Everything Happening Week

 

How about those plums ripening?

How 'bout the temperature soaring again?

How 'bout those helicopters flying over with buckets of water to dump on fires?

How 'bout kids headed off to college or maybe even coming from across the pond for college? (Safe travels, Emma!)

How 'bout fall sports in full swing?

How 'bout ears of corn getting fatter?

How 'bout story assignments?  That's on my agenda. 

And, horse events?

And, let's just add the county fair taking shape! 

Barn and booth decorating, campers moving in, stalls being prepared for critters, green beans being selected for display plates, record books completed---you name it. 

It's happening. 

This is a big and busy week, to say the least. 

My main challenge is to get all my stuff done and still make sure my doggies and horsies are happy here at home. 

This is definitely "ya need a list with times and places" week. 

It's all good, though, if you can keep your mind wired and focused. 

I went over to the fairgrounds yesterday and spent two hours watching and taking pictures of the hubbub of activity.

While there, I met a lady I've heard of around town for years but had never seen in person.

 

In the hot afternoon sun, she was out working at the poop pile with hoe and a bunch of buckets. 

She was filling those buckets with poop and putting them into the back of her car. 

I soon learned that she's collected the droppings for a number of years.

Turns out local artist Robens Napolitan keeps track of when horse shows happen at the fairgrounds.  She is fully aware that when the shows are over, the manure pile south of the horse barns will grow. 

So, she brings her buckets to the fairgrounds and loads up. Robens told me she collects the droppings to spread over her garden or those of friends or clients. 

Robens maintains a couple of gardens professionally for clients as well as her own.

Pretty enterprising, to say the least. 

It was nice, after all these years, to put a name to the face. 

In my wanderings, I saw lots of faces I'd known for years, former students, friends and perennial fairgoers. 

So, there was plenty of quality visiting pretty much everywhere I walked. 

 

I also saw new generations of 4-H'ers learning the ropes of booth decorating, preparing stalls for goats, sheep and pigs, helping where needed or just plain enjoying the moments at the beginning of a long week of fair activities. 

It's amazing how much goes at the grounds on North Boyer before the fair ever officially begins.

Lots of logistics in getting travel trailers or motor homes properly parked, having barns ready for animals to arrive and taking care of a myriad of details like food, record books, schedules, etc. 

It should be a fun AND busy week ahead.

Happy Monday.