Man Cave

Real Men and Crying

The post below was originally published on my blog on May 7, 2010… the day of my grandpa’s funeral.

"Wedding." Award-winning photo used by permission from Jeff + Jeanie at stu-di-o.com. Click photo to visit their site.

As I get ready for my grandpa’s funeral today, I’m reminded that a real man is not afraid to show his emotions.

As men, when we’re happy or excited about something, most of us will visibly and audibly celebrate. When we’re angry about something, we have no problem letting the world know. And yet, when we’re upset, hurt, or sad about something we often try to “hold it in” for lack of a better description.

While something could certainly be said about the degree of discipline it takes a man to hold in his tears, I would argue that it takes a lot more discipline to let them out.

Most men, if we’re gut-level honest with ourselves, would say that we typically don’t cry for one of two reasons. The first reason being that we don’t want to appear weak.   And the second? We just can’t make the tears come out no matter how hard we want to.

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Foodie Page, Stockyards City Cookbook

Stockyards City Cookbook Cook-Through: Jalapeno Cornbread

As it gets colder outside I am constantly looking for new yummy, fulfilling things to make for dinner. I love anything spicy so this recipe really caught my eye!

My friend April made chicken chili and I knew this would go very well with the cornbread. I will say that most of my girlfriends are constantly watching what they eat, so the chili was a Weight Watchers recipe – and – well, this cornbread is not so healthy.

I decided to make it not-so-hearty by cutting down the meat in it. I also was unable to find jalapeno cheese in OKC.  If you live somewhere around a Kroger, my mom said she found some there. I added chopped green chili’s to the mix instead.

Jalapeno Cornbread
by Matt Gilson

2 boxes Jiffy cornbread mix (I was raised on sweet cornbread so I substituted instead of Jiffy, although Jiffy is only 50 cents per box)

1 can cream corn

1 can kernel corn

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Oklahoma culture, Woman2Woman

Shaking the Saddlebags #1: Trusting the Ball, Kneeling at the Toilet and a Parking Citation

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As some of you now know, I have a complicated relationship with my “Saddlebags.” They seem happy to stick around, and I want them gone.  After mustering all my courage to visit the Wellness Center last week, I had to come to terms with the fact that: a) I actually committed to at least twelve one-hour training sessions; and, b) they started this morning.

True to the friendly-no-matter-how-you-slice it persona of the place, I was met with no less than three “good mornings” as I reluctantly entered the Center.  Oh, and one, “Good morning, Kelly,” from Joanna who just happened to be getting to work the same time I arrived for my session.  I think she secretly staked out the parking lot and entered along with me just to make sure I didn’t turn around and run away.  Effective.  Verrrry effective, those tactics they employ!

I descended the stairs into the basement level workout room area thinking, “I’m not going to be able to walk back up these stairs when I’m done.”  I probably had about twenty more doomsday messages ready to tell myself as I neared the door, but once again, the attendant at the desk distracted me from my fear-based mantras.  “Hi,” he said.  “Are you here for a session?”

I stared at him for at least two or three seconds thinking, “I could just say no.  I could just say, ‘Oh – nah.  Just looking around.'”  I opened my mouth to answer him, still uncertain of what would come out when a young man with an air of confidence, exuding Physical Fitness walked up and interjected, “Are you Kelly?”

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Homestead and Garden

Meanwhile Back at the Ranch: I am Living in a Time Warp…. Again

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I guess “The Rocky Horror Glee Show” came at just about the right time.  I keep on singing,  “Let’s do the time warp again,” but I’m not dancing.   We can’t avoid the time change, at least around here in the good ole Central Time Zone.   I’ve always heard people lament over Daylight Saving Time (DST), but now I’m realizing that that is the time I really like.  I despise Standard Time (ST).

money
If "time is money," I am broke at least until next March.

I’ve read over and over the reason for starting Daylight Saving Time.  It had something to do with Benjamin Franklin and saving oil for lamps.  I guess I just don’t understand why it’s only important to do that March – November, and furthermore, what is so great about Standard Time?

This Standard Time is really messing with my life in so many ways.

  • I think my body operates on the sundial system.  During DST I am up at 4:00AM; during ST I am up at 3:00AM.  That makes for a really long day.  This is compounded by the fact that I go to bed at 8:00PM or 9:00PM during the summer and 7:00PM or 8:00PM during the winter.  No kidding, I went to bed last night at 6:30PM.

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Oklahoma culture, Photography, Travel

Silent Sunday: 11/21/10

Photographer's one week old colt, taken April, 2010 - Fittstown, OK (south of Ada). To visit "Brown Photography" blog, click the photo.

Looks like this little girl's parents will be up for more face painting this year as the OSU Cowboy football team continues their winning streak. Click photo to visit the OSUPics site.

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Showcasing Red Dirt culture ~ authored and managed by contributors with connections to the great state of Oklahoma.