In war, a foxhole is a space in the ground that troops use as a shelter against enemy fire. When you're on the line, leaving that foxhole is a dangerous and potentially fatal action. The COVID-19 Pandemic isn't war - but I feel the risk when I leave the house. I have to have a … Continue reading Out of the Foxhole
It's odd how the days in 2020 seem to stretch on forever, yet at the same time they become a compressed, jumbled mess in my memory. A lot of that is COVID, sure, but part of that is grief and other stresses. The last few months I've done some scattered traveling but all of my … Continue reading Pieces of the Road
The vast majority of travelers that spend time on Historic Route 66 are familiar with the 2006 Disney/Pixar film Cars. The animated movie tells the story of Lightning McQueen, a race car that finds himself stuck in the small western Route 66 town of Radiator Springs. The town is the home of many colorful characters … Continue reading The Cars Story and Route 66
A few days ago, Tulsa's city council passed an ordinance that requires masks to be worn at all times in public to help curb the spread of COVID-19. As is the case everywhere in this country right now, it was met with a mixture of support and anger. I've wondered how Tulsa dealt with the … Continue reading Tulsa’s Experience: The Influenza of 1918
We had Mom's services today in Barnsdall, Oklahoma. It's the town where she grew up and a place that she dearly loved. About 30 of us gathered together under a small awning at the new cemetery. That's a real small-town direction, isn't it? "It's not at the OLD cemetery, it's at the NEW cemetery!" Most … Continue reading Remembering Lory Martin
At the beginning of 2020, the first half of my year had several excursions on the books. I was going to Springfield, Missouri for a Route 66 conference in March, we were taking Mom to Disney World in April (her first time back since 1998), and I planned to finally see Wyoming as part of … Continue reading A Worthwhile Journey
I miss a lot of things in the COVID-19 World. I miss seeing my friends, I miss taking road trips, I miss eating out. One of the things I miss most, at least the way it used to be, is grocery shopping. For most of my adult life, it's been an almost spiritual experience. I … Continue reading Comfort Foods
On March 20, 2020 I made an impulse purchase. It had been eight days since Mom's unexpected passing. My brother and I had decided to postpone the services due to COVID-19. Her ashes had just been placed on the fireplace, next to her Dad's mandolin and her Mom's tambourine, where they still wait for interment. … Continue reading Animal Crossing
This is an emotional, personal post. I'm not sure when I'll return to my travelogues, especially considering current events. Just a heads up! On Thursday, March 12th, I learned that my sweet mother passed away. It still doesn't feel real; the news was completely unexpected. We have had to postpone her services due to a … Continue reading Dearly Departed
The eastern portions of 11th Street in Tulsa (also known as Route 66) resemble more of a rural highway than a city road. Homes and empty fields make up most of the landscape with an occasional church or small business hanging on to life. Near 133rd East Avenue, a sign on the south side of … Continue reading The Story of Thrifty
