December in Altus, America

Snow is falling on this chilly fall night, causing me to shift gears from Thanksgiving clean-up to Christmas preparations. Amy Grant will sing about a “Tender Tennessee Christmas”. Those boys from Alabama serenade us with “Christmas in Dixie.” Becky Hobbs will sing the song she penned, “Oklahoma Christmas”.  The rest of us enjoy singing our favorite Christmas carols at church over the next few weeks, counting down to the day we celebrate the birth of Christ.

The song that will best describe me this year is “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” . . . if only in my dreams. My husband and I established our home in rural Indiana shortly after tying the knot at Tulsa in 1988. Even though I am very happy here, Southwestern Oklahoma will always hold a special place in my heart. With that in mind, it’s time for another visit to the red dirt area of Altus – even if it’s only in my dreams.  (Cue the wavy screen effect)

So, what is so special about Altus this time of year? Too many memories for me to recount here, instead let’s take a peek at some of the current Christmas celebrations happening this month.

Jimmy Geigle has organized the 3rd annual Toy Run for motorcyclist this year. It is scheduled to take place Saturday, December 1 at 12:30 pm. Riders from across the state will join the run with a parade escort to deliver toys to the Altus Fire Department. The toys will be distributed by the Salvation Army and DHS.  Folks around Altus are generous to a fault, but it never ceases to amaze me when the pictures from the Toy Run are posted. Many of the motorcycles look like they are carrying the entire contents of Santa’s sleigh!

The annual Christmas Parade steps off from the parking lot of Western Oklahoma State College. on Sunday, December 2, at 3 p.m., Complete with a police escort, marching bands, floats, and of course, Santa’s grand arrival via Altus Fire Truck, the parade is a ton of fun for people of all ages. While the Altus Times reports this as the 32nd annual Christmas Parade, it has been going on for much longer. From watching it as a child, sometimes perched on Papa’s shoulders, to riding a motorcycle in the parade for several years during the 1970s, memories of the Christmas parade fill my mind with happiness untold.

Christmas would not be Christmas without cantatas and candle-lit services. Tabernacle Baptist Church will present a cantata on Sunday, December 16. Southside Baptist Church will share their cantata on Sunday morning, December 23. Emmanuel Baptist Church will celebrate the Reason for the Season with a candle-light service on Christmas Eve. A quick google search gave the above information – there are probably other churches in town with their own Christmas celebrations. Take time this season to remember that Christ’s birth is the reason for the season.

The Christmas lights of Altus shine brightly this time of year. Families and businesses deck the halls with many gorgeous displays, making a drive thru town at night a festive affair. Nothing, however, can top the “Christmas in the Park” display at the Altus City Park, located on East Broadway, between Park Lane and Park Avenue. The park becomes a magical mix of vision, love, labor and lights, a tradition that began around thirty years ago, with the vision of Sonny Tims and a handful of other longtime Altusans.

Rumors abound that this could be the last year for the lights, due to vandalism. Thanks to a handful of dedicated elves, this year’s show is now in progress nightly. Park your car or truck at the Altus High School parking lot, and take a stroll thru the park. Enjoy the work of the elves as you gaze at the lighted Christmas trees and animated displays while creating some new memories for you and your family.

Before or after enjoying these treats that Altus has to offer during December, take time to patronize some of the locally owned businesses and restaurants. Some favorite stops along the way are the Sunshine Café and Roberts’ Drive-In (which is now a sit-in diner) on East Broadway. The Grapevine Café or Benny’s Pizza & Mexican Restaurant on North main are also quite tasty. To finish off your shopping list, visit Petal Pushers, Scott Farms (for your “Made In Oklahoma” gifts) or the Sandyland Vineyard.

(Cue the wavy screen effect)

Looks like I have been off in dreamland way too long now. It is time to get bundled up, go outside and shovel some snow. Wonder if I’ll see some Christmas lights out there?

 

Sources:

Jimmy Geigle
http://www.altustimes.com/view/full_story/1390548/article-3rd-annual-Toy-Run-for-Kids-to-be-held-Saturday

http://www.altustimes.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Altus+Christmas+Parade+registration+being+held%20&id=20929552&instance=top_stories

http://sandylandvineyard.com/SandyLand_Vineyard/Welcome.html

http://scottfarms.net/default.html

http://www.petalpushersflowers.com/

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On the Horizon: Ag Grads Needed

Agriculture has always been a part of my life. Growing up on a farm and knowing the importance of where our food comes from is something that my parents and grandparents instilled in me since I was young. When the time came to look into colleges, I knew I wanted to do something with media and if possible also gain a better understanding of agriculture and the world around me. Agricultural Communications seemed like the obvious solution.

Upon coming to the conclusion that this degree choice was for me, I looked more in-depth at how I could benefit from studying this topic and was pleasantly surprised to find out that graduates with an agricultural degree have a higher job placement rate than many other degree choices.

In this week’s video blog, see how a demand for agricultural graduates in today’s workforce is causing an increase in enrollment numbers at colleges.
Kela Kelln

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Fritos and Raindrops

Tonight I was working with my daughter’s friend on a project we’ve had “in process” for six and one-half years.  We had just finished our last review when a young man she was dating showed up at the door.  He had venison in tow, and they were going to make deer chili for dinner.

I was lost in the world of placing orders on the internet when a piece of conversation rushed through the air and broke apart the mental fog covering my head.

“…well, you could have some Fritos with it, or some cheese…”

“I think I’ll have some Fritos AND some cheese…”

For some reason I can only attribute to my weariness level, I fixated on the word “Fritos.”  I thought about the fact that we have half a bag at home, closed with a rubber band, and that I should probably make some chili too.

Then I thought about a time when I was very young, and I was in a car parked in my grandpa’s pasture beside his farm pond.  We had gone there to fish, and someone – either my grandpa, or my uncle, or someone in my family – was telling me that the fishing was always better in the rain.  They had a bag of Fritos in the car and offered me some.

I felt safe in the car, learning the basics of fishing from someone whom I assumed knew it all.  Me, a family member, a bag of Fritos, and a rainy day….

I snapped out of my day dreaming and smiled.  I don’t know where that memory came from, but I needed it.  I closed my eyes and thought about the raindrops coming down onto the surface of the pond that day.

I love Fritos.

But I really, really love little memories like that one.

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I Won’t Tell You One of My Secrets

I sometimes wonder if I absorbed too many of the ideals within childhood novels like “Mandy” and “The Secret Garden.”  I certainly understand the longing of both protagonists to have their own “bit of earth.” Or to discover, clean and claim as their own…. a remote “Seashell Cottage” hidden deep within the woods somewhere.

I think those novels, plus a culmination of my years of being a dreamer influenced me to truly embrace the historical home we bought downtown in 1990. And to truly grieve when we sold it and moved back to Suburbia.

I love old homes; my mind erupts with the possibilities of the lives, conversations, and events that transpired within their walls.  When I walk through one, it’s as if my spirit communes with the ghosts of past conversations still living in the air, in the wood and emitting from the beams or chimneys.

That’s why I take time to walk through a few of them every year.  Sometimes when there’s an open house I’ll duck into it upon a whim.  Other times, there might be one for sale and I just might call the realtor to see if they happen to be visiting the property, and when, and…if I “could meet them there to do a walk-through…and, no, I’m really not interested, but I might be someday…and I might run into someone who is.”

That’s how I found my most recent muse.  It’s my secret house.  But I can’t tell you about it, really, because if I did I might give away all the research I’ve already done on the house. And then if I do, it wouldn’t be my secret world anymore, right?

So, I won’t tell you about a home on Northeast 36th Street in Forest Park, Oklahoma.  I won’t tell you that it’s involved in a long, drawn-out foreclosure process that is taking the maximum amount of time possible so that the poor house is falling into more and more disrepair as each day goes by.  I won’t tell you that the entire police force of Forest Park has taken it upon themselves to keep an eye on the place because they want to protect the property for the person who eventually does buy it.

I won’t tell you that the home sits on a five acre lot right in the center of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, nor that not only is the house huge but there is a second home on the property that appears to have been built around 1945-1960, based upon the wood paneling and style inside.

I won’t tell you that there are numerous animal cages, sheds, and a ton of junk hiding behind the trees and bamboo growing on the property…and that the cleanup process would probably reach over the $50K mark.

I won’t tell you that if you crawl over the rock wall Continue reading I Won’t Tell You One of My Secrets

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“Your Financial Obligation is to Obey the Speed Limits”

There’s something you should know about me.  I am a very effective driver.

What I mean by “effective” is that I don’t generally speed in vast way, but I always drive at least the speed limit.  I never get tickets, and I haven’t been involved in a wreck since my youthful days.  I turned thirty, and for some reason my need for speed disappeared.  Well, unless I was test driving a really cool car.  And, well, until today.

I’m off work today and one of my tasks was to meet with my doctoral advisor.  We have a laundry list of tasks to complete and I was driving to the university too quickly.  I suppose I just wanted to get to Stillwater, “get ‘er done” and get home.  It’s Thanksgiving Eve, for crying out loud.

Then my husband called while I was en route.  He was headed to the golf course and though he left his prescription eye glasses in my car.  Could I look?

“Oh, sure babe…I’d love too, but right now I’m getting pulled over by the highway patrol.  I’ll call you back.”

“Uh…okay.”

I pulled over in an efficient manner.  I unzipped my backpack quickly, immediately found my driver’s license and insurance card, and had both the drivers and passenger windows completely down before the patrolman even reached my car. If you find yourself in a situation involving a DUI, DUI Lawyers Fort Myers can provide expert legal representation to help you through the process.

As he leaned down, he was met with the sight of my arm fully extended, offering him my identification and promise that I was keeping myself and others protected with insurance.  He looked like he was about to say something so I just jumped in and cut him off.

“It’s completely my fault.  I was speeding.  I’m going to a meeting at the university and I got in a hurry.  I’m very sorry and this is totally a “NO CONTEST” situation.  You’re right, I was wrong.  Here’s all the information you need.”

He hesitated for about 2 seconds.  Then said, “Uh, ma’am, I clocked you going 83 in a 75 zone.”

“I have no doubt that you did. Continue reading “Your Financial Obligation is to Obey the Speed Limits”

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Showcasing Red Dirt culture ~ authored and managed by contributors with connections to the great state of Oklahoma.