The Paineapolooza

If the Paineapolooza doesn't kill you - it will make you stronger.

From the morning of July 31 to the morning of August 3, as many as 400 hardy, partying souls - some traveling from as far away as Nederland, some 700 miles away - endured high humidity, blood sucking insects, high gas prices, and temperatures that soared to 111 degrees, in the shade.

And not only did they survive, but they thrived during the Paine family's extended week-end gathering of archaic revival, Elephant Revival, My-Tea-Kind, love, musical shamanism, good food that gladens the heart, cold showers, bathing and boating on and in Lake Murray, Oklahoma.

Nederland's 'Elephant Revival' was the headline band of the music festival. But other musical acts participating in the festival were Oklahoma's 'My-Tea-Kind, The Frankies, Joe Mack, Okie Jew-Boy, Missouri's 'Wayward Traveler', and Norway's Ole (pronounced Uhla) the amazing Norwegian Folk Fiddler.

"If it wasn't for the cold showers I probably would have been dead by the second day," said Nederland resident Mark Tongland. "But not only did no body get hurt (too much) or killed, it was an intense, joyous. life-altering experience for most everybody."

"Is this a great country or what," said Uncle Mark Paine (the biological uncle of Nederland resident Bonnie Paine, and the metaphorical uncle of many others).

("If you don't get caught," he added.)

"The Paineapolooza is from, by and for the Okie Party Ghetto Militia and Garden Club," Uncle Mark said.

"We are stalworth defenders of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. We fight for the restoration of the Republic. And we really enjoy good music, good food, gardening, and having world-class, great parties," he added.

"Lake Murray (near the Oklahoma/Texas border) is an arduous place this time of the year, but this is such a good time," said Nederland resident Spence Seare - whose culinery skills can be regularly sampled at Nederland's Back Country Pizza.

Seare won the hearts of all with these same culinary skills which richly contributed to the on-going feast - a regular feature of the Paineapolooza..

"After the Paineapolooza I feel I can go anywhere in the world - equatorial Africa, Antarctica, Salt Lake City - and I will be empowered to party," Seare said.