Staying a few more days......

Gore, OK

We completed our scheduled time here at the United Methodist Boys Ranch with our NOMADS team.   So much work was accomplished.   The Ranch is going into a more Foster Care program.   As such, we started  renovations in two of their resident buildings.   We painted, tore out walls, installed doors, removed kitchen cabinets, cleaned bathrooms.  Outside we repaired bleachers, hung doors on horse corrals and lots of other stuff.

Last weekend we worked hard on preparing for, and worked at, their annual fund raiser Rodeo.   More work was done on the Retreat Cabin high up in the hills.    But there is always more to be done here.  As such, we decided to stay another 6 days, working three of them.

As we worked 6 days last week and five the week before (NOMADS usually work 4 days), this weekend is a treat.   We did some shopping on Friday and I did nothing yesterday.  Leonard built a small shelf/table for the bathroom.

Today we drove 114 miles EACH WAY to attend church.    Back in 2010 we did a project at Hinton Rural Retreat Center in Hayesville, NC.    Shortly after our time there the Director left the center to return to ministry.   We knew he was assigned a church in Oklahoma.  One of our team members at the Boys Ranch is also a pastor and knew where where Lyle was pastoring.  So off we went today.   He was delighted to see us again as we were him.  

Tomorrow Len will work on the retreat cabin here and I plan to vegetating.  

Have a great rest of weekend all!

Will be back soon

Gore, OK

Thanks to Rick and Marsha, I have attempted to clean up this site.   However, I've been too busy here at the UM Boys Ranch to do a  blog.

This should be our last week here but since it has rained most every day for a week, the guys have not been able to do any more work on the cabin up in the hill.   Leonard and I are volunteering to stay a few extra days next week.   Len will help the staff here and I will do wherever.   One couple left today, another couple tomorrow and the rest on Friday.  One couple will be returning in a week but we will be gone by then.

So - maybe in the next few days I can attempt a blog.   In the meantime, if anyone is having difficulties at this site, please let me know.

Is it just me or do other have the virus

Gore, Ok

Still not able to change settings.  Also, my daughter tells me when she goes to my blog an advertisement pops up.   When she tries to go out of it, her computer freezes and she needs to shut down the system.

Are these two things related?

I am thinking I really don't need the aggravation and time to forget about Google Blogger.

First week of work and a new friend

Gore, OK

We've completed our first week of volunteering here at UM Boys Ranch in Gore, OK.

As team leaders we first hold a planning meeting on Sunday evening

On Monday it was a tour of the facility.   The biggest project is the completion of a retreat cabin that sits up on a mountain.  The road to get to the cabin is rugged.  No taking dually's up that road for sure.  We use the facilities vehicles.  It becomes much more narrow as we approach the cabin.

Then a short walk down to the cabin.   When we arrived most of the framing was complete.

After four days of work:

The view looking across the valley below:

Some of the women spend their time painting.  This is Elizabeth working on the hallway of the Spencer House.  This facility now houses three young men.  They will be moving into another facility on campus and Spencer House will be converted into a Foster Care facility.

Next weekend the Ranch holds it's largest fund raiser - a Rodeo.  The ranch has 29 horses, chickens and cattle.    Two horses that appear to be best friends - always near each other as they wander the grounds.

Donna, who is not a NOMAD but has been volunteering two weeks before the Rodeo for 17 years oversees the cooking and baking while her hubby Erv works around the grounds.   Two of our NOMADS ladies are assisting her in baking cookies, cobblers, etc.   I got a lick out of Donna's slippers.  She says they are comfortable while standing in the kitchen all day.

Yesterday a dog showed up at the cabin site and made quick friends with the men.  They shared their lunches.   Len says as he fed her she politely took the ham from his hand.  When they took breaks she would lay of the feet of one of them.   This cabin is a distance from other buildings or homes.  It curious how she wandered up there.  

As they were driving down Len looked in the rear view mirror to see her running behind.   He stopped, opened the door and in she jumped into the back seat and laid down for the remaining drive.   She spent the rest of the afternoon and evening being fed, watered and loved.  The camp director will try to determine if she belongs to anyone.  If not he will find her a good home.

All the other NOMADS here travel with a dog.  We don't want the responsibility of a pet while traveling.  But if we did she would be a good one.  She will make a great pet for some lucky family.

What am I doing wrong?

Gore, OK


HELP!  Fellow Bloggers.      I have been trying to change my schedule list.  Blogger will not allow me to make changes in my layout.     Something called Favicon comes up.    So, what am I doing wrong??????   Never had this issue before.

Back to a favorite place

UM Boys Ranch
Gore, OK


We left the COE park across Tenkiller Lake yesterday.   The Ranger came around on Tuesday and said we had to clear out by 4 pm on Wednesday as the gate would be closed due to the shutdown of Federal Parks. No problem we would travel the TEN MILES to our next destination one day early.

We arrived here around 9:00 am

This facility sits right on Tenkiller Lake.

It is about 6 miles north of the town of Gore up a winding narrow road.

After getting settled we met the Director Larry and another group of NOMADS who are currently volunteering at another Circle of Care facility on Tahlaguah, OK.   He was taking them on a tour of this facility.  But before that we were all treated to lunch.  Two of the couples will also be working this project starting Monday.

Today we rode into town just to look around and post some mail.   That winding narrow road from Gore to the Ranch is going through a change.  All the way down the mountain they are widening the road.  It will greatly improve the trip.

This sign was put out while we were gone.

Three couples arrive with their rigs tomorrow, another couple on Saturday.   As Team Leaders we meet with the Director tomorrow morning to get our walking orders!    We are ready for a great three weeks.

I love this area and would gladly live in this area if not for the tornadoes.   That is a big deal breaker!