Blizzard of 2011 - Scenes from my Front Porch

We have been struck by the worst snow storm is US history.  At least that is what the weather guy said on the TV this afternoon.  Snow and sub-freezing temperatures run across the country from far south Texas to the eastern seaboard.  Sue's daughter and her family live almost across the street so they came over to share a breakfast of french toast with us this morning and we depleted our stock of milk bread and eggs.

Enter son-in-law Jeff who came over and dug out us out.  He cleared the sidewalk and all the snow off of and around the van so Sue could get out to creep over to the neighborhood Walmart.  She went very slow and managed to get there and back.  I did not get any farther than the front porch.  Thank you very much Jeff.  You are a great son-in-law and a friend indeed.

I had hoped to be able to get down to Southcrest Hospital to see my new grand daughter but Luke told me that it was too dangerous to get out.  As a consolation he emailed another photo of Wren who is enjoying the second day of her life.  I will see her soon enough and promise more pictures.

Wordless Wednesday - Tulsa Blizzard 0f 2011

The Blizzard of 2011.  Our garden deck on February 1, 2011

February 1, 2011 will be remembered for the record snowfall in Tulsa as well as a wide area across Oklahoma, Missouri, Indiana and across the US to the Eastern Seaboard.  We got 14 inches in the less than 24 hours, and other cities in the area got even more.   And it is very cold.  The daytime high on Tuesday was 12°F (-11°C) and the low was 1°F (-17°C).  The forecasted low for Wednesday night is for -9°F (-23°C).  

For comparison, here is our garden deck on September 7, 2010.

Add to this that the wind is blowing at about 25 mph (40km/h).  Everything in Tulsa has been canceled or postponed; schools, businesses, even the postal service.  Needless to say that Susan and I stayed home and watched the news on TV.  Poor Smokey.  When he went outside to do his business the snow was up past his belly and onto his chest.   When he came back inside he curled up on our bed and slept the better part of the day.  

In this day and age almost everybody has a cell phone which will take photographs and video clips.  The TV station ran photos and videos sent in by listeners.  People sent in pictures of lots of stuck cars and trucks.  Even police cars, firetrucks, and ambulances were getting stuck.  City ice scrapers and salt spreaders got stuck.  The tow trucks sent to pull them out of the snow got stuck themselves.  It is a real mess.  People with four wheel drive vehicles were stopping to help pull cars out of embankments.  A group of young men were seen pushing a couple of police cars back on the road.  Oklahomans are good people.  Nothing brings out the best in us like the opportunity to help someone out of a jam.


See More Wordless Wednesday

EXTRA - EXTRA! New Grandbaby Alert!

Luke and Cara have a beautiful little girl!  Wren Alston Miller came into the world this morning at Southcrest Hospital in Tulsa.  Luke called to tell me that she is 20 1/2 inches long and weighs 8 pounds 8 ounces.  She has a full head of dark hair, she pees, poops, cries, nurses and burps - everything works.  

Cara and Wren are both fine.  Cara has a son Joshua who was born by Cesarean section 9 years ago so Wren's birth was a planned C-section.  Tulsa is in the middle of a record breaking heavy snowfall today but they stayed with Cara's mom last night so they made it to the hospital and so did the doctor.   Luke's mother Debby is an obstetrics nurse and works at Southcrest.  She and Luke attended the delivery and she said everything went very smoothly.  I had hoped to go over to see the baby today but there is too much snow to get out on the roads.  Luke sent me this camera photo in a text message.  I assure you more pictures will follow.

Ruby Tuesday - Adult Tricycle

Sue and I were eating a picnic lunch at one of the rest stops along the Illinois river when a gentleman rode up on his 3-wheeled Motorbike. This had to be the slickest thing I have seen in a long time. It is custom made by Thoroughbred Motors and this model is call a Stallion. When we admired his ride he introduced himself as David from McAlester Oklahoma and told he was on his way back home after picking up the nifty trailer he had ordered custom made from the dealer up in Afton. We did not have to encourage him very much to tell us all about it.

The drive train is all made and maintained by Ford. It has a 4 cylinder engine, 4 speed automatic that gets 45 miles to the gallon, heat, air conditioning(!), and a fine stereo sound system. I think it has other features but I can't remember them all. David is a scuba diving instructor and he showed us how all his gear will fit in the trunk of the trike and in the new trailer. He was very proud of his rig. He said that after riding it for 300 miles during the day he had decided to have a new seat fitted with gel foam for comfort. He seemed like a very nice fellow.

After he rode off I commented to Susan that David was likely to be single. How do you know she asked. Well, he has a custom made tricycle and trailer, he spends his time traveling and scuba diving and he looks very happy. No wife would let him get away with that. Then is when Susan slapped me.

See more Ruby Tuesdays

Macro Monday - Sarah's 16th Birthday

Sarah is the oldest daughter of my oldest son Adam and today (Sunday) was her 16th birthday. She had a great party with lunch and ice cream cake, family and friends. She opened presents with her boy friend Daniel at her side. Her maternal grandmother gave her a special little 16th birthday ring. Sarah is a lucky girl. She is pretty, smart, and very sweet.  She has a loving family and nice friends. She is a lucky girl and I love her very much.

See more Macro Monday

Sunday Bridges - Old US 62 Bridge

This is the old US Highway 62 bridge over the Illinois River.  It is just south of the current bridge which crosses the Illinois 2 miles east of Tahlequah at Highway 10.  This old bridge was built in 1920 and abandoned in 1964 when the US 62 was re-routed  and the current bridge was built.  It is now too decrepit even for foot traffic but people fish from it.

See more Sunday Bridges

See more Weekend Black and White.

Weekend Reflections - Sanctuary Skylight in Boston Avenue Methodist

The sanctuary ceiling of the Boston Avenue Methodist Church is a marvel. The large center eye is a complex design of blue, white and pale gold glass that makes sixteen swirling spokes of a great wheel. Around the stained glass center is a curved concave metal dome of narrow pieces fitted together like the rays of the sun. The entirety of the piece is so large as to make the glass skylight seem rather small by comparison. The overall effect is quite beautiful.

More Weekend Reflections

Sepia Scenes - Tabla Player

This is Josh Massad playing Tabla, a pair of amazing drums that create an amazing variety of sound and rhythm. He is a master of all sorts of drums and teaches at the Barthelmes Conservatory in Tulsa. Starting about 10 years ago this young man patiently began teaching me to play the Djembe to my everlasting enjoyment. He is one of the kindest most gentle human beings it has ever been my pleasure to meet.




See more SEPIA SCENES

Wordless Wednesday - Snow on the Roof

Sliding off but hanging on.  Back door to parish hall of St Peters Tulsa.

See More Wordless Wednesday

Ruby Tuesday - Borden Dairy of Oklahoma

Borden Dairy of Oklahoma is located at 215 N. Denver in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  It was originally known as the Oklahoma Dairy founded by Mr. Early Russell Cass. On April 1, 1926 the dairy was bought by Beatrice Creamery Company. Mr. Cass was named General Manager and held that position until his retirement on February 28, 1963.  It is now part of Southern Foods and still supplies fresh milk to a wide area around Tulsa.  The decorative trim on top the all white walls and the use of glass blocks show an art deco style that still looks good 85 years later.  The nifty red coupe in front qualifies it for Ruby Tuesday.


See more Ruby Tuesdays

Macro Monday - Deal the Cards

Every night before my wife Susan and I turn in for the night we play a game of Gin Rummy.  We started this practice a long time ago and have worn out many decks of cards.  The last deck of red bicycles have gotten faded and limp so tonight we will start breaking in a new blue deck. 

See more Macro Monday

SOOC Sunday - Sycamore Tree

SOOC is Straight Out Of the Camera.  Here is favorite Sycamore tree in the little park at 41st and Riverside.  It is either one tree or 3 joined near the base.  It is probably 5 feet across near the ground.  I like it.

Straight Out Of the Camera

Weekend Reflections - Williams Center as Downtown Mirror

The Williams Center is a pair of irregularly shaped black glass high rise office buildings in downtown Tulsa.  They rise straight sided but their footprint is irregular.  The faces of these buildings serve as mirrors in all directions to reflect the other tall buildings which stand around them.  Seen from any angle they reflect an ever changing view of the downtown Tulsa landscape.  Google Earth helps us understand what we are seeing.

In the satellite view the Williams Center buildings are outlined in red, the Midcontinent building in orange, and the Williams Headquarters Building in yellow.   The Midcontinent Building is seen through and reflected by the two parallel sides of the Williams center.  The left face of the north building carries the shimmering reflection of the Williams Headquarters building.  The melting snow results in even more reflections from the wet streets.
 
More Weekend Reflections

Skywatch Friday - Corner of Main and Brady

Tulsa got the first snowfall of the season last night.  Those shoveling out of the terrible snow storms in New England might say that this is nothing, but it was enough for school and a number of events to be canceled.   The thing is that we don't get enough snow here to be practiced at dealing with it.  Last year we had a real 6 inch snow at Christmas and we thought it was a sure enough blizzard.  When snow is forecast things get canceled "just in case".  Oh well, it is kind of pretty and it will be gone in a day or two.

I met my friend Yogi! for lunch today and we talked about the sort of things that bloggers talk about; blogs mostly.  When I started home the sky was blue and the snow begged to have its picture taken.  I pulled out my trusty iPhone and drove around for 30 minutes taking photos which you will get to see for a few days until they are used up.  That's the way we bloggers are.  Yogi! got  a simple little film camera for Christmas and he posted 2 weeks worth of photos from his first roll of film.  Nice pictures too.


More SkyWatch Friday

Sepia Scenes - 320 South Boston, Central Atrium

Partial view of the central atrium of the 320 South Boston Building.  First built as a 10 story Exchange Bank in 1917, then expanded to 22 floors in 1929 to house the National Bank of Tulsa.  Now the Bank of Oklahoma it remains one of Tulsa's premier commercial locations.


See more SEPIA SCENES

Wordless Wednesday - Doors to National Bank of Tulsa

Looking up the face of the center tower from street level.  Built as the National Bank of Tulsa and now called the 320 South Boston Building. 


See More Wordless Wednesday

Ruby Tuesday - Pow-wow Dancer

Tulsa Pow-wow Dancer


See more Ruby Tuesdays

Macro Monday - High as a Ostrich's Eye

  

While not strictly a macro, this is about as close as I want to come to an ostrich.  

It is an interesting fact that the ostrich's brain is the same size as its eyeball.


See more Macro Monday:

Weekend Reflections - Philcade Elevators

Elevators, Philcade Building, Tulsa, Oklahoma

More Weekend Reflections

Skywatch Friday - Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores, Alabama.  The sand here is as fine and white as sugar.

More SkyWatch Friday

Sepia Scenes - Run Smokey Run

Buffalo National River, Arkansas

See more SEPIA SCENES

Wordless Wednesday - In a Shop Window

Shop in Shinjang area, Seoul, ROK

See More Wordless Wednesday

Ruby Tuesday - Christmas Poinsettias

Our church was decorated with some beautiful poinsettias over Christmas.

See more Ruby Tuesdays

Mount Rose Baptist Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma

While not legitimately a macro, this does take something not generally noticed and lets us see it clearly.  Sue and I attended worship services this morning at Mount Rose Baptist church where our dear friend Brother Leron West began his tenure as their interim pastor.  The church is built around a circular sanctuary with a skylight in the center. 

See more Macro Monday:

Metropolitan Seoul, 23 Million People

I was last in South Korea 45 years ago, from November 1964 to December 1965 while serving as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.  Since that time the population of the capital city of Seoul has grown very rapidly.  This post will conclude my recent visit with some gee-whiz numbers.

In 1960 the population of Seoul was about 2.4 million.  The population of Seoul grew to 8.5 million people in 1980, and to a mega-city of 10.8 million in 1989, accounting for about 22.3 percent of the country’s total population.   The infrastructure of the city was given a great boost by preparations for the Asian Games in 1986 and the Summer Olympics of 1988. The present city  of Seoul bears very little resemblance to the bombed out rubble from the Korean conflict that was halted in 1954.  When I was here in 1965 there were still areas of devastation to be seen.

The population density of Seoul peaked at about 17,300 people per square kilometer in 1999.  As of November, 2010, the population of the city of Seoul was 11 million, and of  the greater metropolitan region around Seoul was 23.17 million people.  This accounts for 49 percent of the total population of 48.22 million for South Korea.  Only India and Bangladesh have cities of greater population density.  By comparison, the estimated population of North Korea was 28.5 million in 2010. 

As the population of Seoul grew very rapidly the demand for living space far outstripped the availability of housing.  After a period of shanty town construction, the government assisted in the building of 8.67 million apartments, accounting for 58.3 percent of all 14.88 million homes nationwide.  As a result row after row of high rise apartments are seen throughout the metropolitan area.

It is interesting to make comparisons between North and South Korea.  Rather than reveal my lack of knowledge in this area I will offer one rather interesting night time satellite photograph of the entire Korean peninsula.  

The coastline and national boundaries are drawn in.  Everything else is the illumination of electric lights.  The very large area in the northeast corner of South Korea is the greater metropolitan area of Seoul.  The other large urban areas are seen scattered over the southern half of the peninsula.  The only lights visible in North Korea are in the immediate area around the capital of Pyongyang.

Pedestrian Bridge, Seoul, ROK

After snow and cloudy skies we got some sun and blue skies in Seoul last week.  I wish I could tell you what the glass panels are but I don't have a clue.  Decoration?  Solar panels?  Can't tell you.


More SkyWatch Friday

See more Sunday Bridges

Sepia Scenes -Tree Bumper

Another photo from our day in the Shinjang shopping area in Seoul, ROK.  I don't think I have ever seen a tree bumper quite like this.  It's both effective and attractive.

See more SEPIA SCENES

Wordless Wednesday - Doors from Dragon Hill

Doors from food court to outdoor patio at Dragon Hill Hotel, Seoul. ROK.



See More Wordless Wednesday

Ruby Tuesday - King Kebab, Seoul Korea

Here in the little Shinjang outdoor shopping mall is a restaurant loudly proclaiming itself to be the King Kebab.  We did not go in to sample its cuisine but it clearly serves as this weeks Ruby Tuesday. 

See more Ruby Tuesdays

Macro Monday - Mother of Pearl Crane

When we were in Korea we bought some pretty lacquered jewel boxes for our granddaughters Gaby and Katy.  The boxes are inlaid with mother of pearl Cranes.  The crane is the symbol for good luck in Korea.  These are made by hand and the workmanship is excellent.  Even up close the cut work is very clean and smooth.  The girls seemed very pleased that we brought them back something nice from our trip.  They are very sweet girls and are fond of their step dad David.  He is a lucky fellow.  We were invited to stay for dinner.  Wow, Renee is a wonderful cook.  Dave is a VERY lucky fellow, and so are we.

See more Macro Monday:

Banpo Bridge, Seoul, Korea

The Banpo Bridge is a major bridge in downtown Seoul over the Han River. Banpo Bridge was built in 1982 and is on top of the Jamsu bridge which was built in 1976, forming a "double deck" bridge. The lower deck incorporates pedestrian and bicycle paths that provide easy access to the Banpo Hangang Park from the north side of the river. When the water level rises too high, the Jamsu Bridge becomes covered with water and gets closed off. 

In 2009 a fountain composed of a series of 10,000 LED nozzles was added on each side of the upper bridge. The streams of water wave up and down and are lit with colored lights.  This photo was taken from the lower bridge.  You can just make out some of the pipe for the fountain along the edges of the upper deck above us.  See a short video clip here.


See more Sunday Bridges

Blue Opera Coffee House, Seoul. ROC

The Blue Opera is a restaurant and coffee house in the Shinjang outdoor shopping mall located just outside Osan Air Base.  I have a number of photos from our Christmas trip to Korea that I will share in the weeks ahead.  We had a great trip but were glad to get back home.


To all the nice people who stop by and visit my blog I wish you a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

See more Weekend Black and White.