He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.
Psalm 107:29
Category Archives: Family
We’re Back
We are back from vacation. We had a fun packed week sandwiched in between two gust busting drives. It was all worth it though to get sand in between our toes in Orange Beach, Alabama. Home of very friendly people, crappy beer, never ending country rock music, smoking, great uncrowded beautiful beaches, and horrendous traffic jams.
We found some Pokemon also. I amused at all the butthurt people who have such firm opinions on a subject they know nothing about. It’s fun. Well, its fun for a while and then it gets tough. Which will eventually be fun.
We paddled up and down a beautiful slow moving river. I have to tell you that the GOP Convention, Munich, and who picked for the GOP ticket was pretty far from our mind. It has been years since we have looked at a newspaper, or watched television while on vacation and this was another trip where none of that happened. Plus after years of facebook, I just now learned about “hiding” posts. All the this GOP and Democratic crapola has just disappeared from my feed (both sides are equally guilty in my opinion). I have unliked the pages of Oklahoma’s congressional idiots and the anti-Idiot pages both. I’m watching lots of cat videos on fb now. DON’T YOU DARE JUDGE ME!!
Heather and the kid went parasailing. I found a geocache, and cozied up at the marina’s tiki bar with a couple beers and my book.
Tell you what I realized on our trip. We have a big, beautiful, country and most of it is empty!! Miles and miles of tall trees, geometric crops, and beautiful pastures and prairie. There are more cows than people out there. I love it.
How are you doing?
Driving Lessons, Tourists, and a Rant
The kid is starting formal driving lessons next week. He has never been behind the wheel before so we went to our local community college parking lot and he sat in the driver’s seat and we went through all the controls and knobs and all that. Then he started the car, put it in drive and we idled through a few loops. I had forgotten how hard the steering thing was to learn, going into and out of a turn. He did great! The best thing was that he had a million questions. I like it when I’m teaching somebody something and they ask questions. It shows me that they have the want to’s. You can’t give people the want to’s I have found out.
So what do you think? Would this be a good first car for Logan?
In other news, Heather had a weak moment and let me go grocery shopping for her. I like taking action shots of her. She is always on the move so basically that is all that I have, is action shots. She is not much of sitter.
Well, I’d been whining about not being able to go to the pool and we went over to Nana’s house and hung out. She has a very nice and inviting pool and back yard. It was getting late afternoon and and I loved the light.
Saturday morning I went on a run on the Arkansas River close to the Creek Tribe Casino. They are building a big huge Margaritaville hotel, bar, and restaurant. They are putting part of it in the river. We have lots of tribal casinos here in Oklahoma. My gambling budget the last several years has been, let me see, approximately zero. If I want to flush money down the toilet I can do that at home.
On Friday there were several tour groups downtown. Tulsa is getting more and more recognition for the art deco architecture. Plus there has been an explosion of new hotels, restaurants, and night clubs the last several years and there are lots and lots of housing options. I think that is all a good thing. We just got through electing a new hipster, progressive mayor. He did a great job as a city counselor. I’m hopeful that Tulsa and Oklahoma will start backing out of the economic dead end and false promises of the tea baggers who have pretty much destroyed our education system in their quest to make Oklahoma “A shining beacon of liberty” as my idiot state senator puts it. (Unfortunately, he got re-elected).
Anyways, that is that, sorry for the rant.
What is new with you?
Beating the Heat here in the Sooner State – and No More Boob Money
Turkey Mountain
Well guess what? I will tell you what, it is summertime in Oklahoma and it is hot. It is always amazing to me when people are surprised by that.
I think this sign at my liquor store is hilarious. I’ve seen people pull money of socks, shoes, bras, and underwear to pay for their pints. No more at this place. No Boob Money!!!
Our son is spending lots of time at the pool this year. I haven’t been once. Bummer.
During my weekly jaunt on Turkey Mountain I found a couple sharing a hammock on the blue trail. Nothing inappropriate, they were just talking and enjoying each other’s company. This is the second time I have seen people do that and I think it is a great idea. Goodness knows there are enough trees to hang a hammock on up on the mountain.
Our poor little dachsund mix Ginger is cutting accusing eyes at us. She had her teeth cleaned yesterday and didn’t like it.
Heather and I went to parents orientation at Tulsa Community College Metro campus last night. Lots of good information and a bonus rainstorm afterward.
So what’s up with you? Have you hung out at the pool yet this summer? Are you outraged at the ban on boob money?
McMansions on Display at the Tulsa Parade of Homes
It was hot this past weekend and looking for some indoor activity Heather and I decided to go check out the Tulsa Parade of Homes put on by the Tulsa Home Builder’s Association. And we decided we go seek out the the big houses, the McMansions. Just to see what is popular with the 1%. Well guess what we found!
Their are some really, really big houses out there. This little jewel above is about $1.6 million but is already sold. I would say this thing sprawls. If we had it I would definitely have to have a riding lawn mower and some of the top garden strimmers.
As you can see the 99% were thronging to check these houses out. See them thronging out there. Thronging is generally not allowed in these gated communities with “courtesy patrols.” The courtesy patrollers were eyeballing my 6 year old Kia Soul.
Some of the houses were truly spectacular.
aa
And big ole cozy bedrooms with sitting areas.
And you know something, the 1% love their bathrooms. They are huge and have huge tubs and showers like the three person model above.
And this odd looking thing with the fireplace. There were more than one with this see through fireplace between the bedroom and bathroom. Wouldn’t work in our house where I get up at 5:15 in the morning and Heather gets up, well she gets up when she is darned good and ready.
And speaking of Heather, here she is checking out a three person shower. Complete with a picture window. I mean why not? Of course, I’m thinking, “How are you ever going to keep that window clean?”
And of course the 1% love nice thrones.
And really nice outdoor areas and kitchens. Kind of reminds me of an old oilfield guy I used to work with in western Oklahoma. He said when he was a kid, you went outside to use the privy and cooked inside and now you go to the bathroom inside and cook outside. He wasn’t sure that that civilization had advanced very far. You can shop bidets at samodrahome.com as they have a great collection with the latest technology hat makes it all very comfortable.
The 1% love their televisions. They are everywhere. We have two, and only watch one.
And closets, huge closets, with lots of storage and storage technology.
aa
And big three and four car garages with nice floors.
And big beautiful kitchens.
And big ginormous refrigerators. Look at this thing, freezer on one side, refrigerator on the other and a beer-ator that some dummy has stocked with wine.
And the poor old 1%. I hate stairs and the these McMansions have really tall ceilings which means they have big stairs. How does that work where you spend a million bucks and you have to climb stairs.
They are beautiful though.
We saw some really nice studys. With nice paneling and bookshelves.
A big feature this year is interesting flooring in the study.
And the 1% has big gamerooms, with bars and smaller beer-ators.
Theater Rooms are still popular. I don’t quite get it. I watch movies in the family room and I’m happy for everybody else to be there with me. It drives the kid crazy, “Logan, what are you doing!” I am known to yell, “Hanging out!” he yells back and I then tell him to come out hang out with us.. Am I a control freak?
These movie rooms come loaded with a closet full of electronics. Uh, how long is that stuff going to last is what I say? The 1% just have the guys come out and fix it.
One movie room had a viewing loft, good grief!! was my thought. Viewing lofts and teenagers are not a good combination is what I say.
And of course pools! The 1% is not going to go to the county rec center when they want to cool off. They want to do it at home. Although some of the tubs in the bathrooms are almost as big as tubs.
I could do a pool. My favorite pool is a friend’s pool who invites us over. That hasn’t happened in a while though.
And these houses are big. Who wants to clean those things. That is me way down there.
This house didn’t allow photographs. I figured out why once we got in. There was nothing to see really!! I wouldn’t want photographs either if I owned it. Your friends would be going “You spend a million bucks on this, really?” Sad, to be a 1% guy who gets taken by his builder.
Anyway, we had lots of fun. But I will take my house.
Happy Father’s Day
Dad likes nothing better than sitting in the shade talking.
Dad, Mom, and my aunt Lois somewhere in Ireland I’m guessing.
Here we are in Coyote, New Mexico. I had to label everything because when I said that I was the good looking kid people were still confused.
With son Logan at Dad’s church in Idaho.
Forest Service publicity still in 1957. I am still waiting for my royalty checks.
Dad at his beloved Flandreau, South Dakota with my cousin Bob on his right, and Dad’s brother Glenn on his left.
Dad with one of us kids. I am not sure which kid. Not a very good son am I.
Here we are, my sister Ellen and brother Bob in Payson, Arizona.
Happy Father’s Day to all you Fathers out there!!
Never Quit is Our Motto
Sunday afternoon and the kid is going to a pool party after church and a friend of his is going to give him a ride to the event. Okay, well the lawn needs mowed, paper work needs to be papered, and house worked needs to be house worked but you know it is a beautiful day so lets go bike riding!! The plan is to go the Blue Rose parking lot on the River and go north and then cross the river and head down south and take a side trip on the Cherry Creek trail. Okay lets go.
Alrighty, I air up the tires and install the bike carrier and load the bikes. Logan’s friend shows up and off they go and so off we go!! We get there unload the bikes put our safety gear on and head off and the about three miles into it, BOOM!!!, my rear tire basically blows up into shreds. Oops, so we walk back to the nearest parking lot. Heather takes off on her bike to the car and meets me at the skate park parking lot. In the meantime I’m doing the Google maps search and bingo, Tom’s Bicycles, where I bought the bike, is open on Sunday.
We head over there and they fit me out with a new tire and a new battery for my cycling computer. (You gotta have all your instrumentation instrumenting if you know what I mean). So we load everything up and head back to the river to resume our ride. I have a to tell you that I love Tom’s Bicycles. They are a throwback to another era in a great way. They really are interested in getting you up and going rather than marketing a bunch of stuff at you. At the same time, they have everything you will ever need.
We gear up again and head on down the trail.
And whoops! guess what, Heather gets a call from the kid. His ride left the party a while ago and Logan needs a ride home. Yep,this was about a half mile into our second ride.
So we turn around and head back to the car and head off to south Tulsa. It is obvious that a high power does not want us on the River Trails today.
So we pick up the kid and he is all excited, talking about the party and getting lay out by the pool and the food, yes, he liked the food. Okay okay kid. So we get him home and we briefly think maybe forget it. And I’m looking at the grass that needs mowed, and the paper worked that needs done, and Nah, lets try it again.
And so off we go again, except this time we go the Creek Turnpike trail. Not as pretty as the Arkansas River, but a lot closer, and hilly, oh so hilly that we have not rode it in years but you know what we could handle the hills. We have 21 speed bikes for a reason. We could handle the cross roads, another reason that we don’t ride Creek Turnpike despite being so close to the house. We ended up with a 14 mile ride and a big sense of accomplishment.
So we set a family record of three bike rides in the same day. I am not looking to break that record.
Mother’s Day Nursery Trip
Sunday was Mothers Day and Heather went to a local nursery. Heather went to gather plants for her mother’s pots. I went along to take pictures.
I can’t believe nurserys let people take pictures for free. Talk about a target rich environment for photographs.
I love the plants and also the ornaments. That is Heather in the background. Somebody should be helping her don’t you think? Oh, yeah, well I was busy also.
I found a whole flock of pink flamingos. Heather didn’t really act like she wanted one.
She didn’t want these statues decorating her garden either.
And back to Heather. She is having almost as much as fun as I am. She is a certified OSU Master Gardener so she knows her plants.
I also know my plants. For example these are yellow flowers. In the background are some red flowers. Impressive huh?
I love these rusty sunflowers. Here in Oklahoma you better tie them down good unless you want to see them sailing off in the wind.
And then we went to Home Depot. I was amused by these two guys who were having trouble getting a fitting on a hose. You should have seen the tools they were using to get it done. Remember when the Home Depot guys knew their stuff?
Home Depot has some nice flowers also.
And I love this wind vane. Made me want to sing “The wheels on the truck go round and round… round and round…”
Anyway that’s a wrap on our trip to the nursery.
What have you been up to?
Prom 2016 in the Books
Logan’s school had their prom Saturday night. He wore his late grandfather’s tux complete with vest and tie. The trousers fit pretty good after the alterations, the jacket and vest were fine.
The kid is so danged tall that Heather almost needed a step ladder to get all the motherly primping done. He cleaned up pretty well.
I thought he stood out in the crowd. (Sorry I couldn’t resist). The school arranged for an outdoor event center for photographs. You know for some reason they don’t invite parents to the proms. We had a good time with the kids at the pre-event.
The kid with his nervous and proud mother.
And with a friend.
Did I tell you that I thought he was the handsomest guy there?
And a few more friends.
And another. All the young gentlemen looked and acted the part.
Here he is with a childhood friend. They went to early grade school together and then ran into each other again when Logan started this high school. Tulsa is the biggest small town I’ve ever seen.
And then a call for the young ladies. They were all beautiful in the elegant dresses.
And then the ladies and the guys.
And then the guys, and it kind of went downhill from there. Just kidding, they were a spirited but fun bunch.
And then on the way to the prom we stopped at his grandmother’s house for yet another photo op. These two have a special bond. He was proud to wear his grandfather’s tuxedo and she loved seeing Logan wear it.
And that is where the photos end. We dropped him off and then went back to give him his change of clothes for the after prom and then picked him up after that. I was proud to be chauffeur for the evening.
Morning Run
Lafortune Park early in the morning
Lots going on these days. Logan’s prom is Saturday night, he graduates in a month. We have new carpet coming for upstairs and we (mostly Heather) have been painting. I’ve been a lousy blog friend and I’m sorry about that.
A bridge at Lafortune Park. When Logan was a toddler he liked to hang out under this very same bridge.
Plus lots of stuff going on at work also. People quitting and others moving around. That takes time to adjust to. I spent a few days in New Orleans last week at a Natural Gas Processing conference and have been to a couple briefings since then put on by some high priced consultants. Bottom line, bullish for crude oil, bearish for natural gas. We’ll see what happens! What is really surprising is the inroads that renewables have made into power generation. Yep, solar, wind, and hydro are taking market share. I’m a big believer in the market. The big loser is coal.
I’m kind of an “All of the Above” type guy on energy even though I work in the natural gas industry. You want to know what we need to do if we really want to reduce carbon? Nuclear. Yep, if you are serious about reducing carbon, nuclear can do it and do it on a big scale. That scares all sorts of people half to death. Especially since many of the big nuclear explosions from back in the day are now declassified. They are terrifying actually. Below is a video of the first US Hydrogen bomb test in the south Pacific called the “Mike Shot.”
What do you think?