Golden Driller

The Golden Driller is reportedly the largest free-standing statue in the world. He is 76 feet tall, so high that he rests his right hand atop an actual production oil derrick. Built of iron and concrete, he weighs nearly 22 tons and is expected to survive 200 mph tornadoes. He was declared Oklahoma's official state monument in 1979, and the plaque at his base dedicates him "to the men of the petroleum industry who by their vision and daring have created from God's abundance a better life for mankind."

There is surprisingly little room between the Golden Driller and the parking lot, and standing near his base provides a steep and somewhat saucy angle. Every few years some official talks of moving him deeper into the Fairgrounds, where he would be less likely to alarm passing motorists. But The Golden Driller remains where he has been for over 40 years, guarding the entrance to the International Petroleum Exhibition Building, which showcases trucks with three-story-tall tires and the latest models in back yard derricks.

Today was a windy day in Oklahoma.  We visited the RV and Boat Show and I shot this photo of the Golden Driller.  He was built in 1953.
****Disclaimer***I know this is not the largest statue in the world.  Not by far.  This was just information about the driller from an old article.  :))

Flamingoes

I love flamingoes.

I didn't realize they were such a noisy and rather mean bird.

We visited them at the zoo yesterday.  They are a lot more pink 

at the zoo because of the dye that is in their food pellets. 

In the wild their color comes from

carotenoid proteins in their diet of animal and plant plankton.

Caribbean Flamingo

Some flamingoes live high in the Andes of South America.  They do a funny dance of courtship.

Massive volcanoes and flamingo colony-South America -BBC

Can You See the Real Me?

I am black and white, antique, and original.  Will the real me please stand up?
We went to see Roger Daltrey of the Who and Eric Clapton last night at the BOK Center.

Roger Daltrey sang some classics such as "Behind Blue Eyes."

Clapton sang some classics such as "Layla" and "CrossRoads".  One of my favorite songs he sang was "You Look Wonderful Tonight."  

He sang "Rock and Roll Heart."

He also sang "Change the World."  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGDIxcuPT7s
But "You Look Wonderful Tonight" tops it for me!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaMuBX4aMmw
WT:  Did you see Clapton in Hyde Park back in 1966?  I guess you aren't that old...

Chauffeur For a Day

Once Einstein was on his way to deliver a speech to university students. His faithful chauffeur not only drove his car, but was always present amongst the audience during all his speeches. Einstein had delivered this particular speech so many times that his chauffeur had actually memorized it. On that day Einstein, while on his way to the university, said aloud in his car that he felt tired. So his chauffeur suggested that they change places and that while he delivers the speech, Einstein could drive them back home. Their identities wouldn’t be a problem because Einstein wasn’t more than a university professor then and so no one in that university would recognize him. So he agreed but was a little thoughtful about what his chauffeur would do if he was asked any difficult questions by the students, after the speech. However, the speech went well but Einstein’s thought came true. A student came up with a question. Here’s what the chauffeur said “Why, that question’s so simple, that even my chauffeur can answer it.” And so Einstein stood up from the audience and easily answered the question, much to the amazement of the audience.

Lowering Cholesterol Slideshow: 15 Tips for Avoiding Heart Disease

Lowering Cholesterol Slideshow: 15 Tips for Avoiding Heart Disease

Absente, mais pas d'esprit

I have been absent from my blog for quite some time. I just have not had a thing to say I suppose. I've been messing with facebook and reading my google reader of blogs but not diligently. Being a grandma takes time. Especially when the daughter is finishing college. She will graduate this spring. We've went through some changes over here at the hacienda. We put new bamboo floors down in the living room, hallway, and bedroom. That took a lot of my time moving furniture and CLEANING and getting rid of unnecessary items. Also cleaning a few closets. We bought some new leather furniture for the living room and that required more moving too. You should have seen my husband and I moving a sofa bed into a distant bedroom. We had to stand it on its end and then turn it around a tight corner and remove the bedroom door for it to fit. I am surprised we made it and no arguments either. Whew!!

I have been making new recipes and eating out occasionally too. We are planning a spring break trip to Arkansas again. This time we will be sleeping in our RV and our friends have toy haulers. We will get to try out our little shower and I do mean little! I don't believe we will use the toilet, don't want to clean that out or be left with any fumes. The campground we are staying out will have showers and bathrooms.

I bought a new laptop for our business computer so I could be portable and the old computer was failing. I got a monster screen 18.4". It's taking some getting used to with the keyboard being so different. I had the most difficult time loading my Quickbooks and importing my old files. I have done this before but this time it seems that everything that could go wrong did. Being on the phone with support team was not the most pleasant experience. I had to have remote access help. After about four hours, it was accomplished.

I will finish with this update. The title of this post reads "Absent, but not minded".

Guess What Grandma's Been Doing?

Swampy in New York, New York!

Swampy in New York, New York!

Swampy is in New York this week.

She was outside the Today Show with

her sign. I was watching tv this morning

and got to see her wave.

She took this photo request for me.

Here she took a photo for me in front of Tiffany's.

Thank you, Swampy.

The Best Cat in the World

Pebbles

He was the best cat in the world. My son could

carry him around like this and he loved it. We

named him Pebbles 'cause we already had a Bam

Bam and we also got his sister Wilma. We had him

for about eleven years. He got sick one day and died.

He is buried in our yard with a stone on his grave.

He was a very loving cat. He was nice to all the other

cats we had and loved to play with new kittens. We've

never had another cat quite like him. Rest in peace,

Pebbles.

Christmas time is here again

It's gonna be fun this year! I went Black Friday

shopping and found some bargains. Early Christmas

start for me.

My Baby Fell Over

She's my little director. She directs the day when

I'm with her. She's all sunshine most of the time.

Today, her tummy hurt and she cried a little.

Lola fell over before I could catch her.

She loves Grandma anyway. Today she was saying, "ma

ma".

2007 BMW meets 2009 DEER

This was not "my" idea. I had no prior knowledge that we would meet so abruptly.
I was happily and I do mean "happily" driving along early that morning before

dawn enjoying myself because I had an extra hour of sleep the night before.

The sun was beginning to come up and the weather had turned cold. I was wearing

my warm camoflauge hunting jacket with sherpa pile lining. Quite a coincidence if I do say so. I don't think the deer could use that for an excuse. "I couldn't see

her. She was camoflauged!"

So what did I see to the right of me in the ditch? What a funny looking dog!

Oh no, look at how high it jumped! Oh, it's a deer jumping the fence. Cool.

Then I remembered there are always more than one. Oops, too late!

Here comes a truck with bright lights in my eyes. What was that thud? Oh my!

We met in the middle of the highway. It all happened so fast. I was driving with

my cruise control on exactly 65 mph. It was such smooth sailing. Until we met.

In that moment I felt remorse for the life of that deer. Then my mind switched to

my little beautiful car. I did not want to see the damage. It seemed such a small

thud. Maybe, just maybe I only lost a headlight. After all, my car dash control did

send me a signal that looked like a big headlight pointing downward. Maybe my

car's computer was telling me it's only a dream. You only have a headlight out.

I drove on twenty more miles to the next town before I stopped to survey the

damage. I guess I really should have stopped very soon after but I just couldn't.

I wasn't shaken by the ordeal at all for some strange reason. I didn't cry at all.

I kept thinking to myself this is only a car and not the most important thing in life.

I thought of the necessity to get to my daughter's apartment to watch my grand daughter that morning. All I could think of was, Lola. She's important. People are

what's important. I am not hurt and it's going to be all right.

I stopped in Skiatook and got out hoping to see very little damage. But alas, that

was not the case. From the front to the rear, the meeting with the deer left many

scars. I have been reminded many times throughout life that the rain falls on the

just and the unjust. We are not immune from bad things happening to us even though we are children of God. The Bible says in this world we will have tribulations. But we are reminded that Jesus said to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. Ahhh, I'm not trying to preach, really. I just have this in me and it comes out. It is called peace. I honestly don't know how people can make it in life without peace. But you know the corny answer that beauty contestants always give when asked what they wish for, "world peace." I do so wish the world had peace.

"so may peace rain down from heaven like little pieces of the sky" "little keepers of the promise"

Share a day.

A day in the life of someone I don't know. Just found it interesting.

Louis Giglio ~ Indescribable Part 1

The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

Ree Drummond-The Pioneer Woman Cookbook

I got to meet Ree at her cookbook signing in Tulsa on Friday.

She was a lot of fun to meet and listen to her talking to others as I

waited. I got to the store first and could have been first in line

but I decided to shop the little store and bought my grandbaby

some cute onesie's. One was a pink Cain's ballroom and the

other was a "I love (heart) Tulsa." I found a very cute purse that

was handmade. I will post a photo soon. It was made out of an

old linen tablecloth, very vintage. I know no one else will ever have

another one like it. I also bought a small Uglydoll. Big toe.

I'm about ten people back from the front of the line.

We all got to watch MM carry in boxes of books. He

didn't have his hat on and he looks even finer in real

life. Forgive me, but I'm much older than both of them!

I had pre-ordered one cookbook from Amazon but

I bought another to give as a gift.

And here I am posing with Ree. She was so very nice

and it was so fun to talk with her. I told her I would

like to go to the Pawhuska signing but I had tickets for

Dracula (the ballet). She said she would have liked to

gone to that. I also mentioned that I had never read a blog

before hers and that was when I started blogging two years

ago. I told her that I had met Swampy and of course she

knew her also. I had a very fine day! I left there and went

to Utica Square and shopped in Williams Sonoma. And

even better, I took home Asian Grilled Salmon from PF Chang's.

I honestly cannot get enough of it. I wish I could eat it every

day!

The Economy of A Police Officer

Economy: sparing or careful use of something.

There has a been a heated controversy going on in Tulsa over letting some police officers go. The economy is to blame. Budgets have to be cut.

Here are some of the cuts: TULSA, OK -- The cutbacks at the Tulsa Police Department include the helicopter unit. Five officers who have spent most of their careers flying - are replacing rookies out on the streets.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Officials have figured out what to do with horses from the Tulsa Police Department's mounted patrol unit, which has been eliminated because of budget cuts.

Twenty-one officers turned in their equipment on Wednesday after learning they were laid off. The city says the budget is to blame. We watched as they emptied their cars and turned in their badges. They say they simply don't understand.

There is also a discussion about officers who do not live in Tulsa don't get to drive their cars home.

Tulsa - The Fraternal Order of Police is being asked to help the City keep police officers on the force by forgoing its take-home car benefit for officers.

I think the police budget should be the last item to cut. During this bad economy the crime rate has been going up. Every day there are more reports of bank robberies, hold-ups at convenience stores, home invasions, and car break-ins. When I drive a little over the speed limit I always keep my eye out for police or highway patrol and guess what? I rarely see them anymore.

I also think the parking of a police or highway patrol car in a neighborhood or apartment complex is an excellent crime deterrent. I know when I see a police car parked in my daughters' complex it makes me feel a little safer for them. I don't think giving this up would save enough dollars to matter.

When you think about the sacrifices these officers make every day, you just can't justify denying them their due. I've heard that officers get their coffee free at the places they frequent but that's a small price to pay for their presence. I would welcome them.

I believe they are worth every bit of pay or benefit they get. In fact, they are worth more. The economy of a police officer (sparing or careful use) is a delinquent (formal failing in one's duty) idea.

Egg in the Hole

I made "Egg in the Hole" for breakfast this morning. It is a recipe from "The Pioneer Woman Cookbook." My husband taught me how to make this when we first got married almost 34 years ago. His mother called it, "Hobo Sandwich." She made a story about a hobo who was hungry and so he borrowed an egg from a chicken and milked a glass of milk from a cow. I don't remember where he got the bread. It is a quick, easy breakfast. I love eggs anyway. Did you know that Dr. Oz says you should eat an egg a day? No more problems with cholesterol like they used to say. It is full of protein and all the vitamins except C. It is a good source of iodine and vitamin A.

The recipe is in Ree's new cookbook. It is obviously very easy to make just by looking at my plate. Bread, egg, butter, salt and pepper. You just cut a hole in the center of the bread with a biscuit cutter and brown the bread in butter in the skillet. Drop the egg in the center hole and cook on both sides. Voila! Instant breakfast. No need to make toast. You already have it.

What can I say?

Wordless Wednesday-Baby Face

For more Wordless Wednesday, go here.

The Milk of Human Kindness

Milk of human kindness

Meaning

Care and compassion for others.

Origin

From Shakespeare's Macbeth, 1623:

"Yet doe I feare thy Nature, It is too full o' th' Milke of humane kindnesse."


I watched Marley and Me last week. I was unprepared for the sadness at the last half of the movie. I thought it was a comedy. I do recommend the movie to any animal lover but be warned: tears could fall. 

I also watched an episode last week on Dr. Phil about "Marcus Wesson molested, abused and controlled his family in cult-like ways, impregnated some of daughters and nieces, and murdered nine of his children one horrible night in 2004."

 It was horrible beyond belief.  

And you see these sad commercials about animal abuse.  Sometimes she sings "In the Arms of the Angel."  It really is a sad statement about human nature.  These are my beliefs.  I believe that all humans are capable of evil.  I believe that man was created in the image of God.  I believe that Adam and Eve fell by choosing to follow their fleshly desires.  I believe that there is a devil that tempts us but I believe that we make the choice.  God has made a way to escape temptations but we must look for the way.  Not every one is taught this.  But everyone is without excuse:  "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."

"For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles."

"Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.  They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised.  Amen."

"Futhermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.  They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity.  They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice.  They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;  they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless."

"Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them."   (Romans 1: 20-25; 28-32)

I think this describes our society quite well.  Man apart from God can commit atrocities.  I am not talking about religion either.  Religion has been the cause of most wars.  Religion is just a belief that you practice.  Mankind loves darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil.  Turning away from God and being separated from Him has made a lot of evil deeds possible.  I am not trying to judge anyone, I think the Word of God has clearly done that already.  

I am thankful that not all people turn to darkness but it is sad to view the depths that some have fallen.  God help us.

This is what I believe.  There is so much more to this life than meets the physical eye!