Category Archives: The Senator’s Wife

Inauguration Day, Part II

The show must go on, and it did yesterday as my great state celebrated the historic swearing-in of Oklahoma’s 27th Governor.

It was snowing and cold but those in charge of the festivities at the capitol did a marvelous job of moving the event along. It should come as no surprise that this was their fifth swearing-in ceremony, meaning they have been in charge of the logistics from constructing the podium, the sound, the security, to seating the crowd and dignitaries for the last five gubernatorial inaugurations. And, they did a fabulous job under the extreme conditions of the day.

This job didn’t come without its perks either. Here is a photo I snapped of one of the gentlemen in charge with native Oklahoman and country singer, Toby Keith.

He is a good friend of ours (not Toby Keith), but the man in charge. The Senator calls him Pickel. He owns a construction company and I’m sure Pickel was giving Toby very specific instructions before he sang a tribute to our nation’s soldiers.

And, that is another story….about how a country music star manages to play a song on his guitar in sub-zero temperatures.

It really was bone chilling outside. I mean, at that point in the program I could barely feel my feet. However, they must have kept Mr. Keith inside by the fire before his performance because he sang and played to perfection. That is just how good these guys are at running the show.

As I said before, we had front (well, actually third) row seats for the ceremony.

And, even though they were covered in snow our seats were close enough to capture some fun photos.

Like of the oil rig that sits on the south lawn of our state capitol……and those majestic columns….

…and a photo of the Senator’s office. I’m sure it was nice and warm in there.

And, the steps used for the procession back up into the rotunda.

I loved having the presence of so many service men and women who lined the path upwards. Even the ones with guns located right behind us. They made me feel safe.

After the ceremony, we got to catch up with a former governor. He and my Senator are friends and were exchanging stories about cowboy hats….

And, there were some good ones. Stories, that is.

Then, we ran into a Oklahoma Congressman who I have known since I was little.

I used to work for his dad a long time ago. They are good family friends and I am really proud of the job he is doing in Washington D.C.

As the Senator and I headed back up to his office, we happened to look out the window at the people still lined up in the cold waiting to get into the Capitol for the post inaugural reception. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for them. It was bitter cold, but they were witnessing a part of our state’s history and I get that.

Next up….How not to plan an Inaugural Ball!

Inauguration Day

Today is going to be historic.

The first female is going to be sworn in as the Governor of my great state and can we just say, it is about time!

The ceremony will take place down at the marble palace outside on the south steps to be exact. And, it is going to be cold. Like, very v-e-r-y cold. As in snow and sleet and sub-freezing wind chill temperatures.

Eight years ago, I sat on the podium with my Senator and a couple of hundred other dignitaries. It was sunny, and nice. It was also my first time to experience anything like that so, of course it was going to be exciting. Anyway, today we are talking arctic air…so I am seriously contemplating watching this historic event from inside the Capitol building because it will be much more comfortable in there… unless the Senator forces me outside…which he very likely will do. I’ll keep you posted. Regardless, I am just feeling fortunate for the front row seat to watch history in the making!

I’ll be back later today with photos!

Nicely perched in the Senator’s capitol office.

The Inaugural stage looks so cozy from up here.

Kid in a Candy Store

So, this past week I spent a few days roaming around my old stomping grounds and feeling a little nostalgic. Weepy. Patriotic. And, tired. So, very tired! I never sleep well in that town because I feel like I will be missing something. I know, call me crazy. But, I love, love love our nation’s Capitol city.

I went out there for a finance meeting for a national board that I sit on, a wonderful organization, really. However, it coincided with the swearing-in of Oklahoma’s newest Congressman so I was able to hit the Hill running.

It has been a long time since I walked around Capitol Hill, most notably the House side. Like a few years ago when the Senator and I had the children there and toured them around the National Mall. I forced them to walk from the WWII Memorial up the Hill to the House side and then across the Capitol over to the Senate side. They refer to this trek as their own personal Bataan Death March and I still don’t get that. I suppose I got all caught up in the magnificent surroundings packed chalk full of history and lost myself. They didn’t think it was funny. Especially in the heat of the summer. My first clue should have been when they asked to stop and play in the sprinkler system in front of the Library of Congress. Nice, huh!

Anyway, I pulled the same stunt Tuesday afternoon. After the ceremonial swearing-in of my Congressman (and a photo-op in front of the Speaker’s Office) I thought it would be fun to hop over to the Senate side to reminisce for a moment. And, it was, albeit the new blisters on the back of my heels but that didn’t’ keep me from enjoying every moment of my walk. I waved to the Capitol Hill Police on every corner and smiled like a happy tourist after each photo I took. I love this country and its rich history. I love this town. I felt like a kid in a candy store, at home and completely satisfied.