(((((((((((Oklahoma))))))))))))))

So thankful my family and friends are safe from the terrible tornados. Praying for those who were not so lucky.

Truth.
 

Reposted from http://nicolemhill.com/2013/05/21/do...ray-then-read/

Donate, cry, pray, then read

Posted on May 21, 2013 by mccullahill

Do you know what it takes to be an Oklahoman? You probably don’t because to be an Oklahoman is to be nuts, balls-to-the-wall crazy, off-the-charts insane. You have to be.

In Oklahoma, when you pop out of your mama, the doctors give you the once over. They check your eyes, because they know you’re going to have to stare down EF4 tornadoes and not flinch. They check the gravel in your guts, because true grit’s making a living from hard, dry land — molding a life from red clay. And they check your heart, because to be an Oklahoman is to be the smack-dab center of the Heartland.

Then you grow up in Oklahoma with your “Yes, ma’ams” and “No, sirs” and “Ranch, pleases,” and you learn how to drive in a place where you reserve one hand for waving to the neighbors you know and the neighbors you don’t know just quite yet. Your sentences are peppered with words like “hook echo,” “vortex,” “Pushmataha,” “biscuitsngravy” and “might could.”

You go to school and you learn the history of your state, from the Trail of Tears to the land run to the Dust Bowl to the Tulsa Race Riot to April 19, 1995 to May 3, 1999. You understand that you come from misfits and mistakes and pain. A lot of pain. You realize you come from underdog stock. You listen to a lot of Woody Guthrie, and you really get what it means.

At some point, life punches you in the gut for the first time. You watch the hand of God come down, and an entire town disappears off the map.

You fall to your knees and you cry and you spit and you cuss the day and night. And then you get up.

You don’t waste your time asking the heavens why. There’s work to be done.

You see someone else shaking their fists at the sky, so you reach your hand down. And then they get up.

That’s what being an Oklahoman is. Being so goddamned resilient and perseverant that ain’t nothing or nobody can keep you down. I’ve been a lot of places, lived in a few of them, and met many great people. Without minimizing anyone else, Oklahomans are a different breed. When you’re a little guy used to getting kicked, you not only learn to pop back up but you become the first one to reach out to others.

Oklahoma isn’t a place. It’s something in your blood. It’s something that you do. It’s the shirt off your back and a tear in your eye and the giddyup in your soul.

As we watched the wreckage from this latest prizefight with nature, several people asked me if I had people there — in Moore, in Shawnee. The answer is unequivocally yes. Every ever-loving, bless-your-heart mumbler in that grand land is My People. And God help us, My People don’t give up and don’t give in.

I love you, Oklahoma, and I thank my lucky stars that I’m one of yours. And if you don’t start installing storm shelters in every public building, I’m fixin’ to raise some hell.

OKC people - please check in when this is over!!!!

Wolfy is in a shelter- ok for now

Thanks for the info. XO Brudder Wolfy

Thanks!! I know he's near the troublesome areas.


Anyone wanting to keep track, this is the best coverage in the OKC area: http://kfor.com/on-air/live-streaming/

Tulsa area: http://www.kjrh.com/subindex/news/news_livestream1 (it will probably be an hour before we start seeing anything bad here)

Me and the animals are all ok. Red is in Little Rock at a conference. 80+ winds, a few tree limbs down. Electricity went out for about 4 hours. Pretty scary last night, I had the dogs in their kennels so I could pull them into the hallway if needed. We have a really nice neighbor that came over and told me to come on over and get in their shelter if the sirens went off. Told him I wasn't willing to leave my animals alone. He actually smiled and I told him if you get out of your shelter and our home is gone please come look for me. Hope everyone else in the path is ok.

I'm okay as well. Thankfully, that bad tornado lifted just two miles before it got here. Three adults and four dogs in a small storm shelter is an interesting experience but much better than the alternative.

Okie... I wouldn't want to leave My dogs either.

Wow!! Weather has been erratic!
 

Keep safe Oklahoma!!! You're in our thoughts:hk2:

I am glad everyone made it through the storms just fine.

Thought y'all would like this one

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...72633933_n.jpg

hahahah Oh boy no shit huh? hahahahah That is funny!!!

Hello
 

Hi ya!

Okieblu here, in Norman. I really hope this isn't a dead thread, because I would really like to meet some bf folks in the Oklahoma area.

I'm with you! I'm moving to Stillwater this summer to be with my partner. I'm also hoping to meet some Oakies to pal around with here! Nice to meet you, okieblu!

Hi... I'm in Moore...:)