STATE FAIR! VERSION 2016

One of the things that marks the beginning of fall for me is the Virginia state fair, which we have tried to go to every year, last year being an exception because it rained for that entire week. Even with all the crowds, and the parking spaces a mile away, and the overpriced food, I'm a sucker for it because I am in love with the idea of state fairs in general. I am probably thinking about fairs from long ago when these fairs would be the main event of the year, and people would come from all over bringing their animals and novelties to share. I also think of Charlotte's Web, and even when we are exhausted by hour three of walking, I'm grateful to be spending all of those hours outdoors.

My favorite part of the fair is seeing all of the cows, sheep, and horses from nearby farms that their owners bring out to show off. These animals are so beautiful and their owners are so proud of them- you can see it in their eyes. It's a joy for me, which is doubled by the wonder in Sloane and Logan his eyes as they behold the animals. The areas where they have the livestock also have stations where they are giving the sheep a haircut or milking the cows. It's something that our kids don't get to see on a regular basis, so I am so happy for them to see it.

We went this year with friends from DC, who stopped by on their way back home from the beach, and going with friends made it even more fun.

I would just like to take a moment to compare this moment to the very first year that Sloane was at the state fair: if you scroll down to the very bottom of that post you can see how she felt about those cows back then.

This is the only photo I was able to get of them together. They are constantly in motion! 

No but seriously, is there a way that we can somehow own a horse someday?

Bag o' grapes. 

Looking at the map and discussing where will go to next! 

look, red velvet funnel cake!

Victory! She was very happy about her giraffe, which she named Daisy, and which she has been carrying around all week long. 

Look at her face! All big girl. This here is her on the pony ride (her very first time) two years ago at the state fair. I don't know what to do with the storm that is this time warp in my brain.

 These next few photos are from my friend who captured the best shot of the three of them from that day, and also the setting sun as we staggered back to our cars after our adventures that afternoon.

Until next year, state fair! 

OCEAN ISLE PART 4: KAYAKING ON THE SOUND

It is officially fall and I am into it. After some rainy days, we've had some spectacular days of blue skies and perfectly crisp temperatures, and I love these kinds of days. I can't help but be excited about the shifting of wind and mood, even as I dread the cold.  The change in the world all around me is a marker of time, a reminder to look back and look forward, a reminder to just look. It seems appropriate to post the last of our Ocean Isle photos here as I greet fall; the weather changed from summer to fall that weekend, and the trip gently eased us into the next season.

We did a lot of fun things during out trip to Ocean Isle, so it seems pretty significant that Sloane said kayaking was at the top of her list. My heart soared watching her in the kayak, looking like a small adventurer. Last year, she hadn't wanted to get in a kayak when given the chance, but this year she couldn't wait to climb in. Most got a turn, and everyone - participants and audience alike - agreed it was wonderful. 

I miss this view! 

WHAT I'M READING V. 17 AND A READING RETREAT

This is An Audiobook by Demetri Martin

I believe this is the audio version of his book, 'This is a Book', and I really liked listening to this because Demetri Martin reads it and it felt akin to watching one of his standup shows. In that way, it is less like a book and more like a well-thought out standup routine. It is a collection of random thoughts and ideas, but he thinks about things in such an unusual way that getting involved in his world feels like a much needed exercise for my brain. He is not everyone's style, but he is an out-of-the-box thinker, and I appreciate that.

You'll Grow Out of It by Jessi Klein

This is another book by a comedy writer, and she writes in an autobiographical form, telling stories about her childhood, young adult, and more recent life. I didn't agree with every revelation she unfolds about growing up, but she is a good writer and it was really enjoyable reading her stories.  Besides, I always am interested to learn about the inner workings and work life of a writer.

The Word Exchange by Alena Graedon

This is a science-fiction novel that describes a alternate or futuristic world where we are so taken with our devices, that we rely on them for everything, including our use of words.  It unfolds like a mystery, because the protagonist has discovered her father has gone missing and is trying to track him down. It reveals things about this new world a little bit at a time, and that unveiling of both the world and the mystery has me very interested. I can tell already that the moral of the story is going to be that we need to value our words more, and rely less on technology and electronics, and I am curious to see how this plays out in her story.

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

I haven't started on this one yet, but it is downloaded on my phone and next on my list after I finish 'The Word Exchange'. I decided to read it after a friend at a reading retreat read a couple of passages aloud from this book. The language was so beautiful and gripping, it made me want to know more.

Last weekend, I attended and facilitated a reading retreat with my friend, Megan. The theme was 'Reading as Sabbath', and it was for people who wanted to take a breath and think and discuss the significance of reading in daily rhythm and as rest, and perhaps even as a part of our redemption. This evening, like the reading panel that we did a couple of months ago, was so good for my spirit - both as rest, and as thrilling inspiration. As soon as I walked into the room, I felt calm and peaceful, and I had the sensation of snuggling under cozy blankets. With a cup of hot tea in hand, we shared quotes, poetry, reading recommendations, and discussed how and why reading was important for our lives, and what it meant to rest in reading, and to be inspired by it. I took so many notes during these discussions, and now I have an entire page worth of other books I want to read. Which is a great thing.