The Day The Prairie Cried


The old Chevy feed truck squeaked and groaned under the weight of 1,000 pounds of grain and the 1,000 pound hay bale dangling from the forks on the back.  The ground was uneven next to the feed troughs and the frame of the truck whined in protest as it approached with its full ton load.  Right foot still on the brake, she swung the door open and reached around to let the arm of the cake feeder down.

The phone was buzzing in the seat next to her.  In her haste, she wedged it between her shoulder and ear and strained to hear over the sounds of the diesel engine, the motor releasing feed into the troughs, and the sputtering sound it made as it hit the metal trough bottoms and scuttled in either direction.

"He's gone," came the quivering voice on the other end of the line.

She threw the truck into park for the first time since starting it, released the trigger on the cake feeder, and slid out of the truck until her boots hit the hard dirt below.  Thirty thousand pounds of cattle crowded around her, snorting and butting each other out of the way, battling for what little grain had already been released.  "He's what?!"

"He's gone," the soft voice replied.

"Oh, no," was all she could muster.

She dropped the phone on the hard dirt and collapsed in the empty trough behind her, stunned and momentarily dumbfounded.  She reached blindly for the phone, undaunted by the hooves of the 30 steers that clomped around it.

Numbly, she raised it to her ear.  "What are we going to do?"

Mustang Sally



Sometimes hidden gems lie waiting to be discovered in unexpected places if we are willing to take the time to uncover them.  Concerts in the park on a warm summer evening are the stuff that dreams are made of.

These hidden gems are the subject of many Hollywood productions.  The series "Gilmore Girls" often showcases live music on the town square highlighted in an ethereal glow of patrons in lawn chairs on a backdrop of green grass.


Such things truly do exist in real life - complete with blankets and lawn chairs and patrons toting picnic baskets on a backdrop of green grass with remnants of the twilight sun setting in the background. 




It's hard to imagine that all of this exists within the big city limits. This is not a charming small town with a quaint square like the fictional realm of Stars Hollow, Connecticut.  This is suburban Oklahoma City, but from the surroundings you wouldn't know it.

Nestled in one of Edmond's most beautiful city parks, this is one of the most delightful Thursday night summer traditions imaginable.  People of all ages sang along to some of the greatest hits from decades past.  The little ones who didn't know the words to "Mustang Sally" just danced along instead.

It just goes to show that you never know what you'll find if you just take the time to look.












Dining In Is Not For the Faint of Heart

The Dairy Queen at noon on a weekday in our small town is bustling.  Almost every table is full and folks are sitting outside on the covered patio eating their burgers and fries in the Oklahoma summer heat.  As we wait in line to order, I notice that the place has literally not been updated since the 1980's.  The tables are all uneven and wobbly and the booths and walls are dingy with age.  No one seems to care.  The food is good and it is the busiest place in town at lunch time.

We snap up a newly vacant table and as we wait for our food.  I hear two men greet each other behind me.  "Hello, Dick." says the first.  "Well, hello, there, Kirk." replies the other.  I turn slightly to see the pair.  I know both Dick and Kirk by first and last name.  I know their children's names and a good share of their family history that, I'm sure, they wish no one knew. 

As we eat our food, I listen to the chatter and banter around me.  Everyone here knows everyone else.  It is not individual tables talking quietly among themselves, like you find in larger cities.  It is patrons carrying on conversations across tables and across the restaurant itself. 

All of this chaos is justified under the premise of enjoying the best burger in town and walking away full and satisfied for the bargain price of $5.


When we leave, I weave around the tables in two different directions to avoid lengthy conversations with people I haven't seen in a long time. 

Climbing into the car, I breathe a sigh of relief.  Small town noon hour dining is not for the introvert or the faint of heart. 
That's what the "drive-thru" is for. 


Old Architecture As Art

I think it would suffice to say that I have a "thing" for old architectural pieces... and this shabby five panel door is no exception.

Working hinges still intact means that this door will have great functionality as a cabinet front eventually.

I've found that you don't always have to refurbish something or even re-purpose it to enjoy it.  This door has found a place in my dining room as a free-standing piece of art... or you could say that I just leaned it against the wall to take a good look at it and just decided to leave it there.



I actually have plans to turn it into a storage unit with shelving, but for now it's charm as art is perfect where it is.

As you can see, the back side of the door still has a little more color to it.

After reeling it in at the bargain price of $1.00, I'm feeling pretty good about whatever the final destination of this piece might be.

Making Summer Magic

I don't know how many people can say this... but I am so thankful to say that I had an amazing childhood - especially in the summer time.  To her credit, my mother literally made summer magic.  I don't ever remember being bored.

Vintage summer under the sun circa 1989.

Now that I'm the mom, I struggle to keep the tradition alive and have run into a couple of obstacles.  First, I want to do simple things that don't cost a ton of money and don't leave us feeling overwhelmed and over-scheduled.  Second, we live in a rural area, so the "places to go and things to do" list is a short one.

With the inclination of today's children to veg out in front of the TV and play video games, I know each summer that it is going to take more than a little effort to make summer magic.

My attempt at a modern recipe for my mom's vintage summer magic looks a little like this...


We make stuff and get messy... we might sidewalk chalk the entire driveway or paint a picture... I keep an array of dollar store art supplies on hand at all times.


We take twilight walks down the dirt road and enjoy the sun set while getting out that last little bit of pent up energy.  The kids can run or walk or throw dirt clods at each other... I let them get dirty!


One of the best investments I ever made was a medium sized above ground pool for around $250.  It is on its second summer.  I let them swim a couple of times a day.  It keeps them cool and we all get some sun!


Going to the park and splashing in creeks, trying to catch tadpoles has made a great pass time.  I will admit that I'm not quite as "into it" as the boys, but they never want to leave, so I know it's worth it.

We played baseball the first part of the summer and it was the perfect amount of time - not so much that it consumed our whole summer, but enough to keep the boys busy.  Sports can be a huge summer burden if your family takes on too much!

I'm not opposed to pulling old movies out of the vault.  After spending an ample amount of energy playing outside, everyone enjoys sitting quietly in the cool of the living room watching movies.  I've introduced them to some of our all time favorites this summer: The Gnome Mobile, The Parent Trap, the old version of C.S. Lewis' The Loin, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Gus, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken and of course Summer Magic.  If you've never heard of some of these, they're old - Google them. You won't be disappointed.  You can also find a comprehensive list of Disney movies since the dawn of time here.



The public library is a great source of free activities throughout the summer.  For our age group, they offer a movie day and an arts and crafts hour, not to mention a guest appearance from Mad Science!  The reading incentive program has helped keep them reading over the summer.  Every time they read 10 books, they can enter for a chance to win a Kindle Fire.

The specific ingredients seem to change year after year, but I have come to the conclusion that the recipe for summer magic lies in making the effort to spend time with your family away from the television - finding the fun little activities that pop up in our area in the summer, while stirring in the occasional opportunity to go on a family vacation or to the big amusement park or water park.

Even though it's been a few years, here is a snippet of what I personally remember about my own childhood summers: swimming, girl scout camp, the zoo, frozen grapes, snow cones, First Baptist Church Vacation Bible School, Disney movies, family get-togethers, fireworks, the old Sulphur Springs Public Library, building tree houses, jumping on the trampoline with the sprinkler underneath, trips to Red River, parades, hours of fun at the park, Canton Trade Days and blanket tents.... to name a few.  Thanks, Mom!

My hope is that when my own children look back, they will remember summer time as pure magic.  What will your kids remember? 

Festive Food Ideas For The Fourth

Star Studded Printables

Outdoor Pallet Coffee Table

Not much can beat outdoor furniture that's charming, pre-assembled and free!

Our pool-side seating arrangement consists of our painted adirondack chairs situated around a couple of pallets stacked on top of each other.

It's rustic, charming and the perfect height for resting your feet or your drink.

Trash to treasure at its finest!





Sifting Through The Great Salt Plains


Though the Panhandle and Northwest Oklahoma may be majestic, alive with the beauty of the "wind sweeping down the plains," there are a few other undeniable truths that exist.  First, it's hot - really hot.  Second, things to do in these parts tend to be few and far between.  Finding adventure in your own backyard can require creativity and sometimes a short road trip.

"Look, Mom! Treasure!"

Northwest Oklahoma offers a vast array of unique and interesting State Parks, such as The Little Sahara State Park, Boiling Springs State Park and today's destination: The Great Salt Plains State Park.  The barren landscape of the Great Salt Plains is comprised of salt left over from an ocean that covered Oklahoma in prehistoric times, and the saltwater lake in the park, Great Salt Plains Lake, is about half as salty as the ocean.



Bring your shovel!  In designated "dig areas", you can sift through the wet dirt and find buried treasure!  Just beneath the surface, water travels through the salt-saturated ground and comes to the surface where it evaporates, leaving a layer or crust of white salt.  This concentrated saline solution combines with gypsum to promote selenite crystal growth in a portion of the salt flats. 

Not only is this a great family outing, but makes a great geography and history lesson as well.  

Click here for more information about the Great Salt Plains and don't forget about the treasures in your own backyard!

Homeschool Record Keeping & Documentation



Record keeping and documentation are important facets of effective homeschooling.  Not only does it help you, as the teacher, to track your child's progress, it provides a visual framework of your year's work at a glance.

Regardless of the type of curriculum being implemented, it is vital to check its merits against state mandated standards to ensure that your child is always at or above the current educational standards of their peers in public school.

Not all curricula are created equal.  Just because it is labeled as "Christian" or "advanced" doesn't mean that it necessarily lines up with what your state requires of public education.  The last thing we want as homeschool parents is to make the decision to reintegrate our children into the public school system only to find that they are actually behind their peers - despite the fancy and expensive curriculum that was used.  Click here for a sample of the Oklahoma State Board of Education C3 Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS) requirements.

Keeping track of your students' grades on a report card similar to that of public schools in your state will not only ensure an easy transition if you are led to enroll your children in public school at a future time, it will also provide a valuable safety net if you are ever asked to validate your homeschooling practices.  Even if your current curriculum provides their own report card or reporting system, it is advisable to take a few extra moments a few times during the year to evaluate their progress in this way.  Having more than one document detailing your child's progress will only strengthen your confidence in your skills as a teacher and their confidence in their own progress.  Click here for sample Oklahoma report cards for Pre-K - 5th Grade.

NW OK Summer Bucket List



Summer time is here... along with the words every parent dreads.... "I'm bored!"

Find the perfect balance between downtime and fun in Northwest Oklahoma... and share your ideas in the comments section so that we can make this list a great one!



Read more »

Sweet and Salty Valentines

If you're like me, I'm always short on time and high on ambition... Especially when it comes to holiday treats. These sweet and salty Valentine treats deliver on both levels.

Simply cover a baking sheet in a single layer of miniature pretzels and place a Hershey's Kiss on top of each pretzel. Carefully place the baking sheet in a 250 degree oven for 2 1/2 minutes. Immediately press a single M&M in the center of each Kiss.

Transfer the pan to the freezer for about 5 minutes to help these treats set up faster.

Having a bunch if pretzels left over, I decided to dip a few in some melted almond bark and then in red sprinkles just to finish off the ensemble.

The whole ordeal took me all of 20 minutes. Happy Valentine's Day!



The Grass Is Always Greener...

"You've got a cow out by the highway," says the gentleman with a slow drawl who stopped by the house around dusk last night. 

Read more »

Teacher Appreciation Collage

'Tis the season to let our teachers know how much we appreciate all that they have done for (and put up with from) our children throughout the school year.  My friend Tiffany and I got together and came up with a couple of ideas to show our teachers how special they are.

After asking the children to describe their teacher in one word, she provided me with the list of attributes and the general idea and I put together these collages, printed them on photo paper and framed them.

Miss Gunn is a Texas Longhorn fan!




This was a simple and inexpensive way to give a gift that is sentimental without being cheesy - and straight from the mouths of the students... as you can see, many of the attributes were the same, so making the second one took less time.  

Simply choose a photo and make it the backdrop or watermark in a word processing document and then begin adding text boxes and turning them different ways, changing the font and color, etc.

Have a better idea?  Let us know!  Post it on our Facebook page and we could feature your project next! 




Searching for Inspiration

In the midst of a fiction novel I have run into my first bout with writer's block. I am about three quarters of the way through and as of lately I have a hard time imagining myself being creative anywhere other than in the middle of a pasture at dusk about 4 miles north of Sharon. Growing up I was always so disappointed that my parents didn't live in town. Now, I hate that I don't live in a pasture. Literally. All I want is a small house in the middle of nowhere. I don't want to see city lights, I'm rather partial to the lights of R.C. Phillips Cattle Company whose only purpose is to light the pens of cattle whining outside their house.

Another source of inspiration I've come to love is the sale barn. My mother recently told me how strange it was that when I'm having a bad day I prefer to go to the Woodward Livestock Auction and climb to the top of the old wooden stairs to catch a single seat in the corner and watch the cattle run through the pen. I can't explain the calming effect of the noise. The hooves of the cattle on the scales, the auctioneer taking bids from ranchers up and down the rows of seats, some dressed head to toe in fancy cowboy suits, while others clearly just came in from feeding their own cattle in their overalls and trucker hats.

Struck Down, But Not Destroyed

On April 9, 1947, one of the most devastating tornadoes to ever wreak havoc in the Sooner State tore through the town of Woodward Oklahoma with a devastating force, destroying over 100 city blocks containing over 1,000 homes and businesses and killing at least 107 people.


Just days after the 65th anniversary of that fateful night, tragedy struck again.  Minutes after midnight on the morning of Sunday, April 15, 2012, as much of this small town lay sleeping, another tornado ripped through the heart of the Woodward community.





The Path of Destruction:  Photo Courtesy of ReadyWoodward Matt



Photo by Kenton Kamolz
My humble words cannot describe the array of emotions that these scenes evoke in my own heart.  I know that I watched from over 100 miles away, listening to Marty Logan's live coverage on News Chanel 9, frantically texting my friends and family to rouse them from sleep and get them to safety - my hands shaking convulsively as I heard his account - barely able to type the words.

"Tornado is on the ground!  Tornado is on the ground!"

"I've got an apartment complex that's being hit... I've got a power line across the road ahead of me..."

"Oh, no!  I've got to keep calm... this is going to be 34th Street... 34th and Oklahoma... buildings destroyed... I smell natural gas..."

The tornado sirens were damaged by another storm that came through the area hours earlier and were not functioning properly, leaving residents with little or no warning.

The stories that would follow this devastation are some of the most powerful I have ever heard - but not because they are tragic (and many are), but because they show the resilience and tenacity of a community in small town America - knit together and determined to recover stronger than before.

Woodward's story is not one of tragedy - but one of hope.
Photo by Olivia Pauley via Woodward Tornado Info.

During the tornado, in the midst of the Hide-A-Way Trailer park where a man and his daughters in a home a few trailers down lost their lives, new life was born.  A mother gave birth to a healthy daughter in a trailer that rolled four times as the tornado passed over.

Photo Credit: Associated Press
A Christian Motorcycle Association member hugs Linda Dupree, left, Sunday in Woodward, Okla. Dupree's grandson and two great-grandchildren died Saturday when a tornado hit their mobile home.
Total strangers came out in full force to help their neighbors sift through the rubble for momentous and anything that was salvageable.

Businesses have brought in food to feed volunteers and homeowners nearly every meal.

Kids were skipping school - not to cause mischief - but to sneak into the area of destruction and start working - without any instruction or adults present, not even knowing who's house they were working on - simply compelled to help.

The local photographer put a call out to all residents that suffered damages to contact his studio and that he would replace any photos that he had taken as far back as 1986  - at no charge!  

The purpose of this article is beyond what my words can convey - to attempt to show you the true spirit of this faith-centered community.  While still mourning and broken, we are united and determined to overcome this tragedy together.

I know I could give dozens of accounts of other random acts of kindness by strangers and miraculous survival, but they have all been told by others already.  My purpose here is to simply share my own heart and bring to light my own feelings of pride in my community, family and friends, who in the wake of devastation, afford me a new perspective on life.

As I thoughts of that fateful night still swirl in my head, a resounding chorus echos...

I am pressed but not crushed
persecuted, but not abandoned
struck down, but not destroyed
I am blessed beyond the curse,
for His promise will endure
and His joy will be my strength

though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning.

And I know Woodward can already see the light of morning.  You will all continue to be heavy on my heart and in my prayers.

Future Generation of Growers

Attempting to follow in the footsteps of previous generations of farmers is daunting.  Acquiring funds and resources to help you build your own farm can be seriously discouraging.  Luckily, you are not alone.



The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition has compiled an interesting video from real farmers who share some of the valuable information, resources and funding opportunities that they have received through the United States Department of Agriculture and the Farm Service Agency.

Harvesting Rainwater

It's raining gold!  Well - maybe it's just raining, but when you live in a drought-stricken part of the country, it may as well be gold.



Catching that liquid gold in a bucket or barrel can conserve energy, water and money.  This is especially applicable for those who operate on well water, which uses an electric pump each time you turn on the faucet.

Whether you position a large barrel under the downspout from your roof gutters or simply place a bucket or two in the yard when rain is forecast, harvesting rainwater is a simple way to keep it green while saving some green.



For more information on harvesting rainwater, check out The Texas Manual of Rainwater Harvesting.

The Texas A&M System Agri-LIFE Extension also offers extensive information for a number of applications on their website.  Click here for more details.

Whispering Winds

Surrounded by the skeletons of thousands of dormant mounds of sage brush, I crouch on top of a ridge and look down across the rolling hills, punctuated occasionally with the brownish-green foliage of thirsty Eastern Red Cedars.



As the late afternoon sun descends into dusk, the prairie is mute except for the sound of the wind.  It whistles and whirrs, emulating the sound of numerous voices, all involved in different conversations.  It is a dull roar of indistinguishable words - except for one.

My heart races and I am filled with a strange feeling of satisfaction as I realize the meaning of this one word.

My sister is just across the way.  I can see her on the top of another ridge.  She is looking at something in the sand - most likely an old snake hole - she is always watching for those - even in the winter.


We don't feel the need to talk to each other as we trudge along.  Every now and then we stop to point out something, like an old bottle or a snake hole, but there is no need for idle conversation out here.



I can see her face, she is not talking.  It is the prairie I hear - and today, it is calling my name.

This prairie wind calls out to me, reassuring me that this is exactly where I am meant to be - where I belong.  This soothing whisper in the wind is like the bond between friends.  It envelopes me in warmth on this cold winter day and confirms what I already knew in my heart.

This land knows me by name.  It knows that I have a plan for it and that I will not forsake it to the wrath of the summer heat or the blustery winter winds.  It knows that I have seeds in wait to plant in its dry valleys and that instead of seeing a dusty and windblown wasteland, I see a dormant oasis in need of a little care and cultivation, ready to burst forth with a rich bounty.

It knows my name because my name is written here.  I write it with my footprints in the red dirt hills and the sandy valley bottoms and with every swath of the plow and every seed that is planted.  The mark I make on this land pales in comparison to the mark this land has made on me.

It has supported generations of Phillips' who depended on it.  Though the weather and the markets may have let them down, this land never did.  It stood by steadfastly and now I hope to repay the favor.

Welcome to the farm.

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)