Hanging from the Beams of an Outhouse-- Stories from Papa

 I was hanging out with my 96-year old grandfather (Papa) the other day and he shared a story I had never heard before. I just can't seem to shake the visual of the story, so I thought I would share it with you (whoever YOU may be) so you can also have this visual stuck in your head. I am kind that way. 

RC started first grade when he was five years old. I don't remember exactly which school he went to as there were several small community schools in the area. We will just say it as was in the greater Apple Springs area. Of course, school buses, bicycles, parents giving kids rides, public transportation, and all the current options weren't available then, so he did what all kids did-- he walked. Around 2 to 3 miles one way to get to school. May I remind you, he was FIVE.

Now, to be fair, it likely wasn't snowing and it definitely wasn't uphill both ways. In fact the area around here is relatively flat. But still 4 to 6 miles a day for a five year old to go to school. That's intense! AND may have something to do with why he is still here telling these stories 91 years later. As a little, he obviously couldn't trek that far on his own. Fortunately he had some aunts and uncles who were still in school and he was able to tag along with them. One of those uncles, who was 18 at the time, had already finished school (schools only went to 9th grade then) but he just kept going back every year so he could play basketball. AND no one stopped him. I guess they really need the players!

As was the norm in those days, the school had an outhouse instead of an indoor restroom. One day RC was out there by the outhouse. He didn't specify why, but I think we can all assume he was doing what you do when you are in an outhouse. I mean why else would you be there?

UNLESS you are out there to ruin the day for some unsuspecting child. Which is what happened when some of the older boys from school came out and trapped him in. They were picking on him--goofing off-- being losers--whatever you want to call it. He didn't go into a lot of detail about it, but the end result was that they picked him up and dropped him INTO the pit. INTO THE PIT!

Just take a minute to let that settle in. Are you getting the heebie jeebies yet? Blech! Fortunately, RC was a pretty strong little due and he was able to reach out mid-fall, grab on to the wooden beams of the pit, and hold on for dear life. Uhh...what?! Hanging on to the sides of the pit. Again. WHAT?! Then he just hung, trying not to fall, probably freaking out (although he didn't say that) until they gave up tormenting him and went back to class. 

After they left he pulled himself up and crawled out of the pit. Do you have this visual? A five(ish) year old kid, hanging from the beams INSIDE an outhouse pit. Perilously dangling above all the outhouse business. All alone. Dude. That is the stuff nightmares are made of. I mean we are talking the anti-version of Little House on the Prairie, here! 

Thankfully, He did NOT fall all the way into the waste and gunk and who knows what else. In the end, he was fine. Unharmed and unscathed. The boys in question? They were not so fine. They apparently got in a LOT of trouble. And 91 years later, Papa is still laughing at the memory of that!

Pawhuska.....The place I never knew I needed to go! August 2022

Welcome to Pawhuska

This week I joined my Mother on a trip to Pawhuska, Oklahoma  Like most, I daresay, of the visitors to Pawhuska we went to see the Pioneer Woman's Mercantile and Lodge.  But what we found...was so much more!  

Top things to do in Pawhuska, IMHO

Frontier Hotel

1. Stay at the Frontier Hotel located in the historic Triangle Building. Now, I know what you are thinking. Most people want to stay at the Boarding House and experience ALL the Pioneer Woman (aka Ree Drummond) has to offer. BUT the Boarding House is small and there aren't a ton of rooms. AND those that are available seem to be more suited to couples than family members or friends traveling together. NOW the Frontier Hotel (which is still under renovation) is AWESOME!  We had a huge room with two beds, a kitchenette, table, desk, and walls of windows overlooking the town. Amazing!. As part of the renovation of this historic building they have kept the doors, windows, and all the other gorgeous features.  Definitely, check this one out!!!

Cheers from the Mercantile

2. Pioneer Woman Stuff. Obvi...this is why we go, right? So, check it out. Do it all.  We started out at the Mercantile for dinner and some shopping.  Then the next day we headed over to the Lodge for a tour of where Ree (Look at me, Ree---like we are buds! I mean I was in her Lodge, so there's that!)  films her show.  It was lovely.  I took TONS of pics in case I ever decide to build my own awesome Lodge. You Never Know.   Then you want to make sure you check out the Pioneer Woman Collection store (right next to the Boarding House) for some more shopping of course. For dinner the second night, we went to P-Town for a DELISH figgy pizza. No Judging, okay? It was YUM! We did not go to Charlie's for dessert, but we did hit up the Mercantile Cafe for breakfast one day and it did not DISAPPOINT! I highly recommend you check out ALL of them! OH..and while you are at the Lodge, be sure to share some loves with Rebel. Apparently he is Cowboy Josh's dog and he is the cutest ever!

Rebel @ the Lodge

3. Jewelry!  We hit up several jewelry stores around on a hunt for turquoise and were successful! We met super friendly people and came home with beautiful trinkets. I must beg your forgiveness and admit that I cannot remember the name of the first gallery/ jewelry store we went to but I can tell you where it was. Right next to Prairie Sky Jewelry and across from the drugstore.  Check them out. The person working there was super nice and allowed...no ENCOURAGED us to try on tons of stuff!  We loved it! Then we went to the Bucking Flamingo (how do you forget that name?) where a very lovely young girl helped us out. She was very patient while I picked out the perfect earrings to match the pendant I got at the other place.  Mom got stuff too! Super cool cactus turquois earrings to be exact.

4. Tallgrass Prairie Preserve. Seriously. Go.  BUT plan your time better and go with the light is right for taking awesome pics!  I read on one of the travel tip sites that around 6:00 p.m. buffalo were congregating at the gate.  So we got there about 5ish and there weren't any buffalo at the gate. We drove

Our Friendly Buffalo

the loop, stopped at the visitors center (it was closed) and saw some cows.  We did see one small group of buffalo and were quite grateful for them because of the heat!  THEN around 6:15 ish we made it around the loop and were headed back to the gate when what to our wondering eyes did appear, but a sh*t ton of buffalo around every bend!  Seriously, they were cool. It was like there were on duty!  6:00 p.m. time to be at the Pawhuska gate! They did good. Now, I was a little disappointed because we read in the brochure that visitors were advised to stay in their car because of the potential running AND jumping of buffalo! Did you know buffalo jumped? We didn't'! And they did not jump for us.  Go see them, maybe you will get to see the jumping buffalo! And if you do-- please send me some pictures!  Do me another favor, okay? If you encounter a white pickup of obnoxious impatient men, slow down, drive in the middle of the road, STOP for everything, and really give them a reason to honk and show their butts!

5. Bob Johnson Museum.  Do you know who Bob Johnson is?  I didn't.  At first. But I recognized him from all the pics. He was in A LOT of movies. Think Godfather, The Last Picture Show, Mighty Joe Young, and TONS of westerns. The museum showcases his accomplishments as well as those of the AMAZING artist John Free (gorgeous western scenes), several Oklahoma native rodeo stars, the Drummond family, and other fun Pawhuska tidbits.  As with everywhere we went (pickup truck maniacs excluded) the people were friendly, forthcoming, and very kind.

6. Osage Nation Museum. The Osage Nation Campus is in Pawhuska and their museum is lovely. The first room has a lot of info on their culture and the upper room has a traveling exhibit of drums. 
BEAUTIFUL drums paying homage to their culture, heritage, and family. They have quite a history! Not part of the museum but interesting tidbit-- there was (is) a lot of oil under the Osage land. The tribe was (is?) very wealthy and this made them a target for greedy and unscrupulous folks.  That is all I know of the story right now. I am reading the book now though, Killers of the Flower Moon. I will update you when I know more!  

7. Pawhuska Historical Society Museum. Did you know Pawhuska was home to the FIRST Boy Scout Troop. Seriously, no joke. Troop #1  Pawhuska, OK!  The first Native American Prima Ballerina was from the OSAGE tribe, She had a sister who was also a ballerina and performed in Europe. I think their names were Tallgrass. The Tallgrass Sisters. Look them up! This town had LOTS of money (due to the previously discussed oil riches) and the people loved to show off their finery!  If you didn't know any of this---- go check out the historical society and learn about this fascinating area!

8. Need a break from the heat or a chance to just relax and step away for a minute? Swing by the Osage Casino for a spin or two on the slots!  Air Conditioning, complimentary water, and a chance to win it big! Enough said!

Furniture & Undertaking

9. Take a walk (or a hike)!  My first morning in town, I got up early and walked around the downtown area taking some pictures.  Beautiful old buildings, staircases, alleyways, and quirky spots.  What I didn't do, but hope you will (whoever YOU are) is take a stroll on a portion of the Osage Heritage Trail Scenic Byway. This 70-mile trail winds through "some of the state's most unique and beautiful landscapes." Sounds like a must see to me!

10.  If you drive (from Texas) make sure you stop off at the Chocktaw Casino in Grant, OK.  The rooms are nice. The restaurant is good. The drinks are De-Lish. And the SLOTS are fun! My faves were the Wheel of Fortune game and both the Duck and Cherry slots.  They were the nicest to me!  Let me know what "you" think! 

There you have it, Top Ten adventures from our Pawhuska week!    

Mom at the Lodge