Escape to Tenkiller

The Arkansas river valley southeast of Muskogee.

Escape to Tenkiller

Approaching the dam from the west. Lake Tenkiller is created by damming up the Illinois river. The Illinois is primarily spring fed and gravel bottomed and is remarkably clear. As a result a lot of Tenkiller is clear enough to scuba dive.

Veterans Day

Today, November 11, is Veterans Day. What began as Armistice Day to honor those who died fighting in World War I was expanded by President Eisenhower to honor all veterans who have fallen in the defense of freedom.

During the summer of 2000 I had the good fortune to travel to England and France with a group of friends. Our first stop in France was to visit the beaches and American Cemetery in Normandy.

Of the roughly 25,000 American servicemen who died during the invasion 9,386 are buried here including 1,557 whose remains were unidentified. The American Cemetery is comprised of 172 acres, given to the United States by France. In this way those who rest here lie in American soil.

At the time I took a number of photographs which were posted in another blog which preceded this one. I encourage you to view them. The American Cemetery in Normandy

And More Rain

It never rains but it pours.

Rain, Rain

Our bright sunny Indian Summer has given way to a hard cold rain. Some of the side streets are full of water from curb to curb. We don't do things half way here in Oklahoma.

Philbrook

Tulsa Chamber Music presented a recital by the 2008 Irving M. Klein International String Competition winner, violinist Tessa Lark. She was accompanied by pianist Amy Jiaqi Yang. The recital was in Philbrook's Wilson Hall. They were amazing. This all made a wonderful afternoon. The program was:

Fantasia No. 7 - Georg Philipp Telemann
Violin Sonata No. 8 - Ludwig van Beethoven
- Intermission -
Violin Sonata No. 1 - Gabriel Faure
Romance for Violin and Piano - Amy Beach
Polonaise Brillante No. 2 - Henryk Wieniawki

Philbrook

On exhibit is a fine collection of English salon paintings all purchased at great expense by Thomas Holloway between 1880 and 1882. Holloway made his fortune selling patent medicines. These are large paintings revealing a perspective on life in Victorian England. We bought the catalog for the exhibit and plan to return again after we have read enough about the works to appreciate them better.

Philbrook

After church we went to see a new exhibit at the Philbrook Art Museum: the Royal Holloway Collection, London; Paintings from the Reign of Victoria. We began with a very nice brunch in their restaurant.

Our Bishop Visits

The Eucharist follows.

Our Bishop Visits

Receiving Diane Harmon.

Confirmation of Jack Coffey.

Confirmation of Fran Coffey.

Our Bishop Visits

Baptism of Joshua Ashton Manering.

Baptism of McKaley Ann Manering.

Blessed with Holy Chrism and sealed as Christ's own forever. (They were all blessed but I only got a photo of McKensey).

Baptism of McKensey Kaye Manering.

Baptism of Lucas Ray Fallis.

Our Bishop Visits

Preaching

Our Bishop Visits

The Bishop of the Diocese of Oklahoma, Edward Konieczny, is visiting today for baptisms and confirmations. Our Fr. Rick Brewer will assist.

Tulsa Signature Symphony

Warming up (no photos during the performance)

Tulsa Signature Symphony

Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 - J. S. Bach
Symphonic Variations on a Song by Woodie Guthrie - David Amram
- Intermission -
Four Seasons - Antonio Vivaldi
The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires - Astor Piazzolla/arr Desyatnikov

The last were billed as The Eight Seasons. The Vivaldi and Piazzolla sections were played alternately. It was great, and quite a workout for the violinest. Maureen is our first violin and concertmaster. Tonight she soloed.

Tulsa Signature Symphony

Soloists Maureen O'Boyle, violin and Stephen Goforth, trumpet.

Fall Fun Fair

Clowns (the one on the left).

Fall Fun Fair

A fire engine and real firemen.

Fall Fun Fair

We have an inflatable Castle Jump and a slide.

Fall Fun Fair

Christ Church Episcopal is hosting a community activity today to acquaint people in our neighborhood with our church family. Inside is food and a rock and roll band (very loud).

Tree Tunnel

I like roads where trees arch over and touch overhead to make a tunnel of leaves. This is South 101st Street just West of Yale.

Classic Hotrod

There is no sign that this car is for sale. It sits here on this busy corner because the owner wants to share this prize with others. A car like this is not for transportation, but for passion.

I do not know the owner but I can guess that is is owned by a man, probably at least 50 years old. It is said that the two most momentous events in the life of a young man are his first lover and his first automobile. This beautiful yellow hotrod is the love he yearned for as a young man but could not obtain. And now he has it, and here it is for all to see. Ah, sweet love.

Classic Hotrod

Every detail is perfect. This is a work of art. Even the suspension has been chromed and polished. What a beauty!

Classic Hotrod

This beautifully restored and customized 1932 Ford roadster was sitting in the parking lot of a hardware store. When I saw it I turned around and went back to take some pictures.

Sunny Again

Last night's rain has passed and the sky is blue again. That is the right way to have rain; soak the garden over night, then brighten again in the morning. The little maple behind the garden room has lost many of its leaves but those which remain are a nice clear yellow. The patio outside the back gate is carpeted with fallen leaves.

It's a pretty fall day and Smokey and I did a slow inspection of the back garden before he finished his business and we came in for some lunch. I see I need to refill the bird feeders but that can wait until I have had my sandwich.

Smokey Takes Refuge

We had some rain and thunderstorms last night. Smokey does not like thunder and stays close when it storms. Actually, he stays pretty close most of the time. He is a bit big to be sleeping on the bed, but he is a clean dog and we are very fond of him.

La Hacienda

Susan and her brother Alan have worked all week moving their mother Marjorie'sfurniture and personal items to a new assisted living center. They needed a break so I treated us to dinner at our neighborhood Mexican restaurant.

Another Beautiful Day

The trees are showing more color every day. I wore my Barack Obama T-shirt and got a lot of thumbs up from fellow Democrats. There are a few of us in Oklahoma.

Barack Obama Elected President of USA

A joyous and historic moment in the history of the United States of America.

Chicago Halloween

And Calista was a Cow (I think).

Chicago Halloween

Moire was Princess Turkey Buzzard.

Chicago Halloween

Fiona was a Cat.

Chicago Halloween

We have just received some belated Halloween photos of Susan's son Mark and his girls in Chicago. They went to a pumpkin patch and selected just the right pumpkin.

At the End of the Campaign

Tomorrow is Election Day and the long seemingly endless US presidential campaign will finally be over. In the photo from Reuters Senator McCain seems to be expressing the feeling that many of us share at the end of such an ordeal. In fact this was his momentary reaction to almost leaving the stage from the wrong side, caught forever by an observant photographer.

Whether Senator Obama or Senator McCain becomes our next president, it is my prayer that everyone will vote for the candidate of their choice, that our great country will enjoy strong capable leadership for the next four years, and that our nation will be blessed with peace and prosperity.

Lunch After Church

Sue's brother Alan flew out from Maryland yesterday to help move their mother Marjorie into an assisted living center on Tuesday. He and Marjorie joined us for lunch at Johnnie Carino's after church.

All Saints

The early church co-opted the pagan celebration of the Celts and made it a time to remember the saints of the church, past and present. At our services this morning we read aloud and remembered those of our family and friends who have passed on from this life to the next, of whom one is my daughter Catharine.

Trick or Treat

Alas, the giraffe fell asleep. They all had a fun time.

Trick or Treat

Cousin Menley is a nun.

Trick or Treat

Autumn and her friend Chance check out a spooky smoke machine.

Trick or Treat

Autumn and her friend Faith score some goodies.

Trick or Treat

Beth sent a few photos from Halloween night. They took a small group of kids around to beg for candy. Some houses are decorated with spooky things. It is a fun thing. Beth is Velma from Scooby Doo, Autumn is a witch, and young Grant is a giraffe.

Autumn Color

In the tall Oak trees the color seems to work its way down from top to bottom. By next week there will be much more color.

Autumn Color

When the leaves are first turning some trees will display several colors depending on where the cool air has blown. Bright colors with a background of leaves still green look very pleasing.

Autumn Color

One night last week the temperature dropped enough to blacken some of the tender plants and was enough to trigger the turn of color in many trees. If we do not have a very hard freeze the leaves will continue to turn yellow and orange and deep red.