This morning I drove 30 miles south into Bartlesville, Oklahoma to attend the UU Church there. Bartlesville is a fairly large city – home of Conoco-Phillips Company. In fact, one of the tourist attractions is the Phillips Mansion.
Here’s the UU Church – began in 1950 – fairly small, independent congregation of 38 members. Very friendly people. Minister is not ordained but she does a pretty good service.
As it turned out, I talked with the minister’s husband first and he introduced me to her. Here’s the first wonderful part of the day. When I told her that I was “almost” a UU minister, she clasped my hands, looked into my eyes, and said, “Oh, I’m so glad to meet you! There’s so much I can learn from you.” After the service, she and I talked some more — she gave me her cell phone number as well as her card from work — invited me to lunch today, but I had to put it off because I was meeting Glenna later. She would like me to come to lunch, dinner, to preach, to plan a service or two, and just about anything else, especially talk to her about UU ministry.
I was also introduced to an older man in the church, an architect. When I told him I’d been falling in love with the area and was trying to figure out the ifs/hows/whys/wheres/whens and so forth about possibly sticking around and becoming part of a community, he gave me his card and said he had the perfect house for sale. He lived in it from the 1970s until just recently when he built a big new one outside of town. Gave me the address and described it a little — perfect for one person — two bedrooms, one bath, very well maintained, with areas for crafts, sewing, whatever, as well as a fenced yard and carport. So, I drove by it after church. Didn’t get to go inside yet because it’s being handled by a real estate company in town. But, he’s selling it on contract for---are you ready for this? $37,500. That’s less than my RV. Very quiet neighborhood a mile or so from downtown—close enough to walk.
Front that faces the street
Back of house.
Side
Other side
I would love to see inside! Sure do wish I had a rich relative somewhere, or was in any kind of position to take advantage of this. Can you imagine the price? The minister told me to be sure to check it out—that Harry, the owner, would work well with a possible buyer.
I drove around the city a little more. According to a few people, Bartlesville is a “money-city” because of the oil company presence. There are a lot of cultural activities available such as a symphony, OK Mozart, arts center, community center, and so forth. Even skyscrapers.
The Price Tower Art Center
The Community Center
I also stopped at a Conoco-Phillips gas station and bought gas for $2..42/gallon.
Okay, enough dreaming for the moment, although I’ll be thinking about this for quite a while. And, I’m definitely going to get together with the minister and begin attending the church regularly.
Around 1:30 I drove out to Copan Lake to meet GlennaRae who lives outside of Bartlesville, and her dog. She’s been camping at the lake for a few days.
Glenna's rig and campsite. I didn't know this model was on a Volkswagen chassis. Her RV is an inch shorter than mine and feels quite roomy.
Here are Glenna and I together – and my hair isn’t growing very fast. Jenny, how long did it take for you to grow yours to its present length?
Glenna
We wandered through the campground, checking things out. She introduced me to one of the camp hosts, Jan, and her husband. The park is closing for the winter the end of the month, but Jan will be staying as a caretaker. Her husband works up in Independence, Kansas, so only drives down on weekends.
There are many Black Walnut trees
I've seen bright yellow banana slugs in Oregon, but never an almost fluorescent-green caterpillar - it was more than two inches long.
Glenna called these some kind of apples - I can't remember the exact name. But, she told me they were also known as Osage Oranges. Those I have heard of.
Copan Lake
Windsurfer on the lake. Glenna said someone told her he was a minister. He did very well considering how strong the wind was. We watched him go up and back several times. I've seen lots of windsurfers on the Columbia River in the city of Hood River, Oregon, but didn't realize they also practice the sport in Oklahoma.
I finally said goodbye to the Oklahoma area for hopefully a very short time, and drove back to Coffeyville. Stopped at The Country Market, a supermarket on the outskirts of town. One of the employees even carried my bags out to the truck—they do that as a regular thing. Can’t even remember when people did that.
I’d bought a Bartlesville newspaper, so read it when I got back to the RV. Looked in the Help Wanted section and found this job: “OK Mozart needs a full-time Executive Assistant. Seeking professional candidates that are highly organized, detail oriented, deadline driven with excellent computer skills (MS Office) and pleasant phone demeanor. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and be able to lift up to 50 pounds. Cash handling experience is a must. An excellent opportunity to become highly involved in one of Oklahoma’s premier non-profit arts organizations. Reports to Executive Director.”
Okay, is this a day or what?
I'm likeing it more and more!
