The Times they are achangin'

My apologies to Bob Dylan for stealing one of the lyrics of his folk song.

I recently drove down state to attend my granddaughter's piano recital. On the way I saw many changes to the countryside that did not exist five years ago. Not too far from the Oklahoma panhandle, near a small town named Fort Supply is a field of huge wind turbines. This field is called the Centennial Wind Farm and was sponsored/built in part by the electric utility I recently retired from. It is a spectacular view from the roadway. There are plans to continue to build more of these wind farms farther west.

The power this field produces is being sent on new transmission lines both east and west of the wind turbine field. It is interesting to me to see the new H-structures being installed in Beaver County. Now just where they will transport their power, I can't say because I really don't know. Just a new addition to the panhandle landscape.

Ok Later

When the Buzzards come back???

Actually it is approaching time for the buzzards to leave and migrate south. Curiously these Turkey Vultures (per the bird books) do return every year around the same time the famous swallows return to the mission at San Capistrano. I am estimating that Beaver Oklahoma has over 60 of these buzzards roosting in town. I do not recall seeing flocks of these birds here before.

It is interesting to me that these birds seek out uprising thermal columns of air. Some obtain quite a height. I believe that other birds of prey do the same thing, like hawks and eagles.

More thermal columns. The birds prefer to keep their wings out and use very little flapping.

In the evenings, but not all evenings, the buzzards seem to prefer to come in to land on the tallest structure in town. Do you suppose they are looking for their next meal?? Or perhaps this may be an omen of some kinds??? Nah!!

Make room - here comes some more.

Interesting to watch.

OK later

Housing Project - Mudding of the house

It is an interesting process involved with the adding of the new exterior of the house. Because the original part of the house was stucco, I opted to have the new part of the house covered with stucco.

Definition of stucco is: Traditional stucco is a cement mixture used for siding. The cement is combined with water and inert materials such as sand and lime. Usually, wooden walls are covered with tar paper and chicken wire or galvanized metal screening. This framework is then covered with the stucco mixture.

Definition by http://architecture.about.com/od/sidingconstruction/g/stucco.htm


The machine below reminds me of a Jack Lemmons movie, "How to Murder Your Wife". In that movie a mixer machine was called the gloppada, gloppada machine.

All the equipment required to do the job. Were they expecting a two or three story house? That trailer is full.

First the wire mesh is applied and metal gaps under the windows. I assume the metal is needed for expansion and contraction as the weather heats or cools.

The whole house is covered with the mesh. That day the mesh was put on the rain was pouring, literaly. I admire the tenacity of the workers to complete the mesh even with it raining. Beaver recieved over an inch of rain.

Mudding begins. Another coat of mud is to be applied. The whole process will take three days.

I think this will be very nice when completed.

Next should be the heat and air people. The plan is to put high seer air conditioning with gas heat in the new part of the house. The vents will be in the ceiling. In the original part of the house another unit will be installed. The unit will be a heat pump and the vents will be in the floor.

OK later.

Housing Project - Update

Work has begun on the back of the house. This work has been done in June and July. The framework is going up.

After several weeks of no or slow activity, the house has progressed nicely. I did have to take the builder to task for not working on the house, but working on other projects.

Changed my mind on the bathroom. Instead of having a bathtub put in the very small space, I elected to have a shower installed. This will enable the builders to put in shelving for towels and supplies.

Picture below shows the garage and laundry area. Looking forward to all of this to be done and I can be moved in - once and for all.

Look - I've got a roof --- YEA!!!!

I am hoping for a move in date by late September or October.

OK Later

Brave Girls

Going Swimming!!

In order to be allowed to go to the deep end of the pool, all young swimmers must pass a simple swim test. I wasn't sure of my granddaughter and great niece's swimming skills, so I didn't encourage the girls to take the test. However, the girls had other ideas. Brave girls!!!

They took the test and passed.

The first time my granddaughter started to go down the slide, the lifeguard was close by and threw out the lifebelt for my granddaughter to hold onto after she came back up to the surface.

After one time of going down the slide, my granddaughter said she could handle it from now on.

WHEE!! Down she goes!!

Great Niece's turn-- Whoopee!!

Now onto the diving board. It is important for anyone going off the board to go straight out. Most beginners become concerned about the deep end and how far away the ladder looks. So most beginners try to jump toward the near side of the pool. This is very dangerous as a kid could jump too close and hit their head on the side of the pool.

So once again, the lifeguard came over to assist with the girls with their self confidence in jumping off the board. After two jumps the girls got it. Great fun was had by the girls for the next three days they were here.

Brave girls. This does take a good amount of bravery to do!

7

As a former lifeguard and swim teacher- at this same pool over forty years ago - I was very proud of these girls in overcoming their fear of the deep end and jumping off the diving board.

OK later

Follow the Yellow Brick road -- Dorothy's House

In Liberal Kansas, which is 40+ miles North of Beaver Oklahoma, there is a museum dedicated to the book and movie, Wizard of Oz. Because the book and movie start off in Kansas, Liberal was designated as the offical place for Dorothy's house.

Museum

When one enters the main building of the Seward County Historical Society building, you are greeted by a young lady protraying Dorothy complete with ruby slippers. She will also take you on a tour of the replica of the house filled with period correct furniture.

Dorothy greeted us

Replica of Dorothy's House

Following the tour of the house, you then follow the yellow brick road and ,if you can, you may skip down the yellow brick road with Dorothy.

You will then visit Oz. Dorothy retells the story as you pass by the various characters and scenes from the movie. The last room contains items from the movie. I didn't understand if the ruby slippers displayed were actually from the movie, but there were three pairs used of which one pair is in the Smithsonian in Washington D.C.

Ruby Slippers

Actual House used in movie this was the house picked up and tossed about by the tornado.

Munchkins Land is a playground with swings, slides, and merry-go-round. Also this cutout of the lollypop guild gentlemen and lullaby league ladies, one can take a picture as you as a munchkin.

Ozfest
Liberal proudly hosts an annual celebration of the "Wizard of Oz." In October, the original Munchkin actors, along with hundreds of tourists and visitors, come together for arts and crafts, a parade, and much more. Activities include look alike contests, singing, dancing and countless children's activities. As a tribute to Toto, there is even a special event for dogs. This festival was added as an integral part of the Land of Oz in 1991.

Location: The Land of Oz 567 E. Cedar Liberal, Kansas 67901

If you happen to visit Liberal Kansas, be sure to stop in to see Dorothy's house.

Ok later

Sights to see

On the North side of town are the sand hills, part of the sandhills are for the public to enjoy, and kids to climb. The other part of the sand hills are for dune buggys to roam. Never the twain to meet - so to speak.

Enjoying a picnic, even though the temperature was in the 90's, the shade and a breeze makes it a pleasant place to be. Granddaughter and Great Niece enjoying the day.

Now climbing up the sandhills. This is a must that all kids must do, a rite of passage. I did try to climb but quickly found out it is for the much younger folk. Not an old grandma.

WOW! At the top of the hill. Next comes the best part ---- running down the hill, followed by rolling down. Great fun.

Sand dune buggy area. I am sure it is great fun for those who have the dune buggys.

Surprising rainbow in the sky.

Beautiful Sunset.

OK later.