Get Rich Quick!

Been m. i.a. for a couple of days, trying to think up some fodder to write about. Then, it finally hit me! I could write about my Get Rich Quick scheme. That's right, i've found a gold mine and I'm going to be rich! I've been doing online surveys, and in 2 months I've earned a whopping $14 and some change, not even enough to get a check. You have to earn at least $30 before the survey company will cut you a check. That's not even enough to support my Dollar Tree Store habit, much less Walmart and Michaels (even armed with my 50% off coupons). But, it keeps me amused, and, who knows, maybe soon I'll earn that $30, get my first check, and go crazy at the Dollar Tree! TTNT, Brenda aka The Millionaire! :)

Bonnie & Clyde

"Bonnie & Clyde were pretty lookin' people, but I can tell ya, people, they were the devil's children". Central National Bank of Poteau, Oklahoma, (still open in the downtown, historical part of town) has the dubious distinction of being one of the first bank heists pulled off by the Clyde Barrows Gang back in 1934 (I think that's the right year). Clyde and the boys walked in the bank, showed their guns, and took all the money, after making everyone lie down on the floor. They then went out, got into the waiting get-away car (driven by Bonnie) and disappeared into hills of Wister, which is the next town to the south? of Poteau. Now isn't that an exciting little tidbit?! See, I told y'all (that's Oklahoma-speak for you all) yesterday that you should be waiting with baited-breath for this story! That's all for now, folks! TTNT, Brenda

Cavanal

Here, in Poteau, we have several sights that sets our fair city apart from others, one being Cavanal Hill. See, technically, a piece of ground must be at least 2,000 ft. above sea level to be considered a "mountain". Anything less is only a "hill" Cavanal Hill is only a mere 1,999.5 ft. in height, therefore it is only a "hill" and not a "mountain", making it the World's Highest Hiil. Another 6 inches and it would be a full-fledged mountain. But, noooo, it's only a hill. I'm sure that a survey could find 6" somewhere, and then it would be called Cavanal Mountain.

Maybe tomorrow, I'll post about another of our fair city's sights, having to do with Bonnie & Clyde! Wait with baited breath!

Oklahoma's Weather Or Not

Yesterday, the Mr. and I took a drive into Ft. Smith, Arkansas (the place to go if you want a small taste of civilization).  As we were pulling out of our driveway 1/2 of the sky was sunny and blue, the other 1/2, cloudy, gray, and looking like rain.  About 1/2 way to Ft. Smith, the sky opened up and it began raining like a monsoon!  That lasted for about 3 or 4 miles.  Then, just as suddenly as it began, it stopped raining altogether!  Someone had told me:  "If you don't like the weather in Oklahoma, just wait a minute and it will change".  Truer words were never spoken!

SHAD'S CATFISH HOLE

You might think, from the title, that this post is going to be about someone's special fishing spot.  NOPE!!  Here, in Oklahoma, it's the name of an eating establishment.  People go there from all over the state.  It's that good!
The first time we went there, it seemed like we just drove off into the night (we followed some friends) and that we would never get there.  Finally, after what seemed like hours of driving and crossing rivers, lakes, and creeks, we arrived to see a metal building with an interior-looking red door, over which hung a single light bulb.  It had the feel of a Prohibition-Era Speakeasy and I was sure there was some sort of secret knock that allowed entrance.
Once inside, we were greeted by all things nautical hanging on the walls and a huge aquarium sitting on the concrete floor.  There were wooden boat oars hanging on all the walls with writing on them. Turns out, those were the menus.
For all it's "corniness" the food was excellent!  And, it's All-You-Can-Eat!  I found out, on our second trip there, it's not as far as it originally seemed, there was no need for a "secret knock" or any kind of password to get inside, just great down-home food, with excellent service and prices.  And even if the decor is corny, the place is definitely worth the trip, and we'll be going there again!  Besides, you never know who you'll run into.  The last time we were there, I ran into my cousin,who lives about 2 counties away!

It's "Bogus!"

Where I grew up (So. Calif.), "Bogus" isn't even a real word.  It's only a made-up word to describe something that's made-up or obviously fake.  But, not here!  Found on the door of one department inside the County Courthouse is "Bogus Check Dept."  Keep in mind - Green Acres/Twilight Zone.

Snow Day!

I was sleeping and dreaming of the greenest lawn you ever did see.  Suddenly I woke up and when I looked outside, I saw this!  It was our very first snow day as Oklahomians!!

These are a couple of pix I took at a tea party I threw for my sister-in-law and a new friend.  I had help, but did most of the work myself.  It was my first Oklahoma "event".

Too Short Vacay!

We're back from beautiful, sunny So. California.  It was soooo good to see everyone. Our flight there was uneventful, except as soon as I looked out to see the lights of L.A. tears began to pour out of my eyes and I had an overwhelming urge to kiss the ground.  I WAS HOME!  On Monday was the family reunion and almost the entire family came.  It was a non-stop eatfest al day long.  Lots of hugs, lots of joy and laughter - it was WONDERFUL!!!  When we got on the plane to come back, there was a mix-up with seating.  It's realy a good thing I wasn't able to get up on my own power or I would have been in a fist fight!  There was a chick with a dog on board who really needed to just have the crap knocked out of her and I would have loved to be the one to do it!  Put THAT on the front page of the Poteau Daily News!!  Oh well, we made it back without further incident and I'm trying to catch up with the jet lag.  TTFN, B

Life in Podunk, USA

Well, here I am, living in beautiful Poteau, Oklahoma.  I've been here for just about 1 year.  I'm still struggling to recover from the stroke I had back in 2009,but doing better.

I wanted to start a whole new blog to chronicle my life here, as opposed to life in California.  Life here in Oklahoma is VERY different from California.  Think of the corniest Green Acres show you ever saw, combine it with The Twilight Zone, and you have life here in Poteau.  One day, when I can type faster, I'll tell about some of the "big" stories that make front-page news in the paper.  Just keep in mind, Green Acres combined with the Twilight Zone!

We have found a new church, and we are slowly making new friends.  I miss my California friends and family terribly - communicating via the internet  just isn't the same.  But, I suppose it's better than nothing.  I still have trouble with my speech, so I talk very little on the telephone.

A couple of months ago I was able to help put on a Tea Party for the ladies at church. Now, I am planning a garden party for the end of September.  But, tomorrow, the best thing happens - we fly HOME - for the Mr.'s annual family reunion & BBQ.  I am so excited - I can hardly wait to see everyone!