The days at the fair are very, very long. There are now just three days left. I can’t yet see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I can see the tunnel. This will suffice for now.

I think sometimes of all the care and time that has gone into getting the books into the hands of appreciative readers. For example, last night I stopped on the way home from the former banquet room of the historic Eagle Hotel and I sorted the Title Wave books and put aside the children’s board books, which I then cleaned, stamped, and put in bins. Today I took them with me and laid them on the book table in the barn, and off they went.

I have parted company with every reptile book that we have at the hotel. It took considerable time, finding these books and categorizing them. The same is true of the gardening books.

Vicki with Susan's Quilt

The question is why have I done this? I do not have an answer, but I wish that I did. It must have something to do with affirmation, but at the same time, I also have detractors. I focus more on the detractors than I should – this I am told is a function of the reptilian part of my brain – which is the part that in such instances becomes fearful, anxious, and defensive. I’d estimate that the reptilian portion is 75 percent of my brain. The other 25 percent is simply sweetness and night. Sad to say, the percentages do not vary.

Another day that’s going to remain a blur. Too many details. Far too many people. Actually, this morning it was, when I got up, pouring rain, and I do mean pouring. It was coming out of the sky like it was being poured out of buckets.

I tended to the animals, ate breakfast, and then headed in the direction of the fairgrounds. By then, the rain had stopped and it was just a bit blowsy. Interestingly enough, there was a line – this was at 11 a.m. And it was a busy day at the fair. So tomorrow, I must get my act together and get out of here as quick as possible so that I do not get stuck in traffic.

High points – senior story time – a bit of a snooze cruise, but Zach, our veterinarian and his wife Brianna were there. He said that his family got a four day pass. And yes, his son Zoren did read E.O. Wilson’s ant book.

Becky showed up and told me where her gardeners had put the raven box. I found it later. She made some cool designs with Playdough, which was sitting on the table, and reminisced about eating glue when she was in kindergarten.

All day, on the outside stage, the acts continued. There is something really strange about a military band, all dressed in camouflage, doing rock and roll tunes.

And tomorrow? Train day. Nothing yet has gone as planned – so I don’t have expectations for tomorrow.

Next: 234. 8/30/25: Oh my goodness