by Lucy on April 10, 2009
Openings ... Possibilities
We discovered a Holy Place on earth.
Winding out of Tulsa one morning and heading north on the road to Pawhuska in Osage Nation — that’s where the map took us. We stopped frequently to poke around old ruins and soak up the scenery of this magic land.
One side road led to this old stone ruin. A church or a school, perhaps. Doors opening into spaces invaded by the prairie grasses and flowers. Windows open to wind and rain. Roof open to the sky. All open to possibilities.
A perfect archway for photos.
Seed pods in my pocket.
Hungry horses across the fence.
And it was only the first step on our journey to the TallGrass Prairie. Why didn’t we hurry on?
Because we did not know what awaited!
by Lucy on April 10, 2009
The Hawk is a Messenger
We always see Him, don’t we? Everywhere in our travels, we see the Hawk!
What made us take this little side road east, when clearly we were headed north to the TallGrass Prairie? It was the Hawk.
Perhaps he just wanted to tell us about the Prairie … to let us know that we were embarking on a Holy Journey. One that would keep us coming back to this quiet place many times.
by Lucy on April 10, 2009
Once covering more than 140 million acres in North America, the TallGrass prairie is now mostly relegated to a part of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. The TallGrass Prairie Preserve in Oklahoma is managed by The Nature Conservancy. It was originally part of the old Chapman-Barnard Ranch.
According to an interview with Frederick Drummond, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees — James A. Chapman and Horace G. Barnard, owners and operators for many years of the Chapman-Barnard Ranch, were marvelous stewards of the land. Because of their care for the property, the preserve is not much different today than what was years ago when the original herds of bison roamed the prairie.
The headquarters of the preserve is in the historic Barnard Ranch Bunkhouse where Ben Johnson entertained the “Duke”, John Wayne. This area is a popular film location for major motion picture companies. Although we have since found that Kevin Costner was not here for his own film, Dances with Wolves, it would have made the perfect setting.
That is why we have brought along the CD from this movie. Because it’s the perfect music to go hunting buffy with …
