SISTERS' WEEK -- DAY SEVEN (FRIDAY)

Sorry I've been MIA but I have been at my sister's house and for some reason I could not get on her wifi with my laptop.  So I will spend the next few days catching up with you.

Friday morning dawned beautiful and I made my 2 1/2 hour drive to Elaine's house.  I usually have no problem with the drive, but for some reason that day there was a lot of traffic, roads torn up, people darting out in front of me (both in cars and on foot) and by the time I got there I was on the car phone with Joe in tears.  It usually would not bother me at all and I don't know why it did that day.  But the important thing is that I got there safely.

After I unpacked the car and got myself settled we went out to go to the New Jersey State Fair.

Every year I take a picture of the fair as it comes into sight.  It's very exciting.

 We spent about 3 hours there and saw just about everything.  There are always some things we are not interested in.  But the things we were, we got to see.  I did not think I could last that long with my bad back and knees, and I did have to sit down a lot, but we had so much fun.

We saw some of the equestrian judging.

I always love seeing the quilts.  I think they get better every year.  How could anyone choose which one is the best?

In the same building as the quilts was the juried art exhibit.  Beautiful drawings, painting, sculpture and photography.  Of course I couldn't take any pictures.  Too bad because the work was gorgeous!

We had hot dogs, fries and lemonade for lunch.  Real fair food.  Then we went to the Commercial Tent and the Craft Tent.  We were sort of disappointed because it was much smaller than in previous years.  I always look for something unique for Christmas gifts, but there were practically no vendors there at all.  We don't know if the fee is too high or if the sponsors are more interested in the "State Fair" and 4-H aspect of it.  I did get a soy candle scented "Hot Apple Pie."  Yum!  It smells so good.  And Elaine highly recommended this almond pound cake mix, so I got a box of that.  I bought a couple of 50/50 chances from the Marine Corps League and a Marine Corps hat for Joe.  I also got a pair of turquoise and silver earrings from Peru.  They are really pretty.

Look at this Cinderella coach!  Isn't it beautiful?

We went to see the woodcarver, but it was between shows.  It was an hour till the next performance and we didn't feel like hanging around that long.

My favorite part, though, is the landscaping exhibits.  So beautiful.

This was a fountain in the pathway.  The petals of the flower are stone and the center is a bubbling fountain.

And old tractors.  Elaine thought it was strange that I took pictures of tractors.  But I live in the city and these are not common where I am.

We had such a good day.

SISTERS' WEEK -- DAY SIX (THURSDAY)

This vacation is not going at all like I expected.  I was going to go to Elaine's house today, but it poured rain.  Sort of like on Sunday.  Thunder, lightning, flooded streets.  Elaine left her girlfriend's house this morning and it took her an extra hour to get home.  We talked and decided I would wait until tomorrow morning to go up.  It's supposed to be sunny then.

We were celebrating Bob's birthday at work today.  Even though it's not until next Thursday, he will be on vacation then.  I went and got a card and some soft pretzels.  Bob would never eat a cake. I had an interlibrary loan to pick up and some books to return, so I used that as an excuse to show up.  I just hung around and when Bob asked why I wasn't leaving, I told him I just wanted to check my work email.  So I logged on and Marquita ran around with the card getting everyone to sign it.  Then Diane called Bob out to the desk to "help her with a problem" and we rushed around setting everything up.  Jerry (the boss) called him and told him he needed to talk to him privately in the workroom.  When Bob walked in we all started singing "Happy Birthday" to him.  He was really surprised.  So we actually pulled it off.  What is more, it was the first time in three months the four library assistants were all in the building and not substituting at the McPherson Square Branch.  Hopefully that will be the norm really soon.

Tonight I invited our friends Walt and Carole over for dinner.  I had pork steaks, mashed potatoes and zucchini for dinner.  For dessert I had the cantaloupe I bought in Lancaster.  Everything was really good.

So even though it didn't work out as planned, it was still a good day.  Tomorrow I will head to northern New Jersey for the State Fair.  Until later...

A POEM FOR AUGUST

 

AUGUST HEAT

In August, when the days are hot,

I like to find a shady spot,

And hardly move a single bit --

And sit --

     And sit --

          And sit --

               And sit!

                                                                   Anonymous