Moving to Claremore, Oklahoma (Will Rogers Museum)

Sorry for the technical difficulties. Well, that certainly sounds better than saying we have been too fascinated with our country to stop and blog. That is somewhat true, but it is also true that a laptop computer being tethered to my cell phone (held together with rubber bands so the plug doesn’t wiggle out) is VERY slow. I will make a more concerted effort to get online at least once a day.

Tonight (Wednesday night), I cannot get a signal on my Verizon network. Can you hear me now? Ummmmm….nope. Therefore I am writing this in word and will drop it in when I have access to the internet. We continue to experience considerable problems with the RV and are thinking this may not have been the best mode of transportation. We are dealing with it the best we can and hope to soon have our problems fixed.

Tuesday (July 7) was our day to learn more about Mr. Will Rogers. We visited an amazing museum of his life…no, not just his life, but everything this amazingly talented man stood for during his life. He genuinely was one of “us.” He provided a voice for the common man/woman.

I thought I knew a considerable amount of history relating to the philosopher and philanthropist, Will Rogers; however, this beautiful and well maintained museum proved I had much to learn. After meeting the Museum's Director, Steve Gragert and his staff, Ken and I were welcomed and introduced to the museum. We began wandering the many exhibits. We watched a film of Rogers' life, saw movies where he was the star (both silent and talkie movies...I think that is what they initially called them), read his many famous quotes (there were many), viewed beautiful paintings and sculptures, walked the grounds, and enjoyed a peaceful day learning...well, how to just slow down.

Will Rogers was an athlete, a natural and spontaneous comedian, a talented cowboy, a humanitarian/philanthropist, an aviator, an actor, a writer/columnist, a philosopher, and an intellect with the influence and resulting power to change politics and the point of view of an entire country.

Many materialistic or power-hungry people would have used this influence to benefit themselves; however, that wasn’t the case with Will Rogers. His strength came from a need to pass along the gift of knowledge. With that knowledge he believed people would make better decisions – those people predominately being our politicians. People trusted Will Rogers – knowing he wasn’t swayed by political ambition or self promotion.

The Will Rogers Memorial Museum is located on a beautiful rolling piece of Oklahoma land in Claremore. The land was owned by Will Rogers and thought to be marked to become his retirement home one day. That day never came during his lifetime. Will Rogers died a young man. He was just 55 years old when he was killed in a plane accident in Alaska. Reading how our country mourned his loss revealed much about the respect and admiration our nation had for him.

We spent several hours within the walls of the museum and could have stayed longer if our schedule had permitted. The museum is not only a tribute to Will Rogers, but to people throughout the world for having the common sense to recognize, respect, and acknowledge this natural born leader. Plus, he never met a man (or woman) he didn't like.

If you are going through Oklahoma, be sure to stop by and see this museum.