Fryeburg Fair, part three – he’s talking cows.

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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?

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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.

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The one in the middle is clearly a double stuff.

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And look, there’s a vanilla cream.

While I was adoring?

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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.

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Did you know a cow isn’t technically a cow until she has a calf?

Now you do.

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Can I get an awwww?

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Scottish Highlands are so fuzzy I just want to curl up with a few and stroke them for hours.

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This little beauty was only three days old! Momma delivered at the fair.

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There’s the husband, talking cows again.

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Did you know your veal parmigiana is almost always male?

Now you do.

And because no fair visit is complete without a beauty pageant.

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Cow!

🐄

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Maps.. in case you forgot where you live.

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Forget where’s the beef….

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This map clearly asks where’s the cacio e pepe?

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Way to go New Hampshire.

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I’ve been to northwestern Maine and can vouch for this.

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We bypassed Paris on my one and only trip to France and did Provence and the Côte d’Azur instead. Never regretted it.

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My husband and I paid $6 for the license and tipped the Justice of the Peace $30.

41 years later… believe me when I tell you it’s not about what you spend.

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This makes no sense whatsoever.

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To be honest we never used to. Most Mainers didn’t. But now, we do… and that’s sad.

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Fryeburg Fair, part two – llamas and chickens and steer. Oh my.

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It’s no secret my favorite part of a fair is the animals.

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The llama barn only had 3 occupants this year.

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And this one was too cranky to pet.

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But there were lots of chickens.

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And lots of blue ribbons.

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The silkies look like they’re covered in fur not feathers.

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There were some very impressive birds.

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Though this one looked a little pissed at missing first place.

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Next up, the big boys.

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And a very sweet little guy with his mom.

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Look at that face!

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💕

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News you can’t use.

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Because it’s Monday, and that’s how we start the week around here.

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Proof there’s a little sunshine behind every dark cloud.

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Adult camp?

Hell no. I hated it as a kid and I was way more sociable then.

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Talk about an embarrassing 911 call.

Geesh.

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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.

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Can you guess who it is?

Answer in comments…

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I take it back, this was the most embarrassing 911 call ever.

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I’m gonna go out on a limb here and guess that man is single.

😳

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Let’s go to the fair! Part one – big *ss horses.

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Heading out to the 175th Fryeburg Fair, a selfie.

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This is the oldest (175 years) and the biggest fair in Maine. How big, you ask?

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This big.

And after a late start due to my husband playing cribbage at breakfast with friends, we arrived two hours later than planned.

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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.

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Many people go to the fair for the rides and carnival atmosphere … we’re not those people.

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We started with the race horses.

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Beautiful creatures who enjoy an occasional scratch.

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This poor fellow was trying to take a nap.

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While this one looked ready to munch a mum.

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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.

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It’s a bare bones place with a limited menu. They didn’t even have ice for our drinks. Warm Pepsi anyone?

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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.

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To the draft horses.

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Who were finishing the pulling show the husband usually likes to watch.

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These horses are gentle giants and I hate to see them straining …

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So I wasn’t disappointed we’d missed most of it.

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This beauty stood almost 19 hands.

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And the husband spent more than 19 minutes talking to this owner while I wandered around.

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Out back, these fellows were getting a bath.

Percherons, Belgians, and Haflingers. They never fail to impress.

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Muted color, but still a nice drive.

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We drove west to Fryeburg the other day for the last fair of the agricultural season.

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It’s always a gorgeous drive this time of year…

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But due to the ongoing lack of rain and drought conditions the leaves weren’t nearly as bright.

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Patches of color, yes.

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But the trees have been stressed this year.

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They started turning early and in much more muted shades.

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Disappointing.

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But still scenic.

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😊

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Let’s play.

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It won’t hurt your brain.

I promise.

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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.

How about you?

One beverage, forever.

Go!

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This really creams my corn!

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I went to the doctor recently.

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.

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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.

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I’m being penalized because I’m healthy?

The doctor didn’t have to make any medical decisions.

So they charge me more?

What the utter hell is that about!

😡

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Midnight… birds?

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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.

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Who prefers his straight from the source.

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You wouldn’t think his chunky little butt could shimmy up that pole, but he climbs it with ease.

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https://youtu.be/FL8DFR3lok4?feature=shared

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Of course coming down isn’t quite as smooth.

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🤣

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Pardon the photo quality, I was taking pics through the window and the kitchen light was throwing reflections.

And why isn’t WP letting me embed videos anymore? That’s annoying.

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Lunch in shoulder season is divine.

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Maine is a tourist state and while natives understand the economy’s need for visitor’s dollars, it doesn’t mean we enjoy all our favorite spots being too crowded to enjoy while they’re here.

Hence “shoulder season”.

That glorious month after summer but before leaf peeping when there’s not a tourist to be found.

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Case in point?

The Dockside Grill in Falmouth.

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You can’t squeeze your way in here during high season… but right now?

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A raspberry thyme Rickey and ocean view can be savored in peace.

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As can a fabulous shrimp and scallop chowder…

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A pineapple margarita…

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And a haddock sandwich.

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Life is good in shoulder season.

👍

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