Category: News, observances, history

September Timely Topics- a potpourri of events

One of the darkest days in United States history, as well as the rest of the world is September 11, 2001 when the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacked by terrorists. The country and the world have not been the same since.

September feels like we’re in the home stretch of the year, two-thirds of the way through. Where I live, the first day of autumn happens. Vacations end, school resumes, and life gets busier.

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Labor Day

In the United States, we observe a holiday called Labor Day, although most people get the day off work. Not much happens on Labor Day except in a book and a movie by that name, and I reviewed both in this post.

Labor Day, the holiday and the book

In this post I review the book Labor Day by Joyce Maynard . It explores an unexpected and transformative weekend for a 13-year-old boy named Henry, his emotionally fragile mother Adele, and a mysterious man named Frank.

Keep reading

Grandparents’ Day

Another un-holiday is Grandparents’ Day. I think the only people who observe it are grandparents. I shared my grand-parenting journey in this post.

Exploring the HEART of Grandparenting

This post discusses the significance of grandparenting and the impact it has on children’s well-being. In an interview, Dr. Aletha shared her ir experiences and insights as a grandparent, highlighting the role grandparents play in creating lasting memories and passing on traditions. Practical advice on caring for grandchildren is also provided, emphasizing safety and health.

Keep reading
Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.'s avatar by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

Exploring the HEART of grandparenting

Remembering history

Although not as well known or observed as Independence Day (USA), Constitution Day, September 17, is probably more important. This day honors the creation of the United States government in 1787 as outlined in the Constitution.

If you listen to recent news, you know that what is and what isn’t “constitutional” creates heated debate, but that very debate is protected by the Constitution-and that’s something to celebrate. The day is also called Citizenship Day, an event I celebrated in a post about attending a naturalization ceremony.

9/11/2001

One of the darkest days in United States history, as well as the rest of the world, is September 11, 2001 when the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacked by terrorists. The country and the world have not been the same since.

Remembering 911 in literature

Pieces Falling: Navigating 9/11 with Faith, Family, and the FDNY by Ann Van Hine

“Ann Clark Van Hine, aka Miss Ann, was born in Oxford, England but grew up in Oklahoma, Utah, Arizona, New Jersey and now lives in Brooklyn, New York. Ann is the mom of two grown daughters, the widow of an FDNY firefighter, a retired small business owner, a docent with the 9/11 Tribute Museum, a published writer, Children’s Ministries volunteer, and a breast cancer survivor.

Since September 11, 2001, Ann has had numerous opportunities to share the story of God’s presence and peace as she navigated “a personal loss in the midst of a national tragedy.” She has shared her story all over the USA and internationally in Ireland, Belgium, England, and Japan. Ann is available to speak.”

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Honoring women physicians

The American Medical Association recognizes and honors women physicians in September.

And a woman physician played a key role in the NYC Medical Examiner’s office post 9/11. I reviewed her memoir.

Women physicians, the future of healthcare

Happy Women In Medicine Month- 5 women physicians

Why women physicians are good for healthcare

Working Stiff -a book review to remember 9/11

When she applied for a position in New York City at the NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), Dr. Judy Melinek never imagined that decision would plunge her into the nightmare of September 11, 2001. She was at the ME office that day when the Twin Towers were attacked and fell, killing thousands…

Keep reading

exploring the HEART of health

Thanks for remembering and honoring the people who led us through the uncertain days post 9/11, those who died, and the families they left behind. Please follow me here and on Facebook, Instagram, and Tumbler. I appreciate your time and interest.

Dr. Aletha
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“Play like a champion today”

The OU Sooners football program has won 7 national championships and 7 players have received Heisman trophies. More importantly, the team never fails to show their fans exciting, hard-fought games. Even when they lose, they do so with plays that keep us guessing what’s going to happen next and wondering how such talented athletes can end up with the losing score.

The University of Oklahoma Sooners

updated August 14, 2025

The Players

From the Big 8, to the Big 12, and now the SEC, the University of Oklahoma football and other sports teams set and maintain a high standard of excellence, on and off the field.

In Oklahoma, September means football season from youth to college.

We don’t have a pro football team in the state but many of our schools’ alumni play professionally, like Heisman trophy winner Baker Mayfield.

Almost everyone here either follows college football or lives with someone who does. In my home, both my husband and I avidly support our alma mater, the University of Oklahoma, also known as OU.

The OU Sooners football program has won 7 national championships and 7 players have received Heisman trophies.

More importantly, the team consistently delivers exciting, hard-fought games to its fans. Even when they lose, they do so with plays that keep us guessing what’s going to happen next and wondering how such talented athletes can end up with the losing score. No wonder their motto is “Boomer Sooner”.

The Place-Norman, Oklahoma

The OU campus in Norman Oklahoma has a state-of-the-art stadium and houses the Barry Switzer Center. The center was named after OU’s all-time winningest head football coach, who led his Sooner teams to three national championships, 12 Big Eight Conference championships and eight bowl wins in 13 appearances. ( He went on to coach the Dallas Cowboys, winning a Super Bowl championship. )

At the center is the Legends Lobby, a museum of OU football memorabilia. If you visit the center in Norman Oklahoma, here are a few things you will see. (Due to an NCAA regulation, the center is not open on game days.)

a mural of football coaches at the University of Oklahoma
a life-size mural depicting the past and current coaches of the OU Sooners
(my husband posing for my photo)
a mural with football team of the University of Oklahoma
1974 national college football championship trophy
1974 championship trophy

And a visit to Norman would not be complete without eating at Ray’s BBQ owned by former OU player and New York Jet Darrol Ray.

Eat at Ray's and tell them I sent you.
Eat at Ray’s and tell them we sent you.
Darrol Ray talked about school in an interview-

“Stay in your books. If you have even a glimmer of a dream of what you want to do later in life, don’t be afraid … if you want to do X, don’t let somebody tell you you should do A, B and C,”

Darrol Ray, retired professional football player

The Coaches

Brent Venables now coaches the Sooner football team, but his predecessors Barry Switzer and Bob Stoops left him a legacy to follow.

Bootlegger’s Boy

Barry Switzer’s autobiography is an interesting read.

What It Means To Be A Sooner

” Taking a decade-by-decade approach to the University of Oklahoma football tradition, this collection brings together over 40 stories from the most outstanding voices of the program.

The spirit of Sooners football is not captured by just one phrase, one season, or one particular game; instead, the student-athletes and coaches who made the magic happen over the decades blend their experiences to capture the true essence of their beloved school.

Sooners fans will relish the intimate stories told by the figures they have come to cherish.” Amazon

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The University

The University of Oklahoma is not just about sports. The school excels in the fine arts and has a first-class medical school, among other disciplines. See more of what the campus offers –

statue of a dancing lady
“The Dance” statue at the University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma

where my medical journey began- Tuesday Travels

University of Oklahoma campus library
plaque in front of the Bizzell Library, at the University of Oklahoma

Exploring the HEART of health

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And please, always

PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY
This sign once hung in the OU football locker room. I think it’s good advice for anyone.
Dr. Aletha

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