Birthing Tent Spectacle

Awhile back at the great Frederick fair in Maryland, they had a very unusual event for fair goers to experience. That being the birthing tent. Yes, that's right. A fun filled tent full of very pregnant animals ready to pop out baby animals.

Right before we got there, a calf had been born and another cow was is in the process of giving birth. I have never seen such a thing, and I'm even from the country. I found the birthing tent to be a very bizarre spectacle. Why would people want to stand around and watch such a thing?

The poor cow was losing blood left and right. And the people there before us told us in great detail how they had to attach chains to the calf to help the mother push it out of her ealier. At one point, the cow started turning around, and the farmer had to announce that some on-lookers were in the "splash zone," and it was then that I decided this birthing tent was really not for me.

Does anyone else think that a birthing spectacle is distasteful? Sure, the babies are cute once they're born, but I like my baby animals the way I like my steak--wIth no knowledge of how they got there.

Nothing Says America Like Flags and Fairs

Remember my obsession with those flag photos, you know the ones that I've been posting over the the past year here, here, here, here, and here? Well, finally my obsession paid off.

My digitally enhanced photo won "Best of Show" in the photography section of the fair. I was surprised...I suppose pleasantly so. The judges just must have wanted a big slice of Americana. The majestic Washington monument, superimposed by a nighttime DC scene. Red, white, and blue flags. Let freedom ring. Proud to be an American. Yadda yadda yadda.

My other photos, painting and jewelry also pulled in a few firsts. All the money I won will go directly back into buying more beads and frames. In truth though, I hardly even won enough to cover what it took to print out the photos that I entered this year. At least there's the validation---yes, my art means something.



Plus, I get to share my photos with more people than just my lovely blog readers. But let's be honest, you guys are my *favoritest*!

Fairlicious

Several days this week, I went to the fair with friends to catch up and eat artery-clogging food. This coming week I will be officially detoxing from all things fried and/or frozen.

Although, I have realized that the fair generally is less as exciting as I believe it should be, I do like spending time with people (or leaving them waiting in the stadium all alone for half an hour, sorry Tami). I do like the idea that SOMETHING is occurring in good ole Shippensburg as well. And as Emily C. said, "It's always going to be our hometown" (take that as you will).

After only stopping by the tractor pull at the fair for a few minutes, Emily W. and I about contracted black lung. The good earth had to have frowned upon the smoke that came out of those tractors. It was sort of like watching a coal mine explosion. I'm pretty sure I complained about the same thing last year... For some reason though, the tractor pull always pulls in a big crowd.

In better news, the girl scouts made super delicious thin mint chocolate milkshakes. Mmmmmm. Chocolate was dripping down the cup, onto my hands, down my mouth, and onto my feet. Ugh, perhaps too much chocolate.

We also petted the animals. They were cute. Especially the cows and goats.



We affectionately termed the goats, "the love goats." They liked taking naps on each others' backs.

Overall, I would say I had a fair-licious week.

Is It Supposed to Look Like That?

Oh no. My sister and I usually enter the Peqap Angel Food Cake Contest at the fair, but this year it did not happen. We woke up early. We baked a cake. It was all going smoothly.

And then, when we flipped it over to put it on the little doily thing, whadoodoodoop (you know, the cartoon sound made when a balloon is deflating). The entire cake slumped down and wrinkled. Nooooo.

We are sad. Our lemon butter-cream frosting even turned well. And the purple flowers added the perfect contrast.

We couldn't enter it though; not when it would be up against the perfect cakes of 90 year old prize winning professional baker grannies. Everyone would ask who baked that thing on the end? That sagging lumpy mess?

Sigh, all that effort for naught.

Fair Time

It's FAIR week in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania!

Anyone who lives in a small town will understand this sentiment---Finally, there is something other to do than cow-tipping. Thank goodness.

This week will equate to the following: tractors, fried food, games, shows, barn animals, rides, contests, crafts, and muddy hills. Yeah, you gotta love the community fair.

Fair Fun

How many weeks ago now? The fair was in Shippensburg. (Photos courtesy of Emily Walker). Yes, we went to the tractor pull, sheepish grin. No worries though, Tami and Tami's Kevin explain what on earth was going on again. We also went to the fair queen contest, and as usual, the girl I said would win did. This year was the 50th anniversary of the fair. My family and I went to see The Platters and later in the week a horse show. Both times we were in our little lawn chairs watching whatever and all of the sudden the rain soaked us. We must be die-hard oldies and horse show fans. We aren't like those fair-weather attendees around us. What more do we need in life than a flimsy umbrella and funnel cake?