The Okie Legacy

INCH BY INCH
(Bless These Seeds...)

Let my column and newsletter be the fertile ground. Let my friends be the warmth and rain that bless these seeds I sow.

"Inch by inch - Row by row. I am going to make this garden grow - Some one bless these seeds I sow - 'Til the rain come tumbling down." The Garden Song - words by David Marlett. -- [David Marlett Homepage & "The Garden Song" by David Marlett]

Happy May Day, my friends! The flowery seeds of May should really be blooming now with all those April showers that we've been having lately. I've been traveling the backroads between OKC and NW and Western Oklahoma enjoying the spring countryside in all it's beauty.

Here's almost everything you might want to know about "May Day" -- The celebration probably originated in the spring fertility festivals of India and Egypt. The festival of the Roman goddess of spring, Flora, was celebrated from April 28 to May 3. In medieval England the chief feature of the celebration of May Day was the Maypole; this was decorated with flowers and streamers, the loose ends of which were held by dancers, who encircled the pole, weaving intricate patterns as they passed each other in the dance. These dances are still performed for exhibition purposes in England and the United States. The Second Socialist International in 1889 designated May Day as the holiday for labor, and since that time it has been the occasion for demonstrations, parades, and speeches among socialists and communists.

On to something else... The last few days driving through the small, rural towns of Oklahoma -- I have been blessed to see God's country blooming with the flowers and showers turning the grasses green out in the pastures where the animals are grazing. The wildflowers popping out along the roadside. The different colors of the leaves on the trees that line the small, little creeks overflowing with all this rain we have had lately. It is really breath taking. A picture wouldn't do it justice, but it might preserve it.

I even saw a little, old man up in NW Oklahoma sitting in his lawn chair on the edge of a new little pond that "Mother Nature" helped him build. He had a fishing pole in his hand. Just relaxing in the afternoon spring-like, sunshiny weather. AND... LOL (laughing out loud) Who is to argue with "Mother Nature" about where a pond should be! :-)

The rain has really been tumbling down in NW Oklahoma! So much so that the water tables have been high and Mother Nature's sponge is soaked to overflowing. The country creeks and rivers have been spilling over their banks and washing away the beaver dams. Everything is luscious green. The cows are getting fat on wheat pasture. Now if we can just help get the farmers and ranchers a decent price for their farm products so they can stay in business; make ends more than meet; and make their bankers happy. :-)

I really love the drive thru the small towns such as Dacoma, Hopeton, Fair Valley, Freedom, Waynoka, Chester, Seiling, Watonga, etc... Highway 183 down to Clinton from Seiling is a great drive. It has those small, rolling little hills of grass pastures, wheat fields with the tree lined creeks and rivers running through them. It also has picturesque little towns dotting the landscape between here and there.

I thought maybe you could be my inspiration and sounding board. :-) You could learn of my country. I could learn of yours. What Ya' think? :-) Send me a description of what Spring is like where you are, my friends! Please bless these seeds I sow and warm them with your friendship, stories, quotes and let's see what we can grow. In time... Our teamwork together will produce "Fields of beautiful flowers" in this Universe! :-)

I love driving along the country highways during the Spring -- Seeing new and old places for my Heart-Heart inspirations. I am really a country person by heart and choosing. Aren't we all!

I'm wondering what it must have been like when my ancestors walked upon this land of ours. The small, rural towns with their unique little grocery stores that had everything in the world right there at your beck and call. They are still operating in the center of the small communities. Those ma and pa grocery stores were the Wal-marts for their time and more. You know what I mean? During the winter months everyone would gather around a pot belly stove and catch up on everyone's gossip and family situations.

I remember the grocery store in Hopeton, Oklahoma that we used to run to with anticipation when we visited our grandmother and grandfather Paris on the holidays. It was a real treat to go in there and get a stick of candy, gum, a 10 cent comic book or just to run an errand for grandma. AND... everyone knew everyone else in the town. The owner of the store made you feel like you were the most important little person in there, cause he knew your name and your grandparents by their first name. BUT... More about that in another story I'm working on for later.

Anyway, I love driving between here and there and seeing all the things in between. Sometimes stopping at unique little spots out of the way. I enjoy finding beauty in every kind of scenery in Oklahoma or wherever I travel. Each part of Oklahoma has it's own kind of beauty especially this time of the season. It's like it's people.... They all have their own distinctive, different characteristics and should be admired and RESPECTED for their own individuality, strengths, beauty and talents.

The eastern part of the state may have it's mountains, forest of trees and lakes, but the western parts also have some small, rolling hills, valleys and farmlands that are breath taking during different times of the seasons. It is all in the eye of the beholder!

I was talking the other night with a friend and he says, "... These little ma and pa towns have just as much history as OKC, Tulsa, Lawton, and the bigger towns. And what I am doing, anybody on the internet can do. They just have to have the "want-to" to do it, to preserve some history. Oh well, I've set the stage, shown it can be done, not cost hardly anything, and draw people from around the world to read my archives. Others will do it. Like the saying goes, 'If you build a better mouse trap, the world will beat a path to your door.'"

I say it's like in the movie "Field of Dreams" -- "If you build it, they will come." So go gather the history that surrounds you and build that site or write that book to share with others and help us preserve our history.

You know! With out those Ma and Pa towns growing and producing their crops and future generations, those bigger towns would be nothing. Now we just need to convince some big industries to move their operations into the small, rural, friendly country areas off the main thoroughfares and set up their businesses. The population being produced in these small towns would have a means to support themselves and keep their young people hooked up and around to keep their histories alive and thriving. If you are a business looking to relocate to a small, rural area in Oklahoma, then check out these URLs for what we have to offer.... "Woods County Economic Development" and "Dacoma Business Center".

Most of the little towns still have a Ma and Pa grocery store. Down the street there might be a small building dedicated as a rural Post Office with mailboxes. There usually a quaint little bank and museum. AND... If you are lucky... YES! There is an Old Fashion Saloon, cigar store and/or a Cafe where the locals might hang out. [Freedom, Oklahoma Photos]

The farmers and ranchers in these areas are struggling to get decent prices for their cattle and crops to make their bankers happy and barely making ends meet. :-) AND ... that isn't just in Oklahoma. It's all over.

I've talked long enough and used up way too much of your work time. Some one in Oklahoma cares about you, my friend, and is thinking about you.

Here is one last quote to think on...... "Truth and true love is forever. Spend your precious time and energy in positive, productive, creative activity. Life exacts a price as each moment passes by. What you get in return is up to you. May you be granted all you need. May your health be the best and your life to match." -- Dr. Paul Thanks!

Go out and make a Great day for yourself, family and friends!

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