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Sunday, September 30, 2012

Introducing - The Armchair Book Review




I read a LOT of books. Seriously! I have about 10 books checked out right now from the library! I read all kinds of genres - from mystery to modern love story, to chick lit to literary to some non-fiction. I always like to hear about a good book and I thought, why not share what I've read with others? (slaps forhead!)

I just read a gem of a book called, "Memoirs of an imaginary friend" by Matthew Dicks.



This book is about Max, an 8-year-old with Asperger's, and his imaginary friend, Budo. It's written from Budo's perspective. Imaginary friends look exactly like their young people "imagined" them. For instance, many imaginary friends don't have eyebrows, some barely have feet; one has funny eyes like a dinosaur. Budo is lucky because Max imagined him to be exactly like a human. Budo gives Max courage, is his protector against the bully Tommy Swinden, but most of all, is Max's friend when others aren't because Max is "different".

Budo doesn't like Mrs. Patterson, a teacher's aide at Max's school. One day she does something very bad and Budo has to rescue Max. Budo relies on the help from other imaginary friends to save Max.

You may think this sounds like a children's story, but it is so well written and you will find yourself cheering for Budo. He describes the little idiosyncrasies of an Aspergers child - such as Max will not wear more than 7 pieces of clothing, so in the winter his mom sews fur inside his pockets for she knows that Max will not wear mittens if he wears a hat. Little details like this throughout the book give you a clear understanding of Max.

The ending is heartwarming and so sad. This book will stay with me for a long time.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds


The Birds is one of my all time favorite movies. If I happen to come across it while changing channels, I'll watch it, not matter where it is in the movie. I own the DVD, but I love the movie that much.

My sister, Pam, told me that a local theater was going to show The Birds on the big screen for one night only!

We hurried and bought tickets. My other sister, Linda, wanted to go, too.

Before the movie started, Alfred Hitchcock trivia questions like this one flashed on the screen. (Yes, I had my camera with me!)


(The answer is B. Notorious. Hitchcock thought the FBI had him under surveillance for three months because the film dealt with uranium.)

Before the movie began, which was sponsored by TCM (Turner Classic Movies, a GREAT TV station in the States that runs old movies non-stop), one of the hosts from that station did an interview with Tippi Hedren, who played Melanie in the movie. There is a scene in the movie where Melanie goes upstairs by herself because she hears something. She opens the door.....(this is the part where you are yelling - DON'T OPEN THE DOOR!) and a gazillion birds attack her!

Hitchcock told her that there would only be mechanical birds in the room. HE LIED! There were both REAL birds and FAKE birds! So the TERROR is real that you see in her eyes! She had  somewhat of a nervous breakdown after that scene!

Here is the trailer for the movie. It has a little bit of the scene I am talking about.




taken in the theater


Hitchcock did several cameo's in his movies and you can read about them here.

He is leaving when Tippi Hedren enters the pet store.

Those are his actual pets, too!


One of my favorite scenes in the movie is when Melanie is driving out to Bodega Bay in her fancy convertible to deliver the love birds and the winding roads cause the birds to sway back and forth.


At this point the young man behind me (about mid-30's) leaned forward and said quietly to me, "Are you about done?"

I said, "Why is this bothering you?"

"Yes"

"I am SO sorry!" I immediately put my camera away. I was very embarrassed. I really didn't think I was bothering anyone since I didn't use the flash, it was my small point and shoot camera, and I was taking the photos right from my seat. But I guess the "brightness" from the screen of the camera bothered him. I am always of the mind that my camera gives me a pass to do ANYTHING! I am bolder, AND, ANYTHING for the sake of my blog, right?

I wanted to apologize to the guy again when the show was over, but he was gone by the time we stood up to leave.

I soon forgot about the guy and got engrossed in to movie. Linda, had never seen it before, so Pam and I really got a kick out of her as she had her face covered through most of the movie and had to squelch several screams!

It was great to see this classic on the big screen. You should check your local theaters because TCM is sponsoring several of showings in the coming months of old favorites.

Speaking of birds, could you imagine coming across these? Watch this fantastic video!



Thursday, September 27, 2012

Thursday's Things in a Row

At the Farmer's Market!

Wagons available for those with a long list!



So hard to choose! They are all so pretty!




Mmmm, apples galore! Oh, and some pears, too!



Advertised as "microwave" popcorn! I've seen this before. You place the cob into a paper bag and put into the microwave. It only takes a couple of minutes!


I'll have more photos from the Farmer's Market next week.

What do you have this week to share?




Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Signs - Tan and WHAT?

It's bad enough if you have to do your laundry at a laundromat, but then to sit there with nothing to do while the loads are in the washer and/or dryer adds insult to injury.

This place has come up with a solution.



That's right, folks. As you are drying your clothes, why not dry out your SKIN and get a tan?

I had a good laugh when I saw this. Is it just me?

For more signs, funny or otherwise, please visit Lesley here.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Dancing like Psy

So the other morning Jim says to me, "That Psy guy is going to be on the Today show!"

 "What are you talking about?" I said.

 "YOU'VE never heard of him?" Jim asked, the look on his face saying it all.

 Okay folks. I HATE when Jim thinks he is cooler than me, when EVERYONE knows that I am WAY cooler than him! REALLY I am! But I had no clue what he was talking about. Apparently this guy named Psy, who is a Korean rapper, and has been around for 10 years  is finally making it big everywhere because of this crazy song and dance.

Here is his appearance on the Today Show (a morning talk/news program in the States).



It is worth watching the whole video even though the song is in Korean just so you can see the dance. There are a few phrases in English like, "Ooooh, Sexy Lady", and "Gangnam Style".

It is kind of catchy, no?

In fact, watch some Navy boys get in the action!



The other night my son and his girlfriend came over for dinner. I told them about the Psy dance and THEY had no idea what I was talking about. (Take THAT, husband!)

I quick got my laptop and showed them the video.

Then I tried to do some of the dance steps.

FAIL.

First let me preface this by saying that I never was nor ever will be a graceful person. You know that saying, "White people can't dance?" Who do you think it was based on?

Uh, yeah.

Anyway, I did my best to try to do the "cowboy" or "ride a horse" or whatever the heck that part of the dance was called.

Reena, my son's girlfriend, did her best not to fall on the floor laughing.

She was even so kind as to say, "You almost got it, Pat!"

Liar, liar, pants on fire!

What do they call that when a song gets stuck in your brain? And earworm?

Well, the next morning I awoke with the earworm of "Gangnam Style" and decided to try a few dance steps in the shower. I got the hand movement down. Cross your wrists and bend them loosely. Done. Now bend your legs like they are bowed and hop. Hop, woops! I slipped and then my brained kicked in.

"Just what the heck do you think you are doing?" I asked myself.

I could just imagine having to call the paramedics because I broke a hip, ankle or arm from slipping in the shower.

"Could you describe what happened," a serious looking EMT would ask me.

"Um, yeah, I was trying to do it 'Gangnam Style'", I'd answer sheepishly.

One of two things would happen at this point.

If he had no idea what I was talking about, he'd look at Jim with new respect in his eyes and think, "Man, the old man still has it!"

OR

If he KNEW what I was talking about, he'd think, "You've GOT to be kidding me, lady. That ship has sailed a long, long time ago. Maybe even with the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria!"

Young whippersnappers. They piss me the hell off.

Wait a minute. The second half didn't even happen. Geez. I'm getting mad for nothing.

Okay. Never mind!

This isn't me. But it COULD be! Enjoy!

Saturday, September 22, 2012

My husband was born in the wrong State

Jim is from Minnesota, but he should be from Missouri, which is pronounced "Miz-zor-ah" if you are from there or near there. (I learned this thanks to our friends Don and Rachel. Hi!*waving from home*)

Missouri's state nickname is "The Show Me State".*

If Jim hasn't experienced it himself, read it with his own eyes, or tasted it with his own lips, then it just didn't happen.

I speak the truth.

The other day I noticed that the vent fan in the bathroom wasn't working. It just made a "rrrrrrr" sound when I turned it on. Sounded like the motor was stuck. We use this fan constantly to keep the moisture out of the bathroom when we shower.

Later, I mentioned this to Jim while he was making his breakfast coffee.

"Hon, did you notice that the fan wasn't working in the bathroom?" I described the sound and told him what I thought was the problem.

He shrugged and said, "It worked for me!"

Then he continued to make his coffee.

Now.

This pissed me off royally.

He totally blew me off! I know some of you out there may think, "The man just said what really happened."

Okay, that's true. But I wanted to feel VALIDATED. Couldn't he add to his statement something like, "I'll look into it. Something must be causing the motor to stop and start."

No.

This isn't the first time. I've been known to quote something that I've read saying, "You know, I read 'blah, blah, blah'" and he would answer, "I don't believe it! WHERE did you read that?"

Of course, my memory being what it is, I couldn't remember WHERE I had read the particular fact, just that I had READ it!

Believe me, I wish I HAD remembered what magazine or book I had read the article in, because I would LOVE to PROVE it and then smack my husband over the head with it! Not really! (yes really)

Jim, on the other hand, retains EVERYTHING he reads. His brain is soooo big, it's a wonder that his neck can hold his head up. Not only can he remember WHAT he read, but WHERE he read it! I bet he could even quote the page number.

There's something wrong with that!

I don't want to fill my brain up mindless information like that! I can barely remember my new home phone number!



*The 'Show Me State' expression may have began in 1899 when Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver stated, "I'm from Missouri and you've got to show me." taken from here

Friday, September 21, 2012

I'm just wondering.....

If you saw this as you entered the restroom at a gas station,




would you first think,

WHAT THE?

and then lock the door?

Or would you generously leave the door open for someone to use the other "throne"?

Scroll down to see what I did.
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SERIOUSLY? Did you think I would let a stranger in to see my private parts while I was going to the bathroom? I know I share a LOT of things with all of you, and you ARE strangers, but let me tell you, I certainly wouldn't pee in front of you!

So, YES, I locked the door!

Wouldn't you?

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Thursday's Things in a Row

This week's photos are from a wedding that I went to last week. Yesterday's sign was from the wedding, too.

This wedding was held in the backyard of my friend, Jane. She has a huge, beautiful back yard and the weather cooperated so it was a wonderful setting for a wedding.

Although I took many photos of people, I am only displaying the things in a row for you!

This is the tent where the reception was held. There was seating for 120 people plus the wedding party, and a small dance floor. Also there was room for a small buffet area.



The ceremony was also going to be held outside, so rows of chairs were set up towards the back of the yard.


The bride and groom stood in front of this beautiful decoration and said their vows.


The wedding was simple, yet elegant. All the bridesmaids and the bride made these paper flowers for decorations inside the tent.



Little cut-out hearts were sprinkled all over the tables.


I will display this sign again that I posted yesterday for "Signs",


so that you can understand the following photos!




Those look a little blurry. Not sure if I had some wine at that point! Ha ha!

Just had to capture the moment of these kids having fun at the table!



What do you have for me this week?



Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Signs - Fun and Games

at a wedding?

Yep, that's right. This is a sign that was at a wedding I recently attended.



It was surrounded by all sorts of games like dominoes, chess, playing cards, etc. Isn't this a cool idea?

For more interesting signs, visit Leslie here.

Monday, September 17, 2012

A Conversation with a Stranger #1

I am forever talking to strangers, and if I were a little girl, that would not be a good thing, but since I am a grown-up, at least physically, what harm can it do? I mean, besides embarrass my kids if they are with me?

Today Jim and I went shopping at Wal-Mart. Not my favorite place to go grocery shopping, but since I had to return something that broke when I took it out of the package, I had no choice. Plus I needed some groceries so I thought I'd tackle two jobs at once.

Jim was off wondering in the auto department, I think. I was walking up and down the beauty supply aisles. Another woman was doing the same thing.

"Looks like we're walking in circles," she commented.

I agreed with her.

I couldn't seem to find what I needed and neither could she. I asked her what she was looking for and she told me, "VO 5 oil treatment."

I found it a little farther down on the shelf and said, "Here it is!"

She was very grateful to me.

I am a firm believer in helping others find things on shelves because maybe they could help me, too. Another woman pushed her cart by and had that glazed over look.

"What are you looking for?" I asked.

"I'm looking for soap refill."

"Oh, like this?" I just happened to put a bottle in my cart and I held up a bottle of this:


"Yes," she said, "but I use 'Equate', the Wal-Mart equivalent."

I pushed my cart over to hers and pointed, "Well, I found this soft soap right there," and pointed two aisles over.

She said "thanks" and I thought that was the end of it.

I was still on the hunt for a particular beauty item and ended up going down the soap aisle where I ran into the "soap" lady.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" I asked.

"Yes! Right here!"



She began telling me how great this soap feels on your hands.

"Really?"

"Yes. I used it once and thought maybe the person made a mistake and filled the soap dispenser with hand cream instead! It is so creamy! Do you like your soap?"

"Yes"

"Does it feel thick like that?" (This was beginning to sound like a commercial!)

"It does. But now you're making me want to try the other brand. Is it cheaper?" (Usually off brands are cheaper.) It was only a dime cheaper.

We began to compare the ingredients. They were identical.

We sniffed both soap bottles.

They smelled the same.

Meanwhile Jim had come up to me, saw me talking to a stranger, did an inside eye roll and walked away with the grocery list and cart in hand.

"Soap lady" and I were done with the comparison test.

It was settled,. I decided on buying the off brand.

She said, "Do you live around here?"

I confirmed that I did.

"I would LOVE to know how you like this soap. Why don't you give me a call and tell me if you like it?" She dug through her purse till she found a business card and handed it to me.

Her name was Patti.

"How soon will you be using it?" Patti asked.

"Well," I said, "I need to fill my bathroom dispenser today."

"Oh good. So I'll be hearing from you soon."

We said our goodbyes and went our different ways.

I came home and filled all my soap dispensers.

And you know what?

I LOVE the soap! It smells nice AND my hands are real soft.

I called Patti's home phone and I assume it was her husband who answered. She wasn't home and I thought that by the time I left a whole convoluted message, I'd better just call her cell phone. So I did just that, but she didn't answer her cell. Probably thought: "I don't recognize that phone number! I'm not going to answer it! I DID leave a message on her cell and told her how much I liked the soap. I told her that I had an enjoyable day at Wal-Mart chatting with her. In fact, I thought I was going to write about it on my blog." Then I hung up.

Then I started thinking about HER thinking about ME writing about HER on my blog. I have her name and phone number. I didn't want her to regret giving me this information and thing, "OMG I gave this information to some weirdo and now I'm going to be all over the internet!"

SOOOOO, I called her back and left ANOTHER message stating that she need not worry, that I would not mention her full name, nor disclose any other information about her on the blog. Whew!

I probably will never see this woman again. I scared the heck out of her.

I guess this is why I have no friends and have to resort to talk to strangers!





KIDDING!!




Sunday, September 16, 2012

Did you know.....

that there is more than one use for dryer sheets? Here are some suggestions, according to Real Simple magazine.

The most obvious is using the sheets to make things smell nice.

Use as a drawer sachet:

photo credit James Baigrie

Gym bag refresher

Photo credit: James Wojcik

old book deodorizer

Photo credit: James Baigrie

and stinky shoes

Photo credit: Rick Lew
I was surprised to learn that you can used a dryer sheet to clean off soap scum! Just sprinkle a few drops of water on a used fabric softener sheet and start scrubbing! (I am definitely going to try this one!)

Photo credit: Antonis Achilleos
Clean your iron

Does your iron have gunk on it? Just turn the setting to low, and rub the iron on the dryer sheet until all the residue disappears. Wah-lah!

Photo credit: Sang An
Dryer sheet as a thread de-tangler? It's true! To prevent the thread from tangling up, just run the thread and needle through a sheet before you begin sewing.

Photo credit: Antonis Achilleos
I hope these tips will help you.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Gus and Marge - A Love Story Part Deux




In case you missed Part One of this love story, you can read it here.

Reading the diary of my parent's life was very interesting, even though many pages were made of with, "got up, went to work, got home at 4:30, ate supper, listened to the radio, stayed home and went to bed early." Because every once in awhile I'd stumble across a lovely little nugget like this that my dad wrote.

"January 21: I went to Margie's about 3:00 o'clock and we went to show. I enjoyed both pictures. Gee but I'm nuts about Margie."

Or this one:

"February 3: Gee I'm nuts about Margie. I can't say goodbye and really leave. I say it about 50 times before I leave." 

My mom first took over the diary in April. She wrote about her two bridal showers and how she received so many beautiful gifts.

This is her entry on her wedding day, April 27, 1940:

 "The big day finally came at last. Our Wedding Day. We were so excited and happy. The wedding ceremony was beautiful in church when we took the sacred vows. After the ceremony we had our pictures taken, then had a bridal supper at mother ______, home. In the evening went to the reception It was a great success. Had a large crowd, and received many gifts. Everyone was so generous. Had Grand March, cut the cake, and the "big day" came to a close."

The next morning's entry read,

"Got up at six o'clock. It was quite early but we went to find a place to eat. We had our first breakfast together. The beginning of married life. Gee it's swell!" 

I just love the language my parents used - "swell", "gee", "nuts". Isn't that cute?

My mom even wrote in the diary during her honeymoon. She wrote about the places they went to, where they ate, and what they saw. They were only gone for 5 nights and whether this was due to financial reasons or work, I don't know. Mom wrote that she returned to work on that Friday but, "hated to part from Gus".

"Saturday, May5: We had so much fun when we got up in the morning at 10 o'clock. We cooked breakfast downstairs and worked around arranging everything all day."

So my mother and father settled down in their little apartment together. For entertainment they listened to the radio, went for drives, visited relatives or friends, or went to the show (about once a week). My father must of had an old car, for he was forever working on it - replacing the battery, changing flat tires, fixing the generator, had radiator problems, and one time the engine caught fire while they were out on a date! Dad had to have the car towed and took Mom home on the bus!

My father suffered from migraines as far back as I can remember, and I was surprised to read in the diary that he even had headaches back then - when  he was 24 years old! There were numerous entries of him having a headache. I am surprised he didn't write about his mother's home remedy: soak a rag in vinegar and wrap it around one's head. I assume the vapors from the vinegar would open the sinuses up. I just remember as a little girl who complained of a headache, hiding behind a closet door because I didn't want a stinky old vinegar-smelling rag wrapped around my head!

What was very evident throughout the diary was the concern for each other when the other one was sick. Mom worried about Dad when he had his headaches; Dad worried about Mom when she had a terrible cold and fever. They cared about each other.

My mom was laid off a couple of times during the year from the same factory, and when the work picked up she went back to work. No matter if she was working or not, she always made supper for my father. It seemed like she would take the bus home from work, then go grocery shopping, come home and then make supper. I don't know why she didn't shop on weekends, unless they didn't have an "ice box". My mother was the typical "housewife" of the 40's. Washed and ironed all the clothes, did the dishes, cooked, etc. Dad helped if she wasn't feeling well.

My mom was very close to her sister, Mary. Mary lived next door with her husband, Ed. Mary was pregnant and due in late summer. Mom would go over to Mary's house or Mary would come by Mom's house all the time. The two couples would go for a drive in Dad's car.

One day in the beginning of August Mom and Dad went over to Mary's house for a turkey dinner. After dinner Mary said that she wasn't feeling well so Mom and Dad left and went to the show. When they returned, their landlady told them to go to the hospital.

Mary's baby was stillborn. It was a boy. "Mary was very pale," Mom wrote.(Aug. 4)

"August 5: My dear sister died this morning. Am very heartbroken. The news shocked my mother and dad as well as the rest of the family."

This just broke my heart. I remember my mother telling me about her sister, but to read the words as my mother wrote them.........I can't imagine what she was feeling.

Mary was buried with her stillborn child in her arms. People came from all over to see this.

It was a hard few weeks for my Mother - I'm sure it was even longer - but the next few weeks she spent a lot of time with her parents.

Time went on and things fell back into place. What I am amazed at is that not once in the year did my mother write that she had an argument or disagreement with my father. She didn't know that this diary was going to be read by her family 72 years later!  I know that not only did my parents love each other, but they also respected each other.

They loved each other through 55 years of marriage; 6 children, raising another child that wasn't their's (Mary had an older child that my parent's raised), and  2 bouts of cancer.

Gus and Marge are now both in heaven, where I'm sure they are saying,

"Gee Margie, I'm nuts about you!"

"That's just swell, Gus!"

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Thursday's Things in a Row

Hello Everyone!

This is a continuation from the photos I took at "Septemberfest" over Labor Day Weekend in our town. There were 250 craft vendors, carnival rides, food, entertainment, bingo, and fireworks. It drew quite a crowd.

I used to like to ride the Ferris Wheel when I was young, but now it scares the bejesus out of me. I hate when the seats rock, and if you are with a particularly sadistic person who KNOWS you are afraid of the rocking, it is even worse. Just saying. By the way, did you know that the first Ferris wheel was designed as a landmark by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago? The term "ferris wheel" has been used generically for all structures. (Wikipedia)


Baby wheel (more my size!)



All those flags in a row, on top of the Fantasy Faire, where you can get all the junk food you desire!


Unsuspecting victims before the ride started.



Just TRY to knock me over! (Nearly impossible - have you EVER seen anyone win?)



Not sure WHY this individual has so many balloons, as he was leaving the festival. Later I saw another person walking home with a huge bundle of balloons. Could they have been prizes? Why would anyone buy so many balloons?



And finally, these toys best describe how the weather was on the second day that we attended the festival!


Do you have anything fun this week?



Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Signs - The Truth Hurts

C'mon, admit it. You have felt like this a time or two during your lifetime!




For more signs, please visit Lesley here.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Gus and Marge - A Love Story

This is a story of true love. A story of endurance. Of sticking by each other through good times and bad, and in sickness and in health, till death do them part.

This is the story of my parents.

Gus and Marge.



I wish I could ask my parents to fill in some of the missing pieces, but both of them are gone, and all our aunts and uncles are gone, too, except one.

I do know that my mother was introduced to my father through his sister, Josephine, who worked at the same factory as my mother. Josephine had said, "You have just got to meet my brother!"

The missing piece? What my mother felt when she first saw my father, and where they went on their first date.

Obviously they hit it off!

I think my father's family had a bit of a hard time accepting my mother. You see, my father was Italian, with dark hair and brown eyes.

My mother was Irish, and had blue eyes.

Blue eyes? Irish? Tsk, Tsk! Family members said the marriage would never last.

My parents proved them wrong. They were married 55 years; until my Dad died.

It was obvious that my parents loved each other; like I said, they were married for 55 years, AND they had 6 children. But what we, as children, seldom get a chance to see, is our parents in love.

I got that opportunity when I found this mystery box among all the boxes I was unpacking from the storage unit. It was filled with so many wonderful things (which I will write about in another post), but the most treasured item was a diary from 1940 - the year my parents got married.



My father began the journal and wrote in it until the middle of February. It was then passed to my Mother sometime and she began writing in April, the month they were married. She wrote in it faithfully every day. Can you imagine being able to look back into your parent's first year of marriage?

When I first stumbled upon the precious little book, I brought it up to my nose and inhaled the mustiness of the pages. Next I gently brushed my fingers across the written pages.


First where my Dad wrote, then where Mom wrote. Their hands had touched these very same pages - 72 years ago! My father was a mere 24 years of age - my mother was 21. It was so hard to picture them that young, especially since I have children older than that!



I don't know where my father worked at that time, because he ended up working as a carpenter for 40 years. But he probably started working  in a factory. My mother worked for Zenith, testing circuit boards. She told me a story once of how one day she received such an electric shock that it felt like someone had smacked her real hard between the shoulder blades. She looked over at the young guy sitting next to her and asked, "What did you do that for?" Meanwhile, the shock caused my mother's screwdriver to fly out of her hands and hit the back of her boss's head - who happened to be walking by! Sounds like an episode straight out of "I Love Lucy", doesn't it?

TO BE CONTINUED

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Thursday's Things in a Row

My town held a festival over Labor Day weekend called "Septemberfest", filled with food, arts and crafts (over 250 vendors!), bingo, carnival rides and fireworks. Lucky for us, we lived just down the block from all the happenings. Of COURSE I brought my little point and shoot camera to capture some things in a row.

Saturday was real overcast and rain was predicted off and on. Jim and I walked over to see what the festival included since this was our first year experiencing this in our new neighborhood. Of course it rained only when we were there! We went back on Monday with two of my sisters. It was sunny, but hot and humid. I will intermingle my photos from both days and you will see the difference in the skies!

Love those lights in a row! No blue skies here!
This is the food tent. It is not crowded because a) it's still morning, and b) the popular vendors were there for 2 days. This day is sponsored by not-for-profit organizations like boy and girl scouts, etc.


There was entertainment every hour on the stage in the dining tent. Irish dancers performed while we ate.


I don't know about you, but when I was little, these games cost about 25-50 cents to play. Now? $3 Holy Mackerel! Could you imagine what it would cost to take a family of 4 to the carnival?



And finally, here's a ride I would NEVER go one. Nope, nope, nope, nope.

Beautiful skies, though, yes?
Stay tuned for more festival things in a row next week. Did you find anything good for me?