Thursday 28th February

Last early Thursday start for a while picking up donuts.  The Kiwani speaker was the editor of the local newspaper and was very interesting.  Coming into contact with people like that reinforces the community feeling of small town America, which characterises Shawnee.   He had been before, and he had been asked to bring his guitar, but he couldn't get a daughter to come along and sing, and says he doesn't sing in public, so he talked about newspapers and it was interesting.

It was also the morning two children were presented with 'student of the month' awards.

 These awards are given to children who don't otherwise have a chance to shine, they're not given to children who have extra curricular activities outside the school, for example, and often times their parents and grandparents and other relatives will come along as well, cheer them on and take photographs, and that is lovely.  But these children this morning didn't have anyone, not even a parent between them, and I thought that was so sad.

The couple on the right of the picture are about to celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary, and it was the guy's 99th birthday today.  You've heard of a Boy Called Sue - this is a 6'5" rancher and he's called Fay.

I remembered the Thursday Lenten lunch this morning, which was held in one of the Baptist churches.   It was a Lenten lunch, one can't complain I suppose, but it was just a bean soup and cornbread.  Some churches do really nice lunches.  Emmanuel is hosting one the week after next.

I went to the pool this evening, and there were a lot of children there, in fact more people than I have ever seen there.  But they had turned off the water jets which go across the walkway, and spurt out of the hoops.    So I felt I was being accommodated, even if I was splashed quite a bit by the playing children while I was walking round.

I took these photos of the other side of the pool.  I was the last to leave at 8.30. 

The murder trial has really stepped up a gear.  The defendant thought she had problems when the Prosecution was asking questions and scrambling her brain. Today he finally reached the day she shot and stabbed, and cut her boyfriend's throat from ear to ear, and it all got very heavy.   There was much weepings and wailings and gnashings of teeth as he constantly shot holes in her defence, like why drive into the desert to get rid of the gun if it was self defence, and what was she doing going round creating alibis.
At one point, after she alleged the boyfriend grabbed her in a linebacker tackle, the Prosecution had her hop down from the witness stand and demonstrate how he did that - which she couldn't.

Wednesday 27th February

There was a lot going on today.    I went to the YMCA this morning but instead of going in the pool I had a little workout in the gym, on the treadmill.    My back is aching tonight though, so I think I will be back in the water tomorrow.

Mid morning I went to the monthly meeting of the Shawnee Peace Fellowship at Emmanuel, and afterwards cut up some melon for dessert at this evening's meal.    Later in the afternoon I went to Sandra's Lenten Group, and then it was time for the meal.

I haven't really seen any news but I think it is mostly focused on dire events which will affect the economy on Friday if Republicans and Democrats don't co-operate.    But there is another school of thought which says it is all scaremongering.

The weather has been chilly again, but bright.    I think I will post this and be back tomorrow.

Tuesday 26th February

Clifford and Hilda were at the Senior Centre this afternoon celebrating their 71st Wedding Anniversary.   I think Kate, the Director, bought the cake for them.

The energy levels of Americans never cease to amaze me.  Correct me anyone, if I am wrong, but I am sure all the 90 year olds in Seaford are sitting in wheelchairs, in nursing homes, they are not bopping around to a country and western beat, like Hilda and Clifford.   Kate pointed out that I didn't go to the Senior Centre in Seaford, so maybe they were.  But I doubt it.

 The lady in the striped shirt is Hilda, and in the absence of video you will just have to take my word for it that she was bopping around.

 The guy in the yellow shirt on the keyboard is Clifford.   I also saw him playing the guitar at some point, when I  left the front desk and wandered along there.

 The weather is chilly at the moment, but it has been quite bright today.

 This was the area of very heavy snow yesterday in the north west and the panhandle.   There are still 35,000 without power in the area.

Monday, 25th

I might not have done much yesterday but think I did even less today.  I awoke with a migraine for which I needed a strong prescription pain killer, and that disabled me for half the day, I didn't do my chaplaincy round at the hospital.

In Shawnee we didn't get the snow I expected but it was very bad in the northern part of the state, all the roads in the panhandle are closed, and the Governor has declared a state of emergency.

We did though get very heavy, drenching rain all day, I would think that must have broken the drought, and everything should start turning green.

In spite of it I had to venture out to Walmart this afternoon, I was getting low on goats milk and didn't want to be without if I going to be snowed in.

I have been reading, and watching a little television.   The murder trial continues - the young woman who shot her boyfriend, stabbed him 27 times and cut his throat from ear to ear in self defence.  She remembers shooting him, but not the stabbing.  When asked what factors cause her to lose her memory she told the attorney that it is when people like him shoot questions at her, it scrambles her brain.  I think she'd do well to remember that she is on trial for murder, in a death penalty state, and it doesn't do to get snippy with the prosecutors.   She needs to be a lot more humble.

I thought I'd like to look at the Oscars last night, but it just wasn't available on my cable company's expanded basic programme.   I heard about Michelle Obama being there, presenting awards.  The right wing media were saying bitterly that Barbara Bush was never asked, or Nancy Reagan.

2nd in Lent

I have not done a lot today, I went to the 10.30 service at Emmanuel, and after it there was a meeting for Family Promise volunteers.

The weather was quite pleasant, I think it was about 65 but snow and blizzards are on the way.

 Shawnee is just east of OK City, where it says blizzard and snow.

 
 Gas prices are still sky rocketing, 36 days in a row, it is about $3.60 a gallon in Shawnee.   It's only about $3.21 in Wyoming, they must get it from Canada.

Saturday 23rd

I had a very good couple of days at St Crispin's with the Episcopalian women from across the diocese.   They mostly knew each other and were very friendly and welcoming towards me, and said they would keep me in the loop in future events.

Some came from as far afield as Tahlequah which is practically on the border with Arkansas, and as far from St Crispin's as Shawnee is from Dallas.  I was glad it is only 24 miles from Shawnee as I usually have to travel quite far for events like these.  Rosalyn was there as well but we travelled separately as she wasn't making pillowcases. 

We made over 100 pillowcases for the children of incarcerated parents.   There will be 60 of these children going to summer camp where they will all be given a new pillow, and pillow case, to take home.  I have never heard of such needs in Britain, so had a bit of a problem getting my head round it, but apparently a lot of children have to share a pillow with a brother or sister, and often it is years and years old which is not healthy.  I did not know this, but pillows should be thrown out and replaced every year, otherwise they are all nasty inside.

I was taken aback to learn that there are over 4000 children in the state of Oklahoma with one or more parents in prison.  But then Oklahoma has more people in prison than any other state.   They need to adopt a policy of locking up the people that are bad, not those they are mad at.

Putting a contrasting trim on the pillowcases involves quite a bit of pinning and sewing and ironing, it wasn't all straightforward sewing.

 Some of the pillowcases.   After we'd done a few we had to sort them into those suitable for boys and girls so there would be enough for both.

 I also enjoyed the Retreat on Benedictine Spirituality, the subject of which was  'The Work of our Hands',  which was led by Deborah Jennings, pastor of the Episcopal church in Tahlequah, and helped by Debbie the Bishop's wife, third on the left in the photo, and a lovely person, although they were all very nice.   

Rosalyn was very glad I suggested it, Sandra was interested in coming as well but had a prior engagement, but hopefully will come to the next one, so we might have a little contingent from Emmanuel, Shawnee to the next retreat in October.

Bubbles met me in the hall as she usually does when I have been gone a while - that is how I know she's missed me, anything less than half a day she sits and waits for me to find her.

Thursday 21st February

I think the weather was bad in the northern part of the state, on the border with Kansas, but down here in Shawnee there were thunderstorms and very heavy rain this morning.

I went to Tecumseh for the donuts but apparently I was supposed to look at the television to see if the schools were shut and they were, so the Senior Centre was closed as well.   I felt a bit irritated that  I had a wasted journey,  but I think Louise thought I knew the drill, and perhaps after nearly five years in this country I should have done.

It rather threw me out because I totally forgot the Thursday Lenten lunch, I didn't give it a thought until Pattisue rang to see if I was alright, as she expected me to be there.   I normally write out a 'to do'  list before I go to bed, so that things like this aren't overlooked, but for some reason didn't do so last night.

I have been having a little spring clean today and getting ready for my Retreat tomorrow.

 This starts Friday evening, and ends on Saturday afternoon.  But I am going early to help make pillowcases for the children of incarcerated parents.   I know that sounds weird, it sounds weird to me just typing it, but I am always up for getting out and meeting new people, doing new things.

 I haven't got a sewing machine but I got some material, and will take an iron, scissors and sewing things.

The murder trial continues.  This is the accused, the victim of the abusive boyfriend, taken in happier days.

 And here she is in court where a serious attempt has been made to look innocent.

She doesn't look the same person does she.

 She remembers shooting him, but can't remember at all stabbing him 27 times or cutting his throat from ear to ear (I'm glad I'm not on the jury, I'd be way too squeamish).

Bill O'Reilly has just announced his new book which is 'Killing Jesus'.   That never crossed my mind, I thought it might be 'Killing Martin Luther King'.    I haven't plans to buy it in the near future, I might get the audio version next time I go down to Texas.  Riding round Shawnee I am not in the car long enough.

Wednesday 20th February

Only  a few days ago I was strolling around in a tee shirt, under a cloudless blue sky, and I didn't see this coming.    It started raining and by the afternoon the roads were clear and there was just snow on the grass.  The snow has been very heavy in Kansas, although they are welcoming it, all moisture is good in severe drought.

The weather is predicted to be bad tomorrow so picking up the donuts in the morning is a bit up in the air, if the schools are closed Kate is closing the Senior Centre, and I have warned Louise that I don't venture out on dicey roads.   I am getting old and cautious.

Apart from the weather the big news story is a major murder trial in Arizona.   A young woman shot her boyfriend, slit his throat, stabbed him 22, or maybe it was 27, times and said it was self defence.  They had a very deviant sex life, the details of which have all been relayed to the court.   What fascinates me is that in earlier pictures she is blonde and striking, now her hair is mouse coloured, she wears glasses and looks like a librarian.   Furthermore more she has changed her story several times, and not only that but she left the body, went out, and tried to create an alibi for herself.

That is why I think she is destined for death row. 

I went down the road this afternoon when the rain washed the snow away, to get a few groceries I might need if I am housebound for a while.     Fr Bill cancelled all the Wednesday night activities.   I had made some oatmeal cookies which I put in the freezer when I got his e-mail.

So we will see what tomorrow is like.

Tuesday

Well, I did my water resistance walk this evening.

 This is the walkway and those coloured hoops which go directly over it shoot out jets of water when the children are playing, and the lifeguards were told to turn them off at 7.30, but to keep the other amusement things on like these....

 There weren't any children there though intent on playing, like last night, and the few people who were there left soon after 7.30.

I haven't done a lot else today, I was at the Senior Centre this afternoon manning the front desk as usual.

Has the price of fuel been going up in Britain?  It is escalating here, it has gone up every day for the last 33 days. Just a little while ago in Shawnee it was less than $3 a gallon, it has now sky rocketed to $3.60.     In Hawaii which is the most expensive state it is $4.28.    The bad weather on the east coast took out some of the refineries, which is a cause of it.

Last couple of days

Yesterday, President's Day, was a holiday, at least for bank employees and those in federal offices.    Stores and car dealers usually promote it as a day for Sales.

President's Day is George Washington's birthday and celebrated on the 3rd Monday in February.

Last night I had a contretemps at the YMCA pool.   The children have their amusement things which tips and sprays water over the walkway until 7.30, which I'd have thought was plenty late enough for them.  Then the adults can use the walkway from 7.30-8.30, but there were three children there who still wanted to play.  I don't have a problem with them playing per se, I  don't even mind them splashing past me in the walkway, but I asked at 7.40 if their amusements could be turned off so I could use the walkway.   The lifeguard didn't like it, but I pressed the point that on the schedule this was the time for adult walking.  So he turned them off and the children sulked (there didn't seem to be a parent with these children, if there was they didn't make themselves known to me).   And at 8.10 I saw him put a phone down, and he turned them back on, telling me that his supervisor said he could.   Children never had this much clout in my day.

I went to the YMCA this morning with my complaint and was directed to the Sports Director (whom I suspect authorised the lifeguard last night to turn them on at 8.10) He is newly appointed to the job and said he wants as many people as possible to have maxium use of the facilities, and the children only have from 5 until 7.30 to play (!)   I reiterated that I didn't mind them playing, I just want to use the walkway for that one hour.  The encounter was very cordial and I am not sure that I know what the outcome was.  I'll see this evening if they turn off the water jet thingies so I can use the walkway.

The evil stepmother has been at it again.  Goodness knows what stories the Brothers Grimm would have written had they had modern technology.

I had a nice lunch at the Red Lobster on Sunday.   Their current deal is lobster, assorted dishes containing lobster.  Those are warm Chedder biscuits in the background, which are also very nice.

 This is shrimp and lobster linguine.   I couldn't eat it all and brought the remainder home in a box for another day.   It came with a salad and I chose coleslaw, and brought that home too for another day with a baked potato.   And the remaining Cheddar Bay biscuits.  One restaurant meal in this place, not just the Red Lobster but Shawnee generally) can feed me for about three days.

President's Day.

I wrote up my blog for Sunday and today, Monday, and I just don't know what happened, but I was practically at the end of it when it suddenly disappeared into cyberspace, and it is a bit too late to type it all out again.   I looked everywhere I could to see if I could retrieve it, but there is no sign of it anywhere.

I'll be back tomorrow.

Saturday 16th

It was very bright and sunny this morning, but must have been cold overnight, the ice on the car was about 1/4" thick when I was going out, and I had to run the heater for about 20 minutes.

I made it this month to the AARP meeting, and had lunch there, which wasn't bad for cafeteria food.    Afterwards went shopping at Walmart for my weekly supply of goat's milk.   Spent rest of day getting on top of filing and paperwork.

A handy hint..........

for those who knit or crochet...thread the yarn through a colander to stop the balls tangling.

In the news...

The cruise ship which caught fire in the engine room in the Gulf of Mexico has finally arrived at Alabama.   I am having a problem grasping how horrendous it was for the five days it was being towed back to the US.  The worst aspect must have been the overflowing toilets, overflowing into the corridors, soaking the carpets;  and having to use plastic bags which were then piled up in the hallways, the stench apparently was unimaginable.    

It took five days for the boat to be towed back to the US.   If it had gone to Mexico instead the passengers would have been spared the horrors of those five days on board.  But it would have cost the cruise liner's owners too much to fly everyone home from Mexico. It was cheaper to take them to Alabama and bus them. I hope they are sued for millions.

Other news item.....and I didn't think I'd see the day I'd be siding with the Republicans, but the person Obama appointed as Defence Secretary is the worst possible choice, I saw all of his Congressional Hearing and it was a total debacle.   There must be people  out on the streets, average Americans, who could do a better job.

Anyway, Republicans are as appalled as I am at this appointment and are refusing to confirm it.    I hope they succeed.

 

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is a big deal here.  Everyone has been wishing everybody else a Happy Valentine's Day like it's Christmas.

 I had a rose from Kate when I was at the Senior Centre this morning.  The photograph is of a Valentine bouquet Larry sent when I was in Denton.  One way of keeping something forever.  Later in the day we were all given one at the Lenten lunch at First Christian church.

The Kiwani's speaker was very interesting.   She is a sexual assault and human traffic survivor.  She ran away from home at 14 - she now has a very good relationship with her mother and brought her with her this morning - was picked up, as these girls are, and was sold into prostitution.     Someone asked her age now and she is 40, between then and now she turned her life around and is working on a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Behavioural Science, and intends to go on and take a Master's.   Her mission in going round talking to clubs and groups is to raise awareness of the major problem of human trafficking.

I had to leave before she finished to get home for the guy from the cable company.   When I turned the television on though this morning it worked perfectly, but I didn't cancel the call as I wanted him to check the cable to the house to see if animals had been chewing it - but it was fine.   I was very relieved for his sake that he didn't have to climb into the attic.   

On Thursdays in Lent we don't have Communion, and Emmanuel, and different churches take turns hosting a lenten lunch, and I was able to go to that.

 This is Banana Joe (what kind of name is that, Tarka is much better) the winner of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, which has been taking place every year since 1877.   He is an Affenpinscher.

The cruise ship is just about arriving in port in Alabama, but it is going to take about 4 hours for all the passengers to disembark.   As the lifts on board aren't working passengers are going to have to carry their suitcases down flights and flights of stairs.    There have already been a couple of people with broken bones, I can foresee more.      

Ash Wednesday

After yesterday's wintry day we had another day of summer, or spring, today.  Warm, sunny, blue skies, in the 60s.   It's bizarre.  Although it was mainly raining yesterday, there were actually a few snow flakes came down.

There were two imposition of ashes services at Emmanuel today, at noon and 7 this evening.   As I'd decided to go to the YMCA pool this evening I went to the noon service.

I was watching television this evening when I got back from water walking, and the reception suddenly went in the middle of a Food Network competition.   Sigh.   It is probably due to some form of wildlife chewing through the cable, I wish they could put the cables underground like we do.    On the whole though I prefer cable tv, rather than a satellite dish, which goes down very quickly in bad weather, because in the case of a tornado I'd rather watch  it on tv advancing towards me, and know exactly how far away it is.     I hope the tv man in the morning will be able to repair it from outside, and not have to climb into the attic.  They hate that, and with good reason, the access is in a corner of a closet and they really need to be young, fit and agile to haul themselves up there.

I am sure you heard in the news about the cruise ship without electricity in the Gulf of Mexico, being towed to Alabama.   It sounds the worst kind of nightmare.  There's very little food, they are eating onion sandwiches, no cold water or air conditioning, and it is intensely hot, the toilets aren't working and they are having to use bags.   UUGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!      The stench is said to be horrendous.  They can't transfer the 4000 passengers to another ship because the Gulf of Mexico is so choppy it would be dangerous,   I'd have thought they could find some way of dropping supplies to them though, but perhaps not for 4000 people.

They are getting a full refund (of course) for this cruise, and being offered another in lieu (would anyone want it????) and every passenger will be given $500 compensation.   $500 wouldn't cut it for me.  Even £500 wouldn't cut it.   So I think there are going to be some lawsuits.    And when they get to Alabama it is seven and a half hours to somewhere civilised, like Houston.

I was hoping tonight, before the television went down, to get a fuller account of yesterday's events when the LAPD cop saga ended.

The gun debate rages on.   In Oklahoma, until a couple of months ago, guns had to be concealed - my neighbour used to tuck hers down the waistband of her jeans when she was out delivering pizzas - but now an open carry law has been brought in so that one doesn't have to conceal them, one can walk around, waving them about.    I was thinking today that although this has been in force for a few weeks now I haven't yet seen anybody  openly carrying them.  I wondered why they bothered changing the law.

 

Rest of Shrove Tuesday

It was very quiet at the Senior Centre this afternoon, the weather - or at least the threat of snow - kept the Country Music Group away. The only people there were the staff;  those doing community service, and the rednecks playing pool and dominoes.

The rednecks in the pool room are rude Oklahoman men (rednecks are uneducated white farmers in the southern US; these are retired uneducated white farmers) those who demand a pot of coffee without even a please or thank you, which always makes me sigh, but this afternoon made me snap when one of them threw a dollar at me and just said "coffee".
 
I brewed the coffee, took the pot up to them, and informed them that unless I was addressed politely in future I wouldn't make it.   My parting shot was that the men in this country are the rudest I have ever known.  Just to let them know they are giving American men a bad name.

I had another mishap in the Senior Centre when I put a needlework project I'm working on down on the desk, picked up my tea - and goodness knows how it happened - but it spilt all over the needlework.   Oblivious of the tea spreading across the desk I snatched up the needlework, dashed into the kitchen and held it under running water.   Fortunately a kind member of staff stepped up and dealt with the spilt tea.  And the needlework has dried without a stain.

This evening I went to Emmanuel for pancakes, they had every kind of accompaniment; bacon, strawberries, maple syrup, chocolate chips, but I took lemon and sugar with me.    It was a fund raising event for the young peoples' summer camp, and was very well attended.

It has been a very busy news day.   The news broke on the manhunt in CA, and it was the President's State of the Union address. Also on television this evening was the grand finale of a Food Network competition I have been following, so I had my fingers on the remote, channel hopping.
 

Shrove Tuesday morning

Yesterday was such a lovely, warm, sunny day with blue skies it was hard to imagine that there would be a blizzard here today.  But it is spreading eastwards across Oklahoma from the Texas panhandle.  Here in Shawnee though it is raining heavily at the moment.   Much as I wanted to pull the covers over me and go back to sleep, I got myself out to the YMCA to plod around the resistance walkway.  There was one other person there who was telling me that the water aerobics class hadn't turned up, they'd probably pulled the covers over themselves.

I went on to the Senior Centre where they had oatmeal with raisins for breakfast, and toast.  Decided I'd rather have oatmeal at home with tinned peaches, but I had some tea and toast.   I've got loads of stuff to put on toast, like jam, chocolate hazelnut spread, marmite and I suggested I take it all there, then it might get used.   I was trying to describe marmite to them and someone said she'd seen it on the Vicar of Dibley.   Which is on every night here with As Time Goes By, Last of the Summer Wine, and Hyacinth Bucket.

As I was leaving the Centre my pals were all arriving for the monthly Board meeting.    Louise gave me a little present of Twinings tea, Phyllis said her brother had been on the phone this morning telling her how bad the snow is over there (he lives on the east coast) I told Fr Clark  I'd be at Emmanuel this evening with my lemon and sugar for our pancakes.

 Well tomorrow looks a better day, and Thursday positively warm.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Last Sunday in Epiphany

Out early, as it's the second Sunday, to pick up the donuts for Emmanuel.   I was thinking, while driving along at 7am, that the only drivers on the roads were those getting the donuts for their churches.     I wondered how coffee and donuts  would go down in our churches in England, but given the obesity levels here it's probably not a good idea.

I stayed for the 8 o'clock service, then went to the adult Sunday school, which was interesting, and is always well attended.    I had considered going along to Carla's Methodist church at 11, but decided instead to catch up on my early start.

There was an e-mail from Rosalyn when I got home inviting me to a movie with her and Bruce this evening.   It was 'Silver Linings Playbook', billed as a comedy, drama, romance, and it was all of that.   We enjoyed it very much.

This was the synopsis of it -

Synopsis:   Life doesn’t always go according to plan…Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) has lost everything -- his house, his job, and his wife. He now finds himself living back with his mother (Jacki Weaver) and father (Robert DeNiro) after spending eight months in a state institution on a plea bargain. Pat is determined to rebuild his life, remain positive and reunite with his wife, despite the challenging circumstances of their separation. All Pat’s parents want is for him to get back on his feet - and to share their family’s obsession with the Philadelphia Eagles football team. When Pat meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a mysterious girl with problems of her own, things get complicated. Tiffany offers to help Pat reconnect with his wife, but only if he'll do something very important for her in return. As their deal plays out, an unexpected bond begins to form between them, and silver linings appear in both of their lives.

  
It was 'different'.   The central theme was the hero's mental illness, he had bipolar disorder.   I came out wondering if I am bipolar.

A footnote to the sad story yesterday of the little boy who died of carbon monoxide poisoning while his father shovelled snow, is that at the same time the father had a heart attack, but is making a recovery.

 
 There are also tornadoes.

Hattiesburg is in Mississippi, and I've heard this evening that the torndado touched down there and caused quite severe devastation and loss of life.

Snow has been forecast in Oklahoma on Tuesday.   In which case I shan't go out.