The cold, sleet, ice, and snow went away so we have been able to go outside and it is liberating. I’ve been on a couple bike rides. I’ve been retired for a year and a half and I still feel guilty taking off on a bike ride in the middle of a weekday afternoon. Most days feel like the first day of summer vacation when I was a kid. They days are just full of possibilities.
Oklahoma history is different. One of my recent bike rides took me by this old cemetery in the middle of suburbia in south Tulsa. It is the Rentie Grove Cemetery named after the family that owned the property. The Renties were freed black people who were slaves owned by Creek Indians who brought them along to Oklahoma when the Creeks were forced to leave the southeastern Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears.
We’ve been taking on our dogs on daily walks during not too bad weather. We have a one mile route that takes them by many of their “friends.” They and the friends give each other a good barking. A side benefit is good views of the skies with trees. Yep, powerlines but hey that’s part of it.
With the better weather I’ve been launching the drone more. This is a sunset at 50 meters.
And this was another day with a lower elevation. No, I wasn’t spying on the neighbors. I just liked the view of the sky.
I’m crazy about Route 66. It’s quite a history of the country and Oklahoma has more Route 66 mileage than any other state. This is a sculpture installation on the Riverparks Trails called “Where East Meets West” showing the conflicts between the old and the new, horse drawn wagons vs new fangled gas powered cars.
I am seeing a ton of homeless people in Tulsa these days. From what I understand it is a nationwide thing. I don’t have any answers but am glad to know that Tulsa is decriminalizing homelessness. If you call the police non-emergency line they will send out people to try and get people services rather than just rousting them out or putting them in jail.
My mother-in-law gave me a camera that my father-in-law owned. It is a 1960’s model Pentax SLR. It doesn’t work but I took it to a good camera shop and the guy said it looked like it is stuck mid-cycle. He was going to have the mechanic look at it and give me a call let me know if it can fixed.
I’m hoping it can. My father gave me his Canon film camera from the 60’s and I love the feel and heft of it and the action is smooth as silk. I have high hopes for this Pentax.
I finished another jigsaw puzzle on my ipad. I’m really slow at these things and I love working them and love the finished photos. When you finish it the puzzle lines vanish and you can save the image.
I am thinking and praying for the Ukraine.
That is it for this week’s Skywatch post. I’m linking with Skywatch Friday. Check it out!!
I’m loving the old pentax camera, those are really hard to come by here, I do hope you use it.
…don’t feel guilty, I enjoy my 7 day weekends.
You earned your retirement and should not feel guilty!
My son and I recently bought a TREK for each with all the things we need for riding. Love the bikes but that was very expensive!
Love the sky shots.
“Where East Meets West” Love it!
Homelessness makes me so sad 🙁
Nice cameras!
I’m glad you got blue skies for a while and went bike riding. Sending you thought snd wishes for more blue skies!
I hear film cameras are quite popular again. I love those drone sky shots!
Beautiful sunset.
The unhoused person ( as is the preferred term here these days) has increased in Denver by over 200% since the pandemic. Sadly, many have mental health problems or addictions and although Denver is trying very hard to provide services most would rather panhandle and camp instead of using shelters.
The weather broke heat records this week in Colorado, but snow is expected this weekend. I’m glad you have been able to get in a lot of good bike rides with better temperatures.
The sun makes everything feel better.
All these are beautiful pictures and finally,it is a wonderful sky view.
I hope you can still use this old camera. It sounds like a precious gift.
Love that Pentax. And lens with f2 max. aperature. Impressed. Love that statement on Ukraine. Pro Peace!
Yay for the sun! You’re right, retirement is full of possibilities. I can’t understand how people get bored when they retire. I still think all the artwork that Tulsa offers is amazing.
Love the idea of retirement being like summer vacation. Your bike fits well with the buggy and car.
Glad that you are enjoying spring again with lovely blue sky and sunlight. Stunning sets shots. Nice “Where East Meets West” sculptures. I hope the camera can be fixed. Enjoy your weekend.
Great scenes and interesting history!
Enjoyed all your photos.I’m glad to hear you are also enjoying retirement. I’ve met so many people who don’t.
Nice viewpoint with those drone shots and I have very good memories about Pentax as camera .I think over time I have used almost all of them at least once. In the digital age, however, I dropped out.
Happy to see you are enjoying retirement. Yes, each fresh day is a new opportunity. Love your two drone shots and your peeks at Oklahoma history. I haven’t taken the step into full retirement yet (working 16 hours a week at my former job, because at this point I can still work remotely). Many places have hidden unhoused. My late aunt in Iowa City was a social worker for the State and used to point out to me places where they spent the night, even there in Iowa City.
How cool that now you will possibly have an “older” camera as well as a modern drone with which to take pictures. The sunny yellow flowers on a hand make interesting art and symbolism. I’m with you wishing with all my might things improve for Ukraine.
Bellas imagenes, me gusto la segunda. Te mando un beso.
Alan – I love this post. I have been so busy since my birthday that I have not had the opportunity to learn about flying my drone/try flying it. Maybe once ski season is over. I was glad to read about a compassionate approach to homelessness – I think Oklahoma is the exception in that regard! I have been working on a classic jigsaw puzzle since Christmas – slow going since I am so busy!! Enjoy your weekend!
Wow! Great sky photos and awesome Pentax camera ~ Happy Weekend to you ~ Xo
Wishing you love and peace in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
You earned your retirement so enjoy it each and every day. Love your drone images, they are beautiful. I hope they can fix the old Pentax, I bet they can or will know where to send it. Have a wonderful new week.
Hope your Pentax can be repaired. What is the puzzle app called? I’ve been doing word games occasionally with apps. I try not to spend too much time sitting though – sometimes I get mesmerized for too long. I always love the drone shots.