots, bug spray and more equipment than we probably needed and headed to the vineyard.  We picked Mars, Vanessa, Jupiter, and one other variety.  And then, we took her 14# bag and my 10# bag up to the shed to pay for them.  The farmer weighed Cathy’s bag and said, “Okay, that’s 14 times 6…uh, that’s…”

I looked at Cathy’s face.  Her eyes were blinking as she tried to register the fact that he actually WAS charging us $6 per pound for the grapes.  She was stuttering, so I decided to help.  “That’s $84, I’m pretty sure.”

In my head I was screaming, “EIGHT-FOUR DOLLARS???  WHAT-DO-YOU-THINK YOU’RE DOING?  THIS IS HIGHWAY ROBBERY!!”

After we paid for the grapes, I took my $60 bag and Cathy took her $84 dollar bag and we walked to the car.  Then we opened the doors and gently laid the grapes in the back seat.  Then we closed the doors and checked through the windows to make sure the grapes were okay.  Then we got in the front seat.  Then we closed the front doors, buckled our seatbelts, and exploded with, “What the??…”  “I KNOW, right?”

Then we took our solid gold, no – PLATINUM grapes home and went our separate ways.

Later I got a text from Cathy.  “Drinking fresh Jupiter grape juice – Oh. My. Larry….this stuff is good.”

Then I juiced all mine, cooked them down with a rosemary bouquet and turned it into Rosemary Grape jam.  Another therapy session.  And, it’s probably my favorite of all I’ve made this summer. Cripes, maybe they were worth the six bucks a pound…who knows? After all, I charge $125 per session when I provide psychtherapy…maybe $6 was actually a bargain, eh?

Then Mick and I drove to Stratford and got peaches, and I made jam.  TWO therapy sessions today:  jalapeño and cherry bomb pepper peach jam, and spiced peach jam with bourbon and crystalized ginger.  Each time I scrape the very last bits from my large stock pot I close my eyes and think, “Okay – I can do another table.  I can write another few pages….I can do this.”

I was in WalMart one day and saw $3 bags of apricots.  I bought five of them and made apricot jam.  And felt better when they were done.

I invited two friends over who wanted to learn how to can.  I had jam therapy vicariously through Rose’s first pickles and Katie’s first peach jam.  When the day was over, we were all a little worn out but I was calm and peaceful as a cucumber.

My daughter and my husband have dispatched the location of two loaded crabapple trees that I’ll probably harvest this weekend or next.  I haven’t even built my last two statistical tables or my final model but I KNOW I’ll need crabapple jam therapy to get me through.

Blackberries, peaches, grapes, apricots…all procured by hand in one way or another.  All cleaned, prepared, cooked and put up into half pints or pints, each pinging with a beautiful seal when it’s over.

I can’t wait to climb the crabapple trees.  I can’t wait to smell that beautiful tart-apple-ly aroma, or see the lovely pink sunset color when the jam is packed into the sparkling jars.  I can’t wait to feel relaxed and worn out after I complete my (most likely) 60th half-pint of jam this summer.

Why?  Because I know that between each therapy session in my kitchen, is a pile of pages stacking…and stacking…and stacking up in my master dissertation document.  I think on my defense day, I’ll take my committee jam.

After all, that’s only appropriate, right?

Oklahoma culture

Love Stories with Oklahoma Roots: Charles and Audry Coward

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In honor of D Day, I’m re-running this post about a WWII vet who met his sweetheart in an Arkansas diner. – RDK

I sat in the “family section” at my great-uncle Charlie’s funeral listening to the minister narrate his life story.  Long-time members and family friends filled the pews to extend their regards and say their last goodbyes.  Uncle Charlie’s history about his veteran status in World War II, his commendations and a letter from his commanding officer were detailed.  He had served on several islands, and was on Midway when the Japanese attempted a takeover.  Evidently, two islands made up “Midway,” and Charles was on the Sand Island portion when some pretty heavy action took place.  He was also stationed on Russell Island which was bombed so frequently Charles got conditioned to the warning sirens and sometimes slept right through all the noise and chaos.

I hadn’t known about the honor, valor and courage my Uncle had shown during WWII.  I quietly listened while trying to soak in the details, but some of the language of the various battles and specific missions were foreign to me.  I was mentally making a note on “books covering WWII to read when I finished school,” when a love story began to unfold from the pulpit.  My ears perked up as the minister began sharing anecdotes about how Uncle Charlie and my Aunt Audry met.  I grinned…my Uncle was a schemer!  A few weeks after I returned home, I wrote his daughter and ask for permission to share the story of how they met. My cousin not only granted permission, she sent me a few photos.  Cue a small-town Fayetteville, Arkansas scene. The year was 1950…. Continue reading Love Stories with Oklahoma Roots: Charles and Audry Coward →

Oklahoma culture

StormTracker: Alan Broerse and the Oklahoma Storm Chasing Culture

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PHOTO: Night Tornado, Sweetwater, OK – used with permission. Copyright Alan Broerse, 2008.

Note from the Editor on May 20, 2013:  We’re heartbroken that so many Oklahomans have experienced so much loss over the past two days.  We’re especially heartbroken for the Moore community and the massive trauma they’ve experienced both in human lives lost as well as the structures around them.  Through the ongoing search and rescue exercises taking place right now, I was thinking about how even more loss could have been experienced were it not for the elite meteorologists and storm tracking teams we have in our state.  I’m grateful for them today, and I’m incredibly sad for those who happened to be connected to something or someone they love in the paths of the storm.  Love to those who are hurting ~  Red Dirt Kelly

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“[Original post written May 29, 2011]  Speaking of night time tornadoes….this one tore thru Sweetwater Oklahoma. It lifted near Vici, OK and dropped down on me near Sharon, OK. I was live with Gary England on TV….I went from calm winds and no rain to tennis ball hail and 70mph winds blowing horizontal rain in less than 60 seconds. Gary said: “Alan you need to take your tornado precautions you are in the tornado,” as he watched it on radar. I couldn’t see 15 feet ahead of me, but followed the white dotted line on the highway to escape…..I drove a half mile out, turned around and snapped this monster tornado a few hundred yards away. God had his hand over me that night. I was uninjured and lost no windows. It was pitch black. Lightning will sporadically light up the sky to let you see the storm….My closest call ever while chasing. I really don’t like getting that close. ~ Alan Broerse”

As I sat across from Alan Broerse in an Oklahoma City Panera Bread store, I was contemplating a continuous vibe I kept receiving during our conversation:  This man is measured, calm, thoughtful, logical…he knows his limits, he makes decisions quickly but carefully, he follows procedures; he’s pretty cool about this.  Alan was teaching me about being a StormTracker.  I sipped my coffee and tried to soak up all the vocabulary he was tossing my way while I kept looping back to one thought in my head: “I’m really glad HE’s doing this work and not me.”  You can’t talk to a tornado about its feelings. Continue reading StormTracker: Alan Broerse and the Oklahoma Storm Chasing Culture →

Relationships

Navigating the Baumstamm Sagen Challenge: A Beginning Metaphor for Newlyweds and Their Wedding Party

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Our guest bedroom is vacant again. For the past three weeks it was occupied by one of my daughter’s closest friends. She moved in upon a recommendation by her premarital counselor in order to mentally and physically focus on preparing for her wedding; to enter into the relationship with a pure and ready heart.

Her stay seemed like a mere blip on the radar to my husband and I. She left a note on our kitchen counter yesterday morning, however, that made us think it was much more than that to her. She wrote that her stay was “the best wedding gift she could have received.” I think it gave her a small island of calm amid the blustery last days before the big event. I hope so…a bridal retreat from the traditional countdown chaos doesn’t sound like a bad idea.

Earlier this evening, my family and I sat as witnesses while she wed a young man from Germany she met during a high school exchange program several years ago. After we left the wedding, my husband and I ended the day by sitting together in our front yard, watching the cardinals find their final snacks before nightfall and listening to the tree frogs begin their songs. As the night sounds grew louder, my mind played over again a ritual I witnessed after the ceremony. The experience struck me on several levels.

Continue reading Navigating the Baumstamm Sagen Challenge: A Beginning Metaphor for Newlyweds and Their Wedding Party →

Oklahoma culture

Here’s What Touched My Heart

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I recall writing this post about the Graduate College ceremonies two years ago. This Friday, I’ll get to walk through the same ceremony as a doctoral candidate…to celebrate completing the last of my educational requirements. I’m thrilled to think that, soon enough, I’ll have my college diploma in hand. I’m still working on my dissertation, but am preparing to defend and complete that process no later than mid-July of this summer. For those who may have lost their originals, you can order diploma and transcripts online for replacement purposes.

I was thinking about this post because it’s interesting to change perspectives – being a graduate, being faculty, then being a graduate again.  I’m looking forward to Friday…to sitting with my doctoral advisor, to smiling as I get hooded, and to being with my family.  I’m a sucker for academic regalia, so am exited to have three velvet stripes on the sleeves of my robe this time, and a velvet tam on my head.  But mostly, I’m looking forward to being finished: with enrolling, with paying tuition (about 35K and counting…), and with having more hoops through which to jump.  I’ll be glad the hoop jumping is complete.

I know there will always be hoops in life – job hoops, tax hoops, qualifying hoops of one sort or another.  But, to know the educational hoops are about the end is, to me, one of the most exhilarating feelings I’ve ever experienced.  To me, that’s what Friday will mean. ~ Peace, RDK

***

Last night I reported to Gallagher Iba Arena just before 6:00 p.m.  My assignment?  To assist master’s candidates with their academic regalia.  I had my instructions: Medallions first, cords second, hoods, then caps.  Also, tassels on the LEFT.

In December of 2001 I was being assisted with this process, rather than being the one who assists.  My perspective was so different this time.  As I jockeyed with those guarding the door who wanted to see my credentials, asked where I was to report and then finally seemed to be convinced I had a reason to be there I began wondering if I would be of any use to the students.  After all, they were getting their Master’s Degrees, right?

That question was put quickly to bed once I had walked down the hallway and into one of the practice gyms.  All around the room students were jostling with their regalia.  “What do I do with this little loopy-thingy?”  “Is this on right?”  “Can you help me with the zipper on my gown? It’s stuck.”  “Do you have any bobby pins?” “Hey, someone brought safety pins, cool!”  The comments circled around the room and repeated themselves over and over as the room filled almost to capacity.  Where were all these Master’s candidates coming from?  Did we have three, four or even six times this many on our campus?  I was genuinely surprised at the numbers.  I would guess there were at least 400 or more milling around in their friendship groups.  I noticed between eight and ten older, “returning” students (read: those my age or older…some with a full head of gray hair) standing alone.  The eight or ten appeared, by and large, peaceful and happy.  I think they were just standing in the midst of the hubbub taking in all they could.

The “traditional” students (read: those between 24 and 28 years old) were standing around in groups of two, three, eight or even more.  They were rapidly speaking to each other and helping one another with their hair, regalia, holding phones, taking photos, etc.  One group of tall young men in the corner broke out in the “Oh-lay-oh-lay-oh-lay-oh-LAAAYYY (Ole, Ole…)” song.  They were jumping up and down to the beat of the song, and sang it three or four times through. Continue reading Here’s What Touched My Heart →

Oklahoma Cooking

Oklahoma Cooking: Cheesy Spring Green Grits

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Across Oklahoma today, the wind is preparing to sweep across the plain. Big time.

I planted my peppers and tomatoes last Saturday, and Mick promptly dug them up and stored them in our garage last night! Why? Evidently storms are coming: thunder, lightening, rain, hail, possible tornadoes and ice? Yes!

While outside surveying what plants we were willing to gamble on this upcoming craziness, I pulled/cut four ingredients for the kitchen:  chives, green garlic, cilantro and asparagus.  I just turned them into a truly dandy meal I’ll call “Cheesy Spring Green Grits.”  Prep time, five minutes.  Cook time, 5-8 minutes.  Eating time, [you fill in the blank].

Bring 2 1/4 cups of water to a boil.  Then…
Add 1.5 Tablespoons minced chives, two medium spears of asparagus chopped into bite-sized pieces, 1 tsp. ground pepper, one clove green minced garlic head (this is just new garlic, use regular dried bulbs if you don’t have any) and 1/2 cup quick grits.  Stir occasionally so that it doesn’t boil over.  While this is cooking, wrap 1 or 2 slices of bacon in a paper towel and microwave for 1.5 minutes.

Once the grits are done to your preferential thickness texture, turn off the heat and stir in 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.

Spoon into ramekins or other serving bowls, and top with crumbled bacon and chopped cilantro.

I ate mine while I was typing this post.  Bon apetit!

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Oklahoma culture

Flowers in the Attic

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I recall being obsessed with the V.C. Andrews “Flowers in the Attic” book series as a student in junior high and high school.

I thought about that book series as I stared at a 6 cent FDR stamp postmarked 1968.  I’ve been cleaning my own attic on and off for the past month.  As I was going through a box of childhood keepsakes, I came across a postcard sent to me by my Aunt Virginia.

Aunt Virginia loves flowers, her back yard is full of them.  When I visit her, I usually end up with a few cuttings or bulbs.  From her flower beds to mine, she shares her blooms, and they keep giving color to my yard year after year.

The back of the postcard was yellowed, and her message had been written in pencil.  The faded handwriting was a stark contrast to the Oklahoma travel photos on the front.  A 1960s black and white reel-to-reel news voice popped into my head as I read the description of the photos:

The front of this card shows only a few of the natural and man-made attractions which make Oklahoma a vacation adventureland. (Compliments of Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.  Not to be sold.)

As I read through her message, I realized she had written a poem and included me, her daughter (my cousin Julie) and my brother in the lines:

Dear Kelly,

I raised my head and looked at the World

And there was Kelly, a nice little girl

We played and ate ice cream and had lots of fun

Although cowgirl Julie was wearing a gun,

You got out the dolls and the dishes for a tea,

While Julie and little Quentin were running free,

Be a sweet little girl and always act nice

And the next time I see you I’ll kiss you twice.

Aunt Virginia

I re-read the poem a couple of times and thought, “I have my own flowers in the attic.  They’re from Aunt Virginia, given to me when I was five.  And now that I’ve found them, they’ll keep blooming – just like the perennials from her in my flower beds – adding color to my soul, year after year.”

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RDC News & Updates

Super Fan 5K: Sign Up TODAY!

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Note from Red Dirt Kelly:

Dear RDC community – I’m so glad to spread the buzz about this year’s Old Hat “give back’ event:  The Super Fan 5K!  You might remember we highlighted Old Had Creative in years past.  We’re still big fans of them, their work, and especially their hearts to help children who have been abused and their families.  If you love to run, please check out the information on this crazy-fun event…hope to see you there! ~ RDK

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2013 Old Hat Super Fan 5k

 

Saturday, May 18th, 2013
The Railhouse, 102 West Eufaula, Norman, OK

Put on your sneakers, tube socks, and gameday jersey, because on Saturday, May 18th, we want you sporting your best game face for the Super Fan 5K! Come out for the first annual run to support the Mary Abbott Children’s House and the Norman Public School Foundation.

The run will start and end at Old Hat Creative Headquarters located at 102. W. Eufaula Street in Norman. Following the event, runners and spectators are welcome to kick back and relax at the Super Fan 5K Tailgate!

Be sure to check back regularly for special guests, race day information and events happening in the community.

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My Little Victory Garden

My Little Victory Garden: “The Shadow” Voice is Haunting Me!

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Somewhere under this blanket of ice are several new veggie sprouts!

This morning I was awakened at 5:50 a.m. by a text message tone: “Be safe. Get to work when you can. Late is okay. Jeans ok.”

My blurry vision sent the message to my tired brain. This was followed by my body bolting upright and me running into the bathroom to grab my robe. “Get robe, get robe, get robe…okay, get slippers, get slippers, get slippers…”

I was still tying the belt on my bathrobe when I made it to the window in my office and peered outside. Thunder, lightening, rain, snow and sleet. As I identified each type of precipitation coming down at the same time I was thinking, “Cool.” Then I thought, “Oh No! What about my teeny tiny little sprouts?”

I’m pretty sure I have beets and lettuce coming up, and possibly radishes.

Into my head flashed this vision:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJyWcUS9RIM]

I could hear the creepy narrator voice saying, “Who knows what evil lurks beneath the layers of ice? Only the Shadow knows…BWAH-HA-HA-HAAAAAAaaaa!”

I hastily posted a Facebook message (paraphrased): “I sure hope my little sprouts come through this!”

Friends hastily responded: “They’re Okies, they’ll do fine.” And, “They’re safe under the blanket of ice.”

I took a deep breath, sighed, tried to relax. For about 15 seconds… Continue reading My Little Victory Garden: “The Shadow” Voice is Haunting Me! →

Art, Oklahoma culture

Oklahoma is Artsy & Writsy – Read This to Hear Why!

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Screen Shot 2013-02-05 at 8.46.22 PM We’ve been working on an event, and here’s the low-down, the info, the 4-1-1…capeesh?

2nd Friday Art Walk Offers Unique Imaginary Family Project and live music from John Calvin.

START AT STASH on Friday, February 8th for Downtown Norman’s 2nd Friday Art Walk from 6-10 p.m. Among the features this month will be the book release of “The Imaginary Family Project (IFP),” a compendium of 52 short stories by 51 different authors written weekly over the period of one year. As a bonus, every one who attends will be given a free vintage photograph as a souvenir. Also not to miss will be the dreamy croonings from folk singer/songwriter John Calvin. This free show is sponsored by the Norman Arts Council and STASH.
More about the IFP:

Inspired by a happenstance trip to a random flea market in Tulsa, and a subsequent brainstorming session with his facebook friends, The 2011 Imaginary Family Project (IFP) was coordinated by occasional amateur artist Quentin Bomgardner and co-sponsored by The Red Dirt Chronicles.

The project was based upon “lost” vintage photographs, which had been acquired at flea markets, garage sales, estate sales, and eBay – heirloom collections, with no heir.

Over half of the authors are residents of Oklahoma and include the likes of Sterlin Harjo, Melissa Scaramucci, Charles Martin, Dorothy Alexander, and Wampus Reynolds. Other authors include academics from major university creative writing departments, people who have never written prior to this project, and other unique individuals with their own stories as to why they chose to join this project. Ultimately, stories were written from all over the United States and across 3 different continents.

Every week a different author “found” one photograph by creating an imagined history around one of its subjects. Kicked off in the first week of January, 2011 and completed during the last week of that year, the work has now been compiled into book form.

This publication is the group presentation of that collective work, and represents exactly what “The Imaginary Family Project” was intended to be: 52 stories for forgotten photographs selected by their authors, and written from a wide variety of diverse, creative and unique perspectives.

The creators and authors hope you enjoy reading the works as much as they enjoyed seeing each story come to life.

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The authors dedicate this project to anyone who will ever find themselves the subject of a lost photo.

Oklahoma culture

Drinking from the Cup of Friendship: My Tidal School Winery Road Trip

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IMG_0037It’s been a while since I’ve been on a good old-fashioned road trip. Evidence of this fact was demonstrated when I stopped at the turnpike entrance on I-44 east, pulled over on the shoulder and called Mick.

“Um, I think I missed that Park-and-Ride lot, babe. Are you SURE it’s there?”

“There” meant “on the north side of N.E. 122nd, across from the Shell truck stop, but not yet over the I-35 bridge.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s still there…” I could tell he was using his patient voice, and I deeply appreciated that as I did a U-turn, drove along the shoulder facing oncoming traffic, waved at most of the cars as I passed, and headed back to the mystery place.

“Oh, THERE it is!” I said as I suddenly spied a brand new thing I had never witnessed before.

I pulled into the parking lot while telling Mick goodbye. “Hey, there are my friends. Thanks sweetie, gotta go!”

There they were: Katie, Rose, and a Full Day waiting on us to get started. In no time flat, we were packed up and headed back to I-44, this time driving the proper direction down the on-ramp to the turnpike.

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We were headed to Drumright, Oklahoma to check out the Tidal School Winery. Armed with our “Living Social” Deals printed on clean white paper, we chatted about stuff (and by “stuff” I mean girl talk…and by “girl talk” I mean, well, stuff) until we hit the Stroud exit.

I thought our trip would be 1:45 to get to Drumright. We got there in an hour flat. And we were hungry. Continue reading Drinking from the Cup of Friendship: My Tidal School Winery Road Trip →

My Little Victory Garden

My Little Victory Garden: A Gal Can Only Wait So Long…

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For two weeks I’ve been dropping hints to Mick:

I was wondering if you might be in the mood to till my garden? It’s almost time, ya know.

Hey, so what exactly would need to be done in order for you to till my garden? Do you need oil or spark plugs or anything?

I was thinking…if I got the rototiller out of the shed and pulled it up to the patio, would that help you with tilling my garden?

A gal can only wait so long.

So what if it’s still two weeks before I should really be planting my early spring veggies? And so what if I have to go out to the garden every few evenings in February because my seeds have germinated, my tiny sprouts have started, and a cold snap is in the forecast? And so what IF every brain cell in my head knows that I really should wait just a bit more before feeling the soft earth in my hands and obsessively spacing my tiny seeds just so? Like Rafiki said to Simba in “The Lion King,” – It is TIME.

Therefore today was the day that I got down on my knees and worked every nook and cranny of My Little Victory Garden. No weed had a chance; they were all pulled up, every single root.

I paid homage to the grasshopper skeletons I found. I apologized to the cricket family for disrupting their home while thanking them for the reworked soil. I pulled as many oak leaves from the ground as I could find so as not to induce my seedlings with too much tannic acid. I carefully dug up the last three carrots and the four green onions, moved my purple sage, and transplanted my Gilly flowers. And then I smiled…and went to find my husband.

And this is what he did:

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So I could do this:

Continue reading My Little Victory Garden: A Gal Can Only Wait So Long… →

Oklahoma culture

Oklahoma Headlines 2012, Year in Review – JULY

Screen Shot 2013-01-18 at 1.17.39 PM(Photo by Sarah Phipps)

July 2012 was a hot, hot month.  The state had been drying up for a while, but emergencies were finally being declared.  Check out the headlines that made Oklahoma history last year around Independence Day…

  • Oklahoma Hispanic population continues to grow
  • Concerns about State Capitol building and art displays mount
  • OKC Thunder and Scott Brooks come to a coaching contract agreement
  • Robin Leander Howard died four days after police used force to arrest him
  • Agritourism and Oklahoma vineyards work together for growth and development
  • Six athletes from the University of Oklahoma are London-bound for the Olympic games
  • Judge upholds Edmond man’s 15-year prison sentence for an Iraqi civilian killing
  • Higher education leaders worry about shrinking state funding
  • Oklahoma City district is set to launch a free online school this fall
  • An audit of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church reveals $110K missing
  • Mother is sentences for her part in fire that killed three children
  • Celebration of what would have been Woody Guthrie’s 100th birthday are held across the state, nation and world
  • Shannon Miller reflects on her multi-medal Olympics 20 years ago
  • 10,000 attend American Idol auditions in Oklahoma City
  • Gene Stipe dies at age 85
  • Drought worsens across the state; Fallin declares states of emergency
  • Olympics in full swing, Oklahoma City Thunder players enjoy playing time
Oklahoma culture

Oklahoma Headlines 2012 – Year in Review, JUNE

Screen Shot 2013-01-10 at 9.59.40 AM(left – cover of the Daily Oklahoman when the Thunder was defeated in the last NBA championship playoff game)

Well, June of 2012 was arguably some of the most extreme emotional highs and lows for many Oklahomans as the OKC Thunder beat SanAntonio in the Western Conference finals and advanced to the NBA Championship series against the Miami Heat.  But what else took place in our state last June?  Check it out…

  • Governor signs DHS reform bills
  • Long time OKC nemesis, Charles Barkley, gets to know the City
  • OKC police chief reports needing 200 new officersOU student Casey Cooke falls to her death from a fire escape on campus
  • The Thunder win the Western Conference Championship – prepare for Miami
  • Oklahomans do well at the CMT Music Awards
  • Reba McEntire received the Annie Oakley Society Award
  • Western art exhibits and the Red Earth Festival keep Oklahoma culture awareness high
  • Report shows behavioral health prescriptions for foster children in OK growing
  • Legislators and defense counsel testify in “Prater smear campaign” charges
  • Cleveland county decides to quite releasing mug shots
  • “Thunder Pride” impacts entire state as Miami closes in on the Championship
  • Miami wins series against Thunder 4-1, and takes NBA title
  • The Edmond senatorial campaign heats up; Blair files suit against Jolley
  • Oklahoma City rated as U.S.’s “Manliest” metropolis
  • Trains collide in Goodwell; three train employees killed
  • Barry Switzer vies for a spot on the NCAA football playoff work committee
  • Meth rings continue to be raided and disrupted, while more spring up
  • U.S. Supreme Court upholds health care measure; OK impacted in several ways due to not accepting money to set up insurance exchange
  • Pawnee Wild West show continues annually, drawing larger crowds
Oklahoma culture

Oklahoma Headlines 2012 – Year in Review, MAY

westbrook v san antonioWhen looking back through the 2012 headlines, for some reason May seemed like a “bummer” month. Usually, the good and icky news balance out, but this month seemed solemn.  Maybe you’ll have a different take?  Here we go…

(Photo: R. Westbrook reacts to the game situation in playoffs versus the San Antonio Spurs – Brett Deering, Getty Images)

  • State’s top court rules personhood bill unconstitutional.
  • Ponca City area hit with flooding, locals spent time and manpower searching for cattle swept away.
  • Chesapeake asks Aubrey McClendon to step down as chairman of the board; seeks independent chair to replace him.
  • An A-F grading system is approved for Oklahoma public schools.
  • Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure ordered to repay state $70K in adoption fraud money.
  • Miss Oklahoma, Betty Thomson’s, crown is stolen from her car.
  • David Tyner pleads guilty to killing six people in “Cathouse” case.
  • OKC Thunder sweeps Dallas Mavericks to win the first step in the NBA playoff series.
  • The Cheyenne and Araphaho Tribes ask a federal judge to “un-freeze” 6.4 million dollars in assets from a bank in Clinton.
  • Barry Switzer celebrates a 40-year affiliation with the Special Olympics of Oklahoma.
  • Christopher Dunham is found guilty of neglect in the fire-related deaths of three children, left locked inside a mobile home.
  • Governor Fallin signs the open carry bill.
  • Conner Mason enters a guilty plea in “Bicycle Bob’s” death.
  • Post-game gun attach close to Thunder Alley stirs a debate about watch party events held in open, public places.
  • Legislative session ends with no deal on income tax cuts nor repairs for the Capitol.
  • Thunder wraps up month of May down 0 games to 2 in the third round of NBA playoffs against San Antonio.
Art

How Georgie Came to Life

Yesterday I experienced a small personal celebration as I officially began announcements that “Georgie the Giant” was now complete and ready to order.

My feelings around this project have been simmering for some time, as ‘Georgie” actually began to take shape when I was not yet ten years old. There are pieces of influence floating through time and space that eventually settled into a cohesive story about love and fear. And for that settling, I’m very grateful. After all, Georgie was only “a ghost of a Giant” as late as fall, 2012.

But he’s here now. And I thought with the announcement of this book, I would share the “how” of his existence.

Georgie was first incubated when my cousin Gina Weaver told a story to me and a few other cousins that included the phrase, “cookies as big as wagon wheels.” That phrase caught my attention, and obviously has stuck with me for a very long time.

Also influencing this book were the thousands of words, interactions and behaviors I witnessed while growing up in the 60s and 70s related to racism, discrimination, judgmental attitudes, and harsh criticism of people groups. I can remember times when people around me received the brunt of intense hate or cruelty, and even recall feeling physically ill because of what I saw and heard.

Other times, I believe I reflected and acted out some of those same behaviors, and was occasionally the recipient of hate as well. Hate is most often Fear in disguise, and for this reason Georgie was born as a story I began to tell my children when they were fairly young.

As they grew, the story grew. But it was most greatly expanded when my eldest called me from the campus of the Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) and asked for help. Her education there consisted of 9-week rotational workshops and she was working on a calligraphy project. She asked me to write George into manuscript form so she could transcribe it into a handmade book, written in her chosen calligraphy font.

Wow, what a job that was. For me? Yes, indeed! But for her? A crazy big job. Truly, an extra-super duper crazy intense job. Want to know how the scribes felt during medieval times? Do what she did. Rachel still has her handmade book; it’s a one-of-a-kind treasure and I love it:

 

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Continue reading How Georgie Came to Life →

Oklahoma culture

Oklahoma Headlines 2012 – Year in Review, APRIL

marathon03Oklahoma did much more than “March on” after the month of March, 2012.  In fact, in APRIL there was some running involved!  Running marathons, running from storms, running down the basketball court…lots and lots of running.  Check it out:

(photo left – OKC Memorial Marathon, Daily Oklahoman)

  • OSU Cowgirl Basketball team celebrates winning the WNIT.  Shelly Budke, wife of the team’s recently deceased coach, cut down the victory net.
  • Prices at the gas pump are hurting industry and private individuals across the nation.  Oklahoma keeps watch on the situation as an energy producing state.
  • As flooding over the years increased, residents in the unincorporated are of Crutcho reluctantly consider or accept buyout options.
  • Oklahoma starts take spotlight positions at the Academy of Country Music awards including: Blake Shelton, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert.
  • 25 year-old soldier from Checotah dies in Afghanistan.  James E. Dutton is one of many who gave their life in the ongoing Middle East operations.
  • Tribes continue to make headlines regarding online payday loan businesses and water rights issues.
  • New ballpark name (Newcastle Casino Field) stirs heavy criticism.  The Chickasaw Nation responded by choosing a new name: “Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.”
  • Oklahoma City sees rapid population growth in 2010 and 2011.  The OKC metro now stands at >1.2 million.
  • The final 45th Infantry Brigade returns to the U.S., much to the relief of Oklahomans.
  • 27 “mom and pop” convenience store owners sue the Oklahoma Tax Commission for “unusually harsh sales tax audits.”
  • 2 white men accused of killing 3 black residents and injuring two others on shooting spree are arrested.
  • Ken Burns debuts footage from his latest project, “The Dust Bowl.”
  • Bela Fleck visits the American Banjo Hall of Fame prior to his concert at RoseState.
  • In a report prepared for Senator Coburn, recommendations to limit crop loss subsidies are considered.
  • An EF3 rated tornado leaves six dead plus major damage in Woodward.
  • Norman homeowners unite to ease restrictions on back yard chickens.
  • 17 years after the OKC bombing, victims are reflecting in different ways as well as graduating from college.
  • Suspect Kevin Sweat, charged in the killings of two Weleetka girls, as well as the death of his girlfriend, has preliminary hearing.
  • Meta World Peace injures James Harden with forceful elbow jab.
  • “Personhood Bill” involves many activists on all sides of the issue.
  • 5 southwestern areas in Oklahoma experience triple digit heat in April.
  • State House passes the “Open Carry” measure.
  • Kevin Durant earns top NBA scoring title.
  • Blackburn and Weeden are first round draft picks.
  • Governor Fallin signs fetal heartbeat bill into law.
  • Oklahoma City Thunder begins NBA playoffs against Dallas Mavericks.
  • 2,700 runners finished the full OKC Memorial Marathon, and 8,138 others completed related events.
Oklahoma culture

Oklahoma Headlines – 2012: Year in Review, MARCH

obama at tinkerMarch was a long, full and busy month in the state of Oklahoma.  Don’t believe me?  Check out just a few of the highlights we experienced in our state!

(Photo at left by Brian Terry, Daily Oklahoman.  President Obama visits Tinker Air Force Base, March 22, 2012)

  •  Oklahoma County commissioners move forward with a plan to build a new jail at the cost of $330 million.
  • State fire marshal agent recommends the Pauline E. Mayer children’s shelter be closed if continued overcrowding problems cannot be corrected.
  • Oklahoma City concludes it’s 9th warmest winter on record.
  • Reverend Joe Carter, a former Oklahoma City resident, led Whitney Houston’s funeral.
  • “Right size” and “smaller size” state government become buzzwords in legislative culture as public officials looks for ways to streamline state workforce.
  • Oklahoma City Civic Center prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary this year.
  • Senator Mike Morgan is convicted of one bribery count.
  • “MAPS for kids” projects move toward completion; illustration of this was a ribbon cutting ceremony at Sequoyah Elementary school for a renovation.
  • U.S. Airforce decides to shut down a unit that employed 600 persons at Tinker Air Force base.
  • Rick Santorum wins the Oklahoma GOP primary.
  • An announcement was made that Garth Brooks would be among the next inductees into the County Music Fall of Fame.
  • Audit reveals that $2.3 million was spent by the Department of Education through slush funds, mostly under the watch of former Superintendent Sandy Garrett. Current Education officials also used foundation funds for questionable expenses.
  • OU students petition Boren for gender-neutral housing.
  • New report cites addiction costs Oklahoma $7.2 billion per year. Follow up report show that overdoses of prescription pain and anxiety medications take more Oklahoma lives each year than car crashes. Further, a second report showed that drug abuse costs U.S. employers a whopping $276 billion per year.
  • Barry Switzer states he’s worked with a movie producer on a potential biography film.
  • Religious artifacts collection owned by the Green family (Hobby Lobby owners) is on display at the Vatican.
  • State of Oklahoma report shows catastrophic storms have cost insurance companies over $1 billion in repair/recovery costs in recent years.
  • Oklahoman Mason Cook will join Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp in new “Long Ranger” movie.
  • A jury returned a $4.55 million verdict against Creoks mental Health Services for failing to report sexual abuse.
  • The Oklahoma City Museum of Art celebrates its 10th anniversary with special activities and events including a 70th anniversary screening of “Casablanca.” [quoted from the Daily Oklahoman]
  • Devon prepares for a move to the new tower.
  • A State Integrity Investigation reveals problematic “openness” policy with state policies and awards Oklahoma a “D,” and a ranking of 38th out of 50for information access. Frequent delays to requests were cited.
  • President Obama makes first visit to Oklahoma to announce new pipeline plans a priority. While here, he pledged support foro the pipeline project at location in Cushing.
  • OKC Thunder welcomes new point guard Derek Fisher.
  • Two men were arrested after they pulled up to Gaffney Crane Inc. and stole a one ton crane.
  • The Oklahoma State Capitol is in desperate need of repairs, and some parts are sectioned off due to safety concerns. A $150 million dollar bond project could be option for repairs.
  • Concerns continue for the stalled American Indian Museum and Cultural center. The City of Oklahoma City pledges to pay $9 million of the more than $80 million remaining on the project.
  • A judge strikes down a “mandatory ultrasound prior to abortion” measure.
  • In the middle of a large and burdensome U.S. recession, Oklahoma’s employment rate falls to 6% – far below the national average.
Oklahoma culture

Oklahoma Headlines – 2012: Year in Review, FEBRUARY

Controversial SkyDance Bridge project almost complete. Photo by Doug Hoke, Daily Oklahoman.

Continuing our review of the Oklahoma headlines for 2012, we now move to Febraury.  Here’s a quick snapshot of the news during a very busy, leap-year length month!

(Photo: Controversial SkyDance Bridge project almost complete. Photo by Doug Hoke, Daily Oklahoman.)

  • Blackwell residents received $118 million in damages related to a 1974 zinc smelter operation contamination.
  • Debate about federal birth control mandates heat up and Oklahoma Catholic leaders get involved.
  • Issues related to the Chickasaw and Choctaw nation lawsuit against the State of Oklahoma influence action from Governor Fallin to request mediation, and to drop the lawsuit.  The tribes’ response a few days later was to refuse dropping the action.
  • OKDHS named an interim chief, but then had to withdraw the placement because of “conflict of interest” concerns.
  • A narcotics dispensing law gets passed which required documentation for prescribing controlled medications.
  • The National Teacher Certification bonus was threatened with being abandoned due to lack of funds.
  • Emily Matheson and Fabio Brown were arrested for allegedly paying $250 to have Jessica Lynn Brown murdered.
  • Rick Santorum visited Oklahoma City to campaign for the Republican presidential spot on the 2012 ticket.
  • Jimmy Don Smith was sentenced to ten years in prison (in a plea deal) for the beating and resulting paralysis of police officer Chad Peery.
  • Oklahoma City Public Schools implement their first Daddy-Daughter dance to involved fathers of their students to a greater degree.
  • The state of Oklahoma paid $300K to settle a lawsuit filed by a mother who “hid her children after DHS workers rejected her concerns the girl had been molested.”  The mother spent time in jail rather than give up the whereabouts of her daughter.
  • Anthony Shadid, Pulitzer Prize winning author, dies at age 43 on assignment in Syria.
  • Announcements are made about the play, “August: Osage County” being made into a film.  Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts are to star in the project, and it will be shot on location in Oklahoma.
  • The Oklahoma City Thunder continues a strong winning record on their home course.
  • The I-40 Crosstown project continue to open up new sections of the improvements, with the Sky Bridge project garnering praise and criticism.
  • Ron Paul’s stop at the Oklahoma State Capitol drew a large crowd.
  • Scott Brooks was named to coach the Western Conference in the All-Star game.  His team won the game, with Kevin Durant leading the scoring.
  • A trial examining charges against State Senator Mike Morgan re: political corruption gets much paper and TV time.

Tomorrow, we’ll lead you through the mighty month of March, 2012!

Oklahoma culture, Politics

Oklahoma Headlines – 2012: Year in Review, JANUARY

( PHOTO: Galen Scott, his wife Jennifer and six-month old Benjamin embrace as Scott returns from deployment in January, 2012. Photo by Scott Sisney, Daily Oklahoman.)father arriving home

My, my, how time does fly!  So the Red Dirt Chronicles is going to help remind you about what flew by in our Oklahoma headlines during 2012. 

For the next several days, we’ll be releasing a quick snapshot of headlines we’ve reviewed from either the Daily Oklahoman or Tulsa World, and summarizing them here for you.

First up? January.  Here we go…

  • OSU beat Stanford in the Fiesta Bowl with a last minute play to end the game at 41-38.  Celebrations ensued.
  • The Oklahoma City Thunder began raising energy across Oklahoma with buzz about “what if” when talking about a NBA Championship.
  • OKDHS troubles and changes included closure on a lengthy lawsuit, and the decision by Director Hendrick to retire as Director of the agency.
  • The first death row execution of 2012 happened here in the state of Oklahoma when inmate Gary Welch was put to death for fatally stabbing Robert Hardcastle in a 1994 drug dispute.  Welch was kept from committing suicide three weeks prior to his execution.
  • Boeing added one thousand jobs to the state.
  • The I-40 crosstown lanes opened, and crews began tearing down the old bridge sections.
  • Judge Tammy Bass was convicted of fraud against the state foster care system.
  • Special note: On January 31st of 2011, 18 year old Sarah McKinly, mother of a three month old baby, shot Justin Martin as he intruded into her mobile home.
  • The jury was selected for the Garth Brooks’ trial vs. Integris at Rogers County Court House.
  • Obama blocks the national pipeline project, then senators began to rally for a bill to bypass Obama’s blocking action.
  • Oklahoma City Councilman “Skip” Kelly arrested on a DUI charge for the 2nd time.
  • And…
  • Joe Paterno died at 85 years of age, following a horrific Penn State scandal wherein multiple levels of negligence were revealed related to protecting children on campus from being sexually abused by assistant coach, Jerry Sandusky.

Check us out tomorrow if you’d like to review the Oklahoma headlines for February, 2012!