When I see cows in a field as we’re driving in the country? I’m compelled to announce it.
“Cow!”
But when I’m walking around the Fryeburg fair surrounded by bodacious bovines?
.
.
I just sigh with adoration.
My husband was raised on a dairy farm and the man knows cows. Which is why I think it’s cruel he won’t let me have one.. or ten. Of course I don’t want to muck out stalls or water them when it’s 10 below, which could be a deciding factor in his refusal.
So I get my cow fix when we go to fairs. I love the Belted Galloways which we always call Oreo cows.
.
.
The one in the middle is clearly a double stuff.
.
.
And look, there’s a vanilla cream.
While I was adoring?
.
.
The husband was talking.
And talking.
And talking.
About cows.
And after 20 minutes, about politics. Which is odd because I don’t think cows vote.
.
.
Did you know a cow isn’t technically a cow until she has a calf?
Now you do.
.
.
Can I get an awwww?
.
.
Scottish Highlands are so fuzzy I just want to curl up with a few and stroke them for hours.
.
.
This little beauty was only three days old! Momma delivered at the fair.
.
.
There’s the husband, talking cows again.
.
.
Did you know your veal parmigiana is almost always male?
Now you do.
And because no fair visit is complete without a beauty pageant.
Because it’s Monday, and that’s how we start the week around here.
.
.
Proof there’s a little sunshine behind every dark cloud.
.
.
Adult camp?
Hell no. I hated it as a kid and I was way more sociable then.
.
.
Talk about an embarrassing 911 call.
Geesh.
.
.
Oh my god, no.
My husband and I visited a nude beach in France years ago (both wearing bathing suits thank you very much) and believe me when I say it wasn’t pretty. We saw more naked grandmas and grandpas than anyone should ever see. A cruise ship of naked all you can eat buffet loving passengers? That’s the voyage of the damned right there.
.
.
Can you guess who it is?
Answer in comments…
.
.
I take it back, this was the most embarrassing 911 call ever.
.
.
I’m gonna go out on a limb here and guess that man is single.
This is the oldest (175 years) and the biggest fair in Maine. How big, you ask?
.
.
This big.
And after a late start due to my husband playing cribbage at breakfast with friends, we arrived two hours later than planned.
.
.
On the way to parking the car? RV heaven.
Or hell as far as I’m concerned. Densely packed on flat dirt as far as the eye can see, I can’t imagine spending a week like that, but people come from all over New England and look forward to it every year.
To each their own.
.
.
Many people go to the fair for the rides and carnival atmosphere … we’re not those people.
.
.
We started with the race horses.
.
.
Beautiful creatures who enjoy an occasional scratch.
.
.
This poor fellow was trying to take a nap.
.
.
While this one looked ready to munch a mum.
.
.
Food trucks and vendors were everywhere but my husband hates eating lunch standing up and ducked into the one little restaurant they have on site instead.
Big mistake.
.
.
It’s a bare bones place with a limited menu. They didn’t even have ice for our drinks. Warm Pepsi anyone?
.
.
Husband had a watery bowl of stew with a biscuit you could use for a boat anchor while I had a dry turkey salad roll the waitress mistakenly charged me $1 for instead of the $11 it cost. A dollar was really all it was worth, but the cashier caught the error and we moved on.
.
.
To the draft horses.
.
.
Who were finishing the pulling show the husband usually likes to watch.
.
.
These horses are gentle giants and I hate to see them straining …
.
.
So I wasn’t disappointed we’d missed most of it.
.
.
This beauty stood almost 19 hands.
.
.
And the husband spent more than 19 minutes talking to this owner while I wandered around.
.
.
Out back, these fellows were getting a bath.
Percherons, Belgians, and Haflingers. They never fail to impress.
As much as I enjoy my craft cocktails and beer, if I could only drink one thing it would have to be fresh brewed unsweetened iced tea with a wedge of lemon.
I don’t drink coffee, so tea is my mainstay pick me up. Lower in caffeine and full of healthy antioxidants, I love it and drink it every day regardless of the weather.
Nothing worrisome, just my annual physical. I’m ridiculously healthy for my age and though I have a bad knee, bunions and the normal aches and pains associated with reaching my sixth decade… there were thankfully no major issues to discuss.
I don’t have diabetes, or high cholesterol or any other ailments that require medication so my annual wellness check is usually a quick in and out with a stamp of good health.
We have excellent insurance due to my husband’s military service and my visit is always completely covered.
Free.
Until the other day when I received this bill.
.
.
It showed a $25 balance and while that certainly wasn’t a problem…. it was different, and made me wonder what had changed.
Not being able to decipher the coded language on the bill, I did some research.
Turns out I’m too healthy.
.
.
I’m being penalized because I’m healthy?
The doctor didn’t have to make any medical decisions.
Our night time visitors include deer, fox, opossums, skunks and raccoons. I put out a bowl of water and critter specific food but they all nibble the bird seed that spills on the ground.
All of them except this fellow.
.
.
Who prefers his straight from the source.
.
.
You wouldn’t think his chunky little butt could shimmy up that pole, but he climbs it with ease.