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Showing posts with label Events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Events. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

It's Back! Who Do You Think You Are?

Photo: TLC.com
Are you as excited as I am?  Is your DVR set?  Our favorite show is back.  The season premiere of Who Do You Think You Are? is tonight at 8/9 central on TLC.com. 
It is hard to believe the last time I saw the show was May, 2012.  It feels like forever.
My kids like to watch the show too.  My son always says, "let's find out who her mama is".  It is great that they are starting with Kelly Clarkson!  I can't tell how many times we have watched her episode on the Reba show.
It appears from clip of the show that Clarkson has a Civil War connection.  I've hit many roadblocks in my family history due to this war. 
After the show I always check my Ancestry.com account.  The show always sparks a new interest in family history research.  I'm part of the Ancestry.com DNA project and I have been surprised by the connections.  I'll let you know and begin another Territory Mom's Who Do You Think You Are?
Talk to you soon.
 
Love,
Territory Mom

To help you on your ancestry journey check out The Raw Feed 



Wednesday, July 11, 2012

15th Annual WoodyFest Begins Today


The 15th Annual WoodyFest begins today in Okemah, America.  This year is Woody's 100th birthday so his son, Arlo Guthrie will kick off the festivities with a concert at the newly remodeled Crystal Theater.
Not the best photo of the theater but I had to get the movie title "Brave" and the poster for my little girl.
Anyway, lots of things going on this week in Okemah and it is not going to be 110 degrees every day so check it out.  For more information:
For book signing information and other venues go to:
For information about the rebuilding of Woody's childhood home and a link to Okemah's newest folk hero, John Fullbright, go here:

Have a great day.
Love,
Territory Mom

Friday, March 30, 2012

Who Do You Think You Are? and Finding Your Roots

My great great grandparents, Thomas Jefferson Baker and Malissa Ann Ramsey Baker
(cir 1892, Bowie, Texas)

Have you been watching Who Do You Think You Are?  I've been taping them and watching them with my kids.  I have to admit that one episode was pretty dull (you can probably guess which one) but I continued to watch and so far the rest of the episodes have been very interesting.
Tonight's episode features Rita Wilson.  Don't you just love her?  Did you know she was on an episode of Brady Bunch in 1972?  She is a big fashion icon too.  If you tweet her with a fashion question she will answer you, just ask my sister (so cool).
Anyway, tonight's episode is pretty emotional.  I cried just during the clip.  So tune in tonight at 8/7c on NBC.  My kids enjoy watching too.  It gets my daughter asking questions about her family and history and geography.  Note to self:  get a globe.
Also, last Sunday night was the first and second episodes of a ten part series on PBS, Finding Your Roots with Louis Gates, Jr.  This show is extremely interesting and informative.  You can watch the full episodes at the link above.
While WDTYA uses DNA testing through Ancestry.com Finding Your Roots uses DNA testing through 23andme.com.  I've done a DNA test through 23 and me and it is a little confusing.  Maybe because I'm not a scientist, but on the show it appears that it is easy to understand.  Do your research before buying any DNA test kits.  You don't want to spend a lot of money on something that is too complication to understand.
So there is your genealogy entertainment news for the day.
Have a great weekend.
Love,
Territory Mom

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

The House That Built Whitney - New Hope Baptist Church and The Drinkard Singers


On the site of New Hope Baptist Church, Newark is this scripture:

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD,
 thoughts of peace, and not of evil,
to give you an expected end
Jeremiah 29:11

As you know Whitney Houston began her musical career at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark and this Saturday her family and friends will say goodbye to her in the same church.

New Hope began as a mission in the home of Addie and Maggie Vine and elected its first pastor, Rev. Jesse Williams in 1903.  
Sometime between 1920 and 1930, John Drinkard, Jr. and his wife Susan moved their family from Georgia to New Jersey.  John was Native American and Susan was part Dutch and part African American.  The name "Drinkard" means the running of water.  One of their children was Nitcholas A. Drinkard, "Nitch" and he married Delia McCaskill and together they had eight children.  Nitch wanted his children to be gospel singers and in the late 1930's four of the children began singing at New Hope as the Drinkard Four.  The group consisted of Emily Drinkard (later known as Cissy Houston), brothers, Nick and Larry and sister, Anne.   Older sister Lee, managed the group.  Lee, later became the mother of singers, Dee Dee and Dionne Warwick.  As the group expanded to include sister, Marie and Judy Clay (Lee's adopted daughter) they became known as the Drinkard Singers.
They became the first gospel group to sing with Mahelia Jackson when they performed together at the National Baptist Convention in the early 1950's. In 1957 they became the first gospel group to sign with RCA.  Over the next few years the group made changes and became known as the Sweet Inspirations.  They sang with the Warwick sisters, Elvis and Aretha Franklin and it all started at New Hope. There should be a movie about them.
You can listen to the group on youtube.com or go here.  I promise you will be lifted up.

Now when I was searching videos about New Hope I found one that included our own Oklahoma child, Gwen Guthrie.  I first wrote about Ms. Guthrie, here.  She was born in Okemah and shares a birthday with Woody Guthrie, July 14th.  I have to send you to youtube again at this link so you can listen to Ms. Guthrie singing "How Great Thou Art" at New Hope.  She is the one at the podium with the choir being led by Whitney's aunt, Anne Drinkard Moss (red robe).  This video is before 1999 because Ms. Guthrie died in 1999 at the tender age of 48.
Wouldn't you just love to go to New Hope and listen to all the beautiful music? 
During news reports I've seen New Hope's pastor and I thought to myself, "what a compassionate man" and so I had to learn more about him.

The current pastor, Rev. Joe A. Carter is only the sixth pastor in the church's history.  In 1980, Pastor Carter told his father, Rev. Henry B. Carter, Sr. that he had the desire to preach the gospel and so on March 16, 1980 at the tender age of nine, Joe A. Carter gave his first sermon in Oklahoma City, OK.  It was from Gensis 1:1; entitled "The Magic of God".
You can find out more about Pastor Carter from New Hope's website.

As Christians we know Whitney is in a better place and you know she'll get to sing all the solos in her new Angel Choir.
Goodbye, Whitney,
 . . . you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.
1 Chronicles 28:20

Love,
Territory Mom




Friday, January 27, 2012

Who Do You Think You Are? Season 3


Next Friday, Feb. 3rd will be the premiere of season 3 of Who Do You Think You Are? on NBC.  This season we will take a journey with twelve new celebrities, Blair Underwood, Martin Sheen, Marisa Tomei, Rita Wilson, Paula Deen, Helen Hunt, Jerome Bettis, Rashida Jones(she is Quincy's daughter), Edie Falco,
 Jason Sudeikis (so funny), Rob Lowe and Oklahoma's own, Reba McEntire.  According to twitter @reba, our girl's episode will air March 2nd.
I love to hear their stories and see their reaction when they hear about a new discovery in their family.  We all have a very interesting family history and a story to tell.  I have been researching my family for over 10 years now and I'm just glad I'm not famous.  I'll tell my own secrets.
I hope you enjoy the show.  Watch every episode because sometimes the least famous celebrity will have the most interesting story.
Also, last year when I posted about the beginning of season 2 we were in the middle of one of own Oklahoma blizzards.  Not so this year.
Have a great day.
Love,
Territory Mom
   

Monday, January 16, 2012

Has It Been 35 Years - The Cast of Roots Join Oprah Tonight

It is hard to believe that it has been 35 years since we first saw the miniseries, Roots.  Beginning Sunday, January 23, 1977 through Saturday, January 30, 1977, America was glued to the TV to watch the family of Alex Haley. 
I was 11 years old and in the 6th grade.  It was for me extremely informative yet frightening.  The only thing I knew about slavery was from watching Gone With The Wind.  So, I did my best to understand slavery, but really I couldn't.  How could a little white girl living in the Midwest understand it? 
I remember that my entire family watch together.  It was very violent.  The truth is sometimes violent.  No one wanted to miss any of it.  Back in 1977 we didn't know it would someday be available on DVD, we didn't even have VHS back then.
I think for me Roots was about discovery. I listened to every interview of Alex Haley.  I was so impressed with his family research. I remember the final scenes of the movie where he goes to his ancestral village in Africa and listens to the stories of his family. Sometimes all we have is a story, but sometimes that is all we need to begin our quest for the truth.

Tonight on OWN The cast will join Oprah at 8/7 central.  It will be nice to see familiar faces. 
Love,
Territory Mom

Saturday, January 7, 2012

The New 2012 PBR Season Starts Tonight!!!

No time to talk but check out this article in People Mag about the PBR, go here.  There's a picture of Cord McCoy riding Bushwacker, so cool.

Have a great day.
Love,
Territory Mom

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Windshield Oklahoma - The Guthrie's Old Home Place

Very remote road in Okfuskee County

I get my news from jenx67.com and today she has a post about our own Woody Guthrie and about a new exhibit being put together by the Kaiser Foundation in Tulsa.  Jen does a much better job reporting big news than me so you can check out her article, here.  She has a special connection to Woody.  If you follow me on twitter and facebook you know I have already posted it at both places probably more than once because I have fat finger syndrome.

Anyway, back to Woody and his old home place.  In and around Okemah there are many locations that are considered Woody Guthrie's old home.  There are some in town and some out of town.  You would have to talk to one of his cousins to be sure which place is actually a Guthrie old home place unless you have lived in Okfuskee County all your life and know where the best place to go squirrel hunting.
So, we are driving around one day by the lake trying to locate our old bull.  He is now at the cousins' place.  We are on this road that seems 10 miles long and I casually ask my husband,
Me: "do you think Woody Guthrie ever went squirrel hunting down here?"
Okay, apparently this was a dumb question because this is the response I got:
Hubs: "Well yeah, everybody's knows this is the best squirrel hunting around!!!"
"That's the old place over there"
Me:  "Where?"
Hubs:  "there"
Me:  "I don't see anything."
Hubs:  "Over yonder!"
Should I remind him I haven't lived here all my life?
Silence until we get here:
Everybody out of the truck so we can check out the old WPA bridge.
Nothing breaks the silence better than an old WPA bridge.  Very cool rocks.
Now I don't know if Woody ever went squirrel hunting, but if he was hungry he did.  Things haven't changed much. 
Jen also posted this article Bound For Local Glory At Last from the NY Times.
Got to go someone is wanting biscuits and gravy.
Have a great day.
Love,
Territory Mom


Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Lost City Knits In Lost City, Oklahoma

My kids watching the dogs swim after beavers

Introducing my friend, Denise's new website:

Hand-dyed Yarns and Original Designs

From the website:

Working with small farmers as well as quality commercial suppliers to offer hand-dyed, natural fibers for knitting, crocheting, and weaving.

Every skein of yarn here was hand dyed by me, in my studio, on our farm near Lost City, Oklahoma


Like most artisans Denise started blogging about Lost City Knits first, but now she has grown so much that she has added a beautiful new website.  You will love this remarkable knitster and designer.  She captures the essense of Oklahoma in her designs and hand-dyed yarns like the Oklahoma sunset in the above photo.

You may have already met Denise at a local arts and craft fair.  She will be at the Alliday Everyday on Dec. 17th at the Ford Truck Exhibit Hall, Tulsa State Fairgrounds, just in time to buy some last minute Chrismas gifts.  You can go to the website for the details and a map and it's free to the public.
  This a new arts and crafts fair was organized by another blogger friend, Briana Hefley-Shepard.  Find her at Bifftastica and at WoodyFest during the 115 degree Oklahoma summer.  She is dedicated!

Have a great and safe holiday and enjoy Lost City Knits.
Love,
Territory Mom

Monday, September 26, 2011

125 Years Ago Today

125 years ago today, September 26, 1886, Charles "Charlie" Henry Dunn and Susan Margaret "Maggie" Brashear were married on Crow Mountain near the town of Atkins, Arkansas.  Charlie was 19 years old and Maggie was 16.  They were my great great grandparents.  Both of their families lived on Crow Mountain, which is absolutely beautiful.
  You can go here to view the flickr photostream of zormsk.  You can search "Crow Mountain" on his photostream to fall in love with the area.

This union almost didn't happen.
Maggie had spent the summer of 1886 in love and planning her wedding, but three days prior to her wedding Maggie was kidnapped and taken far into the Arkansas mountains.

To be continued on Wednesday.
Love,
Territory Mom

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Okay, Okie Artists - Arlo Needs A Concert Poster


One of our favorite son's son is having a poster contest for his "Boy's Night Out" tour beginning mid-Oct., 2001.  So cool.
He is looking for drawing or a concept for the concert poster.  Do not post work on any social network just email to him.
You can get the details at the link above. 
Wouldn't it be cool if he chose an Okie?

On another note everyone is talking about the weather, again.  Yesterday when we went on a nature walk the kids were complaining because they were soooooo hot.  Today its sweat pants and sweaters!!
I love Oklahoma!!!
Have a great day.
Love,
Territory Mom

Monday, August 1, 2011

57 Yr Old Okie Rocky Garnett Wins Steer Roping Title-Cheyenne Frontier Days

I couldn't find a photo of Rocky Garnett so here is my Dusty and #3.

Congratulations to Rocky Garnett winner of the senior and professional steer roping event at Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo over the weekend.  Just days after his mother died the 57 year old Rocky Garnett  of McAlester won his third buckle at Cheyenne.
You have to be a pretty tough cowboy to still be competing in rodeos at age 57, but you have to be made of steel or be all heart to win at Cheyenne.
For more information about Rocky Garnett and other winners check out these articles:

Have a great day.
Love,
Territory Mom

Monday, July 18, 2011

After WoodyFest is Okie Noodling & Eskimo Joe's 36th Birthday!!!

Daddy's catch from last summer's noodling adventure at Lake Eufaula

What do you do the day after WoodyFest?  Well, the party continues with the Okie Noodling International Championship where else but Okemah, OK.  The competition is closed but the party starts at 3:00 pm today until dark at Jimmie's Grocery, Hwy 62 (aka Columbia) and 5th Street.  There will be drinks, bbq, bluegrass and a lot of fun rednecks.  Remember I'm not a redneck but according to my husband I'm a hillbilly.  Apparently there is a difference.
Anyway for more information check out this article from the Okemah News Leader.  The article has the date as July 19th, but today is definitely July 18th.

Oh my gracious I'm so excited about this Eskimo Joes   kicks off it's 36th birthday bash at 11:00 am this morning.  This also means that my friend Trish is also 36 years old.  Happy birthday, Trish.
Who is the entertainment for the first day of celebration none other than Okemah's own, John Fullbright.  I first wrote about John in my post Spirit of Woody Guthrie.  He sang for my daughter on her birthday last year.  It was wonderful!  Thank you, John.
Now, the headliner for today's celebration at Eskimo Joe's are the Turnpike Troubadours who also have roots in Okemah, OK.  I screamed like a little girl when I heard this. 
Also, Eskimo Joe's is unveiling it's very first OSU co-branded t-shirt.  I'm so excited.  I'm getting my kids one for their birthday and me too.

On another note it makes you wonder what is in the water around here when one town produces such musical talents like Woody, John Fullbright, Evan Felker of the Turnpike Troubadours, Jamie Coon, Shawna Russell and of course, Gwen Guthrie.

Have a great day and enjoy the music!!
Love,
Territory Mom

Friday, July 15, 2011

Ronny Cox - From Deliverance to Okemah or Should It Be "Deliverance From Okemah"

Photo from:  Ronny Cox.com

I'm so happy that Ronny Cox was resurrected from his Deliverance nightmare so that he can entertain everyone at the 14th Annual WoodyFest.  Not only is he a wonderful actor but he is also a gifted singer, songwriter and musician.  There are some great videos of him on youtube.com.
If you are a child of the 70's like me then you remember him well.  I loved him in Apple's Way.  One of my favorite shows of course because it was created by the great Earl Hamner.
Anyway, back to Mr. Cox or Ronny.  It is only fitting that he play at WoodyFest.  My goodness wasn't he great as Ozark Blue in Bound For Glory.
According to the Okemah NewsLeader Mr. Cox is writing a book about the making of Deliverance, 2012 is the 40th anniversary of the movie.  I watched the movie for first time about ten years ago.  I only watched it because it is a classic and I could finally understand what people were taking about if you know what I mean.  I heard Regis interview Burt Reynolds a few years ago asking if they were ever going to make a sequel to Deliverance.  Burt said something like, they are going to but Ned is not too happy about it.  The audience roared with laughter.
I'm really getting sidetrack today.  Well, it's Friday, and I'm hot and tired.
Ronny Cox will be playing at the Okemah Middle Auditorium due to the renovations being done at the Crystal Theater on Saturday, July 16 at 1:00 pm.
Be sure and check out Bam's Blog from newsok.com.  I just saw on her Facebook page that she interviewed Mr. Cox this morning.  Her blog is a great source for the WoodyFest and other Oklahoma entertainment.
One more thing and I'll let y'all go for the day, Tulsa artisan, Bifftastica is at the festival selling her handmade bags and jewelry, so cool.
Have a great day and drink lots of water.
Love,
Territory Mom

P.S.  Don't forget about the other Guthrie from Okemah.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Rare White Buffalo Born In Texas

Lightning Medicine Cloud
Photo:  Newsok.com

My brother sent me the above link about this rare white buffalo calf born in Texas.  I hadn't heard about it so thanks to my brother for keeping me updated.
I wrote about my dream of a white buffalo, here and now this little guy was born on May 12, 2011.
He was born on the Lakota Ranch in Greenville, Texas.  The ranch owners, Arby and Patricia Little Soilder, held a naming ceremony for him Wednesday, June 29, 2011.  Sorry I didn't know about it.  
He was named Lightning Medicine Cloud because he was born during a thunderstorm and to pay homage to Big Medicine, another rare white buffalo born in 1933.
 According to the ranch's website you can still view him through July 4th.  They will have another ceremony when Lightning Medicine Cloud turns 2.
A few years ago when my husband was working in North Dakota he got to see a white buffalo.  He says it's pretty cool.
Have a great day.
Love,
Territory Mom

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Woody Guthrie Is Almost 99

Woody Guthrie Alley, Okemah, OK
I took this during our "white-out" in February.

I was working on this post for yesterday then my daughter yelled that my son was in "something".  The something turned out to be two jars of peanut butter.  The kid was covered(and the couch) I grabbed him and immediately he went into the bathtub, his second bath for the day.  I cleaned up the mess then turned off the computer for the day.  I have finally learned my lesson that when Rooster is awake the computer must stay off.  If you have read my other blog then you know why.
Word of advice never buy an expensive couch while your children are young, no sense in it and always buy everything in microfiber.
Now here is yesterday's post:
I know that today is Flag Day, but it is also one month until Woody Guthrie's 99th birthday.

So, happy Flag Day
and thanks Woody for "this land is your land, this land is my land."

Now, since it is one month until Woody's birthday (July 14) that means that it is one month until WoodyFest, July 13-17, 2011 in Okemah, OK.  This year the festival will kick off at the Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa with a benefit concert with David Crosby and Graham Nash.  The concert is for all ages.  The doors open at 6:30pm and the show is at 7:30pm.  Now there is a bus that leaves Okemah in the afternoon to go to the concert.  I think you can click on the WoodyFest link above for details.  I don't know which would be more fun to watch Crosby and Nash or the Okemahans at the Cains after being on a tour bus.

I remember when Woody's sister, Mary Jo came to our school to talk about him.  It was about 30 years ago when we all crowded in the little school library.  We sat on the floor and she played old LPs of Woody and showed us some photos and handwritten music.  Mary Jo is a little lady with a sweet voice.  She loves to talk about her brother and family.

Anyway, Woody turns 99 this year so next year will be the big centennial celebration.  A year long celebration will begin this year on his birthday.  Check out Woody Guthrie Centennial and the official website WoodyGuthrie.org for more information.

I'll talk more about the festival later.  You can go here for a list of performers and event schedules.  Arlo won't be here this year, but other Guthries will be.
I took my kids last year to the kids' festival and its fun to watch the people and to wondered which ones are Guthries.

Thank the Lord I got this done before Rooster woke up.
Have a great day.
Love,
Territory Mom

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

I Wonder


I was working in my garden last night when I began to wonder.  To wonder how many of our fellow Oklahomans who lost their lives on April 19, 1995 had a garden.  Did they plant flowers to make their front yards pretty or have a little vegetable garden in the back yard.  Of the 19 children did they play in the dirt while grandma was pulling weeds or while grandpa was setting out his tomatoe plants.
My garden has dark soil but I remember when they were working on OKC National Memorial  I would walk to it during my lunch hour just to watch the bull dozers and backhoes and the dirt was the famous Oklahoma red.  It was beautiful to me.  Despite the loud noise of machinery it was a very calm and peaceful setting.  When things at work were a little tense I would walk to the site for perspective.
The Survivor Tree
From:  Wikipedia

To give them beauty from ashes, the oil of JOY for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness.  Isaiah 61:3

You know that our Oklahomans have the most beautiful gardens now to enjoy.
You will never be forgotten.
Love,
Territory Mom

P.S.
The 16th Anniversary Memorial Service begins soon.  Every local station will have it televised or at least on livestream via the internet.
For more information:

Previous Posts:

Thursday, February 10, 2011

The PBR Is In OKC This Weekend

Austin Meier from Kinta, Oklahoma

I  think there was a big football game on last Sunday.  I don't know for sure I was too busy watching the PBR.  Check out this video on Versus.com of Austin Meier riding and staying on the bull RMEF Gunpowder & Lead.  It was a 90.25 ride and Meier finished in 2nd in the Portland, OR event.
This weekend the PBR is in OKC, baby!!!!
The official name of the event is "The Split by WinStar World Casino Invitational
Presented by Express Employment Professionals, Feb 11-13, 2011 - Oklahoma City, OK",  that's a mouth full. Go here for ticket information.
The Brazilians are dominating the PBR events right now, but Austin Meier is the one to watch.  He was second over all in the world for 2010 and so far he is second in the standings this year.   Go here  for a great article on PBRnow.com about this weekend's event and the Oklahoma bull riders on the circuit:
Cord McCoy, Tupelo, OK
Ryan McConnel, Coalgate, OK
LJ Jenkins, Porum, OK
and the Cherokee Kid, Ryan Dirteater, Hulbert, OK
Don't forget the bullfighters, Frank Newsom is from Pauls Valley or Paoli, OK depending on which article you are reading.  Check this article from PBRnow.com, Being Frank.
So if you can get out of your driveway this would be a fun event to see.  They play loud music so you can get up and dance and cheer loud.  It would be a great way to work out your frustrations with all this snow.
As for me and my house we are saving for a good riding horse for our kids so we will be watching it on tv, however we still get up and dance and cheer super loud.
Have a great day.
Love,
Territory Mom

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Who Do You Think You Are? - Season 2 Starts Friday on NBC


The 2nd season of this great show starts this Friday on NBC at 8/7 central.  If you haven't seen it you should.  It is about celebrities searching for their roots.  Very interesting what is uncovered.   If you are stuck in the house and you better stay inside during this Oklahoma blizzard then now is a good time to check out the episodes from season one.  The previous episodes will be available for viewing until Feb. 5th. 
I hope that one day this show will do a follow up.  I wonder what these celebrities do with their new found knowlegde of their family history.  All of the shows from season one were very interesting but I was surprised that my personal favorite was Susan Sarandon's.  Amazing that because of a family secret her grandmother never knew that Ms. Sarandon was her grandaughter.  You have to watch it.
Also, the show along with ancestry.com is having a sweepstakes.  You can enter to win a $20,000 journey to your family's homeland.
If I win I'm taking my children to their ancestral home in Wales:

Where they have wild peacocks roaming the gardens and it's all green and pretty:



Gwydir Castle has been beautifully restored and is now a B&B.  You can read more about it here.
Thanks to Michelle of Ireland for letting me use her beautiful photos of my children's homeland.  You can click on the above link to view more of her photos and even make a purchase.
  That is my endorsement not hers.
Please stay safe and warm.
Love,
Territory Mom

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Perfect Pairings - Mark 10:25

Baby camel at the Tulsa State Fair

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle,
than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Mark 10:25

Also located in Matthew 19:24 and Luke 18:25

For more Perfect Pairings please visit That's Baloney!

Have a great Sunday,
Love,
Territory Mom