Where I used to work we would on occasion bring food to work to share with each other. One day Steve brought one of his favorite holiday snacks. It was quite simple: club crackers, cream cheese & jalapeno jelly. Being an Oklahoma Girl I know it's hard to believe but I had never had jalapeno jelly. I loved it, especially with the crackers and cream cheese.
Last December I was planning a Christmas Eve Hors d'Oeuvres buffet and wanted to include this little treat. Working full time makes Christmas shopping a challenge but I managed to make it to all three grocery stores in town looking for the brand of jalapeno jelly Steve had served. I could only find what looked like an off brand. I reluctantly purchased two jars; one was green and the other red. I was not satisfied and didn't want to chance ruining the little yummies with some nasty tasting stuff but I was literally down to the wire on time.
While at work I had emailed Rebekah complaining about our grocery stores. She quickly responded and told me that Petty's Fine Food in Utica Square had a really good jalapeno jelly. She said the name of it was...Red Hot Lover. She also dared me to walk in there and ask if they had a Red Hot Lover. Now, you know me...
The plan was made. Kim and I had just enough time at lunch to zip into Tulsa and get that Jelly! Plus, have a wonderful fun time in the process. We giggled all morning and I practiced saying it without smiling or laughing but the morning turned into afternoon and the work kept piling up. About 2:00 we knew we wouldn't be able to go.
THEN my sister Suzan calls me. She called to tell me that she was over at Sam's Club and wanted to know if I needed anything from Sam's as it would be her last time in Tulsa before Christmas. We talked briefly about our to-do-lists and Christmas shopping and just as we were getting ready to hang up the phone the light bulb turned on in my head.
I'm going to pause this story to tell you a bit about my sister Suzan. She is three and a half years older than me. Much to her dismay, I have looked up to her my whole life. We are polar opposites...one could say she is the good daughter and I am the...let's just use the word ornery daughter. Another way, she is the typical oldest child and I am the typical middle child. One of my great delights in life is to torment her with teasing and joking...I guess mostly because, bless her heart, she just doesn't get most of it.
So, back to the story and that light bulb.
"Oh, Suzan, are you going to be over by Utica Square?"
"Yes, I can just get off the highway, do you need something?"
BINGO! "Do you know where Petty's is?"
"Yes"
I had been rehearsing this all morning...
"Could you go in there and ask if they have a Red Hot Lover?"
Silence...thought I was busted but she didn't let me down.
"I've had that before and I have one at home that I made and it is a lot better and cheaper..."
I really never heard the rest of what she said and she will never live down this story!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Galen, Elizabeth and the Copperhead
This is one of Lauri Anne's favorite stories. It's kind of graphic but true.
Years ago we were expecting company and I had been in a flurry of preparation.
Looking back I don't remember who we were expecting to visit but it was probably one of Galen's siblings and family.
It was late in the evening on the eve of their arrival and I was, well okay, nagging Galen to do something out in the garage. We were already dressed for bed and Galen, in his boxers, was parked in his recliner watching TV. Galen reluctantly got up and headed for the garage. Just a few minutes passed and guilt overcame me and I, in my nightgown, headed out to give him company during the "chore."
I opened the door into the garage and saw Galen on the stairs, back and hands against the wall, with each foot on a different step.
He said, "Get back in...there's a snake!"
I stepped back in the house and closed the door. Then I thought I would peek out to see what was going on. I saw Galen in front of the freezer with an old sponge mop. He was standing with his legs spread and was holding the mop firmly by the handle with the snake pinned with the sponge.
He said, "It's trying to get under the freezer...get the square point shovel."
I scurry down the steps, pass Galen, slide around the riding mower, squeeze around the van and retrieve the shovel. As I'm returning back around the van and to the mower the door from the house opens and David steps out, takes one look at us and steps back into the house closing the door behind him. He didn't know what we were doing and I don't think he wanted to know. Anyway, by this time we had one angry snake on our hands and Galen had me take over with the mop. I spread my legs far apart just like he had done, held down with all my strength and closed my eyes. After the chopping stopped and he pried my hands off the mop he was able to carefully get the copperhead out from under the freezer.
I'm sure the whole time I was swearing and I'm equally sure that Galen never said a word. The old snake measured about 3 feet long and we were glad neither of us had been bitten.
David returned as Galen was throwing the carcass out into the woods and then we started laughing at the sight David must have witnessed in those few short seconds.
Years ago we were expecting company and I had been in a flurry of preparation.
Looking back I don't remember who we were expecting to visit but it was probably one of Galen's siblings and family.
It was late in the evening on the eve of their arrival and I was, well okay, nagging Galen to do something out in the garage. We were already dressed for bed and Galen, in his boxers, was parked in his recliner watching TV. Galen reluctantly got up and headed for the garage. Just a few minutes passed and guilt overcame me and I, in my nightgown, headed out to give him company during the "chore."
I opened the door into the garage and saw Galen on the stairs, back and hands against the wall, with each foot on a different step.
He said, "Get back in...there's a snake!"
I stepped back in the house and closed the door. Then I thought I would peek out to see what was going on. I saw Galen in front of the freezer with an old sponge mop. He was standing with his legs spread and was holding the mop firmly by the handle with the snake pinned with the sponge.
He said, "It's trying to get under the freezer...get the square point shovel."
I scurry down the steps, pass Galen, slide around the riding mower, squeeze around the van and retrieve the shovel. As I'm returning back around the van and to the mower the door from the house opens and David steps out, takes one look at us and steps back into the house closing the door behind him. He didn't know what we were doing and I don't think he wanted to know. Anyway, by this time we had one angry snake on our hands and Galen had me take over with the mop. I spread my legs far apart just like he had done, held down with all my strength and closed my eyes. After the chopping stopped and he pried my hands off the mop he was able to carefully get the copperhead out from under the freezer.
I'm sure the whole time I was swearing and I'm equally sure that Galen never said a word. The old snake measured about 3 feet long and we were glad neither of us had been bitten.
David returned as Galen was throwing the carcass out into the woods and then we started laughing at the sight David must have witnessed in those few short seconds.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Barnsdall Oklahoma
Yesterday I met my friend Kim for lunch and she mentioned that her husband was going to be out of town for the weekend. She invited me to her house for the evening and to spend the night. We always stay overnight when visiting each other because we live an hour apart and it gives our time together more of a mini vacation feel.
I hurried home, threw some things in my overnight bad, sent Samuel a text explaining my plans, and pushed, pushed, pushed all the thoughts of things to do at home out of my mind.
Kim got off work at four and we met up north of Sand Springs and I followed her home, taking the back roads. She knows I love exploring new roads and she took me down a few I'd never traveled. Again, Osage County is beautiful! That girl drives pretty fast but my newly healed car was up to the task not to mention I like to drive fast sometimes too. She also has a yellow car so I'm sure we were a double blurr zipping down those curvy roads. Have you ever had so much fun driving that you were laughing out loud?
We had a relaxing evening. Tori, her teenage daughter and one of her friends came in and out through out the evening and even "hung out" with us. We had fun playing Sing Star. Those girls are good...how do they know the words to all those songs???? We drug ourselves off to bed in the wee hours of the morning.
I woke up early, as usual, and snuck out to the deck with coffee, magazines and glasses. I probably sat there enjoying the morning, the amazing view and magazines for over an hour. Something I seldom get to do. Kim finally drug herself out of bed :) and we drank more coffee and chatted even more.
I tore myself away late morning and took the familiar road home. I was physically tired when I got home but mentally refreshed. Thanks Kim! Good friends sometimes know without knowing just what you need.
I hurried home, threw some things in my overnight bad, sent Samuel a text explaining my plans, and pushed, pushed, pushed all the thoughts of things to do at home out of my mind.
Kim got off work at four and we met up north of Sand Springs and I followed her home, taking the back roads. She knows I love exploring new roads and she took me down a few I'd never traveled. Again, Osage County is beautiful! That girl drives pretty fast but my newly healed car was up to the task not to mention I like to drive fast sometimes too. She also has a yellow car so I'm sure we were a double blurr zipping down those curvy roads. Have you ever had so much fun driving that you were laughing out loud?
We had a relaxing evening. Tori, her teenage daughter and one of her friends came in and out through out the evening and even "hung out" with us. We had fun playing Sing Star. Those girls are good...how do they know the words to all those songs???? We drug ourselves off to bed in the wee hours of the morning.
I woke up early, as usual, and snuck out to the deck with coffee, magazines and glasses. I probably sat there enjoying the morning, the amazing view and magazines for over an hour. Something I seldom get to do. Kim finally drug herself out of bed :) and we drank more coffee and chatted even more.
I tore myself away late morning and took the familiar road home. I was physically tired when I got home but mentally refreshed. Thanks Kim! Good friends sometimes know without knowing just what you need.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
George Proffit Ramey ~ Part 2
My daddy tells the story to answer his question to his father, "Why was Uncle Proffit a nervous style individual?"
Uncle Proffit had a tough time.
One evening after a long day in the coal mines Uncle Proffit, daddy and some other buddies went down to the bar to get a drink. They were standing at the bar sippin their whiskey and this guy comes up behind Uncle Proffit and grabs him by the hair and with a knife tries to cut his throat.
I asked daddy, "What kind of knife was it?"
He said, "A hooked knife, like they use to cut linoleum. He was trying to cut Uncle Proffits jugular."
Uncle Proffit got loose, smacked him and ran out the front door. He was headed for his pony out back. The bar was one of those corner bars with a front and side door. Just as Uncle Proffit passes the side door the guy steps out and catches him in the shoulder with that knife and cut him, in and out, all the way down his back to his butt...clean through his britches belt. Uncle Proffit grabbed his pants and managed to pick up a brick, threw it at him but missed him. So, he got another brick and hit him in the head. Uncle Proffit kept running to his pony so he could get to the doctor.
I asked daddy, "Did it knock him out?"
Daddy said, "Well, yeah! If you got hit in the head with a brick it would knock you out!"
As you can imagine people were getting stirred up and started hollerin that a mad man was on the loose. Uncle Proffit was riding his pony down the street, bleeding pretty bad, still trying to get to the doctor. The sheriff comes running with his shot gun. Thinking Uncle Proffit was the mad man the sheriff shouted for him to stop and when Uncle Proffit didn't stop...he shot him, right off his horse. The shot hit him in the right lower front chest. Well, they hauled him to the doctor. The doctor looked him over and said, "I don't think it is worth sewing him up, he's shot all to hell - just gonna die."
Uncle Proffit rose up a bit and said, "You jist sew me up, I'm jist fine."
So the doctor sewed him up and now wherever Uncle Proffit sits, it's with his back to the wall...facing the door!
After my daddy heard this story he said, "I didn't monkey with stuff in his house."
Daddy also said, "And as proof to me Uncle Proffit showed me his scars, all of them!"
Note of interest: This happened in the late 1920's early 1930's. The story was told to my daddy in the early 1950's and the old coot lived until 1968 to the age of 78!
Uncle Proffit had a tough time.
One evening after a long day in the coal mines Uncle Proffit, daddy and some other buddies went down to the bar to get a drink. They were standing at the bar sippin their whiskey and this guy comes up behind Uncle Proffit and grabs him by the hair and with a knife tries to cut his throat.
I asked daddy, "What kind of knife was it?"
He said, "A hooked knife, like they use to cut linoleum. He was trying to cut Uncle Proffits jugular."
Uncle Proffit got loose, smacked him and ran out the front door. He was headed for his pony out back. The bar was one of those corner bars with a front and side door. Just as Uncle Proffit passes the side door the guy steps out and catches him in the shoulder with that knife and cut him, in and out, all the way down his back to his butt...clean through his britches belt. Uncle Proffit grabbed his pants and managed to pick up a brick, threw it at him but missed him. So, he got another brick and hit him in the head. Uncle Proffit kept running to his pony so he could get to the doctor.
I asked daddy, "Did it knock him out?"
Daddy said, "Well, yeah! If you got hit in the head with a brick it would knock you out!"
As you can imagine people were getting stirred up and started hollerin that a mad man was on the loose. Uncle Proffit was riding his pony down the street, bleeding pretty bad, still trying to get to the doctor. The sheriff comes running with his shot gun. Thinking Uncle Proffit was the mad man the sheriff shouted for him to stop and when Uncle Proffit didn't stop...he shot him, right off his horse. The shot hit him in the right lower front chest. Well, they hauled him to the doctor. The doctor looked him over and said, "I don't think it is worth sewing him up, he's shot all to hell - just gonna die."
Uncle Proffit rose up a bit and said, "You jist sew me up, I'm jist fine."
So the doctor sewed him up and now wherever Uncle Proffit sits, it's with his back to the wall...facing the door!
After my daddy heard this story he said, "I didn't monkey with stuff in his house."
Daddy also said, "And as proof to me Uncle Proffit showed me his scars, all of them!"
Note of interest: This happened in the late 1920's early 1930's. The story was told to my daddy in the early 1950's and the old coot lived until 1968 to the age of 78!
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Nellie's Tiger Lilies
It's June and that means the tiger lilies are blooming.
Early this morning I was out working in my flowerbeds and started thinking about the lilies. I got these from Nellie years ago, not long after we moved into this house. I had cleared the woods back and prepared this long bed not knowing what I would put in it. I was talking to Nellie about my gardening and she insisted that I come over and thin out her lilies. I went over to her house and we started digging. It took some work to get them all planted but I did it.
It was 2 years before they bloomed. I couldn't wait to tell Nellie. She told me to just be sure they get lots of sun and they will keep blooming.
Well, here I am many, many years later and they are still blooming even though I haven't been able to keep up with clearing the woods back. You can see them stretching for the sun.
So, every June I enjoy my Nellie Lilies...they are just an old fashioned flower that reminds me of a dear, special lady.
As you can see they need dividing and some sun ~ so if you loved Nellie like I did then please come and let's dig some up and then each June you too can enjoy the lilies and remember Nellie.
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Early this morning I was out working in my flowerbeds and started thinking about the lilies. I got these from Nellie years ago, not long after we moved into this house. I had cleared the woods back and prepared this long bed not knowing what I would put in it. I was talking to Nellie about my gardening and she insisted that I come over and thin out her lilies. I went over to her house and we started digging. It took some work to get them all planted but I did it.
It was 2 years before they bloomed. I couldn't wait to tell Nellie. She told me to just be sure they get lots of sun and they will keep blooming.
Well, here I am many, many years later and they are still blooming even though I haven't been able to keep up with clearing the woods back. You can see them stretching for the sun.
So, every June I enjoy my Nellie Lilies...they are just an old fashioned flower that reminds me of a dear, special lady.
As you can see they need dividing and some sun ~ so if you loved Nellie like I did then please come and let's dig some up and then each June you too can enjoy the lilies and remember Nellie.
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Sunday, June 06, 2010
George Proffit Ramey
This story was told to me by my daddy, Don Sweeney. It is a true story and I have read it to him and received his approval. I think you will enjoy it.
George Proffit Ramey was married to my daddy's Aunt Fannie. My daddy says he was a mean man. Story is, that he wasn't too good to Fannie...didn't call the doctors in time...basically they blamed him for her death. She was only 30 when she died and Proffit was remarried before the year was out. I'm not sure why my grandfather continued to associate with him...guessing he was a good drinkin buddy.
When I was 14 or 15 years old me and my daddy went up to Kansas to see Uncle Proffit. We were down at the pool hall and Uncle Proffit decided he wanted a haircut and shave. He knew a barber so they went down to the barber shop and Proffit got up in the chair. Well, the barber gave him the haircut and lathered up his face with the brush and that was alright. Then he got the straight razor out and started honing it on the strap. At this point Uncle Proffit straightened up and watched every move the barber was making. As the barber shaved his face and moved to the side burns Uncle Proffit tensed up and backed away. When the barber got to the scar on his neck Uncle Proffit said, "You don't need to do the scar, just shave around it."
He didn't want the barber messin around that scar. You see, Uncle Proffit had a scar on his throat. It was pretty long and when he smiled it pulled his mouth down on that side.
When the barber was all done Uncle Proffit didn't look too much better than he did before.
Then we went on over to Proffit's house and the men were sippin on whiskey and me being a nosey teenager got to snoopin around. I found a little box and opened it up. Inside was a straight razor. Well, Uncle Proffit saw me messin with that straight razor and asked me, "What are you doing?" Then he got on to my daddy and told me, "Put it up! It just git you in trouble."
Not long after they left daddy asked my grandfather about what had happened and why Uncle Proffit was "a nervous style individual." And THAT is a story! And I will tell you...
To be continued...
George Proffit Ramey was married to my daddy's Aunt Fannie. My daddy says he was a mean man. Story is, that he wasn't too good to Fannie...didn't call the doctors in time...basically they blamed him for her death. She was only 30 when she died and Proffit was remarried before the year was out. I'm not sure why my grandfather continued to associate with him...guessing he was a good drinkin buddy.
When I was 14 or 15 years old me and my daddy went up to Kansas to see Uncle Proffit. We were down at the pool hall and Uncle Proffit decided he wanted a haircut and shave. He knew a barber so they went down to the barber shop and Proffit got up in the chair. Well, the barber gave him the haircut and lathered up his face with the brush and that was alright. Then he got the straight razor out and started honing it on the strap. At this point Uncle Proffit straightened up and watched every move the barber was making. As the barber shaved his face and moved to the side burns Uncle Proffit tensed up and backed away. When the barber got to the scar on his neck Uncle Proffit said, "You don't need to do the scar, just shave around it."
He didn't want the barber messin around that scar. You see, Uncle Proffit had a scar on his throat. It was pretty long and when he smiled it pulled his mouth down on that side.
When the barber was all done Uncle Proffit didn't look too much better than he did before.
Then we went on over to Proffit's house and the men were sippin on whiskey and me being a nosey teenager got to snoopin around. I found a little box and opened it up. Inside was a straight razor. Well, Uncle Proffit saw me messin with that straight razor and asked me, "What are you doing?" Then he got on to my daddy and told me, "Put it up! It just git you in trouble."
Not long after they left daddy asked my grandfather about what had happened and why Uncle Proffit was "a nervous style individual." And THAT is a story! And I will tell you...
To be continued...
Saturday, June 05, 2010
The Little Yellow Bug is sick....
David, Amy and Miss Annabelle met for lunch today over in Jenks at Los Cabos. We had a wonderful time. Have I mentioned lately how precious that little princess is?
So I'm zipping along, heading into the construction zone in downtown Tulsa when my generator light comes on...hmmm....never seen that before. I called David and discussed the situation and decided to drive on home. It was really hot with the A/C - Fan off and no George Strait to listen to, but I made it home. I grabbed the owners manuel and got a slightly sweaty me into the house. The manuel said that I shouldn't drive the car when that light come on....I'll be calling Chad on Monday morning!
So Samuel is leaving with Phillip. I asked a few inquiring questions and discovered that Samuel was leaving his car at home. He looked at me with squinted eyes and said, "Have you ever driven my car before?" I assured him that I had driven all kinds of cars, trucks and even a U-Haul. Off they go...I decided to give it a spin down to the "corner" (gas station) just to get a feel for it and decided before I got out of the driveway that I would NOT be driving his car to church in the morning. His fan motor is broken and the only air blowing is coming in the windows. Now wouldn't I just look lovely?
I called Liana, talked to Jerry and they will be picking me up in their air conditioned car!
Fashion alert diverted.....
So I'm zipping along, heading into the construction zone in downtown Tulsa when my generator light comes on...hmmm....never seen that before. I called David and discussed the situation and decided to drive on home. It was really hot with the A/C - Fan off and no George Strait to listen to, but I made it home. I grabbed the owners manuel and got a slightly sweaty me into the house. The manuel said that I shouldn't drive the car when that light come on....I'll be calling Chad on Monday morning!
So Samuel is leaving with Phillip. I asked a few inquiring questions and discovered that Samuel was leaving his car at home. He looked at me with squinted eyes and said, "Have you ever driven my car before?" I assured him that I had driven all kinds of cars, trucks and even a U-Haul. Off they go...I decided to give it a spin down to the "corner" (gas station) just to get a feel for it and decided before I got out of the driveway that I would NOT be driving his car to church in the morning. His fan motor is broken and the only air blowing is coming in the windows. Now wouldn't I just look lovely?
I called Liana, talked to Jerry and they will be picking me up in their air conditioned car!
Fashion alert diverted.....
Friday, June 04, 2010
A ho!
A ho! A ho! My dad's been captured by a ho!
I laugh out loud everytime...and yes tears of laughter too!!
I laugh out loud everytime...and yes tears of laughter too!!
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Memorial Day 2010
A few weeks ago I called my mom and told her that I would be to visit over Memorial Day weekend and that I would hlep her with the flowers for the cemetary. We talked more than once in the days leading up to my visit. We were making our list to be sure we had all the flowers needed.
On my way to Henryetta I had to swing over to the east side of Tulsa to put flowers on my great aunt Juanita's grave. I do this for my favorite uncle Troy and count it an honor to do it for him.
I arrived at Moma & Daddy's house on Thursday afternoon and I unloaded the flowers into the house. We made our plans for Friday and I left to spend the night at Kathryn's. I got up bright and early and walked over to my parents house. We clipped, stuffed and arranged flowers then loaded them in the car.
I had mentioned to my mom that I hadn't been able to locate favorite uncle Troy's father's grave online. So, she called city hall and was able to get the location. We had no idea where it was but I was determined to find it.
Moma and I decided to swing down Main Street to get a Sonic pop and boy were we gald we did! It was a hot day. As we were zipping back down Main Street towards the cemetery I had her swing in to park in front of the flower shop. I went in, hoping to find a wreath for my parent's front door (and I did) but while in there noticed a table with bunches of flowers tied with a ribbon for just a few dollars. I picked one up and mentioned that I didn't want to spend a lot of money since I wasn't even sure we would find the grave. The nice lady at Reba's Flowers asked me if I had the location and I told her that we got it from city hall. She said, "Honey, get the location for me ~ I have a map!" I ran out to the car, got the location and she located and gave me directions for finding the grave. With her help I practically walked right to it.
It took us over 2 hours to put all the flowers out. The grounds keepers had done a nice job but we still needed to sweep off the headstones before putting the flowers in the vases or on the ground. This year I took pictures. Not so much for the flowers but to have a visual memory of our time.
Walter & Margaret Pippin
My mothers Paternal Grandparents
Virgil & Georgia Higgins
My mother's Maternal Grandparents
We talked about each person and Moma told stories about each person I hadn't known. We had a precious time.
James Walter & Fern Pippin
My mothers parents
Margaret Sweeney
My fathers mother
My Paternal Grandmother & Maternal Grandparents
For me the most special one was the wreath we put on my Uncle Kenneth's grave. Since it was Memorial Day, a Military National Holiday and that they had recently placed his military marker....well, it was just emotional.
Also, putting flowers on Galen's grave is always special to me. The picture here is actually of a year past since the two pictures I had taken on this day strangely had my reflection, taking the picture, on the face of the headstone.
One can't help but notice the veteran part of the cemetery. This cemetery doesn't have any Civil War graves that I know of but plenty of WWI to the present. The local veterans spent their weekend placing American flags at the entrances to the cemetery as well as on each veteran grave. They also have a Memorial Day Service on Monday that I'm sure takes a lot of time and preparation. And just think, this takes place all across the country. I kept telling Moma that Memorial Day is a Military National Holiday but also a good time to honor our loved ones.
We drove out to the cemetery each day...just to drive around and look at the increasing flowers. It is strangely beautiful to me to see the people, older people in particular, putting flowers on the graves of their loved ones. I like going to the cemeteries where loved ones are buried. It is good to reflect and reconnect with the memories.
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