I've decided to live, probably.

[silvercamaro]

Yesterday and today, I've spent long, long hours at the State Fair with my clogging group in full sunlight with temperatures in the mid-90s. The first 10 minutes were really fun, but with a schedule that included two full performances and two additional dancing mini-appearances each day, the likelihood of passing out from overheating seemed to increase quickly and the suckage factor soared. On the other hand, they actually paid us (go figure!) and packaged us as part of a Wild West show, which means we were sandwiched between trick riders, a champion roper, a mellow and sweet Western trio, Native American fancy dancers and shawl dancers ("fancy" and "shawl" being competition styles as well partial descriptions of their attire) and assorted gigantic cattle and magnificent trained horses. (The cloggers were unanimous in picking a horse called "J.B." as our favorite. Besides being incredibly well trained, he had an on-command goofy grin that, if you saw it in a photo, you would be convinced the smile was applied via Photo Shop.) There also was some kind of competition involving large sheep and small children, but since I never managed to see that, I'm not sure if the kids were trying to catch, wrestle, or ride the sheep. Evidently, harm came to neither sheep nor children, because this interlude showed up three times a day with a new crop of tiny volunteers every time.

The cloggers who let me hang out with them actually are quite good at what they do. I am the most mediocre of the group, as I am still the newbie, struggling to learn dances (let alone precision) by staking out my spot in the back row and following along. As usual, my enthusiasm outweighs my actual talent, but I did have one audience member say to me, "You looked like you were having such fun!" If that was true, especially as I reached over-heating, dehydration, and a graying field of vision, that was acting!

Lizbit and BeBe had to stay home alone from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- hours later than their accustomed dinner time. They survived the first day gracefully and without incident. Tonight I came home to a more visible demonstration of their displeasure or hunger. One or two dogs with big teeth ate the Awake magazine that my favorite Jehovah's Witnesses had tucked in the door, leaving huge piles of shredded paper "crumbs" across the living room floor. The Watchtower survived untouched, however, so I remain hopeful for their eternal salvation if Somebody is keeping score for canines.

The Fair runs two more days, but I did not sign up for the weekend, as I must pack and get to the airport. I need to deliver two crimson-and-cream cheerleading uniforms to the grandgirls in Idaho. Whoohoo! Lizzle and B-Dog will stay at the Bed and Biscuit, where they will be fed on a proper schedule, enjoy long walks and extra playtimes, and perhaps be treated to pedicures and bubbly baths.

[kayrharris]

Have fun on your trip! Clogging is hard work, I hope you're eating lots of carbs!

kay

[littlebeast13]

The Fair runs two more days, but I did not sign up for the weekend, as I must pack and get to the airport. I need to deliver two crimson-and-cream cheerleading uniforms to the grandgirls in Idaho. Whoohoo! Lizzle and B-Dog will stay at the Bed and Biscuit, where they will be fed on a proper schedule, enjoy long walks and extra playtimes, and perhaps be treated to pedicures and bubbly baths.

I can't believe ES didn't volunteer to babysit them....

lb13

[jaybee]

(The cloggers were unanimous in picking a horse called "J.B." as our favorite. Besides being incredibly well trained, he had an on-command goofy grin that, if you saw it in a photo, you would be convinced the smile was applied via Photo Shop.)

You know, I hear that exact same thing from Mrs. JayBee all the time.

[Ritterskoop]

Good to know that sheep, chidruns, and resident doggies are all doing well. You make yourself some soup.

[SportsFan68]

Yay, SC!

[Beebs52]

I almost passed out from reading this.

Cool down in Idaho!

[MarleysGh0st]

There also was some kind of competition involving large sheep and small children, but since I never managed to see that, I'm not sure if the kids were trying to catch, wrestle, or ride the sheep. Evidently, harm came to neither sheep nor children, because this interlude showed up three times a day with a new crop of tiny volunteers every time.

Hmmmm.

Your group performed in multiple performances each day, but they needed new children for each competition with the sheep?

Are you quite sure about the innocence of those sheep?

[silvercamaro]

There also was some kind of competition involving large sheep and small children, but since I never managed to see that, I'm not sure if the kids were trying to catch, wrestle, or ride the sheep. Evidently, harm came to neither sheep nor children, because this interlude showed up three times a day with a new crop of tiny volunteers every time.

Hmmmm.

Your group performed in multiple performances each day, but they needed new children for each competition with the sheep?

Are you quite sure about the innocence of those sheep?

Hmmn. Good point, Marley. Perhaps it was the sheep who were competing, not the kids.

I don't want to know if or how points were awarded.

[christie1111]

A most excellent report!

Glad you survived.

Safe trip!

[littlebeast13]

There also was some kind of competition involving large sheep and small children, but since I never managed to see that, I'm not sure if the kids were trying to catch, wrestle, or ride the sheep. Evidently, harm came to neither sheep nor children, because this interlude showed up three times a day with a new crop of tiny volunteers every time.

Hmmmm.

Your group performed in multiple performances each day, but they needed new children for each competition with the sheep?

Are you quite sure about the innocence of those sheep?

Hmmn. Good point, Marley. Perhaps it was the sheep who were competing, not the kids.

I don't want to know if or how points were awarded.

Sheep are evil....

lb13

[silvercamaro]

I found a photo of J.B., the smiling horse, mugging for the camera. How could you not love this face?



(Note: this is not jaybee, the smiling builder, although his face also is lovable.)

Appa should be pleased to learn that J.B. is a fine Nebraska horse and an excellent friendship ambassador for his state.

[MarleysGh0st]

Hmmmm.

Your group performed in multiple performances each day, but they needed new children for each competition with the sheep?

Are you quite sure about the innocence of those sheep?

Hmmn. Good point, Marley. Perhaps it was the sheep who were competing, not the kids.

I don't want to know if or how points were awarded.

Sheep are evil....

lb13

Heh heh.

Found it!

[littlebeast13]

I found a photo of J.B., the smiling horse, mugging for the camera. How could you not love this face?

Where is his #7 Broncos jersey?

lb13

[silvercamaro]

I found a photo of J.B., the smiling horse, mugging for the camera. How could you not love this face?

Where is his #7 Broncos jersey?

lb13

Not nice!

I'm grumpy because while I was typing "I found it," Marley found it.

[SportsFan68]

I found a photo of J.B., the smiling horse, mugging for the camera. How could you not love this face?

Where is his #7 Broncos jersey?

lb13

LOL!

[SportsFan68]

I found a photo of J.B., the smiling horse, mugging for the camera. How could you not love this face?

Where is his #7 Broncos jersey?

lb13

Not nice!

I'm grumpy because while I was typing "I found it," Marley found it.

Nope, not nice. So, it's both a compliment and a slam to both posters when I say that it's exactly what BDM would have come up with if he were ever around any more.

[littlebeast13]

Where is his #7 Broncos jersey?

lb13

Not nice!

I'm grumpy because while I was typing "I found it," Marley found it.

Nope, not nice. So, it's both a compliment and a slam to both posters when I say that it's exactly what BDM would have come up with if he were ever around any more.

I miss ol_horseteeth.....

Not so much the person behind it, but the MM itself....

lb13

[SportsFan68]

Hmmmm.

Your group performed in multiple performances each day, but they needed new children for each competition with the sheep?

Are you quite sure about the innocence of those sheep?

Hmmn. Good point, Marley. Perhaps it was the sheep who were competing, not the kids.

I don't want to know if or how points were awarded.

Sheep are evil....

lb13

This is a fabulous avatar, rich with the expressions I prize so much.

Despite the fact that it has way too much space taken up by mangy rodents, I have to add it to my countdown.

[SportsFan68]

Hmmn. Good point, Marley. Perhaps it was the sheep who were competing, not the kids.

I don't want to know if or how points were awarded.

Sheep are evil....

lb13

This is a fabulous avatar, rich with the expressions I prize so much.

Despite the fact that it has way too much space taken up by mangy rodents, I have to add it to my countdown.

1. Sunchine
2. Mini-Doughnut
3. DK's Cold Day in Hell
4. Stinky and the Perfect Game
5. Gladys MBRS and the Pips
6. Letter Carrier Buster
7. Pink
8. Mangy rodent and other vermin eating snake
9. Bronco Sheepie

[littlebeast13]

Sheep are evil....

lb13

This is a fabulous avatar, rich with the expressions I prize so much.

Despite the fact that it has way too much space taken up by mangy rodents, I have to add it to my countdown.

1. Sunchine
2. Mini-Doughnut
3. DK's Cold Day in Hell
4. Stinky and the Perfect Game
5. Gladys MBRS and the Pips
6. Letter Carrier Buster
7. Pink
8. Mangy rodent and other vermin eating snake
9. Bronco Sheepie

Four of these avatars you prize so much feature ES. In fact, he has the most appearances of anyone in your countdown. I think this is significant....

lb13

[littlebeast13]

Come to think of it.... ES is the ONLY one of my characters who appears in more than one avatar in your countdown.

Interesting..............

lb13

[SportsFan68]

This is a fabulous avatar, rich with the expressions I prize so much.

Despite the fact that it has way too much space taken up by mangy rodents, I have to add it to my countdown.

1. Sunchine
2. Mini-Doughnut
3. DK's Cold Day in Hell
4. Stinky and the Perfect Game
5. Gladys MBRS and the Pips
6. Letter Carrier Buster
7. Pink
8. Mangy rodent and other vermin eating snake
9. Bronco Sheepie

Four of these avatars you prize so much feature ES. In fact, he has the most appearances of anyone in your countdown. I think this is significant....

lb13

Nice try. Considering that mangy rodents appear in about 90% of your avatars, and only about 40% of mine, that's what's significant.

Or are you counting an appearance in the snake one because he had just eaten a mangy rodent?