melting into the scenery

Another place I enjoy in the Tulsa area is the Mary Oxley Nature Center in the NE part of the city. Meadows, forests, marsh, pond. Peacefulness, many trails, vibrant red dragonflies, fluttery sunny butterflies, and eye-gazing frogs. A good energy for an afternoon of exploration. :)

the veil of light between us

Over the weekend, we traveled to the Tulsa area, about 1 1/2 hours NE of OKC. One place we visited was the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks (just west of Tulsa). This photo is of a shark floating overhead. It's a magical sensation and experience... and the dome has an amazing echo, which made me wish they rented it out for song and chant. :o :)

lost in the meadow

Martin Nature Center in North OKC is a beautiful, serene retreat. These photos are from September. My daughter decided that even for a nature walk, she needed to pack up a purse. It had odd items, such as a new container of tooth powder that she took from the house on the sly. Never know when you might need that.

The nature center has a blend of scenery, but this is the heart of the meadow - grasses and flowers and creatures tangled together, soaking in sunlight.

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I've, obviously, been off in la la land. The one known as life, how strange. :) September and October were quite a strong blend of bliss and stress, growth and chaos. They were also quite photo-rich, whoops. I'm finding my footing again, and will start posting here daily.

awake beneath the flora

Also from the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Eyes that seem to see things, and he didn't particularly mind having random things growing all over him. Or, maybe he did and next time we'll see him eating his way out of that little tropical chaos. (Okay, or maybe not.)

sitting up high

Today, I went deep into tropical forests... or, well, seeing as how those aren't too common here in Oklahoma, the closest thing: the Myriad Botanical Gardens. :)

a dance of clouds

Yes, more from the lake (Hefner). I've been going with my children, and by myself, a lot. :)

I've also been a tad (only a tad?) less than daily here - I've just started kindergarten (homeschool) with my son, so we're getting settled into our rhythms.

moody lake

I went to the lake tonight. This photo was taken right before it started pouring. The wind was strong and when the rain started falling, the sensation against my face (eyes closed) was amazing. However, the short walk to the car soaked my clothes, and I could barely get the car door open from the strength of the wind against it. Pure natural power, and I was in heaven. (But glad I wasn't wearing something nearly-sheer. :o) My actual house, not too far away, didn't get a drop, so I was especially pleased to have experienced the beauty right by the water's edge.

sunset

Snuck away last night to watch the sunset by the lake. I always feel so connected and at peace by the water. I've decided to do this at least a couple times per week.

spiral spider

I believe this is a Black and Yellow Argiope, who has made the side of my house its home. What a vibrant creature! Rather glad they like gardens and not bathroom corners though...

water bliss

This morning, I took the kids to Lake Hefner. It was early, before 9, and was so quiet and peaceful. When sitting near the edge, the sky and water became one, the hues interlocking and blurring, the gentle waves having a meditative quality. I was in love.

twinkle, twinkle

When we went to the OKC Museum of Art earlier this month, we had fun with the modern art exhibits. This one had knobs to adjust the twinkling lights which my son made vibrant and dim again and again. :)

My Yogi Tea message last night was, "Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light." Somehow seems appropriate for this photo.

backyard 4

Grasshoppers are the totems for leaping forward, abundance, positive 'luck', taking chances. This one greeted us on our back screen.

my backyard 4

My son had an incredible amount of delight spotting this little fellow (miss?). :)

rainbow glass

Dale Chihuly glass exhibit at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art - I wouldn't mind having a hallway ceiling like this one... :)

my backyard 3

And this? Well, it's growing in a crack in the cement. Rather ambitious. There's that popular saying, "bloom where you're planted." I suppose "bloom where the wind takes you" works too - a lesson in thriving under less than optimal circumstances - or better yet, thriving because you've allowed the circumstances to be optimal just as they are.

my backyard 2

Photo from a few days ago.

So, we've had a break from the intense heat. Rain the last couple of days, highs in the mere 70s. But, summer isn't over - sunshine and 90+ return for the holiday weekend. Good thing because my cat is starting to get bummed out, and my son wants to make chalk footprints all over the back. Me? I like rainy breaks.

a silver lining of strength and renewal

This is a pretend-video-reel hanging from the Oklahoma History Center's ceiling.

I'm actually not sure what the picture on the left is - anyone know?

The one in the center is the Oklahoma National Memorial. "We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity." The website is http://www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/. When my Australian friend visited, she asked if it was a war memorial - so, just to clarify, it's for the April 19, 1995 federal building bombing. Yes, I remember exactly what I was doing, and no, I actually haven't been in the memorial - I find memorials, in general, to be quite beautiful, but way too sad for me.

The one on the right is tornado destruction from May 3, 1999. The bliss and horror of technology is that you get to see the huge formations (this was F5), watch their destruction, and see the path they plan to take. On the one hand, knowledge is power; on the other, it's just flat out scary - especially when few homes are built with basements. I distinctly remember its path was aimed right at my parents' home until it made a sudden move. Some of the houses rebuilt in this area - Moore, a suburb to OKC's south - were destroyed a second time a couple years later when a large tornado took a similar path. I'll stick with central / NW OKC, thank you very much. I've had to get in the closet, but only once in my life have I actually heard that Perfect Stillness, then Train Sound - and for that one, it wasn't F5, and I was in a neighbor's basement...

I suppose all places have sorrow in their histories. The sorrow also shows a place's inner strength and sense of community - which both of these events certainly did.

winged love

Taken in August 2007, a delight. And, that's about all the commentary I can come up with because I'm sleepy - it's so very my bedtime!

flowers of sunshine

Sunflowers at Lake Hefner's Wild Bird Reserve area, 8/2007.

spiders, spiders everywhere

After a long stretch of bright, hot, dry days, we had rain! Beautiful rain! However, it seemed to displace a big community of daddy-long-leg spiders. I was outside with my children and saw a hairy lump on the side of the house. I counted 71. Ish. Wow?

lucky ladybug

Miss Ladybug by Lake Hefner, August 2008. We love spotting creatures, soaking in the moment.

oklahoma brush

By Lake Hefner, August 2007. Off the main (cemented) roads, there are little side-paths that get right up by the lake. Some are surrounded in simple beauty with natural Oklahoma vegetation.

modern art

Over the weekend, we went to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. There's a large Roman exhibit from the Louvre, though photos weren't allowed in that area. (I imagine it would've made the nude statues blush a little.) However, the modern art floor wasn't bashful and liked eye-gazing. This spinning guy was quite fun to watch. And, from the side too:

dragons and vibrance

The Oklahoma History Center had a lovely exhibit on the Chinese culture here in Oklahoma.

I should also mention, we have an Asian District starting around NW 23rd and Classen. From wikipedia: Today Oklahoma City is considered by many to be an Asian oasis in the South-Central U.S., as there are multitudes of authentic restaurants, nightclubs, shops, Asian supermarkets and grocery stores concentrated in the area; traditional Hong Kong dim sum and Taiwanese Bubble Tea are no longer hard to find as they predominate Asia District and metro area.

but line drying smells like summer?

From the Oklahoma History Center. I would complain about the "Lady!" part, but cleaning ads today still focus on women. Oh well - there's still something rather cute about pink appliances. Sort of?

red is...

More from the Oklahoma History Center. Did I have silly fun creating Ghost Dress? Well, yeah. ;)

What is red to you? For me, when I think of red, I come up with: fields of poppies (my fav flower), fragrant roses in late spring, sex appeal, romance, aggression, anger, intensity, stained glass, latin dances, dragonflies, cardinals, the root chakra (security), focused + strong eye contact, fabrics from India and China. It's a color that can certainly be beautiful (as all are), but I find it better as an accent than as a dominant color in my life.

open to the sun

The Oklahoma History Center's outside garden. It was too hot to be out there long - us humans were wilting, but this big beauty was open to the sun and just fine.

to zoom or sleep

From the Oklahoma History Center. I don't think my Focus, Sophie, would appreciate us doing this to her. Still, it fascinated and amused me rather considerably, and my son wanted to take it home... :o :)


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And, in sad news, today's weather:

my backyard 1

These lovely flowers are actually our neighbors' - but they trail over the fencing to greet us, which makes us all quite happy.

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We went to the Contemporary Dance Festival last night - it was amazing. And while I dislike constant flashes from the audience, I would've loved to have taken a couple of photos, even without flash. Not allowed though (pout).

august theme: metal

Last year, a friend and I exchanged monthly prompts - we'd have a theme, then take a photo and do a creative writing with our own vision of the given theme. One month was "angels". I went outside, took a photo of the chimes, and was delighted to see these beautiful color streaks. The sunlight caught it just the right way. I took some other photos for this month's metal theme, but revisiting an oldie ended up being my fav. :)

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Others are exploring METAL too! Take a peek? :)

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, Aliso Viejo (CA), USA by Rodney, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by freefalling, Arradon, France by Alice, Aspen (CO), USA by IamMBB, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Baruch, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Harry Makertia, Bandung, Indonesia by Eki Akhwan, Bandung, Indonesia by Bunyamin, Barrow-in-Furness, UK by Enitharmon, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Birmingham (AL), USA by VJ, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Brantford (ON), Canada by Nancy, Bucharest, Romania by Malpraxis, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by agrajag, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Château-Gontier, France by Laurent, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chennai, India by Ram N, Chesapeake (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Cincinnati, USA by Erik Laursen, City of the Blue Mountains, Australia by Richard, Corsicana (TX), USA by Lake Lady, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Edinburgh, UK by Dido, Edmonton (AL), Canada by , Evry, France by Olivier, Folkestone, UK by Piskie, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne, Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA by Gigi, Gabriola, Canada by Snapper, Geneva (IL), USA by Kelly, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Hanoi, Vietnam by Jérôme, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jerusalem, Israel by Esther, Kansas City (MO), USA by Cate B, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lakewood (OH), USA by 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the Merciless, New York City (NY), USA by • Eliane •, New York City (NY), USA by Kitty, Newport News (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Oklahoma City (OK), USA by ananda.tashie, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Owasso (OK), USA by Jennifer, Palos Verdes (CA), USA by tash, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Petoskey (MI), USA by Christie, Philadelphia (PA), USA by Stephanie Craig, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Cheryl, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Sharon, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Pretoria, South Africa by Sam-Ruth, Quezon City, Philippines by ann pablo, Quincy (MA), USA by slim, Ramsey, Isle of Man by babooshka, Rancho Palos Verdes (CA), USA by Sarah Adams, Riga, Latvia by Riga Photos, Rotterdam, 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lake hefner: the feeling of endless water

Well, my mom-in-law is now safely back in New Zealand, which erases my excuse for not posting daily, right? Sort of. Except that my outings have primarily been: outside in the back with my kids in the mornings (not that I couldn't take photos there :o) and places with a/c like bookshops. Otherwise, houseyness. Why? In part because it's dreadfully hot. We're in the stretch of weeks that goes from 95-100+. (My mil decided she'd rather not visit in July ever again!)

In the meantime, here's a photo of Lake Hefner from July 2007. Purr!

A friend from Australia will be visiting soon. She's touring through the US and will be stopping by to see us and Oklahoma. She'll be arriving Thursday night and staying until Tuesday. Expect photos from an art gallery walk, a visit south of the city to the lush nature bliss of Chickasaw National Recreation Area, and a local museum. :)

more Pops + steamy temps

A family portrait, though probably not one to frame and give to all the relatives (grin). Taken outside of Pops.

The blue drink sort of scared me. I stuck with an organic orange green tea. :o

And, if you are lucky and sit in the right place, with all the sunlight coming in through glass and bottles, a rainbow might even kiss you! My son, Kai, had the honor.

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On a different topic, look at our delightful weather. Sadly, I'm a mild weather girl. Taken from News Channel 5's website (koco.com):

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Thank you for comments. Again, I'll catch up with everyone once my mil leaves this weekend. xo.