TUESDAY 10th January (I got it wrong yesterday)

I woke at 5 and debated going early to the Pool at the YMCA, they open at 5.  But it was actually 9 o'clock by the time I got there, which is later than usual.  There was a big water aerobics class going on in the main pool adjacent to the walkway, I was exhausted looking at them and jumped in the hot jacuzzi.   Both the universities have swimming pools with water aerobic classes and some of my friends go to them, but I've never been keen on organised exercise, I prefer to go at my own pace and drop out (or into the hot tub) when I feel like it.

The phone was really busy this afternoon at the Senior Centre.  I don't know why people think we have the answers to their problems.  And some of them are bizarre.  One woman complained about a dog running around loose who nearly attacked her grand daughter, and could I give her the number of the water department. I said I didn't think the water department were the right people to help her, she needed the  City of Shawnee and they would direct her call to the right people.   I gave her the phone numbers of the main switchboard of the City, and the Animal Rescue.  She rang off quite happy.

Another bizarre call was from someone who wanted to keep a miniature horse in his backyard.  Again, I suggested he contact the City and he said he had, but they told him he couldn't have one, even though he has seen horses running around in other people's back yards.  Two thoughts went through my mind almost simultaneously.  The first was that I have seen horses running round in back yards, they are called ranches.  And the second wondered how on earth he thought I could rubber stamp something the City had refused.


After I left the Senior Centre I went home briefly before going to Sharon's Neighbourhood Watch meeting this evening where someone was giving a presentation on proposed improvements to Shawnee, there is going to be an Election about them in February.  

They are - $3million to improve the Municipal Pool (which is outdoors); Another $3 million for public safety improvements - there are dead areas where the police and emergency services can't contact each other, they need additional 911 communication towers.  $19 million for the construction and equipping of a Family Activity Park.  $13 million to improve the roads, and $7 million for economic development.

This is the emblem of the Tea Party, the extreme right wing of the Republicans.   Boo, hiss.

 An Oklahoma sunset, taken outside the Dollar Store where I dashed to between the Senior Centre and the meeting.

The Muscogee are Creek Indians, they originated in the south eastern United States, Missippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and  were forcibly removed to the Indian Territories (Oklahoma) in 1836/7.   As it is getting late I will write a bit more about them tomorrow.