June 3, 2007

• West Coast vs. Oklahoma

  We have our "dad" back!  He arrived on time yesterday afternoon, despite the heightened air security alert.  Earlier in the day, they had arrested 3 of 4 people who were plotting to blow up JFK airport.  Praise God, Jesse returned home unscathed!

  He enjoyed his time in Seattle.  Actually, he was in Tacoma.  Time flew by much too quickly, but he was very glad he decided to fly there.  His sister was swamped with the funeral arrangements and all the business that went with it (before and after) and he really only spent time with her on Friday.  He DID spent a lot of time with his brother, who had lots of time to visit with Jesse.  This is the same brother who will be flying here in 2 weeks to spend 4 or 5 days at our house.  He's bringing our niece with him and the girls will enjoy her, I'm sure.  She is around 6 1/2, in between Rissy's & Annamarie's age.

  Jesse came home full of stories about the beauty of Washington and talked about how lush and green things were, as well as the gorgeous mountains off in the distance, AND told me all about the wonderful food he had eaten.  I was afraid he would want to move there, but he was satisfied with just a visit.  I have family (probably more members than I realize) in Tacoma and so that would be nice for me if he chose to move us out there.  I grew up in California with the lush greenery and mountains in the distance; and, I DO appreciate the beauty of the west coast, but I have become a definite Okie and love it here, too. 

  Driving to the airport yesterday, I wondered what it would be like for my brother, Bill, to come to Oklahoma for a visit.  He's very cosmopolitan, used to the "lush greenery & mountainous view" of the San Francisco Bay Area, and is a professional musician - ALSO used to a fast paced life.  As I drove the quiet, lonely back roads to the airport, I looked at the beauty of our lush, green fields (due to the monster rains we've been receiving) dotted with cows and horses and thought, "Bill would land at the airport, drive this route back with me to my house, and think to himself the whole time, 'I think I've just been dumped in the middle of nowhere!'"

  I appreciate the open spaces of Oklahoma, and have resolved, within myself, the flatness of our state.  I remember the first year I was here, I used to drive 5mph when I went on an overpass so I would have the feeling of being "up" and looking "down" on something!  Having grown up in a hilly area in CA, I felt weighted down by the flatness that stretches on and on for miles in this area.   I've come to love the fields, pastures, prairie land (whatever you want to call it), and all the cows, horses, and other animals you pass - even when you are within the city going to another part of the city.  I don't know if I would want to move very far from here, nor would I want another place that's extremely different.

  Jesse talked about the fast pace, the traffic and congested road problems, and the cost of living in Tacoma.  One night after dinner, he offered to buy a root beer float for his sister and he got one scoop of ice cream for himself.  He was shocked that it cost $8.00 (compared to about $3.50 in Oklahoma)!!!  He said parking around the ballpark was $15.00 on the street ($4.00 - $5.00 in Oklahoma), which sounded outrageous to him until he saw covered parking advertised for $25.00 ($10 or $12, here)!  Oklahoma is so inexpensive compared to the west coast states, which is nice;  even though we don't have flowers growing in everyone's garden, nor are their fresh flowers on every restaurant table, or flowers growing in flower boxes in front of shops on all the streets!

  It's true, flowers are hard to grow here because of the clay soil and the harsh summer heat - but, at least we can afford to live here - and, very nicely!

  I'm glad to have Jesse home.  I have lived his trip vicariously through his stories - and, that is good enough for me. 

  Of course, he DID bring home packages of Tully's coffee, several loaves of sour dough bread, and a H-U-G-E box of See's candy for me.  Yes, that was definitely good enough for me!

   

   

  • 11:32 am
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