Peggy's Ponderings at the lake

As Arbor Day approaches this Friday I am reminded of one of my favorite gifts from my Dad.  One Christmas several years ago he gave each of us a gift card to Lowes. Even the grandkids were given a gift card even though some of them were still in high school. Dad told us to use the card to buy and plant a tree. I know, the Okies that read this are saying “see I told you all those people from California are tree huggers!” Maybe we are because unlike those of you that grew up here in Grove, America, surrounded by trees and woods, nature, wildlife, etc., most of us that grew up in California watched trees chopped down and cities grow. We watched hills with giant oaks bull-dozed and graded and new homes put in their place. Although I didn’t experience the Redwoods disappearing I’ve heard the stories and read the history of how giant Redwood Trees grew from Los Angeles to Northern California. Fortunately, many state and national parks have saved the Redwoods and other trees al...

I recently read on one of the Real Estate blogs that homes near a coffee shop will increase the value of those homes. Our homes in downtown Grove are surrounded by good coffee shops. And they are all in walking distance. If only more people would get out and walk. And if only Oklahoma roads had wider shoulders to encourage more walking.   And since we drive more than walk, I think all of these downtown cafe's add another value. They give Grand Lakers a place to stop for something to eat and drink on their way to go fishing or boating. And they offer a place to grab a bite to eat before heading home after a long day on the boat. Coffee bar and help yourself drinks at Jiffy. Anyway, we have Jiffy & 6 th Street Diner, Drakes, Checkered Past and recently lost Café Yumm to a fire (I heard the most recent managers of Café Yumm plan to open a new café’ not far from it’s previous location. More to come on that later). And if you go just a little further to Thir...

A Couple Hours without a Cell Phone I was abandoned at Chickenellas. The dispatcher said there was a possible structure fire near Grove Middle School. Roman (my husband and Captain at Grove Fire Department) said he thought dispatch said a barn, and I am sure I heard visible flames and smoke showing. Either way, off he goes. So here I sit with no phone. I left it at home (which I never do) and  I realized I don’t know phone numbers by heart anymore. I am in this adorable restaurant with some sweet tea. I ate my breakfast (banana pancakes – the best north of Mexico in my opinion) and packed Roman’s in a to-go box.  I sip more tea and realize I am a little nervous about not having my phone so I think back on times when cell phones were something futuristic. Peeking out the window and I can see visible smoke coming from the direction of the school, so I settle in and talk to Debbie (the owner of Chickenellas) and the girls. They tell me it’s fine to hang out and...

Lake Communities offer the best of both worlds. You can work all day, then be on the lake by 5:30 pm or sooner if you put a “Gone Fishing” sign up. Take the kids fishing or just down to the water to play on a hot day, or just sit under a tree and watch the wildlife. Lake-life has so much to offer those who take advantage of it. Signs of a Lake Community, a bass boat and truck parked at Harp's in Grove.   Owning a lake front property can be out of reach for some, or others might not want the upkeep of the shoreline.   If you’ve ever thought you wanted a lake home and couldn’t afford it, I can tell you it’s possible. I consider all the homes in my community lake homes because we are surrounded by the lake. To get into my small town of Grove you will most likely go over one of three bridges. We are surrounded by water. We can hear the bass boats take off in the mornings and the speed boats racing from our house.   If I want to see the water, I just need to...