We are nearing the end of the summer days, which means we will be back to just one resident teen in two days. The summer of teens went well, but honestly 61 days of other people’s teens is a tad longer than is sane for them and for us. We’ll rethink our planning for next year or we’ll actually plan next year, what a concept. We do believe we’ve given the teen’s a great experience and opportunity, so we are glad to have this home to share with them. However, fall is looking really good.
Our teen will be back at school in no time, but of course not until after THE fair and THE rodeo. One of the lovely parts of living in a small town, is that when there is a big event happening, it is a big event for everyone. There are no membership requirements, no need to live in the right part of town or go to the right school, the right church or have the right friends. THE county fair and THE rodeo is for everyone and it seems everyone is involved. Even the farming is stopped for the weekend, no hay is cut, fluffed or baled, as there is a lot of excitement in the air.
(I love living here, as I just went to the Rodeo office for some posters and a gift for the English teen. The man working the counter tipped his hat to me. Old time manners, got to love them!)
Our first fair will be some welcome family time with the teen and the Bride & Groom. We’ve worked the system making three trips to the Feed & Seed to buy Wrangler cowboy shirts and receive our ‘free’ rodeo ticket each time. Prior to ‘kick off’ (or what ever rodeo term there is for barrels, roping and bucking) we’ll “do” the fair and might even go to the livestock auction.
The little I know is that the 4-H kids have been raising bunnies, pigs, cattle, sheep (that for some reason need to be walked daily which makes them ‘better’ sheep), dogs and horses. There is judging and a live stock auction, where the kids can sell their livestock animals. I asked our friend the farmer exactly who buys the livestock animals. “Oh, the biggest group of bidders is usually Grandfathers.” ” Oh, so it is a little like a silent auction?” “No”, he says, “There is nothing silent about it”. I hope for his sake that he takes a really big wallet as he’s got 12 grandkids. Who knows maybe we’ll bid on a pig!
I love the Ellensburg signs! I am off for four days over Labor Day…I want to go to THE Rodeo and THE Fair. How long does it take to drive? Oh, man, my husband says it is too far. Bummer. Have a blast!
Time to make sure the freezer is cleaned out and that you’ve identified the preferred custom cutting & wrapping business. The sale is a great time to fill the freezer!
Have fun at the rodeo!
You should enter your zuchinni chutney at the fair.