OKLAHOMA Corridor Magazine_September 2022

Oklahoma

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CORRIDOR Magazine S E P TE M B E R 2 0 2 2 / VO LU M E I / I ss u e V I I

A Magazine About Your Oklahoma Corridor

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OUR COVER

FALL

is a great time in Oklahoma!

Standing in front of Jack’s Place in Agra, OK is (L to R) Eric and Lesia Campbell and daughter, Taylor Hale.

Jack’s Place is Agra’s newest business and eatery. It’s a family operation including Lesia’s sisters who make all the homemade desserts that you will desperately want to try! Let them know you saw the write up on Jack’s Place in our October dining issue of OKLAHOMA Corridor Magazine.

Check out the cover story on page 6.

PHOTO by CRYSTL’S PHOTOGRAPHY

Watch our OCTOBER ISSUE for some fun Fall activities in our GREAT STATE!

BIA

BRANSTETTER INSURANCE AGENCY, LLC P.O. Box 1572 / Cushing, OK / 918-225-7522 / FAX: 918-225-7523

GARY BRANSTETTER 1437 East Main / Cushing, OK

PUBLISHED BY OKLAHOMA CORRIDOR MAGAZINE, LLC PUBLISHER:

Trudy Evans (918) 223-1044 okcorridor@gmail.com

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405-547-2456

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EDITORIAL ADVISORY:

Jeree Milligan, Rick Reiley, Diane Brown, Pastor Paul Ragle, Alana Owen, Allison Eldredge and Emma Bryan

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Owner / Craftsman: Bo Allsbrook ©2022. All rights reserved. Reproduction without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. All requests for permission and reprints must be made in writing to Oklahoma Corridor Magazine, at the above address. Advertising claims and the views expressed in this magazine do not necessarily represent those of the publishers or its affiliates.

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Solid Surface

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5

Editorial

by Trudy Evans

6 Jack’s Place

by Trudy Evans

IN THIS ISSUE...

12 A Window into Fine Wine and

Out of State Exotic Dining

by Alana Owen 14

18

OUR SEPTEMBER 2022 FEATURE STORY: A WINDOW INTO FINE WINE and OUT OF STATE EXOTIC DINING

Restaurants and Food Service - A Great First Time Employment Opportunity

by Emma Bryan Prague Pumpkin Festival

20

A Painted History

by Allison Eldredge

22

Notes on the OKLAHOMA Corriodr

by Rick Reiley

24

Delilah’s Dilemmas

by Diane Brown

28

OKLAHOMA Corridor KIDS

by Jeree Milligan

34

Recipes

by Jeree Milligan

by Alana Owen / Page 12

STOP BY FOR SOME PIZZA...

Top it off with a cup of our delicious java with your Arbuckle Mountain Fried Pie!

809 Broadway Davenport, OK

918-377-6640

Monday-Saturday 6am to 9pm Sunday 8am to 6pm O K LA HO M A C OR R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 4

D

iners, dives, drive ins! Restaurants, cafes, fast food. Whatever you call them they all provide the same thing – food!

And we all need food.

My very first job as a young teenager in the late 70s was at the Dairy Hut, AKA Snackette in Yale, OK. I believe my starting pay was $1.20 per hour. It was the perfect job. My family had just moved here from California, so what better way to meet all the kids in town than working at the local hangout! It was a great job! I’m probably the only one who enjoyed it.

The Snackette is still taking and filling food orders today. They have been in the business for more than 60 years, and amazingly also has been run by the same owner, Mary Doll, who sadly passed away several months ago.

What they offered were some cold metal chairs with a small side table attached on the left side I believe. The table was big enough to hold your hamburger, fries and coke. Easy to clean, too! And in the eating area was a jukebox! We employees always got our allotment of painted quarters per shift to feed the juke box. And, oh the songs we played!

Several years after I left, the owner added a nice sized room to hold seven or eight booths, plus a round table. Kayla and I make the short trip to the Snackette about once a month. I tend to look up at the old metal awning to see the same hole my brother made with our old winch truck forty years ago.

Then we always order the homemade onion rings. They are the bomb!

Restaurants come and go in all towns, but not the Dairy Hut. When I started there, they did not offer dining room seating.

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Let’s Go to Jack’s Place

PHOTO by CRYSTL’S PHOTOGRAPHY

by TRUDY EVANS

A

gra, OK, a little town in central Oklahoma with a population of a little over 300, is sporting a new family restaurant that is putting that little town on the map. It’s been open for about seven months and well worth the drive.

The owner, Lesia Campbell, had a talk with God one day and simply asked, “Lord show me what it is you want me to do with my life”. Very shortly she drove by this little building on Main Street just as she always did half a dozen times each day. And that day she saw a For Sale sign in the window. Little did she realize, that sign had been there for awhile.

Soon after seeing that sign, on December 29, 2021 papers were signed, and Jack’s Place opened February 4, 2022. Lesia says everything just fell into place. Following the For Sale sign sighting, she prayed to God once more and said, “If this is it, here are my mountains. Move them.” And move them He did, and in only about 37 days Jack’s Place was a reality.

Jack’s Place is named after Lesia’s father, Jack Fick Sr. He was a pillar of the community. He would feed hungry folks, and give them a job to make a few bucks. So, how better to honor a terrific human being?

You won’t see any TVs because Lesia says you have them at home. What you will find is people talking with one another – actual face to face communication, and customers sharing tables with friends and family!

Home cooked by a handful of hard workers whom Lesia feels blessed to have, including Lesia’s daughter Taylor Hale, your meal is delivered to your table, with a

large quart jar of sweet tea or your favorite beverage.

When you’re finished, you may see Lesia’s husband, Eric Campbell, clearing the tables. During your meal, he may be the one refilling your drink or just visiting with the patrons. It’s a family thing and she is appreciative to them for the help, love and support.

Breakfast, lunch or dinner? It’s all delicious. But… have I mentioned the desserts? They are ALL homemade by Lesia’s sisters. Marsha Laxton makes the pies and cakes and Teresa Allen makes the cheesecake. And as you can see pictured above, they are beautiful and mouth watering! My personal favorite is the coconut cream pie, but don’t overlook the German Chocolate cake or the cheesecake or the.....many other choices.

In case you came for breakfast, you could try the Breakfast Bowls, Breakfast Burritos, or the usual egg, toast, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, plus they even offer keto friendly items such as avocado Egg Toast, and tasty salads.

For lunch or dinner you could start off with an appetizer or go straight for the meal including steaks, burgers, grilled chicken breast and more. Be sure to check their daily specials on their Facebook page.

Breakfast is served from 7:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m., with lunch from 10:30 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Dinner, on Tuesday and Friday nights, is from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Make the short drive, or the long drive to Agra, OK. You will not be disappointed. And please mention that you saw this story in the OKLAHOMA Corridor Magazine story and watch Lesia’s eyes light up. n

O K LA HO M A C OR R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 6

5 N. MAIN ST. / AGRA, OK

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~ HOURS ~ Tuesday & Friday 7am - 2pm / 4 pm - 8pm Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday 7am - 2pm

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918-387-4200 O K LA HO M A C O R R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 8

THINK BIG THIS SCHOOL YEAR

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O K LA HO M A C OR R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 1 1

A WINDOW INTO

Fine Wine and Out of State Exotic Dining My West Coast roots, combined with approaching two decades as an Oklahoman, makes for a dynamic collision of the palates and food preferences.

PHOTO by ALANA OWEN

by ALANA OWEN

Pictured are Owen family grapes, transplanted from the family vineyard to Oklahoma.

The grapes produced the best crop yet this year, since they were planted in Oklahoma soil in 2009.

I

was especially excited to hear the September issue is featuring dining. My West Coast roots, combined with approaching two decades as an Oklahoman, makes for a dynamic collision of the palates and food preferences.

Growing up connected to agriculture and marrying into a family with a lifetime of crop production makes me take great interest in growing food. When my motherin-law passed away, we took cuttings of the family grape vineyard and planted the bare branches in Oklahoma.

Much to our surprise, several years later they have continued to hold on and prosper.

Everyone has been distracted by the drought, my husband and I included. Yet while I was out watering the garden and taking stock of the casualties, I peeked into the darkness beneath the grape leaves to find the most prolific crop of grapes since transplanting our family roots in Okie soil. It was nearly overlooked. A reminder that nature brings balance, and bleakness can bring opportunities, if we are willing to look. It would seem the drier than normal conditions this year eliminated the rust, mildew, and ripe rot, among other things. The crop was so successful this year we were able to eat our fill and make grape jelly to share.

My husband’s family began producing grapes in the 1980s and created a beautiful vineyard in the 1990s,

harvesting and selling the grapes under contract for wine production. A few bottles of the wine still remain on a countertop in our kitchen, although we lost my husband’s parents in several years back. My husband’s brother, who remains in California, is now retired and works at a bay area winery. I asked what made him want to continue working in a vineyard when he does not need to. He responded, “I always liked all aspects of the wine business, going back to the days of starting the business with my parents. The majority of the time I welcome visitors to the winery and introduce them to all of the wines. I meet people from all over the world.”

I interviewed two wineries along the Oklahoma corridor to discuss their businesses, how they started, and where they sell their products. Near me physically is the Sparks Vineyard & Winery. I visited with JL Gilbert who runs the winery with his wife, I-Na Chao. The pair were looking for something to do, possibly easier, while approaching their retirement years. Yet as the business has grown, they are working harder now than they did during their 50s.

The couple started Sparks winery in 1998 and opened in 2001. The winery resides on 970 Road in Sparks and is open Saturday and Sunday from 11 to 4, and by special appointment for other events or visits.

The location was recently upgraded to include a confer-

O K LA HO M A C O R R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 1 2

and generous with his time. Rob referred to owner Margaret (and Andy) Schaben as a second mom.

The family bought 180 acres as a family venture and began producing grapes in 2010. They planted 4,000 vines on 35 acres after some friends expressed interest in wine making.

The Sublime Sangria is the vineyard’s most popular wine. The wine is sold at stores such as Homeland, as well as many Oklahoma liquor stores.

Rob expects the business to be

PHOTO PROVIDED Sparks Vineyard and Winery places their bottles on display upon entrance to the building. . The presentation adds the the decor, while making it easy to select purchases.

ence room and has hosted some smaller weddings recently. The business began with dry wines and eventually evolved more varieties including the sweet wines. A customer favorite is the Deep Fork Red. When I asked JL what his favorite wine was, he responded, “I just don’t make anything I wouldn’t want to drink myself.” The wines are marketed online and are found in many liquor and grocery stores such as Crest and Homeland. The wines’ sales have increased to the point that JL has had to limit distribution. He explained this is primarily due to the changes to Oklahoma liquor laws allowing additional places to send the product to market. My favorite part of the interview with JL was learning about awards and wine and food pairings. When asked about awards, JL explained, “To us the gold medal is when the customer tries it, likes it, and buys the wine.” I inquired about the best way to decide which wine to match with which type of food, and JL was quick to answer. “It used to be red wine with red meat, and white wine with white meat; now the rule is you drink the wine you like with the food you enjoy eating.”

The second winery I chatted with was Wild Horse Canyon Farms in Luther. Rob Pierce, a family friend of the owner and operations manager of the winery, was pleasant

PHOTO PROVIDED Wild Horse Canton Farms proudly displays one of their wines overlooking their vineyard located in Luther, OK

ready to sell and ship wine using the operation’s website later this year.

Rob advised customers should begin looking for the popular Red Plum wine to return this fall. Production was halted in the recent past due to a shortage of sand plums, yet recently the supply has been sufficient.

Both wineries attend local events such as farmer’s markets, state fairs, and other wine related events.

Now for the fine eatery out of state. Al the Wop’s, constructed in 1915, is located in California within the town of Locke on the Sacramento Delta. Locke was established

by Chinese migrants and the history is seen and felt throughout the almost forgotten border-line ghost town. I have been frequenting the restaurant since I was a small child with my mother. The restaurant has been serving steak with jam as long as I can recall. More recently tables

are decorated with peanut butter and peppers. The establishment was purchased recently by a couple who have redone the inside slightly with white paint, and it appears they removed all the dollar bills on the ceiling, some older than me, and rehung them strategically, again on the ceiling. Al is long since passed but some of his comments in years back about the restaurant included wanting to make it a place for the working man to come in, relax, and leave your worries behind. I recall one specific time I visited Al’s as a teenager and one of those nice-looking young teens stopped in for lunch with the farmer he worked for. I made eyes at him, but it stopped there as my mother was with me. Years later I discovered my husband frequented the same place nearly weekly while working the fields with the farmers.

I like to think that was him I saw that day all those years ago, and with each trip to California our first stop is the place we first saw one another, at the infamous Al the Wop’s. If you are looking for an eccentric place to dine outside of Sacramento, there is no other like Al’s in the town of Locke.

No dress code, no pretenses. It remains today just the way Al wanted it. A bucket list visit for sure.

Cheers fellow Oklahomans, I hope you enjoy your fall food and wine destinations. n

PHOTO by STEVE MARTARANO Patrons surround the bar at Al the Wops, a quirky little restaurant located in the small delta town of Locke, outside of Sacramento, CA. The ceiling holds dollar bills the restaurant has collected from customers since its opening in 1915.

O K LA HO M A C O R R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 1 3

RESTAURANTS AND FOOD SERVICE ...a great first-time employment opportunity!

by EMMA BRYAN

W

henever you’re meeting up with a friend, family member, or coworker, going out to eat is often a good idea. You might be able to try new foods, or pick an old favorite. Restaurants are made for interactions like that. Whether it’s a higher end place or a smaller and less fancy eatery, there’s no denying that dining somewhere that isn’t home is a treat to many.

Working in some form of food service is often a first or at least an early job for many teens, too. It’s a good chance to learn how to cooperate in a workspace and get job experience for future work opportunities. Though it’s not without its challenges, of course. Angry customers and minor accidents often come with employment opportunities in food industry as well. It is possible to avoid much of this, but not always. It just depends on the day.

Eating at a restaurant is always an interesting experience. Fun stories arise either from telling them to your friends and family or just being around other groups and having a listening ear. Even the servers that take dishes

to and from tables may often a story, and maybe even without words. Perhaps someone will have an interesting pair of earrings, or a different style than you usually see on wait staff. Sometimes you might see individuals in full costume if you go to the right place at the right time.

Or a proposal could happen at the table across from you, not to mention the birthdays and anniversaries that often end up being celebrated in restaurants and diners.

There’s even a chance that going to a late-night diner could land you a front row seat to some showtunes if the local high school just had a musical to perform. It’s all a matter of timing. That’s all it is.

Here’s a little joke for you: What’s a musician’s favorite pastry? A drumroll! Have a good day, OKLAHOMA Corridor Magazine reader. I’ll see you next month!

Emma Bryan is the niece of OKLAHOMA Corridor Magazine Owner/Publisher, Trudy Evans. She is a Sophomore in high school in Manhattan, KS

O K LA HO M A C OR R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 1 4

Cushing

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918-225-2400 / 1301 E MAIN ST / www.cushingchamber.org / CUSHING, OK O K LA HO M A C O R R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 1 5

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O K LA HO M A C OR R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 1 8

Good health begins with great primary care.

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Previously The Corridor Magazine, we are UNDER BRAND NEW OWNERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

We want to bring you interesting stories about interesting folks who live in this interesting place we call the OKLAHOMA Corridor!

We’d love to get to know you and hear your story ideas!

We’d also love to get your business advertising message out to all the folks in this area!

We distribute the OKLAHOMA Corridor Magazine to these great towns and hope to expand to others in the future...

CUSHING / CHANDLER / DAVENPORT / STROUD / BRISTOW STILLWATER / PERKINS / MANNFORD / DRUMRIGHT

MEEKER / PRAGUE / LUTHER / YALE / AGRA / OILTON

KELLYVILLE / SPARKS / TRYON / ARCADIA / WELLSTON

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL TRUDY EVANS @ 918-223-1044 O K LA HO M A C OR R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 1 9

A PAINTED HISTORY Twenty years ago (give or take a year or two) Cushing was the hot spot for a mural painting crew.

Bob Palmer and students from UCO descended on the town and painted several murals.

by ALLISON ELDREDGE

M

R. Palmer is the owner of Palmer Studios LLC: Murals & More. His work is displayed in the book Painting Oklahoma and Beyond. Check out Red Dirt Gallery on Facebook. His gallery is in Wellston, OK. That summer when Bob and his students arrived to paint a mural on the side of Opal’s at 113 W. Broadway, his intention was to paint a mural of a watering hole. Before he started this project, Dale Gillespie entered into the picture.

Dale is the owner of several Studebaker automobiles.

Dale had a different idea for the mural. Bob said that out of 4500+ murals that he has painted, only one was ever changed from his original vision….and Dale is the reason this one changed.

Dale’s view was for a mural of old cars on Broadway with the old store fronts of Cushing. He offered his cars as models. He told Bob that if he couldn’t drive them there to be models that he would bring pictures. And that is what he did. The Mural is a wonderful piece containing old cars and trucks, a tractor, storefronts and brick streets. The far end of the mural was damaged by an

O K LA HO M A C OR R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 2 0

earthquake and was patched; however, the signatures of the artists were lost in the damage. It is interesting to see some of the changes in the storefronts. The side of Opal’s that the mural is painted on is now an open lot. And things that haven’t changed, such as the corner building with the corner entrance.

Fast forward to this summer. Dale Gillespie wanted to meet with Bob Palmer again. What better place for a reunion than at the Mural?

The stories started flowing as soon as they were reunited; stories about the mural, stories about the other murals in town, stories about the cars, and stories about life.

Bob told us stories about his students. One was afraid of heights but was able to work around that fear by using an extender. Dale told us stories about his cars and the cars in the mural. He named them off so quickly that I couldn’t keep up.

Bob presented a signed copy of his book to Dale.

Pictures were taken. Then Dale tells us that the hat he is wearing belonged to his grandfather who was a Cherokee Strip Cowboy on the 101 Ranch. The hat (which is in amazing condition) is at least 120 years old.

Dale invited us all back to his home and the picture of history that he has experienced was painted in even more vivid colors, including such unique pieces of details that were not visible until we listened to the stories.

Bob has a way of bringing out the stories and details, not only in his murals and paintings, but also in the conversations about life and history. It was a great blessing to be there listening to the stories and events come to life.

Dale has pictures spanning decades and the stories that they contain are stunning.

Dale showed us the picture of the Old Timers and Families Cowboy Reunion at Millers Bros 101 Ranch from September 1921. His grandfather is fourth from the left.

Bob told us that he had done a mural of the ranch in Ponca City. Two different stories, yet a connection between them.

Art depicts history, ideas and stories. Unique and historical stories lead to art. It is a wonderful circle. n

Bob Palmer presents a signed copy of his book to Dale Gillespie

Opal’s building today

Corner building looking toward Opal’s today

Mural with corner building looking toward Opal’s then

Old Timers and Families Cowboy Reunion at 101 Ranch / Sept 1921

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L I V E

M U S I C

O P P O R T U N I T I E S

N OOKLAHOMA T E S CORRIDOR ON THE

with RICK REILEY

The Return of

HATTIE MAE A few years ago, a young girl from Perkins, Hattie Mae Lloyd, dropped in to a couple of Tuesday night Music Club sessions.

This youngster had her acoustic guitar in handa Collings dreadnought, (one of those fine instruments hand crafted in Texas). You don’t often see this quality instrument at front porch or living room gatherings in my neck of the woods. At least I haven’t seen many.

And especially not in the hands of one so young. I was immediately intrigued.

Hattie, about 17 at the time, had a quiet, unpretentious demeanor. She strapped on her guitar, grabbed a pick and joined the song circle, quietly waiting her turn.

When it finally came and she began strumming, I knew we were in for a treat.

Her light, airy, confident voice and excellent guitar playing was something I remember very well.

When she launched into John Fullbright’s ‘Unlocked Doors’ you coulda knocked me over with a feather! It was a remarkable interpretation of a remarkable song.

She also did a cover of the Turnpike Troubadours, ‘Diamonds and Gasoline’, another gem. She then followed up with an original of hers, ‘Talk’ which is included in her new EP. I recently contacted her to ask for an update and here

are the results.

RR: Please tell me a little about yourself.

Where were you born?

HM: I was born in the town of Drumright, my parents were on the way to Tulsa and I decided to not wait that long so they had to stop there!

RR: Where are you living now?

HM: I recently moved back to my hometown of Perkins after living in Tulsa for 2 years.

RR: When did music begin to be a force in your life?

HM: Music has always been there, my family is very musical but it really became a force when I was about 16 or 17 when I started writing songs.

RR: Who were your early influences?

HM: My early influences were mostly bluegrass Artists like Allison Krauss and Ricky Skaggs

RR: Do you come from a musical family?

HM: My family is very musical we all play and instrument and all of us can carry a tune

RR: Any Okie influences?

HM: Okie influences have

been John fullbright, Woody

Guthrie and Byron berline.

RR: How did you come to start playing guitar?

HM: I got my first guitar for my 15th birthday and I learned

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the basics from some of my older sister’s books.

RR: How did your latest project, due for release on August 5th, come about?

HM: So I’ve been sitting on the EP for about a year trying to get all the kinks worked out. I’m just trying to share what I’ve created in hopes it’ll resonate with someone.

I recorded it at AMR Studio in Tulsa. The sound engineer goes by the name of Stephen Adwell and he has a great space for creating. I was able to have a couple friends play on it so that was fun.

RR: Who do you listen to for comfort or inspiration?

HM: I listen to Mandolin Orange/ Watchouse for comfort and inspiration.

The way they string their songs together is so amazing.

RR: Who do you listen to for fun?

HM: When I’m in the mood to dance or want something

I’ve heard too many sad guitar stories, if the Collings was still in her possession. She answered ”YES!!!!l” loudly. She only takes it out on special occasions. She says it’s an heirloom and she intends to keep it that way. It’s good to hear a guitar ‘saved’ story. I’ve heard too many stolen guitar stories, guitars lost to pawn shops or other unfortunate circumstances.

Hattie Mae’s new EP simply titled, ‘It Goes’, contains 4 original songs with a light touch of accompaniment. It’s available on most streaming platforms.

They’re all good but I especially like ‘It Goes’. A song about loving the one you can’t have and learning to live with it graciously. Her voice is lightly reminiscent of Iris DeMent. It’s a sweet breath of fresh air and I highly approve!

upbeat I like to listen to Latin pop or funk, songs that have beats that you can’t help but move to!

RR: What cover songs are your favorites to perform?

HM: Mumford and Son, ‘Where Are You Now’ and ‘Hey Adam’ by Mandolin Orange.

RR: When you moved to Tulsa what did you do there?

HM: I went to ‘hair school’ and worked there for a while.

Until the pandemic kicked in. …

So with time on her hands she began to spend time in downtown Tulsa at the Gypsy Coffee House seeking out other musicians and exploring the music scene. There she met Adam Weingarten, a drummer and Dave Yancey, a guitarist who turned out to be instrumental in her recent recording.

Then the time came to move back to Perkins and hang out her shingle as a hair cutter. She works during the day in Stillwater at Great Clips.

In August she performed with Rigby Summer at Down

by Downtown (DXDT) in downtown Enid and also performed at a song swap in Tulsa at the infamous Hunt Club.

I asked if she had a favorite memory as a performer.

She said, “I sure do!” And proceeded to tell me about playing Leonard Cohen’s masterpiece, ‘Hallelujah’ at a Christmas church service. She explained afterwards a lady came to her and told her the song had been sung at her sister’s funeral and she felt a little uncomfortable about it at the time. But after hearing it again from Hattie, she felt both comforted and reassured. A fine complement indeed!

In recent photos I noticed she was playing a Breedlove guitar. Very nice guitars but not on the same level as the first one I saw her play. I asked, timidly, because

This may well turn out to be heirloom quality music as well! The new EP ‘It Goes’ can be found on most streaming platforms.

To find our more you can find her on Instagram where her handle is _Hattie_Mae .

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DELILAH’SDILEMMAS “You were married five times,” Lizzy said nonchalantly, forking a bite of pasta. “Right, Delilah?”

Delilah froze. “Right,” she replied.

“How did you know that?”

“Y

ou told me,” Lizzy said with wry smile. “Yesterday, on the way to town. You don’t remember?”

Delilah didn’t remember because Delilah did not say anything to Lizzy about her five husbands yesterday or any other day prior to their jaunt to town. As tempted as she was to call Lizzy out, she couldn’t.

At present Dooby, Karon, Eli, Joel, and Lizzy had stopped eating and looked quizzically at Delilah.

Delilah smiled. “Must’ve slipped my mind,” she said.

The pause button was released and everyone went back to their meal with no more questions. The table was cleared, the dishes washed, the kitchen cleaned, and Delilah had no opportunity to voice her concerns to Dooby. And after further consideration, Delilah ascertained that perhaps she actually had nothing to talk to Dooby about. Perhaps, in fact, she had mentioned the story of her five husbands and their deaths. She would simply Scarlett the thought; not think about it today, think about it tomorrow.

Tomorrow came and went with nothing out of the ordinary. It was business as usual on the ranch.

Everyone tending to their chores. The horses were brushed, and their stalls mucked out. A forty-acre tract of land behind the house was brush hogged and the vegetable garden was harvested and hoed.

Delilah and Lizzy canned twelve quarts of green beans and froze four pounds of corn meal breaded okra and summer squash. And there was still three pounds of squash left.

“You know,” Delilah said with a sigh as she put the last bag of squash in the freezer. “I don’t think I’ll plant as much squash next year as I did this year.”

“What are you going to do with the rest of it?”

Lizzy asked.

“Give some to Karon,” Delilah said, pouring herself a glass of iced tea “I’m sure Norma and Kyle

with

DIANE BROWN

would take some. And Odie. She has some fantastic recipes for yellow squash. You want some tea?”

“Odie?” Lizzy asked, denying the offer of drink with a shake of her head.

“A friend,” Delilah said, taking a seat at the kitchen banquette. “She plays poker with us.”

“Oh, yeah,” Lizzy said. She joined Delilah at the table. “Dad said something about you playing poker.”

Delilah pondered that statement a moment. Not only was she still unaccustomed to Eli being called Dad, but she could’ve sworn she told Lizzy about poker. But perhaps Eli told Lizzy as well, and that’s what she remembered.

The dishwasher had cycled off. Lizzy rose from the table and headed that direction.

“Lizzy,” Delilah called out. “I’ll get those.”

“No,” Lizzy said. “I’ll put them away.

“What is he doing?” Lizzy asked as she peered out the window over the kitchen sink.

Delilah made her way to the sink. Outside, she saw Joel stomping first with his left foot, then his right foot. They watched as he moved forward and then back, his arms flapping up and down. His eyes constantly on the ground.

“I’d say he’s doing the hokey pokey but like, he doesn’t seem to be shaking it all about,” Lizzy said with a mocking laugh. “He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed, is he?”

“Actually, he’s a genius,” Delilah said with a drop of defensiveness in her tone. “Very high IQ.” “Seriously?” Lizzy said incredulously.

“Seriously,” Delilah said, turning her back on Lizzy and heading for the back door. “But I’m sure you’ve known brilliant minds in your life that were a little eccentric.”

“Sure, sure,” Lizzy said. She then turned her attention back to the window. “He’s gone.”

Joel came through the back door, panting.

“What were you doing out there?” Lizzy asked.

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“There were about ten baby mice running toward the house,” Joel said.

“Oooo!” Lizzy whined.

“Did you get them?” Delilah asked.

“All but two,” Joel said.

“Okay. Well, we need to put out mouse traps then,” Delilah said. “I want them in the house, the garage, and the apartment.”

“What about the barn and stable?” Joel asked.

“The barn cats will get them, but let’s cut back on their dry food,” Delilah said.

Joel asked Lizzy if she wanted to go with him to set mouse traps, but she declined with a shutter and exclamation for horror. Instead, she decided to go with Delilah to deliver a bag of fresh vegetables to the neighbors in the mile section north of the Royal Flush Ranch.

“Oh, my God!” Lizzy exclaimed as Delilah pulled into the drive. “People actually live here?”

“Yes, Lizzy,” Delilah said sternly. “And they are perfectly lovely people. So, keep any disgust you may be experiencing to yourself. This is Norma and her grandson, Kyle.”

“Oh, my God!” Lizzy exclaimed as Delilah pulled into the drive. “People actually live here?”

“Yes, Lizzy,” Delilah said sternly. “And they are perfectly lovely people. So, keep any disgust you may be experiencing to yourself. This is Norma and her grandson, Kyle.”

Truth be told, the condition of the dilapidated, two-story house was far better than it was the first day Delilah drove by it. Paint had been applied to the exterior. Rotten lapboards and broken windows had been replaced. The overgrowth had been cleared. The water well was now functioning, and the electricity was on. Still, the sow’s ear was not yet a silk purse and probably never would be.

Delilah honked as she inched closer to the house.

A small native American woman stepped out on the porch and waved warmly. Delilah waved back. Then she heard Lizzy gasp as a shirtless Kyle came from the left side of the house and waved at Delilah.

“No way!” Lizzy whispered. “He is like, so hot!”

Delilah turned to Lizzy and smiled. “Yes,” she said. “Yes, he is.”

Kyle was the epitome of tall, dark and handsome.

Six, two and sculpted like Adonis. Dark hair, sparkling dark eyes, high cheek bones, and a lightning white smile.

Delilah and Lizzy exited the pickup with the bag of vegetables and as they approached the porch,

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Kyle gently took Delilah’s arm and kissed her on the cheek.

“Good to see you, Delilah,” Kyle said. “What brings you our way?”

“She’s sharing her harvest,” Norma said.

Delilah looked surprised.

“I can smell the okra,” Norma said with a warm smile.

“Oh,” Lizzy said, handing the large, paper bag to Norma.

“I’m so sorry,” Delilah said, motioning to Lizzy.

“Where are my manners. This is Lizzy, Eli’s daughter.

Lizzy, this is Kyle and Norma.”

Kyle proffered his hand and Lizzy shook it. Then Norma took Lizzy’s hand. In a split second and for a split second a shadow passed over Norma’s face.

Lizzy caught her breath and tried to pull her hand back, but Norma held it tightly and turned it over, palm up. With her thumb, Norma traced a circle in the middle of Lizzy’s palm, and then an X. She gave Lizzy a knowing smile. Lizzy scowled slightly.

“Are you a Gemini?” Norma asked.

Lizzy looked startled. “Libra, I think,” she said. “I was born October 20th.”

“Do you know what time you were born?” Norma asked urgently.

“I have no idea,” Lizzy said.

“Hmm. Are you a twin?” Norma asked. “I sense a duality in you.”

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“No,” Lizzy said, shaking her head and frowning.

“You’ll have to forgive my grandmother,” Kyle said, pulling Lizzy’s hand away from Norma’s. “She’s a Chickasaw Shaman, and when spirit makes itself known to her, she’s compelled to engage.”

“You’ll have to forgive my grandmother,” Kyle said, pulling Lizzy’s hand away from Norma’s. “She’s a Chickasaw Shaman, and when spirit makes itself known to her, she’s compelled to engage.”

“Oh, dear,” Norma said shaking her head. “Forgive me. Now my manners are in question. Would you ladies like to come in for tea?”

“Is it some special herbal brew?” Lizzy asked with a nervous laugh.

Delilah winced. Kyle and Norma chuckled.

“Lipton,” Norma said.

“I think we should probably go now,” Delilah said, giving Norma a hug. “But one more thing before we leave. I think it’s time for poker. Saturday evening?

Around six.”

Norma placed her hands over her heart. “Oh, how

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delightful. Yes. I will be there. Thank you.”

“Kyle?” Delilah asked.

“I don’t think so,” Kyle said, his hands raised in surrender.

“Well, you’re welcome to come for dinner and hang out with the guys,” Delilah said.

“Maybe,” Kyle said.

Lizzy was quiet on the ride home. She was quiet thirty minutes after they got home. Finally, as they sat in the living room. Delilah questioned her reticence.

Lizzy jumped to her feet. “I’m just not . . . I’ve just like, never subscribed to the paranormal or like, psychic phenomena,” she began in a bit of a pacing rage. “There was something like, disturbing about her. Freaked me out. I mean, seriously? Who knows what time they were born? Where would you find that anyway? I mean if your parents aren’t alive, like who would know that?”

“That information is on the birth certificate,” Delilah said. “It’s not important, Lizzy.”

Just then Eli walked into the room. It was as though Lizzy had ordered a huge bowl of sobs with a side of tears, and her order had just been served.

“What’s going on?” Eli said taking Lizzy into his arms and comforting her. n

QUITE THE LITTLE SVENGALI. But to what end?

WHAT’S THE PLAN? The resolution is coming.

In the meantime, will a wedge come between Eli & Delilah?

Don’t miss the October installment of

DELILAH’S DILEMMAS only in the OKLAHOMA Corridor Magazine!

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