I love Oklahoma and Oklahoma City specifically. Not the least of which is because I was born here. But there are a number of reasons why I love this place and I am going to list a few. The last one has seared her in my heart having been here during that time. Today I, along with many others, commemorate those days. I preached a couple of the funerals of people killed and knew several others. April 19th will be in my heart forever.
My list includes some well known facts and some lesser known ones about "the City" as we know her. I write them for your enjoyment and to remind us all to be mindful of those who died that day in April of 1995.
Oklahoma City is currently the largest city in Oklahoma. Tulsa is second and Norman is third.
According to the 2000 census, OKC is the 30th largest in terms of population in the United States.
In land area, OKC is the 3rd largest in the nation behind Anchorage and Jacksonville.
The cost of living In Oklahoa City is the 2nd lowest in the nation.
Oklahoma City became the state's capital in 1910 when a petition garnered enough support to move it from Guthrie.
The Lee-Huckins Hotel served as the capitol building until 1917 when the current capitol was finished.
The capitol building at 23rd and Lincoln is the only capitol in the nation with an oil well under it.
Tinker Air Force Base is the 2nd largest military air depot in the nation.
The state of Oklahoma has more man-made lakes than any other state.
The state of Oklahoma has more shoreline than the Atlantic and Gulf coasts combined.
The first ever parking meter was installed in Oklahoma City in 1935.
The first ever shopping cart was invented and used in Oklahoma City at Standard Food Markets in 1937.
The Oklahoma City THUNDER will take the LA Lakers to the seventh game in the first round of the NBA playoffs of 2010 and win the series by winning both OKC games and two of three of the final games. It will be a last second basket by Kevin Durant that takes the series. It is the first appearance of the THUNDER in the playoffs since moving from Seattle in 2009. It is the first of ten appearances in a row with the other nine coming up.
Finally and seriously, It is my birth city that came of age that day in 1995 and gave birth to a new spirit that causes those of us who are fortunate enough to live to here to recognize the privilage and are forever grateful for it.
Paul B.
16 comments:
Paul,
I'm lost for words :)
Aussie J,
Yea, it takes your breath away. :)
Ditto.
I remembered how I prayed for the mom of Chase and Colton Smith.
So much sadness.
Bob,
:)
Christine,
It was a very said time for many people. Yet it called out of the people a spirit that was something to behold.
Interesting OK facts. The one I am having a hard time believing though is The state of Oklahoma has more shoreline than the Atlantic and Gulf coasts combined. Explain that one to me please!
Guy Muse,
Oklahoma having more shoreline than the Atlantic and Gulf coast combined was a shocker to me also.
But if you get to thinking, the shoreline of Lake Texoma alone is 1,250 miles. (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/LL/rol77.html)
BTW, why did Texas ever agree to Oklahoma owning all the land and water to the South bank of Red River? What were they thinking? :)
Rex,
My reactions to your comments.
I'm amazed at the first one. I had no idea Texoma was that big.
I'm smiling at the second one.
I'm thankful for both. ;)
Hi Paul,
You wrote 'It was a very said time for many people. Yet it called out of the people a spirit that was something to behold.'
Yes. That is very true.
Whether in Oklahoma's heart land or the City of the Twin Towers by the edge of the sea;
whether we are attacked from within or from without,
our American spirit remains resolved and unified and strengthened by faith.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC57xs85aYM&feature=related
Paul,
Nothing on any blog has made me laugh as much as you saying: “I’m smiling at the second one.”
Paul,
I have some roots in Oklahoma as in 1884, my grandfather had a thousand acre ranch in Indian Territory.
My wife and our first son were born in Hugo, Oklahoma. Our home has its foundation on sand from Oklahoma. (My wife said I could take her from Oklahoma but she’d sleep on Oklahoma soil.)
Hey! I met her in Training Union at the First Baptist Church in Sherman, Texas fifty three years ago.
We have a daughter born in Midland, Texas, and another son born in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Rex,
Your wife is one smart cookie. Sounds like the one I married.
Hi REX RAY,
You wrote, 'Our home has its foundation on sand from Oklahoma. (My wife said I could take her from Oklahoma but she’d sleep on Oklahoma soil.)'
That is a wonderful story. :)
Paul,
I’ve read your wife’s blog and I sure wouldn’t argue with your conclusion.
Christiane,
Thanks. Twenty years ago, when I got on a health kick, I made the mistake of announcing I was going to live to be 120 like Moses.
My wife said she was not living that long and asked who was going to be my next wife. I tried to make her forget it, but regardless of what I said, every week or so her question continued.
Finally I said, “You know how some old guys marry sweet young girls?”
“Yesssssssss”
“Well, my next wife probably hasn’t been born yet.” I was laughing my head off but she snapped back:
“That’ll never happen – you don’t have that much money!”
Rex,
Now that is HILARIOUS.
I just read it to my wife and she said..."You guys [Rex and wife] sound like a fun pair."
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