Our Kiwani's speaker this morning was quite interesting. She has a degree in urban planning and works for the Center for Community Development, and talked this morning about the regional resources for the community, and the different community organisations. Her husband is the City Manager.
Later I went to Communion, then six of us went to lunch. I was given the choice of restaurant and suggested the new one, where I'd had the buffalo wings I couldn't eat because they were too spicy. I got a dubious look, and an "are you sure?". But the fact that I didn't know buffalo wings are spicy was my fault, not the restaurant's, and I was impressed at their readiness to give me something else. So I had plain, battered pieces of chicken, and the lunch and the fellowship was all very nice.
We are still having severe weather with tornadoes in Oklahoma.
Broken Arrow is over in the north east of the state, about 100 miles away (or less if you're a crow and flying).
I haven't been on tornado alert today, but the severe weather is still about; from Dallas to Chicago.
These are what they call golf ball size hail stones. They might not be the biggest but you wouldn't want to be out while they're coming down.
You see the stop line in the foreground, on the right hand side of the road? Opposite, the pavement juts out doesn't it, so crossing over that intersection one has to make a slight swerve to the left to avoid it. That's how I got my very flat tyre and bent wheel yesterday, I didn't swerve enough and my wheel caught the edge of the pavement. I had to have a new tyre, and if it had been any other auto engineer they would have put a new wheel on as well, but Terry's Dad said they were able to straighten out the wheel for me.I am so grateful to them for what they do for me.
I had my eyes tested three or four months ago and was told they were alright, but I am thinking I should perhaps have my peripheral vision tested again. Perhaps by another optician. From the holiday snapshots....
Davina and Miranda with friends, at the lunch Tim kindly hosted for me.
Well, I have had an absolute marathon of tv watching today. From 11 this morning until 5 (apart from the short time it took me to pick the car up) I was watching Gordon Ramsay and Hell's Kitchen.Then - as if that wasn't enough - I had another two hours of him this evening from 7 till 9 in Master Chef.
Not everybody likes him because he screams and shouts, and cusses everyone out, and definitely needs some help in anger management, but I like him - I think because he is British - I can't think of an American chef I would watch for hours and hours. I can also see, under all that anger, that he is a very good, kind man.I remember when he played professional football for Celtic, then he was a top restauranteur and chef, and I've sometimes wondered how that happened.
Instead of commercial breaks tonight in Master Chef, with adverts, we had weather reports. There was severe weather and a tornado warning in the south west of the state, but all the time I didn't recognise the names of the counties I felt safe, but I was ready to gather up my toys, passport, residence permit, credit cards (things you need in a tornado) and evacuate myself to the bathroom if it came to central Oklahoma.
Tornadoes start off as watches, then if they get more serious they are ratcheted up to warnings and that is when we start listening for the sirens.
They're moving eastwards tomorrow.
And we can expectsevere thunderstorms for the rest of the night.
And apparently for the week ahead.
By the way, when Terry picked me up for my car he pointed out all the dents on his vehicle, and the cracked windscreen, which the hail made on Monday of last week. Hail damage to cars is a big thing here, there are special auto places that deal with it. And the hailstones are a significant size..
These are hailstones compared to a grapefruit, we're usually told what size to expect - golf ball size, or baseball size. From the holiday snaps....
Pat and I had oatmeal for breakfast in microwaveable bowls and she told me not to wash the bowl out, but let Tarka lick it. As I have extra dollops of cream in my oatmeal I got extra brownie points from Tarka.
There are major changes going on in the hospital now that it has become a Catholic Health Centre. The chapel, for example, is no longer part of the hospital, it is now under the umbrella of the local Catholic parish church. If Larry minds he doesn't show it, he says we can continue to have our usual service on a Thursday.
I finally managed this morning to sit down with him in the office to find out what was new, what did I need to know.They are short of volunteer chaplains going round on a daily basis because some of the rigid Baptists, who didn't like the Catholic ambience, have left. I said I would go on Mondays and Fridays.
Leaving the Senior Centre yesterday, Tuesday, I had a misadventure. A very flat tyre, I couldn't go anywhere with it, and it was too late to call Terry, but they are dealing with it this morning. His Dad is going to pick up my car keys and meet the wrecker truck (I hate that term, it's a towing vehicle to take it back to their workshop).
There is severe weather forecast for today, Wednesday.
As you see, Oklahoma is right in the middle of the severe weather threat. Not that I want to worry anyone. I am actually more focused at the moment on Terry and the wrecker truck.
I was debating the purchase of a cycling helmet, in case the roof fell on me. But thinking about it, if the tornado picks the house up from its foundations and hurls it in the air (which is what they seem to do) with me in it, the cycling helmet won't help much.
I will probably be back this evening with an update.
Cemeteries everywhere this weekend have been humming as people have been placing flowers on the graves of their loved ones.
I went to a Memorial Day service this morning, As I have probably mentioned before, I have the greatest admiration for the commitment to service, and the patriotism,Americans have for their country.
I think you will probably recognise my friend Cecil in the foreground, Louise was there somewhere but I could not find her. The guy in the other wheelchair is Cecil's brother, Chester. Cecil was a major in the army, and Chester a colonel in the airforce.
I saw a few people I knew there, the lady in the red coat is Kate's mother who said the Senior Centre would probably like to put up the photos I was taking. I'd better go to a photo lab tomorrow.
The weather wasn't too bad this morning but has been mostly grey and overcast, I am not sure how many were out in their gardens grilling and bbq'ing, and knocking back the weak beers. There was a very strong wind, and talk of possible tornadoes later in the week.
I think the weather is going to be severe from Wednesday and will extend across several states - Abilene is in Texas, Des Moines is in Iowa, and Rapid City is in South Dakota.
Before I went away I discovered there was a Hobby Lobby in Moore, and I went this afternoon to see if it was an easier drive than the one in Norman, but it wasn't. The store wasn't affected by the tornado, but driving along the interstate frontage road I did see some houses completely demolished, like the pictures we've seen on television. The destruction is almost unbelievable, the houses are, literally, shredded. The tornado just picks them up, the debris can be seen swirling around in the air, then it is all dropped to the ground.
I hope we don't have any more this week. I think the worst part of them are the sirens, they sound so menacing.
Paid my first visit of the year to the Farmer's Market. It was busy because people were dropping off donations for Tornado Relief, but there really wasn't very much produce, or home made items, not as much as there used to be when I first came here; there used to be lots of bread, cakes, jams, handicrafts, a lot of produce, I could always find heirloom tomatoes, and other items not generally available in the supermarkets. And I didn't bump into anyone I knew, which I always used to do.
I think one reason for the decline in popularity has been the opening of a high end store a few miles out of town, selling organic and locally grown food.
Above are some of the donations for Tornado Relief. I think Americans are the most generous people in the world. There is always a tremendous outpouring of donations and assistance in times of disaster. And not only in their national disasters, but also elsewhere in the world they are always first on the scene with aid and assistance.
I went on to the out of town store from the Farmer's Market, where I am always warmly welcomed. Just after they opened a couple or so years ago a kind friend gave me one of their gift certificates, so I am remembered as the first recipient of a gift certificate. I haven't been for a while and they have now opened a little cafe space, with some tables and chairs, serving soup and sandwiches.
Isn't Bubbles precious. There's an advert running for a new cat's toy. A battery operated mouse runs backwards and forwards under that circle of fabric, and the cat has to try and catch it. And look how riveted to the television Bubbles is. When the advert first started appearing I didn't take much notice of her looking at it, but this morning she was snuggled right into my arms when the little jingle came on, she immediately pricked her ears up, got to her feet and sat herself on the edge of the bed to watch it. She gets more like a little human every day. She will be giving me her Christmas list next.
These tv promotions are always sold as two for the price of one. The fiddle here is that although one gets two toys for $19.99, there is separate shipping and handling for the second one, and that is what they make the money on. Eventually it will go on sale in the drug stores, and I could just buy one and not pay shipping and handling. But I'm thinking I must get her one now.
The weather has been pleasant today, warm and sunny and in the 70s.
I haven't been water walking since I came back. The YMCA has changed to its summer schedule, and the water walking is only from 5 - 9 am, the rest of the time is mostly open swimming. I will go though next week and see if I can find a quiet time where I might be able to water walk.
I am intrigued at the "please be prepared to get wet when entering the water" (!!) I wondered if people were getting in the water then complaining about being wet.
I was running round town this morning, then stopped at the Senior Centre and was hanging out with Louise who was at the desk. A nurse who used to look after Larry in the nursing home recognised me, and stopped to talk, she lost her husband just last month and has only just started coming to the Senior Centre, it was very nice catching up with her, I do like seeing people who knew Larry.
This evening I went to see the movie "The Great Gatsby" with Pattisue. I was happy to go with her but it wasn't a film I'd have chosen myself . It was alright, but not one I'd go and see again, even if it came downtown. I found it a bit convoluted so I read up about it when I came home. I think I should have done that before I went.
In the holiday snaps series.....this is Pat's lovely dog, Tarka. He is so good, when she opens the car door he doesn't jump down until he is given the command to.
I was ready to go to Kiwanis this morning at 8 o'clock but just as I was about to leave a thunderstorm started crashing about. I'm not afraid of them (no one could live here if they were) but I don't like going out in them.
I went to Communion at noon and Fr Clark said I was missed at Kiwanis, so the thunderstorm obviously didn't put anyone else off.
There was only three of us for lunch, Fr Bill and Fr Clark, and myself; the couple who usually come as well had another commitment. The Fathers gave me first choice of a restaurant, but I wasn't fussed so they decided on Mexican. I usually like Mexican food, and the menu generally indicates the spicy dishes, but this one didn't and I ordered something that was fiery hot, I only had a mouthful. I didn't say anything, I just left it and had the side dish of potato, refried beans, and sour cream. The server asked if she could bring me something else instead, but I was alright with the side dish I'd had, so instead of something else they didn't charge me.
I think this was probably the last Thursday Communion and lunch, everything is winding down for the summer, I hate it and look forward to everything starting up again.
On Wednesday evening there was an end-of-term party in Kevin's garden, and I was undecided between that and the opening of the new series of Master Chef. Television doesn't usually trump a live event for me, but this one did. It was a 2 hour programme auditioning 100 contestants to find those who would compete in the competition. They obviously just showed the highlights of the auditions, and there were some weird dishes, like a beaver's tail, grilled. And I think someone served cockroaches, which Gordon Ramsay spat out. In fact a few things were spat out.
This weekend is the Memorial Day holiday, the official beginning of summer. Everyone will be out in their gardens, bbq'ing, and drinking watery beer. I know it is watery because supermarkets here can't sell anything that is more than 3.5% alcohol.
We are now getting from the tornado scene at Moore, all the human stories. One old lady was searching the rubble of her home for her dog, and while she was being interviewed the dog struggled out from underneath her. She was so happy, bless her heart.
There has been a dramatic event today in the murder trial I was talking about before I went away, which has left everyone aghast. The jury didn't take any time at all to find the defendant guilty, neither did they take any time in agreeing that the victim was killed in a "heinous, depraved and cruel" manner which made the defendant eligible for the death penalty. But after days of deliberating they are totally deadlocked on agreeing to the death penalty. So another jury has to be called to hear the death penalty phase again. An alternative would be for the Prosecution to allow for life imprisonment, but I doubt - for the sake of the victim's family - that the Prosecution will do that. The defendant - without a shred of evidence or witness to back her up - tried to claim she was the victim of domestic abuse, and did her best to rubbish him, which was heartbreaking for his family to hear in court.
She was allowed to take the stand before the jury left to deliberate on the death penalty, and said that if she had life imprisonment she would teach the other prisoners Spanish and American sign language, she would start a drive for recycling in prison (!!) she would donate her lovely long hair for a charitable cause (honestly, there are no limits to how bizarre this trial is) and goodness knows what else. But as someone rightly said, why should she be allowed a satisfying, fulfilling life of service in prison. Send her to death row is the general opinion.
My opinion is that they should have our legal system of a trial, a verdict, and leave the rest to the judge.
I look at this and think "are they really this ignorant about our constitutional monarchy". It beggars belief.
From today's weekly Tecumseh paper. I am still have difficulty uploading pictures, it takes longer than it should, but when I go to technical support I just get multiple choice questions, none of which apply. I am trying to find a human being who will address the problem and talk to me.
The last few days have been very unsettling. The severe thunderstorms; the tornado; the threat of another tornado hitting Shawnee, and the heart wrenching images from Moore which have been streaming all day long, on all the news channels, which I know you have seen too on your news. And I very much appreciate all the kind thoughts and messages I have received from people asking if I have been affected.
I had a quiet afternoon volunteering at the desk at the Senior Centre, I was late arriving because the rain was coming down in sheets, and I was waiting for it to let up, but when I left it was warm and sunny, and pleasant.
I will probably write more tomorrow, but just at the moment I feel very drained.
We were warned that tornadoes were on the way, I fell asleep after lunch and when I woke they were upon us in Shawnee.
My tornado shelter in the bathroom has been set up since the season started at the beginning of May, I just needed to throw in my toys, and a thermos, and although the bath was piled up with duvets and pillows I also threw in the duvets from the bed - which left Bubbles looking very confused and nonplussed.
The severe weather covered a large area - I think Minneapolis is somewhere near Canada - but although I have not yet been out to see the damage in Shawnee, I gather from the television pictures that it is
pretty devastating. The shredded houses look bad enough, but even
worse are the cars and trucks on the I-40 interstate which were hit.
I
also understand - but I would have to see it myself before I am sure -
that the worst hit area was down the road, on the way to Tecumseh.
I had a message from my friend Paul in North Carolina asking how it was. Paul's mother was Lord Stansgate's sister, he is Tony Benn's cousin. I told him I was handling it with British stoicism.
I
wouldn't have been stoic though if the house had been hit. I'd rather
be dead than homeless, I don't think I could handle homeless, especially now that I am old. There's a respite at the moment, but I understand more are on the way tomorrow. I will be out early anyway to have a look.
This isn't going to be very long, I just went to the monthly meeting of the AARP this morning but didn't stay for lunch. I can't be doing with lunch at 11 o'clock, the meal times here are all so early. Phyllis, as President, was busy looking after some visitors so I caught up with her this evening in a long phone chat.
Someone there asked me if we had big roads like the interstate, I said we did, they're called car parks.
In the news there are three major scandals which are totally dominating the news, and all the talk shows, but I think one needs to be more American than I am to be able to get one's head round them. They are all so political. My attention has been mainly focused on the Weather Channel, as Oklahoma is facing a severe tornado warning.
And it has been very hot, I think the hottest day this year, I turned the air conditioning on.
As you can see it was 101 down in the south western part of the state. I also took a picture of someone holding some hail, but can't find it. The hail stones were so big people were warned to stay indoors as one could be killed if hit by one. They were absolutely huge. From the holiday snaps............ After 7 attempts I am going to have to give this up, I'm having problems uploading photos, I think the computer might need tuning up.
which I am not doing very well. I am probably doing all the wrong things, sleeping at the wrong time instead of staying awake and going to bed at bedtime.
However today, Thursday, I started back into my routines. Went to Kiwanis this morning. The speaker was from CASA - Court Appointed Special Advocates, a network of trained volunteers who reach out to neglected and abused children languishing in shelters and foster care;and in advocating for these children they give that child a voice, a chance for a better life.
This is just the kind of programme Kiwanis focuses on, whose Mission Statement is "changing the world, one child at a time".
I was glad to see the next few weeks are already booked with speakers, gives me a little time to sort out my photos which they want to see. At the moment I am feeling a little nervous as I haven't finished unpacking, and am not sure where they all are.
Went to Communion at 12. Afterwards 8 of us had lunch at an Asian diner, which is within walking distance of the church, but as I have now entered the ranks of the elderly and infirm, I drove. It was, as always, very pleasant.
The murder trial I wrote about before I went away is now entering what they call "the final phase", which means the jury had to decide if the victim was killed in a 'cruel, heinous, and depraved' manner. I don't think they had any problem, or needed any time, to agree that shooting, stabbing 27 times, slitting his throat, was all of that.Which made her eligible for the death penalty.
It has been calculated that it took the defendant two minutes to stab the victim 27 times, and the Prosecutor was silent for 2 minutes to enable the court to appreciate exactly how long she was stabbing him. The tension built up in the court, and it was reported that at least half the court, family members, journalists, some of the jury, were all in tears at the end of two minutes.
Two of the victim's family members (there were eight siblings altogether) stepped up and gave very emotional testimonies on the way their brother's death has impacted them. They had lost both their parents as children within a short time of each other, and had been brought up by their grandmother;the murdered brother had an important role in the family, keeping them strong and supporting them all in hard times. The defence counsel's earlier attempt to rubbish him was just totally washed away today in the face of the family's testimony.
One of the sisters said their grandmother died just as the case came to trial, the murder tipped her over the edge and she couldn't get over it.
There was a surprising turn of events at the end of the day - at least surprising to me, accustomed as I am to a much more straight forward legal system - the defence counsel told the judge they wanted nothing more to do with the case, and asked her to excuse them, but she said that after all these months of trial they couldn't throw the towel in now. So it was adjourned until Monday.
We're not told what prompted this throwing in the towel, but speculation has it that the defendant and her counsel can't agree on how to wind it up. Counsel are focused on trying to save her life, which is all they can do. Defendant however - and this is just rumoured - wants to take the stand and show the court her art work, and explain what kind of person she is. Which everyone would recognise is not going to cut any ice at all, with ANYONE.
The estuary of the river Cuckmere. Tarka is on the right. Thought I'd post a few pictures from time to time, to brighten up the page.
Just been recovering from the journey of yesterday, I was exhausted when Charlie, my driver, met me in the baggage hall at OKC, and I was very grateful to him for being so kind, firstly for getting my very heavy suitcase off the carousel, and then into the house when we got there.
When I left here at the end of April I was able to check my baggage right through to Heathrow, but coming back I had to go through Immigration Control at Dallas so the rules are different, the baggage had to be collected at Dallas and then put on the Oklahoma City flight.
This was the point, while waiting for my flight at Heathrow, that I officially entered my old age. I had bought a laptop backpack to carry on the plane - BIG MISTAKE, even as a backpack it was too heavy for me, and I think it was walking with something so heavy that made me feel so tired -next time I will get one of those little carry on bags on wheels that everyone has.
In the meantime....feeling old and tired, I decided to ask for wheelchair assistance. As I was wheeled past the waiting queues at the gate, to the door of the aircraft I thought "this is wonderful", so when I was on the plane I asked for wheelchair assistance when I got off. I was told I should have booked it in advance, but I must have looked like I needed it because they'd arranged it by the time the plane landed at Dallas.
It showed me a side of the airport I didn't know about. There were about 5 or 6 of us in wheelchairs, catching different flights, so someone had to find out which gates we were all going through and organise us. Those assisting us were all migrant workers with a definite pecking order. There was the main boss (the organiser) an underling boss (who directed the wheelchair pushers and got the luggage) and all the little workers pushing the wheelchairs.
As I was wheeled to Immigration I looked at the hundreds of people queuing up to go through, while our little group were taken to the front of the queue, and I decided that old age has a lot going for it and I settled into it quite happily. I didn't mind being called "grandma" and "mama" by the workers.
Since I've had a residence permit I don't get the interrogation I used to have. A guy looks at my permit, my passport, photographs all my fingers and thumbs and irises, and goodness knows what else. Hemakes sure the prints and irises match up with those that are supposed to be mine on the database, chatting all the time with his colleague at the next desk. Hands back passport and permit, says, "welcome home", and off we go.
The flight from Dallas to OK City was just over half an hour, there must have been a wind behind the plane. It took less time than crossing the terminals in my wheelchair.
And now I am back at the beginning of this saga, with Charlie meeting me in the baggage hall. And have spent the day recovering (at least that's my excuse for not doing much) from my jet lag.
