"I look back upon a day spent in what the world would call idleness, and for which I myself can suggest no more appropriate epithet, but which nevertheless I cannot feel to have been spent amiss. True, it might be a sin and a shame in a world such as ours to spend a lifetime in this manner; but for a few summer weeks it is good to live as if this world were heaven."
-- Nathaniel Hawthorne
I will have to agree with Mr Hawthorne….
Recently my grandchildren have been enjoying the book Angelina at the Fair that was given to their Aunt E in 1986. It is inscribed “Happy 4th Birthday E! We’ll be going to the fair soon – Just like Angelina!”. The story concerns an adventurous mouse who takes a younger cousin to a fair where they go on a ferris wheel, a roller coaster, and a Haunted House before the little cousin gets lost.
Maybe because of this story, when he heard that we were going to the North Stonington Fair Mr J immediately was interested in riding the ferris wheel.
It was difficult sitting through dinner…
The animals were a little more fun…
Dels Frozen Lemonade was enjoyed…
Ribbons were earned for being good farmers…
That ferris wheel was always within sight…
And finally we were there…
He wasn’t frightened at all…
We could see Mom and Miss E waving from the train…
Unlike her brother, Miss E really didn’t like the rides…
Mr O got some great shots of us on the roller coaster…
I like roller coasters and now have someone who will go on them with me…
Miss E did not want any help catching this fish…
Before we left the fair Mr J got to go on a pony ride…
I have been going to county fairs since I was in a 4H club showing my rabbit. It was nice to return with grandchildren and to remember how hot, dusty, and fun it had been.
There is a birthday party going on over at Christina’s blog, Soul Aperture…and what better way to celebrate than to join Se’lah and list a few of those simple things that make me happy. Here is just a small summer edition…
This list is never ending…Summer is full of wonderful, simple things…
On the holiday weekend, the state beach was full and cars were being turned away…but our little sailboat could easily take us to a quiet, almost empty beach…where the sand was so hot our feet burned and the water was so cold our skin tingled…
Sailing back, Mrs R and I tried to remember the lyrics to “A Perfect Day”…because it was a perfect day.
Lou Reed
Transformer (1972)
Perfect Day
Just a perfect day,
Drink Sangria in the park,
And then later, when it gets dark,
We go home.
Just a perfect day,
Feed animals in the zoo
Then later, a movie, too,
And then home.
Oh it's such a perfect day,
I'm glad I spent it with you.
Oh such a perfect day,
You just keep me hanging on,
You just keep me hanging on.
Just a perfect day,
Problems all left alone,
Weekenders on our own.
It's such fun.
Just a perfect day,
You made me forget myself.
I thought I was someone else,
Someone good.
Oh it's such a perfect day,
I'm glad I spent it with you.
Oh such a perfect day,
You just keep me hanging on,
You just keep me hanging on.
You're going to reap just what you sow,
You're going to reap just what you sow,
You're going to reap just what you sow,
You're going to reap just what you sow.
Deciding how I was going to spend this 4th of July holiday was not easy for me this year. For the past 59 years I always knew that I would be spending the day celebrating my sister’s birthday and this would be the first that I have spent without her. I thought of going away…but happily ended up spending time with my daughters, their husbands, my grandchildren…and of course Mr O.
We had a peanut hunt…I can remember doing this at my grandmother’s house when I was their age.
Some of us got wet.
Some tried to relax.
We grilled.
And we played with sparklers.
I do love sparklers!
Guess who had fun watching some fireworks last night! Hope everyone is enjoying their right to the pursuit of happiness today…
