Sunday Afternoon in Keefeton, America

Sunday clears away the rust of the whole week. 

Joseph Addison

Well, another weekend is almost gone.  I have completed my shifts at the little store.  The time that I spend there is more like front porch visiting than work.  Most of the time, the pace is slow and easy, so I have plenty of time to do the necessary chores as well as catch up on what all my neighbors are up to. The hours fly by because I believe in staying busy.  Friends love to sit in the booths, read the Muskogee Phoenix Newspaper and discuss the issues. Believe all you hear at your own peril.  If I can't be right, then I'll be louder (definitely a political discussion). I love living in this rural community.  This is our country store:

Frank B. once referred to the store as "The Keefeton Learning Center".

Across the street from the store is the Keefeton Volunteer Fire Department and a sub-station of Tulsa Life Flight. No volunteer fire station could survive without the help of the Ladies Auxiliary.  They provide food and volunteer their time without complaint.  Everyone works very closely and truly care about the community. We are very fortunate to have these services in our area.



Keefeton Volunteer Fire Department (too big for one photo)



Other half of Keefeton Volunteer Fire Department

  


Life Flight-Keefeton, Oklahoma

And last but not least, my sometimes church.  Don't misunderstand, the Church building is always there but I am the sometimes part of the equation. Brother Danny and his lovely wife Sandra (sings like an angel) are a real asset to the community.  I don't see a lot of Brother Danny since he went to the beach (South Beach Diet).  I don't know if he went voluntarily or if Sandra tied him to the hood of the car and just took him (an intervention of sorts).  I now work Sundays so he reminds me that they have church on Sunday and Wednesday night as well.  Yeah, yeah.  I believe that he had a lot more material for his sermons when he had more time to visit with me at the store and see how my mind works (I told you my mind was a scary place even on the best of days).  I had the opportunity to ask all the burning questions that we would all like to ask regarding passages in the Bible (inquiring minds want to know).  He was ever so patient answering my many questions (I'd been saving these questions for years. Can't really raise your hand in the middle of a sermon and ask).  So, here is the Church:

Keefeton FreeWill Baptist Church

One final photo that incorporates store, church, fire station and life flight. (view from church parking lot).

I am so very blessed to live in such a place where "the salt of the earth", "good people" live.

When hard times come, these are the folks that will survive using their good ole country know how.

If we just remember, Simple Living is not just for hard times but for everyday living, then I believe we will find peace and a sense of balance in our lives.

Thank you for visiting today.  See you tomorrow for more Secrets of Simple Living.




   

A Day of Pure Bliss

Secret #1
We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

                                                                                                                           Joseph Campbell

Our day started at 5:30 a.m. this morning.  A rogue cell phone alarm clock screamed a snappy tune while I was still deep in my dream state. And joy of all joy, it has an automatic snooze button so there is no escape except to physically go to the living room and shut the darn thing off.  Good thing Becky got there first or the offensive smart phone could have found itself damaged beyond repair. If the dog gone thing was so smart (smart phone my foot) it would have known it was a holiday and we get to sleep in. Half a pot of coffee later, I'm finally coming back to the land of the living.  Becky prepared us a lovely energy shake for breakfast.  Due to the holidays, she has a few days off work.

A couple of months ago, Becky decided to learn to cook and blog about it (Becky Cooks Lightly).  Having a second cook in the house is the best thing ever.  I am eating healthier than any other time in my life not to mention how great the food is. 

For Christmas, Becky gave me a cleaver little solar powered rainbow maker from Amazon.com. The small device is attached to a window by a simple suction cup. Why didn't I think of that? Anyway, we lounged in the converted garage/garden room enjoying the play of colors all around the room and reading real books made of real paper.  Of course Maggie Mae (d.o.g.) and Molly (c.a.t.) joined us.  Sophie (c.a.t. #2) was banished to the back half of the house because she has developed a nasty attitude toward her adopted sisters.  She seems to have forgotten that she too was someones'  throw away before she landed in the lap of luxury at our home. Izzie (c.a.t.#1), Grabby Britches (c.a.t. last but not least) and the two wieners (d.o.g.s.) just hung out doing whatever happy pets do.

Maggie Mae and Molly

We share our home with three dogs, four cats, a fish and a lovebird that has outlived several of our other pets who all died from natural causes (doesn't make it any less traumatizing). I will share their individual rescue stories with you a little at a time.  Don't want to sound like one of those crazed people who go on and on about their animals, but I am.

Lunch was unbelievable!  The salad Becky prepared was so delicious and absolutely beautiful to behold. We reheated the spiral cut ham that guardian angel Gene gave Becky for Christmas.

 The weather is unusually warm and sunny for a winter's day in Oklahoma.  Even the bees have come out of their hive which is located in the hollow limb of a huge silver leaf maple tree ten feet from the front door. We all live in harmony having agreed "do no harm" works both ways. Heaven on earth. Pure bliss.

After lunch, Maggie Mae was repeatedly going to the front door.  Oh yeah, time to drive up to the road to check the mailbox.  Yes, we drive to the mailbox, it's not like it's 15 feet away!  There is a five acre track of land that separates us from the rest of humanity.  Mags lives for this part of the day.  Sometimes we take a drive around our neighborhood singing "driving around Maggie's neighborhood, oh what a beautiful day it is."  Yeah, I am more than a  little eccentric but that's o.k. because I want to be a whole lot eccentric.  While Mags and I are out touring the sites of Keefeton, America, Becky is once again in the kitchen.  This time she is baking chocolate zucchini bread.  What a blessing to have a daughter that loves to cook!  Joy! Joy! Joy!

Life in the country is grand