My Gooseness!!!

Every time we drove past the Klamath County fair this year, I denied the boys' longings on fairly solid grounds saying, "It is too dirty." But I promised that when the Thule Lake Fair happens, if we are in town, we will go. I secretly hoped that we would not be in town, but alas we were, and today we went... As county fairs go, I like the Thule Lake Fair. Although it can hardly be deemed "clean," the fair grounds and parking are all on grass, so it gives it a sort of "cleanish" feel. That is until you look around and notice the employees and patrons... Scary...

C will be in fourth grade next year, which makes him eligible to participate in 4-H next year. For some reason we have this notion that we are capable of all things "farm" simply because we have managed to keep some chickens alive for a few months. So we hit the farm animals first, scouting, which would C like to take on if he chooses 4-H. Upon exiting the goat section, we stumbled upon "Mother Goose," who in Thule Lake is apparently moonlighting as a cheesy magician. Both boys loved her, but C especially enjoyed Mother Goose's brand of humor. The climax of the show had Mother Goose (I'll abbreviate, MG) herself drawing in an audience member to help her bake a cake. C loved the costume that MG adorned this good sport with.



To bake this cake MG needed oil, when she pulled out a bottle of motor oil, C squealed with delight, and howled with laughter. MG also needed to dust the pan with flour, she promptly did just that with A Flower. MG knew that she needed baking powder to make her cake rise. Both boys were incredibly amused as MG dashed her pan with Baby powder, and they boisterously cried out, "That's BABY powder." MG couldn't believe her confusion, "My Gooseness," she dramatically announced as she cowered with a look of dramatic befuddlement. Here is a shot of C, loving MG.




MG needed another volunteer. Although they weren't chosen, both boys were very eager to lend a hand.





MG's cake came out of the oven with a flourish. MG amazed us all when she waved her arms, and puff, the motor oil/baby powder cake did not materialize...instead she did the improbable, nay the impossible, a real live rabbit landed in the cake pan. To her astounded audience MG pronounced this cake unfit for consumption, "We can't eat it, I am afraid there is a HARE in there."



MG had some great little entertainment outside her tent as well. The favorite was the lasso. The boys got to try their cowboy skills and attempt to lasso a plastic bull head that was mounted on a hay bale. C tried, but really wasn't as into it as K, C had spotted the midway... Here are some shots of K. I know I am a little biased, but look at that natural talent...

Okay no more putting it off, it was time for the midway. We purchased exorbitantly priced arm bands and we were off. C loves ALL the rides, no fear, he is all in. K is more cautious. He watched C do a few of the more daring rides, and slowly he warmed to the idea. C really wanted K with him, "I promise you K, you won't regret it..." C went on, but then backed down, "Well, I can't promise you, but I think you will like it..." C was right, this is a shot of the first "scary" ride K was willing to do. K was skeptical at first, but quickly decided he had made a good decision. By the second time around K had his arms up in the air and a giant smile on his face. He later told me that he just kept saying to himself, "Be cool, be cool, be cool..."

And of course, bumper cars. I believe that this was the first time K was able to ride and drive all by himself. Another great thing about small town fairs...no lines. The boys were able to go on the bumper cars again, and again, and again...

The fun house was another highlight, again, no lines, no waiting. Can you look at a fun house and not think of John Travolta and Olivia Newton John?

Overall it was fun day at a very small town fair. Clean? Hardly, C had to scrub down in the shower when we got home, K got a pass, he was sound asleep...