Author: Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

As a family physician, I explore the HEART of HEALTH in my work, recreation, community, and through writing. My blog, Watercress Words, informs and inspires us to live in health. I believe we can turn our health challenges into healthy opportunities. When we do, we can share the HEART of health with our families, communities, and the world. Come explore and share with me.

The Heart of Art at The University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma is renowned for its successful athletic programs, particularly in football, softball, and gymnastics. However, it also excels in the arts, showcased by the Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art and the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, highlighting both artistic and educational pursuits.

If you have heard of the University of Oklahoma at all, it’s probably because of our football team, which has won several national championships. Or maybe you’ve heard about our softball and gymnastics teams, also national champions.

But the “university on the prairie” is also a leader in the arts.

I was a student there and met my husband in the 1970s.

I took these photos during visits to the campus in Norman, Oklahoma, about 30 miles south of Oklahoma City.

The Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art

From the acclaimed Weitzenhoffer Collection of French Impressionism to more than 6000 works by Native American artists,the museum’s holdings are vast, varied and nationally significant.

Thomas Brent Smith, Director, in Sooner Magazine, Summer 2025
cabinet, chairs, sculpture
Hester Hall, home of the College of International Studies
dancer
“State of Grace”, artist Robert Taylor
pottery1
Native American pottery
2016-03-05-11-21-40
native1
“The Guardian”

Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History 

The Sam Noble Museum at The University of Oklahoma inspires minds to understand the world through collection-based research, interpretation and education.

Sam Noble Museum

They may not be “art”, but the natural history museum exhibits are informative and inspirational.

Exploring the HEART of learning

I’d love for you to follow this blog and follow me on social media.

I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

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The University of Oklahoma also has two medical campuses, in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. After my years in Norman, I attended the medical school in Oklahoma City, which is where I became

Dr. Aletha
a rearing horse statue

Dishing Out Love

The mistake we should never make is to be generous with judgment and stingy with love. The people around us are starving for love and we need to unlock our pantry and see to it that everybody gets a belly full.

My husband Raymond and I have had the honor and pleasure of knowing Bob Peragallo and his wife for several years. He is the Board Chairman for Vets With a Mission  (VWAM) , a faith based humanitarian organization;  we have served with them on mission trips to VietNam.

Like my husband, Bob is a veteran of the American war in Vietnam. After his military service, he pastored a church. Here he shares his thoughts on pastoring, leading a service organization, and serving people in need. Words worth sharing

two veterans in Vietnam
Raymond Oglesby, Bob Peragallo and local officials at Trabong Vietnam

“Often people come to me searching for something deeper than a 500 character religious platitude, something stronger than a scripture icon or soundbyte. Like them, I need something I can touch, see and feel. What we need is love because only love can satisfy us.

When this need happens for me, I never want to have to walk away empty handed or when it is my turn to be the giver of this love, God help me to never give them a substitute.

We all believe in love, but often we love the idea of love, when it needs to be our job description. God declares Himself to be “Love” and He is, but it doesn’t always run in the family. Far too often, our lives become a poor substitute for the Jesus that the world is looking to see. If I lose my focus, I may give a poor substitute for this kind of love.

As someone who has received this love from my heavenly Father, I should always err on the side of loving people.

We might give our religious form, our knowledge of God or worst yet, my version of what is right (oh, how I love to be right). We can dish out our political views, judgments and contempt, even silence. We all understand and can relate to this from personal experience…and we know how much it sucks.

The mistake we should never make is to be generous with judgment and stingy with love. The people around us are starving for love and we need to unlock our pantry and see to it that everybody gets a belly full.

That doesn’t mean you always tell them what they want to hear and that they are not accountable. Whenever I find myself in this tension with people, or if you do, always do your best to fill that gap with compassion, kindness and decency. When you need love nothing else will work. My job is to love others, not see to it that others love me. “

my husband snapped this photo of me with Bob; he went with us to visit the site of Raymond's firebase during the war
my husband snapped this photo of me with Bob; he went with us to visit the site of Raymond’s firebase during the war
along the way we visited the memorial at Son My, better know to Americans as My Lai, site of the infamous massacre
along the way we visited the memorial at Son My, better known to Americans as My Lai, site of the infamous massacre

Exploring the HEART of Health

I’d love for you to follow this blog and follow me on social media.

I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha
"And now these three remain:faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13, photo from the Lightstock.com collection (affiliate link)