Sunrise, Sunset

This summer Oklahoma has had some spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

SUNRISE

SUNSET

Turner Falls

As a preemptive strike against going crazy during this busy week, yesterday I took the day off and went down to Turner Falls. I'd never been, and it was blissful. I went on the PERFECT day- weather was perfect, foliage was perfect, and there were maybe 15 other people I ran across the entire day. Thank you Lord!

Here are some of my favorite pics. All of them can be seen in my Turner Falls Album.

The first thing I noticed and was entranced by all day were the falling leaves floating along in the water.





And of course the waterfalls. Turned the corner and there it was... breathtaking.





And I met some little bug friends.


This little guy car surfed on my windshield for quite a while!


This was a "messed up" shot that I thought turned out really cool.


And of course... sunset.


What a glorious day! I kept just singing to myself and God all day long, since no one was really around to hear me. Thank you Lord!

My trip to Prague... Oklahoma

For the past 10 years as I drive between Oklahoma City and Texas, one sign has teased... nay, beckoned me.

On I-40, at Exit 200, there is The Shrine to the Infant Jesus at Prague.

The signs face both eastbound and westbound, and say nothing but the title, and "The more you honor me, the more I will bless you."

Every single time I pass by, I want to stop, but never have. But last week, my friends, oh I stopped. But little did I know what a charming town awaited me in Prague!

First of all, I should clarify this is Prague, Oklahoma, and pronounced "Pray-ge", not like the European city. But truly pictures tell 1000 words, so here you go- Polaroid style.

This first pic sums up Prague. Trains, Czechoslovakia, and Jim Thorpe. "A small town with a large heart"- and I believe it!


KOLACHE FESTIVAL! Some day I hope to attend this. Maybe next year!


This is truly one of the most charming church signs I have ever seen. I can't put my finger on why, but I really loved it.


And lest you think they don't know how to have a good time in Prague...



And the main attraction! The Shrine to the Infant Jesus at Prague. See video below for more detail.


Thanks, Prague. I really did enjoy my short stay. I hope to go back to visit.

Land Run

Not quite a Family Photo Friday.

I went down to Bricktown (in downtown Oklahoma City) and had fun taking pictures of the Land Run statues down there. I aged them for fun.




I like the silhouettes of downtown in the background of this one.

I like that he's gazing towards the Sonic headquarters.

Tornadoes on a balcony

Here is a little video (about 2.5 minutes) of scenes from what tornado season is like in Oklahoma. Yesterday's storm system passed pretty close to our school, so we had a good view of it.

Why? Because when the tornado sirens go off, you don't take cover... you grab a camera and head outside! :)

I kid. Please always take necessary severe weather precautions. And as we now know perhaps 15 people died yesterday in Lone Grove, our prayers are with them. Could have been any of us yesterday.

A Tender OK Christmas

From the Oklahoma Capitol building:

ICE APOCALYPSE CONTINUES

In case you're wondering what the going rate is in karma for making fun of an ice storm, for me at least, it has been almost 6 days without electricity in my apartment.

Before you cry, wail, gnash teeth and pity me, I have been very well taken care of while staying with friends. The cat is also okay, although severely attention starved. My house's heat runs on gas, so she has not turned into a cat-cicle. In fact, it has probably been substantially warmer in my house sans electricity than in my office with electricity.

OC was pretty hard hit electrically and in the landscaping. Our administration, faculty, and staff really handled it all like champs, and I'm not just saying that because I work here. It was a really tough situation but they kept everything under control. (FYI-- For details of what happened on campus and the response, click here for a statement from the President).

I went to check on the house/cat yesterday, and it still amazes me how torn up my neighborhood is. I think we have a lot of older trees, and most peoples' yards are filled with limbs that fell or they've had to cut. I'm hopeful that maybe we'll get electricity today, but with the second wave moving in today/tonight/tomorrow, I'm not sure what will happen.

Just wanted to update you all. Stay warm and safe.

12-15 UPDATE

I have electricity in my house as of last night! :) Woo hoo!

ICE APOCALYPSE 2007

Hello all, from the great white north (of Texas, that is).

ICE APOCALYPSE 2007-- A survivor's tale

DAY 1

Yesterday morning I braved midtown's winter fury and make my way to the promised land, Edmond. Driving north on the main trail really wasn't so bad, since I never went above 25 mph.

After arriving, I went to the local oasis, Starbucks. I think that Starbucks loyalists will always go out, no matter rain nor sleet nor snow. And apparently I've become one of them, or at least have made acquaintances who are such folk.

Once refueled with my morning coffee and meeting up with a fellow pilgrim, we set out to find a local house of worship, which was harder than we thought, considering we live in the buckle of the Bible belt. Have these people no loyalty to the weekly meeting time??? :) But we found one that was hosting an "abbreviated" service. Apparently that means five minutes of stark silence (since when do CoCs practice contemplative meditation? heehee...), 2 songs, and communion. It was nice.

Then we found some vittles at a local eatery. I don't feel guilty patronizing a restaurant that is forcing it's workers to come to work in perilous conditions, because if nutheads like me didn't go it, it would be all for naught. We took full advantage of free refills and delayed going back into the ICE APOCALYPSE 2007 for three hours.

After we'd worn out our welcome at Chili's, we decided a movie was in order. So we braved the roads and went to my friend's abode to watch Just Friends; I highly recommend it! Good company, good movie. Great way to spend a "baby, it's cold outside" kind of day.

Just as the sun was setting I braved the trails once more to reach my surrogate parents' house near my work. They let me spend the night. After more wonderful conversation I settled in for a long winter's nap, only to toss and turn as I was wondering about the actual severity of ICE APOCALYPSE 2007.

DAY 2

An early morning email checked revealed work was indeed canceled, due to power outages on campus. Though at first there was rejoicing, it was soon replaced with the common sense knowledge that I would rather be at work then go through an ICE APOCALYPSE.

Thankfully, I'm still with friends and within walking distance of more. We have power, heat, food, TV and internet.

In all seriousness, if you're in this mess be careful. Only go out when necessary, and don't take any unnecessary chances. :)

Twister!

Well, it wasn't enough for The Onion to make fun of my boy, Grant. Now the Daily Show has taken aim at a legend among Oklahoma meteorologists, Gary England. You can read his Wiki bio there, but long story short he's a very impressive figure in meteorology, and he still forecasts on one of the local stations. For the record, he's the one I watched a few months ago when I spent the evening in my bathtub. :) Anyway, I saw the clip of Jon Stewart making fun of this commercial and started laughing so hard I choked.



I hadn't seen that commercial yet, and at first couldn't believe it was real. But oh, it is. I know weather isn't something to joke about in Oklahoma, but come on. :)

Then when I wikipedia-ed Gary England, I saw this Gary England drinking game and again laughed so hard I couldn't breathe. Maybe you have to have lived in tornado alley to appreciate it, and maybe even in Oklahoma, but it'd a good way to pass the storm. :) Considering the weather we've had here lately, I think I'm going to go dust off my storm season shot glasses... err, I mean "weather preparedness kit" and get ready for the next party... err, I mean storm. :)