Goat Critters

Still making use of my fair trip. We found some goats hanging out in one barn.

Linking to Saturday's Critters


I'm sort of posting on my Wordpress blog, Stuff and Nonsense. I may have to switch to it again since I'm having so much trouble with Chrome and the verison I have of IE is not compatible with Blogger.  I have another post here—Stuff and Nonsense.

Don't Fence Me In

Still making use of my fair visit a week later. 

A fence with a horse in front of it.

A fence with a horse behind it.

Not quite a fence, but fenced in none-the-less.





Linking to Good Fences

Wednesday Odds and Ends

I don't have a bird to post today and Wednesday Hodge Podge is taking a break, so I'm at a loss as to what to post. So, I went back to the State Fair and found some odds and ends which might be of interest.

I like to people watch. As a writer, I'm always looking for interesting characters. I found a few at the fair but only took a couple of pics—secretly. 

Does anyone really think this is an attractive look? I know I'm getting old but I don't  understand gaudy hair colors. And then there is the purse. I love green, but alongside the hair color—oh my! 

This I like. Do you suppose this guy is a patriotic train engineer?

And speaking of patriotic...

Ending with Scott's Law. Do you have a Scott's Law in your state? This officer lived, but he was seriously injured.

No linking today. Happy Wednesday!

Rubbish Tuesday #16

All of the permanent structures at the fair are old. 



Including this section of stables. I think they will need new roofs soon.

This is the grand stand entrance. Built in 1927.

This is the entrance to one of the horse barns. Old doors freshly painted.

These are even older stables. Not too many were occupied. Most selected the newer old models.

This building housed merchants. We went in to look at the western jewelry, but we didn't find anything we couldn't live without. It is in very good condition. I like the architecture.

This is the arched doorway we went through as we were leaving. That's JD walking ahead. I'm always lagging behind taking pictures. He says he fits perfectly in a post about all things old.


Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will join in the fun.

My idea was to have a place to post 'old things'.  Anything old and/or deteriorating such as old houses, barns, outbuildings, old cars, rusty things, antiques, interesting junk, or it can be something in pristine condition, but just old. 

1. Link to a post featuring photos of something old.

2. Link back to Rubbish by Roan in your post.

3. As time allows, visit other participants and comment on their posts.

A Fair Bird D'pot

First the Bird D'pot portion of this post. It has been raining, so I didn't get out for my weekend ramble. Thus, no new birds. 

I did have this chipping sparrow left over from a few weeks ago. He was having a run through the grass.

Linking to the Bird D'pot



Onward to the Fair portion of my post.

The first Illinois State Fair was celebrated in 1853 in Springfield. In the first year, the admission fee was 25 cents. Last Thursday it cost $14 to get in.

There was a time when the fair was postponed. There was no state fair during the years 1942-1945 because the fairgrounds were used as a U.S. Army Air Force supply depot. Not D'pot, depot. According to one historian, in the fall of 1943 more than 1,000 Chinese military personnel were trained on the grounds.

Interesting facts:

The Illinois State Fair played a key role in the popularization of the corn dog, starting in 1946.

The fair has long been noted for its annual butter cow.  What is a butter cow you ask? Well, it is a life-size cow formed from pure butter applied to an armature by a sculptor wielding an oversized palette knife. Sorry there are no pictures as we didn't find the butter cow. Well, to be honest, we didn't actually look for it. 

After a mighty long walk from our parking spot, we discovered we had to walk into the light. Which we did with more than a little trepidition. And no, there were no trumpets or angels waiting to escort us onto the fair grounds.

But there were beautiful horses running in front of sulky carts.

Inside the arena there were horses showing off their many talents. This one got honerable mention. The blue ribbon winner's pic turned out too blurry to post.

After much walking around, viewing the art exhibits, western jewelry and touring the livestock barns, it was time for some refreshment and a rest. We passed on the gator-on-a-stick, opting for a more traditional rib eye steak sandwich and lemon-orange shakeups. We enjoyed our fair food while sitting on this old bench in the shade of the horse barns. Good thing we didn't find horse barn fragrance offensive. 

Of course later on we had dessert in the form of an ice cream cone. We passed on the fried candy bars, but we were approached by an older lady looking for the fried butter stand. Fried butter? It sounds totally disgusting, but it must be an interesting project to actually get it fried. We didn't go looking for any fried butter! I'm assuming it was somewhere near that butter cow.

The Illinois state fair isn't nearly as big as the Texas state fair, but it was okay as fairs go.

This week's Rubbish Tuesday post will have more pics from the fair. Can't wait can you? 

Happy Sunday!

Still a Beauty

My favorite thing to do at the fair is to walk through the horse barns. At one time we owned three horses. One was a quarter horse. He was a lot of work, but worth it.  It isn't often I get to be up close and personal these days, so I took advantage of the opportunity to rub a few velvety noses. 

This older lady wasn't competing. She was brought along to keep another horse company. 

Her neighbor was a noisy sort.


Linking to Saturday's Critters

A Little Willy and a Lot of Nilly

1. I took a day off work yesterday, Thursday, to take a day trip with JD. I suggested Heron Park. Hubs saw an ad on tv for the state fair. Guess where we went? My opinion—you've seen one fair, you've seen them all. But I let him make the final decision. After all, the whole point was to spend the day together and I do enjoy seeing the horses.

2. The problem with having a pup that gets car sick is not being able to take him along on day trips. Otherwise I might have been saved from the fair. We could have taken him with us to Heron Park if not for his weak tummy. Since we were going to be gone so long, Fergus got to have an adventure, too. He is experiencing boarding for the first time in his young life. JD wouldn't take him inside, he asked me to do it. I started thinking. Hmm. Wonder why JD doesn't want to drop him off. I think I have it figured out. If Fergus isn't having a good time, he will blame me and not his Pop for his incarceration! JD readily offered to pick him up today, which means Fergus will be eternally grateful to his Pop for rescuing him. 

3. Unidentified callers. Lately they are political surveys. I don't answer. Do you? I let the answering machine pick up and yes I do still have one of those.

4. While enjoying a cold drink at the fair, a reporter from the Chicago Sun Times approached us. He asked if he could interview us about the upcoming gubernatorial candidates. I told him I didn't want to be interviewed. JD concurred. My mama always said if you don't have something nice to say, don't say it.

5. It's Friday! I don't have any weekend plans. I'm NOT working. I think I'll go for a ramble in the country looking for old things to post for Rubbish Tuesday.


Linking to Willy Nilly Friday Five

Good Fences

It's Thursday! One more day and it's the weekend. I used to like my job so much I no longer felt Friday Euphoria, but I've been so stressed lately I'm starting to feel it again.

I like the idea of birdhouses on the fence posts.

This fence doesn't look like it would keep much in or out, but it looks nice behind those blooms.

Linking to Good Fences

A Bird and More Podge

Another female red-winged blackbird.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday


And now on to Wednesday Hodgepodge...

1. The best part of waking up is Folger's in your cup! Black silk that is! And speaking of coffee. I ran Mr. Coffee's cleaning cycle twice last evening and it worked fine this morning. I think we need to invest in a water softener. 

2.  Given a choice, which animal interaction would you most like to experience (or for those non-adventurers...which would you dislike the least?)- Swim with the dolphins at one of several locations in the Florida Keys, a lion encounter ten minutes from Victoria Falls (Africa), or a day at a remote base camp high in the Big Sur wilderness via the Ventana Wildlife Society helping track California condors?

I'm not a good swimmer and the thought of being eaten by a lion isn't my cup of tea either, but tracking condors would be right up my alley!

3. What is something you fear about 'old age'? What is something you look forward to?

I fear the possibility of dimentia, not being unable to care for myself, and becoming a burden to my family. I look forward to retirement.

4. Hot sauce...are you a fan? If you answered yes, what's something you make/eat that must have hot sauce? On a scale of 1-10 how hot is too hot?

I'm a fan! I like hot sauce on a lot of things, but especially scrambled eggs. I'm good at around 8. Any hotter and I'm ready for a glass of milk.

5. It's been said that children learn what they live. What do you think children learn at your house?

That you can have fun without computer games. 

6. What's your favorite movie with a number in it's title?

The Sixth Sense. It scared me and I don't scare easily in movies.

7. Saturday (August 16th) is National Tell a Joke Day...share one here.


Q: "What's the difference between a guitar and a fish?" 
A: "You can't tuna fish." 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Bro O has always tried new varieties of plants in his garden. This year he has grown what is called a 'peach tomato'.

Garden Peach Tomatoes are native South American fruit. It is a small, bright yellow fruit with the globe shape of a tomato. In addition to the yellow color, it has a slight pink mottling when very ripe. It also has fuzzy skin. If you enlarge the photo you can see the fuzz. It does actually resemble a peach. 

Plus it's good for you as it is rich in iron and vitamin B5. Apparently it also helps lower cholesteral.

I can't quite end my random thoughts without saying how sad it is to lose Robin Williams. I don't understand depression of that magnitude and hopefully never will. His struggle is over now. He is at peace and I'm sure in a happier place. R.I.P.

Linking to Wednesday Hodgepodge

Rubbish Tuesday #15

Another Monday morning. Mr. Coffee is dripping slower than normal. Gramps might need to be replaced with a newer model. He's been a good 'ol boy, but it may be time to lay him to rest in the rubbish bin. I better hurry and get this post finished so I can run down to the local convenience store for a cup of Joe.

Everything is looking spring green again after our nearly three days of rain. I've taken many pictures of this old barn, but it was looking especially nice with the flowers in bloom.

This truck has been parked along the road to Bro O's for several years now. The property owner keeps the area mowed, but time is taking its toll on this old abandoned fella.

This old Ford tractor is gathering its share of rust. It is sitting in a lot near a mechanics garage, just off the town square. Not sure if it is there because it is for sale or perhaps merely for decoration.

Another old barn I've posted before. You can tell from the haze how humid it was. 

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will join in the fun.

My idea was to have a place to post 'old things'.  Anything old and/or deteriorating such as old houses, barns, outbuildings, old cars, rusty things, antiques, interesting junk, or it can be something in pristine condition, but just old. 

1. Link to a post featuring photos of something old.

2. Link back to Rubbish by Roan in your post.

3. As time allows, visit other participants and comment on their posts.

Sunflowers and Birds

The rain finally stopped, but it has been cloudy and cool the past couple of days. Today looks to be more of the same. I'm not complaining, I like the cooler temperatures.

The sunflowers out back next to our storage shed are getting tall (see largest photo), but they haven't started blooming yet. We were late getting them planted this year.

We did plant a variety in our garden and as you can see they are in full bloom.

I finally got a hummer to stop by the feeder yesterday. I changed from the mix to making my own out of sugar and water. They seem to like the homemade variety best. I took this shot through the window, which has a screen. I need to take that darn screen off!

The goldfinches were busy working on Bro O's sunflowers last evening. 

On the way down to the garden we saw a red-bellied woodpecker and an indigo bunting, but they were too fast for me.

We had a visitor while working in the garden. This guy lives about a mile from Bro O's house. He stopped by for a visit. He was very friendly. Here he comes for a pet after sitting in the pond for a while.

Needless to say, I didn't hang around to get soaked...

Happy Sunday!

Linking to the Bird D'pot

Saturday Critters

Linking to Saturday's Critters

Willy Nilly Five

I think my computer issues are fixed. At least my fingers are crossed. Because of the problems, I am WAY behind on visiting and commenting. Will be playing catch up this weekend. 

1. It's raining. This isn't a complaint, we need the rain. No thunder, lightening, or fear of tornadoes—merely a constant soft rain most of the day yesterday, all night long, and it is still coming down this morning. Makes me think of fall.

2. Our new boss started this week. So far, so good. I already feel the burden lifting. The Judge is vacationing through next week which means my desk should be all caught up soon. I'm hoping to take a day off next week, hopefully Friday so I can have a 3-day weekend. We want to check out Heron Park which Rose mentioned in one of her posts. 

3. Our book club meets in a little over a week and I haven't started reading the selection yet. Low Pressure by Sandra Brown. I'm sure it will be good, but I want to start reading The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. A book highly recommended by Punky Doodle and her Brood. (she will call me to complain after she reads that phrase). Yes, it is for younger readers. The author, Kate DiCamillo is a two-time Newbery Medal Winner and was runner up for one of my favorite young people's books, Because of Winn-Dixie.

4. Speaking of Punky Doodle and her Brood, The Punk called me last night to complain about my name abbreviations. She didn't complain too loudly about Punky Doodle, yet expressed a bit of disappointment in my choice. However, she also doesn't like my use of Dyl for son's boy, nor does she like my use of 'The Grands'. So, I have decided to change my references to the following:

Daughter - The Punk
Son-in-law - Critter
Son - Sonny Boy
Sonny Boy's girl - The Lady
Sonny Boy's Son, Dyl - Handsome Lad

I have already changed Hubs to JD, which leaves The Grands, of which there are four, one girl and three boys. I can't come up with anything. Any recommendations???

5. Fergus is driving me crazy with his favorite toy. When I run the vaccuum cleaner, a.k.a. The Zoom Zoom, he grabs up this toy, gets in front of  The Zoom Zoom—and barks—and lunges while the toy remains in his mouth. The barking action causes the toy to squeak. So we have a very loud zoom, louder bark, and high-pitched squeak. It's a noisy undertaking.

Happy Friday!

Linking to Willy Nilly Friday Five

Good Fences

This old fence is falling down. It's descent lessened by a sturdy metal post.

Linking to:

Owl Podge

This isn't a new picture. It is from a little over a year ago and I have posted it before. But, I'm running out of bad bird pics so dragged this pic out of the archives. Mr. Barred Owl. My pride and joy.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday

1. What would you say is the key to success?


Hard work and determination. 

2. Have you ever been to the Florida Keys? Any desire to visit that part of the US of A?


 I have never been to the keys. The farthest south I've been was Miami Beach. I would like to go, but I don't like bridges.

3. When and where did you last see a real live donkey? Monkey? Turkey?


 I haven't seen a monkey since I last visited my Grands. Oh, you mean a REAL monkey. That was about 2 years ago at the zoo. I saw wild turkeys this past spring and I see a donkey at least once a week when I drive one of the back roads.

4. An old Portuguese proverb says, 'Beware of the door with too many keys.' What do you think this means? Share an example of how this has proven true or false in your own life. 
 
I think this proverb refers to secrets. If you tell one person, that person might tell another, and so on and so on.  Sadly, I work with someone who comes into the office and appears to be your best buddy. Anything and everything you might say, is repeated and spread all around the county. So, if you don't want the door open, don't give out the keys.
 
5. Besides your home, vehicle, and special jewelry, what is something you keep under lock and key?


I can't think of anything other than the things mentioned. When I was young, I kept a diary which was always locked to try to prevent Bro O from reading my private thoughts. Of course, he could unlock it with a hairpin, so my private thoughts were no longer private. Lesson learned—never write anything down you don't want someone else to read.

6. When did you last get keyed up about something?



I read the definition of 'keyed-up' in the slang dictionary.  I wasn't sure if it was a good thing as in excited or a bad thing as in stressed. Seems more like a bad thing since the definition is anxious, nervous, queasy, uneasy, unquiet. The last time I was so nervous I was queasy was when JD and I got married. Coming up on 7 years ago. I had been single for 27 years. Big change!

7. Who thinks we need an easy one right about now?  Key lime pie...yes please or no thank you?


Yes please.

8. Insert your own random thought here.  

I think I have some sort of malware or virus that is messing with google chrome. It won't load and when it does it is very slow. so, I switched to firefox and it is basically doing the same thing. I have internet explorer 11, which is not compatible with blogger. Ugh! I hate computer problems. I've run scans but it never finds anything. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm up for listening.


Linking to Wednesday Hodgepodge

Rubbish Tuesday #14

Arcola, Illinois, a mecca of interesting architecture. I love old buildings and there are plenty here. These were taken last year during the Broomcorn Festival. 

This one is in San Franciso. My favorite vacation spot!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will join in the fun.

My idea was to have a place to post 'old things'.  Anything old and/or deteriorating such as old houses, barns, outbuildings, old cars, rusty things, antiques, interesting junk, or it can be something in pristine condition, but just old. 

1. Link to a post featuring photos of something old.

2. Link back to Rubbish by Roan in your post.

3. As time allows, visit other participants and comment on their posts.