Pretty Unusual

A pretty basket of prize-winning peppers proudly wears its ribbon ...

As does this, um, unusual display. It's tag says "hand-shaped gourd."

I say it may be the only remains from the nether regions of the former "World's Largest Boar," or one of his sperm gone amok.

Kids of All Ages

Each year, one of the more popular exhibits at the Indiana State Fair are the litters of newborn piglets; I have never visited the Swine Barn when the piglets' enclosures aren't surrounded by small children and their parents. There are always one or two strollers nearby, vacated by the toddlers so they can get closer to the baby pigs. The piglets respond to a signal from Mom, telling them it's time to eat. They all pile on, each returning to the same assigned teat, while the sow lies quietly, almost oblivious to the busy-ness surrounding her and her offspring. 

The children's expressions as they watch are a mixture of curiosity and awe. And they have questions -- the air is filled with the sound of children asking questions. One time I saw an old farmer reach into the pen and pick up one of the piglets to show to the children. He held it down to them and let them touch it, carefully, of course, as he patiently answered each of their questions.  


It's an old story by now that people have become so alienated from the source of their food that they have no idea that real actual people work the land and raise the animals that end up on their dinner plates. I have a notion that, for a lot of these kids, the visit to the Fair -- the Swine Barn, the Cattle Barn, etc. -- is the only contact they will ever have with the sources of their food. Perhaps, if people did have more encounters like the children had with the farmer, they may grow to have more respect for the Earth, as well.  

I was a city kid and still harbor some romantic notions of growing up to have a horse. But I did have 4-H. When I was in fourth grade the county extension office for my county introduced 4-H programs into the city schools. I was so excited when I heard about it! Through 4-H I learned basic sewing skills and how to bake from scratch (pound cake, folks, with BUTTER!). I enrolled in handicraft, wildlife and forestry projects for which I built a bird house one year, made fishing lures for another and, with my dad's help, made an electric extension cord. I don't think these are things I would've learned any other way.

Last Saturday, children were showing their 4-H llamas and alpacas. While some farm kids may take their daily lives for granted, there is no denying their love and respect for their animals. As this girl was preparing her llama for their class later Saturday morning, her affection and the pride she had for it was obvious.

The Comfortractor

It's the second day of the Fair and I went to join other photographers for what the Fair's promotional staff was calling a "Digital Shootout." I spent all morning taking pictures, making a lap of the grounds where I saw a few new (for me) and unusual sights. The most astonishing of these was the Minneapolis-Moline UDLX Comfortractor, which I saw amid a disply of its more usual-looking cousins and wondered, WTF?

Introduced in 1938 by Minneapolis-Moline, a tractor company with a reputation for producing reliable farm machinery, the Comfortractor was meant as a crossover vehicle, one that could plow the fields during the week, then take  its owner into town on the weekends, where he could party with his lady friend. The tractor's bright orange body work enclosed a heated cab in which there was room for two people on a padded seat. Among other features, there was a cigarette lighter, a "knicknack" box, a dashboard sporting a speedometer (up to 45 MPH!), oil pressure and water temperature gauges, as well as a clock. It had fenders and a bumper.

Trouble was, it was a machine that came into being ahead of it's time. The country was still sluggish, just emerging from the Great Depression, and the price tag, at $2,150, was a bit steep for its time. There were only 150 of the Comfortractors produced, so they are a pleasant rarity when they show up at antique shows.

Our State Fair!

The merry-go-round is one of the first of the carnival attractions to be seen
when you enter that area. Here, the colorful steeds await their young knights
and ladies for the first rides of the day

Today begins the 155th annual Indiana State Fair, a festival that had its beginning in the harvest celebrations at the end of the growing season and continues as a gathering of people of all backgrounds and interests, much of it on display at the fair. There is so much! Beef and dairy cattle, chickens, ducks and geese; pigs, goats and sheep; baking, sewing, photography and painting; draft horses, pleasure horses and Standardbred racing. Then there is the carnival with it's side shows and rides. 

And one cannot escape the annual onslaught of food: barbequed turkey legs, lemon shake-ups, funnel cakes and deep fried dill pickles. Just about any heart-exploding, cholesterol-laden delicacy in the world of carnival cuisine is available. The official "food" this year will be deep-fried ice cream. One of the most popular venues each year is the Indiana Pork Producers' tent, where they sell the best pork chop dinners and sandwiches to be had anywhere. Fact: the chops are sold just outside the Swine Barn, so you can see the piggy life cycle from birth to sandwich.

Yes, it's blurred but I enjoy this picture because it reminds me of the smell,
the sounds, and the massive size of the Belgian draft horses. Each of them averages
about one ton in weight. When they trot around the Coliseum, not only does their harness jingle, but they create a pleasant breeze as they pass by.

As I have for many years, I get my program, mark the exhibits I want to see and create a schedule that will allow me to take in as much as possible. My own favorites are the Clydesdale, Percheron and Belgian draft horse competitions, with 6 and 8-horse teams trotting around the Fair coliseum; their harness fittings gleam and jingle pleasantly, lending their individual music to the rhythm of the horses' gait.

A groom cools out her charge at the end of the afternoon's harness racing.
Going to the races is a friendly, relaxing way to spend the day with friends and family.
Sadly, not many younger people seem to be attracted to the Standardbreds,
 preferring "Tilt-A-Whirl" rides or computerized action to the real thing. Too bad.

Years ago, I edited a book about the history of the fair, designed its layout, and selected the artwork and photos to be included. I was struck by the unity to the fair's theme over the years as a place where people came to show what they'd accomplished over the year, whether it be growing the tallest cornstalk, the world's largest male hog or pumpkin, or having the best selection of tomatoes; baking the best apple pie, sewing the finest quilt, or making the best wine or beer -- we are all there to participate. 

Usually, I choose to participate by entering paintings and photographs, on occasion some oatmeal cookies. This year, I've entered a few photographs and an antique hand-painted porcelain cup. I like to join all those who want to show their skills in a friendly environment. Even in this arena, its pleasant to see how many talented people there are in this world. I do it not so much to win but to be a part of my community, to become engaged in the activity around me, once again, to participate.

Of course, one can always hope ...   

Test Building

Shown here are the front entrance and details from the Lacy Building, on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis. Originally called the Test Building, it was named for Charles E. Test, the former president of the National Motor Vehicle Company. When it opened in 1925 as a multi-use building, it was one of the first structures in the state intended for use as a parking garage: of its nine floors, the first three are for businesses, the next five floors allowed for parking of 200 cars, with a one-story "crown."


The structure of the building is a reinforced concrete frame decorated in smooth-dressed Indiana limestone. The architectural style is Neo-Classical Revival, with sculptural decorations created by local artist, Alexander Sangernebo, whose work appears on the facades of buildings all over the city.  

The building was entered onto the

 National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

TAH-DAH!

Each season comes with its own colors, a range of hues appropriate to the time, the sun and temperature. I love the delicacy of spring, the robust jewels of summer. I see fall as a last flourish of  courage against the solemn notes of winter, which is a time of waiting, rest and rebirth. I'm not sure I could stand a daily diet of brilliant color when the temperatures are below zero. After all, I am resting, too, waiting for spring, so give me winter's subtle gifts when the time is right.

For right now, though, it's summer, so here are the brilliant, sunlit colors in all their loud and raucous glory! Trumpets are not needed as they broadcast their wonderful presence for all to see, all by their wonderful selves!


TAH-DAH!

If I Look Perplexed ... It's a WTF Kinda Day

And for me, that's usually at least some part of just about every day. 

Monday morning I saw this shoe near the curb as I went in to work. Now, just how could some young lady be all spiffed up in her prettiest party dress, the best push 'em up and out bra that money can buy, all the extensions in the world sewn into her hair with make-up designed to make even the most hardened swain fall in love with her pouty lips -- how could she possibly not miss one half of her pair of 4-inch platform heels?

Was she teleported away by a lusty alien, to whom a clumpy gait may have looked particularly endearing? Did she resist his advances, then walk home like she was wearing only one of a pair of stilts? 

Or was it left by a tawdry Cinderella, hoping it would be found by her gutter Prince Charming?

Whatever, I hope she's safe.