Creek Council Oak Tree

This historic old tree has its own little corner park.


This Burr Oak was on this site in 1836 when the Tulsa-Lochapoka clan of Creek Indians built a fire here and scattered the ashes brought from their last campfire in Alabama.


Acorns from a Burr Oak tree. These are the largest acorns of any oak tree.

The Creek Council Tree, a mature burr oak, marks the traditional "busk ground" chosen in 1836 by the Tulsa-Lochapoka clan of Creek Indians. In late 1834, they had begun their involuntary migration from Alabama under the control of the U.S. Government. It was a slow and painful trek; of the original group of 630, 161 died in route.

Their 1836 arrival was marked with a solemn and traditional ceremony. A "busk" site was chosen on a low hill overlooking the Arkansas River. Here, according to their traditions, they deposited ashes brought over the trail from their last fires in Alabama. The Tulsa-Lochapoka, a political division of the Creek Nation, established their "town." As late as 1896, the Lochapoka gathered here for ceremonies, feasts, and games.

The site was probably not used by the Indians after about 1900. Gradually it became a solid residential area for the growing city of Tulsa. The Creek Council Tree itself, however, survived. The oak, standing in its small, well-landscaped city park, serves as a meaningful memorial to the proud Indian tribe that brought law and order to a new homeland 173 years ago. I know of nothing in Tulsa history that is any older than this.

The Creek Council Tree was listed in the National Register on September 29, 1976. It was listed under National Register Criteria A, and its NRIS number is 76001576.

Water Sculpture

The large metal trays alternately fill, tip and pour out water so that the whole sculpture is in a kind of graceful random motion. It is relaxing to sit and watch.


There are benches around the fountain where people can sit and chat while the water plays over the sculpture. The gentleman reading the newspaper is also a bronze sculpture.

Located at the corner of 21st and Utica is an outdoor fountain sculpture created by Lin Emery entitled 'Free Enterprise.' . “Emery ‘wanted to evoke the essence of movement-flight, dance, gestures and pantomime.’ To obtain the proper color and workability, Emery selected a specially produced bronze alloy and then combined it with stainless steel.”-From The Artwork of Tulsa by John Brooks Walton

More information on the artist:

“Lin Emery is an internationally recognized sculptor. Her kinetic sculptures produce constantly changing relationships through the ever-varying configuration of their pars as they interpret the lyrical beauty of the natural world. Lin Emery’s forms are abstracted from nature and give visible form to the energies moving through nature.” Link

I remember seeing a similar sculpture in France some years ago but cannot recall just where it was. I need some help with that.

New Riverpark at 41st St.

The playground is all new with slides, swings, and monkey bars. There are pyramids covered in tough artificial turf to climb and slide on. This is very kid friendly


Here is a panorama which swings from looking South to North.
Click to enlarge

For a long time there has been a little park area where 41st Street runs into Riverside Drive and the Arkansas Riverpark. It had gotten rather run down and was no longer adequate for the number of people using it. It has been totally remodeled with new toilet facilities, playgrounds and picnic areas. There is additional parking, a very nice river overlook area, and lots of new shrubs and trees. A lot of improvements have been made to the running and biking trails all up and down the Riverpark and this section just reopened last week. It is really nice and lots of people were there enjoying it. I helped that this was the first sunny afternoon in over 2 weeks of rain.

Taking a Rain Day

It is raining again today and I don't plan to go out.  Rather than digging up an old photo just for the sake of posting something, I am taking a break.  It has been a year since I started this blog and so far have posted 760 photographs.  Sometimes I get carried away and post too many, as for King Tut.  I know I post too many photos of flowers, and birds, but I sort of share what is before me and I spend a lot of time looking at flowers and bird feeders.  What can I say, its my blog and I share what I have.

I do a daily blog for three main reasons.  First, because it is a way of communicating with family and friends, although I don't know that our kids actually check it very often.  Second, because Susan likes it (sufficient reason in itself).  And third, because I enjoy it.  Perhaps it gives vent to my creative urges.

The bonus is that I have made new friends in interesting places who read and comment here and whose blogs I have come to anticipate and enjoy very much.  To be honest, I expect that most people who maintain blogs live for the comments.  It gives us the assurance that what we have to say is maybe important, and at least is of some interest to others.

So, I wish you health and happiness, and thank you for reading.  Smokey sends his love. 

Back to the Birds

We are home to Smokey, the King Tut pictures are shared, and the usual routine of life is resumed. After all the excitement of Dallas and the Art Museum are behind us I am back to my modest bird feeders. As Dorothy said to the Wizard, There is no place like home!


My little Male Downey Woodpecker is busy.


A Titmouse reminds me that I need to refill my feeders.

And a House Finch is looking me over.

Sunday Jigsaw Puzzle

Tutankhamun in Dallas

This was an amazing exhibit. It was produced by the National Geographic and was extremely well done. Although there was a huge crowd attending the exhibit, we were let in one group at a time, and shown a very short film that served to space out each group as well as being informative.

As we went through from one galley to the next, each item of interest was showcased with enough space around it to allow it to be seen from at least 3 sides, and the informative placards were repeated on all sides at both top and bottom so no matter where you were standing it was easy to read about the display. I was using my wheelchair because of the great amount of walking required and appreciated the multiple placement. In addition, we rented audio devices to carry around with us. Each exhibit had a number which when entered into the device played an explanation. Despite the crowds we had time to really see and understand everything. This was very well done.

Going through the exhibit was an information overload. Here are a few highlights from the excellent exhibit book. It is thick and full of photographs and text. It explains the history of the discovery and excavation of the tomb and is very interesting. It can be ordered from the National Geographic web site and is well worth the $22.50 it cost.


This is the cover of the exhibition book and is the headpiece of the third or inner coffin. Tutankhamun became Pharaoh of all Egypt in about 1500 BC when he was 9 years old and died suddenly and mysteriously when he was 19. The story of his brief reign is fascinating but much too involved to be told here. It appears that he accomplished quite a lot in his brief life and was much loved.


When Howard Carter who led the expedition discovered the inner chamber which contained the tomb, he found it was a series of five nested crypts each one exquisitely decorated. Within was a stone sarcophagus which contained the actual coffin. It too was a set of three nested coffins with the mummy adorned with golden masks and jewelery at the center. The illustration above shows the layers of shrines which comprise the crypt.


These are the upper portions of the 3 nested coffins, the last being made of solid gold. Pharaoh is usually seen holding a flail in one hand and a crook in the other. The flail is power as ruler, the crook is to shepherd his people.


This is the second coffin heavily decorated.



This is the stunning face of the third coffin revealing the life like features of the young king. This is another view of the same object as on the book's cover photograph above.


This is the fourth mask which was affixed to the linen wrappings of the mummified body at the innermost layer. The process of preserving the body for its journey in the afterlife was very involved. The tomb was filled with possessions of the young king that would be of use to him in the afterlife.


This is a pectoral ornament included with his belongings. It was pointed out that the scarab at the center was carved from a piece of glass which occurred naturally by some means, maybe by a meteorite. Interesting.


This is one side of a small shrine found in the tomb. It is covered by scenes of the young Pharaoh and his wife in intimate scenes of their personal life. Here she is handing him arrows as he shoots what appears to be ducks. One would have to be a good shot to hunt ducks with a bow and arrows. Buried with Tut were two embalmed fetuses, thought to be his only offspring. It is not known what happened to his wife.


Also included were these two small statues of Tutankhamun as Pharaoh. They are identical except fot the royal crowns. The elongated crown depicted him as ruler of the upper kingdom and the flat topped crown indicates he was the ruler of lower Egypt as well.


This is a rather small solid gold coffin in which were placed his viscera. When the body was embalmed, the internal organs were removed, dried and wrapped in linen, and stored in this small coffin for use in the afterlife. This beautiful gold case was displayed so the the interior was visible and was covered with engraved decoration. If I had to pick a favorite thing from the exhibit, this would be it.


This was a container for some sort of ointment or cosmetic. I really like the lion with his tongue hanging out.


This is a child sized chair that probably belonged to Tut when he was young. Maybe it was a favorite thing.


This is a double sided ivory game board so the young king could entertain himself. The game was described as something similar to parcheesi. It showed indications of some wear and was assumed to have been used by Tut. Remember, he was just a boy when he became Pharaoh and like all boys enjoyed games. Seeing things that he held in his hands 3500 years ago was almost a little spooky.

Back from Dallas

Sweet Old Bob (SOB)

We slept very well after a full day at the King Tut exhibit. It surpassed all our expectations. Although I could not take any pictures in the museum I bought some nice pictures that I will scan and share with you tomorrow. Right now I am stretched out on the bed with my faithful friend Smokey beside me. It is a 4 1/2 hour drive up from Dallas but the time passed quickly because we took turns reading a book aloud to each other. One of us reading and the other paying attention to the driving of course.

On the way back we stopped to say hello to our old friend Bob Smith. Bob lived in Tulsa for quite some time and we attended the same church. He was a very loyal friend and was of great help to me before I was married when I had my first cancer surgery. For about 15 years he was a part of the men's prayer group that meets at my house every Monday night. Several years ago he moved to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area to be near one of his daughters and grandchildren. It is the first time we had seen his new home there, which is very nice. I am happy to report that he is doing very well and enjoying his life as a transplanted Texan. Great to see you Bob.

Dallas for King Tut

Here are a few photos taken with my Canon. The quality of the photographs is better but I have to wait until I can dowload them to my computer before I can post them to Blogger. The iPhone lets me email them to blogger wherever I am.


Here is our breakfast at the Westin. I had fruit and a toasted bagel, Susan had eggs and bacon. It was very nice.


Here is the love of my life, the sweet Saint Susan.


Looking out at the large indoor atrium.


At the floor of the Atrium is a large indoor skating rink.


Now we skip to the end of the day for our nice dinner in the hotel's expensive restaurant. Ah well, this is Mother's Day weekend and it is a treat for Susan.

Dallas for King Tut

Some photographs from the iPhone camera.

After a break for lunch we did a quick tour of the remainder of the museum. The Dallas Art Museum has a wonderful permanent collection of paintings and artifacts. There is not time or space to tell you all the beautiful things we saw today. We have seen it all!

A "Tutty" bear for Autumn.

We are taking a lunch break at the snack bar. This is the window that looks out to the sculpture garden. The colorful disks are made of glass.

Photos were not allowed in the exhibit but were OK in the gift shop. I loved the camel in Pharonic headgear. The exhibit was wonderful. We spent the whole day looking at everything. I bought the exhibition book and will scan some for you later.

This is downtown Dallas. We are having breakfast then will go see Tut. Stay tuned.

After a 4 1/2 hour drive we are in Dallas in a nice but very over priced hotel. This is the midnight view from our room in the downtown Westin. We are tired, good night

King Tut

Susan and I will drive down to Dallas this evening to stay at a nice hotel and see the King Tut exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art. This is the first time in 30 years that these artifacts from the tomb of the famous boy-king have been on display in the United States. Cameras are forbidden in the exhibit but I will have something to share with you. We will stay 2 nights and return Saturday morning. Smokey will stay home to guard the house and our neighbors will check on him while we are gone. This will be a great adventure. Stay tuned.

Brown Thrasher

It showered a little this morning but by late afternoon the sun came out. Jokers were calling the local radio station asking what the strange light in the sky was.


I see my Brown Thrasher sitting on my wooden fence sometimes, and occasionally on the suet feeder but usually he is on the ground. The are shy birds and prefers to feed on the ground in thickets or under shrubs. They are handsome birds and carry themselves with the same kind of dignity as their relatives the catbird and the mockingbird. They are always welcome.


The Brown Thrasher is part of a family of New World birds (Mimidae) that includes New World catbirds and mockingbirds. Like the mockingbird and the catbird, the Brown Thrasher is a mimic and imitates the songs of other birds. There are some differences however. You can listen to a recording of the Thrasher's song by clicking [HERE].

The River is Rising

 
Smokey and I decided to check the level of water in the Arkansas River which divides Tulsa east and west. The 21st Street bridge just up the road almost disappears in the rain.


I hobbled around in the rain taking pictures while Smokey wisely stayed in the car. I covered my camera with a bandanna until I snapped the photo to keep my new camera dry.


We had the place to ourselves. I guess most people had the good sense to stay out of the rain. Click to enlarge panorama of the river from South to North.



Back in February I posted an interesting photo of water flowing over the low water dam just North of the pedestrian bridge on the Arkansas River. After more than a week of heavy rain the water level is much higher. Here is a sort of before and after of the low water dam.

Tulsa Rose Garden

There was a break in the rain this afternoon and Smokey and I stopped by the Tulsa Rose Garden to see what was blooming. The roses are beginning to look nice and there will soon be more to come.


This beautiful pink climber is a Clair Matin and is framed by deep blue Clematis.


The Tulsa Municipal Rose Garden is beautiful from early May until late November. It is a great place to go at any time over the summer to see which rose varieties are holding up to our hot summer weather. Sue and I went there 3 summers ago in August and discovered the Knockout Shrub roses that are along our side fence. They were blooming when everything else looked hot and dry.


The Tulsa Municipal Rose Garden at Woodward Park

Constructed by the WPA using hand labor and teams of horses and a part of Woodward Park and the Tulsa Garden Center, the Municipal Rose Garden was inaugurated in 1934 and is a continuing project of Tulsa Parks and the Tulsa Garden Club.

It is an All-American Rose Society test garden containing 6,000 individual rose plants in 250 varieties. The classical garden is laid out on five terraces that climb the hill from Peoria Avenue and each terrace centers around a pool or fountain.

Reflecting pools with aquatic plants are featured on all Terraces; junipers are hand-sheared into formal, conical shapes within the garden; the area is flanked on the south and east by a wide variety of trees. Roses bloom from May until the first frost, usually in November.

Gray Catbird

The Gray Catbird is a handsome fellow. Easy to mistake for a blackbird at first glance. It is supposed to have a roufus (red-brown) area under the tail but I have not seen that.


The Gray Catbird, slate gray with a black crown.

The Catbird is so named for the mewing call which sounds rather like a cat meowing. Related to the Mockingbird and the Brown Thrush it also can imitate the cries of other birds, and is a fearless defender of its nest. It is a little shy and is more often heard than seen. I have seen very few but since setting out the suet feeder the Catbird has been a regular, although still a bit shy.

Night on the Town

Rain or no rain, Sue and I decided we needed to go out for some fun. First we had dinner and a great little family owned Mexican Restaurant, El Rio Verde, "The Green River". It is a modest place but has a little significance for us because this is the first place I took Susan to dinner 9 years ago when we first started seeing each other.

With a hand painted mural on the side and a new awning it looks pretty good. It is not in the part of town where you would want to go walking after midnight, but it has great food.


With some nice paintings on the wall it looks just fine. When 90% of the customers are speaking Spanish, it is a good sign that the food is authentic.


I had camarón ranchero, shrimp sauteed with peppers, onions, and tomatoes, and Sue had a Shrimp fajita burrito. She had iced tea and I had horchata, a sweet drink made from rice, sugar and cinnamon. It cools off a spicy dish just right.


Next we stopped at the Jazz Depot. This is the old Santa Fe Railroad depot in the center of downtown Tulsa. It has been converted into a performance center as well as offices for the Tulsa Symphony. It is an interesting old Art Deco style building that has been lovingly restored.


Inside is an auditorium that seats about 400. There is a jazz program almost every Sunday evening. Tonight's performance was a pair of jazz orchestras (Big Bands) from 2 of Tulsa's High School. The first was from the magnet school, Booker T. Washington High School.


Next was the "Screaming Eagles" of Edison Preparatory School. The both did a very good job. It was great music that set your toe to tapping. We had a nice evening.