OklaHome

Happy birthday, Ma! It was another Oklahoma tornado week.

2013-05-22T07:56:00.001-05:00

My grandparents, Harold and Marie (Barham) Baker aka "Brother and Sister Baker" aka "Bake and Ma", cir 1964

Well, it is your first birthday in Heaven and I know you are relieved you don't have to go through the process of acting excited when you opened your presents. You were a great actress.

Those new arrivals from Oklahoma on Sunday and Monday were due to those wild Oklahoma tornadoes that swept our state yet again.

I know you and Bake were excited to get some new church members. I can hear you guys laughing and clapping upon their arrival. Those sweet little children will be so thrilled to be in your children's church. I can see the joy on their faces when they learn new songs and listen to your very animated Bible stories.

What a fun VBS you guys are going to have this summer.

Love you, Ma.

Territory Mom

OKStrong

Newsok.com

Here We Are Again - OKC Bombing Remembered

2013-04-19T07:03:00.001-05:00

I've been struggling with my words lately. As you can see I haven't blogged in quite some time. It has been one of those seasons, but I can't let today go by without a few words.

I turned 48 this week. A week of destruction, tragedy and memories.

It is hard to believe I was only 30 years old when it happened. Each year I remember something new about that day and the weeks that followed. This year I remembered the interview of Rebecca Anderson's sister. I can't remember the exact words but her sister said that Rebecca really helped her to get her life on track, just helped her get it together. Rebecca was the selfless nurse who had her husband drop her off at the site immediately following the incident so she could help. She was fatally injured from falling debris. She gave her life to help others. Amazing woman.

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. Revelations 21:1-5 (KJV)

I'm sorry I have no more words for today.

Love,

Territory Mom

For more information:

Oklahoma City National Memorial

Today Is Oklahoma's 911

We Will Never Forget

I Wonder

Holy Ground

Windshield Oklahoma - Chasing Eagles

2013-01-17T10:06:00.001-06:00

There is nothing more fun than an early morning chase.

Run, kids, run.

Where is he?

There you are

being chased.

Good morning, eagle.

Love,

Territory Mom

Saying Goodbye to Oklahoman John Ingle - General Hospital Style

2012-11-20T10:57:00.000-06:00

John Houston Ingle

1928 - 2012

Photo source: New York Times

Oklahoman, John H. Ingle died on September 16, 2012. He was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on May 7, 1928 to John Cisney Ingle and Myrtle Hoyle Ingle. You know him as Edward Quartermaine the family patriarch in the long running soap, General Hospital. I should have written about Mr. Ingle sooner but I was waiting for the soap to pay tribute and now it will. Today's and Wednesday's episodes will pay tribute to the charachter, Edward Quartermaine. Another reason I haven't blogged about this is that I have also been a little distraught over Steve Burton leaving the show. I'll keep my misery to myself for now.

Now to Mr. Ingle. His bio states that he was born in Tulsa. According to Ancestry.com he was living in Wewoka with his family at age 2. According to the 1930 census his father, John was a salesman for an oil company. Remember your Oklahoma history the Seminole area and the entire Seminole County was in a major oil boom at this time. John was the baby of the family with three older sisters, Mary Agnes, 15, Pansy Edith, 14 and Hattie Marie, 12.

Seminole

When John was 11 years old the family was living in Poteau in 1940. I believe the family was there to be close to his grandmother, Mary Hopkins Hoyle who died in 1941. While living in Poteau his father was a time keeper for the WPA. From oil company to the WPA definitely a sign of the times.

When he was a teenager the family moved to Tujunga, California. John attended Occidental College majoring in theater. This is where he met his beloved wife, Grace-Lynne Martin.

John and Grace-Lynne Ingle

His lovely wife predeceased him in February, 2012.

Occidental College yearbook photo from Ancestry.com

The above photo is blurry because you can not copy photos from ancestry.com so I took a picture of it. You do what cha gotta do. Anyway, Mr. Ingle was a English and drama teacher at Hollywood High before becoming an actor. His students included, Richard Dreyfuss, Nicholas Cage, Barbara Hershey, David Schwimmer and many others. Upon his retirement from teaching he became an actor and we are so thankful. He played an onry character on General Hospital but in a comical and endearing way. This creative Okie will be missed.

Goodbye Mr. Ingle.

Love,

Territory Mom

The Dust Bowl - A Film By Ken Burns

2012-11-18T14:29:00.000-06:00

Hello fellow Okies!

Please don't forget to watch The Dust Bowl A Film By Ken Burns which begins tonight on PBS. I know we have heard the stories from our parents, grandparents and others who lived through it, but watch anyway. Ken Burns should do us justice.

Cousin Haskell Vest

I don't know about you but it is part of our history that I still love to hear and read about. There is always a new story to hear. You can check out the above link for interactive dust bowl, including photos, bios and more videos.

Have a great Sunday.
Love,
Territory Mom

P.S. I don't mind being called an "Okie". It is what I am.

Happy Birthday to My Mom

2012-09-26T12:09:00.002-05:00

Here she is with Miracol on her face during a slumber party. Merle Norman was new back then. That is a roll away bed to the right. To me they were so comfortable.

Here she is with a friend looking pretty as always.

On a picnic with her aunt and mom. I think they stopped to eat on their way to a revival.

Here she is with her grandma, Mama Baker, her aunts and cousins. Someone got in trouble for scribbling on this photo. Did your grandma have a cloth picture of the Last Supper on her wall?

Here she is with her mom on Easter Sunday. So pretty.

My mom shares her birthday with her great grandma, Mary Florence Webb Friels and her brother's first grandchild. My uncle shares his birthday with my mother's first grandchild. I know, so cool! This is also the anniversary of her great grandparents, Charlie Dunn and Maggie Brashear Dunn.

Family.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Have a great day.

Love,

For fun Check out my beautiful sister

Sister Baker Went To Heaven

2012-08-14T12:42:00.000-05:00

Mamie Marie Barham Baker

May 21, 1921 - August 14, 2012

She entered Heaven's gates at 1:30 am this morning.

She was born Mamie Marie Barham in Comanche, OK. She went by Marie or Sister Baker but to 7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren she was "Ma".

She was 4th daughter of John Jackson Barham and Nancy Pearl Emily Dunn Barham. She had four sisters and two brothers. On a Sunday morning in October of 1938 she married her beloved husband, Harold Jeff Baker. They got married right after Sunday School class then went to the regular Sunday morning service. They had three children, two daughters and a son.

Her husband preceeded her in death on April 20, 1998. Her daughter Haroline Baker preceded her in death on October 2, 1940. She was also preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Oleta, Johnnie, Ruth, Faye and her brother, Z.T. Barham. She is survived by her brother, Donald Barham of Oregon. She is survived by her daughter and son, 7 grandchildren, 12 grandchildren, many cousins, nephews, nieces and in-laws.

Most importantly she is survived by the many children that she led to Christ through her ministry. She was a pastor's wife. A job she cherished. She helped her husband through evangelism. They held many revivals together. She was a Sunday school teacher, children's church leader, a Missionette leader, a Women's Ministries leader, a song leader and church camp leader. The most fun a child could have was attending Vacation Bible School with my grandparents. They loved children and they loved it when a child accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

"This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine"

Brother and Sister Baker

Valentine's Banquet

First Assembly of God Church, Prague, OK

Yes, she will be missed but she was so ready to go home. I wrote this post about her a couple of years ago.

She only knew two homes, Oklahoma and now Heaven. Some might think they are the same, oh but they are not.

Goodbye Ma. I'll talk to you soon.

Happy Grandma's Day.

Love,

Territory Mom

Ancestry Day In Oklahoma Friday and Saturday, Aug. 3rd and 4th, 2012

2012-08-02T10:16:00.000-05:00

The following is from an email I received from Ancestry.com some time ago. We have been a little out of sync here in Oklahoma so I am so sorry I did not get this posted sooner. The event for Friday, August 3, 2012 was scheduled as a "Who Do You Think You Are" program and free to the public. However, if you click on any of the links it appears as "sold out". Not sure how a "free" event can be sold out. It appears that you had to register for it and they may have exceeded the limit. The register for the event was closed sometime ago. No surprise. Hopefully I can find someone that is going to attend and let us know how it goes, not a reporter but a blogger.

Ancestry.com is coming to Oklahoma!

The Oklahoma Genealogical Society and Oklahoma Historical Society Research Library
      are excited to announce their joint sponsorship of:

   Ancestry Day in Oklahoma
        Get out of the summer heat and learn about the
premier website from the experts
        Lisa Arnold, Sr. Content Strategist, Global Content Team
        Crista Cowan, the ‘Barefoot Genealogist’
When:
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Where:
Biltmore Hotel (plenty of free parking)
        401 S. Meridian
        Oklahoma City, OK
Time:
9:00am–4:00pm (doors open 8:30am)
Presentations:
        Getting the Most from Your Ancestry.com Subscription
Ancestry.com Online Trees: Navigating the Waters
        Panel of experts answer your questions about Ancestry.com and Oklahoma research
        Special Luncheon Speaker
        Please join us for an exciting day. Limited seating—register now.

Friday (Free) Event at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City
“Who Do You Think You Are?” for Beginners
        Friday Speakers from the Oklahoma Genealogical Society and the Oklahoma Historical Society

Cost:
      $35 pre-registration ($40 at the door)
      Additional $20 for Saturday luncheon speaker—buffet lunch
      You are welcome to bring your own lunch or find lunch on your own.
      To post your question for the experts, and to register online, go to okgensoc.org.
      More information about both events available on the society website.

Register Today!
Free Giveaways!
Door Prizes!

© 2012 Ancestry.com

Have a great day.
Love,
Territory Mom

Oklahoma Historical Society

15th Annual WoodyFest Begins Today

2012-07-11T10:32:00.000-05:00

The 15th Annual WoodyFest begins today in Okemah, America. This year is Woody's 100th birthday so his son, Arlo Guthrie will kick off the festivities with a concert at the newly remodeled Crystal Theater.

Not the best photo of the theater but I had to get the movie title "Brave" and the poster for my little girl.

Anyway, lots of things going on this week in Okemah and it is not going to be 110 degrees every day so check it out. For more information:

Woody Guthrie Folk Festival

For book signing information and other venues go to:

Okemah News Leader

For information about the rebuilding of Woody's childhood home and a link to Okemah's newest folk hero, John Fullbright, go here:

Newsok.com

Have a great day.

Love,

Territory Mom

Careful on the 4th - Love Andy

2012-07-04T15:44:00.000-05:00

Wasn't he the sweetest?

The Aunt Mamies

2012-06-28T08:47:00.003-05:00

The first Aunt Mamie

Mamie Brashear Lewallen Williams Vassuar

She was born on Pope Mountain near Atkins, AR on Oct 28, 1893 to Walter William Brashear and Nancy Brewer Brashear. She died and is buried in Henryetta, OK. She out lived all three of her husbands. One of her daughters was a nurse stationed at Pearl Harbor and survived the attack of December 7, 1941. Her sister was my great great grandmother, Maggie Brashear Dunn and she was the same age as my great grandmother, Nancy Pearl Emily Dunn Barham.

The second Aunt Mamie pictured here with her daughter, Dean, left and husband Charlie Barnett

She was also born on Pope Mountain on Jan 12, 1897 to Charles H. Dunn and Susan Margaret "Maggie" Brashear Dunn. She died on July 9, 1971 in Comanche, OK. She is buried in the Fairlawn Cemetery in Comanche. She owned a cafe in Comanche in late 1930's and 1940's. She was also referred to as a "preacher woman". I have a lot of those in my family. You can read more about her, here.

Cousins, Inez (the 2nd Aunt Mamie's daughter) and my grandma, Mamie Marie

The third Aunt Mamie

My grandma, never went by her first name "Mamie" so technically she is "Aunt Marie". As she got older she like her first name, Mamie and I know she loved both her Aunt Mamies. I know her mother must have thought she looked like her Aunts and so it was fitting to name her Mamie Marie. She was born in Comanche, OK to John Jackson Barham and Nancy Pearl Emily Dunn Barham. Today she is knocking on heaven's door. At 91 years old she is ready to go home. My sister told me last night that she is so ready. She has been for a long time. I wrote about it, here.

She is the last of her sisters. She still has one brother. Here she is with three of her sisters:

Johnnie, Ruth, Marie and Fay

Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling . . .

Love,
Territory Mom

Beard Like Harden

2012-05-15T08:45:00.000-05:00

Have you seen this video? "Beard Like Harden". I love Oklahoma and her creative people. I have problems posting videos from youtube, so here is another link.

This family is so creative, here is another video called "Family Jubilee".

By the way, I'm not related to these people but some members of my family are related to them.
Love,
Territory Mom

Windshield Oklahoma - Okie Graffiti

2012-05-09T13:43:00.000-05:00

Photo credit: The Lovely Redbird aka my little girl

The generous Jennifer from Gen-X - jenx67 has a weekly post called Graffiti Wednesday. Well, last week I made a comment that since I live way out in the country the only graffiti art I could do was to paint cow skulls, bed springs and other old rusty stuff. This made Jennifer happy so now I had to deliver.

So, the kids and went on a scavenger hunt about 50 feet from the house and found all of the above listed items and many more.

I found a total of five cow skulls. I washed all of the skulls and then one just fell apart. According to my husband it was stressed. Since then I have been very cautious when I take a shower so my skull won't fall apart.

Then we found an old bed spring. It's actually not that old just rusty.

I thought is was stuck in this position so my plan was to use it for my basil. My husband moved it and it came unstuck so he is going to fix it so it will not fall on little feet and I can still use it in the garden.

Now the other rusty stuff:

If you are on Pinterest then you have probably seen a old rusty rake used as a wine glass holder. Well, I decided to paint this one and hang toy bags on it. The burners are from an old stove. Paint them odd colors and use then for hot pads. Just hang the on the wall when not in use. The old wash tub is so small that I think I will just put fabric in and around it to hold the kids books. I love the old shovel but I think once my husband sees that I have salvaged it he will just put a new handle on it. It is a good one made in the USA.

Oh, since I've been using the old wheelbarrow for painting it will seen be known as Okie Graffiti too.

Have a great day and go out and paint something.

Love,

Territory Mom

Sacred White Buffalo, Lightning Medicine Cloud Found Dead

2012-05-08T14:47:00.000-05:00

Photo from: Indian Country Today

This breaks my heart. I first told about Lightning Medicine Cloud last year when he was born. My article is here.

This sacred white buffalo calf was found dead at his home, the Lakota Ranch, Greenville, TX on April 30th. His mother, Buffalo Woman, died the day after apparently she had been poisoned. Sadly his father, Gentle Ben, had died a few weeks before but from a lightning strike during a storm.

This is a tragic loss to everyone. Such a beautiful creature being destroyed for his fur.

It was reported just this past March that a hunting ranch in Hunt, Texas was offering white buffalo hunts for a large fee. After outrage from the Native American tribes the owner of the ranch said he would cease the white buffalo hunts.

From news reports the Texas Rangers are assisting with the investigation.

For more information check out this article from Indian Country and a video report with the ranch owner here from Yahoo News.

The 18th Annual Greenvillie Scholarship Native American PowWow is scheduled for this weekend at the ranch. The ranch owner, Arby Little Soilder will still hold the powwow and it was already planned to be in honor of Lightning Medicine Cloud's 1st birthday. For more information please check out the ranch's website, LightningMedicineCloud.

I Dreamed of a White Buffalo

Love,

Territory Mom

Today is Oklahoma's 9/11 - We Will Never Forget

2012-04-19T11:12:00.000-05:00

It has been 17 years since Oklahoma shook and her world and her people changed forever. We had our own 9/11 and it is 4/19.

The survivor tree from 9/11 was planted next to the OKC survivor tree at OCU yesterday. I think that is fitting. Go here for the video clip.

We all know how each of us are feeling today. It still makes us cry and especially to hear the names of the victims being read. I was trying to remember the song that all the radio stations played all the time after the bombing. It's funny how each year something pops in our mind about that time. I remember when I was shampooing a lady's hair a few weeks after the bombing. She told me she was getting a new Lincoln. She was so excited to tell me that a lady from OKC was buying her old one. The lady buying the car worked downtown and her car had been damaged during the bombing. (Can you see that image of the damaged cars?) She was going to buy another car just like her old one. It brought a little normalcy back to her life.

I do look forward to hearing stories on the news about the victims and the survivors. It is nice to know how everyone is doing and the legacies of the victims.

I'll leave you today. Below is a link to last year's post that also includes links to previous posts about this tragic day.

I Wonder - 4/19

While we will forever remember this day and our fellow Oklahomans let us never forget this man.

Love you, Oklahoma,

Territory Mom

Chuck Norris on Oklahoma 1940 Census - All 1940 Census Images on Ancestry.com Online Today

2012-04-06T08:04:00.000-05:00

Oklahoma 1940 census record, Ryan, Jefferson County, OK

From Ancestry.com:

We’re thrilled to announce that we just posted our first 1940 U.S. Census indexes online—two complete states, Nevada and Delaware.

This is only the start. You’ll also find every 1940 U.S Census image, all 3.8 million of them, online tomorrow morning (April 6, 2012). Check Facebook and Twitter @Ancestrydotcom for an announcement to know exactly when. And as we continue to update our collection, you’ll find more tools to help you make discoveries, including an enumeration-district finder and a FREE downloadable guide for locating your family in the 1940 U.S. Census images.

There’s plenty more to come in the coming weeks and months as we continue to add indexes for more states. So stay tuned and spread the word: Ancestry.com is the home of the 1940 U.S. Census!
Search Delaware and Nevada in the 1940 Census now.

Search 1940 Census

While all of the 3.8 million census images are available on online it is a little difficult to find people. This is why the indexing is so important. I will let you know when each state index is complete. That way you can search by name. Right now you can view the images by state, county, city or town. I'm been searching for my family. I found my great great aunt, Mamie Dunn Barnett in Comanche, OK, my great great uncle John Friels in Loco, OK, my husband's great great uncle, Everett Guinn in Morse, OK. Most importantly I found Chuck Norris on the Oklahoma census. That is the image above. He is listed in the 2nd family from the top. He was born Carlos Ray Norris in Ryan, Oklahoma on March 10, 1940. If you notice in the left margin the date "April 17" which I'm guessing was the date the census was taken. He was born just in time to get his name out there to the world.

from official website of Chuck Norris

My husband and his brothers all have the same photo. It couldn't have been the same pony, right?

Good luck with your searches. If you need any help, just hollar.

Love,

Territory Mom

My Grandpa's Birthday

2012-04-02T10:44:00.000-05:00

From l to r: C.H. Dunn, John Jackson Barham, Herman Paddock and Harold J. Baker

Source: My California cousin

Today my grandpa (the preacher) Harold Jeff Baker would have been 94. He was born on this day in 1918 in Loco, Oklahoma. He called it "Loooooco". His mother was a Friels and there were a lot of Friels in Loco. Anyway, he died on April 20, 1998, which means my grandma has been in a very bad mood for 14 years now.

I was going to show you how he appeared on the 1940 census but Oklahoma is not available yet.

This is how he appeared on the 1930 census:

Name:	Harold Baker
Gender:	Male
Birth Year:	abt 1919
Birthplace:	Oklahoma
Race:	White
Home in 1930:	Loco, Stephens, Oklahoma
Marital Status:	Single
Relation to Head of House:	Son
Father's Name:	Jeff Baker
Father's Birthplace:	Texas
Mother's Name:	Ida Baker
Mother's Birthplace:	Oklahoma

Household Members:

Name	Age
Jeff Baker	36
Ida Baker	36
Harold Baker	11
Harshel Baker	10
Retha Baker	4 [4 10/12]
Dimples Baker	2 [2 4/12]
Florence Friel	66

A few more children showed up after 1930. Until all of the 1940 census records are uploaded you can check out this map on Ancestry.com with photos from the era.

Also here is a link to my other posts about Baker/Friels birthdays and family. It is only interesting if you are related to me or just like old photos.

Have a great day and happy birthday, Bake.

Love,

Territory Mom

1940 US Census Available April 2, 2012

2012-03-31T10:59:00.000-05:00

In two days the 1940 US Census will be made public. Census records are only made available publicly 72 years after the date of the first census because of confidentiality concerns, access to personally identifiable information from census records is limited or restricted by Title 13 of the U.S. Code. (Source: Census.gov -Historical Background) Times have changed now all our information is on the web that I mean Facebook.

The 1940 Census was the 16th census taken. It was determined that the population in the U.S. was 132,164,569. The census included more questions than the 1930 census which directed towards employment and family issues.

Here are a list of the questions from the 1940 Census:

The 1940 census collected the following information:

address
home owned or rented
- if owned, value
- if rented, monthly rent
whether on a farm
name
relationship to head of household
sex
race
age
marital status
school attendance
educational attainment
birthplace
if foreign born, citizenship
location of residence five years ago and whether on a farm
employment status
if at work, whether in private or non-emergency government work, or in public emergency work (WPA, CCC, NYA, etc.)
- if in private or non-emergency government work, hours worked in week
- if seeking work or on public emergency work, duration of unemployment
occupation, industry and class of worker
weeks worked last year
wage and salary income last year

In addition, a sample of individuals were asked additional questions covering age at first marriage, fertility, and other topics. Full documentation on the 1940 census, including census forms and a procedural history, is available from the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series. (Source: Wikipedia)

This new census should be very helpful in your family research. You can actually find exact addresses, places of employment, etc. For some it will also be the first time we see our parents' names on the census.

Ancestry.com is letting me be a 1940 Census Ace which means they will send emails to me and others with new information and I will relay it to you. From Ancestry.com:

The National Archives and Records Administration will open the 1940 U.S. Federal Census on April 2, 2012—the first time this collection will be made available to the public. Once we receive the census, we will begin uploading census images to our site so the public can browse them. Initially, this collection will be what we call a browse-only collection. This means a person can scroll through the pages of the census districts much like you would look at a microfilm or a book. At the same time, we will be working behind the scenes to create an index of the census that will eventually allow people to search for their family members by name as they currently can with all other censuses on Ancestry.com. Note also that the 1940 U.S. Federal Census will be accessible free of charge throughout 2012 on Ancestry.com.

Did you see that "free of charge throughout 2012 on Ancestry.com". Here is the link: Ancestry.com 1940 census. Now a word of warning it is unknown at the time how long the process will take to upload the census. Every state will be different and this is alot of information going public. If you have any questions or just need some help finding your "people" let me know. I'm here to help.

Have a great day.

Love,

Territory Mom

P.S. If you are in Oklahoma only work on family research late at night. It is way too pretty outside to be on a computer inside. I'm finishing planting my garden today!

Who Do You Think You Are? and Finding Your Roots

2012-03-30T09:08:00.000-05:00

My great great grandparents, Thomas Jefferson Baker and Malissa Ann Ramsey Baker

(cir 1892, Bowie, Texas)

Have you been watching Who Do You Think You Are? I've been taping them and watching them with my kids. I have to admit that one episode was pretty dull (you can probably guess which one) but I continued to watch and so far the rest of the episodes have been very interesting.

Tonight's episode features Rita Wilson. Don't you just love her? Did you know she was on an episode of Brady Bunch in 1972? She is a big fashion icon too. If you tweet her with a fashion question she will answer you, just ask my sister (so cool).

Anyway, tonight's episode is pretty emotional. I cried just during the clip. So tune in tonight at 8/7c on NBC. My kids enjoy watching too. It gets my daughter asking questions about her family and history and geography. Note to self: get a globe.

Also, last Sunday night was the first and second episodes of a ten part series on PBS, Finding Your Roots with Louis Gates, Jr. This show is extremely interesting and informative. You can watch the full episodes at the link above.

While WDTYA uses DNA testing through Ancestry.com Finding Your Roots uses DNA testing through 23andme.com. I've done a DNA test through 23 and me and it is a little confusing. Maybe because I'm not a scientist, but on the show it appears that it is easy to understand. Do your research before buying any DNA test kits. You don't want to spend a lot of money on something that is too complication to understand.

So there is your genealogy entertainment news for the day.
Have a great weekend.
Love,
Territory Mom

My Front Yard

2012-03-16T14:25:00.000-05:00

This is what we saw Tuesday evening. God always let you know that He's got your back.

Skywatch Friday

Have a great weekend.

Love,

Territory Mom

Skywatch Friday - Climbing Mountains

2012-02-24T08:34:00.000-06:00

This is a big mountain to Redbird. It is actually the pond dam. She climbs up it pretending to be a Kentucky Mountain Horse. I love that this is the only place she has lived and she can use her imagination all day. I'm not sure why she is giving me that look though.

For more beautiful "sky" photos check out Skywatch Fridays.

Have a great day.

Love,

Territory Mom

The House That Built Whitney - New Hope Baptist Church and The Drinkard Singers

2012-02-15T16:11:00.000-06:00

New Hope Baptist Church, Newark, NJ from Chron.com

On the site of New Hope Baptist Church, Newark is this scripture:

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD,

thoughts of peace, and not of evil,
to give you an expected end

Jeremiah 29:11

As you know Whitney Houston began her musical career at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark and this Saturday her family and friends will say goodbye to her in the same church.

New Hope began as a mission in the home of Addie and Maggie Vine and elected its first pastor, Rev. Jesse Williams in 1903.

Sometime between 1920 and 1930, John Drinkard, Jr. and his wife Susan moved their family from Georgia to New Jersey. John was Native American and Susan was part Dutch and part African American. The name "Drinkard" means the running of water. One of their children was Nitcholas A. Drinkard, "Nitch" and he married Delia McCaskill and together they had eight children. Nitch wanted his children to be gospel singers and in the late 1930's four of the children began singing at New Hope as the Drinkard Four. The group consisted of Emily Drinkard (later known as Cissy Houston), brothers, Nick and Larry and sister, Anne. Older sister Lee, managed the group. Lee, later became the mother of singers, Dee Dee and Dionne Warwick. As the group expanded to include sister, Marie and Judy Clay (Lee's adopted daughter) they became known as the Drinkard Singers.

They became the first gospel group to sing with Mahelia Jackson when they performed together at the National Baptist Convention in the early 1950's. In 1957 they became the first gospel group to sign with RCA. Over the next few years the group made changes and became known as the Sweet Inspirations. They sang with the Warwick sisters, Elvis and Aretha Franklin and it all started at New Hope. There should be a movie about them.

You can listen to the group on youtube.com or go here. I promise you will be lifted up.

Now when I was searching videos about New Hope I found one that included our own Oklahoma child, Gwen Guthrie. I first wrote about Ms. Guthrie, here. She was born in Okemah and shares a birthday with Woody Guthrie, July 14th. I have to send you to youtube again at this link so you can listen to Ms. Guthrie singing "How Great Thou Art" at New Hope. She is the one at the podium with the choir being led by Whitney's aunt, Anne Drinkard Moss (red robe). This video is before 1999 because Ms. Guthrie died in 1999 at the tender age of 48.

Wouldn't you just love to go to New Hope and listen to all the beautiful music?

During news reports I've seen New Hope's pastor and I thought to myself, "what a compassionate man" and so I had to learn more about him.

The current pastor, Rev. Joe A. Carter is only the sixth pastor in the church's history. In 1980, Pastor Carter told his father, Rev. Henry B. Carter, Sr. that he had the desire to preach the gospel and so on March 16, 1980 at the tender age of nine, Joe A. Carter gave his first sermon in Oklahoma City, OK. It was from Gensis 1:1; entitled "The Magic of God".

You can find out more about Pastor Carter from New Hope's website.

As Christians we know Whitney is in a better place and you know she'll get to sing all the solos in her new Angel Choir.

Goodbye, Whitney,

. . . you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.

1 Chronicles 28:20

Love,

Territory Mom

The Drinkard Singers

Allmusic.com-Drinkard Singers

Anne Drinkard Moss

Who Do You Think You Are? Season 3

2012-01-27T08:57:00.000-06:00

From: duckman.pettho.com

Next Friday, Feb. 3rd will be the premiere of season 3 of Who Do You Think You Are? on NBC. This season we will take a journey with twelve new celebrities, Blair Underwood, Martin Sheen, Marisa Tomei, Rita Wilson, Paula Deen, Helen Hunt, Jerome Bettis, Rashida Jones(she is Quincy's daughter), Edie Falco,

Jason Sudeikis (so funny), Rob Lowe and Oklahoma's own, Reba McEntire. According to twitter @reba, our girl's episode will air March 2nd.

I love to hear their stories and see their reaction when they hear about a new discovery in their family. We all have a very interesting family history and a story to tell. I have been researching my family for over 10 years now and I'm just glad I'm not famous. I'll tell my own secrets.

I hope you enjoy the show. Watch every episode because sometimes the least famous celebrity will have the most interesting story.

Also, last year when I posted about the beginning of season 2 we were in the middle of one of own Oklahoma blizzards. Not so this year.

Have a great day.

Love,

Territory Mom

Kevin Durant 4th Annual Youth Basketball Camp-OKC

2012-01-23T12:58:00.001-06:00

Kevin Durant to Host 4th Annual Youth Basketball Camp

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma– Oklahoma City Thunder Forward and NBA Superstar will host his 4th annual youth basketball camp. The Kevin Durant ProCamp in partnership with The Oklahoman will be held this summer.

Durant will be on site to direct camp activates and provide instruction. He will be joined by a selection of the top prep and collegiate coaches from the Oklahoma City area. The camp is open to boys and girls ages 7 to 18.

The camp will feature various instructional stations specializing in fundamental skills and the team concept of basketball. Groups will be based on camper age and will be small to ensure that each camper gets personalized instruction.

Each camper will receive an autographed camp team photo with Durant, a camp T-shirt and the opportunity to participate in contests. Cost of the camp is $199.

Camp partners include Homeland, OSSO, Clear Channel and The Oklahoman.

With the current success of Durant, spots will be limited and campers are encouraged to register early.

Additional information and registration is available by visiting www.procamps/kevindurant.com or calling 888-389-CAMP (2267).

I wish I was between the ages and 7 tand 18.
Love,
Territory Mom

Has It Been 35 Years - The Cast of Roots Join Oprah Tonight

2012-01-16T15:36:00.001-06:00

It is hard to believe that it has been 35 years since we first saw the miniseries, Roots. Beginning Sunday, January 23, 1977 through Saturday, January 30, 1977, America was glued to the TV to watch the family of Alex Haley.

I was 11 years old and in the 6th grade. It was for me extremely informative yet frightening. The only thing I knew about slavery was from watching Gone With The Wind. So, I did my best to understand slavery, but really I couldn't. How could a little white girl living in the Midwest understand it?

I remember that my entire family watch together. It was very violent. The truth is sometimes violent. No one wanted to miss any of it. Back in 1977 we didn't know it would someday be available on DVD, we didn't even have VHS back then.

I think for me Roots was about discovery. I listened to every interview of Alex Haley. I was so impressed with his family research. I remember the final scenes of the movie where he goes to his ancestral village in Africa and listens to the stories of his family. Sometimes all we have is a story, but sometimes that is all we need to begin our quest for the truth.

Tonight on OWN The cast will join Oprah at 8/7 central. It will be nice to see familiar faces.

Happy Martin Luther King Day.

Love,

Territory Mom