How Do We Preserve Oklahoma's Forgotten History?

I grew up in tiny Clarita - a hamlet of a hundred farms and ranches in what was previously Indian Territory.   After World War II, my war veteran dad purchased a big acreage of largely trees and streams from a man who had bought the land from Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians.  Slowly, my father cleared plots of the land and made them suitable for planting cattle feed such as alfalfa.  He and my mother raised their two children and made their living on this land, and it's still in my family today.

There is history on that land.  The border of the Choctaw and Chickasaw nations runs right through it.  As a kid I picked up numerous arrowheads and artifacts just lying on the ground, usually near a stream.  It was kind of interesting at the time, but arrowheads were common in the area and I had no sense of the importance of my finds.

On our land a mile from our house, up on a hill among the trees sat a tiny, very old log cabin.   Who lived there, and when?  My parents were preoccupied with other things, such as paying bills and raising children, and had no interest.  Kids have attention spans of gnats, and absolutely no curiosity about history, so my brother and I took little note of the old cabin.  No one else knew about it.   During our Thanksgiving dinner this year, the subject of the old cabin came up, and we decided to pay it a visit.  It's funny how much more important history becomes to adults, after it's too late....Anyway, a bunch of us drove as close as we could to the still-heavily-wooded hill, but my brother, sister-in-law and I were the only ones willing to hike up there and take a look among the trees.  We found the cabin, now a heap of extremely aged, thin and fragile logs and boards.  It had fallen down long ago.  A beast of some sort, probably a fox, had dug a nice hole underneath the heap.  We walked around, all three of us lost in our thoughts.  We wished we had asked some questions back when there may have been someone who could have answered them.  Who built this cabin?  No doubt a Choctaw, but who was he?  Did he raise a family here?  Why did he leave - did he lose his life here?  Are there graves here, long lost?

Further west on my family's land sat a hill (which we thought was a mountain) that we all called Horse Thief Mountain.  Probably the most important aspect of Horse Thief Mountain was its makeup of fossils and petrified strange things.  I picked up bucketfuls of these as a kid, but again, didn't appreciate the astounding importance of these things.  What I did appreciate was the very thing that gave Horse Thief Mountain its name - the dead horse thief at the top of the hill...... 

According to my grandparents, great-uncles and various people around town, our little area of the world was a bit rough and tumble in the late 1800's and the turn of the twentieth century.  The white settlers were moving in and buying up the Choctaws' land allotments, living among the Indians.  There was no local law in this part of Indian Territory,with the Federal Marshalls being preoccupied with the bigger problems in the Territory, which were numerous. Indians and settlers took matters into their own hands, often resulting in horrendous bloodshed and dubious justice. 

As the old folks in Clarita told the story, sometime during the first decade of the twentieth century a man was caught stealing horses from one of the settlers.  A group of local men, lacking any other option, convicted the hapless thief on the spot (which happened to be at the foot of what we would later know as Horse Thief Mountain) and someone produced a rope.  An big Bois d'Arc tree served as the gallows, and the deed was quickly done.  The dead thief was dragged by horse to the top of the hill and buried by the men who had killed him.

Many years later I would stare into the eerie sunken grave as my dad told me the story.   There was no marker, just a sunken hole at the top of the hill, among the fossils.  I went back there at least once a year during my childhood, usually on horseback, sometimes hiking.  It was peaceful and scary at the same time - I stood on the hill looking west at miles and miles of unexplored forest and was keenly aware of the isolation and beauty of this place. 

After I was grown and gone, my father sold a large piece of his property that included Horse Thief Mountain.  Someone had discovered the fossils and now there is earth-moving equipment and people with rock hammers systematically dismantling the hill.  It has been renamed Black Cat Mountain by the history-ignorant rock hounds.  Since I'm not fond of trespassing, I have not returned to the horse thief's grave.  I fear it may be long gone - lost forever to earth movers and rock hounds.

So, how do we preserve Oklahoma's forgotten history, particularly the history of Indian Territory?  The history that was passed from generation to generation is being lost every day....Can we do something to stop the bleeding before it's too late?

I love comments - please let us know what you think....

The Friday Dog Blog

Happy Friday....The silly dog of the week. Just in time for the terrible winter weather - It's....Nanook Schnauzer!!!

Is Salt Lurking In Your Food?

We all know that salt is a killer. It might make your foods taste a little spicier, but the risk is not worth the reward.

Salt is a mineral made up of chloride and sodium. You only need about 500 milligrams of salt per day to meet your needs, but most of us consume about 4,000 milligrams per day. This is a stroke or heart attack waiting to happen.

Only 10% of sodium in our diets comes from the saltshaker. The rest comes from preserved, processed or prepared foods – and many of these foods are ones that you would not suspect.The following is a list of common foods, and the amount of sodium in milligrams that is found in each food….

Fast food Onion Rings – 1 serving……800

Fast food Breakfast Biscuit…1,470

Fast food Roast Beef Sandwich…792

Fresh peach…0

1 slice peach pie…153

1 cup canned peaches…16

Fresh apple…0

1 slice apple pie…444

1 ear of corn (cooked)…3

1 cup creamed corn…572

1 small baked potato…20

1/2 cup cooked carrots…50

3 oz. cooked roast beef…53

1 hot dog (large)…638

3 oz. cooked chicken…50

3 oz. chipped beef…2,953

Chicken, corn, mashed potatoes and chocolate pudding TV dinner…1,820

1 cup turkey stuffing…1,000

Cola – 12 oz. can…50

Dill Pickle (large)…1,000

Remember, that anything “cured” or “pickled” will be loaded with sodium, so you should avoid these. Restaurant and canned soups are generally high in sodium, so skip the soup and eat fresh veggies with your sandwich instead.Anything fresh is better than canned, and cold cuts are generally packed with sodium.

These are just a few of the foods that you may eat often that contain sodium. You can check this out on your own by reading the food labels when you shop for groceries. Avoiding fast food and restaurant food is a good choice as well.

Visit your farmers’ markets during the summer and re-learn what true freshness without salt tastes like!

The Monday Recipe Blog

We are into the frozen months here in Oklahoma.  Here is a nice recipe to try....

Add some antioxidants to your life with this BerryBerry Crisp.  Many of us have pledged to eat better in the coming year, and here is a tasty way to start fulfilling those New Year resolutions.

We can’t get too many antioxidants, which means we can’t eat too many berries! It’s nice that a delicious berry is jam-packed with wonderfully healthy benefits for our body, making it so easy to eat healthy.

You can prepare the crumble for this Super Berry Crisp ahead of time and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.

What follows is an easy recipe for BerryBerry Crisp….

2/3 cup rolled oats

6 tablespoons wheat germ

1/4 cup pecans, chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 cup sesame seeds

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

2 tablespoons honey, preferably from a honey farm near your home

4 1/2 cups mixed berries – can be fresh or frozen, your choice

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, add the rolled oats, pecans, wheat germ, oil, seeds and honey.  You can substitute your favorite nut for the pecans, or mix and match them.   Mix this up well.  This will be the crumble for your BerryBerry Crisp.

(Note: In Oklahoma we grow a lot of pecans, so this is a favorite in our recipes.  Almonds, walnuts, almost any kind of nut would do just as well in this BerryBery Crisp.)

Pour your berries into a large baking dish, then sprinkle your mixture over the top of the berries and press down lightly.

Bake at 25 minutes, or until light brown and bubbling.

Serve it up hot and watch it disappear!

Serves about 6 people.

Have A Great Trip On I-40 Oklahoma City to Arkansas

Are you planning a trip by car that will take you across Oklahoma on I-40?

I-40 is a major west-east highway, beginning in Barstow, California and ending in Wilmington, North Carolina. It is 331 miles across Oklahoma.

The trip from Oklahoma City to Arkansas differs greatly from the western half of Oklahoma I-40. You will notice more rolling hills, more Native Americans, everything is greener with lots and lots of trees and water. You will realize after traveling this stretch that there really ARE two Oklahomas.

Casinos - If you like to stop at casinos, you may never get out of Oklahoma. You will see numerous signs for casinos, more as you go further east from the west, and you can check them all out. There are some particularly well-known ones on I-40 and I will note them in this post.

After you leave Oklahoma City, you will pass through Midwest City, home of Tinker Air Force Base. Midwest City (along with nearby Moore) suffered terrible blows in the Oklahoma tornadoes of 1999 and 2003, but both cities have bounced back.

At the Choctaw exit, there is a delightful German restaurant a few miles off the interstate. Old Germany, on SE 29th Street. Stop at Love’s at the Choctaw exit and ask for directions if you need to.

Shawnee is a large city that comes about 20 minutes or so after Choctaw. Shawnee has plenty of eating places and Casino Alert!!! Shortly before entering Shawnee, you will see on the north side a huge, and I do mean huge, casino, complete with flashing signs and large hotel. This is Fire Lake Grand Casino in all its glory. Believe it or not, it’s not the biggest casino in the state, but it is one of the nicest ones. If you are so inclined, check it out. Try out their free self-serve ice cream and soft drinks while you’re there. You can enjoy Coke Floats all day long!

Back on the road, you will notice signs that let you know that you are in Indian Territory. Much of the land from here to the Arkansas border is Tribal land where the Native Americans settled in the 1800’s, and signs will let you know that you are entering , for example, the Seminole Nation. Of course, this won’t change anything for you, but it is kind of interesting to see the various tribal nations that you pass through. You will notice that the Tribal population picks up significantly as you go east from OKC.

You will now pass through Okemah, the hometown of Woody Guthrie. His childhood home and a museum are there, but I have never visited. Also in Okemah, a few miles south, is a nice and quirky winery, Grape Ranch. Exit where you see the signs that feature their logo - a cow skull made of grapes. They have excellent wine and sometimes there is live music.

Back on I-40, you will go past Henryetta, hometown of Dallas Cowboy Troy Aikman. He starred on their football team, the Henryetta Hens. Really.

If you are hungry, there is a terrific eating place on the south side of I-240, first Henryetta exit, called The Hungry Traveler. Country food and great pies.

You’ll cross over a part of Lake Eufaula, which is one whopper of a lake. Notice the street sign on the east side of the lake for Lotawatah Road. It’s an old Indian name, sure it is, of course it is…

Passing by Checotah, you may recall that this is the hometown of American Idol Carrie Underwood. Take the exit and you will go right by the Sonic Drive-In which was her high school hang-out. If you stop, be sure and order the onion rings. Walk into some of the little businesses near downtown and hear true-to-life Carrie stories from the people that know her best.

You will cross a very large bridge over the Arkansas River near Webbers Falls. On May 26, 2002 this bridge was struck by a barge, which caused a catastrophic collapse. Vehicles and one horse trailer plunged helplessly into the dark water below, resulting in the death of 14 people and several horses.

Sallisaw is one of your last towns in Oklahoma before hitting Fort Smith, Arkansas. Casino Alert!! The Cherokee Casino is located in Sallisaw. Not huge, but not terribly small, either. One of your final casino opportunities….

The rest area on the south before you pass into Arkansas is a really nice one. You will know it by the large Native American symbols in front.

I-40 from OKC to the Arkansas border is an interesting drive with numerous reasons to stop and explore. It may not wind in and around historic Route 66 like the stretch from OKC to the Texas border does, but this corridor has a unique personality and flavor that makes it one of my favorite highway drives.

The Friday Dog Blog

What a great, wintery Friday this is....

Michelle's cute Sooner fan Schnauzers Shadow and Smokey are rescue dogs.  Shadow and Smokey, like most Schnauzers, are extremely smart dogs - that's why they're Sooner fans.....

How Do You Relieve A Jellyfish Sting??

Many snowbirds are headed south to Florida or other warm locales to shake off this cold weather and soak up some sun and salt water. But there is danger in the water....

If you have ever spent time on a beach, you may have heard jellyfish warnings. A jellyfish is a harmless looking creature that packs a vicious punch.

A jellyfish has long, soft tentacles that contain a venom that is protein-based and hurts like crazy when a swimmer or barefoot beachcomber comes into contact with it. It is a sting that you will not forget if you experience it.

The following are some tips that will help if you have a collision with a jellyfish.

Watch for jellyfish warnings and heed them...

Bigger beaches will post jellyfish warnings when swarms of them are on the prowl. If you go into the water during a warning period, you are taking a big risk.

Watch for an allergic reaction...

While you are treating the jellyfish sting, be on the lookout for signs that you are allergic. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can result in death if not treated quickly. Anaphylactic shock is a quick and sometimes deadly drop in blood pressure caused by the allergy.

Some signs of Anaphylaxis are:

Hives

Weakness

Tightening up of the throat, resulting in difficulty in breathing

Dizziness

If you experience any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately - you need quick medical attention.

Was it a Box Jellyfish?

Hopefully you were stung by a run-of-the-mill jellyfish, although it certainly won't feel like it. However, if you have reason to believe that you were attacked by a Box Jellyfish, call 911 immediately. Box Jellyfish are extremely poisonous and their sting can be deadly within minutes.

Remove the stingers and tentacles...

This part makes my skin crawl, but sometimes you will find that bits of stinger are still in the wound, along with parts of the tentacle on your skin. Gently remove the tentacle by rinsing with very, very hot water, if available. If not, you can use sea (salt) water, but never use fresh cool or warm water on the wound - it will make the sting hurt worse. If the water is fresh, it must be very hot!

Remove the stinger with a credit card and gently scrape it over the wound to remove the stinger. If you have access to shaving cream or a paste of baking soda and water, apply this to the wound before removing the stinger - this will keep any more poison from being released while the stinger is removed.

Relieve the pain....

Now that you have removed the tentacles and stinger and have determined that you are not having an allergic reaction, it's time to try and relieve your pain as much as possible.

You may have heard that human urine will relieve the pain of jellyfish sting, but this has been largely discredited. It does not contain enough acid. If you have access to white vinegar, flush the wound with it for 15-20 minutes, or soak it in the vinegar, if possible. Another option is to hold the wound under extremely hot, fresh water. This has been found to be effective if the water is between 105 and 120 degrees - the hotter, the more effective.

Another option is to use 70 percent isopropyl alcohol instead of vinegar. There are also commercial jellyfish sting remedies that are effective.

Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are both fairly effective in relieving some of the pain.

Since prevention is the most effective treatment, use safe practices when playing on the beach and in the ocean. Wear shoes when walking along the beach and always watch where you are stepping. Better yet, practice restraint when jellyfish warnings are in effect and go shopping instead!