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Published: August 19th 2011
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Salt Plains
The Plains are near the panhandle of Oklahoma. May 13—Before leaving Oklahoma, I decided to drive on into Tulsa and revisit the Gilgrease Museum. It has been many years since I've been there. It is still one of the best museums I have ever seen. While the museum features paintings and sculptures by many famous artists, it has one of the best Western collections in the world. It holds the largest collection of Western artist Frederick Remington—both paintings and bronzes. Another collection that is outstanding is the wood carvings of Oklahoma artist Willard Stone. He was a master carver and I'm proud to say several of my family members knew him well. All in all I spent most of the rest of the day at Gilgrease. I have no pictures, though, as they are forbidden inside.
May 14—Funny how one can grow up somewhere and never see half of the area in which they live. Although I spent most of the first 22 years of my life in Oklahoma, I don't think I ever saw the Salt Plains there. Most outside the state don't even know about them. Of course there is no comparison to the Salt Desert in Utah, but I think it is interesting that something
Salt Plains
Another view of the Plains like that on a small scale can be found on the plains. There is a Salt Lake and the rest of the area is more like salt marshes. There is even an area tourists can dig for large salt crystals, but I was on the northern part of the Salt Plains and didn't drive on down to the other end. A very interesting, but dead area in more ways than one. Very few people around there.
While driving through Kansas I noticed a well digging rig. Whether they were going for natural gas or oil, I don't know. When I was growing up in Oklahoma, they still used the old wooden oil rigs, like the ones they show in movies. I always thought those were so picturesque. After striking oil and capping the well, the rigs were often left standing while the oil pumped. Today the modern rigs are moved and reused in other locations. A successful well then sports a metal pump that looks like a plucked duck bobbing for water. I like the old ones.
May 15—Today I finally crossed over into Colorado. The southeastern part of the state is mostly scrubby desert and not very
Colorado Buffalo
A small herd of buffalo near Lamar, CO attractive. Nevertheless, I got excited when I saw a small herd of buffalo/bison in a field near the highway. It is the first time I have seen more that two or three together in all my western travels. Pictures? What do you think?
May 16—Got to Pueblo today and found Susan's house easily. It has a nice, level, concrete drive for me to park! I'm so glad I'm finally here! The first thing I wanted to do was take a bath and wash my hair!!! (After I hugged Susan, of course.)
May17-August 1—I spent this time in Pueblo with Susan, her fiance Jim and seeing the rest of my family. There were some special times when I went sightseeing, but most of the time here was spent visiting, seeing my grans and their babies, talking, working in the yard at Susan's house, cooking meals for her, Jim and the boys. Susan and Jim run a “group home” which houses four teenaged boys that, for various reasons, can't be at home with their parents. Some of them have been in trouble with the law and/or some drugs. Some of the parents, same thing. Anyway, I enjoyed getting to know
Drillling Rig
This modern rig was drilling for oil or gas in Kansas. the boys and feel that Susan and Jim are doing a good job with them.
Bootsie—Let it be known that I did my share of helping in the yard. I rolled in the dirt that was raked up, jumped into the piles of leaves, dug some holes in the sand to do my business, chased the birds and hopped into the wheel barrow whenever I had the chance. The boys were amazed that I took Marty for walks holding on to my leash. I really liked sleeping in that wheel barrow. It was cool. Literally! May 17--Today I started my summer visit here with lunch with my great-grandson, Josiah! Susan had arranged that Priscilla, my granddaughter-in-law bring him to the Rosemount Tea House. My granddaughter Rachel and Susan's stepmother Bonnie were also there. Those of you who have been following this blog will remember all these family members from last year's visit.
This is the first time I have seen Josiah. He was born in October, just two days before my great-great nephew Reese was born. (Reese is my sister's first great-gran. Everybody confused yet?) Naturally I took a few pictures. They weren't the last ones I
Lady in Waiting
Granddaughter Rachel with great-gran Josiah. Rachel is expecting in June. took of him either! Anyway, we had a great lunch and Susan acts like a typical grandmother. She can't stand to see him cry. (Not that he does very much. He is a very good natured child,) She grabs him right up and hugs and kisses him. He gives her a wonderful, slobbery, open mouthed kiss right back! Of course I did my share of holding him too!
Okay, just warning all readers here—there is going to be a lot about great-grans and lots of pictures of them.
Bootsie—Humph! You got that right! June—The first two weeks of June we were all in wait mode. Rachel is due with her baby. The doctors have said the 18th, but I think it will be earlier. So we are sticking around close just in case. Bonnie and I are going to yard sales on Friday morning, but nothing else exciting is happening.
Grandson Tim, father to Josiah, is the Youth Pastor at a church in Pueblo. He also plays on their softball team. Susan and I went to one of the games and watched him play. Unfortunately, they lost that game. We enjoyed it, though. We also enjoyed
Josiah takes a drink
Josiah getting some water from his mother Priscilla. watching Josiah. He was just about as entertaining as the game!
June 13—The big day has arrived. My new great-granddaughter Sienna was born a little after eight this evening. She weighed 7 lbs and 15 oz. There were about a dozen of us in the waiting room. Everyone was excited and happy except for Sienna. She was mad! She cried and cried; would fall asleep for a few minutes, then howl again. Nevertheless, mother and daughter are doing fine and both are beautiful!!
June 15—I went to another high definition opera presentation tonight. This one was at aas Pueblo movie theater. “Madama Butterfly” has always been one of my favorite operas. There are two beautiful arias in it. The presentation was wonderfully done and the singing was exquisite. I cried, as usual.
Before I left the house to go I mentioned it to the boys. None of them had ever been to an opera and didn't even know what it was. I explained what opera was and invited anyone to come with me that wanted to. I was bowled over when they all said they wanted to come. I had my doubts as to how teenaged boys
Grandma gets a kiss.
Josian giving Susan a big sloppy kiss. She looks like she's enjoying it! would react, but they behaved quite well and actually stayed for most of the opera! (They pleaded a bathroom break just before the third act and didn't come back until it was almost over!) They said it was interesting, but I don't think they will want to come to another one! LOL
June 19—The whole family got together for Father's Day today. Rachel had it at her lovely home. Larry was the Patriarch of the bunch. Of course we also honored the newest fathers, Tim and Julian! Lots of food and, of course, more pictures!
June 24--Okay, I am taking pity on non-family readers and including pictures of some sightseeing I did in Colorado Springs and Old Colorado City. OCC is one of those quint older towns that has been refurbished and is now full of specialty shops and stores and artsy-craftsy areas. Just my kind of town! I didn't buy much, but loved to see all the pretty things and beautiful art.
I also found a beautiful park in Springs, dedicated to all the armed services and servicemen. Among other things it had a tall, graceful tower with the insignias of all the services on it.
Bootsie in the Barrow
I think the barrow was cool to lay in. He didn't like my taking his picture, though! It looked grand against Pikes Peak in the background.
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Jody Stovall
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still enjoying your blog......congrats on all the beautiful grand and great grandchildren!!.........lhp JS