Sixty-six

Dr. Lobo turned sixty-six today, and we celebrated the event in our usual low-key way. That means we didn’t do much more than we usually do on Sundays, which is very little.

We went to Hideaway Pizza for supper, however, accompanied by Little Guy. When I referred to Dr. Lobo as the Birthday Boy, our waitress brought him a very large, warm chocolate chip cookie, with chocolate drizzled over it. I was happy that it turned out that way. If Hideaway had been one of those obnoxious places where the wait staff sings Happy Birthday to the celebrant, I would have been in big trouble. Dr. Lobo does not like to be the center of attention in public places.

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He has decided that this is the year for traveling along every mile of old Route 66. He is studying the atlas, which is one of his favorite things to do.

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So we’ll be getting our kicks along Route 66 in the not-too-distant future. Sounds like a very good way to celebrate being sixty-six.

Oklahoma City, Lego Style

Although many noises are associated with childhood, one specific sound stands out in my mind whenever I remember Little Guy as—well, as a little guy. It's the stirring of Legos as he searched through the tub to find a particular piece. For many years, he asked for Legos for his birthday and Christmas. Dr. Lobo would protest, saying “We are NOT bringing more Legos into this house. He already has millions of pieces!” “I know,” I would respond, “but that’s about the only thing he plays with.”

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A couple of months ago, we heard about the Oklahoma City Lego exhibit. Of course we had to go. It was awesome.
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“Big Kids” who love Legos recreated some of Oklahoma City’s landmarks.

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The Bombing Memorial and Reflecting Pool

Bricktown and the Canal

The Myriad Gardens tube

The Chesapeake Energy Campus

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Ghouls on Parade

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An Oklahoma City Thunder Game

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Devon Energy and Chase Bank

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Bank of Oklahoma and OG & E

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Oklahoma Publishing Company (OPUBCO)

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Hudiburg Chevrolet

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Plaza Court

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The Devon Tower (currently under construction) as it will look upon completion

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The Colcord Hotel

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Court in Session

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Inside View of Hospital

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We took lots of pictures!

Does Little Guy still like Legos? Well, let’s just say that Santa Claus has brought him Lego sets for the last two years. After all, that’s about the only thing he plays with.

How I Survived the Blizzard of 2011

Well, I think we’ve survived. The snow has taken a short break, but the roads are still snow packed and slippery. Except for those unfortunate souls who have to work, only the hardy or foolish are venturing forth. But I’m hopeful that we’ve survived the worst of it.

It’s been brutally cold, with some wind chill temperatures considerably below zero. Even with our reliable floor furnace working its little heart out, it’s been hard to keep this nearly one hundred year old house warm. To keep the pipes from freezing, we’ve run heaters and kept the faucets dripping. Even so, pipes under the house froze, and the sinks could not drain. Water from dripping faucets accumulates at a surprising pace, so we have bailed gallons of water.

Sharing our space with the cats has been like living with teenage girls who have been grounded. They’re used to coming and going as they please, and they complain frequently and loudly about this forced confinement.



We’ve developed a few coping techniques, however. Here are my suggestions for surviving a blizzard.



Wear several layers of clothing and get under a blanket or two. It’s especially important to keep your feet warm.

Eat plenty of warm comfort food and hope that you don’t gain ten pounds from the excess of hot chocolate and banana bread and the absence of exercise.

Entertain yourself with a marathon of some kind. (We’re watching Mad Men. You may choose something more active.)

Keep at least one cat on your lap at all times.

We’ve done well coping with the weather, but we’re beginning to face a new problem. In Oklahoma, snow and ice usually melt away within a couple of days, so we’re not used to being snowbound this long. I’m finding it a bit challenging to live with Dr. Lobo 24/7. I think we’ve survived the blizzard, but if I don’t get out of this house soon, I’m not sure our marriage will survive.