august 10, 2015

posted in: photography | 2

“When the Lakota leader Sitting Bull was asked by a white reporter why his people loved and respected him, Sitting Bull replied by asking if it was not true that among white people a man is respected because he has many horses, many houses? When the reporter replied that was indeed true, Sitting Bull then said that his people respected him because he kept nothing for himself.” ~ Joseph Bruchac

 

Rob
Rod

 

Rod Rickey is a stand up guy. I met him many years ago through Angie. He was incredibly gracious, and I thought the world of him immediately. The only real difference between then and now is that he didn’t quite look as much like Sean Connery and he wasn’t married.

 

office
office

 

When Angie told me she was going to build a house I hoped she would call Rod, not realizing he was in Arizona being a tour guide in the Grand Canyon. But lo and behold, he was back in Tahlequah and agreed to build her house. In that instant I knew it would be an incredible house, and that was before I met his totally awesome wife Diane who helped him build it.

 

the blacksmith shop
the blacksmith shop

 

Rod and Diane are both gifted people, and by gifted I mean talented like there’s no tomorrow. Everything around their house is touched with art and character; deep, deep character. Rod is especially fond of his blacksmith shop. It’s small and simple, and yet beautifully built, steeped in western feel.

 

hot hat
hot hat

 

Diane’s no slouch when it comes to talent. She made the chaps below. They happen to be the first pair she ever made. And look at the door! It’s an office door that just needed a door. But did the Rickey’s put up just a door? Oh, heavens no. That is a door to beat all doors. Yep, when Angie told me Rod Rickey was building her house, I knew everything would be alright, because Rod is a stand up guy. They don’t make ’em like him anymore. And boy did he marry well. I feel so special to know them and call them friends.

 

western swing
western swing

 

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2 Responses

  1. Diane Rickey

    Thanks so much for the sweet, kind words!!! Your pictures are awesome!!
    Can’t wait until your return to tahlequah. Lots of love, your friend. Diane
    Ps I can’t wait to show rod

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