archive 2008 December

Well, here I sit with my “To Do” list that Dave left for me (and Tony) while he is off “who knows where” having a fabulous time paddling and playing and we sit back minding the shop.  However, don’t get me wrong - we are more than happy to do his bidding while he is having the time of his life in Nevada, Arizona, California, Mexico, etc.   Tony and I have talked this over, and we DO NOT hold grudges but we do expect paybacks and you know what they say about paybacks!  Dave, do you know what they say about paybacks?!

In all sincerity, we want to you to know how much we have appreciated your business, your support, and your encouragement this year as the business moved into its new location.  If you have not visited us yet, our days/hours of operation are Tuesdays - Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.  We will close at 2:00 p.m. on December 31st and be closed on January 1.  We are adding daily to our selection of clothing and accessories - especially for this colder weather - and the new boats are filling up the shop quickly and are quite colorful in all shapes, sizes and prices. 

The paddling continues with social paddles at Lake Hefner every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. unless the wind blows us off the lake or the ice gets too thick.  (I had a wonderful paddle there on Christmas day!)  Also, we have lots of new classes and open kayaking sessions throughout the month of January at the pool at Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC).  Check out the calendar for these paddling opportunities.  It’s a great way to keep in shape for the spring season, which is just around the corner.  At least we can tell ourselves that!  (It’s hard to complain when it was 75 degrees today!)

From the OKC Kayak family to all of our extended family, best wishes for a most blessed Christmas and New Years!  Thanks again for all you have done to make this a great year and a sucessful start of many more to come.

Linda, Dave, Tony, Casey and all!

It must be sweeps week or something.  You know the week that television networks try to cram pack with their best shows in an attempt to bloat their ratings so that they can charge advertisers a premium rate the coming year.  Discover Oklahoma is rebroadcasting the OKC Kayak program that they filmed about us this past summer.  Wow, what nice folks.  The gal who called to inform us about this, even said that it was one of Shel Wagner’s favorite episodes from last year.  Yeah, me too!!!

This will air on this Saturday, December 13th at 6:30 p.m.  (CBS)

My thanks again to the great people at Discover Oklahoma and everyone who starred in this production.

Jay Brannon “Hammer Toes” is an amazing friend of mine and helper elf to the shop.  He himself is about as darn funny of an individual as I have ever met.  Here is an Eskimo song he forwarded to me which I find quite appropriate)

My small adventures

When with a shore wind I drifted out

In my kayak.

And though I was in danger

My fears,

Those small ones

That I thought so big

For all the vital things

I had to get and reach.

And yet there is only

One great thing.

To live and see my friends and on my journeys

The great day that dawns

And the light that fills the world.

An Eskimo song transalated by Knud Rasammussen in

“ Intellectual Culture of the Copper Eskimo” (paraphrased)

Just a thought:

I have learned what a generous, appreciative and literate person you are.

I read this and thought of you.

This touched me and I think it would be appreciated by all your friends you communicate with at OKC Kayak.

I also think kayakers might be more connected with nature and their feelings just as this Eakimo is.

Perhaps all won’t make sense to you but I thought you would like the poem.

MERRY CHRISTMAS,

Your friend Jay