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MAY 2021/ VOLUME XV / Issue IX
REAL ESTATE EDITION
~ Tulsa to Oklahoma City and everywhere in between ~
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LOOKING FORWARD
Not just a magazine...a part of your life!
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Fall Festivals
Wow! A country boy could hang a hook and bobber off this deck and cook burgers at the same time. Or he might even shoot some hoops inside. Pictured on this May cover is realtor Keli Smith giving prospective buyers a tour near Mannford on Lake Keystone. Along with purchasing tips from numerous realtors you will receive a wealth of knowledge in this Real Estate issue.
Dining Edition
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REAL ESTATE EDITION
~ Tulsa to Oklahoma City and everywhere in between ~
KENT CLOVIS
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REAL ESTATE AND INDUSTRY EDITION 5
EDITORIAL by Joe Gooch
6
ABANDONED HOUSES, BROKEN WINDOWS THEORY and CUSHING PRIDE by Jimmy James
12
OKLAHOMA - LAND THAT I LOVE by Robbie McCommas
16
KIDS ON THE CORRIDOR by Jeree Milligan
20
PASTOR PAUL’S PASSAGES by Paul Ragel
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NOTES ON THE CORRIDOR by Rick Reiley
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MOVING DAY by Allison Eldredge
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DELILAH’S DILEMMAS by Diane Brownn
42 RECIPES by Jeree Milligan
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NEWSLETTERS O BROCHURES
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From the EDITOR The area between Tulsa and Oklahoma City plays a major role in this month’s theme. And of course, I enjoy calling this area The Corridor. This issue is dedicated to Real Estate. The American dream is to own the special home of your dream and the one you and your family chooses. So, I have gathered a wonderful collection of advice from your local realtors and some tips to assist you with the sale of your property. In today’s environment having a professional to assist you is especially important. I urge you to contact the realtors, visit with them to learn and gather advice on selling or purchasing a home. You will profit from their recommendations.
by JOE GOOCH
close friends and classmates in Vietnam. We pray that there are fewer and fewer wars in our future. We do celebrate humbly, the freedom we enjoy because of those lives lost. Last, but certainly not least, do not forget to celebrate with Mom this Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9th. Finally, from the Bee Gee’s, “I’ve got pieces of April; but it’s a morning in May.”
We all remember, even though for many, our Memorial Day celebration may not always include going to the cemetery. We honor our loved ones, as well as those that died in the wars of the past. I lost
THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / MAY 2021 5
S E S U O H D NE
O D N ABA
e d i r P g n i h s u C d n a y r o e h T s w indo
Broken W
by JIMMY JAMES PHOTO PROVIDED When I purchased a house on East Broadway Street in Cushing, OK ten months ago my realtor mentioned that people are increasingly moving here from out of state, like I did.
When I purchased a house on East Broadway Street in Cushing, OK ten months ago my realtor mentioned that people are increasingly moving here from out of state, like I did. Cushing is nicely situated between Tulsa, OK City, and close to Stillwater without the big city environment while providing the essentials of a modern city. Friendly religious people, decent weather, affordable real estate, low property tax, politically conservative, and available work within commuting distance, are primary reasons that people transplant to Cushing. I walk with my dog throughout what I call old Cushing and one of the first things I noticed were all the Bungalow homes; an architectural style I have long admired, and while some are well maintained, others are in varied states of decay. The most decrepit houses feature boarded windows/doors, collapsing porches, disintegrating roofs, unkempt yards with trash, and that is because they are abandoned and gradually decomposing. Each abandoned house visually states: Cushing is
6 THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE /MAY 2021
a poor town with neglectful city/zoning/code oversight, slum lords/criminals welcome, Cushing is a dying concern, or in essence, we do not care about our neighborhood. City officials should hold well publicized meetings to gather input and then move forward to create policy and procedure whereby homeowners, concerned citizens, and city officials work together to deal with abandoned houses. A well-planned thoughtful process will be key to gathering community support beginning with the most dilapidated structures. Perhaps some dwellings could be converted into artisan studios while others dismantled by supervised volunteers for their lumber etc. to help defray the cost of converting the lot into green space some of which if fenced could be community dog runs. Are people interested in community gardens/orchards? Could green spaces be used by schools to create specific ecosystems for learning purposes? Any razed structure leaves behind a green blank canvas and there is usually a lot
of grant money available for a variety of projects just waiting for someone who knows how to navigate that world. There are significant logistical issues to resolve like changing rules/regs, tax revenue changes, liability, real costs, among others, all of which can be overcome if there is sufficient motivation by enough people. Addressing this issue coincides perfectly with the mission statement of Cushing Pride that reads in part: “The vision for this initiative is to engage citizens to clean up, beautify and improve our city which will enhance our neighborhoods, quality of life and livability of our community. It has been a continuing goal to improve the appearance of our community. A community’s appearance plays a large role in how visitors, perspective new businesses and citizens view a community and affects their decision on moving to Cushing. The city government cannot accomplish this goal without community participation and pride.” Observing all the run-down houses sprinkled throughout old Cushing got me thinking about the Broken Windows Theory developed by social scientists in the early eighties and effectively applied all around this great country. The theory and its application have been analyzed extensively and one can do an internet search to understand how it applies to city environments including Cushing. “Individuals look for signals within the environment as to the social norms in the setting and the risk of getting caught violating those norms; one of the signals is the area’s general appearance.” “Under the broken windows theory, an ordered and clean environment, one that is maintained, sends the signal that the area is monitored and that criminal behavior is not tolerated. Conversely, a disordered environment, one that is not maintained (broken windows, graffiti, excessive litter), sends the signal that the area is not monitored and that criminal behavior has little risk of detection. The theory assumes that the landscape “communicates” to people. A broken window transmits to criminals the message that a community displays a lack of informal social control and so is unable or unwilling to defend itself against a criminal invasion. It is not so much the actual broken window that is important, but the message the broken window sends to people.” (quoted from Wikipedia) Some of the locals have informed me of Cushing’s illicit drug and burglary problem along with insufficient job opportunities that many other cities are dealing with. There are good people here working hard to make a positive difference in these areas but it will require a commitment by the entire community to revitalize old Cushing. When facing an overwhelming daunting situation that can paralyze because of its sheer magnitude, a good way forward is to begin with whatever is most doable and the rest will follow that momentum. Energy is being funneled into revitalizing our downtown and there is no reason not to extend Cushing Pride to the wider community. Comments and suggestions are encouraged. Small things matter. n
Addressing this issue coincides perfectly with the mission statement of Cushing Pride that reads in part: “The vision for this initiative is to engage citizens to clean up, beautify and improve our city which will enhance our neighborhoods, quality of life and livability of our community. It has been a continuing goal to improve the appearance of our community. A community’s appearance plays a large role in how visitors, perspective new businesses and citizens view a community and affects their decision on moving to Cushing. The city government cannot accomplish this goal without community participation and pride.”
Cushing Pride!
THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / MAY 2021 7
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WE WISH EVERY GRADUATE A BRIGHT FUTURE Life is filled with milestones, and some of the biggest are graduations. They’re cause for celebration not only for the graduates but also for all of the family members, friends, neighbors, teachers, and coaches who provided support and encouragement along the way. As a community member, Central Oklahoma Telephone Co. is proud to see the accomplishments of our area’s students. We can all look forward to a bright future knowing these young people will apply their talents toward helping to make the world a better place.
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THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / MAY 2021 11
a m o ah
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A NEW OKLAHOMA LAND RUN! by ROBBIE McCOMMAS
12 THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / MAY 2021
“
A home west of Chandler with 160 acres sold for $1.525 million within 10 days,” Kent explained. “We are seeing people coming from the west coast and the east coast. There are a lot of out-of-
“
There’s a big buzz along The Corridor that has the real estate market in an upswing like nothing seasoned agents have ever seen! Housing in rural communities are selling within hours of being listed. Out-of-town families are scooping up homes before area residents even know they are for sale. What is going on? In 29 years, Premier Realty Broker/Owner Kent McVey says he’s never seen anything like it! “It’s a sellers market!” he stated. “It started about February 2020 across the board in residential and acreages, we’re selling it as fast as we can get it!” One example Kent mentioned was 240 acres of land outside of Chandler that was offered in 20 and 40 acre tracts. Within three weeks, most of it is sold and all the people
state people moving here for suburban living.
plan to build homes. He added that one buyer is local, and the rest are coming from the Oklahoma City area. The first buyer secured his tract by offering 31K over the asking price because he didn’t want to loose it. But wait! There’s more to the story, this kind of craziness is happening over and over. Once a home is listed, agents have repeatedly seen individuals offering $5,000 to $10,000 over the asking price, just to insure they get the home. One home in a popular housing addition sold sight unseen within a few hours to an individual in the Dallas area. What does the market look like? I’ll let Kent explain: “Today, we’re at the highest peak since January 2020 on the sale price,” says Kent. “For instance, in January 2020, the average sale price was $170,000.00, and today the same home is $215,000.00. The average days on the market in January 2020 was 27 days, now the average is seven days. It’s really a frightening state. We have a shortage of properties for sale. In January 2020 we had 2.3 months of inventory, currently, we have one month of inventory. “I have never seen so much cash, or money floating around as today,” he added. The housing market of 2005, 2006 and 2007 were tremendously great years in this area, but it doesn’t compare to what we’ve seen in the last 18 months! “A home west of Chandler with 160 acres sold for $1.525 million within 10 days,”Kent explained. “We are seeing people coming from the west coast and the east coast. There are a lot of out-of-state people moving here for suburban living.” What are the factors in the equation? According to RE/MAX Agent Amy Miller, the effects of the pandemic has pushed families out of larger, metropolitan areas into rural communities. More people are working from home and their location isn’t a factor. They are also interested in smaller schools. “I’ve seen people from California, Arizona and New York looking in our rural area to relocate,” Amy said. “Even though our property values have increased in the last year, the prices seem reasonable to them. We’ve had multiple offers on homes well over asking price. In one instance, the offer was $50K over the asking price. In the end, the poten
According to the Norman Transcript, Oklahoma is the fourth cheapest housing market in the United States. Experts say the state is a good location to take advantage of the current low interest rates and purchase a home. tial buyer had interest in a marijuana grow and the owner denied the offer. “Marijuana growers typically are drawn to the accessibility of three phase electric in a property,” she added. “I have had a lot of calls inquiring about it.” Why Oklahoma? It doesn’t take much research to find answers in the equation of why people are moving here for growing. Oklahoma was the 30th state to legalize medical marijuana. The state’s low barrier to entry and minimum startup costs are an attraction in comparison to surrounding states. Interested people in the industry have flocked to the Heartland with the state number of licensed grows reaching 7,440 in less than three years. In Lincoln County alone there are 189 licensed grows, according to the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority. “I have seen an alarming number of growers infiltrating the state due to lack of initial regulations,” Kent said. For some, the thought of their home being transformed into a marijuana grow is unsettling, even though serious grow buyers have offered thousands above asking prices. “A lawyer crafted deed restriction has been utilized lately,” Kent explained. “For instance, smaller tracts north of Chandler have the deed restriction on them saying no marijuana growing or manufacturing shall ever be permitted on the land. And, if the restriction is broken, a reversion law comes into effect and the property reverts back to the previous owner. The deed restriction will carry on that land forever.” According to the Norman Transcript, Oklahoma is the fourth cheapest housing market in the United States. Experts say the state is a good location to take advantage of the current low interest rates and purchase a home. n THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / MAY 2021 13
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16 THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / MAY 2021
THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / MAY 2021 17
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PA S TO R PA U L’ S PA S S A G E S by Pastor Paul Ragle
Aprons
...My grandmother’s and mother’s aprons have become a symbol of their care and nurture and protection of our family....
My Grandma and Mama wore aprons as they worked around the farm and their two houses. I can’t hardly close my eyes and visualize them without their aprons. Their aprons were an integral part of their work “uniforms.” Their aprons protected their bodies and clothing from the hundreds of tasks they tackled around the house and farm. How many times did I see Grandma carrying in her apron veggies or fruit she had gathered from field or orchard for a meal she was preparing for the family? How often did my Mama use her apron to wipe tears from the eyes of one of us kids who had fallen in the midst of chores or play? I remember how mom used to use her apron to grip the lid of a jar of jam or tomato sauce? And I recall hiding beneath Mama’s apron numerous times when my older brother was trying to give me “pay-back” for getting into his stuff! Speaking of stuff, Grandma and Mama kept quite a lot of stuff in their apron pockets. Clothes pins for diapers and wooden clothes pins for hanging the wash out to dry on the clothesline. Mama usually had a tape measure in her apron somewhere. Grandma always kept a pair of clippers in her apron to use in the garden, or to cut fresh flowers for the kitchen table or a string hanging from the bottom of someone’s trousers. Grandma’s and Mama’s aprons always smelled of the day’s work, i.e., freshly baked bread, sausage they had ground, or apples they had pealed to make a pie. When I was three, my trousers caught on fire in the yard. My big brother was supposed to be burning leaves, but had gone across the road to toss a football. I ran into our house, my pants ablaze. Mama heard my screams. Bounding down the upstairs steps, she put out the fire with her apron. She scooped me up in towel
20 THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / MAY 2021
and ran a half mile into town to the doctor’s office, she and my big sister passing me back and forth as they ran. For me, my grandmother’s and mother’s aprons have become a symbol of their care and nurture and protection for our family. The aprons they wore are symbols of service. Serving food. Serving care. Serving love. Their aprons were apart of their identities. Their aprons bore the wear and tear, scars and stains of the lives they lived well. Lives of dedication, commitment, love, humility, and sacrifice. Both Grandma and Mama mended their aprons hundreds of times, so that their children and grandchildren could have new shoes or a jacket. Grandma and Mama were always there with aprons to wipe hands full of flour or wrap a child in a loving embrace. And when either of these women called the family to the table, their aprons told a story of the sacrifices they made that transformed farm and the house into a home blessed by God. The apostle Peter talked about putting on the apron of humility. The matrons of our family in humility passed on their wisdom, their life “hacks,” their recipes for love and living, their faith, and their commitment. Both of these beautiful women in my family were much more than dedicated servants of the family. They were the most intelligent and well-read people I knew growing up. They possessed vision for making the world a better and more equitable place to live and raise children. They knew the Bible and wearing aprons preached incredible sermons as they lived each day. I wonder who in your life experience has held you in her/his apron? Who has tied your faith and wisdom for you to God? I would love to hear some of your favorite apron stories! n
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GYPSY CAFE... A Red Dirt Roundup On May 12th the annual Bob Childers Gypsy Cafe singer/songwriter celebratory gathering is on tap for internet streaming live from the ‘Farm’ in Stillwater. Gypsy Café was begun 10 years ago as a tribute to Red Dirt Music that is deeply rooted in Stillwater and the Farm. It’s a celebration and tribute to many of the early Red DIrt influences such as Bob Childers, who passed away in 2008. Last year of course Covid 19 reared its head and we all know what a curveball that was! For the first eight years Gypsy Café was held in downtown Stillwater on three different venues on the same night with a different slate of performers at each location. All within walking distance. So you could pick and choose your favorites and see a whole bunch of different performers in one night, all close together. Up to 60 singer/songwriters performed during each event. This year will mark the second such streaming event, hopefully on the road to a full fledged return to the live format in 2022!
The story of Red Dirt Music, Bob Childers and the ‘Farm’ in Stillwater is legendary and grows with each passing year. The Farm was a rent house on a few acres just outside Stillwater that, over the years, drew singer/ songwriters and musicians like moths to a flame. Many musical relationships developed and were nurtured there. Outside was an old fallen down garage they dubbed the Gypsy Café where they’d build a fire and have potluck. Since the passing of Childers, other red dirt luminaries with local ties have gone on to join him including Tom Skinner, Jimmy LaFave, Brandon Jenkins, Steve Ripley, and Jim Paul Blair among them. Mortality is a fact of life and when another face goes missing from your circle it hits hard. The Red Dirt music community is a pretty tight knit family. So Bob Childers Gypsy Café is a perfect fit for honoring and celebrating the songs of those who’ve left us, as well as those still among us who helped pave the way, not to mention the young up-and-comers now making their own homes in the Red Dirt Music scene. This making of this music is a live, organic process that’s always moving, never standing still. And that in itself is reason enough to celebrate.
Cody Canada, Jason Boland & Open Call Musicians Added to Bob Childers’ Gypsy Café Lineup / 2019 Gypy Cafe / Photo Credit / Visit Stillwater .
26 THE CORRIADOR MAGAZINE / MAY 2021
John Fullbright / Photo by Vicki Farmer
Red Dirt Rangers / Photo by Phil Clarkin Photography
Among the female singer/songwriters selected to perform this year are: Kaitlin Butts...This self professed Oklahoma spitfire played her first Gypsy Café a few years ago at age 19. She’s since taken Texas by storm and is now working her magic in Nashville. Hers is one of the most powerful voices out there! Monica Taylor is a Perkins native and, often called the Cimarron Songbird, she is a long time fixture in the Red Dirt scene. Her voice, spirit and harmonies are superb! Kem Pomeroy is from Norman. I first heard her when she was 14 and was blown away by her power. Tequila Kim Reynolds from Stillwater is a vibrant soul and brings pure energy and light to the stage wherever she performs! Guys on the line up are: John Fullbright - I met this guy from Okemah when he was 18 growing on 42. Met him in Stroud at Gary Smalley’s place. He is a fine story teller, a gifted songwriter, masterful piano player, guitarist, accordionist, and banjo picker. He performed on one of the final David Letterman shows a few years back. I hear he’s also added producer to his list of talents. Mike McClure rose to national prominence with the Great Divide, then began recording and producing others as well.Today he tours solo and with the Mike McClure Band. Stoney LaRue...I first met Stoney when Gene Collier introduced us after one of his performances at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa. He told a few stories, shared a few laughs, then headed back to the tour bus. He was headed to Chicago to sing the National Anthem at a Cubs game the next day. Stoney has big, big energy and a tremendous stage presence. One of my favorites is his recording of Brandon Jenkins’ My Feet Don’t Touch the Ground. Bo Phillips is another big stage presence wherever he goes. This man spreads good cheer just by saying, “Howdy!” Bo’s songs Red Dirt Girl and Fishin’ with Grandpa are cemented in my memory as though they are my very own memories. Mike Hosty is from Norman, OK. This solo performer is more entertaining than a monkey in a witch costume herding cats through your living room during a tornado. I
Katie Butts / Photo Provided
mean, he’s something else. You have to see him. The Red Dirt Rangers have been in the music scene for 30 years now and still hold forth with all the power and fun that’s been their hallmark. Smooth harmonies, fine songs, good spirit all the way around. Chuck Dunlap is a veteran of the early Red Dirt scene. He’s flying in from Washington state for this appearance. His big smile, his old Martin guitar and his finely crafted tunes speak of love, hope, promise and just plain fun. Thomas Trapp is a masterful bluegrass flat picker is a man of few words, but when he speaks, people listen. He plays guitar better than anyone I know. In fact he plays well enough to be part of the legendary Byron Berline Band. And speaking of Byron, there will be a special guest appearance of the Byron Berline Band as part of the presentation of the Restless Spirit Award, which will honor Jim Paul Blair this year, who passed away suddenly in February of 2020. Jim was a big smiling part of the Oklahoma music scene for many years, and, like so many, gone too soon. Also on tap will be Ahna Jennings, winner of the Jimmy LaFave songwriting contest, performing her winning tune, Hope and Gasoline. From the Gypsy Café website: Bob Childers Gypsy Café, Oklahoma’s largest homegrown songwriter festival, now in its tenth year, will be filmed live in the Gypsy Café at the birthplace of Red Dirt Music, the Farm in Stillwater, OK. The show will stream for free at www.ocollytv.com on May 12th at 7:00 p.m. The event benefits Oklahoma artists in need through the Red Dirt Relief Fund. The streaming event is free, thanks to the continued support of the sponsors, but donations to the cause will be gladly accepted in order to raise funds for their assistance grants. Related merchandise is also being sold through Ida Red General Store beginning May 1. www.idaredgeneralstore.com For more information visit www.reddirtrelieffund.org Enjoy live music when you get the chance! Stream it when you can’t! n
THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / MAY 2021 27
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Moving Day
Per Zillow, Oklahoma’s market is up. The average priced home is up 7.1% as of December 2020. Permits to build a new home, just in the Oklahoma City area, has grown 55.7% since the summer of 2019. The number of days that properties spend on the market has fallen to 14 days. by ALLISON ELDREDGE Is today moving day? In today’s real estate market, moving day is happening for many Americans and it is good for everyone. The stories I hear from local Oklahomans cover many aspects of home ownership. Selling a lifelong home for something smaller for the golden years, upgrading to a larger home to accommodate a growing family, remodels of the newly purchased home, remodels to the current home, looking for that new home and finding the market is moving fast, and finding the perfect place and being able to get it quickly are all happening every day in the lives of our family and friends. What should you do if you want to find your moving
32 THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / MAY 2021
day? There are many resources to use for your advantage. HGTV.com lists their “10 Best-Kept Secrets for Buying a Home”. Nerdwallet.com gives a great list of “Tips for First-Time Home Buyers”. We’ve listed a few of those tips. Keep your money where it is. Don’t make any huge purchases up to six months before buying a new home. Improve your credit, if you can. Save extra finances that occur. Get Pre-Approved for your home loan. A pre-approval will get you into the house you want fast. Recently, my husband’s co-worker was planning on looking at a house after work. It had gone on the market the night
before; however, by noon it was under contract. How? The purchaser was pre-approved and ready. Get a survey of the land and inspection of the home. This will prevent border disputes later and will help you know if you need to budget for any repairs on the property. An inspector is an unbiased third party and will provide you will information about the health of the home so that you can make an informed decision to purchase the property or not. Stalk the neighborhood. This is one tip that may make you feel uncomfortable, but it is completely necessary. Visit the neighborhood at all hours of the day and all days of the week. Will the train track be near and wake you up at 2am. Make sure that you can live comfortably within the neighborhood with all the different aspects of your neighbors and their routines. Does the guy across the street mow his lawn at 7am? Or 10pm? Get up early one day and make your commute to work from the prospective property. Make the commute from work. Is it going to be a good commute or make you frustrated? Use an experienced realtor; one with local ties to the community. A realtor can help you find a home to fit the needs you have, can offer other options that you hadn’t explored, and can be a guide to some of the most unusual properties you never knew existed. Don’t forget extra expenses. Move-in costs, property taxes, changing to new locks, utilities (set up and/
or transfer of services), home association dues, any needed repairs or upgrades, and new furnishings can be budgeted ahead of time. A realtor once told me a story about a couple to whom he was showing a house. He told them before meeting the current owners at the signing that they should not mention that they were changing anything in the house. They had already decided that the main floor half bath was going to need a makeover. They found it hideous. They were hesitant, but agreed to keep quiet. The current owners asked them how they liked the main floor bathroom. They nicely said that it was unique and they had never seen a bathroom done in that style. The current owners breathed a sigh of relief and signed the papers. Turns out that the current owners had poured their heart into that unique bathroom and they were worried the new owners would not appreciate it. Remember, the real estate market will have ups and downs, ebbs and flows. Buying a new home is exciting. Don’t get caught up in the emotion of finding the “perfect” house and find one that you can live in, enjoy, that will fit the needs of your family today and the in the years to come. The area of the corridor is home to many unique areas to look for your new home: rural, semi-rural, small town, and urban. Is today the day your start your moving-day journey? n
THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / MAY 2021 33
Delilah’s DILEMMAS by
DIANE BROWN
Delilah and Karon had been forced off the road in Karon’s Mustang by two unidentified entities presumably linked to the criminal operation known only as Mrs. Wrigley. Under strict instructions not to kill Delilah and/or Karon, the assailants abandoned their mission to bring the two women in, when other traffic reared its ugly head on the highway. Ironically, the head that stopped to assist Delilah and Karon was anything but ugly. The youngish man who emerged from an oldish, pickup, was six feet, two inches of solid muscle. His dark, shoulder-length, layered hair framed high cheek bones, mysterious black eyes, and a perfect, perfectly white, smile. Coincidentally, the youngish man, Kyle, was also one of Delilah’s newest neighbors. He and his grandmother now occupied the dilapidated house in the mile section north of the Royal Flush Ranch. And moved by Kyle’s kindness and overwhelming charisma, Delilah decided to invite him and his grandmother to dinner. Actually, it had way more to do with the guy’s charisma than his kindness. Karon’s car had been towed away, and a cursory examination brought the news that it would most likely be totaled. So, the following day, after taking Eli to the Tulsa International Airport for his flight to Washington D. C., where he’d retrieve his jet, Karon, Delilah and Dooby were on their way to buy a new car for Karon. Dooby would later refer to the experience as Nightmare on Sheridan, Memorial, and 51st Streets. Joel was mercifully left on the ranch. The two part-time ranch hands, Daniel and Damon, were back to work on Monday, and Eli returned home on Tuesday. Good news was delivered the day after that. Apparently, all the primary players in the Mrs. Wrigley
34 THE CORRIDOR MAGAZINE / MAY 2021
DELILAH’S PLACE operation had been apprehended, and everyone was convinced that the operation was so fractured that Delilah was safe from the tertiary participants. Delilah had trekked up the road to the neighbor’s house, where she was introduced to Kyle’s grandmother, Norma Black Feather. She was a delightful, old woman, small and frail in appearance. But Delilah had a feeling she might be far stronger than she appeared. She was wrinkled and gray and looked like she had lived a hard life. But in her dark eyes there was a joyfulness, a mischievousness. Delilah insisted that she and Kyle come for dinner Saturday evening, and the time was set for 6:00 PM. Friday morning, Delilah drove to town for groceries, and she stopped by the florists for an arrangement of blush and white roses, pink Oriental lilies, and snapdragons. “What’s all the fuss about?” Joel asked Friday afternoon as Delilah scurried in the kitchen preparing a sour cream pound cake. “We’re having dinner with the Black Feathers tomorrow evening,” Delilah said. “Who?’ Joel said with a puzzled look. “The neighbors in the next mile section,” Delilah said. “Kyle was the one that stopped to help Karon and me the other day.” “You invited them to dinner?” Joel asked frantically. “Yes,” Delilah said defensively. “I think that’s the least we can do. Kyle didn’t have to stop when Karon and I were forced off the road, but he did. Why do you object, anyway?” “You don’t know anything about them,” Joel argued. “They could be serial killers, or thieves, or syndicated criminals.” “Kid’s got a point,” Dooby said with little emotion, from the
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“Nothing,” Dooby snapped. “Huh,” Karon huffed An uncomfortable silence fell heavy in the room. “Okay,” Delilah said under her breath. “What do you need help with?” Karon asked, pushing past Dooby. “Fill the tureen with the soup,” Delilah instructed. “Put the rolls in the oven. Get the salad out of the refrigerator.” She stopped. Looked around. And there was a knock on the front door. Delilah rushed down the hall behind Dooby toward the front door, stopping at the living room to instruct Joel to help Karon in the kitchen. Once inside, Norma was introduced, and Kyle reintroduced to Dooby and Eli, and then ushered into the living room. “Oh, that is so lovely, so fancy,” Norma said, her hand over her heart, as she looked from the living room into the dining room. “I like to do fancy every now and again,” Delilah said. “I don’t fancy for the guys. About the only time I’d fancy is for the girls when we play poker.” Norma snapped to attention. “You play poker?” she asked with excitement. “Mmm,” Delilah said, nodding her head. “Do you play poker?”
HI
kitchen table where he was reading the newspaper. “No. No, he doesn’t have a point,” Delilah said. “What he has is an overactive imagination fueled by too many episodes of Snapped, and constant exposure to this Mrs. Wrigley thing.” “I’m not paranoid,” Joel said. “I think you might be, just a little,” Delilah said with a chuckle. “What makes you think their criminals? I mean, they certainly don’t look like criminals.” “I have two words for you,” Joel said. “Ted Bundy.” Joel spent the rest of the day and the next morning just randomly blurting out names. “Jeffrey Dahmer!”, “John Wayne Gacy”, “H. H. Holmes.” “Who is H.H. Holmes?” Eli asked, shaking his head. “I don’t know,” Delilah said. “One of his serial killers I guess.” Six o’clock was quickly approaching. The table had been set with white linens, china, and Delilah’s best silver. The pound cake was on a glass, pedestaled cake plate, which had been placed atop the antique buffet with dessert dishes and silver. The flowers were in the center of the table. At twenty minutes ‘till, Karon and Dooby stormed through the back door. Neither was happy. “What’s going on with you two?” Delilah asked.
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Kyle grinned but said nothing. “I do,” Norma crooned. “Well, perfect,” Delilah said. “We could . . .” At that moment, a crash came from the dining room. Joel’s foot had caught on the rug, causing him to trip, and sending the tureen of soup sailing onto the rug, cloth clad table and dishes. Delilah and Karon gasp. “Yeah, that just happened,” Joel said. “Go get rags,” Delilah snarled. “And wet one of them with warm water. Make that two wet rags.” After the mess was cleaned, and the table reset, everyone sat down for salad. Then came the prime rib and baked potatoes. “How often do you play poker?” Norma asked between bites. “We’re not really consistent, but we try to play once a month if we can,” Delilah replied. “How many players are there?” Norma inquired. “Well, there’s Karon, and me,” Delilah said. “And another friend from town. We recently lost one of our players. We’d love to have you join us if you’d like.” “I think I would like that,” Norma said. “What happened to the other player?”
“Uh, she died,” Delilah said, and she and Joel, in unison, looked toward the living room at the spot where Patty had passed away, duct taped to a chair, just two weeks earlier. “She died here?” Kyle asked with a hint of alarm. “Bad heart,” Joel said with a slight tone of animosity. A comfortable lull fell in the conversation as everyone focused on eating. Suddenly, the silence was broken by the sound of breaking wind. Everyone went perfectly still, and cut their eyes toward the little old lady, from where the sound emitted. Norma went on eating as though there had been no interruption. “Ya know, all you had to do was call out ‘spoiler alert’ before you blurted out the end of that episode,” Karon growled at Dooby. “Thought we were going to talk about this later,” Dooby said, just this side of snippety. “Spoiler alert! It is later, Dooby,” Karon snarled. “Okay, that explains the tension,” Delilah said. Eli just shook his head, grinned, and said under his breath, “dude.” “Who does that?” Karon said. “I thought you had seen it, Karon,” Dooby said. “Really? Really, Dooby? When would I have seen it?”
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Karon roared. “Okay, you guys,” Delilah pleaded. “Ted Bundy!” Joel shouted. “Oh, Dear God,” Delilah mumbled as she lowered her fork and then put her hands to her forehead. She stood. “I’ll get more rolls.” “Can you get me some more tea, please?” Eli asked. Delilah held out her hand. “Pass your gas,” she said. “GLASS! GLASS! Pass your glass.” Everyone began laughing, especially Kyle. Norma just smiled, nodded, and kept eating. “I’ll just bring the whole pitcher in,” Delilah said with a sigh. Delilah returned to the dining room, topped off everyone’s tea glass and took her seat. Moments later, Norma, looking toward the door to the hall, let out a little yelp, which was followed by a louder, more pronounced scream by Karon. Eli and Dooby sprang from their chairs, and Delilah turned with a jerk to find Pandora, the cantankerous, old goat bouncing into the dining room and heading straight for the cake on the buffet. “Grab the goat!” Eli shouted. “Grab the cake! Karon yelled. n
Who gets the cake? Goat or man? Are there any other kinks in Delilah’s dinner party plans?
What else could go wrong? There’s more to this story in the June installment of Delilah’s Dilemmas in The Corridor Magazine.
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