Windshield Oklahoma - A Spoon In The Persimmon Seed

As you can see the persimmons on this tree have already shirveled up.  We usually have a lot of persimmons but not this year.  Like all the crops this year it was scarce.

We were able to check a persimmon seed and we found a spoon just like last year.  A spoon means lots of snow.

Photo from: OklahomaHistory.net

  The spoon symbolizes a shovel.  A fork means a light snowy winter and a knife means extreme cold.  The cold wind will cut through you like a knife.  I'd rather have a spoon than a knife.

For more clues to help forecast our winter weather check out this article from The Farmers Almanac.

I've already got the wood pile stocked up for the weekend.

Have a great weekend, stay warm and I hope your team wins.

Love,

Territory Mom

OSU Memorial Service

NOTE:  I put this post on my other blog Delayed But Not Denied when I meant to post it here. Sorry for the double post.

Just in case you haven't heard the OSU memorial service for the victims of last week's plane crash will be today at 1:00 pm in the Gallagher Iba Arena in Stillwater. I heard that Channel 6 and Channel 23 in Tulsa will have it on live tv. I'm sure other stations will also. You can also view the live stream online on Channel 6. Go here for more information.

The holidays can sometimes be a difficult time for people then to add the loss of a friend or family member can put someone over the edge. Please keep our OSU friends in your prayers this week.

I will love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.

For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.

Psalm 18:1-3,28,35

Love,

Territory Mom

P.S. I never attended OSU but I have friends who did and it holds a special place in my heart. My grandfather's first cousin, Vernon Friels, played for Henry Iba. Maybe one day my children will attend Oklahoma State.

Goodbye Lee Roy - OU Legend Has Been Recruited By God

Photo tribute from:  Lee Roy Selmon's Restaurant

Growing up I lived in another state.  When you are an Okie and not living in Oklahoma and your mom is homesick all you have is Oklahoma football.  Thank heavens they were always great so the Sooners were always on tv.  I knew I was born in Oklahoma and my grandparents lived in Oklahoma but that is really all I knew until I discovered OU football.  My older brother played football so we were exposed to it pretty early in life.   Every fall we would watch as much OU football as we could and always the Orange Bowl.

I knew who the Selmon Brothers were before I knew who the coach was, which was of course, Barry Switzer. 

Sunday night I heard the sad news of Lee Roy Selmon's passing.  My mind went immediately to that old house on Broadway where we lived and watched the Sooners play football on tv.  The living room was cramped and the carpet was bad but we would all gather on the floor in front of the tv to watch the Selmons Brothers from Eufaula.  They wore the Crimson and Cream with grace and dignity.  Oh my gracious we were so proud of them.

Of course I didn't know Lee Roy Selmon, but I knew he was a kind and gracious man.  Today I learned that they loved him Tampa as much as we loved him here in Oklahoma.  He will be greatly missed.

  Mr. Selmon will have two funerals.  The first in Tampa on Friday morning and the second in OKC, Saturday at 1:00 pm, First Southern Baptist Church, 6400 S. Sooner Road.  I learned that from following Bob Barry, Jr. on twitter, @bbjsports.

Goodbye Lee Roy you Gentle Giant and enjoy that huge football field in heaven.

Love,

Territory Mom

P.S. How many signs have you seen at games or in the newspapers thanking Mr. and Mrs. Selmon?

For more information:

Newsok.com

Fox Tampa Bay-God Bless Lee Roy Selmon

FoxTampaBay-Who Was Lee Roy Selmon?

(beware the reporter does not pronounce Eufaula correctly)

OK Historical Society-Selmon Brothers

(great article)

Skywatch Friday - At The Rodeo Chinook Helicopters

These guys fly over my house almost everyday.  Last month we took the kids to the rodeo at Bristow and these wanted to see the rodeo too.  The crowd went wild!!! They must have known we were there.

There they go.

And now they are gone, but wait

here comes two more and the crowd goes wild again!

Oklahoma National Guard

As you know we have lost our 8th soilder from the 45th in the last 3 weeks.  Our prayers are with these families and friends.

For a complete list of Oklahoman who have paid the ultimate price during the wars of Iraq and Afghanistan go to Heroes of Oklahoma from Tulsa World.

This week we also lost two young men from the rodeo world, Aaron Custer of Elk City and Benton Drury of Olustee.  Both young men were on their way to college at Weatherford when a tragic accident occurred.  Both were members of the rodeo team at Southwestern Oklahoma State U.  For more about this tragic loss go to News-star.com and PBR Now.

 

Love,

Territory Mom

For more great photos check out: Skywatch Friday

John "Jack" Thorpe - May He Rest In Peace

John "Jack" Thorpe

from Shawnee News-Star

Mr. Thorpe son of Jim Thorpe and Freda Thorpe passed from this life on February 22, 2011.

You can read his entire obit at the above link.  I noticed that he is going to be buried at Garden Grove Cemetery along with other Thorpe family members.  The cemetery is in a beautiful rural area near Prague, OK and near the original Thorpe family farm where his father Jim Thorpe was born.

Rest in peace.

Love,

Territory Mom

Prague Historical Museum

Jim Thorpe Association

Windshield Oklahoma - It's All About The Bull

He can jump that gate so stay in the truck.   He belongs to our neighbor and we came over to collect our little girls, Rachel and Grace.  We were able to get the girls after several days of feeding him.  He belongs in PBR if you can catch him.

The 2nd round of the PBR in OKC (see my previous post) is live on Versus tonight and Sunday at 7:00 pm.

For 1st rounds check out this article from PBRnow.com and for other information check out OKC Notes-PBR, this also gives an update on Jody Newberry the bull rider from Ada, OK.

Having an event in Oklahoma brings the Oklahoma bulls. D&H Cattle Co. is well represented.  The Page family of Ardmore, Dickson, OK have been the PBR's stock contractors of the year 6 times.

Have a great day and stay out of the bull's way.

Love,

Territory Mom

P.S.  I just read this article about D& H Cattle Co. on Newsok.com.  The Page family gave us Mossy Oak Mudslinger, good times.

Also, once I figure out the linky tools this will be a weekly post "Windshield Oklahoma".  I would love to see what is going on in your neck of the woods.  If you want to join please leave your link in the comments.  Thanks so much!

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

Has It Been 10 Years?

Photo: Bryan Terry-Alternative Crop-Blog.Newsok.com

I know it hard to believe it has been 10 years since the plane crash in Colorado that killed 10 members of the OSU basketball family.  When I remember the crash I still see the picture in my mind of the crash site in the snowing Colorado field and it was a cold day.

  It was a Sunday afternoon when this report came on the tv:

It was a shock.  Later that evening News 9 continued the coverage of  the crash.  The top anchors came in to report about their colleague and friend Bill Teegins.  Jenifer Reynolds was still with Channel 9 at this time along with Kelly Ogle, Gary England and Dean Blevins.  It was so sweet because they were the ones to tell the story of their friend.  I remember Dean Blevins talking about his friend and showing a large phone book.   Bill Teegins sat on it during his broadcasts to appear taller.  I felt so bad for Blevins and the others.   

We will always remember the OSU Ten.

Please watch this story on youtube.com by Tom Friend with ESPN's Outside The Lines.  It is a story about OSU player, Nate Fleming and his family.  Keep it mind that it will make you cry.

For more stories of rememberance click on the above News 9 link which includes an interview of Bill Teegins' family.

As Oklahomans we never forget do we?  When one of us hurts we all hurt and cry together.

Love,

Territory Mom 

Remember The Alamo (Bowl)

AlamoBowl.com

Don't forget to watch the Alamo Bowl tonight when OSU plays Arizona.  It will be on at 8:00 pm CST on ESPN.  This house will be routing for OSU.

If you are already in San Antonio enjoy yourself and be safe.

Love,

Territory Mom

They Won!!! OU - The Big 12 Champions for 2010

It doesn't matter if you are an OU or OSU fan.   This feels good!!! 

I can't believe I'm up this late.

Love,
Territory Mom

BIG 12 Championship - OU vs. Nebraska - 2nd Game Photos

Here we go:

Enjoy the game.
Love,
Territory Mom

BIG 12 Championship - OU vs. Nebraska - 1st Game Photos

So far we are off to a good start our truck is bigger than their truck!!!

My brother sent these to me at 9:30 am, but since the wind was sweeping down the plains wildly this morning we lost power.  So here we are 3 1/2 hours later the electricity has been restored which means game photos and I have to do laundry. 

Have a great day and more photos to come.

Love,

Territory Mom

Oklahoma To Me-30th Verse - OU Nebraska, The Last Hurrah?

Barry Switzer (or the King in Oklahoma) and Tom Osborne, 2006

AP Photo-Washington Post

Oklahoma to me . . .

witnessing the last OU and Nebraska

football game.

This will be my brother's view of tomorrow night's game.

My brother and his wife will be seating on Nebraska's side, but when you are given tickets you don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

I have been in a time warp this week.  I had it in my mind that Barry and Tom would be coaching the game tomorrow night, then I realized that it is 2010 not the 1970's or 80's.  No doubt they will be on the sidelines.  I bet Toby Keith will there too and maybe Brian Bosworth.

Many are wondering what to call this game.  The 1971 OU/Nebraska match was called the Game of the Century.  Remember, former Lt. Governor, Jack Mildren was the quarterback in this game.  The 1987 matchup was called the Game of the Century II and now what their final matchup.  For some reason the old hymn, A New Name In Glory pops in my head.  My grandma used to sing that song in church all the time.

This may not be the last matchup between the classic rivals.  According to The Washington Post the schools' atheltic directors, Tom Osborne and Joe Castiglione are considering matchups for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.  The 2021 game would be on the 50th anniversary of the 1971 Game of the Century. 

Now, to what is going to happen tomorrow night.  My brother is going to send me photos from the game so it there are no technical difficulties I will post them as soon as I receive them.  I told him to get a photo of the sad look on the Nebraska fans' faces, the scoreboard, and any former coaches.  I'm a little concerned though because if this is the last game are there going to be a lot of 40 and 50 year olds enjoying this last hurrah.  I mean really enjoying it.  I think this will be a wild game at least in the stands.  I hope no one falls out of the bleachers.  Thankfully it is being played in Texas and they are used to over-the-top OU fans.

The game is on ABC Saturday night at 7:00 pm central, 12/4/10.

I may or may not (oh I will) watch the game.  My husband is still mad at OU for beating OSU last week.

Have a great day and be safe.

Love,

Territory Mom

Go here  for ESPN Classic's top 5 OU/Nebraska games and here for Crimson&CreamMachine's top 5 OU/Nebraska moments.  

More Games of the Century.
Go here for another article by FoxSports' Kalani Simpson.

Gerald McCoy's Interview on 700 Club-What A Great Man

My sister sent me this great link.  It's Gerald McCoy's interview about his mom.
Since Sam is going to St. Louis this was going to be my new favorite team but it might be Tampa Bay.




If you have any trouble getting the above link here is another one.

Thanks, sis for sending this to me.
Love,
Territory Mom

P.S. My brother-in-law worked with Mrs. McCoy side by side for many years.  He misses her too.

Never Underestimate A Cowboy

from CBS's Amazing Race

Have you been watching The Amazing Race?  I don't usually watch it but I have this season because of Oklahomans, Jet and Cord McCoy.  These brothers are from Tupelo, OK.  They started out really strong then went through some rough patches during the race.  Last week's episode they were in last place and had a "speedbump" which means that they were the only team that had to complete an extra task to finish the race.  Despite their setbacks the McCoys finished first.  For a recap of last week's episode from the LA Times go here.

In last night's episode the McCoy brothers came in 3rd which they are now in the final 4.  These guys are genuinely nice guys.  They don't try to hold other teams back they play the game with integrity.  I hope they win but if they don't they will be alright.  Cord, of course is still on the Professional Bull Riders circuit, with close to $300,000.00 career earnings.  Jet and Cord are both stock contractors owning many bucking bulls which means $.

You can catch Cord riding bulls on Versus every weekend.  As for Jet he will be speaking at the 4-H Banquet in Prague, OK this Friday, April 16th.

Good luck guys!

Love,

Territory Mom

P.S. Want to buy a bull or a horse from Cord check out his website.  Also to see some cute photos of Cord go to Cord McCoy Invitational

Homecoming In My Hometown

Prague Basketball Homecoming Court

on the new basketball court

Due to last week's ice storm, the power outage and making a homecoming dress for my niece, Kitty Kate, I have neglected my blogs.  Now I can play catch up reading everyone's blogs until the next ice storm and power outage which is on its way.  In Oklahoma you know that it is going to be bad when the local NBC affiliate preempts the Today Show.

Anyway, the homecoming ceremony was Friday night and our girls won their game in the new well deserved gym.  More about the game here. 

I had the privilage to make my niece's dress.  She is the blond with a the red, white & black dress (the school colors).  She looks so little in the picture even though she is 5' 9 1/2" and wearing heels.  I like the fact that tall girls like to be even taller. 

For more about the dress go here.

Have a great day and be safe.

Love,

Territory Mom

What Do I Have In Common With Mark Gastineau?

My home page is Google and on it are celebrity updates from  People Magazine.  Today I clicked it on to read about Mark Gastineau's kids meeting for the first.  I've been living in the dark ages I didn't know that his ex-wife and daughter have a show together.  I knew he had kids with Bridgette Nielson.  Well, it turns out he only had a son with Bridgette and he has never met him, only celebrities.  Anyway the kids have met, yeah!!!

I know Mark Gastineau because he played football at Ada, you know, for the Tigers.  When you're from Oklahoma all you have to say is "Ada" and everyone knows you are talking about East Central University.  Turns out  Gastineau was also a big time pro player for the Jets, wow!!!

Oh, I forgot, what I have in common with Mark?  We were both born in Ardmore, OK, baby!!!!

Also, I added three columns to my blog and in the process lost my blog links.  I'm working on getting everyone back on it.  Sorry.

Have a great day.

Love,

Territory Mom

Congrats!! Prague Red Devils!!!!

Last night my beautiful blonde, long legged niece, Kitty Kate, played in a basketball tournament in faraway Hominy, OK.  I didn't hear from anyone so I thought the worst (I know I shouldn't have). I got up this morning and checked the paper, Shawnee News-Star

Yeah, yeah, they won, both the girls and the boys!!  How exciting!!!!

Have a great day.

Love,

Territory Mom

Here is more info about my hometown, Prague, OK. As you might have guessed it was settled by Czech immigrants.

Caption Kirk in Oklahoma City Tonight

The wonderful William Shatner aka Capt. Kirk, aka Denny Crane(you have to say it in a soft and deep voice) will be in Oklahoma City tonight at the National Reining Horse Association's Celebrity Slide.

This is a benefit for the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma.  It begins at 6:00 pm at the Oklahoma State Fair Arena.  Yes, it will be inside.

For those of you who don't know, in addition to being a great actor William Shatner is also an avid horseman and a successful horse breeder.  He and his wife are involved in several charities and they started The William & Elizabeth Shatner Therapeutic Riding Consortium Endowment of Israel. 

Other celebs at tonight's event are Lyle Lovett, TLC's Christi Proctor and for the PBR fans, Cody Lambert, JW Hart, Cody Ford, Andriano Moraes and Mike Lee.

This sounds like fun.  Now say, "Denny Crane" softly and in a deep voice.

Have a great day.

Love,

Territory Mom

A great show:  Shatner's Raw Nerve,  http://www.biography.com/shatner/index.jsp

For more info:
http://nrha.com/
http://press.nrha.com/2009/11/10/11-10-09-shatner-to-climb-aboard-a-reining-horse-for-the-make-a-wish-foundation%C2%AE-of-oklahoma/
http://www.oklahoma.wish.org/

'Last Man Standing' CNN.com - Picher, OK

Orval "Hoppy" Ray

I turned on my computer this morning and on the main Google page was the headline from CNN "Wake in a toxic town", I knew immediately it was about Picher, Oklahoma.

This is a great story about Hoppy Ray, one of the last remaining residents of Picher. His son moved him out of Picher while he was having breakfast at his favorite restaurant.

Also, Mickey Mantle grew up in nearby Commerce, OK. According to an HBO documentary, Mickey Mantle's dad worked in the lead and zinc mines. After work he would make Mickey practice so he wouldn't grow up to work in the mines and he didn't. Baseball fans are eternally grateful.

Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts is from Picher, OK. Have a great day. Love, Territory Mom Article about Hoppy: http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/06/30/oklahoma.toxic.town/index.html?eref=rss_topstories More info about Tar Creek: http://ok.water.usgs.gov/tarcreek/ Great photos of Picher, OK from John Schehrer: http://schehrer2.homestead.com/ Other great photos from Daniel W. Coburn: http://danielcoburn.wordpress.com/2008/05/11/picher-oklahoma-tar-creek-superfund-site/