Archives For Natural Disasters.

Oklahoma_Sky

Urban problems.

08.05.12 — Leave a comment

I was pulled over this week because my brake light was out. Thankfully, I was disgustingly sweaty and gross from trying my hand at Crossfit when the Oklahoma weather was dancing a little jig in the 112 – 113 degree range, which I’m pretty sure was a direct result in Mr. Police Officer kindly let me off with a warning.

Read as: Urban problems. I chose to work out in this record breaking heat.

Here’s the thing. Thanks to that time I had a blow out on a dirt road and called my dad for help, I know how to change a flat tire. No, he didn’t change the tire – he simply brought a pair of boots and bib overalls and waved as he drove away. I guess it could have been worse? I could have changed that tire in my church clothes in the winter temperatures….

Anyway. With that, I can’t change a brake light. I’ve tried… and failed. So, yesterday I drove home to the farm so play that Daddy’s girl card. I will never outgrow this card, ever.

Read as: Transition back to my rural life where my urban problems seem a little smaller.

The Oklahoma sky knows how to melt my heart, it’s true. Here, where the wind sweeps across the plains like it’s defending an Olympic Medal, the sky seems larger. Sure, it’s probably the lack of trees; but it’s beautiful nonetheless.

This is the road to home.

The home where I spent many summer nights on the porch watching the fireflies and lightning dance across the sky. Last night, instead of smelling the sweet scent of rain, my heart broke as I was overwhelmed with the smells of Oklahoma burning.

Living an urban life it’s easy to get caught up in how our yard just isn’t quite as green as it should be, how it takes so much water to keep our flowers aesthetically pleasing, and how unfair it is to be on water rationing. It’s not just something to whine about anymore. Cattle being sold because there’s not enough forage in the pastures or back stock of hay and people are losing their homes.

Carry your umbrella. Wear your rain boots. Listen to songs about rain.

I’m praying for rain, and I hope maybe you are, too.

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rainboots

Carrying an Umbrella.

07.26.12 — 2 Comments


A few summers ago I heard a sermon that has stuck with me, often resurfacing when I need it most.

“If you’re going to pray for rain, carry an umbrella.”

Such a simple concept: pray for rain, expect rain. Have so much faith that when it happens you don’t ask “can you believe this?” you simply say, “thank you.”

Sure, this can be taken in so many directions, but for today, let’s keep it literal.

You should know I carry an umbrella in my car and have rain boots by my desk at all times. I’m praying for rain for our crops and livestock. The skies may be hazy with dust from the western part of our state, but I’m praying, umbrella in hand.

 

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Who am I to complain?

07.12.11 — 5 Comments

Once, for a short period of time, I had a green thumb.

I kept this little diddy alive for a whole 2 months.


These guys are still alive – barely.

These – goners.

Last night I ripped out the lifeless plants that crumbled between my fingers.

We {Oklahoma} are in a drought.

For me – in my little urban casa, this means if you leave for a weekend when you return your flowers will be dead.

It means all my hard work planting, watering, weeding… well, is gone. I laughed as I was pulling the plants and thought, “too bad there isn’t crop insurance for my urban flowers.”

Perspective.

In the grand scheme of things, my flowers don’t make a microdent in the impact the weather is making in the agricultural industry. This drought or “The Great Drought of 2011″ as some are calling it is  affecting 14 states from Florida to Arizona. This is big time.

It means the pastures where the cattle graze on our farm – is burning up.

Who am I to complain about a few measly little flowers?

For the record – Oklahoma City thankfully accepted rain today.

Not a bad urban view, huh?

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Weak at the knees.

07.07.11 — 10 Comments

Facts:
1. I started my first job when I was 15. Since then, I’ve held a steady string of jobs to for a number of reasons: pay bills, learn responsibility, fund my shoe addiction. Somewhere between juggling 3 jobs (in one semester) and an 18 credit semester – I didn’t learn the basics in the kitchen. It was much easier for me to grab a turkey sandwich.

2. I don’t have a background in public speaking. Although I was an active FFA member, I didn’t do speeches. I wish I would have, but I didn’t.

Standing in front of an audience makes my knees forget they’re supposed to hold me steady, my forehead becomes chilled with sweat and my vocabulary takes a right turn for the worst.

3. I love agriculture and communications. Although I write much like I would talk in everyday conversation on this blog – in my professional life I’m obsessed with AP Style. These two {agriculture and communications} have crashed in a multiple-car pile-up to give me an opportunity as a professional in the communications – and agricultural – industries.

If you combine these 3 facts, you are left with this:


You can watch the video by clicking here.

Yes, I looked at my phone. I was reading the recipe to ensure I was saying the right information. You weren’t supposed to be able to see that, sorry.

I’ll work on it, honest.

Can someone tell me why putting a camera in your face can make you lose all sense of normalcy? It baffles me.


On a good note, each Thursday I get to meet the wonderful homeowners who invite us into their backyard. Look at these guys – they’re naturals!

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Just a typical day in Oklahoma

05.25.11 — 2 Comments

I’ve been an Oklahoma transplant for 13 years. Long enough that I should have a firm grasp on the uncertainties of the weather.

To be clear. I’m fine.

I was safe in a basement following updates on twitter. {for the record news9.com, your live streaming doesn’t work well when everyone in the 405 is logging on}. I had my “survival kit” with me: bottled water, wallet, passport, dog food, ipod, computer. Pretty sure Gary England would say that’s not the right kit. I should have had a flashlight and a helmet. (if anyone would like to donate a helmet – I’d gladly wear it to the next tornado party.)

Families throughout Oklahoma have been affected weather; however, it will never be an aspect of life that becomes easy. Prayers are going up to the Big Man for the losses in the wake of the tornados.

Oh, and for the horse that landed in a pool. Thanks for making a few people smile when stress levels in the metro were through the roof.

Side note: It will never cease to amaze me the amount of messages I recieved during the storm making sure I was okay. Thank you, friends, for making sure I wasn’t blown away to Oz. You guys are complete ninjas.

 

P.S. I didn’t take this picture! I WISH I did, but, I didn’t!

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Before and After

05.17.10 — Leave a comment

After experiencing hail damage of this caliber to my own things, and looking at what once was a flowerbed I spent all weekend on, I see the heartache entire fields would cause. And much more than a weekend is spent on them….

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In Brooke, Natural Disasters.
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The day after the storm.

05.17.10 — Leave a comment

At about 3 o’clock we were ready to leave our downtown offices to get home. 

We knew we had a mess to clean up and we were ready to get after it. We thought [maybe] someone would show up to help us. ha.

See the cleanup:


Brooke and the never ending job of raking.


Dallyn borrowed a ladder from the neighbor {who happens to have went to high school with Brooke’s man-friend’s parents – small world] to check out the roof damage.


Remi thought he’d help, too. Molly was banished to the house after becoming too friendly with one of the atleast nine roofers who lined up on the street.


Look at Dallyn cleaning out those gutters. We should get a discount on this month’s rent – for sure.


This is promising. It will seriously bring a smile to your face after you uncover a flower bed and find a few blooms still in tact.


As a gesture of appreciation for keeping her car safe, Brooke gladly gave the garage a bath.


We’re such the over-achievers. Who puts this much effort into a rent house? 

37 bags total line our street. And – this is just from the front yard. Note: 4 bags are from Mr. Countryman’s yard. We just couldn’t let him clean it up himself.

Matt and Katie brought us Eichens. And Dallyn’s special boy took us to Orange Leaf. All in al it was a productive day – but we still have that back yard to clean up. 

Anyone want to help out? We’ll buy pizza. [seriously.]

In Natural Disasters.
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Hail.

05.16.10 — 1 Comment

Mom:: Hey, there’s a storm – put your flowers in.
Brooke: Oh, ok. I’m going to take a shower.
Mom: It shouldn’t be too bad.
Brooke: k. bye

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In Brooke, Natural Disasters.
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