tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53298429557372001802024-03-19T17:24:50.173-05:00The Song Remembers When...No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-91309555335351103212010-05-30T16:21:00.012-05:002010-05-30T16:43:54.928-05:00"And I'm proud to be an American..."<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" >"...where at least I know I'm free,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" >And I won't forget the men who died,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" >Who gave that right to me..."</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vfTPPBrYl6iS212qUgkDTRK2lYGJ1u73Qr30foe2vffDkajmBfrBd4757evDx49zSiM-r0JcdAKlOoRuC5dH0jF1hw30js0UbXOSFppdAtdI3WpbS2CyztkMGVYwkLNwvXbmqDQHD54/s1600/price.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vfTPPBrYl6iS212qUgkDTRK2lYGJ1u73Qr30foe2vffDkajmBfrBd4757evDx49zSiM-r0JcdAKlOoRuC5dH0jF1hw30js0UbXOSFppdAtdI3WpbS2CyztkMGVYwkLNwvXbmqDQHD54/s400/price.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477177586324687746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" >It is the</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >VETERAN</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" >not the preacher,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" >who has given us freedom of religion.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">It is the</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">VETERAN</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">not the reporter,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">who has given us freedom of the press.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;">It is the<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">VETERAN</span>,<br />not the poet,<br />who has given us freedom of speech.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;">It is the<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">VETERAN</span>,<br />not the campus organizer,<br />who has given us freedom to assemble.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;">It is the<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">VETERAN</span>,<br />not the lawyer,<br />who has given us the right to a fair trial.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">It is the</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">VETERAN</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">not the politician,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Who has given us the right to vote..</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgsDmeRCM7I0O1ts9qhMUUPWMTmeYaSe8qZTOW9Uht_VAp1I1Aj7m2GOqMCX7Ftgkf-wtxYfzHzExYwtU-l6DN1fgS6NZ9TZN2LuygCICOisFRr_lZjyEMeKpqCnUelDSfOdFAuLN_ds/s1600/idol.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgsDmeRCM7I0O1ts9qhMUUPWMTmeYaSe8qZTOW9Uht_VAp1I1Aj7m2GOqMCX7Ftgkf-wtxYfzHzExYwtU-l6DN1fgS6NZ9TZN2LuygCICOisFRr_lZjyEMeKpqCnUelDSfOdFAuLN_ds/s400/idol.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477178239831392802" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >It is the</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >VETERAN</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >who salutes the Flag,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >It is the</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >VETERAN</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >who serves under the Flag,</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tluRD_QqJmB2OxRUXu9czUQYDrq2CQU5PfU5Y0KUq5mr6EwLBfICiZIVgBn-tel0VhF_x0ZKrumEYEMar2CjxRBok5NTUru3jp9J8f0wpLqeXsPWNekqDDqgEHCP0lyDl0RV71_A43U/s1600/under+the+flag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tluRD_QqJmB2OxRUXu9czUQYDrq2CQU5PfU5Y0KUq5mr6EwLBfICiZIVgBn-tel0VhF_x0ZKrumEYEMar2CjxRBok5NTUru3jp9J8f0wpLqeXsPWNekqDDqgEHCP0lyDl0RV71_A43U/s400/under+the+flag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477178526215794690" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM, O LORD,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >THEM.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrTQrntEhpAS4c3huM3r39LG3y2NYUm5DvDUHeoEbuvYi7uCutT1EreG4mdXm8VjGwzALfWpLdebA-lX0N5Sdl2BDQ9HIubpNNiQ8RwOVoHbDcXWUeiOkjD1V8Tb4DJXdpfvOCnmgsEU/s1600/color+alert.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrTQrntEhpAS4c3huM3r39LG3y2NYUm5DvDUHeoEbuvYi7uCutT1EreG4mdXm8VjGwzALfWpLdebA-lX0N5Sdl2BDQ9HIubpNNiQ8RwOVoHbDcXWUeiOkjD1V8Tb4DJXdpfvOCnmgsEU/s400/color+alert.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477181752174254418" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">To all who served, and all who gave their lives, and all who carry on,</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">protecting my life, my family, and my freedom,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">a mere "Thank You" will never be enough.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Better said, "May God bless you forever".</span><br /><br /></div></div>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-33781424636183259532010-02-10T16:05:00.004-06:002010-02-10T16:15:39.066-06:00"May angels lead you home..."<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQMn_trmd761v9Ed0quasMTZDPQ1JiziOoPkm4m5zhlTenI0KEUYnw-ivhcw4wYDzKNDrOXZc1yhaslLyS1yi7Z0llaKSFzJxhCucW9j1w52Wynwe2lpOvBnSkNBg3pRcMrtOWJV_QmM/s1600-h/phil-harris-pullmaster-2008-calenda.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQMn_trmd761v9Ed0quasMTZDPQ1JiziOoPkm4m5zhlTenI0KEUYnw-ivhcw4wYDzKNDrOXZc1yhaslLyS1yi7Z0llaKSFzJxhCucW9j1w52Wynwe2lpOvBnSkNBg3pRcMrtOWJV_QmM/s400/phil-harris-pullmaster-2008-calenda.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436739474906665970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >R.I.P.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Captain Phil Harris<br />April 28, 1956 – February 9, 2010<br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">May you find calm seas and smooth sailing, Captain. You will be greatly missed.<br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />Announcements:<br /><a href="http://www.corneliamarie.com/">F/V Cornelia Marie</a><br /><a href="http://www.fvnorthwestern.com/">F/V Northwestern</a><br /></span>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-86103575764351893872009-10-31T22:44:00.005-05:002009-10-31T23:22:31.630-05:00"When witches were waltzing...."<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Actually they would have been doing a jig or an Irish reel! *LOL* Happy Halloween everyone!! We spent tonight enjoying the Enid Symphony Orchestra. Sound odd, perhaps? Not really, since the program was "A Celtic Halloween" featuring Mithril! Yep, my favorite Celtic group arranged a Halloween program and our 'on-the-spot' maestro, Mr. Doug Newell, snapped up the chance for their first ever performance of the program!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >The evening began with our own ESO performing Mussorgsky's "A Night On Bald Mountain" - they did a fantastic job with this piece. In my mind I coul see the animations from Disney's "Fantasia" as the music played! Next was the ESO performing Saint-Saens' "Danse Macabre, Poeme Symphonique, op. 40". A young local violinist, Sarah Youn, was the soloist for this piece. This young lady is amazing! She is a freshman at Enid High and, at her young age, has aleady been the Concert Master (</span><strong style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"></strong><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >the leader of the first violins of an orchestra and by custom usually the assistant to the conductor) for the Honor Orchestra at the Tri-State Music Festival for the past two years AND has been the Concert Master for the All Oklahoma Youth Orchestra. The math is right there - she was a lead violinist while attending the 7th grade! I can't wait to hear this young lady in a few years - I'll be very surprised if she hasn't garnered national attention by then.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >And then Mithril began their program. Oh - I just can't say enough about this group, and I'm so very glad that Doug has had them back two years in a row. They began their program with the rollicking "Halloween Jig" and "Lilting Banshee". Next came a set of "The Ghost", "The Banshee's Wail Over the Mangle Pit", and "Banshee Reel". Next was "The Women's Lament for the Dead (Inishere)" - a beautiful, flowing song that made me see pictures of the hills and coasts of Ireland. Next was "Merrily Kiss the Quaker's Wife", "A Fig for a Kiss", and "The Choice Wife" - the guitar player was so intense on these that he broke a string clean off his guitar. *LOL* Then they took us to the Shire with songs from "The Lord of the Rings": "Concerning Hobbits", "In Dreams", and "Bilbo's Birthday". Then came their 'international' portion, as they called it: "The Celtic Silk Road", "The Camels' Hump", and "Purgatory Chasm" - these songs had a very Middle Eastern sound to them. And they closed with a set they called "The Devil's Box". Apparently, and I did not know this, the fiddle was known as the Devil's Box - way back when, everyone was expected to be sober and pious but whenever there was a fiddle playing, people danced and sang and were said to be ensnared by the "Devil's Box". This set was a jumble of pieces of tunes including "The Devil Went Down To Georgia", "The Devil in the Kitchen", "The Devil's Dream", and "Howling Wind". It was a rousing end to a wonderful concert.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >Honestly, if you ever get a chance to see Mithril, or even just to listen to them - take it! They are four wonderfully talented musicians who LOVE Celtic music and it shows! Oh, and all of the pieces they performed tonight - every one of them was orchestrated by their flute player, Andra Bohnet. She has a way of making the accompanying orchestra a big part of the music, yet they never overshadow the performers of Mithril - the orchestrations are seamless!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >It was a fabulous evening all the way 'round. Now don't be too scared of the ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties and things that go bump in the night! *G* I just love Halloween!</span></span><script type="text/javascript"> <!-- if ( typeof(outputMyDictionaryLink) != "undefined" ) { var entry = document.getElementById("mwEntryData"); var hw = entry && entry.getAttribute("mwref:hw") ? entry.getAttribute("mwref:hw") : ""; var fl = entry && entry.getAttribute("mwref:fl") ? entry.getAttribute("mwref:fl") : ""; outputMyDictionaryLink(hw, fl); }; // if ( typeof(outputMyDictionaryLink) != "undefined" ) // --> </script><!--word_definition-->No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-85313560159763995862009-09-27T17:29:00.007-05:002009-10-12T18:53:08.555-05:00"O...K...L...A...H...O...M...A..."<span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">"...Oklahoooooooooooooooma......STATE!!!" *LOL*</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I know, two posts in one day - wow. *L* But we went to see the OSU Cowboys whup up on the Grambling State Tigers yesterday! Supposedly Grambling has one of the premiere marching bands in the country so everyone suggested that this was the game to attend. We were trying to choose a game since Eric started at OSU this semester and plays trumpet in the Cowboy Marching Band. As it happens, Laura got offered free tickets by a policy holder so we got to go to this one. We went over in the morning and spent the day at OSU. I absolutely LOVE that campus - it's everything a traditional college campus should be. It always makes me wish I had gone there. I would still love to attend some classes there some day and be a Cowboy Alumni. *G*</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The day started with a walk around the campus. I put some pictures in the albums </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://no1shome.myphotoalbum.com/">here</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> if you'd like to see them. We met up with Eric briefly at the Student Union, then he was off to play with the Pep Band at the stadium while we stayed at the SU to watch the Spirit Walk. Half of the band stays at the SU and plays for the crowd, then the drum line marches the football team and the Coaches to the stadium. Both Coach Gundy and T. Boone Pickens walked by as they made their way down to get ready for the game.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Then the band got back together and did their practice on the lawn outside the Student Union. They're really quite good. As for the opening of this post...well....usually when you hear the song "Oklahoma", they spell it out at the end....sing "Oklahoooooma!" and end it with a whoop. At OSU though, it ends as I wrote..."Oklahooooooma! STATE!" It's really pretty cool. And if orange bothers you...never go to Stillwater. *LOL* The town is very proud of its association with OSU and orange and black are everywhere!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The game was great - we smashed 'em but good! Every time there is a Cowboy first down the announcer says, "And that's enough for a COWBOY first and ten!" and everybody does the forward chop motion. Every time there is a Cowboy touch down: the ROTC fire a cannon then one does push-ups on top of a board held by the other ROTC members to equal the score, then the announcer yells, "And here cooooomes Bullet!!!", and Bullet the horse rides out to about the 40 yard line and circles back to the goal. He also has three guys running after him holding flags that spell out O S U. I think I included a picture of this.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">During this time the dance squad is performing just beyond the far goal, the cheerleaders are cheering at the near goal, Pistol Pete is running around and firing his guns and the crowd is going wild. They play the school fight song and everybody does the OSU motions and cheers in the appropriate places. There was a little girl, maybe 6 or 7 years old, down the row from us and she knew every single motion and every single cheer - she never missed a step. And of course, she had her orange jersey and her orange hair ribbon, and OSU painted on her cheek. Very snazzy! *L* But the cutest all day were the three little stair steps - he was about 3 wearing an OSU football jersey, she was about 2 wearing an OSU cheerleader outfit, and the baby in the stroller was about 1 wearing a bright orange tutu that had an orange ribbon with black polka dots around the waist. *ROTFL* And of course, Mom and Dad had OSU t-shirts and Mom had orange and black beads around her neck. I'd say those kids don't stand a chance - there's three future Pokes there!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">It's quite a spectacle and loads of fun! The new T. Boone Pickens Stadium is really nice and a great venue for a college game. We had beautiful weather all day and evening...oh...and did I mention that we KICKED THEIR BUTTS??????? *G* GO POKES!!!!!!!! I swear....I gotta go to that school before I kick the proverbial bucket! *L* Cowboys 4-Ever!!!!</span></span>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-80308463704863905502009-09-27T15:58:00.005-05:002009-09-27T17:29:06.124-05:00"You can sell your paintings on the sidewalk..."<span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">It's been a rough year, a tiring past six months, and a b*tch of a few weeks. It was decided that getting away was necessary, if not imperative! So we chose Eureka Springs and a three day weekend to accomplish this goal. I'm pleased to say the trip was a success. We came back less tired, more refreshed, and no longer snapping at innocent people who had the gall to speak to any of us. *L* Seriously, it was that bad - but it's better now.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Eureka Springs was somewhat different than I had imagined and it's a very unique place. Kind of like O.C. in that, once it was a grand and elegant place to go - now it's fun and kitschy, a little faded around the edges but still worthwhile as a destination. I've put some pictures in the album - go </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://no1shome.myphotoalbum.com/">here</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> if you'd like to see them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Eureka Springs has become a community of artisans. You can find craftsmen (and craftswomen) working in just about any medium you could name - paint, beads, needlecraft, glass, metals, and others. There were wonderful little boutiques and a crazy touristy t-shirt shop. There were antiques and fine jewelry and handsewn clothes and, yes, an artist selling his paintings on the sidewalk in the park. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The restaurants in the historic area are also interesting - ranging from fine food to pub grub. Outside the historic area was your basic motel restaurants, BBQ places, and one McDonald's. *L*</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The hotels go from your typical chains like Days Inn and Best Western to cabins in the woods that you can rent to little B&Bs. In the historic area downtown the hotels are also historic and tend towards the Victorian era in decoration. Yes Victoria, that means tiny beds and small rooms and LOTS of stairs. We stayed at a place that had slightly hard beds, an okay jacuzzi in each room (not as big as was advertised), and a really nasty pool - so we didn't get to swim. If we ever go again I think we'll opt for one of the chains - at least with them you have some idea of the quality you're getting and you have an option to complain if the pool isn't as advertised. *L*</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The people of Eureka Springs are very friendly and they really don't make you feel like a tourist. You know how some artists get a major chip about staying true to their art even when they have to be a bit commercial to survive. These people have come to very graceful terms with it - they KNOW they are artists and in order to do the art their soul inspires them to, they have to make a living. They're very comfortable with this and I didn't see a one of them look down their noses on the creations they made to sell or on the people who bought them. Mind you though, some of the artists are...ahem... </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" >extremely proud</span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"> of their art. *L* Several things were way beyond my bank account.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Another tidbit that I did not know about the place - it is very "alternative lifestyle" friendly. There is a thriving gay community in Eureka Springs and, while they don't advertise this fact, they also don't hide it. I admit that I didn't pay much attention to the propensity of rainbow flags and such around but it made sense after I spent some time there. After we had come back I was talking about the trip at work and one of my friends mentioned it. She had gone with her partner and they met several other couples from the town. She said they both felt very comfortable there - more so than almost any place else they had gone together. I was glad to hear that - both she and her partner are very nice and I'm glad they found a place where they can relax and be themselves.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Some of the pictures you'll see are a recreation of the "Great Eureka Springs Bank Robbery". Apparently some desperados from Oklahoma (doesn't it figure) thought they'd grab some quick cash by driving over to a small town, robbing the bank, and heading back over the OK line to get lost. Well, apparently the bank had a silent alarm that sounded in the other businesses along Spring Street. They hit the alarm and the other business owners responded with guns ablazing! The outlaws were killed and the money was saved. They recreate this each year during the Classic Car celebration. We had no idea those would be going on the weekend we chose but they were pretty cool! *G*</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">We also made a visit to the Cosmic Cavern before heading for home. I haven't been to a cavern like this since many years ago at Luray. It was pretty cool - the cavern is still growing and they still haven't found the end of it. We took the regular tour but there is also a "Wild" tour that takes you into the undeveloped parts. You have to sign a waiver of course - and you have to wear a hard hat and be prepared to rappel and climb in and out of small spaces and be dressed a certain way to do that tour. Our guide said that at one point in the wild tour you have to climb straight up about two stories or so. Maybe not much for a climber but Toto-ly impossible for ME. *L* As it was I enjoyed the formations and the small lake with the blind cave trout. Oh, and when they discovered the last room on the developed tour it made the news and one of the cable channels, maybe National Geographic, did a special on it and the room they call the Crystal Cathedral. The last room they call the "Oh My God" room - since that's usually what people say when they see it. We had a little girl named Rachel on our tour and she did very well. We all got a bit of cave mud/slime on our hands and she got some on her legs. When we got back to the surface she and I shared some wet paper towels to get cleaned up. *L* Then her mom gave her a baby wipe and got the rest of the mud off. I have some pictures but haven't added them to the albums yet.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When we left to come home we drove down by Beaver Lake. Absolutely beautiful! Also have pictures of these but not posted yet.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">And before leaving Ark. we stopped at Pea Ridge Military Park. Lots of history, every bit as moving as any of the battlefields I've visited on the East coast. Again, pics, but not yet posted. *L* I'm such a slacker. Probably the most moving thing there - they have an actual part of the Trail of Tears running through the park. It's amazing to look down at a worn down path and realize whose feet wore those grooves into the earth - and why. It gave me a very eerie feeling to stand in that path and wonder what they saw and what they felt - and to know that I'll never know. I can read about it. And I can take what other's have surmised and draw my own conclusions, but it'll never be exact. That should never stop us from learning from the past.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">All in all it was a very nice, bohemian sort of vacation and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. I hope you enjoy the pictures.</span></span>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-52482795149866903002009-09-14T21:37:00.003-05:002009-09-14T21:44:15.654-05:00"That old wind had finally found it's way home..."<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VhVioz4PZYBnzwqDuJKqoUT7sfKotCoW8orSP5I2NWcxFEUCqkszrdpNNjykZRYyRwjOF3sxaOPDitZn5qBObUpMQU8qGhUJ3nIbUX39aiDmRpHGAryw4KmVOKMIK8aDyECaFN8YbgA/s1600-h/patrick-swayze_0004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VhVioz4PZYBnzwqDuJKqoUT7sfKotCoW8orSP5I2NWcxFEUCqkszrdpNNjykZRYyRwjOF3sxaOPDitZn5qBObUpMQU8qGhUJ3nIbUX39aiDmRpHGAryw4KmVOKMIK8aDyECaFN8YbgA/s400/patrick-swayze_0004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381519061501150962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">Patrick Swayze</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">1952 - 2009</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">May you rest in Peace.</span></span><br /></div>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-5305375168790776742009-06-21T14:19:00.003-05:002009-07-12T16:42:50.190-05:00"He isn't much in the eyes of the world..."<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">"He'll never make history</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">No, he isn't much in the eyes of the world</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">But he is the world to me."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Happy Father's Day Poppy!!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">I love you and I miss you - always!</span></span>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-1539284775162215722009-06-20T22:14:00.005-05:002009-06-20T22:28:17.384-05:00"These are a few of my favorite things..."I've been trying to figure out how to embed a widget so you could, if you choose, listen to some of the songs I currently have on my mp3 player. I decided to try this one on the recommendation of Blogger. Please let me know what you think of the player and what you think of the music.<br /><br />Some of these you might recognize, even if you don't know why. If you haven't already figured it out - both "Falling In Love At A Coffee Shop" and "Sweet Pea" are the full songs from AT&T commercials. *L* Hey...what can I say, I really like the songs! Just click on each song icon to listen - single click, if you double click it won't play. To hear another song just click on the grey X to return to the list. And don't forget to have your sound turned on!! Hope you enjoy!<br /><br /><embed src="http://www.box.net/static/flash/box_explorer.swf?widget_hash=fer574itv5&v=0&cl=0" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="460" height="345"></embed>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-73947508918700052562009-06-05T16:20:00.007-05:002009-08-01T19:27:45.060-05:00"Science fiction.....double feature..."<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Dr X....will build a creature</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">See androids fighting.......Brad and Janet</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Anne Francis stars in........Forbidden Planet</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Wo oh oh oh oh oh</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">At the late night, double feature, picture show"</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ6ikxgEItrL6VZXyWX42WBVl3Q4Qw8XLTFWd2qt10_DUYOL_kUhT1p40EH7yIcLgytfE6bi9jyeyWiLCDeKi5caeMpvXlIS-QMlmquhLqx1I759Z1J4i6KYcy5g5V_aRca_nggXhFkI/s1600-h/Alamo+DrafthouseCinema+-+Katy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ6ikxgEItrL6VZXyWX42WBVl3Q4Qw8XLTFWd2qt10_DUYOL_kUhT1p40EH7yIcLgytfE6bi9jyeyWiLCDeKi5caeMpvXlIS-QMlmquhLqx1I759Z1J4i6KYcy5g5V_aRca_nggXhFkI/s400/Alamo+DrafthouseCinema+-+Katy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343957893214437554" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">So...we went down to Houston to see Phillip and</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Stephanie and Bryan last weekend. Phillip and</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Steph were very good hosts and we did several interesting things. One of their ideas was to go to the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Katy, Texas. Phillip currently teaches at a school in Katy, that's why we chose this one. Anyways - this was truly a unique 'dinner and a movie' experience! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">We saw the new "Star Trek" movie - which in my opinion was pretty good, very funny, and quite enjoyable. In each theater there are the usual rows of seats (very comfortable too) but with a bar type table running in front of them. You choose your seat, peruse the menu, write what you want on the order papers and place them in the holder at the front of the bar table. A waiter/waitress comes and gets your order, then brings your dinner to you. It's an eclectic menu - everything from pizza and chicken strips to Asian salads. We all had pop but of course you can order from an extensive selection of beers and wines. The wait staff will come back and check on you frequently but they don't disturb you during the movie. You can order up until last call which is about 30 minutes before the movie ends. During the movie I had the potato skins, which were REALLY good, and the chicken strip dinner. The barbecue sauce was a bit odd - it had a kind of citrus after-taste - but the chicken was good and the fries were wedge-cut steak fries with a seasoning over them. All in all it was delicious! I wish we had something like this in Oklahoma - I would definitely be a more regular movie-goer!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">To see more about the Drafthouse Cinema they have a web site at </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.drafthouse.com/">http://www.drafthouse.com/</a><span style="font-family:georgia;">. As I said, we went to the one on Mason in Katy.</span><br /><br /></span>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-5326490980589727902009-05-10T11:09:00.004-05:002009-05-10T11:17:58.710-05:00"M is for the many things she gave meeeee...."<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">To the woman who: </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"> - endured numerous choruses of the seven-part harmony of "Are we there yet????",</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"> - received enough macaroni necklaces that, if they were diamonds, she would have been richer than Bill Gates,</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"> - cooked enough spaghetti / bean soup / beef stew to feed an army (and she did! *LOL*),</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"> - worked in enough classrooms to qualify as a teacher,</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"> - baked enough birthday cakes to truly be the "Ace of Cakes",</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY NANNY!!!<br /><br /><br /></span></span>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-68728031290754332192009-05-03T19:38:00.005-05:002009-05-03T19:53:45.088-05:00"Oh nothing can stop the U.S. Air Force!"<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">I don't know if this is only in Oklahoma...but I sure hope not. Awhile ago I was at Wal-Mart picking up a few things. I walked out into the parking lot headed for my car. Directly in front of me was a young Black lady dressed in fatigues - obviously from Vance AFB.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">As we walked up the aisle of the parking lot and she reached a battered pickup truck, we both heard a loud rumbly yell, "HEY LADY!!" The young woman almost jumped out of her skin and turned to look in the direction of the roar. I stopped several feet behind the young woman to make sure she would be okay. An older caucasian man, easily 60-65 years old, big and burly, jumped out of the passenger's side of the truck. She looked pretty frightened - then he snatched the hat off of his head and yelled, "Thank you for serving Ma'am! I appreciate it!" I saw all of the tension drain out of her and she stood up straight and faced him directly and said, "You're welcome sir, it's an honor!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">I watched her walk to her car with her head up high and pride in her step. My face was wet by the time I got to my car and I was thinking that I sure hope this isn't the only place that happens. I hope it's happening everywhere!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Please remember - the branch of the military doesn't matter - if you see a soldier, </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">airman, seaman, marine, etc.</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">, thank them! These days there is no such thing as "Peace time service".</span></span>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-59609935141957417222009-03-30T17:58:00.004-05:002009-03-30T18:09:21.523-05:00"My oh my...my oh my..."<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">*GASP* Oh my poor Sue Sue!! You don't know the song from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"??? It's near the beginning after Brad and Janet have the flat and walk through the rain to find someplace with a phone. They saw lights a ways back and figure there must be someone there that can help them. They walk up to the castle singing as the song plays:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Over At The Frankenstein Place"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the velvet darkness of the blackest night</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Burning bright, there's a guiding star</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">No matter what or who you are.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">There's a light over at the Frankenstein Place</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">There's a light burning in the fireplace</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">There's a light, light in the darkness of everybody's life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">I can see the flag fly, I can see the rain</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Just the same, there has got to be</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Something better here for you and me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">There's a light over at the Frankenstein Place</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">There's a light burning in the fireplace</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">There's a light, light in the darkness of everybody's life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">The darkness must go down the river of nights dreaming</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Flow morphia slow, let the sun and light come streaming</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Into my life, into my life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">There's a light over at the Frankenstein Place</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">There's a light burning in the fireplace</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">There's a light, light in the darkness of everybody's life.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">At the end of the song the motorcycles roar past, Brad and Janet jump out of the way and knock on the door to be greeted by....dnh dnh dnh....Riff Raff!!!! *LOL* Honestly this movie is worth watching for the pure camp of it if nothing else. And in my opinion....Tim Curry made one HOT transvestite! "I'm just a sweet transvestite....from Transexual, Transylvania...." *G* Of course, my favorite song is "Time Warp" and I would love to play Magenta!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">I must say though, I absolutely love the one you recommended, "There's a lighthouse on the hillside, that overlooks life's seas..." Have to find the rest of the lyrics for that one! Thank you thank you! *HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGS*</span></span>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-25093727683052247782009-03-29T13:57:00.005-05:002009-03-29T14:10:31.361-05:00"There's a liiiiiight...."<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">Okay fine...so the rest of this line is actually, "...over at the Frankenstein place..." but the first part of it was very appropos. *LOL*</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">In case you couldn't get the emails I sent or couldn't open the pictures due to size - here they are just as I promised:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">First - the pencil sketch - matted in deep blue velvet:</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBeDi2u0GE8j6splUAy7goHwnYbEE5hazT7dUvTrsL9hG5X5Leo8ZpfQNX1Xafi9JzaCWaWM937lVKzHlrE9YrYNoMHGvTUDEqx29Ak4XAR8JET7MUFL5uCls4Pei3rlOYtoNE6jBTvE/s1600-h/P1010020.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBeDi2u0GE8j6splUAy7goHwnYbEE5hazT7dUvTrsL9hG5X5Leo8ZpfQNX1Xafi9JzaCWaWM937lVKzHlrE9YrYNoMHGvTUDEqx29Ak4XAR8JET7MUFL5uCls4Pei3rlOYtoNE6jBTvE/s400/P1010020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318686990668880786" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">And now the oil painting - matted in maritime red textured and tufted velvet:</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAWZrNpFWIB4Gt0_tybuLCUjJKrt_HLAwxOafF99694lLHvJ7ixnosdmfbPB0l_WAQKoxEHPzJ2101YGed7DQ_krZL1dRKY-Z5w8zW0hgyjQmvGEJlSiaPWBEn7nLbwgPnnO5_8lumEk/s1600-h/P1010021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAWZrNpFWIB4Gt0_tybuLCUjJKrt_HLAwxOafF99694lLHvJ7ixnosdmfbPB0l_WAQKoxEHPzJ2101YGed7DQ_krZL1dRKY-Z5w8zW0hgyjQmvGEJlSiaPWBEn7nLbwgPnnO5_8lumEk/s400/P1010021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318687098808245874" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">So what do you think about the pictures themselves and the matting and frame choices? I found the "driftwood" styled frames at Hobby Lobby and thought they were just what I needed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Let me know what you think guys! *G*</span></span>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-20072477045052592792009-03-01T13:55:00.007-06:002009-03-01T17:34:07.003-06:00"Do an arabesque...now a big plie..."<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >"...this is the way we do ballet..."<br /><br />Anyone remember that song from the Kate-sters ballet recital? *L* Well...I came across another reason to remember it...the famous "Flight of Spirits" mural at the Oklahoma State Capital building. I have seen this mural and it is absolutely gorgeous. I also find the ladies in the mural fascinating as well. I found the information and pictures below on various web sites and hope you find it interesting as well. My apologies for the size/quality of the pictures - these are the only ones I could find.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_VUY8mEmiAZw2pXiPlkhV4e-YFNw9tEH_0h1ED72JTgPGMgxvpsJ_bcf5sfiCK3BXWJjS9AP-AJfFvXxDIaa2WoOuK-vHwocczGePf8ocxAgU0zImVHNKR7YxJpeL5imH0jVKYZsG-E/s1600-h/ok_spirit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_VUY8mEmiAZw2pXiPlkhV4e-YFNw9tEH_0h1ED72JTgPGMgxvpsJ_bcf5sfiCK3BXWJjS9AP-AJfFvXxDIaa2WoOuK-vHwocczGePf8ocxAgU0zImVHNKR7YxJpeL5imH0jVKYZsG-E/s400/ok_spirit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308313464167617314" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" >Between 1920 and 1929, five extraordinary women came into the world from the Cherokee, Choctaw, Shawnee, and Osage Nations. They were destined not only to change the face of Oklahoma, but the world of ballet as well. </span><p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">They are, officially, Oklahoma’s treasures: Yvonne Chouteau, Rosella Hightower, Moscelyne Larkin, Maria Tallchief, and Marjorie Tallchief. These ballerinas all danced during the 1940's with the Ballets Russes and the Grand Ballet de Marquis de Cuevas. </span></p><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" >On November 17, 1991, these five friends enjoyed a rare reunion during the dedication of the </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" >Flight of Spirit</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" > painting of them in the State Capitol rotunda.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9BJxfir-UV6xh7At9fcrT3WHkvt0Xk22DnVh8eRrMocxumYD32sbkCEAAMuic7vr6l-JsJHFce7YAadMk9poO-XUf5lydKWAYgaH4xx0QHAQFyixhyltCEqyTghO-PH-J5J1QYtH_70/s1600-h/5ballerinas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9BJxfir-UV6xh7At9fcrT3WHkvt0Xk22DnVh8eRrMocxumYD32sbkCEAAMuic7vr6l-JsJHFce7YAadMk9poO-XUf5lydKWAYgaH4xx0QHAQFyixhyltCEqyTghO-PH-J5J1QYtH_70/s400/5ballerinas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308319237761525458" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" ><em>Flight of Spirit </em>merges the tragic history of Native Americans with the hope and renewal of modern accomplishments. Behind the illuminated ballerinas is Larson’s depiction of the Trail of Tears. Five geese soar over the displaced Native Americans. The geese symbolize the grace and spirit of the five ballerinas. Mike Larsen's depiction of the ballerinas is strictly representational in that the painted figures have analogous facial features and proportions.<br /><br /><em>Flight of Spirit</em> is located above the fourth floor rotunda of the Oklahoma State Capitol and can be seen from both the fourth floor and the fifth floor gallery.<br /><br />First born in 1920, Choctaw Rosella Hightower came from a large family in Durwood, close to Lake Murray. Hightower toured internationally and was engaged in an enormous repertory, including the “Black Swan” pas de deux with Rudolf Nureyev in his 1961 London debut. A year later she started l’Ecole Superieure de Dance in Cannes, which integrated jazz, contemporary dance, and classical ballet. She later served as Director of the Marseilles Opera Ballet and the Ballet of Paris Opera. In 1975, the French government named Miss Hightower a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, the country’s premier honor. Sadly, Ms. Hightower passed away on November 4, 2008.<br /><br />The next oldest, Moscelyne Larkin was born in Miami, OK, in 1925, to a Shawnee-Peoria Indian and a Russian dancer, who trained her. She joined the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in 1948, dancing many leading roles, and later enjoyed being featured as the prima ballerina at Radio City Music Hall.<br /><br />Betty Marie (later Maria) and Marjorie Tall Chief were Osage sisters born only a year apart. In fact, Maria’s birthdate was only ten days after Larkin’s, on January 24, 1925. Upon high school graduation, Maria became an apprentice with Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Later, as she was headed toward becoming the highest paid prima ballerina of the era, the company requested that Maria change her name to Maria Tallchieva. Proud of her Osage heritage, Maria refused, but finally compromised on “Maria Tallchief.” She married famed Russian choreographer George Balanchine, who created her signature roles in “The Firebird,” “Swan Lake,” and “The Nutcracker,” among others. Today she is still popularly known as “Oklahoma’s Firebird.” Even though the marriage to Balanchine ended, their artistic collaboration continued for many years through the New York Ballet.<br /><br />Maria’s younger sister, Marjorie, born in 1926, became the first American Indian to become premiere danseuse etoile with the Paris Opera. Known for her classic, dignified style, she worked with the American Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, the Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas, Ruth Page’s Chicago Opera Ballet, and the Harkness Ballet.<br /><br />The youngest of Oklahoma’s ballerinas, Shawnee Yvonne Chouteau, born 1929, descends from Major Jean Pierre Chouteau, who established the state’s oldest white settlement in what is now Salina, in 1796. Only 14, Chouteau was the youngest American ever accepted by the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. In 1960 they established the University of Oklahoma’s ballet program, the nation’s first accredited dance degree. They went on to organize the Oklahoma City Civic Ballet in 1963 (now Ballet Oklahoma), which they ran for ten years.<br /><br />So...this is the way that these marvelous ladies "did ballet". I couldn't find any pictures but there have also been 5 bronze statues, one of each ballerina in costume in a signature role, created for the Vintage Gardens of the Tulsa Historial Society. These statues are called "The Five Moons". There was also a ballet created especially to honor them titled "The Four Moons". It contains 4 solo dance parts to honor the heritage of the ballerinas - since Maria and Marjorie Tallchief are both Osage, their heritage shares one solo dance part, hence the 4 instead of 5.<br /><br />One day I hope to be able to see the sculptures in Tulsa. I also hope you enjoyed this little bit of Oklahoma history.</span>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-38143992954770401362009-02-22T11:12:00.002-06:002009-02-22T11:29:33.128-06:00"Time won't let me....oh no..."<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, the song actually says "wait that long" but my problem is more like "let me do what I want". *L* I apologize for not posting again - It's been a busy past two weeks and if it has slowed down at all it's not by much.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Last weekend we were in OKC since Eric had Small School All-State Honor Band on Saturday. On Sunday morning he was flying out for Vision Weekend at Rice, so we decided to just spend the night down there. We had a really good dinner at the Red Lobster right near the hotel, did some shopping, dropped him at the airport Sunday morning, and spent the rest of the day shopping at Penn Square Mall. Then on Tuesday he flew back into Will Rogers so Laura and I made a trip after work to get him. That pretty much blew Tuesday night. The rest of the week was work and the Y and then I had to work for a few hours Saturday morning. Phew...I'm REALLY glad today is Sunday. Except for doing laundry, I'm catching up on emails and basically being a slug.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Oh...okay...well...I fibbed a bit. Apparently we are also going to clean the aquarium. *L* I have a choice of now or later so I'm sorry dear Sisters...I believe I will choose now so that it's over with. The remaining fish - Daemon the angelfish, Blueberry the fruited tetra, Glowee the orange glo-fish, and Albert (Algae algae eater) will thank us. Hey! It's just about the only way I get near water around here! *LOL* Well, aside from shower water anyways. So, gonna go and make the fishies smile. Love ya's!</span></span>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-69534473433919300582009-02-07T22:42:00.002-06:002009-02-07T23:09:00.729-06:00"With the echo of Mendelssohn's tune...."<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">And it's a pretty good echo! *L* The concert began with the ESO playing Mozart's "Symphony No. 41 in C, K. 551". Very pastoral and very nice. I freely admit that I did snooze a few times but hey...I've been up since 6 am so cut me some slack! *G* Next we had a brief intermission and then our competition winner. The music was Mendelssohn's "Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E Minor, op. 64".</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Marat Gabdullin is a very nice looking young man who was born in Russia and began studying the violin at age 5. By age 7 he was a soloist in a performance of the Vivaldi Violin Concerto in A Minor with the Ufa Chamber Orchestra in Russia. My ears, especially when it comes to violin music, are completely untrained, my brain, however, is NOT...and Vivaldi at 7 years old is pretty doggone good!!! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not only did he play the entire performance (approximately 40 minutes of music) from memory, he also showed a presence and sense of performance you don't generally see in someone in their early 20's. The violin was no more and no less than an extension of his arm. If you watched his face as he played you could actually see love for the music and love for the mere </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">sound</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> of the violin flow across it. In fact, it appeared that his love of the music was so great that, when he received a standing ovation, he almost looked embarassed - as if to say, "I'm just the vessel but isn't this music awesome????" *L*</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Marat won the 1st prize of $3000 and apparently the competition was quite stiff. They introduced the second place competitor and, for the first time ever, awarded a second place prize because this young man was also so good. Doug Newell, our Maestro, explained about getting some pretty well-credentialed adjudicators to judge the performances and he was really glad that he didn't haveto make the final decision - the three finalists were all that good!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">All in all it was a very enjoyable evening - David and Marilyn have excellent seats! *LOL* I'm generally up for taking their tickets any time they offer them. They have front row in the balcony and since it's such an intimate venue they are probably among the best seats in the house. Aren't connections wonderful sometimes?? *G*</span></span>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-25247436727486788972009-02-07T18:38:00.006-06:002009-02-07T18:59:44.318-06:00"But I'd be done seen about everything..."<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">You may not know this, but Oklahoma has a minor league hockey team, The OKC Blazers. And as I'm sure you know, sports teams have fan appreciation nights. Well, I'm not sure if it's only in Oklahoma, or only in the midwest, but I'm pretty sure it's only in America. The Blazers are teaming with the FFA, 4H clubs, and the American Farmers and Ranchers for "The Blazers Give Away The Farm Night". Yes...you heard me correctly....and yes...it means what you think.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Tonight the Blazers host the Colorado Eagles at the Ford Center and will give away nearly $4,000 worth of livestock after the game. Student members of 4-H and FFA who attend the game and register at the AFR booth will be eligible to win a hog, a goat, a lamb, or an Express Ranches heifer. And this is in the 'big city'!!! Oh my God!! *LOL* What is this place I've moved to????? Attend the game....and win a farm animal! Geez.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Now mind you, in the MUCH smaller town of Enid, Laura and I will be attending the symphony tonight. Her boss and his wife have season tickets but they are out of town this weekend so she and I will be seeing:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 51);font-family:times;font-size:180%;" ><i>Mendelssohn in Leipzig</i></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:times;font-size:130%;" >Felix Mendelssohn's 200th birthday party alla the Leipzig Gewandhaus, <br />featuring the winner of the ESO's 2009 <i>Mendelssohn Violin Concerto</i><br />Competition for Oklahoma Young Artists</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> ~ </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Marat Gabdullin</span><br /><br /></b></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">I hope this young man is as good as the paper is touting him to be and I REALLY hope I can stay awake through a concert of soothing violin concertos. *LOL* We'll see if I make it. Hey...at least nobody is trying to give me a goat! *ROTFLOL*</span><br /></span>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-29709092069390107172009-02-01T15:29:00.004-06:002009-02-01T20:48:15.611-06:00"Whoa oh ohhhh, listen to the music..."<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">Okay...I was inspired by Life In A Lovely Heart to research the #1 songs on my birthdays (I have just a few more than you, Puddy-Girl) and then to make a list of songs I like that might surprise you. The results of this inspiration are as follows:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">#1 on my birthday - August 7th</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">2008 ... "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">2007 ... "Beautiful Girls" by Sean Kingston</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">2006 ... "Promiscuous" by Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">2005 ... "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">2004 ... "Slow Motion" by Juvenile featuring Soulja Slim</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">2003 ... "Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">2002 ... "Hot in Herre" by Nelly</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">2001 ... "Bootylicious" by Destiny's Child</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">2000 ... "Incomplete" by Sisqó</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1999 ... "Genie in a Bottle" by Christina Aguilera</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1998 ... "The Boy Is Mine" by Brandy & Monica</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1997 ... "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy & Faith Evans featuring 112</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1996 ... "Macarena [Bayside Boys Mix]" by Los Del Rio</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1995 ... "Waterfalls" by TLC</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1994 ... "Stay (I Missed You)" by Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1993 ... "Can't Help Falling in Love" by UB40</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1992 ... "This Used to Be My Playground" by Madonna</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1991 ... "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" by Bryan Adams</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1990 ... "Vision of Love" by Mariah Carey</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1989 ... "Right Here Waiting" by Richard Marx</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1988 ... "Roll with It" by Steve Winwood</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1987 ... "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1986 ... "Glory of Love" by Peter Cetera</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1985 ... "Shout" by Tears for Fears</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1984 ... "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker, Jr.</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1983 ... "Every Breath You Take" by The Police</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1982 ... "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1981 ... "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1980 ... "Magic" by Olivia Newton-John</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1979 ... "Bad Girls" by Donna Summer</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1978 ... "Three Times a Lady" by The Commodores</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1977 ... "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" by Andy Gibb</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1976 ... "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John & Kiki Dee</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1975 ... "Jive Talkin'" by The Bee Gees</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1974 ... "Feel Like Makin' Love" by Roberta Flack</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1973 ... "The Morning After" by Maureen McGovern</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1972 ... "Alone Again (Naturally)" by Gilbert O'Sullivan</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1971 ... "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" by The Bee Gees</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1970 ... "(They Long to Be) Close to You" by The Carpenters</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1969 ... "In the Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus)" by Zager & Evans</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1968 ... "Hello, I Love You" by The Doors</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1967 ... "Light My Fire" by The Doors</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1966 ... "Summer in the City" by The Lovin' Spoonful</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1965 ... "I'm Henry VIII, I Am" by Herman's Hermits</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1964 ... "A Hard Day's Night" by The Beatles</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">1963 ... "Fingertips (Part II)" by Little Stevie Wonder</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Uhmmm...yeah. I pretty much lost the train of music after 1996, although I have heard "I Kissed A Girl". I don't believe I've heard most of the songs in between though. *LOL*</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">As for songs I really like that might surprise you:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Straight To Number One" by Touch and Go </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Disturbia" by Rhinannon</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Kryptonite" by 3 Doors Down</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">"1985" by Bowling for Soup</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace" by Big and Rich</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Smooth" by Carlos Santana and Rob Thomas</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Glamorous" by Fergie</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">"House At Pooh Corner" by Loggins and Messina</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Panama Red" by New Riders of the Purple Sage</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Baby Doll" by Pat Green</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Somebody Loved" by The Weepies</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Waterfalls" by TLC</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Get Right With The Man" by Van Zandt</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">I am also a major "Parrothead", a frequent visitor of the "Martini Lounge", and a "Zydeco" fan. I'll listen to Big Band, Swing (country and regular), Broadway, some Metal, and even an occasional Rap song though I totally dislike hardcore and 'gansta' Rap (think "Wild Thing" by Tone-Loc, NOT NWA's "Straight Outta Compton"). In short - if it's good music, good lyrics, or a tiny bit odd - there's a chance I'll listen to it at least once. If I like it I'll listen more. And if I love it I'll listen for the rest of forever. As Nietzsche said, "Without music, life would be an error."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">So come on....'fess up....what are YOU listening to??? *G*</span><br /></span>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-5474771427832899222009-01-26T16:23:00.002-06:002009-01-26T16:35:35.339-06:00"Ice, ice, Baby..."<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">And believe me, it "sucks, sucks, Baby"! Yep, the winter storm is coming through and decided to spit on Enid. I left the office and went to my car and found about 1/8 inch of ice on one side and about 1/16 inch on the other side. Sounds like such a tiny bit doesn't it? Yeah...I was scraping my little arms off for about 20 minutes and hadn't really made even a dent in it - then God sent me an Angel. Rusty, one of our Maintenance guys, came out to salt the sidewalks. I thought it was strange that he came over by the car and poured a little pile of salt near the curb. And then he showed himself to be that Angel I mentioned. He told me to stand over where he had just salted so I wouldn't slip and fall, and proceeded to take my ice scraper and scrape my windows front to back! When he was done he stayed and made sure I got into the car without slipping, and asked if the other ladies from the office area had left yet. I told him they had not and he said he would go in and get their keys and warm and scrape their cars so they would be ready when they left. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yes, Virginia, there are Angels. And one of them is named Rusty.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thank you for sending one my way, Lord. And St. Peter, when you record today in your book, please make sure to put several VERY LARGE check marks next to Rusty's name. Sounds like a deal to me Guys - you send him the blessings and I'll send him some cookies! *G*</span></span>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-65953824492705776562009-01-10T19:53:00.003-06:002009-01-10T20:14:14.793-06:00"Time has come today...."<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">Okay, not a total emergency but definitely something to take care of. The current computer is slowly leaving us. Within the past few months we have experienced 2 "organ" (hardware) failures and it is slowly sliding into total system shut down. Not to mention the fact that it is truly a dinosaur in tech years. Luckily we placed it on "heart-lung bypass" after the first failure so all important files are on separate external hard drives and all important programs are backed-up. We also budgeted for the time when we would have to choose its successor.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">That time has come today. The local Staples had a good deal on an HP machine with a 750 Gb hard drive, 8 Gb of RAM, SuperMulti DVD burner with LightScribe, a graphics card with 256 Mb of dedicated memory, and running the Windows Vista OS. The currently running computer has 256 Mb of RAM total! This new one should fly! *LOL*</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Of course, we also had to get a new cable modem since the current one is not compatible with Vista and we had to upgrade the Microsoft Office to 2007 for the same reason. Staples did throw in the HP printer though - not a bad deal considering the curent printer is approximately 12 years old and the cost of one black ink cartridge for it is more than the cost of both the black AND color cartridges of the new printer. It's still a deskjet, not a laserjet, but I'm totally okay with that. My little deskjet has been an absolute workhorse. And it was free too at the time! Can't complain.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">But the new puter is ordered and will be in on Thursday. Oh, and they are also going to set it up in the store. Once we pick it up all we will have to do is plug it in, connect the external drives and modem, make a few modifications, and fire it up. Much better to let them download the 4 hours of updates and install the full version of Office than for us to spend time doing it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">The only thing I'm unsure about is how long it will take to get the email program back up and running. We're currently trying to remember the passwords we used and such. If nothing else I will have the hotmail and gmail available so I'll still be accessible over the net. And I'll let everyone know as soon as we get the email straightened out of course. Right now it's kinda like Christmas all over again....I can't wait!! *LOL* I'll keep you posted!</span><br /></span>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-43884402343467746052009-01-02T12:26:00.003-06:002009-01-03T17:26:22.407-06:00"When the moon....<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">...is in the 7th House..."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">I saw the coolest thing the other night! On Tuesday, Dec. 30 there was supposed to be a conjunction in the night sky where you could see three planets and the moon. We went outside just after sunset and lo and behold...we saw them!! It was exceptionally cool! First you had to find the crescent moon in the Southern sky...then look slightly to the West of the bottom tip...and there was Venus! It's so bright and pretty, it looked like a diamond sparkling up there! Okay, so then you were supposed to draw a line from Venus towards the Southwest directly to the spot where the sun went down and there they were! Jupiter and Mercury right next to each other riding just above the horizon! Jupiter was brighter than Mercury but not as bright as Venus of course. Mercury looked like a tiny reddish light sitting there - Jupiter sparkled a little but like I said, nothing like Venus. I was so amazed at this sight - I just thought that was the neatest thing ever! *L*</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Oh, and since I'm not really fond of "resolutions" - I've made an "agreement" with myself that I will try to post once a week, circumstances permitting. I may have to do it once every two weeks now and again but hopefully I won't have to drop to posting only once a month. Hmmmm...but even that would be better than lately. *hanging my head in shame* All in all - I really intend to try and post more often. But we all know about "the best laid plans of mice and..." ... Totos!</span><br /></span>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-2203269527439020762008-12-01T18:34:00.004-06:002008-12-01T18:52:41.142-06:00"I saw three ships come sailing in..."<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">"...on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day..."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is one Christmas song that lends itself beautifully to being done in the Celtic style so naturally it was one of the songs performed by Mithril! *L* On Saturday evening we attended a performance of the Enid Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall:</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000099;">A Celtic Christmas with Mithril </span><br /> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">One of the World's most sought after </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Celtic Music Ensembles </span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now mind you, it wasn't as Celtic as Celtic Woman, but it was pretty darn good! The four performers who are Mithril are extremely talented and you can tell they have a deep love of Celtic music. Their songs were performed with energy and they were backed quite well by the ESO. They split the evening, some songs by the Orchestra, some by Mithril, etc. It was excellent!! I have several Christmas cds by Celtic performers and now I can't wait to start playing them!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you want to know more about Mithril take a look at their website </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.mithril.us/">here</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">. And if you would like to see or learn more about the ESO and Symphony Hall, then take a look </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://enidsymphony.uniqhorns.com/indexA.html">here.</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Enid is very lucky to have the Hall, the Symphony, and our Maestro. And the city does indeed support all of the above. I've seen larger towns that either don't have them or, if they do, don't support them at all. Enid is pretty good about it though.</span><br /></span><br /></div></div>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-86114074842643327342008-11-11T09:55:00.003-06:002008-11-11T10:06:11.383-06:00"O'er the land of the free...<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">...and the home of the brave..."</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuSS01ONtult2LUqKLHIkE97_F-pIb6WV0usbvPcLJNcSzM5NI9N6AS1b_1RFMsNX_NqTsPupqpNcnaX8MLbRDltZLZ1mCaywc6V9LFqOye1K3j_GUctOQ972e8NlozKuxb7x_pI7s9Q/s1600-h/SomebodyPaid.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuSS01ONtult2LUqKLHIkE97_F-pIb6WV0usbvPcLJNcSzM5NI9N6AS1b_1RFMsNX_NqTsPupqpNcnaX8MLbRDltZLZ1mCaywc6V9LFqOye1K3j_GUctOQ972e8NlozKuxb7x_pI7s9Q/s320/SomebodyPaid.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267430473976096978" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">May God Bless and keep our veterans, without whom we would not be able to enjoy the lives we live. We may not know all of their names, but we do know this...Somebody fought...Somebody believed....Somebody stood...and Somebody paid.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">I wish you a peaceful and blessed Veterans Day.</span></span>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-5307723836941502482008-11-11T08:38:00.004-06:002008-11-11T09:31:54.249-06:00"Green on the vine...<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">...like strawberry wine..."</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrgoYhRmhK33UKMTQTbu4ekby8MGoQW2FxhPj26v2EGT86XyEZUshz2kZCLZT76J4aFwHK9c6Lmy17Cd1EHgDIF51UVC995BmCWFm6e5vNT2JCwWFj8beUiyMshdU__v4VsxUC_s_qb0/s1600-h/SPCA+wine+and+food+pic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrgoYhRmhK33UKMTQTbu4ekby8MGoQW2FxhPj26v2EGT86XyEZUshz2kZCLZT76J4aFwHK9c6Lmy17Cd1EHgDIF51UVC995BmCWFm6e5vNT2JCwWFj8beUiyMshdU__v4VsxUC_s_qb0/s320/SPCA+wine+and+food+pic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267409703972465810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">Saturday evening we attended the 9th Annual Enid Wine and Food Festival sponsored by the Enid SPCA. It was a very fun evening and we got all dressed up, as the invitation directed. I was a little disappointed that not everyone followed the "Evening Dress recommended" suggestion. I saw several people there in jeans and the young man with the backwards baseball cap should have been smacked around a bit, but it was fun to see the different outfits and to sit back and people watch.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">It wasn't a true wine tasting per se, there were enough people attending that the winery folks didn't have time to truly educate or work with any one person. But it was a good representation of the wine available in Enid. I've decided that I don't care for most of the regular grape wines (like Cabernet, Merlot, Reisling) - they are too sour and, at times, left an almost chemical aftertaste on my tongue. I completely fell in love with the berry wines from the </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.plainviewwinery.com/">Plain View Winery</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> though. My favorites were the Raspberry and the Plum, Richard enjoyed the Sand Plum, and Laura liked the Strawberry wine. I did NOT enjoy the Elderberry and, of course, I did not even attempt the Peach, though Laura and Richard both said it was good. I think we may have to see about a real wine tasting at Plain View this Fall or Winter. I'd also like to do a tasting at </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.indiancreekvillage.com/">Indian Creek Village Winery</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> in Ringwood. I've always wanted to find a decent drinkable wine to fancy up dinner or to cook with. I could actually envision some of the berry wines being very good in sauces for chicken or pork. They might be too delicate for beef dishes but you never know. Hmm...methinks the Food Network hath created a monster! *LOL*</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">As for the food, nibble and bits of course. Plenty of cheese spreads and dips and finger-style foods good for walking around and tasting as you mingle. And remember, this IS Enid America we are talking about so I wasn't the least bit surprised that at one table I tried roasted pork loin in a Mission fig sauce (</span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.costellosrestaurant.com/">Costello's Continental Cuisine</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">) and at the very next table was Godfather's Pizza and I had a cinnamon bread stick. *G* I also sampled the savory cheese spread and the pineapple cheese spread from Angel Delight Cafe and Catering, a cheese blintz from </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.panevinowinebar.com/">Panevino's Wine and Tapas Bar</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">, chicken tenders from Golden Chicken, a coffee cake from Starbucks, and some tidbits from the "general buffet" in the center of the room (which included meatballs from Advance! *L*). It was all pretty good, especially the roasted pork. We were at Costello's the other night - Eric treated Richard and Laura to dinner for their 25th anniversary - and I had the pork loin with a Harverst Spice sauce - absolutely wonderful!! I generally get Chicken Kiev there but they removed it from their menu so I had to try something different and I was pleased with it. I've also had pork with a rosemary balsamic glaze at Romano's Macaroni Grill in OKC and that was great too - I managed to almost duplicate that sauce at home, yummy! *G*</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Anyways - we had a fun time, tried some good food, some great wines, and had a wonderful time whispering about some of the more...uhmmmm..."creative" fashions of the younger set, the not-so-younger set, and the should-know-better set of Enid society. I'm hoping there will be pictures in the next issue of E-Town Magazine, not of us of course, but of the event in general. And I'm looking forward to "A Taste Of Enid", sponsored by the Enid Rotary Club, next April!</span></span>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5329842955737200180.post-20796889905638864692008-10-19T18:01:00.011-05:002008-10-22T18:55:45.479-05:00"I found a picture of you..."<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">...Oh oh oh oh..."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Finally got my scanned pictures into something a bit more organized. I posted the photos I have of Nanny and Poppy and any of the family are welcome to share in them. I have pictures of other family put together but didn't have time to upload them to the albums yet. I'll keep working on them though, I promise. In the meantime I hope you enjoy my short trip down "Nanny and Poppy Lane". *S*</span></span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://no1shome.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php">No1sHome</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> <--- click for link. </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >Should be the first album listed - Trisha's Family Photos - then enter the sub-album(s) for photos.</span></span>No1sRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615207048095552235noreply@blogger.com5