While I’m still a bit slower and stiffer as I hobble along at the annual fair and rodeo this week – I’m just glad to be upward and mobile at all.
After all, when I broke my leg back in September there was still the question of if I’d even be able to walk by Christmas.
So, every step since then has been a major accomplishment in my book!
I’m cane free finally and with the help of physical therapy working toward being cleared to drive myself around.
I know mom can’t wait for me to be able to drive myself and start running her errands for her again, too.
But, overall I’ve been lucky recently.
Lately, the weather has been showcasing a nice spring preview with warm, balmy, and breezy days with less humidity and clouds.
Now, I say that, but this weekend we’re supposed to get a little chill blowing in that will drop temperatures in the evening and dip below 50 degrees.
Not only does such a swing in temperatures affect my leg, it also affects the plants and wildlife.
Everything is either shooting up stalks or trying to bloom and increased pollen is making me clutch my allergy meds as much as the closest bottle of Tylenol.
Still, springtime is synonymous with fair and rodeo season and I’m glad to be covering as many events as I can.
There’s always a little infectious
excitement as the days blur together in and out of the arena.
Children across the county show off their skills with live animals, home economics goodies or their knowledge of agriculture living and special abilities in the annual talent show.
Meanwhile, the adults are coordinating everything behind the scenes and working hard to ensure an overall positive experience for everyone.
Fair time always makes me a little nostalgic, too.
I remember getting a new pair of boots each season with my uncle and eating way too much fair food while trying not to get motion sickness on the carnival rides.
We periodically watched the rodeo events too, but I don’t recall any specifics outside of admiring the horses in barrel racing or in roping events.
Thinking back, we didn’t really try our hand at too many midway carnival games but did make sure to do a thorough walk around the various vendors in the arena.
Once I became a teenager, I spent more time at the carnival riding rides with my friends and always goading the ones who were scared of heights to try the Ferris Wheel or whatever the tallest ride available.
The Ferris Wheel was always a nice little ride to slow down the experience and give you plenty of time to drink in the sights, sounds, and smells of the fair.
Well, the better part of the fair because all of those live animals inside the arena didn’t smell as sweet or inviting as fresh funnel cakes, caramel apples, and lemonade.
Even now I carry those fond memories with me every time I step out into the gravel parking lot and ready myself for the day’s events.
I’m also just plotting to bribe mom with a batch of fresh cotton candy so I can get my hands on a steaming-hot funnel cake.
Either way, I’m wishing all the best for the competitors and attendees – hopefully, they make some lasting and fun memories themselves!
