It was very strange being the hostess to my own parents. But they didn't really let me do much in the way of hostessing. They bought us groceries, and took us out for dinner a few times, AND bought a bunch of paint and paint supplies for my birthday! Dad had the graciousness to paint the living and dining room for us while Mom sewed my bridesmaid dress. It was so good to see them again, and very sad to see them leave. Next time I see them will be Thanksgiving, Lord willing.
I promise I will be posting before and afters of the whole house soon! There won't be much in the way of decorating, but we hope to have every room painted by the end of July. We'll see... I've got a lot of work to do in that department.
I've officially been here 2 months. There are some things about Tulsa I knew to anticipate, and some things that have caught me by surprise. For example, I thought Clermont County had the worst drivers in the world, but I do think it has been outdone by Tulsa County. I was driving on the expressway the other day and saw someone literally come to a complete stop at the end of the entrance ramp onto said highway. Instead of merging, she was just sitting there waiting for traffic to clear! I was flabbergasted. And then, just yesterday, I was on that same entrance ramp, and the woman in front of me did the exact same thing! She just stopped, right there on the entrance ramp! I was so mad, because now I was starting from 0 mph, too. Most irritating. And I know for a fact these were two different people... Tulsans definitely don't know how to merge, but that's the worst case I've witnessed.
One thing I discovered about Oklahoma the very first week I lived here is that the wind does indeed come sweeping down the plain. Constantly. It was actually a source of contention between Etienne and I that first week when I had a moment of frustration against the wind. (Remembering that little spat makes me laugh now... How ridiculous). I guess Oklahoma is a land of extremes because when summer hit, the wind died completely. There's an occasional breeze now, but nothing compared to the spring time gusts.
Naturally it would die right when it would actually become valuable. Summer came with a vengeance. It got up to 107 - 113 degrees every single day for two weeks solid. It still breaks 100 on a daily basis. It would get hot in Ohio, but it wouldn't stay hot like this. No wonder Oklahoma is so brown. They don't get much rain, and the sun scorches whatever it touches. There's not much in the way of shade in most places. Our lawn is quite brown and crunchy. It cracks me up to look out at the peach tree Etienne just planted a few weeks ago. I've been watering it pretty faithfully, and I believe it's holding its own, much to my relief. But what's funny is the 3-inch ring around the tree of green, green grass in the vast barren wasteland of brown everywhere else. The grass just around the tree has been enjoying the water I give it everyday.
We do have some superb trees in our yard, especially by Oklahoma standards, but I do miss the towering trees of the Ohio valley. I know I'm going to be shocked at just how tall they are whenever I get to go home again. My eyes will have grown accustomed to the medium-height (and smaller) trees of Oklahoma. And I miss the green! I miss soft grass beneath my feet, and I miss brown dirt, and the gray Clermont County clay. Here, it's red dust or red clay. Take your pick.
I don't want to be ALL down on Oklahoma. It does have its beauties. There's something captivating in the sweeping plain, and the gently rolling hills. They're not tall hills, but they are pleasing to the eye. It's as if the whole earth was moving like the ocean, when you get way out from the shore, and just froze that way. The land has rolling ocean swells, dotted with the occasional tree or brush. And the sky is amazing. You can see from horizon to horizon when you get out of the city without trees to block the view. I particularly like going out to Lake Skiatook, about an hour north of town. The cliff faces are so beautiful. It's absolutely rich with greens and browns and grays. I'll have to post pictures sometime. The land has the lake to drink from, so it's nice and green, not parched and scorched by the sun.
Still... I long to see my beautiful Ohio valley again. What can I say? I'm a valley girl. ;-) So to everyone back home, take a moment to enjoy the beauty around you. Drink it in, for my sake, and cherish what you have.
Love you all!
Elizabeth
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| Here is Etienne with a baby I won't recognize next time I see her. Sigh... I hope you're doing well Landreman family! |
