Big Fun in a Small Town

First came Tahlequah and now Thomas.

It was so funny.

In passing, while the kids were having lunch, I mentioned that oh... by the way....we'd be going to Thomas to visit the Wilsons in a couple of days.

YAHOO!!!!!! WHEN? HOW LONG ARE WE STAYING? YEEEEEEEEEEEEAHHHHH! WOO-HOO! CAN'T WAIT! LET'S GOOOO! I had to silence the masses. They were out of control with anticipation of our three hour drive to the town with not even a stoplight.

There may be no traffic control there, but what they do have can't be found in the city limits of where we live.

Open lands.Payton and Brennon.A different way of livin'.A backyard garden that resembles the size of a football field.
Sweet corn right off the stalk.Witnessing the earthy birth of strawberries, melons and a host of veggies.Larry.Enormous tractors regularly sharing the road with my now rather small-feeling SUV.The driver of the tractor offering my kids a ride in his country drawl: "Ya'll kids wanna ride on our fertlizer spreader?" (see Luke below along for the ride?)Friendship that digs down into my soul.

The smell of freedom.

Stars that seem to cut beams straight down to us.

The echoes of God in your heart.

That's why we go to Thomas.

And you better believe that we'll be going back!

Where in the World Are Kami, Ellie and Luke?

Could this tiny little place with not a stoplight to speak of be any more peaceful and beautiful?

I felt like I was in a snowglobe with no snow, lots of raw dirt, and a big dome of sky that never ended. Kerry sees this scene everyday, but it is fabulous to me. Gritty, fresh and nostalgic.

Look like they were made to go together! Though the pic looks like they are lovebirds, they really just like pickin' corn in the fields together. This is the end of one of those enormous 110 foot long blades that help harness the power of wind on the wind farms. More pics of the windfarms later.

To Ellie, this was heaven. Ridin' horses first thing in the morning with a real rodeo star and a free lasso. Yahoo.
Larry could have been my favorite part of the trip. I really want a Bassett Hound. He couldn't look more pitiful.
Getting ready to fly with Rodney the pilot who kindly extended his long day for us.
Rodney's plane.Where in the world are we?

Thomas, Oklahoma!!!

Country Kids in the Big City

My friend, my very cool, hip, urbanzied, big city, sorority sister friend, married a cowboy some years ago. And since then, she has become quite the country gal herself. She reminds me of one of my favorite bloggers, Ree. She grows a garden, cans pickles, owns chickens, and helps with harvest, all the while wearing the most chic heels she can find. She has not forgotten her roots and has stayed true to herself, while raising two fabulous children in a city (town?) of 1,000. They visited us not too long ago, but it was a blast to have them back with us for a few days. Payton and Kami did basketball camp together, while Luke and Brennon, well... they did some serious boy stuff. And Kerry and I, we just laughed and laughed and laughed. There's something that really makes you laugh when you can sit there and watch your kids play with the same person you cried big tears to about your loser ex-boyfriend. I am worn out from all the laughing. It was a great weekend.