Grateful

June 15, 2017June 15, 2017 / Juliana Lightle / 2 Comments

Six days ago a huge storm struck, including eight inches of hail, a rain deluge, and high winds. While the hail denuded many plants and bushes, the deluge made my drive a mess.

Although it may be hard to determine the depth of the gravel and dirt and rocks from this photo, many of the rocks are bigger than the size of the fists of both my hands together, large enough to not want car tires to drive over them. The gravel and dirt on the far side of the photo were at least eight inches deep. Luckily I have a small tractor with a bucket and a helpful grandson. He picked up the larger rocks and hauled all of them to the ditch created either side of the steep incline above the cement. The rain had created a trench a foot deep in some places and exposed a pipe to the septic system. He filled parts of these trenches with the bigger rocks.

The next morning I used the tractor bucket to scoop up dirt and rocks and haul them to washed out places in the upper drive. It was impossible to get it all with the bucket given some of the space is not very big or where it was possible to maneuver the tractor. Therefore, I had to scoop it up and remove it with a shovel. It took several tractor buckets full to get rid of what I had to shovel. Finally, this morning I finished sweeping the rest of the fine sandstone off the cement.

After all this, why am I grateful? There was no damage to my house. The hail broke windows in some houses not far away, the wind blew light weight buildings into neighbors’ yards, and some people nearby had roof damage. I only have some tiny damage to the barn roof. It could have been a lot worse. I feel grateful to have escaped with just a messed up driveway.

Why do I feel even more grateful? It occurred to me that I was able to clean up most of this except for my grandson’s help with the rocks–which I could have done but it was helpful. I can still shovel gravel and dirt, a lot of it, lift and carry 50 pounds of horse feed from the vehicle across the barn–about 40 ft or more–and dump it in the container. I can work for hours doing this sort of stuff and feel fine afterwards. Yes, I feel grateful that I can continue to do all these things myself and what is more, usually enjoy doing them, feeling productive and independent.

When people ask me how I do all this, I usually tell them two things, yoga (as well as lots of other exercise mandatory if you live in the country and have animals) and heathy food. My yoga practice began decades ago; I never stopped. I practice it at least three times a week, sometimes more. I stand on my head in the middle of the room several times a week. My favorite foods are mostly vegetables. The only carb I really like is rice. One of my dad’s sayings was, “You are what you eat.” He still ran a farm at 90. Yes, I admit, genes probably help, but without the exercise and self discipline, it probably is not enough. I also meditate daily which does not require lots of time unless you want to spend lots of time doing it. Even 15-30 minutes a day matter. Exercise, yoga, healthy eating, meditating will all make for a happier person. I promise.

Weekend Adventure

June 12, 2017 / Juliana Lightle / Leave a comment

This past weekend my family had to return to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to finish some family business. While there, we decided to explore as well. After completing what we needed to accomplish on Friday, we decided to check out the Tulsa Zoo located in Mohawk Park. Tulsa Zoo contains lots of green, open spaces, and some extremely interesting architecture. For example the Malayan tigers live in an area made to look like ancient, abandoned temples.

Then there are animals I have never even heard of before like the siamangs.

I was surprised to see komodo dragons.

The intensity of the colors in the American flamingoes never cease to amaze.

Apparently, the rest of my family liked them as well.

The next day, Saturday, we decided to head east through the Cheyenne Nation to visit Natural Falls State Park. If we had known what it is really like, we would have taken a picnic.

The area above where the falls drop off.

Dripping Springs

Just below the falls another stream enters and then flows down to a lake.

The lake becomes larger as it flows farther. It is a moderate to difficult hike getting to the lake. Fishing is permitted here. This park is also a good place to camp.

While gone, a giant thunderstorm arrived at my house with 8 inches of hail and three inches of rain in a short period. Although the juniper trees look close to normal, most of the deciduous plants were denuded. I have no idea whether they will recover. A few of the small native flowers appear normal. Luckily, my house was not damaged. However, this evening with my grandson’s help I will tackle the drive which is full of about 8 inches, in some places, of dirt, rocks, and gravel. Luckily, after removing the larger rocks, I will get most of it with the tractor bucket and move it back to where it belongs.

What day is it?

June 6, 2014June 6, 2014 / Juliana Lightle / 2 Comments

Probably only school teachers and students will relate, but since school was out a couple of days ago, I have to really think to know what day it is. You would think I could remember because today is a busy day and last night’s sleep was interrupted by lightning, tornadoes, crashing rain, and hail. Tonight they predict more of the same. I live out in the country; I cannot hear the tornado sirens going off. About 1:30 am, my daughter calls from her basement in town. The tornado sirens had gone off and she and my grandson had gone to the basement. Honestly, hail worries me more than the threat of a tornado because hail is relatively common here. Little hail won’t destroy my steel roof or break the numerous banks of windows in my house, but large hail…I don’t want to even think about it, especially since the company from which I bought all these windows went bankrupt.

It’s humid, really humid. We here in semiarid country are not used to humid. Feels like you cannot quite ever get dry. Clouds come and go and I am guessing tonight will be a repeat of last night. I do not need a weather forecaster to tell me that. But it’s green, really green, emerald green, an infrequent site here too much of the time. At least, I won’t have to worry bout wildfires like I did two weeks ago.

My daughter was called in to work–she’s a nurse, my grandson is eating a grilled cheese sandwich–I use artisan bread and cook it in olive oil. Gives grilled cheese a whole new meaning. In two hours we will go to friend’s house to visit with her dad who arrived from Mexico for a vacation. I will have to use my Spanish; he speaks no English. Last night he called me on the phone. He talks fast and I am a bit lost. It’s easier in person. Then we will pick up my grandson’s older brother, we will take grandson to soccer practice, take him home and finally older brother and I will be off to a concert we know nothing about (an adventure) and to Art Walk. Art Walk occurs the first Friday evening every month. You would think I would remember what day it is.