I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence
And so the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're goin' through

Monday, September 7, 2009

What I Did on My Summer Vacation

Or at least one day of it.


We went to the Great Geauga County Fair, which is the oldest continuously running county fair in Ohio. The fair is an annual tradition for us. We've gone to other county fairs around us, but the Geauga Fair is the best.

Because there are crafts.


Things you can't get elsewhere like

elderberry pie made by real elders (in this case the Hambden Grange).

Of course the political parties have their booths.


And, of course, those with an agenda like the young earth creationists.


Sleeping cat is also unamused by my humor


There are also the genuine real petunias.


I should explain that this is a five foot tall petunia.

And because it's the Geauga County Fair we also have our genuine Amish Girls


They're waiting for the Amish Races to begin (no, I'm serious). Much squealing was to be heard as the Amish ponies went thundering by. And because we're talking about the Amish, a lot of people really don't believe me when I tell them things about the Amish. Like their use of cell phones. All the girls had at least one. No, really. Embiggen that photo and look at the girl on the far right. Still don't believe me? Okay.


Yeah, that's a digital camera she has. And she was using, not as a still camera, but to make a video of the race.

Okay, yes, sleeping cat is still not impressed.


Then yesterday was Mom's for grilling and conversation. It also included my first hands on experience with a Wii. The sister-in-law had just bought one with a Fit balance board and wanted to see how it goes all together. I fell in love. After doing the boxing game, the tennis game, and a few of the balance games I was feeling the sweat. So, I'm thinking of it as a way to get some weekly exercise. Lot of fun.

Today? Well today was a lazy day. Sleep in, didn't do much. Just getting back into the swing.

7 comments:

Dr. Phil (Physics) said...

We are very impressed by sleeping cat.

Dr. Phil

vince said...

It sounds like a fun way to spend a day. And the sleeping cat is very cute.

Also, I didn't know the Amish used digital cameras or cell phones. You learn something new every day.

Stewart Sternberg (half of L.P. Styles) said...

Again, allow me to push the Xbox if you're a serious gamer.

As for State Fairs, I keep expecting to hear Pat Boone burst into song about a pig. If you can't make the reference, don't sweat it.

Every year Alice Cooper has come to the Michigan State Fair and every year I refuse to see him at that venue. Go figure.

Steve Buchheit said...

Dr. Phil, yeah, I wish I could sleep like the cats do.

Vince, yep, the Amish are quite hip to technology. It also helps that our local Bishops seem to be liberal in their interpretations (going to the fair we passed Amish driving their front loader full of split wood).

Stewart, well the Wii would be for the Fit side of things. If I was going to do serious gamer things, yeah, I'd swallow my pride and get an Xbox (eww, it's got Microsoft all over it). I get very addicted to video games so for me to get Halo or the like, say goodbye to my writing time. With the Wii, I could do it until I had a good sweat going and then off to something else. And it would be great for the winter In Door Months (where my only real exercise is shoveling the driveway, and yes, I have a shovel).

And Alice shows up for the State Fair and you're not there? (having heard him interviewed post glam rock days, I'm highly impressed with him as a person as well as a rocker)

WendyB_09 said...

Huh, and here I thought the swine barn was where they were handing out viruses...

I had the opportunity to photograph an Alice Cooper concert many years ago, probably 1974 or so, at the Greensboro Coliseum.

Somewhere I've still got a stunning B&W photo of him in a white satin sailor uniform as he stepped behind the speakers to get a quick sip of something while the drummer was rocking out mid-song. He looked up & straight at me just as I took the shot. Moment of quiet in the midst of concert chaos.

Met him a few years ago when I was working a local summer concert venue. Cool guy.

Steve Buchheit said...

WendyB_09, well, outside all the barns and tents they had Purell stations (had them for years after a supposed incident of a kid getting sick from "touching the animals"), including the political tents.

And yeah, Vincent sounds like a real cool guy with his head on straight.

Michelle said...

We went to the fair, too. We go every year with another couple, although this year they couldn't go so it was just Steve & I. Maybe next year we'll coordinate and all go together?

I wanted to go to the Wayne Cty fair, but we didn't get the chance. I'm obsessed with someday living in Wayne County, in conservative bliss, on a large amount of acreage in self-sufficient heaven.

Vince - you should see the young Amish girls run into the Middlefield tavern ladies room and change into their Yankee mundanes on a Saturday night.