Oklahoma Rising...100 years of statehood...

From The Oklahoman, 11-07-06...

Oklahoma Athletes, Celebrities To Appear On "Oklahoma Rising" Float

The Oklahoma Centennial once again took the national stage as Oklahoma's float appeared in the 80th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. "Oklahoma Rising" was the first Macy's
Parade float sponsored by a state.

Representing Oklahoma's unique past and its extraordinary future, "Oklahoma Rising" is decorated with an oil well, a covered wagon, and a rocket ship that honors Oklahoma's eight astronauts. The magnificent Express Clydesdales will pull the float as it makes its second of three appearances in the world-famous parade. Last year was the Oklahoma float's inaugural appearance, and November 2007 will be its final showing.

On board "Oklahoma Rising" will be renowned Oklahoma athletes and celebrities, including former pro-baseball star Joe Carter, Olympic Gold medal winners Bart Conner, Nadia Comaneci, John Smith and Wayman Tisdale; bicycle legend Mat Hoffman; and multi-Grammy award winner Sandi Patty, who will perform the Oklahoma Centennial anthem, also called Oklahoma Rising.

Only a place plagued by its own self image, not to mention the ghost of Steinbeck's Tom Joad, would allow its quasi-official centennial web site to be I Believe in Oklahoma. Still, the year following the Year of Buffalo that leads up to the centennial celebration promises to be an interesting one that will culminate in a statewide holiday celebrated by all, particularly those of us whose people came here long before 1907.

The following links almost prompt a question about whether Oklahoma is REALLY the most backward, conservative, isolated state in the nation. Oh well, I love her anyway. Expect the list to increase as the year continues....

Oklahoma History
The Oklahoma History Center
The Oklahoma Sam Noble Museum of Natural History
National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
The Oklahoma City Museum of Art
Philbrook Museum, Tulsa
The Fred Jones, Jr., Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma
The Gilcrease Museum of the Americas, Tulsa

Most of the time we aren't as high-browed as the links suggest. The state motto... Labor Omnia Vincit (Labor Conquers All Things)...is interesting enough, particularly since I don't know a single Oklahoman who understands Latin. The official state meal is much more telling. From the official Oklahoma web site, that would be: fried okra, squash, cornbread, barbecue pork, biscuits, sausage and gravy, grits, corn, strawberries, chicken fried steak, pecan pie, and black-eyed peas. Who would, or could, eat all those things in one sitting? Only people from a state who saw fit to name Faded Love as the official country song. LOL. At least we are fairly sure the Goddess is watching over us...