Lessons Learned In My First Week as an Okie

9 minutes.   I timed it yesterday.  9 minutes. 

That is my morning commute time to Kaelan’s school.  3 four-way stop signs, about a 40 cows,  numerous “roller coaster” hills, and BOOM!  We are there.

To say I love this new traffic free commute is an understatement.   Our old drive to Kaelan’s school in Austin wasn’t much further in mileage, but oh, the drama of traffic and detours we often faced really stunk. 

You know Austin and her traffic issues.

I have learned traffic in Edmond, OK consists of two cars staring each other down at a  four-way stop, each determined to be the most polite and let the other go
first. Or a BIG “jam” consists of  4 cars behind a tractor waiting to pass.  

Thus, giving me….

Lesson 1: Edmond does not have a traffic  issue…and this makes me happy.

To say that there is a rivalry between UT and OU really does not do justice to the true depths of hate that are rooted between these two.   Really, I think OU folks have a distaste for any school with Texas in the name. 

There is actually a portion of Kaelan’s student handbook that states, “no students are allowed to wear apparel of other colleges unless it is of University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, or other colleges within the state”. 

Check this out. 

Lesson 2:   Don’t take your 1 year old baby to the local Target in a UT shirt and think you will go unaccosted.

Seriously, even babies aren’t exempt.

I love meeting new folks (and we have met some great ones already) and listening to their advice on living in Okie Country.   Most conversations go something like this one I had with the sweetest farmer from down the road.   We met at the corner gas station where he pulled in with his awesome little farmer overalls on his John Deere.  His name is Harold.

Harold:  Well, you aren’t a local (eyeing my license plate).

Me:  No, sir.  Just moved here from Austin.

Harold:   Austin, huh?   Smart move.

Me:   I hope so.   You don’t look like you are just traveling through (eyeing his tractor).  You must be a local.

Harold:   Yes, Ma-Umm.   Born and raised here.  

Now, here is the part we keep hearing…..

Harold:     You gotta shelter?

Me:   A storm shelter?   Yes, we do.

Harold:   (Smiling and whistling through his teeth).   Whoo-eee.   That’s good.  Come spring you’ll be glad for it.   Keep you from blowing back to Austin.   Good luck!

And with that, Harold climbed back on his machine and left.

Lesson 3:   Make sure that storm shelter is ready come Spring.

 

I am learning more each day.   I really love the area we live in.  I feel all Pioneer Womanish…..only I live a little closer to a Target and Kohl’s then she does.  

Oklahoma is growing on me in ways I didn’t know it could. 

Check back in with me in the Spring to see if that love affair is still going………

 

We sing this at least 13 times a day.