I Won Ribbons at the Fair

Sunday, with only two hours left to pick up exhibits, I happened to remember I had to pick my entries. If I did not pick them up, they would be donated. The check would be mailed, however.

I entered a pint jar of dehydrated pineapple rings, won a blue ribbon, and $5. I also entered a pint of banana slices, won a red ribbon, and $4. Since I wanted needles for crafts and upholstery, I immediately bought those.

I always want to know the reason I did not get a blue ribbon. There are three reasons: 1) someone entered bananas whiter than mine, 2) someone entered something better, better for a number of reasons, and 3) I forgot what that is. A red ribbon is fine, but I shoot for blue, 1st place.

There are pictures that maybe you can see some day when I can post them.

My DSL was down for 24 hours.  But, I am back and will catch up on comments on my post and reading of your blog.

Your turn
Did anyone else enter the fair this year? Did your children enter animals or art? What have you entered in the past/ Win anything?

Taverners Wine Gums & Stuff

These are another of the UK sweets--"Great British Sweets". The gums are different colors, shapes, and flavors. The only one I can eat are the diamond-shaped red ones. The rest start out okay, then the most putrid taste occurs. They taste like they are fermented and not a good fermentation. The citrus ones are horrid from the first chew because I am allergic to citrus and especially citrus flavored foods.

I am not sure if this is an acquired taste. If I drank wine that tasted like most of these, I would assume the wine had gone bad. I have had to spit these out. All the good ones are eaten, and the bad tasting ones are in an empty disposable cup where I deposited them mid second chew.

When I first put one these in my mouth, I have the sensation I am chewing on an eraser. The texture is not a bad thing, just surprising as I thought they would be like gummy bears. I eat few gummy candies, so maybe some are as tough as these.
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The guy who was coming Saturday evening to get the water out of the basement did not show up, and I have heard nothing today...sigh.
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Yesterday, I was so ill I could not get out to feed Dominique.  I could not risk another vine tripping me or not getting safely down and back up the stairs. This is not fair to her. So, I will find her a new home. This is not that the novelty wore off or I am not getting eggs. She needs to be fed regularly.  This is not the first time she has missed dinner lately.
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I have two afternoons to get the entries of dehydrated foods to the Fair--until 6 pm Wednesday. I hope I can walk steadily by then! Keep your fingers crossed!
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Summer is returning. September here for the most part is hot as August. I have had a daytime high in 50s. That is just not right. We have had record breaking low temps for the highs. It is now 70F or above for our nighttime temperatures. We will have 90 at least one day this week. That is much better! Has your normal September weather returned? Or, is it cool early and fine with you?

Your turn
Has anyone from the UK or anywhere had these Taverners Wine Gums? Do you like them? Have some of mine gone off?

Sleep and Doctors and Fair

It seems I have slept away two days. Finally, I awoke refreshed. When I sleep so much, I know I will wake up ill. My ears and sinuses still feel full, so I have a way to go before I am well. By religiously taking allergy meds, I hope to get better and not succumb to this.

I need a minor procedure by A. However, I was told by A to go to B to get referral or something. I went to B office for something else and messages back and forth between office staff and B and me went poorly. B sent a message for me to go to C. ??? I left without discussion. I called the office of A whose nurse told me to just come back there, to A, that I did not need to see B. ??? I took the appointment date and am still puzzled as to the discrepancy all the way around. I am leaving well alone and going to the appointment. No questions before or after. Sometimes, that is best.

Soon, I have an appointment with oncologist. I wonder how long I must see him every six months. Even though so far I am free from cancer, this appointment leaves me shaken every time. And, how can he tell about more cancer with only an internal exam?

I feel blah and am not very productive today.  The clouds have not contributed to any sense of well-being, but they are not my problem.

One pint of dehydrated food is ready for the Fair exhibit. Now, I must get the other ready. So, I have plans. Okay, here I go to dehydrate more food.

Your turn
Do you ever just feel blah or sleepy before an illness? Have doctors orders ever been confusing and contradictory when dealing with you? Is anyone entering anything in the County Fair in your area? Have you ever entered anything in the past? What are you going to enter or have entered?

Oktoberfest 2011

Octoberfest Figures

I am always impressed with the simplicity, size and material used for these figures all over town during Octoberfest. I don't know if the city buys the bales or if it is donated. The outfits are reused each year.  Her hair must weigh a ton.

If I add a caption, the picture will be removed! And, why do I keep having to change the font size???

Just for perspective, I had exbf stand with the figures. He is about 5'9".  His shirt  is from Freecycle. I received about 31 shirts that were offered. Daughter and I decided by size, color, fabric, and style which ones grandson would like as I described the shirts to her. Then, exbf took 9 shirts. I donated the rest or gave them away on Freecycle...forgot. This was the day of the lovely sky. Just look at the huge pocket on her apron.

Free meals missed!
I didn't get a schedule of the events, but my failure to do so cost me two free meals today. Since I can barely walk, I won't be doing the polka. I might manage the Chicken Dance...sort of, at least the arm part. I am pretty sure that I cannot wiggle or squat. Last year, I even did the Bunny Hop. The year before, I could still polka.

Yard sale heaven
Today, I did attend the mother of all yard sales , a regular event for Octoberfest, only two blocks from my home at the Catholic Church.  Christmas shopping is coming along nicely with this sale. That will be another post when I take pictures. Five Boy Scouts helped me with one load to the car. Usually, there are teen and preteen boys from the Catholic Church helping. Both groups are supposed to perform community service.

Games for all
Inside the church was Bingo and other things. Outdoors on the school grounds were games set up for children. From the church to the Festhalle were craft vendors, pumpkin vendors, and concessions. At the Festhalle now music is playing. I am sure they are choosing Miss Octoberfest. Surely, you are on the edges of your chairs wanting to know who won? My back does not care what you want or what I want! Here I sit!

German meals
All the restaurants will be serving German dinners, as will many of the churches. Like I said, I missed two free ones, not at all like me--missing free food. I cannot afford to buy any meals unless I sell something or cut back on something else. Sad but true. No problem.

Dry Oktoberfest
This is the first year that beer has been served at our Octoberfest. If you google, you can find the only dry Octoberfest or Octoberfest without beer. Last November, the election changed that. Then, it took until spring to get approvals and whatever it takes to sell beer.  The country and city have been dry since 1946. I saw Pumpkin Ale. I don't drink or like beer, but I would liked to smell it or have one sip just to see how the pumpkin came through.

Please don't think people abstained in public as the ordinance demanded. Do you know why people are pouring out part of their bottle of Mt Dew or Coke? Yes, they are filling it up with liquor. You always know who is drinking because of the innocuous soft drink bottle and their jovial behavior.

German Bands
Every night this week there will be live German or polka music at the Festhalle, so I suppose I will mosey on down there and catch some fun. I like music and especially the group who will be here all week long. This is a German town. Only WWII stopped the speaking of German, routine for many shops. Of course, the town was founded by Germans in the mid 1800s, far removed from atrocities of the next century.

German Dress
For the next week leather lederhosen imported from Germany and embroidered aprons will be the constant dress of many people in town. Old people (like me), middle-aged, and children all dress up. There will be a big dance, a free event, somewhere in town.

The County Fair

Last Wednesday was Senior Day at the fair, free from 10 am to 1 pm for Seniors. I missed that because I was devastated at the untimely and horrendous murder of a friend of 30 years, murdered by a driver on drugs. I found the obituary on Tuesday and did not sleep. So, no pictures of all the fair festivities--fresh vegetables and fruits, canning, baking, sewing, art, etc...no midway because it is not open for the Seniors!

Your Turn

Do you attend Octoberfest? Do you dress in costume for it? Do you enter items in the fair?