Uniquely Okie

[NativeOkie]

Okay here we go.
Many of us Okies now live abroad or maybe you lived outside the Sooner State at one time or another. What did you miss most about Oklahoma that makes it such a special place?

I will start with this.
People waving at you in the car as you pass.
People talking to you in the check out line or at another table while out to eat.
Bottom line friendly folks.

next thought;
Change in weather often times in the same day.
I miss Thunderstorms and lightening.

food things are coming to mind... braum's and Bar BQ.
have you ever noticed how much of an Okies life revolves around food?
More dining establishments than churches, (maybe) I don't know that may be something to look into... Are there more churches or food places in OKC?

Friday night football I miss that.
every community across the state is planning on going to state and the stands are filled.

These are a few things you don't see in other parts of the country.
I may come up with more.

Bottom line for all of it's faults I am blessed to be from there and you are blessed to live there. trust me on that!

[PennyQuilts]

I'm another Okie in exile - and everything you wrote tugged at my heart.

I miss the Oklahoma air - it is just alive. A brewing storm is one of the most thrilling experiences on earth.

The sunrises/sunsets.

The smell of rain in late August.

Big ole pickup trucks.

Oklahoma car tags. Laugh if you must but I just about wreck the car when I see one.

The long view.

Annual Cultural Events - Redbud Classic, Arts Festival, etc.

N. Western Ave.

I just have to repeat thunder and lightning.

The change in the land from East OKC and West OKC.

Native Cedars.

Sane traffic levels.

Sunshine.

Baking heat in the summer.

Rain hitting hot pavement and cooling it down enough to walk on - and the smell when it hits.

Springtime in Oklahoma is the best kept secret. In contrast, I refer to the east coast spring as the season of mud.

The Oklahoma City skyline against a blue sky.

The Native American influence.

Crisp clouds and Thunderheads.

Many of these things aren't "better" than other places, but they mean home, to me.

[Generals64]

Whew!!!! you guys haven't been home in a while have you?? Come back for a visit the first week in May, we'll watch the Tornadoes go to Swadley's for Bar-B-Que...Braums for Dessert and watch the people wave at you with one Finger.....Just completely "Kidding". Great to have some involvement away from the State...You guys are most definitely Tre "Okies" by birth and remained by choice.
By the tone of some of your memories you guys must be originally Northsiders.....Hoo-Ray we got you hooked ...Join in and tell us your old Memories of our Great Town. Do you remember when the Governor was making people an "Official Okie"? it was about 1968-69 somewhere in there. I had put together a display (made in Oklahoma) for TG&Y Stores. And, since TG&Y was participating in all the Hoopla they (Governor's Office) and made me (for TG&Y) the first tru OKIE...Whoopee. It took me years to get that behind me and now I bring it up intentionally???? Sheesh...........Great to have you aboard ship...Generals64...........See ya next time...Oh yeah, I still have the pin....

[TaoMaas]

Come back for a visit the first week in May, we'll watch the Tornadoes....

I'll always say that this is how you can tell the native Okies. When the tornado siren goes off, transplants head for the cellar, while native Okies go outside to see if they can spot the tornado. lol I've never lived outside Oklahoma, but I've had a few friends who moved away, but then came back for visits. The first thing they always want to do is go eat Mexican food or go to Sonic. ECO mentioned the long view. I heard an interview with Jimmy Webb, the songwriter, and he said that he liked coming back to Oklahoma because he gets the same sense of boundlessness from the prairie that he gets from the ocean. I'd never thought of it that way before, but I can certainly see it.

[MadMonk]

The long view.
Rain hitting hot pavement and cooling it down enough to walk on - and the smell when it hits.

Those are two of my favorites. I'm originally from the east coast so when we moved out here, the way you could look for miles in any direction (without being on a mountain top) was stunning to me. However, I do miss the mountains and forests full of huge pines. I took my kids back east last fall to visit family and they were amazed at how big the pine trees were on my mom's property.

[TaoMaas]

I'm originally from the east coast so when we moved out here, the way you could look for miles in any direction (without being on a mountain top) was stunning to me.

I had a friend visit from Massachusetts who commented on the same thing. She kept talking about how beautiful it was here. I'd look around and say, "What?" She'd say, "THAT!" and point outside. I said, "I don't see anything." She said, "Right! You can see forever." I nodded and said, "Well, that's certainly true." lol I have to say that she did give me a new appreciation of what Oklahoma has to offer.

[NativeOkie]

Okay Here is one...
In Oklahoma you have a shot at getting out of a ticket.
No way in California, The cops have no personality.

Another thing I miss is Indian Summer, and hearing geese flying overhead.

Things I DON'T miss SMOKING SECTIONS.
I was back home not long ago and could not believe the number of smokers.

Is Gary England still around with his Take cover now?
I used to hear that while heading outside to watch.

[PennyQuilts]

We have beautiful, tall trees here but when I have to drive somewhere and go on an overpass that rises up above the trees, my heart just turns over to be able to see so far. It gets in your blood.

I also love the monarchs in the fall.

Hiking in the Wichitas, especially in June when the wildflowers are up.

I started to say Sonic but they put one in about 25 miles from here - and we go there, sometimes, just for a taste of home.

I know I've mentioned it earlier, but springtime. I honestly had no appreciation for Oklahoma springtime until I left.

I miss the sandy Oklahoma soil. You can actually dig a garden in it.

This time of year I miss bermuda grass - you don't end up walking in mud - although I sure don't miss the way it jumps into flowerbeds.

Sirens at noon on Saturday.

Not just Oklahoma but I miss the armadillos.

I miss Pearls' gumbo. It may not be the absolute best but I miss it. And I also miss the cheese bread at the Pepperoni Grill.

I miss the sculpture of the three women up on 63rd and Villa. And their Christmas wreaths.

I miss driving down through Mesta Park because of the contrast with much of the rest of the city. And I miss the wind tunnels downtown. I used to hate wearing a skirt down there because it was such wind hazard.

I miss cows. I don't necessarily want to kiss 'em but the landscape ought to have cows in it, somewhere.

I miss the Classen Grill. I used to live near there and loved their orange juice.

[Generals64]

We have beautiful, tall trees here but when I have to drive somewhere and go on an overpass that rises up above the trees, my heart just turns over to be able to see so far. It gets in your blood.

I also love the monarchs in the fall.



Hiking in the Wichitas, especially in June when the wildflowers are up.

I started to say Sonic but they put one in about 25 miles from here - and we go there, sometimes, just for a taste of home.

I know I've mentioned it earlier, but springtime. I honestly had no appreciation for Oklahoma springtime until I left.

I miss the sandy Oklahoma soil. You can actually dig a garden in it.

This time of year I miss bermuda grass - you don't end up walking in mud - although I sure don't miss the way it jumps into flowerbeds.

Sirens at noon on Saturday.

Not just Oklahoma but I miss the armadillos.

I miss Pearls' gumbo. It may not be the absolute best but I miss it. And I also miss the cheese bread at the Pepperoni Grill.

I miss the sculpture of the three women up on 63rd and Villa. And their Christmas wreaths.

I miss driving down through Mesta Park because of the contrast with much of the rest of the city. And I miss the wind tunnels downtown. I used to hate wearing a skirt down there because it was such wind hazard.

I miss cows. I don't necessarily want to kiss 'em but the lanscape ought to have cows in it, somewhere.

I miss the Classen Grill. I used to live near there and loved their orange juice.

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My son lives in Mesta Park...the guys loved the wind tunnels down town
and I've been outside all day today getting the grass ready...Wher on the east coast do you live now....And, I've got some horses you can kiss if you really want to next time you come back....but, I want to have my camera with me.....Thanks for getting involved with the threads

[bluedogok]

I'll always say that this is how you can tell the native Okies. When the tornado siren goes off, transplants head for the cellar, while native Okies go outside to see if they can spot the tornado. lol

Yep, the weatherman for one of the TV stations here in Austin grew up in Lindsay, he gets "Gary England excited" whenever we have a chance for severe weather.

I think food is important in most places, whether it is a big city or small town. "Food" is important in most people lives whether you are in NYC/Chicago or OKC or any small town cafe. I still haven't found as good of a chicken fry as Chuck House or Ann's down here, Hill's Cafe is pretty good, (has my sister's stamp of approval) but it just isn't the same.

[Karried]

In Oklahoma you have a shot at getting out of a ticket.
No way in California, The cops have no personality.

That is simply not true...I've gotten out of 2 out of 4 tickets in CA. (over close to 30 years).

One was for a busted tailight and one for speeding.

The other two I deserved.. I was driving my brand new 300ZX down Highway 5 coming from Oregon over 100 mph ( very stupid.. I was only 21) at least he didn't arrest me although he said he could have ... and the other time, I passed a semi who was kicking rocks back onto the same car ( that car got me in a lot of trouble.. Bright Cherry Red) the cop was a jerk on that one but I went to traffic school.

I've never had the opportunity to try here and don't plan on it so I can't compare.

[PennyQuilts]

That is simply not true...I've gotten out of 2 out of 4 tickets in CA. (over close to 30 years).

Hmmm. Is NativeOkie a cute girl? I'm wondering if that might have made the difference..

[PennyQuilts]

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My son lives in Mesta Park...the guys loved the wind tunnels down town
and I've been outside all day today getting the grass ready...Wher on the east coast do you live now....

I'm in Northern Virginia just south of DC.

My younger brother still laughs about a little old lady that he saw downtown when he was up on a roof doing some construction of some sort. Her long skirt flew up over her head and she couldn't get it down. For that matter, her arms were trapped inside her inside out skirt. He said she had on little old lady bloomers and he laughed so hard he nearly fell off the scaffolding.

[NativeOkie]

Sorry ECO
Not cute and Not female.

I thought of something else I miss.
In High School we used to cruise 39th after football games.
I miss the news being on at 10pm
Cows for certain.

[PennyQuilts]

Oh god, I understand what you mean about central time being "American" time. Thanks for reminding me. Being in the heart of the continental United States just balances out the work day.

It still freaks me out that "east of the Mississippi" is frequently still west of me. That is so wrong. I bet having the rockies east of you is just as disconcerting.

[PennyQuilts]

When you coming home, NativeOkie? (and did anyone notice that both of us in exile use "okie" in our name. At some point, for me, "okie" quit feeling hickish and became something for which I have a great affection. I always loved Oklahoma but I can promise you I had no idea I'd miss it like this when I was gone.

[workman45]

Watching anvil heads build, up and up, till they flatened out and the electricity in the air. Northern Idaho had some good snow storms but most of the weather out there is so bland. I spent over a decade west of the rockies, Central California and North Idaho.

[PennyQuilts]

Being around horses and other animals when a storm is building. They get as excited as I do.

[PennyQuilts]

And the AWACS. I miss watching them.

[Generals64]

And the AWACS. I miss watching them.

I think you just got elected President of the AWACS watching club......My neighbor is the Pilot for one of those monsters...He has some great and then some horror stories....

[PennyQuilts]

I grew up out on the East side and watched them land for years - they come in long and straight. I didn't have a dad or brother in the house (or anyone with military or aviation knowledge) and had no idea what in the world those things were - and didn't think to ask. I mean, I knew they were military craft but they were just do weird looking. It wasn't until I got married that my husband told me what they were. How warped is that?

[NativeOkie]

Thinking of the month of April, Something that is true Oklahoma is the land run. 89'ers.
I remember every year in elementary school staging a land run on the playground.
They also had Sadie Hawkens? day something about the girls chasing the boys can't recall all of that one. For some reason that was not as important at the time. Do they still do 89'er day or has political correctness killed that as well?

[TaoMaas]

They also had Sadie Hawkens? day something about the girls chasing the boys can't recall all of that one.

LOL I think that died out with the Lil Abner comic strip.

[grantgeneral78]

Thinking of the month of April, Something that is true Oklahoma is the land run. 89'ers.
I remember every year in elementary school staging a land run on the playground.
They also had Sadie Hawkens? day something about the girls chasing the boys can't recall all of that one. For some reason that was not as important at the time. Do they still do 89'er day or has political correctness killed that as well?

They still have it. Your fixing to miss out on tornado season also.

[Prunepicker]

I heard an interview with Jimmy Webb, the songwriter, and he said that he
liked coming back to Oklahoma because he gets the same sense of
boundlessness from the prairie that he gets from the ocean. I'd never thought
of it that way before, but I can certainly see it.

The open range in the panhandle is something to behold. In May it looks like
an ocean.