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Joe and Nancy Stine celebrate the 38th year of their Rose Rock business 1971-2009

EAGLE WOLF

A visitor to the museum a few months ago, Eagle Wolf is now pursuing an active movie career.  A recent one is with John Malkovich.

NOW A CHEROKEE FILM ACTOR

C SPAN AND HOW THE WAR AFFECTED ABE LINCOLN 'S 1864 ELECTION

History professor Joseph Glatthaar, Univ. of Houston spoke on the subject.  He pointed out how Grant's decision to move west was a bad military action,  but apparently just before the election, he redeemed himself with better strategy.   We were entertained in between the interesting speaker's words with glimpses of the audience.  They were closeups of a man who with features similar to Lincoln who had mimicked his appearance by the trimming of his dark beard and hair.  The camera also focused on a man chewing on his thumbnail and a guy picking the right nostril of his nose, really digging in, but the camera quickly left him and went back to Lincoln a little later.   Apparently some of Lincoln's decisions were better than some of his leaders, but was criticized if he interfered too much with the military and not enough with domestic affairs, unfortunately.  In the end just before the election, the military did a better job, partly by improved strategy and partly by the use of repeating rifles.

Below is Lincoln at Antietan, Maryland with General George B. McClellan:

Mary Todd Lincoln:

General Grant:  In his case the old saying, "Go west, young man" was a bad decision.

 Abraham's aunt Sarah Lincoln, born 1727 married my six greats grandfather, William Boone, Sr. born 1724.   (father of Josiah Noah Boone) They lived in Pennsylvania.  He died in Maryland before she died in Pennsylvania, so I assume they may have moved to Maryland or he was there for some other reason when he became ill and died.  This information supplied years ago by a member of the Boone Society.

THE DANGEROUS DUCKS

Driving to work we saw a flock of ducks flying near the postal training center where they live.   Joe said he didn't know why anyone would want ducks.   I said, "Well, I think they're pretty and if I lived in the country, I would like to have them."   He said, "My friend's wife was killed because of ducks.  We were roommates when I went to O. U.   He went into the Army later and was a Captain, directing artillery fire from the front lines in Korea.  Later he married and they moved to the country.  They had ducks.  The turtles were killing the ducks, so this guy was shooting them.   His wife, who had been running errands, drove up and started to the house.   The husband crawled through the fence with his rifle, the gun went off, killing his wife.   Apparently he forgot to put the safety on.  It seemed strange to me that an experienced rifleman could have such an accident.  

A family of these Wood ducks use to travel around a doctor's office where I worked in Orlando, Florida BDW (before Disney World).   They were sure fuzzy and cute.   They were constantly on the move.   With 50 lakes in the Orlando area it made a desirable place for them.

Joe has a lot of odd stories to tell.   There was another one where a guy was backing up to a feed store in his pickup.   His wife was behind the truck and he didn't see her, backed into her and killed her.  Ever since he told me about that, I make sure I am not behind a vehicle that is backing, not ever!  Call me paranoid, but if there are more than two cars in the parking lot at the Noble Post office, I park along the street because I have seen too many near mishaps.  One day, I was waiting in the car while Joe went in after the mail.   A car accidentally bumped an elderly lady, just enough to knock her off her feet.   As quick as you could say "scat" there were three Noble police cars in the lot.   She wasn't hurt, just shaken up, fortunately.  For those police guys, it was probably the only excitement they had in years.

MYSTERY OF THE BIG RED APPLE

This morning we were visited by two older ladies.   One of  them asked me if we had a bird.   I said, "No, we don't.", wondering what in the world she was leading up to.   She said, "Well, you have an apple on your bathroom floor and  I was sitting there looking down at it and it looks like it was pecked by a bird, certainly not eaten by a human."    I said, "Well, maybe a visitor left it there."   Her friend said, "I saw it too!."

Going into the bathroom, there it was a few feet from the stool, a big beautiful red delicious apple.   However, it had been partially eaten.   As soon as I saw the bites, small half inch rectangular indentations, I knew who had been eating it.   Sometimes I give Penny a little piece of apple when she comes to my work table.  I knew those were her bite marks.    Also, when she gets a big treat, she heads off to another room where Crystal can't find her, so she won't have to share.   So it appears she climbed up on a chair, got the apple off a table and took it to the bathroom to eat.  Mystery solved............  And that was such a beautiful apple.  That's the culprit on the right.  She's the most intelligent dog we have had, seems almost human sometimes.  Crystal is more bossy and the leader.  Perhaps it's because she is five and Penny is about 1 1/2.

VICTORY GARDENS

During World War II, "Victory" gardens were planted to reduce the pressure brought on the public food supply because of the war.  People, even with apartments and small homes planted wherever they could find a little place for it.   It also helped the morale by making them feel they were helping with the war effort.   It occurred to me, with a poor economy, why not do the same, if a person has the time.   That's a problem we have,no time.   By the time we keep both the museum house and our home mowed and trimmed,  and dig rose rocks, there is no time left for a garden.   But for those who do, it's a nice option, besides the benefits, those home grown tomatoes and such.  

When my children were little they were each given a square of yard to grow seed.   Their lettuce and such came up and to this day they are interested in growing things.   There's a lot of satisfaction in it.  Below is a victory garden poster, World War II.

REVERSE MORTGAGES

AARP states that a reverse mortgage might not be what it is cracked up to be.   There are a lot of downsides to it.   For one thing, if you should need an equity loan some day for emergencies such a health care, etc, that would not be an option.   You have to pay closing costs up front.  On a $100,000 home, the closing cost would be about $6,500.  If you're interested in more details, search AARP reverse mortgages.   It's pretty informative.

HAT

Another hat picture by Eleanor Roosevelt

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was born 10-11-1884 in New York City.  Her father was Elliott Roosevelt, President Theodore Roosevelt's younger brother.  In other words "Teddy" Roosevelt was her uncle.  Her mother was Anna Hall, descendant of the Livingstons, a distinguished New York family.  Her parents died when she was a child and her grandmother Valentine Hall raised her.  She became active in politics when Franklin became stricken with polio in 1921.

She is pictured below as a teenager:

NORMAN NEWS

Sarah Palin is due to arrive next month in Norman, Oklahoma at Hastings on West Main for a book signing for all people who buy her book at Hastings.  This is not to express any views politically pro or con,  simply to give you the news.    They can buy the books ahead of they want to.  It will be her only stop in Oklahoma.   I have no clue as to why she chose the location.  Hastings is primarily a video store, but also sells books.  These places usually have a place to sit down and read or visit with people.  I wonder if Hastings will give her a rose rock.  Below is Mrs. Palin:

SIGN IN SOUTH AMERICA

A couple traveling extensively through South America, came upon this sign.   They weren't sure whether it meant to look out for people carrying briefcases or what?   Or could it mean sometimes people carrying briefcases walk down the middle of the road.........strange!

ROOMMATES

We recommend this movie starring Peter Faulk as an ancient old man and a young guy by J. B.Sweeney.  Mr. Faulk was his usual talented self, playing the role very realistically.  He was cranky, obnoxious and snored like the sound of thunder.  He insists on taking in his grandson and raising him when his parents die at the beginning.    His interaction with some boys from China was funny and they grew to like him despite his cranky disposition.   You need to remember he is quite old and the ending though not exactly perfect, has a quiet, satisfying solution to this young man's life and marriage problems.  And Mr. Faulk realizes he has accomplished what he set out to do, raise his grandson to be a good person.    It can be rented from Netflix.

CRISIS RESOLVED

Joe's welding apparatus was building up pressure dangerously high in a short time.  He took the gauge to Bill's Welding and they thought it was okay at first, so he took the fitting off the flux bottle to take it up to Okla. City and get them to look at it.  The welding gauge was cleaned and okay, but when he took the fitting off the flux bottle, he damaged it, making a little one fourth inch nick in it.

CRISIS TIME

The fitting is brass.   Now the reason it was a crisis is without the flux, he cannot make the little flowers, cattails, or copper leaves.  Our work would have been stymied.   Calling all over and searching the internet, a new bottle is so obscure we feel they may no longer be made.  Next was how to fix it.   Searching phone books and looking at machine shops we weren't sure what to do.  Joe spent a sleepless night.  

SOLUTION

On the way to work the next morning I said, "Well, why don't you fill the nick with steel epoxy?"   Lo and behold, he did and production is back to normal just in time to fill Christmas orders.  Which shows  you sometimes we make a difficult thing out of a simple thing.  It also taught us to appreciate that little bottle that enables us to make a living and apparently cannot be replaced.

UNEXPECTED ACQUAINTANCE

Do you ever talk to strangers?   You can learn a lot, I've noticed recently.   For instance, I was in a fabric store  waiting to check out and there was an interesting looking man with a lot of luxurious fabric of velvets and such.   Curious,  I asked him if he was making draperies.   He was a friendly sort and told me he was buying them for costumes for the THREE MUSKETEERS PLAY AT O. U.   He said it would be in production in November.  This morning Joe picked up the newspaper and there was this guy's picture.  He remembered my story about it and asked me if this was the man and it was.  His name is Mike Buchwald.  Turned out he wasn't a mere errand runner to buy fabric, but was a professor in the school of drama at O. U.   He is now about ready to retire.  What an interesting life he must have led!

PISTOL PETE

This is Frank Eaton aka Pistol Pete and mascot of Oklahoma State University with his daughter (no name on photo)

Frank claimed to be raised by Indians, crossed the Chisholm Trail many times with Jim Chisholm.  His eyes were crossed but used the guns strapped to his waist, not just decorations.  This photo and info was submitted by Gwynn Hayden.  She said she use to pass by his house and see him sitting on the porch braiding his hair.  Frank was a Deputy U. S. Marshal in Indian Territory, born 1860 and lived in Perkins, Oklahoma.

I mentioned all this to Joe and he reminded me he made a wedding ring for Frank's granddaughter years ago when she worked with me at DHS.  I would have a lot of questions for her if I was still in contact.    This photo was made at Cowboy Hill according to a note on the back, place unknown.

The "real" Pistol Pete a.k.a. Frank Eaton

What: Known as "Pistol Pete" for his gun-totin' skills, Francis Boardman Eaton was a deputy U.S. marshal in Indian Territory. Born in 1860, the Perkins, Okla. resident was one of the wild west's most colorful characters.

When: As a boy, young Frank witnessed the murder of his father, a Yankee, at the hands of six Confederate outlaws. Vowing to avenge the murder of his "pa," Eaton became an expert marksman by the time he was a teenager. True to his word, he tracked down and killed all but one of his father's assailants in true gunslinger style. The final desperado died before Eaton could get to him, but the ever-vigilant marshal attended the man's funeral anyway, just to make sure he was dead. Eaton, who lived to be 97, recalled this quest for frontier justice and other fabulous tales in his 1952 autobiography, Veteran of the Old West.

Why: In 1923, a growing number of Oklahoma A&M students were becoming dissatisfied with using a Tiger mascot, which had been copied from Princeton. After all, "Hold that Tiger" didn't represent the spirit of Oklahoma. When the students spotted the colorful Eaton leading Stillwater's Armistice Day parade on horseback, the idea for a new mascot was born. The rugged cowboy's likeness soon became a classic symbol of the university, complete with Eaton's trademark mustache and 10-gallon hat.

Today: In 1984, OSU officially sanctioned the cartoon emblem and "Pistol Pete" moniker, preventing unauthorized use of the popular symbols. For more than 70 years, the student body, alumni, faculty and fans of Oklahoma State have been a part of Frank Eaton's rich legacy. And here on the information superhighway, the legend lives on. Ride `em, Cowboy!

IT SURE IS A SMALL WORLD

Below on the page is a photo of a Mr. Virgil Dotson in front of his pickup with his name on it.    I mentioned my husband Joe's father had a store in Boynton.   Well, Joe saw the web tonight and asked me where I got the photo.   I told him from Oklahoma Genealogy.   He said this fellow is the very one his dad sold his store to.   The name and date all fit.  And I picked it from random out of hundreds of names of photos, just clicked on a name and saved the photo.  Is that weird, or what?

OKLAHOMA TREASURE

We had a problem with the welding gauge and went to pick it up in Oklahoma City Monday on our day off.   The shop is called "Bill's Welding and Repair" and has been there for many years.   His daughter Kay is our Oklahoma Treasure for this week.   She grew up learning the work with her father as a teacher and can repair welding gauges like a pro, which she IS.   She had about 20 gauges to repair the day we were there, but she took time to take ours apart and replace a small part.  Joe has done this before, but I had not met her.   

I was truly impressed with her abilities and she will never see this, but I did tell her in person.  She has pretty dark hair and her nails are short like mine because of her work.   She does a job usually done by a man, but does just as well if not better.    When a person is that talented, they deserve to be told.   So hats off to Kay!

VETERANS DAY

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the men and women in uniform for our country today.

  Below is the Confederate Home in Ardmore in 1925.   The building still stands today.   My two greats grandparents lived their last days there, since he fought in the Civil War.  They were Newton Jasper and Norma America Sisk.  My five greats grandfather, Josiah Noah Boone (first cousin of Daniel) fought in the American Revolution.   My son was in the Vietnam war in the Navy and grandson Brian was in Iraq.  And so it goes, on and on, the fighting never ends.  I suppose on this earth, it will never stop, at least for long.

MORE HATS

Below is Alf Bullard, Aaron and Thomas, LeFlore County.  The chairs look like they might be the old kind with woven seats.  It appears it was made outdoors with a canvas held up behind them, probably a traveling photographer.

The photo below, 1935 was made in Boynton, Oklahoma, near Muskogee.  My grandfather (no relation to these people) owned a general store there years ago and by coincidence, so did my husband Joe's father about the same time.   It would be surprising if they didn't know each other.

DISH  

We highly recommend the movie Dish, if you haven't seen it.  Made in the year 2000, it is a comedy based on real events when a small sheep herding village in Australia is thrust into the spotlight when NASA employs its massive satellite radio dish for a backup transmitter for the 1969 Apollo 11 moon mission.  It can be rented at Netflix.

CRYSTAL ON HALLOWEEN

Her groomer did all the dogs in costume that week.

CARDINAL IN LOVE

This male cardinal thinks our car mirror is a possible mate and we have made sleeves to keep off the mess.   We took them off to get this series of pictures with our good camera and telephoto lens.  We had to take them through a window, so they are a little fuzzy.

"Hey, sweetie, why don't you come out of there and I'll sing you a tune!"

Hey, can't a fella get some privacy around here?

Okay, so we'll have a little staring contest!

FLORIDIAN CUTIES

These little maltese dogs were so cute we just had to get a picture!  Their owners, Jim and Jo Ann Ebeling,  were very nice and we enjoyed our visit with them.  Look at that pretty Florida tan they have!  The little dogs are groomed by a lady who works for a professional for show dogs.   The little one on the left was a rescue dog and her name is Lilly.  She was in bad shape when they got her, but look at her now!  The dog on the right is Weezy. They are so well behaved it's downright amazing.   They sat quietly in their arms and I got to hold Lilly.  I guess you could call them "Little dog angels".

To learn about the KKK in Oklahoma, search Oklahoma KKK.  Why can't people learn to love each other like this?:

ANOTHER HAT

O. U . FOOTBALL:  A SAD YEAR

Many serious injuries have caused everyone concern and contributed to a sad year for our team.  When I enrolled at O. U. in 1951, we had become national champions the year before.  It was a very big deal.   I'm afraid we became spoiled over the years, as we did so well.   Hopefully next year we will start to come back.   

O. U. football is a very big deal here in Norman.

LITTLE DUCKLING TO BEAUTIFUL DOG

SCRUFFY GROWS UP

A rescue dog, Scruffy was tiny at first.  He is Penny's brother from another litter.

Below is Mitzi, who has rescued many dogs.  Scruffy soon got very ill and surprised everyone by surviving.  By that time, Mitzi was so attached to him, she ended up keeping him.  The mother, Delilah above was also Penny's mom.

Scruffy grew up to be a beautiful dog that wasn't quite "scruffy" after all.   He was so named because at one time his fur was so unruly the kids wanted to use him to scrub the sink.  His eyes are green.

MIKE OUR IRISH SHEEPDOG

Below I wrote a small paragraph about Mike.  This photo is pretty much what he looked like except all white and not groomed quite so fancily.   He was able to see out of his eyes the way he was cut.   You can see why I couldn't bear to lose him.

FROM OUT OF THE PAST, OKLAHOMA PIONEERS

Quincy L. & Lanie Cole Barnes 1898   Lived at Cowling, Indian 

Territory.    Notice she is holding a bible, a second one we've seen posed like that.   I guess it was to make a statement.  Our other photo was a minister and his wife both holding bibles.  (They were distant cousins of mine, named Miller.)

HATS

Thomas Carl and Henrietta Elizabeth Blessing,  1911 Guthrie, Ok.  These folks look somewhat prosperous, to me.  Notice the watch fob the man is wearing and the fancy lace around the lady's neck, not to mention their hats.  His hat was called a "derby", according to Joe.

Simpson and Elvira Brinsfield had 10 children   1887  Seminole, Ok.  That's 90 months she was pregnant or a total of 7 1/2 years, poor thing!  Notice who's sitting down and who is standing.  Wonder what the significance of that is?    I guess he was the master of the house perhaps.  They'd have a hard time getting me to pose like that.  Once when we had a photo made for a church book, the guy told me to say "My husband" just before he shot it.  It didn't set well with me.  We've laughed about it ever since.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GROW UP

Stuffed animals and raggedy Ann and Andy dolls decorate my computer room and some at work in the office.  When you are young, you can't wait to grow up and when you get older, you think more and more about your childhood and good memories come back.  And some folks like me enjoy reclaiming things from the past.  Those Raggedy Ann and Andy comic books were great.  I remember one in which they found a treasure of gemstones and jewels in a cave.   Wonder Woman was my idol though.   She had black hair like mine and I imagined I was her.

Those fairy tales were great too.   I liked the story of Rapunzel,  who let down her long blonde hair from the window of the castle for the prince to climb up.   A Rapunzel doll is here in my office.  I guess the truth is, I just never grew up.

Dogs played a big part of my life, starting with Brownie,the rat terrier who scared a burglar off who climbed in over my bed.  Brownie slept on the foot and got rid of him in a hurry.  All he got was a coat and scarf and dropped them in the yard as he ran.

MIKE THE SHEEPDOG AND THE OLD LADY

Mike was my only big dog.  I think he was called an Irish sheepdog.   He was white and very very fuzzy, long haired.  In those days people didn't put dogs in leashes.  He simply followed me at my heels.  I was about six and we were walking along on East Main Street not far from Central State Hospital.  Suddenly Mike ran out on to the street.  A car was coming and I was yelling to Mike and started to run after him, but a hand grabbed me around the shoulders and wouldn't let me go.  A voice said sternly, "No, you can't go!"   Mike got killed.  He ran off and I never saw him again.   I saw an old lady behind me who had stopped me and ran home crying.   At the time, I was frustrated that the woman had prevented me from saving my dog, but now I know she saved my life.   To this day, I wonder if that old lady could have been an angel. 

MUSEUM GETS A FACE LIFT

PENNY AND CRYSTAL AT WORK   TIME FOR A BREAK

BRIDGECREEK BABIES

Mike Tubbs got a quick photo of these scissortailed babies before their mother returned.

SHOEBOX PHOTO

It is called that because no one knows their name, since it wasn't written on the back.   Let that be a lesson to us all.  The only clue is the name Brooks  Norman and Shawnee, apparently the company that made the photo.

BIRTHDAY NO. ONE   That was 74 years ago.

SABRA GROWING UP

Sherri sent us some update photos of Sabra, who is now 5 months old.   This first one looks as if Sabra and Emma (left) are professional models, wonder if they got a steak dinner for this.

Here Sabra enjoys her little hedgehog

Cozying up to each other   Are they cute or what?  Such beautiful eyes and coats!

ROSE ROCK MUSEUM GETS A FACE LIFT

Sean Smith is putting new siding and windows, shutters on the museum which looks cleaner and brighter.  Priscilla took this snapshot yesterday.  The begonias in the tub will be missed when they freeze in the cold weather.

Sean is a perfectionist with his work and adds extra detail.  We are going to miss hin when he finishes.

 A birthday photo by Pris

Sayre, Beckham County, Ok. 1928  They must have felt like they had a really busy town, with all those cars.

CHERRY PICKERS  Look at the old fashioned baby carriage at the center.

ENGLISH VISITORS

Grandparents who moved here from England brought their granddaughters who still live there to visit today.  They were about 8 and 10.   Crystal and Penny came out and played with them.   A lot of fun was had by all four of them.   Each girl had their own money to spend and picked out several rocks and stones as well as a rose rock.  

Have you seen or heard of Foyles' War, an English TV series which is now off the air?    We have been renting the series from Netflix really enjoy it, just can't wait for the next one.    My grandchildren would be bored with it, but people who grew up in World War II or are interested in it would like this series.  

 Foyle is a Chief Detective police officer solving local crimes in the middle of the start of the war.   There is some bombing involved, some romance, and some very English humor which is excellent.   Foyle has a deadpan look which, with just a corner of his mouth turned up can produce amazing feeling.    Some guy was telling him a long list of great things about himself.   Foyle gave him a quick unimpressed "Jolly Good" and turned back to his business in such a way that made you just love him.

The very first disc has a picture of the head of a woman's corpse, (fake of course) and I think the third one had something similar, but all the rest have been okay, as far as violent scenes.  It's interesting to see how the cases are solved.   It reminds me somewhat of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.  The very first disc may seem a little boring, the second one much better and the interest builds quickly, so if you try it, don't stop with the first one.

The photo below is Foyle and his driver.   Apparently we aren't the only ones who like the series.   Our next reserved disc has a short wait.  We are on Season Two.  There are five seasons.

Michael Kitchens (Foyle) was born on my birthday, October 31 (year unknown)  in Leicester and is an actor and television producer.

Beth Stine sent us photos of their visit.  These folks know how to have fun!  First she served her sister breakfast in bed.

They like to travel

They like to cuddle

They like to have fun!

Wish we could visit Brazil.   I think it would be a great place to relax and have fun.  Thank you Beth, for sharing your photos.

One of my all time favorite pet pics, Sherri's little Sabra

OUR ROSE ROCKS ARE FOR THE BIRDS TOO

Jess Parker brought her birds, Twizzle, Charly and Zevon to visit us last week before going on a trip.   They ride on her shoulders and arms.  Twizzle:  "Gee guys, couldn't you scoot over a little bit?" 

Zevon, nicknamed "Z" for short,  shows off for us a little.   Jess has had him the longest and he seems the most tame.  He walked up my arm quite readily.  The red one, Charly has been with her only a few months and was not treated well, so she is working with him to help him recover.

 "You think I'm cute?    Aww,  gee!  I don't know what to say!"

Rescue cats bond together

HOWLING HARMONICA 

 Youtube production by Debbie Teague,  photography by Nancy Stine, Actors are Joe Stine and Penny and a small bit part by Crystal

COVER OF CITY OF NOBLE DIRECTORY 2009

It's Joe Stine, who else would be digging these rose rocks? (and using a geology pick)

THERE'S MORE TO THE SEA THAN FISH!

Rose rocks were formed when the sea covered the sand in Oklahoma in a vertical narrow strip across the center of the state.   One day several years ago, I saw small cylinders of rock-like material sticking up out of the ground kind of like little plants.  There were about a dozen and I plucked them out and took them to the museum.  Two palentologists identified them as being "worm bores".  Sea worms had burrowed into the sea mud and later the holes filled with calcite and they became a fossil.   They looked kind of like the one in the middle below in the photo before I plucked them out of the sand.

The clump on the left above is a small section of sea mud which also calcified and became a fossil.   On the right is a rose rock with the calcite material attached to one side.  This shows us the approximate time frame when the rose rocks were formed.  Many of the rocks in the area have this on them.  We know that in order for the material to be on the outside, the rocks had to form either before or during the time the sea was there. 

"Oh boy, oh boy, great snacks!"

OKLAHOMA STATE ROCK

Barite Rose Rock

This near perfect specimen was pulled out of an area of extremely hard sandstone and required many hard rains to remove it S. E. of Noble.  It was taken from a very small area.

OKLAHOMA STATE CRYSTAL

Hourglass selenite

This is the only place in the world that selenite crystals form with hourglass design.  Found in the northwest part of the state, the park was shutdown for collecting specimens when a child dug into some material that caused a burning sensation.  However, it has been cleaned and reopened this year.   It is open April through October.

ROSE ROCK COUNTRY VISITED IN NOVEMBER

Here is an area we had not visited in a year.  It is pretty wild country out there.  The first photo gives you an impression of what it is like.   See the rose rocks at the bottom of the photo.

ROSE ROCKS DUG 11/2007

This is a small sampling I grabbed out of a bucket and power washed before leaving the shop Monday.  It looks really promising.  They are from two to two and half inches across.

PHOTO OF A ROCK HEART

Joe power washed some rose rocks we brought in last weekend and this one, we thought was quite interesting.  We have a collection of little rose rock hearts in the museum to add this one to.  It is completely flat on the back.

The rose below is another treasure the rain provided.

Below is a portion of the Museum's diorama: 

Some rock diggings above.  It's work that requires some muscles.

The dark red smaller cluster in the middle, front was dug early this year.

Unusual cluster of rose rocks pictured below.  They are on display in the rose rock museum.

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The above rose rock and dogwood tree was made for the City of Noble about 1985 and is on display at the City Hall.  Noble is the official Rose Rock Capital of Oklahoma.  Joe did most of the structure and rose rock work while I did the porcelain enameling of the dogwood blossoms.  Debbie cut out each copper leaf by hand, wearing garden gloves.  Later we had a punch and die made so the leaves could be punched out.

Below is a really large rose rock cluster located south east of Noble.  The boys are grandchildren of the owner.

The same rose rock cluster in the 1800's:

The largest known rose rock cluster completely removed out of the ground is pictured above.  It is approx. 10 ft. long, owned by Steve Meints, Muskogee area.  You can get an idea of the size if you notice the tires which are underneath it.  It originated S. E. of Noble, Ok.  Another large one, about five feet long is located at Love's corporate headquarters in Oklahoma City.  It also came from S. E. of Noble.

Above is a scene from our diorama in the museum. 

  :

The photo above shows how the little rose rocks look as they come out of the sand.  Below is a near perfect rose.  It came from an area which is just about depleted.  They were in an embankment which was so hard it took many hard rains to reveal them.