The Okie Legacy

SPIRIT of HUMANITY
(It Only Takes A Spark)

"The spirit of love and compassion, sadly missing from most news broadcasts, is alive and well in Oklahoma, and provides for me a deep sense of hope - hope that that spirit will spread across the land and rekindle the basic 'spark of humanity' that we need so very desperately." Quote by Rod Murrow, 12 May 1999, , NW Oklahoma - The Little House On the Internet Soapbox.

This is so True, Rod and all you readers out there! It only takes one person to plant the seed - Spark the Humanity - Spread the Spirit of love and compassion... That is already within You! It can begin with You and Me! Together! Like my sister, Dorthy, always says, "Together We CAN Make A Difference!"

That is what I'm trying to do with my column and newsletter. To keep the spark of love, compassion and spirit lit in the Heartland and the Universe. Giving people a sense of Hope and Rebirth of well-being across these lands of ours. AND... Rekindle that spark of humanity.

Tuesday morning I got up early and headed for NW Oklahoma to check out what the farmers were doing up there this time of year. I checked in on my friendly farmer in Alfalfa County near the little town of Dacoma and Cherokee, Oklahoma. This Farmer reminds me allot of my dad (Gene McGill). He doesn't take any bullshit off of anyone and was energized trying to get his alfalfa cut, raked and baled before Mother Nature decided to spark the farmer's situation with a few teasing rain clouds.

My farmer was (as some might say) out standing (or... outstanding) in his field. Supervising and working alongside his hay crew of neighbors helping neighbors to beat the wrath of Mother Nature's schedule of Spring events. You see... Farmers don't work on a 9 to 5, Monday through Friday job like some of us city folks.

The farmers are up early before dawn and sometimes work through the night and seven days a week. It seems he is always working in harmony with Mother Nature's scheduled events to raise the crops - produce the meat and other necessities that some of us city folks might take for granted. AND... If the farmer is lucky, he might get a decent price for his labor and come out ahead. BUT.... That is only once in a long shot (a gamble of nature) and very rare. Usually, the only one coming out ahead is the banker, backer or broker that loans the farmer the money to produce the next crop of necessities for us all.

If you do take a drive out in the rural areas, you will notice that the wheat farmers are grazing off the wheat crops and putting their wheat crops into hay. The price of wheat ($2.25) isn't worth spending precious income to harvest it. That is the situation here in the Heartland. How is it where you live?

The next time you drive through the rural countryside stop and take a good look around. If you see a farmer out in his field of dreams, make an effort to talk to him and thank him for all the necessities he supplies on your table each day. What would we do without them... The Farmers and Ranchers? !

This last weekend I traveled down the Turnpike from Oklahoma to Wichita Falls, Texas checking out the scenery and seeing the small, rural towns along the way that I have never seen before. As for the scenery... You have the green grass pastures of rolling hills and the "Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella)" or "Indian Paintbrush" wildflowers scattered along the roadside and in the pastures. That touch of red laying on top of the green grass looked liked some one had thrown a patchwork blanket of delicate, red flowers over the top of everything (roadways and pastures) in southern Oklahoma.

I'm seeing more of the "Indian Blanket" or "Indian Paintbrush" wildflowers in the southern part of the the state than I am in the northern part. The northern part has the little yellow, daisy-like flowers scattered everywhere. BUT... It is still beautiful all the same.

Sometimes... Just a weekend drive in the country helps clear my mind for the next week of adventures and experiences on my journey of discovery of this great land of ours. Someday I might be in your "neck of the woods" as they might say! I look upon every adventure and experience as a new learning tool that helps me grow in knowledge and opportunities.

I told a friend that I had ventured into Texas Territory and they were concerned for my Okie life. *LOL* Like those Texans would harm this Sweet Okie in some way. Give me a break! *LOL* I simply had to chuckle! I told him in an asking tone, "They wouldn't harm this Sweet, Okie Country Lady, would they? I'm too sweet for that!"

I would be remiss if I didn't include here a clip of what a former NW Alva Okie (Steve Nicholson) sent me. It is a description of his "Spring in Chicago". Here is what Steve had to say about that, "All this is in contrast to the side streets of Chicago. Small bungalows sitting on lots that are only 25 feet wide. This makes the houses only about 4 feet apart. The yards are not large like those in Alva, but can be just as inviting. Small plots of freshly mown grass, ringed with flowers of many colors, that have prospered also in the April showers, are just as pretty to us "city folk" as any large expanse in the small rural towns of Oklahoma. Seeing the people out on a Saturday morning working these small plots, many with the old "push" type mower, sweeping the curbs and sidewalks, is a pretty sight indeed. Instead of the chair near the pond, people still do sit on the porch and visit with neighbors and strangers alike as they pass by going wherever."

Nicholson goes on to state, "You must remember that the city too had the "corner grocery" where there was a stove that the neighbors gathered around and visited too. They didn't need a car (or horse) to go serveral miles to visit. Grandpa sat nearby in his rocker and visited with the local kids when they came in to buy their penny candy, just like in your town. Even today areas of the "City" still have these corner markets, more likely than not run by someone born far across the sea, but just as friendly as the old couple that ran the shop many years ago. Sure, the candy now costs a nickel or a dime, but somehow the kids still have that to spend. When you think about the "City" please realize that we are all friends in this world and one is not better than the other, just different, in different surroundings. Sometimes, people forget that there is love and friendship everywhere and we can all enjoy what we have."

A dear friend sent this special message to me -- "You are special!" by Collin McCarty: "Your presence is a present to the world. You're unique and one of a kind. Your life can be what you want it to be. Take the days just one at a time. Count your blessings, not your troubles. You'll make it through whatever comes along. Understand, have courage, be strong. Don't put limits on yourself. So many dreams are waiting to be realized. Decisions are too important to leave to chance. Reach for your peak, you goal, your prize. Nothing waste more energy than worrying. The longer one carries a problem, the heavier it gets. Don't take things too seriously. Live a life of serenity not a life of regrets. Remember that a little love goes a long way. Remember that friendship is a wise investment. Life's treasures are people. . . Together. Realize that it's never too late - Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way. Have health and hope and happiness. Take the time to wish upon a star. And dont' ever forget... Even for a day... How very special you are!"

Go out and make a Great day for yourself and someone special! I'm headed out to kick some cows this weekend at Fair Valley with my NW Okie friends. *LOL* The cows will probably kick me a few times, though! *LOL* Tell you about it next week, my friends!

The Spirit of America is with you in our Hearts and Prayers! We All are Survivors no matter where we live!

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