State Fair of Texas and...

  October 13th, 2013.   Friday the 13th comes on Sunday this month.  I'm sure all are enjoying its charms.  For me, a lazy afternoon after a busy week or so.  Since my last bluggy of a while back in which I rambled regarding our recent RV trip to La Grange and Huntsville, nothing has happened which can be described as earth shattering.  I haven't trapped a fleeting terrorist,  dated a Kardashian, flown to the moon on gossamer wings, on won a bingo. So bear with me here.  Gonna change font colors;  that should be exciting.
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There we go.
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We have had one heck of a time with our schedule.  Those unretired don't know how busy a calendar can become.  The Texas State Fair is this month, and I like to go.  It is FREE on Thursdays for old folks.  On Wednesdays, for three cans of food, the admission is $3.  These are number not to be sneezed at.  Parking runs $15.   You gotta really want to park to pay $15.  Some of the locals allow you to park in their yard for $5 or $10.  I do not feel comfy doing that.  We pay the $15 thinking that we are doing a service for the community.
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All - make that Every - Wed. and Thurs were full this month with some happening.  We picked a Monday, the Monday following going to Canton's First Monday Trade Days, an enormous flea market.   Let me stall here for a moment and say that Canton was just like all Cantons.  We saw new little puppies, ate at the Chinese buffet, browsed booths of bartered belongings, turned our noses up at brand new products and spent maybe $10 on stuff.  We are not big payers, just big shoppers.
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The State Fair of Texas was just like all State Fairs.   They have the rides - we never walk through that area of clamor.  They have the guys and gals bartering the games - games which are winnable to the few.   There are people selling carrot cutters,  jalapeno hackers, mops that mop all types of surfaces - booth after booth of mattresses - player pianos, scarfs - mile after mile of colorful scars, jewelry; I think we walked through 4 enormous bldgs of products to buy...bought none.    In the morning a lady bought a mop - she carried that mop around for the rest of the day.  Why?
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A question:  kids were everywhere.  It was a Monday.  They can't be all home schooled.  How do parents get off taking their kids out of school to ride rides and get underfoot?\
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Of course we did the obligatory trip by the new Big Tex for the photographs.  He was just fine.  I understand that some have complained because his skin is painted too dark.  Nothing pleases some folks.
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We spent an hour plus walking through the automobile display.   I would like to find the money to buy a new car.  My Marauder is now 10 years old with over 150K miles.   I do not want it to fall apart.  A classic should be treated better.   My wife wants a car which will hold all 3 grandgirls, and they are grand - which can be pulled behind the motorhome.  Thus we can make a trip and take the girls along.  Good Plan.
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The motorhome has a limit of 5,000 lbs to be pulled.  You go looking for a car that weighs less than 5K and has extra seats.  Few and far between.   So we walked through the display checking the weights and appearances of so many buggies.   We found a few, nothing that I crave and can afford right now.  Here is where the kids got to me.  They were everywhere.  10 year olds runnnnnnning around from car to car - sitting behind the driver's wheel.  With an adult standing waiting these kids play with the radio of the car.  Where are the parents?  There was a cute VW convertible bug.  Every child had to sit behind the wheel of that VW and have their photo taken by laughing parents.  Gads.
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All in all it was a good car visit other than the loud noises and kids.   Next year will be better cause I plan to take super glue and squirt it on the feet of all the little kids.  If you are stuck tot he floor you cannot run,
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Last night the Corsicana Swing Orchestra played for the Hanger Dance - a dance held in the Hanger at the local airport.  This is a fund raiser for the hopefully soon coming airport museum.  I enjoy playing with this band - good people.  Maybe I will write more on that in a bit - it is 5 o'clock now and Fritz needs supper.   Stay tuned for more.
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