Ohio State Fair

Today my Aunt Lesley and I went to the Fair.  From partaking of blueberry corn ice cream to taking wacky photos at various booths with wooden cutouts, enjoying the Ohio State Fair is a long standing family tradition.  Both my mother and my grandmother absolutely loved our happy adventures.  Now they are gone but we still carry on the tradition.
      My eldest child shares our enthusiasm too.  In years gone by, she headed off to school with an amazing collection of pencils freely given by various government agencies at their informational booths. If her pencil rolled off her desk, there was no doubt who it belonged to.  How many kids have railroad safety or public health pencils?
     Today my dear girl had to work, so she couldn't come with my Aunt and I.  We will be heading back very soon to make new Fair memories together.  I don't know if you and yours enjoy fairs, but whatever you appreciate about summertime, I pray that you are able to find time to enjoy life with those you love.

Tah Dah!

Yet another delightful treat from the fair!
A gift from the fine people at http://www.ohiolink.edu/.
I've wanted a travel coffee mug for a while now,
I looked at them at Target
and just couldn't bring myself to pay
eight dollars!
for a mug.
I didn't need a fancy one.
Just some way to have a decent chance
to sip my morning treat
instead of wearing it.
In the past they were a common give away,
but lately with budgets being what they are,
they have become pretty scarce.
I was considering dropping hints to my daughters
so that one might appear under the tree.
This afternoon, when I inquired at the Ohio booth,
if I could indeed have the lone cup
sitting amid a sea of lesser freebies,
I was happily given an affirmative answer!
Now my coffee can bring me magical restorative powers
and
happy memories of the Ohio State Fair!
Both of which will be especially appreciated
on cold and dark winter mornings.

NASA

Of course I had to have my photo taken at the NASA booth! If you go, the exhibit is near the Cardinal Entrance. The pictures are free and they also are sharing lovely large NASA stickers and glossy pictures explaining many space related things.

After the fair... everything else is just gravy... I love summer!

Ever since I was a bitty child,
I have enjoyed our Ohio State Fair.

There is something truly magical about dripping roasted corn,
watching product demonstrations
and walking until you just may drop.

Some years I've milked cows,
others I've ridden the overhead sky lift.

Every year I come home with a smile and wonderful memories.

Truth be told I'd love to go again this year,
but,
once will calm the craving.

I visit the same places every year.
I buy my corn and chat while it is dipped in the butter vat.
(butter vat... how fun is that?... yummy!)

I get my diet soda at the stand that will fill any cup for 99 cents.
They don't even care if it is a McDonald's cup from the "outside".

The concession workers at the family owned booths
are generally the same from year to year
and it makes me smile when I recognize them.

I love the photo opportunities and the free samples.
Yup!
I'm going to share some of my photos with you.

If you get a chance,
get yourself to the fair
and experience the most wonderful
summer tradition I know.

Sigh

Have I mentioned I love summer?
=-)