An Oklahoman in Okehampton - Snow Tiger's Musings

Thoughts

nospam@example.com (Snow Tiger) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:32:11 +0000

February....Our wedding anniversary has passed...and a lovely one it was. Dave tried to surprise me (bless him) with a little overnight getaway at the Bedford Hotel in Tavistock where we were married. I sort of had it figured out before we got there...but still had a surprise when we were given the original honeymoon suite where we spent our wedding night. Awwwwww....x

We spent the day prowling around town (the market is fantastic) and also took a walk along the river. The river Tavy is beautiful, and actually has salmon jumping up the steps created for them. We didn't see any this time...it's probably too early for their Spring run. Then we had a pub meal at the hotel. I think Tavistock is my favorite town in the area, with lots of historical things to see...I believe it dates back to the 1500's and was called a Stannary town...where courts were held etc.

I'm anxious for spring....I looked in the garden this morning and found buds on my little trees, and on the miniature roses. The water garden barrel still has thick ice in it....that will take a while to thaw. It's such a pleasure to see buds though...the catkins on the pussy willow are starting to open and little white fuzzy "babies" are beginning to emerge.

I'm still working on my water colour lessons....it really "ticks" me off when something goes wrong and I waste a sheet of paper. At £1 each a person doesn't want to throw many of those away! I just turn it over and practice techniques on the back. I'm really enjoying doing this...and no one is more surprised than I am when something turns out well.

Dave was looking at something I did the other day and said "That looks like a beach." (drum roll please.....applause) That's exactly what it was!!! Mission accomplished! Its fun and even though I still have a lot to learn...I feel good about it.

I guess I need to wrap this up....Time to wake Dave and feed and water him for his night shift tonight. I really dream of the day when he doesn't have to do this anymore, amd I'm sure he does too.

Take care everyone...and I'll be back on here soon.

January 2010

nospam@example.com (Snow Tiger) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:25:31 +0000

January 2010....It feels so strange to write that. A new year to start new things...which, by the way I have done.

After my mom died in December, I was looking for a way to ease the sadness and guilt I was feeling for not being with her. One day I spotted her paint box in the back of my wardrobe and pulled it out. I left it sit for a long time before opening it and discovered that action alone was some comfort to me.

I could almost hear her say "Remember when we used to paint together?" It's been at least 30 years since I had picked up a brush...and I began wondering if that was what I was supposed to do now.

A few arguments with myself later...I went to a local art supply shop in town and began wandering around looking at things. There it was again...the feeling that someone was telling me "You can do this again." Hmmmmmn....I wonder.... I left there quite a bit poorer and with a heavy tote bag just full of watercolour supplies.

Since that day, little by little I'm producing paintings...with the help of some good lessons on CD. It's been very theraputic and really feels good to be doing this again. Of course I'm not showing them off...no one would at this stage...but Dave thinks I'm underestimating myself. I say it's lack of confidence. However....I'm enjoying it, and just may try to put one of two paintings on an online gallery I've found...it's free, so nothing would be lost if no one buys one. It may be good for me to see my work on line and compare it with other beginners. Who knows...I just may be a millionaire one of these days. (Yeah...and the moon is made from green cheese too!)

I'll close for now...time to wrap up the day. I'll write again soon...take care all.

News

nospam@example.com (Snow Tiger) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:10:11 +0000

Just a short note this time. I've received news from family in the states. My dear mother has died. It seems as though these events have routinely happened during the holiday season, and it's a little hard to bear. Christmas has lost a little of it's glitter at the moment, but it doesn't dull my wish for everyone to have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

You probably won't be hearing from me till after the first of the year....I'm sure everyone has a lot going on.

See you in the new year...

Christmas

nospam@example.com (Snow Tiger) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:40:47 +0000

Hello all

My birthday has come and gone...and a wonderful one it was! Many cards, and a special honour by being asked to light a candle in the Advent wreath at Sunday's church service. That event meant a lot to me. I've never done anything like that and it's just another thing that has made my move here so great.

The Christmas lights are up in town, and we've had Edwardian Night. There seem to be more lights this year. I think people are using lights to lesson the emotional effects of the recession. It's hit this country hard and people are looking for ways to "make it feel better." I even saw a news report on TV about neighbors than had banded together to decorate each house in their neighborhood with "American style" lighting displays. They did a good job..and loads of people were coming to see. Outdoor decorating has seldom been done in UK, and it's good to drive around and see lights up. Almost feels like home.

I have our house decorated. I've always loved victorian Christmas decorations, and this year is no different. Dave even admits it's pretty. And that's a big statement coming from him! I brought my creche from home and it's lovely seeing it out again on the mantle.

Dave is working Christmas this year. :-( Not my idea of fun...however I am having dinner with friends and that will help. The day after Christmas is Boxing Day...the fox hunt....and a big meal...we'll have our little Christmas then.

February brings our first wedding anniversary!!!! Can you believe it? Dave told me at the beginning that "we'll be saying hasn't time flown?" I didn't believe him...but it has.

It has been such a good year....with more to come.

Holidays

nospam@example.com (Snow Tiger) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:07:32 +0000

I feel like it's time for a few "musings." It's the last day of November. It's finally turned cold (at least it feels cold to me) and we're supposed to have a little frost tonight. I was out in my garden for a while today....All the plants are looking a little shop worn and are finally going to sleep for the winter...although there are some plants here that are perfectly happy during the winter and persist in blooming anyway.

I have all my bulbs in the ground...and am making plans for a few changes next spring. Sounds like the typical gardner doesn't it?

This has been a good year....we've gotten a lot accomplished. I'm keeping up with news from home, and my mother isn't doing well. She finally had to be moved to a nursing home and already has had one trip to the hospital. It's hard to know about it and not be able to be with her.

In church last sunday we lit our first Advent candle. There will be other Christmas services as time goes on and I'm really looking forward to it. This coming Thursday evening we will have Edwardian Night. The road through town will be closed, all the shops will be open late and offering goodies to eat and drink, the Christmas lights are up and there will be a carol service and hog roast. It's a great time to be out with everyone and enjoy the atmosphere. I'll be able to have hot roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and generally wax nostalgic. I know it's old fashioned, and there's no glitz, but who needs it anyway? It's just so pleasant to be able to do something like this and let the rest of the world go by. It may rain (it did last year) but no one seems to mind...we do it anyway and have a great time.

I have my 67th birthday coming up....hmmmmn...do we really need to talk about that? funny thing about age....it happens whether we like it or not! I've certainly learned a lot about myself in the year I've been here...some good, some bad, some....well... they just don't matter....

More later...

Almost the end of the year

nospam@example.com (Snow Tiger) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:37:14 +0000

Hey everyone,

As of today, I've been here one year! Can you believe it? It almost seems that I've been here longer than that in some ways. I guess that's because I'm getting used to everything. Matter of fact...yesterday while I was doing my errands in town, a woman stopped me stating she was lost and could I give her directions? Believe it or not I was able to!!! It made me feel like a "town chick" for sure.

Lately I've been looking for something to do during the upcoming winter months. Working in the garden certainly won't be much of an option. (Although I do have seedings started in my greenhouse for Spring) I'm still into a lot of photography, but wanted to do something else that was still creative. I was looking at my mother's paint box that I brought with me when I moved, and decided to use it for my own purpose.

Long story short...I've gotten back into water colour painting. I have hundreds of photos to use as subject matter and have already done one small painting. I guess it wasn't too bad considering I haven't picked up a brush in about 25 years. I'm self taught, and have found several good lessons on line. So.....here we go!

Dave seemed to be impressed with the first one...he says it looks like a scene from the Moorlands. That certainly gave me a boost since that's the subject I was trying to paint. I suppose if someone recognises what you've painted..you just may be on the right track..right?

This coming Friday we're going to go to our grandson's first birthday. It seems like we're having several "firsts" recently. Sunday was Rememberence Day here. It's the equivalent to Memorial Day in the US. There were church services and a parade through our town. That was another first for me. Remembering the troops has always been important to me...and it was interesting to take part in the day in my adopted country.

For the most part, it has been a very good year. We're very very happy, and yes I do miss some things about Tulsa...mainly the Autumn...it's always been my favourite time and I think I'm feeling a little nostalgic. I miss the brilliant colours on the trees. There's colour here, but not like in Tulsa....

We're also starting to make our plans for our visit back to Tulsa next September. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone...but NOT looking forward to getting up at 3am to start those long flights.

Time to close this book. I'll. write more later.

Time to catch up

nospam@example.com (Snow Tiger) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:31:49 +0100

Hey everyone!

It's been a long time since I've written. We've finally been able to go on our long awaited honeymoon. Dave promised a trip to Scotland, and it was a dream trip! Scotland is a land of majestic beauty, almost savage. But at the same time some of the scenery was hauntingly beautiful.

We toured some of the Lochs, rode a steam train, toured the harbour at Fort William. There were castles to see and wonderful harbours to prowl around. We even found ourselves watching Highland games on a warm afternoon. The weather couldn't have been better....It was actually hot!

Of course we also got to enjoy the scottish midgies too!!! They drove Dave nuts and he was covered with bites! Strangely enough they didn't bother me much at all. Maybe I'm just used to Oklahoma mosquitoes!

Then on the way back we stopped in the lake country. Again..incredible scenery that was almost overwhelming at times. It's funny to be watching my favorite program on tv and recognize the scenery and think "I've been there and saw that". That is just so cool!

As soon as I get them organized, all the photos I took will be in my photo galleries for you to enjoy.

We're back on planet earth now....Dave is back at work and I'm back doing the everyday things of life.

Speaking of life....it's still very very good!

A day in the new life

nospam@example.com (Snow Tiger) — Mon, 25 May 2009 11:15:06 +0100

Time has passed! Each day has brought something new...not necessarily exciting...but each has been such a learning experience.

My life here has become even more satisfying than I thought it would...and that satisfaction continues to grow. I doubt that boredom will ever be an issue. I'm always trying new things and discovering more.

What with a whole new way of gardening, learning more about photography, keeping my house, day trips out to the most WONDERFUL garden centers in the world....I don't have time to be bored! Even better when we go somewhere to find an American flag on display! I've seen that quite a bit, and it gives me a warm feeling every time.

Even the weather has been cooperating. We've had warm sunny days (not what I was told to expect) and with the equivelant to day light savings time now...it's daylight till 10pm...that gives one a long time to enjoy the outdoors. (even though, at some point, you may have to wear a heavy jacket to do it!)

Life is (by comparison) at a different pace here, and I like it. You can be as busy as you want, or you can be lazy. Sitting out doors at a cafe' and enjoying a "cuppa" is one of my favorite things. I love to "people watch" and I've even gotten Dave to join in. Of course treating me to a cream tea is part of the bargain!

As I've said....it's a new life...and I'm loving it.

Spring update

nospam@example.com (Snow Tiger) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:03:49 +0100

Hello all!

Life goes on here and I've been immersed in gardening. (More like drowning!) Anytime you take on a new garden, it means a frenzy of getting the area ready, plant buying, planting and wondering how many mistakes you've made. Finally when it's done, it sure is nice to sit back with a cup of coffee...see what you've done, and imagine how it's going to look once it all starts growing.

I'm waiting for my new greenhouse to be installed. It's only a small one, but I want to try my hand using grow bags and frames to have some veggies. I'm used to spring rains, and hot summers with no rain. Here there's no hot summer and rain can happen any time. We'll see how I do as time goes on.

We spent a couple of days in Plymouth last week. Dave had set up some time for his work buddies to "come and meet the missus". Nothing like being on stage...no pressure there huh! Everyone seemed to have a good time though.

The motel we stayed in was overlooking Sutton Harbour and I really enjoyed watching all the activity. Fishing boots coming in with their catches, big yachts, sail boots...it was a real treat. Of course the food was spectacular...that goes without saying!

We took the ferry to Mountbatten and spent some time with Dave's work friend. We spent the afternoon watching Plymouth Sound while several military ships came in. I got a real kick from that and also got some good pictures as well. We spent the first afternoon visiting the Marine aquarium. It's not a big as the one in Tulsa, but it's a good one.

Plymouth is an interesting town to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. I'm happy with living in a smaller town. Even having said that..Okehampton is growing a little. The recession is taking it's toll everywhere though, and there are some shops that have closed or moved elsewhere.

That's my report for now...I'll write more another time.

Seasons change

nospam@example.com (Snow Tiger) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:46:58 +0000

Finally...winter's grip is beginning to loosen, and I can tell that spring is just around the corner. I am soooooo ready! I've been working to clean up and prepare my terrace garden for the planting frenzy I'll soon be involved in.

We've had a few sunny mild days, and those only serve to make me more anxious to get started. It's funny how even a few promising days can make the winter doldrums go away.

Our park grounds are covered with the first blossoms of crocus and daffodils...even though due to our rough winter, everything is about 2 weeks late. It's still worth getting out with the camera and taking a walk every few days to see what's going on.

At home things are finally falling in place. We're still having a bit of a struggle making things fit together. The furniture has been the biggest problem...but we're about to get that solved.

Then there's the computers! Two fried on the same day!!! WOW! Both of us are reduced to using our laptops till the new one Dave has ordered arrives. Mine is on the kitchen table which is kind of nice really. Less running up and down stairs to check email etc. I just may keep it this way.

Other than that...life goes on. I still like it here. The looks I get from some people when I say that make me wonder....especially when they say "You like it here?" Why wouldn't I? It's a beautiful place and I'm very content. Of course I'm not content with all the bad news I hear, but then there is bad news everywhere. My opinion?...make the best of it no matter where you are. I once heard someone say "bloom where you grow" That's been my motto since my arrival....and know what? It works!