OKLAHOMA Corridor Magazine_November 2022

Screenings Save Lives!

OUR COVER

Kindness, compassion, empathy... Heavy duty words that made our

think of Melissa Pyatt, a

teacher at Meeker Elementary School who demonstrates the qualities of a good teacher, parent, friend and daughter. Be sure to check out her story on page 6. Pictured left to right and down are Melissa, JJ, Izakk, Ileigha and Zayne. Two other children not pictured are Rylea and Tristin.

PUBLISHED BY OKLAHOMA

PHOTO by CHERYL PAYNE

PHOTO by CRYSTL’S PHOTOGRAPHY

DEDICATED OKLAHOMA TEACHER

by Alana Owen / Page 6

5 Editorial by Trudy Evans

6 A Window into the Life of a Dedicated Oklahoma Teacher by Alana Owen

10 Pastor Paul’s Passages by Paul Ragel

11 Delilah’s Dilemmas by Diane Brown

17 Have a Warm and Happy Thanksgiving by Emma Bryan

Polo on the River - A Fun Event for All to Enjoy by Alana Owen

It’s the Little Things by Allison Eldredge

Notes on the Oklahoma Corridor by Rick Reiley

2022-23 Basketball Preview

Oklahoma Corridor Kids by Jeree Milligan

Recipes by Jeree Milligan

PETS OF THE M NTH

from HUMANE SOCIETY of STILLWATER

Meet Perry.

This happy, handsome guy is about 7 months old and currently weighs about 50 pounds. Perry is a goofy guy who never meets a stranger, and loves everyone. He is a big, active boy, so he’ll need a secure yard and plenty of play time. We believe Perry is a husky/lab mix, and he has been fully vaccinated, neutered, micro chipped, and is on flea/tick/heart worm prevention. His adoption fee is only $85, so come meet Perry today!

Meet Buffy.

This beauty is a little over 3 years old, and can be a little shy at first. However, once she feels safe, she wants to be petted and loved on.

She does not like other cats, so she would probably do best in a home with no other animals. Buffy has been fully vaccinated, spayed, microchipped, and is ready to find her forever home.

Her adoption fee is only $30.

Meet Camo.

This handsome boy is 2 or 3 years old. He knows to sit, stay and drop it. He doesn’t like to be in a crate, he would rather be napping on the couch. Camo loves people and gets along with other dogs but we aren’t sure what he thinks about cats. Camo currently weighs 57 pounds. He is Neutered, Microchipped and vaccinated. Camo is $85 to adopt.

Meet Nomi.

This beautiful girl is 5 months old. She is a little shy so she will need a loving and patient home with no small children. She has lived with other cats. Nomi is spayed, microchipped, vaccinated and is Negative for FELV and FIV. You can adopt her for $55.

HUMANE SOCIETY of STILLWATER

1710 South Main Street / Stillwater

Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm

Writing my editorial is tough for me. My mom and younger brother were, and are, the writers in my family. But I actually do have some thoughts I’d like to publish, so here goes...

Kindness...

I have witnessed a lot of it this past week, even as recent as today. In our little house we can hear a little of the outside world but we don’t have many windows, so we can’t just walk around and see what’s going on out there. Anyway, I heard a lawn mower and assumed the mowing sounds were from the family of my neighbor that passed away a few months ago... mowing her yard. Later Kayla and I left the house and noticed our front yard had been mowed but the neighbor’s yard had not. So the one who mowed my yard, whoever it was, did so out of kindness.

When leaving the Tulsa Oilers hockey game tonight, a vehicle stopped and waited for us to cross. it definitely takes longer with my bad knee, and he didn’t have to wait. Kayla asked, “Why can’t everyone be kind like that?”

Then at QuikTrip a 20-something year old guy crossed over just so he could hold the doors for me...again showing kindness.

Kindness means the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. We have been the recipient of much kindness this past week. We try to always show kindness. If we all could show a little more kindness than we did yesterday or today, it would sure make everyone smile more.

Enjoy your families and friends this month as we celebrate Thanksgiving. We truly have a lot to be thankful for!

Thanksgiving!

A Window into the Life of a

DEDICATED OKLAHOMA TEACHER

Fall has finally arrived. The leaves are all around us, and the smell of autumn is in the air. It is time to start planning for the holiday season and indoor gatherings. Thanksgiving turkeys will be in the oven soon, followed by Christmas lights and holiday shoppers.

by ALANA OWEN

hanksgiving represents an annual tradition of cel ebrating bountiful harvests and other blessings. Yet thankfulness requires other things such as compas sion, empathy, and kindness. Without these qualities it is hard to imagine one will experience many bless ings or much to reflect upon and be thankful for. November contains other days often overlooked in the shadow of the Thanksgiving holiday. World Kindness

Day is celebrated November 13th. On this day everyone is encouraged to perform acts of kindness. Growing up I heard nothing about this annual day of celebrating; how ever, I was encouraged to be kind every day, especially to those different than me (without similar traditions and varying cultures). Kindness is often practiced by demon strating compassion and empathy.

Empathy occurs when we understand and share

PHOTO by CRYSTL’S PHOTOGRAPHY

Pictured left to right are JJ, Izakk, Ileigha, Melissa and Zayne. Children not pictured are Rylea and Tristin.

the feelings of others. Compassion, on the other hand, typically implies some action and motivation when con fronted with the suffering of others. So, a compassion ate person acts upon feelings of kindness and empathy toward others.

When I started thinking about these words and what they represent, one person came to mind. Melissa Pyatt is a special education teacher at Meeker Elementary School who demonstrates all the qualities of a good teacher, parent, friend, and daughter. Melissa, a single parent, is raising her two biological sons, her sister’s grandchild, and a Lincoln County minor who crossed her path while in the fourth grade.

her journey as a parent has been. She said, “The most difficult part has been to consider everyone’s cultural and established family traditions and merge them into one new household. Melissa said, “The best part is when it all comes together and I see what we did together as a family. Also it’s very rewqrding to see the kids grow and become independent, functioning in a positive way within the family.”

Melissa’s family, like many other families, like to participate in sports, which for them includes basketball, cross-country, and cheering. The children also enjoy vid eo games. Even though they are sometimes in separate rooms, they are often playing the same game together. Two of the older children are learning life skills, including choosing meals they want to learn to prepare and how to prepare them working as a team.

Melissa shared a special Mother’s Day last year when JJ cooked a fried egg sandwich for her as a Mother’s Day gift. She said his accomplishment and the thought he put into it brought tears to her eyes. When relating this story, she became emotional and could only say, “Wow.”

When they grow up, JJ wants to work with animals, Zayne wants to program computer games, Izakk wants to build computers, and Ileigha wants to become a teacher.

Melissa’s journey into teaching began when one of her children began showing signs of delayed develop ment. She began taking classes to learn how to help her son and eventually began working as a teacher’s assis tant and later became a certified teacher to be able help more children.

I had the pleasure of working in Miss Pyatt’s class as a substitute. She is kind, compassionate, and empa thetic. I sat down recently and visited with Melissa about her home life and the kids. Melissa grew up a child of a hardworking but low-income mother, with one brother and one sister. Melissa’s mother worked in a nursing home, and Melissa would often spend her weekends at the nursing home doing her homework while her mother worked to make ends meet.

Melissa first considered adoption when she noticed that her sister’s kids were not being properly cared for (after her sister developed an addiction). Melissa and her mother began taking care of her sister’s children after the Department of Human Services (DHS) became involved and the kids were removed from their mother. Melissa eventually moved away from her mother’s home and had two boys of her own, as a single parent. Melissa later obtained a permanent guardianship of her sister’s child. Melissa spoke fondly of the young man, proud that he has grown up and is working independently.

“JJ” entered Melissa’s life when he was in the fourth grade, and she noticed some of his needs were not be ing met. Once DHS became involved, Melissa ended up adopting JJ.

I asked Melissa what the hardest and best part of

She does not intend to adopt additional children at this time because of her already full house and health issues, but she encourages everyone to consider it because there are many children who need love and support.

Melissa certainly found her calling, in my opinion anyway. n

Cynthia Thompson

by PAUL RAGLE

You’ll Never Regret it When You Choose

Kindness

he following story appeared in James Baldwin’s book Fifty Famous People – A Book of Short Sto ries, 1912. Here is a summation of the story: In Richmond, Virginia, an old man went to the market to make a purchase. He carried a basket on his arm. “I wish to get a fowl for to-morrow’s din ner,” he said.

The market keeper showed him a fat turkey, ready for roasting. “Ah! That is just what I want,” said the old man. He asked the price and paid for it, placing the turkey in the basket.

Just then a young man dressed in fine style stepped up to the counter. “I will have one of those turkeys,” he said, paying the market man. “Please deliver it to my house at once,” the young man said.

“I cannot do that,” said the market keeper. “My er rand boy is sick, and there’s no one else to send.”

“How am I to get my turkey home?” asked the young gentleman.

“I suppose you will have to carry it yourself,” an swered the market man. “It’s not heavy.”

“Carry it myself? Who do you think I am? Fancy me carrying a turkey along the street!” retorted the young man. The old man who had purchased the first turkey

was standing nearby.

“Excuse me, sir,” he said; “may I ask where you live?”

“I live at 39 Blank Street,” answered the young gentleman.

“Well, isn’t that lucky,” said the old man. “I happen to be going that way; I will carry your turkey, if you will allow me.”

“Oh, certainly!” said the young man. “Here it is. You may follow me.” When they reached the house, the old man handed him the turkey and turned to go. “What shall I pay you?” asked the young man.

“Nothing, sir, nothing,” answered the old man. “It was no trouble; you are most welcome.”

The young gentleman hurried back to the market to ask the man at the market who the old man was who had carried his turkey. “That is John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States, one of the greatest men in all our country,” was the answer.

When the young man asked why John Marshall had offered to carry the turkey, the market man answered, “Judge Marshall simply wished to be kind. That is his way.”

May our Thanksgiving be a holiday filled with ex pressions of kindness. n

In a world where you can be anything, be KIND.

DELILAH’SDILEMMAS

Delilah woke Saturday morning, she lay in her bed recalling Saturday mornings in her childhood, breakfast, then cartoons. Those days were long gone. She wondered if children nowadays watched cartoons on Saturday morning.

hey watch cartoons anytime they want. She thought. “There’s an entire channel designated only for cartoons,” she told the ceiling fan. The fan had nothing to add to that. It just continued to whir as it had done since she turned it on in June.

Abandoning any further epiphanic communica tions to any more inorganic, unresponsive objects, she got out of bed, dressed, and headed for the kitchen. Within thirty minutes everyone was in the kitchen pitch ing in to bring breakfast to the table.

“I have poker tonight,” Delilah reminded the lot, as she set the scrambled eggs and toast on the table.

“What are you fixin’ for supper?” Joel asked, follow ing her with sausages.

“Lizzy, will you grab the orange juice, please?” Deli lah said. “Okay, it’s supposed to get close to a hundred degrees today, so I’m not turning the oven on. Probably won’t turn it on until October,” she added under her breath. “I’m going to fix Sloppy Joes, maybe a couple of cold salads, chips, and banana pudding for dessert.”

There were no objections to the menu or additional requests, probably because everyone was busy making breakfast disappear. And disappear it did.

Eli, Dooby, Joel, and Lizzy went to the stable once the kitchen was cleaned, leaving Delilah to get a head start on supper. She took four pounds of ground beef from the freezer and sat it in a bowl in the sink to thaw. She estimated the amount, thought about the number of diners, and then added an additional two pounds, making a mental note to add ground beef to her gro cery list, since there was only two pounds left in the freezer. She brewed tea and chopped vegetables while the pasta boiled.

Once the pasta salad and the two-gallon pitcher of tea were chilling in the refrigerator, Delilah went upstairs and decluttered her bedroom and the bath room. She peeked in Eli’s bedroom, now occupied by Lizzy. The bed was made, and nothing appeared out of

with DIANE BROWN

place. She wondered how long Lizzy would be calling this her room. Delilah and Eli still hadn’t discussed the length of the girl’s stay. Maybe it was too soon. Still, there was that nagging remark Norma had made about Lizzy, ‘I sense a duality in you.’ That, coupled with De lilah’s own ’funny feeling,’ made Delilah apprehensive. With a shake of her head, Delilah just Etch-O-Sketched the thought away and went downstairs.

Everyone was on their own for lunch and instructed to clean up after themselves before camping out in the living room to watch a Chicago Cubs doubleheader. For all intents and purposes, the house was clean. At least clean enough, and the laundry was just short of caught up. So, Delilah made the banana pudding, broccoli salad, and a relish tray with bread and butter pickles, green and black olives, pickled beets, celery and carrot sticks with humus.

It was mid-afternoon when Lizzy entered the kitchen to get another soda. “Oh, Lizzy, will you set the table, please?” Delilah said as she swept a pile of dirt into a dustpan.

“Little early, isn’t it?” Lizzy asked.

“Maybe, but I’d rather have that out of the way,” Delilah said.

“How many?” Lizzy asked with little enthusiasm.

“Well, let’s see,” Delilah said, as she began ticking off the names of her expected guests. “Norma, Kyle, and Odie. You, Eli, me, Dooby, Karon, Joel ... So, that’s nine. I feel like I’m forgetting someone. Set it for ten.”

“Norma’s coming?” Lizzy asked acridly.

“Yes,” Delilah replied.

“Think I’ll eat in the kitchen,” Lizzy said, pulling plates from the cupboard.

Delilah wanted to say, “You will not. That is rude, and you won’t treat my guests that way.” Instead, Deli lah asked her to get Joel to help adding the two leaves to the dining room table.

Karon was the first to arrive that evening and im

in to

was ten minutes behind Karon, followed closely by Norma and Kyle, giving Delilah little opportunity to bounce her ideas

Lizzy off Karon. In no time the table held the bounty, and everyone took a seat.

Eli sat at the head of the table closest to the hall. Moving clockwise to Eli’s left was Kyle, then Lizzy, then an empty seat, then Odie. Joel sat at the end of the table, opposite Eli, and to his left was Karon, Norma, Delilah, then Dooby. Norma said grace. And the bowls and plates began their flight around the table, passed from one to the other and back again.

Suddenly there was a knock on the back door. Deli lah started to rise from the table, but Eli stopped her and went to the kitchen himself. Moments later, he returned, none too pleased, with Charlie, the Lincoln County Sheriff.

“Charlie!” Delilah exclaimed. “How are you? Heav ens, we haven’t seen you in some time. What brings you all the way out here?”

“Uh, what’s the old saying? I just happened to be in the neighborhood,” Charlie said as he looked around the table. “Thought I’d just stop in and check on you.”

“Have a seat,” Delilah said motioning to the empty chair next to Lizzy.

Eli cut Delilah a disapproving look.

“Oh, no. No,” Charlie said, shaking his head. “I

wouldn’t dream . . .”

“I insist,” Delilah said. “As you can see, there’s an extra place, and Lord knows there’s enough food.”

After a hesitant beat, Charlie began making his way around the table.

“How you doin’ Kyle?” Charlie said, patting Kyle on the shoulder. “Mrs. Black Feather, it’s good to see you, ma’am,” he said to Norma with a smile and slight bow of the head.

Eli introduced Lizzy to Charlie who was visibly shocked to discover that Eli had a child.

“How’s Pandora?” Norma asked Delilah with an amused smile. The last time Norma and Kyle had had supper at the Royal Flush Ranch, the crazy, old goat had magically entered the back door and proceeded to the dining room where she attempted to eat the cake. The whole cake.

Delilah chuckled. “You know she thinks she’s an Aus tralian Sheppard,” she said.

Norma’s head went back with laughter. “Border Collie,” Norma countered. “She thinks she’s a Border Collie.”

“Well, I suspect the horses think she’s a Border Col lie, too, because they let her herd them as though she was one,” Delilah said. “Even the stallions tolerate her.”

At the far end of the table another conversation was in full swing.

“Yes, but in the Jewish tradition, and some Christian factions, the Adamic language was used by God to address Adam,” Joel said. “While others argue that it was the language invented by Adam to name all the creatures of Earth, including Eve.”

“Genesis 2:19,” Karon said.

“That’s right,” Joel said. “Though, there are those who subscribe to the notion that the Adamic language was actually Hebrew.”

Odie gasped. “Dante Alighieri,” she said softly.

“Dante Alighieri,” Joel parroted.

“Divine Comedy?” Karon asked. “Dante’s Inferno?”

“One and the same,” Odie confirmed. Eli, Kyle, and Dooby were in an animated discussion about baseball which included a number of mindnumbing statistics. And Charlie had engaged Lizzy in a conversation about her life which was practically verba tim what she had told Eli and Delilah. As if it had been memorized. Though in all fairness, when we tell the story of our lives, especially as we get older, and the more repetitious those stories become, the less var ied they are. At least, playing devil’s advocate, which would be the argument Delilah would pose in a later discussion with Dooby.

Dinner ended on a happy note. Eli and Dooby cleared the table, and after Joel washed it clean, he and Lizzy removed the leaves and put them away in

the closet under the stairs, while Delilah bid farewell to Charlie at the back door. He’d declined her invita tion to play poker, reminding her, with a smile, that her games were illegal.

Back in the dining room, Delilah found Norma deal ing the first game, Chase the Lady in Mexico. The boys and Lizzy were in the living room watching one of those Bourne Hard Dying in the Matrix like movies. As much as she tried, there were either too many people around, or Lizzy was too close for Delilah to get clarifi cation from Norma about her odd appraisal of Lizzy.

Breakfast and lunch were quiet the next day. At least on Lizzy’s part. Until the guys had gone to the stable to check on the horses, and Karon had gone home leav ing Lizzy and Delilah alone in the living room watching a movie early that afternoon.

“That was a pretty low blow last night,” Lizzy said, after taking the remote and muting the sound. “Invit ing the sheriff to dinner to interrogate me. Even Dad was not happy about it.”

“Well, first of all,” Delilah said. “I did not invite Charlie. And secondly, Eli’s displeasure with Charlie had nothing to do with you, or me for that matter. That is a mutual animosity born three decades ago.”

“Right,” Lizzy said sarcastically. “You know, your fear is so transparent.”

“I beg your pardon?” Delilah said.

DEVEN ELLIOTT, APRN-CNP

MOLLIE TANNER,

LAIRD,

ASHLEY TUCKER,

“You are afraid that Dad would choose me over you,” Lizzy said.

Delilah’s eyes widened and she nodded slowly. “I have no intention of asking him to choose. Do you?”

“If I were to decide to leave because you make me uncomfortable, let’s say,” Lizzy began, a malicious smile on her face.

“Then I would encourage you to follow your heart,” Delilah said. “Of course, after apologizing for causing you any unintended discomfort.”

“We’ll see,” Lizzy said, and she turned and walked out of the room.

Delilah’s heart began pounding fiercely and she felt her cheeks flush. This was exactly what she had been laboring to avoid, having been in this same position before. Once with her second husband, Ambrose Fisher, the ambitious politician who had three children from a previous marriage nearly as old as Delilah, to whom she’d made it perfectly clear that she couldn’t respect a man who put any woman over his children.

Second, was Dooby’s not-ex-wife-at-the-time who had insisted he spent too much time with Delilah, and issued the ‘us or her ultimatum,’ Delilah had declared that the dilemma was a no brainer. She offered to quietly and gracefully step out of Dooby’s life and the lives of his two daughters. That single act of selfless ness was the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back, already loaded to the highest hump with marital discourse unrelated to Delilah.

Fifteen minutes later, Eli was confronting Delilah.

“Why did you tell her she should leave?” Eli asked with heat.

“I did not tell her to leave, Eli,” Delilah said.

“Why would she say you told her that?” Eli questioned. In her back pocket, Delilah’s cell phone rang. She ignored it.

“Do you honestly believe I’d say that to her?” Deli lah barked. Her hands went up in surrender. “And then lie to you about it?”

“It really doesn’t matter what you said, specifically,” Eli argued. “It’s how she perceived what you did say.”

Delilah shook her head and growled.

“I think you need to apologize to her,” Eli said.

“No,” Delilah said abruptly.

“That’s a childish attitude to take,” Eli said.

“I beg your pardon?” Delilah said with a strong Georgian drawl that was always more pronounced when she was affronted.

Delilah’s cell phone rang again. And again, she ignored it.

“It’s like you’re putting me in the middle and forcing me to choose between the two of you,” Eli said.

“I’m putting you in the middle.” Delilah repeated. “Making you choose between a young lady you’ve only known a few weeks, and me.” And then something

slipped. Something she regretted saying the moment she said it. “I have a choice, too. One that perhaps may eliminate your need to choose.”

There was an instant flash of fear in Eli’s eyes, but then he recovered quickly with ire. He said nothing, just turned on his heels and stormed out of the living room, passing Dooby in the hall.

Once more, Delilah’s cell phone rang.

“Hello!” she snarled into the phone, without check ing the display to see who was calling.

“Delilah?” Hannah Beauregard whimpered.

“Mother?” Delilah said, trying with all her might to hold her temper. “Can I call you back afterwhile? I’m not really able to talk right now.”

“Delilah?” Hannah continued. “Your daddy’s had a heart attack.” n

Is Buford Beauregard gone?

Will this mean the end of Delilah’s stay on the Royal Flush Ranch?

Has Lizzy’s plan, whatever it is, worked?

Stay tuned for the December installment of Delilah’s Dilemmas in the Oklahoma Corridor Magazine.

Blaire Blankinship, APRN | Amber Reinecke,

Colm McCauley,

HAVE A WARM AND with friends, family and all the trimmings!

Happy Thanksgiving

by EMMA BRYAN

Hello again! Last month was certainly something!

I hope you all had a good Halloween! And if you didn’t there is always next year!! The next holiday is just around the corner! Thanksgiving! All of No vember is surrounded by the theme of family and being thankful. It’s usually a nice holiday as well. Lots of food, fun festivities, good family time. It’s a good time all around! Even if you don’t have family to spend it with, you can spend time with your friends, too! They’ll care about you just as much as your family does. The cold weather is finally starting to settle in, too! Though in Kansas (where I live) it is certainly taking its sweet time! We’re getting there though! Slowly.

As Thanksgiving comes closer, families tend to prepare as far in advance as possible. Oftentimes with pulling out old recipes, decorating, and educating chil dren on what Thanksgiving is about! What we learned in school about this holiday wasn’t exactly true. There wasn’t a big table where the Native Americans and the pilgrims ate together peacefully. Though that would have been nice! The darker history of the holiday doesn’t stop us from celebrating it though, as it tends to go with

holidays here in America.

We all have our traditions. Many families have a turkey, which is regarded as the go to food for Thanks giving. Some may also have a ham. Some just go pick a place to eat out. Of course, if you’re making a home made dinner you can’t forget the sides. Mashed pota toes, stuffing, dinner rolls, mac and cheese, and much, much more. Now I’m hungry! Either way we have so many different ways to celebrate that calls for food! Hon estly that’s my favorite part of Thanksgiving and Christ mas, the big dinners or lunches (like my family does). It’s just generally a lot of fun!

I’m sure there are many more traditions out there that I missed, but I was mostly basing my knowledge off of what I do every year with my loved ones. I hope you all have a wonderful month!! Happy (most likely early) Thanksgiving!!

Oh! Here’s a joke before I go!

What kind of ‘tude’ is appropriate at the family din ner? Gratitude.

Have a good day, reader!! n

POLO ON THE RIVER

A FUN EVENT FOR ALL TO ENJOY

by ALANA OWEN

Polo is a ball game played by two teams on horse back, and its popularity as one of the top sports for the wealthy has earned it the nickname “the sport of kings.” Sports that rich people enjoy, like polo, feel special and exclusive because you would have to be a member of a polo club to play or even watch a match.

Kelly Coldiron, Wellston resident, owner, and event planner for Polo on the River, is an active member of the Tulsa Polo Club. Kelly strongly advocates for equine disciplines, and for creating access to the sport of polo in the USPA Great Plains Circuit.

IMAGINE THAT...

Imagine that; an Oklahoma resident is breaking down the wealth barriers and making polo an afford able sport for the entire family to enjoy, right here in Oklahoma.

Polo on the River is a venue designed to support the Stockyard City District’s Mission, as well as the promotion of agricultural hands on learning opportunities. Equestri an competitions and the showcasing of many equestrian disciplines is their goal. Individual ticketing, or group seating along with options for private parties are all part of the offering to help patrons enjoy the venue.

Kelly offers Oklahoma residents the opportunity to learn to play polo. Polo players are a variety of ages. The horses are provided and you are first taught not to fall off a barrel. Sit and balance first, then ride and grow your confidence. In November, Polo on the River will offer lesson packages so you can learn to ride, learn or become a polo professional.

Polo events for November will be held November 18 and 19, 2022 in conjunction with the Stockyards tree lighting celebration, located just off Highway I-40 and Agnew Avenue in Oklahoma City.

For more information, please refer to their website at: https://www.poloontheriverokc.com/tickets.html

A bit of history...Polo was first played in Persia (Iran) at dates given from the 6th century B.C.E. to the 1st century A.D. Polo was a training game for cavalry units, usually the king’s guard or other elite troops.

Friend and former local news anchor, Stan Miller, attended the October Polo on the River events, and served as their announcer. I asked Stan to share his experience with me. Here is what he advised. He said, “This was the first time I’ve done announcing for polo matches. It was tough at first trying to keep up with the action, but by day two it was fun. I was a polo player in San Diego, so I have a good understanding of the game. Kelly put the whole thing together, got the city to approve it, and even participated in it! She is a remark able woman whom I admire greatly. The ponies are the true stars of polo…and there is nothing like the sound of half a dozen thoroughbreds flying by!”

Look for me in the audience in November. I only wish my draft-cross could attend and watch with me. Maybe he could learn to line out that rough lope so I can be a better passenger. Or, maybe I need to practice my barrel sitting. Have fun and enjoy! n

an Oklahoma resident is breaking down the wealth barriers and making polo an affordable sport for the entire family to enjoy, right here in Oklahoma.

Noe,

Hightower,

Kathryn Farguson,

J. Jordan Stivers,

PLEASE REMEMBER:

It’s the Little Things

by ALLISON ELDREDGE

This summer started off as a great summer...

This summer started off as a great summer. It was hot earlier than usual, but everyday my daughter and I were getting outside while it was cool. We were gardening and preparing for chickens. My husband built us an amaz ing chicken coop and we both had helped him get it built and stained.

Then on July 11th, my summer stopped dead in its tracks. I suffered an injury. My dog and I collided hard in a moment of being in the wrong place and the wrong time. Before the day was over, everything I had been doing and expecting was neatly placed in a box and put out of sight.

My diagnosis was a Tibia Plateau Fracture. I was sent home from the hospi tal in a full leg brace and was to be back on the 14th for surgery.

Surgery went well, and I went back home with orders to not place any weight on my leg for 12 weeks.

Suddenly, I needed help to get into the bathroom, to get food, to keep my house in some sort of order, and so much more.

My family, friends, and church family stepped up. I can’t imagine my life without them. Large ice packs were brought over for me to borrow (three months later and I am still using them), food was delivered, groceries were brought, my house plants watered, dishes washed, laundry folded, visits to just sit with me, and so much more.

I had to let people help me. I couldn’t do the things I wanted or felt I needed to do. Being helpless was hard.

I spent most days on the couch feeling like I should push myself to do more. I had tried to push somethings in my healing, and I reached out to the doctor’s office to ask why I wasn’t recovering as fast as I thought I should. Yes, it had only been two weeks, and I was impatient. They kindly informed me that I had had major surgery and my body would recover as it could and that I couldn’t push it any further than it would go.

Now, I am in Physical Therapy and, again, I want to recover faster than my body can. It is hard to be unable to be who you were just a few short months ago.

For those of you wonderful readers who have someone close to you going through something similar, a few pieces of advice in the sidebar to this story.

I asked the nurse in my surgeon’s office, “How do people deal with this type of injury when they don’t have a support system?”

She told me that they must go to rehab. I was saddened to hear this.

For those who are going through something like this, please reach out to your support system. Ask for the little things you need. There are wonderful people out there who want to be a blessing to you but aren’t sure how to do it. It is one of the hardest things to ask for help when you have been independent before this moment, but you can do it.

I am thankful for all the little things that everyone has done for me. This time has really opened my eyes to the little things, and I plan on being a better helper after I have recovered. n

A FEW LITTLE THINGS THAT CAN BE SO VERY HELPFUL...

• CALL, TEXT, VISIT. Even if they can’t get up and let you in the door, they want to be visited and talked to.

It is a lonely time with lots of difficult moments of silence.

• TAKE THEM OUTSIDE. Even on their porch. We need sunshine and to know the world is still outside our door. If they can’t go outside, get them to a window.

• GET THEM SOMETHING FROM THE STORE OR FAST-FOOD JOINT. We all like a treat delivered. My favorite treat from the store was Oreo’s.

• ONCE THEY GET OUT, TAKE IT SLOW. I know I had difficulty with fast approaching animals or kids. I struggled to go fast enough to keep up with those around me and found that I couldn’t do it; I had to go slow.

• THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY APPRECIATES ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE. My neighbors were there for me on the day of injury and have helped with our pets at various times when I have needed them since.

NOTES ON THE OKLAHOMA CORRIDOR ROBIN KELLISON

Craftsman, Artist, Songwriter, Survivor

with RICK REILEY

first met Robin Kellison several years ago- somewhere.

Maybe at one of the Round Barn music sessions at Arcadia, maybe at the Woody Guthrie Festival in Okemah. Or possibly at Oklahoma’s International Bluegrass Festival in Guthrie, where I saw him most recently. He also attended our Tuesday Night Music Club sessions in Cushing back in its heyday.

I really can’t remember where we first met, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve become more fascinated by his wit, wis dom, artistry and good natured tenacity as time goes on.

He’s always smiling, always working on some project or another. Planting, working, harvesting the garden with his wife Bev, canning the fruits of their labor. (They con tinue to can their yearly vegetables with a 120 year old

pressure cooker his grandma used!)

When he’s not gardening, renovating a travel trailer, or buying and selling guitars, he’s writing lyrics, working on new songs, or creating his latest beadwork projectbe it a guitar strap, beaded hat band or bead wrapped cane. He even sews his own beaded shirts!

The man seems tireless with quiet, steady energy and plenty of good vibes to share. He always has a smile on his face - often with a mischievous telltale gleam in his eye.

Sometimes leaving you to wonder, “What’s that about?”

Kellison who lives in Hydro, OK. (just west of OKC on your old familiar Route 66) was born in Hollis, Oklahoma, down by the Texas border.

PHOTO by SARAH BARKER HUHN

Robin recently dropped by our house for a visit and to swap some songs. It was a true pleasure to hear him at length.

A few days later it struck me that more people ought to know about him. So I reached out to ask him a few questions about his most interesting life:

RR: Which came first, learning beadwork, or play ing guitar?

RK: I learned to sew first at 6 years old on my grandmother’s treadle machine, then guitar in the fifth grade, then poetry, making rhymes my whole life, then songwriting.

I was a potter in the 70s and won the Oklahoma Designer Craftsman Show in 1975. Then beadwork hap pened, but not seriously, at least not until I wasn’t able to do anything else because of cancer. I also designed and built our house with my wife’s help.

RR: And how did you get into those avocations?

RK: My older brother, John, was in a Rock & Roll band in the 60s so guitar was a natural progression. My 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Moran, encouraged me to write poetry. Wrote my first song at age 14 over a broken heart.

I started pottery in College and went to shows across Oklahoma.

Bead work came as a renewal of life. It takes my brain away from my cancer because of the concentration to do the beadwork. It’s therapeutic and takes the worry away.

about after learning to play guitar?

RK: I have always written poetry and the guitar turned them into songs. I’ve been a serious songwriter since the song “My Hometown” was published and re corded by Bo Lightfoot on his CD, The Grifitti Grill Ses sions in 2003. I wrote or co-wrote a few of the songs on that CD, and it’s available on iTunes and most streaming services. (Admirable work! I recommend it!)

RR: What was your day job at the time you retired?

RK: I worked 20 years with 3M Corporation all over the US. Then I was with the Kodak Corporation for 18 years.

RR: Tell me a little about your musical journey.

RK: I was a Neil Young fan and still am, but my music comes from somewhere else. I’ve never been able to write like Neil.

My younger days I was immersed in Bob Wills and West Texas Music. My Aunt Alice was a player and we played old country tunes till I was in the 7th grade.

RR: How long have you and Bev been married?

RK: 37 years! We’ve got two boys, one girl, and five grandkids, four girls and a boy.

RR: What is your Native American heritage?

RK: It is from my paternal grandfather’s side and ma ternal grandmother’s side. Both Cherokee. They traveled from Kentucky to southern Missouri then to ‘no man’s land’ near Hollis, OK after a bout with the government in the Kansas wars. Hollis was part of Texas and not yet a state. It became a hideout for the WANTED!

(I’m sure there’s a ton of rich, vivid history there wor thy of further exploration for those historians among you!)

RR: Have you always written lyrics or did that come

RR: You’ve had a rather ‘hide and seek’ journey with cancer. Can you tell us a little about that?

RK: I was first diagnosed with cancer in 2012 with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, but have had several surgeries over the years for small intestine cancer, stom ach cancer, skin cancer. I have spots on my lungs, and tumors in my spine and chest cavity.

RR: Current status?

RK: Current status is slow growing cancers here and

Robin Kellison is a gleaming example that a positive attitude is more useful for daily living than a negative attitude focused forever on facts you can’t change. Like such words as ‘terminal’. The end.

there, but I just tell myself, “Keep living like you’re living and keep doing what you’re doing, because ‘terminal’ is just a word doctors use!”

Robin Kellison is a gleaming example that a positive attitude is more useful for daily living than a negative attitude focused forever on facts you can’t change. Like such words as ‘terminal’. The end. Worry just robs you of the magic of the moment. Enough worry can add up to a lot of wasted time. And what good is wasted time? No good.

RR: Where can people see your thread/bead/art work?

RK: You will find it at Cherokee Trading Post, Indian Trading Post, both at the Geary exit on I-40,Tomahawk Lodge in Clinton Oklahoma, Ben Miur Gallery, Albu querque, NM. I also show my art at festivals I attend.

RR: Where can people hear your songs?

RK: At a song circle near you!

He posts photos of his beadwork, poetry and lyrics from time to time on his Facebook page. Check it out here - https://www.facebook.com/robin.kellison

If you want to know more he says, ‘come by and visit in the Kellirosa Valley,’ his 10-acre home place!

An offer I may have to take him up on soon! n