If you ever come to visit (first, I have to know you) you'll be subjected to doing what real Oklahomans do, not necessarily what the world thinks we do. I mean sure, there will be horses involved; that's a given. We took Joakim (I call him Dwight because "Jo-a-kim", when you say it out loud sounds like "Yoakum") around the city again today. He's here from Sweden to visit Laura and since she's not the happiest of campers when it comes to driving, I drive. He's not a driver at all, so there's going to have to be a day when I take him to the parking lots and let him try. That's something he can't do in Sweden!
Today, we went to Alligator Alley, a famously wonderful little shop that houses a few interesting reptiles including actual alligators. You can get right up next to them (they are in sealed tanks) and you can see for yourself why it is that you don't want an alligator as a pet. The store is a go-to when you want a lizard, snake, tortoise, or even a ferret. I told you, I think I told you, yesterday, that we took Joakim to the pet store. We do that. We go to pet stores a lot! Laura has her lizards and we are constantly in and out of these stores buying crickets. While we are there we may or may not happen to pick up a Ball Python or two. I do anyway. Today it was the Uromastx! Laura bought it. OF COURSE, SHE DID!! I was teasing Joakim and telling him that his main job today would be to stop Laura from purchasing another lizard. He failed. I mean, he did try, I have to give him that much credit.
After Alligator Alley we hit up another Oklahoma store, Hobby Lobby! If you have not been to one, you need to set aside time and money. Both time and money will be spent when you go to a Hobby Lobby store. If you're into making things, or just having really cool home decor, you'll find Hobby Lobby is chock full of ideas to both imaginatively create, and/or just to buy already made. They always have candles and things on sale, so you can't walk out empty-handled. Today, July 16, they were busy loading up the west side of the store, which is their seasonal side, with all the pumpkins and pumpkinny things out there! It is FALL/AUTUMN in Hobby Lobby, but you have to get it quickly, as Christmas will be there in September!
After Hobby Lobby we tackled EARL'S BBQ!! As mentioned in a few blogs, when you come to or through Oklahoma City, you must, must, must, stop at Earl's on Reno and Meridian. You have to say hello to the manager and operator J.T. Simmons, and get the state's best-smoked ribs and/or pulled pork or brisket sandwiches. His menu is basically the same as any BBQ joint, but there is no beating his slaw! Joakim tried the Earl's Binge, which gave him a sampling of all the meats including brisket, ribs, pork, and smoked bologna. It came with a few sides. He'll be stuffed for a minute. You have to do okra if you come to our state. It's the law.
We'll let the man rest for a while, get him over his food coma before we take him to the Arabian Horse Show down at the Fairgrounds. That may be something he and Laura can do without me. I am not a foo-foo horse person. I prefer dirt and western rodeo-type shows. The Arabian Horse Show is rather formal. The audience doesn't have to dress up of course, but the animals and their people are gussied up pretty well. They'll enjoy the beauty and the elegance of each horse. Laura will likely walk him back through the stall areas so he can see what really takes place. We are nothing if not thorough with our guests!
One thing Dwight saw today that they don't have in his country is panhandlers. We forget about the details here. I wouldn't have thought to ask if he had them. He was wondering why they were walking in and out of traffic and begging for money. I wish I could tell him we didn't have this problem, but we have this problem. Most are respectful of the motorists. I do think that in this heat, they need to wear ball caps or hats and have water to hydrate. I may go back and take them some! We just never know what another person will see that we take either for granted, or we're a bit jaded and just don't want to see it anymore. (Guilty)
Photo Credit: Me
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