Rob's State Fair Ramblings, Day 10

 Well, that's a wrap, folks! A very successful 2022 State Fair is officially in the books. At 8:00pm this evening, the dismantling of rides will begin, and many will work all night. By first light Monday morning, most rides will be gone or leaving. Exhibitors in the buildings will be packing up what they have left and move on. Some will go back to their jobs back here in town, and some folks travel the country with their wares. It will take quite some time to get the fairgrounds back to it's natural state, as there will be mountains of trash to clean up, signs to take down, barns to clean...sigh...it's overwhelming, and I'm glad I'm not the one responsible to coordinate it all. I felt sad as I left the fairgrounds today. My feet are glad for a respite, but I know that it will be another year before the next fair. What will I miss the most? Seeing people. Not just people I know, but the smiles of all people as they play games, eat food, and ride rides. The cheers of people enjoying the roving acts, the laughter of the people watching their families screaming on rides....I saw a lot of people I haven't seen in a long time, and I will miss that part. 

The temp hit 101 degrees...just let that sink in for a minute....the vendors selling cold drinks were making a killing today! It was quite humid as well, and I saw a lot of sweaty, but smiling parents as they escorted their kiddos around the Midway. Some of these kiddos were my grandkids, who kept popping up everywhere. It was great to hang with them for a bit. They're growing up too fast! A few families who were leaving allowed their kids to run through the fountain, a very popular place to cool off. I was sitting on a bench nearby, and occasionally, if the breeze was right, I'd get a soft misting of water on my face. It felt good. The park near the fountain is a wonderful place to sit. There's lots of shade, and I can access internet best. Throughout the day, my phone blows up with questions, and I spend lots of time walking the grounds checking on locations, prices of things, etc. Then I make my way back to the park to answer texts, messages, etc. I keep very busy throughout the day. Some people think I'm just walking around, which happens sometimes, but most times I'm on a mission. While it is hard work, I love what I do. For those of you reading, if you were needing info, I hope I was able to help you out. Sometimes I would be walking near strangers who were trying to figure out where something was, and I'd jump in and let them know. They'd thank me and be on their way. A few times, they would see me later and ask about something else. I'm so happy to help. This fair is my jam. I love it. 

Today I had my caricature drawn. I was almost not going to do it, but my appearance has changed since last year, and I wanted to capture this time in my life. The artist recognized me from years past, and thanked me for being a loyal customer. I also was able to pick up my ribbons and read the critiques on my cookies. This is what they docked me for: For the chocolate chip cookies, I had too many chocolate chips (there can never be too many chocolate chips in a cookie), and they were underbaked (Do they not understand the difference between underbaked and soft?). My oatmeal raisin and snickerdoodles were too dry. I'm not sure how, because they were baked the night before and then sealed. Did they leave the bag open for an extended period of time while they were waiting for judging? I know that I always gripe about the judges' comments, but I feel like I make a quality cookie, and I only submit the best. I did get some positive comments, such as "yum," "good peanut butter flavor," and "good cookie," which make me feel a bit better. 

As I bring this to a close, I want you to know that I occasionally blog throughout the year. It's not always fair-related, but I hope that you'll continue to read. Thanks to your likes and comments, I have decided to blog for you again next year. I want to thank you for following me on this 10-day journey, this "stay-cation" of mine. I hope that you found it entertaining, informative and fun. My phone blew up this last week, not just with questions, but with likes and comments on my pics and posts. That was fun. For this next week I'm going to feel lost, and I'll be re-visiting posts, pics, and videos to help me to remember this wild ride. If you'd like to re-visit blog posts, even those posts going back several years, you can find a menu on the right side of the screen. Not all of them are State Fair-related, but the majority of them are. Enjoy. 

I'm going to sleep well tonight, Lol. Thanks again for reading. I love you all, and God bless! 

Rob's State Fair Ramblings, Day 9

 Only one more day of the fair! What am I going to do on Monday? (Gasp) Lol

I logged about 20,000 steps today at the fair. I did a lot of walking. About every hour I stopped for about 10-15 minutes to save my feet. I definitely need new shoes. I'll keep that in mind for next year. When I am traveling through the buildings, the "holy grail" of free stuff for me is the heavy-duty magnetic clip magnets. I really like those things. My fridge is pretty full of stuff, so these guys come in really handy for keeping stuff where it needs to stay. The Eisenhower building was giving away clear tote bags. I am predicting that this will be the wave of the future. Everything will need to be seen. Some school districts are requiring clear book bags. Also in the Eisenhower building is a huge fish tank with some monster fish. The gentleman next to me asked the Fish & Game guy if he could drop his line in and fish for a bit. The Fish & Game guy shook his head wearily. Evidently this was a very overused joke that he's heard in his time. 

I went over to the barn area to look at some animals. I wanted to see the llamas, as I love the llamas. I missed the Texas longhorns a few days ago, but the Watusi were being displayed today. They have some mighty horns, and I'm sure that you would not want them to be mad at you. There was a guy in the ring, corralling them by poking them with a long stick. What a brave guy. Then I wanted to see some horses. I think that I like horses because my Grandma loved them. A few of them had their heads sticking out into the aisle as if to say "Pet me!" So I obliged. Carefully. 

I was a frequent visitor to Allen's P-Nut stand for their $2 bottled sodas and $1 bottles of water. At one point while I was there, a young couple wanted 2 bottles of water. All they had was plastic, no cash, and the gentleman with the credit card square had stepped out for a while. I bought that couple 2 bottles of water, and went on my way. They thanked me, and I hope they pay it forward in some way. On a related note, vendors really appreciate the use of cash payment. Paying with a card is time-consuming and that's if the wi-fi is cooperating. I use my cellular data while I am there, and turn my wi-fi off. 

At one of my rest times, I decided to relax in the comfort of the A/C in Cottonwood Court, aka the Food Court. I met my friends, Rob & Debbie, and their kids Nathaniel and Emily. they were there with their baby. We sat and chatted for quite a while, catching up. During this time, Rob came to the table with a dish of amazing-looking catfish! I put that on my mental list of things to get when it came time to eat. I also ran into a friend of mine who is going through a rough time. If you would be willing to say a prayer for him, I'd appreciate it, and I'm sure he would, too.

As I was walking through one of the buildings, I noticed some people getting their hands waxed, being molded, and colored. I was intrigued. I opted in for this, and chose the hand position that means "love." It came out looking great, and I hope to get a better pic of the finished product later on. While it was being glazed and dried, I was getting hungry. I left my wax hand there and went to grab some of that catfish. There was a kid at the register, and he looked exhausted. He was nice enough, but it was obvious that he was tired. The catfish came out really hot, with tartar sauce on the side. It was really good! You can find this booth on the south wall of Cottonwood Court. 

After eating, I stepped outside and noticed a large mass of clouds to the west of town. I stopped by the Channel 12 booth and asked Ross Janssen, meteorologist, if we were going to get rained on. He said there was a 50/50 chance, so I decided that it was a good time to head home. 6 1/2 hours is a good run. I went by to grab my hand, and drove home.

Now, it's time to get perfectly frank with y'all. I have been criticized by several people over how I'm spending my money, what I'm buying, etc. It's really nobody's business, but since there's so much flap going around, we need to have a talk. I get paid through my jobs. I give to my church, pay my bills, and what is left is split between mission trip funding and fair money. I save all year long. I don't take vacations, so I treat the fair as my "staycation." The last vacation I took was in 2020, to Israel. That was the ultimate trip. My plan was to severely limit what I did at the fair so that Israel could happen. Then, 2020 happened, and there was no fair. I saved money there. I also collect my loose change in a gallon jar. It takes almost a year to fill it up. When  it's full, I take it to the bank, and there's my fair money. A few people have asked me to try a food item, and they'll hand me some food coupons. 2 different friends handed me a sheet of food coupons this past week. One vendor gave me my food free. So, it's not like I'm spending an exorbitant amount of money. You take vacations, I go to the fair. Those people out there who are judging, I think you need to keep your opinions to yourself. Quit looking at my pics, and stop commenting, I'm tired of deleting rude commentary. Next step is to unfriend you, a step I hate taking. To the rest of you, I am sorry, but it's been really irritating, and I really don't feel that I need to justify everything. I also hate for the people that enjoy the pics and blogs to see these unkind comments.  There, that is my piece, and it's time to move on. Thanks for being my shoulder to vent on. 

Tomorrow is the last day. (Insert sad face here). I have 2 foods that I'm going to try. One of them is a first for this year, the second is one of my faves that I want to have one more time. Can you guess what it is? Make your guesses, and you can check the blog tomorrow to see if you were correct. Thanks for reading, and God bless!!

Rob's State Fair Ramblings, Day 8

 Day 8 already? Say it ain't so! Seems like the fair only started last week...oh, just a sec....

I began the evening with toasted ravioli. This entree sells for $9, and you get a good amount of marinara to dip it in. I really liked it, and the guy running the booth was very friendly. I made my nightly trips through the buildings, and as I was doing so, a lady selling nuts asked me if I'd like a sample. "Cashew?" she asked. "bless you," I replied. The ladies behind the counter got a hearty laugh. The cashew, which was cinnamon/sugar coated, was wonderful! Then they offered me a free sample of their fudge. Guess my joke went over pretty well...? There were several varieties, but I settled for a tiny cube of cappuccino fudge. My goodness. I'm not going to say whether it was good or bad, but I do believe that this fudge will be in Heaven.  As my journey continued, I again saw my new friend Adrian, my Jewish friend from Israel. He recognized me, and I called him by name. He was impressed that I remembered. We chatted again for a few minutes before his duties called him to another customer, because he now knew I was not going to buy any beauty supplies. Is it because I'm handsome enough already, or is it because I'm beyond hope....? Lol. I was surprised that the DirectTV people weren't jumping out at people trying to sell their service, they were really wrapped up in their phones. One lady gave me a demo of her vibrating handheld tool, which was supposed to cure all that ailed you, but for $199, I had to move on. I wasn't really impressed with it, anyway. It was actually kind of uncomfortable, and just a tad painful. 

I took to the Midway to check out the rides, and I was able to see a lot of my kiddos, some who I haven't seen in a while. I got to see my nieces and nephew, who were having a good time at the fair. That's the best part. I love to see the kiddos from school and Club, and visit with their parents. I think I've already mentioned that a few times, but it's true.

I noticed that the boats are not there this year. The new fire station is occupying that spot. The RV's are not here either this year. In it's spot are several bounce houses that the kiddos can jump on for what I think is a ridiculous price. I'm kind of sad, because I've always enjoyed checking out the boats and RV's. In that area is a log cabin you should check out. This cabin is pretty neat, and is available to rent throughout the year. Next to the cabin is a space occupied by Dillons, which is always handing out single-sized cups of ice cream! Yum! 

By this time, I was wearing down. I've been working all day, and I'm not as young as I used to be. Tomorrow is Saturday, so I plan on spending the afternoon seeing more of the fair. Hopefully, tomorrow's report will be much more interesting. If you've been staying awake until the end of the post, you deserve a medal, Lol. Also, please leave a like or comment if you enjoy the blog so that I can gauge how many people are reading. Thanks, and God bless! 

Rob's State Fair Ramblings, Day 7

 I didn't eat very much this evening. I was in the mood for cheese curds, but prices were $12 and $20 for buckets. I can only eat a few before they get to be too much, so I guess I'm going to have to find a friend or two who'd like to split an order with me. I opted for a New Year's Cookie in Cottonwood Court (aka the food court). You can find these in the southwest corner, and they are $2. The young lady at the front was very friendly and smiley. That was a good snack. Again, in a repeat of yesterday, I only realized after I ate it that I forgot to take a picture. Sorry. That was the only food I bought this evening. Wow, restraint! In The Pride of Kansas building I was asked a trivia question about central Kansas. It was about a Yankees player who lived in Larned. Huh? I don't have a clue! Do you know the answer? If you do, don't answer, because I don't even remember the answer she told me. I still got a consolation (pity) prize: a small vial of candy-covered sunflower seeds. They were pretty good! I was also offered a cup of pretzel sticks so that I could sample some dips. Other than that, that's all I ate tonight. I just wasn't hungry. Strange, huh?

On my journey through the buildings, they were fairly empty. Vendors were chomping at the bit to sell stuff. The make-up people were pushing sample packets in my direction: Facial cleansers, eye products, etc. It was enough to give me a complex. Did I look that bad? Beware, they're quite aggressive. I had the chance to visit with a man named Adrian who was Jewish and from Israel. Buy, did we have a lot to talk about. He inquired about my shirt, which stated "Speak Life," my T-shirt from last night's concert. I had the chance to share what that meant, and about my faith. He told me that we were very much alike in that we worship the same God, but different in that he doesn't believe Jesus as Messiah. Eventually I had to leave so that he could help other customers, but I breathed a prayer that someone will come into his life that might show him the way. 

I saw a lot of my school and Club kids with their parents, and was able to have some good conversations. I really enjoy meeting the parents of the kids I work with, and I hope the parents are glad to put a face with the "Mr Rue" their kids talk about. 

Today's promotion was that seniors over 55 could get in for $2 today. I saw that, and it really hit me different. 55. I am 51. In 4 years, I will be one of those seniors. I talked with one of the parents about age tonight, and one of them said, "Once I hit 30, I can't do those rides anymore." Oh you spring chicken, you! The kiddos were telling what puke-inducing rides they were going to ride. One kid said he was going to ride the Starship 3000 (the spinning spaceship) after eating a big lunch. Oh, child! The parents were shaking their heads at this. When the kids asked me what I was going to ride, I told them I rode the big Ferris Wheel. I guess I'm pretty lame, considering the response I got from them. 

Only 3 amazing days remain! What am I going to do when Monday comes, and there's no Fair to go to? I'll be lost! I guess I just need to make the most of the time I have, and enjoy what I can. I guess that's all we can do. I'm going to jump off and get some sleep. Thanks for reading, and God bless!

Rob's State Fair Ramblings, Day 6

 The TobyMac concert was pushed back 30 minutes, so that the lights and effects he used in his show would have a cooler effect. Wow, was it cool! More on that coming up.

The delay gave me time to make a quick pass through the buildings, as well as grab a bite to eat. I got myself a bierock from the Pride of Kansas building. which also comes with a bag of chips. $9.00, and yum! They were very nice, too. Typically, I take a picture, but I was hungry, and had TobyMac on the brain, and I had eaten it before I remembered that I was supposed to take a pic! It was about the size of my hand, and was stuffed with ground beef, cabbage, onion, and other good stuff! I also got myself some fried green tomatoes. $9.00 and yummy! However, the guy running the booth wasn't very friendly or talkative. Normally I won't buy these, because I can make them with the green tomatoes in my garden, but the heat was too much for them, and I only got a few small ones, and they didn't taste right. 

Next, on to TobyMac!  His show did not disappoint! He was energetic, funny, friendly, and humble. She shared his testimony of how his firstborn son died 3 years ago, I was not aware of this. However, through all of this, he was able to give God the glory. He thanked everybody for their prayers, and then he said a prayer for us, the people of Kansas. He played all of my favorites, and my Facebook posts feature pics and videos of him doing his thing. Seeing a TobyMac concert has been on my bucket list for many years, and I'm thankful that it was a great show. He didn't skimp on us, and his worship team, as well as the Divers City Band were on fire! They definitely have some talent. I wish you could have been with me to experience this show. I love a good powerful Christian concert where you can feel the music beating in your chest! 

Please excuse me if I cut this post a little short tonight, and I apologize for any typos you might see. I'm typically a 9:30 bedtime person on weeknights (yeah, I'm old), and it's nearing 11:00. No, I don't regret staying up late to catch TobyMac or to blog for you, I love you guys. I'm praying that the rest I get will be God's rest, and that it will be sufficient to carry me through tomorrow. Thanks for reading, and I pray God blesses you. See you tomorrow night!

 

Rob's State Fair Ramblings, Day 5

 It's hard to believe that the fair is already half over! I might add that the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday blog posts may be brief, as I don't spend too much time out there in the evening, and also considering I have to blog after...I don't want to get into bed too late, as I need to be at 100% for my kiddos in the morning. Thanks for understanding.

The first thing I wanted to do was get some food, so that I could walk it off the rest of the evening. I was in the mood for some fried green tomatoes, but them I changed my mind and decided on a cow patty. The Cow patty ($7.00) is a bed of french fries topped with pulled pork, BBQ sauce, nacho cheese, and sour cream. Yum! And the service was nice, too. They also offer a gluten-free version of this as well. Next to the booth is a covered patio area with picnic tables. Good thing, because this is not a walk-around-as-you-eat-it type of food. After I walked through the buildings, I wanted a bit more, so I stopped by the quesadilla booth on the Channel 12 corner, and they were offering $2 quesadillas. I opted for a chicken one. My supervisor from the Alley was working this booth, and I got a nice picture of her as she handed me the quesadilla. It was really good!! Nice job, ladies!    On my journeys tonight, I had the opportunity to see and visit with my niece, Teighlor. It's always great to run into family out there. 

I next decided to take a walk down the Midway to see if I could find any of my kiddos. I did see a few, and I also saw my good friend, Pat, whose birthday is today! Happy birthday, Pat! She and I used to be neighbors. She enjoys coming to the fair daily to walk around and play "Racer's Edge." She also enjoys the Sweeper games, but they were not there this year. The owner and his wife have retired. She and I walked and talked together, and she was going to grab some ice cream at the Dairy Bar in the Grandstand. Since it was her birthday, I bought her ice cream, and she opted for raspberry cream, no sugar added. She asked for an extra spoon, and insisted that I share it with her. How could I refuse that? Since we were both walking out in the same direction, we escorted each other out. I'm glad that after we moved, we were still able to keep our connection with Pat. She is a true friend.

Tomorrow....is the the one day of the fair that I've been looking forward to for months! I don't typically attend concerts at the fair, but I have a ticket to see TobyMac!! I've wanted to see him in concert for years, ever since I began listening to his music. He's been to the area several times, and there has always been some kind of conflict. This time, it's going to happen! I did see a snippet of him through a slat in the fence at the fair a few years ago, but that was different. I have great seats, and I'm so stoked! I have a bucket list for my life, and seeing a TobyMac concert is on that list. I'll finally be able to scratch that item off my list! Can't wait! That being said, I'm not sure what I'll be doing until concert time, or what kind of time I'll have. I'm sure there will be a blog post, I'm just not sure what it will look like. 

It's after 10:00. Past bedtime. I'm tired. Thanks for reading, and God bless you!  

Rob's State Fair Ramblings, Day 4

 Day 4 was Friend Day! This is an annual event that my friend Christy and I like to do every year. She and I have been friends for many years, and we always like to spend a day at the fair, and it's typically a Monday, Dollar Day. 

My day began with a very positive doctor visit and taking care of tags and taxes for my car, and then I headed for the fair. As I waited for Christy at the fair, I enjoyed the many marching bands that were visiting the fair today. I also ran into my friend Ginger and her son, and we visited for a bit. The morning was very cool, which made for great walking-around weather. We started our day with a trip through the buildings. She enjoys picking up free stuff as much as I do, and we really made a haul today. Vendors had so much good stuff set out on the tables to give away. Pens, pencils, tote bags, etc. Our bags were pretty heavy before the day was out. After our trip through the buildings, we were ready to eat something. She wanted a Pronto Pup. Now, I don't typically repeat something I've already had at the fair, but I make an exception for the Pronto Pup. I like a stripe of mustard and a stripe of ketchup on my Pup, and Christy likes to smear mustard all over hers. No was is the wrong way, and everyone has their own way of doctoring their Pronto Pup. 

From there, Christy wanted to visit the Domestic Arts building. She knows her quilts, and she enjoys looking at them. When I look at a quilt, I see colors and designs. She sees shapes, seams, blocks, and styles. As a quilter herself, this is big for her. She sees things that I don't see. She looks beyond what is there and sees the stitching. It's all Greek to me, folks. Lol. In all honesty, she has given me a new appreciation for quilts.    While we were in the building, we popped over to see my prize-winning cookies. I'm happy with my 2 ribbons. 

We decided to do something different this year and take a journey on the State Fair Railroad. Its been quite some time since either one of us has ridden the railroad, so it was a special treat. We got to see a lot of the fairgrounds on this trip, and we waved at a lot of people. It was fun. Then, after looking at storage sheds and barns, we wanted to take a walk down the Midway, just to see how many of our kids we could see. We saw quite a few of our school and BGC kiddos out there, and it's fun to see them. We finally made our way to the big Ferris Wheel for another tradition, a spin on the wheel. I like to take pics and selfies from the very tippy-top. It did not disappoint, and I got some good pics from the top. By this time, it was getting quite warm, and Christy was ready to go. We walked toward the gate, getting the chance to see more of our kiddos along the way. We had great fun together, and we enjoyed our day. 

I decided to stay out a bit longer, and visited the Dairy Bar in the Grandstand to get my Caramel Cow Crunch. This treat is off and on through the years, so I wanted to jump on it, as it was gone last year. They slice an iced long-john like a hot dog bun, and then top it with ice cream and a type of sweet cornflake-like topping. It's really good. $6.00. I decided to walk this off as best I could, and I was still hungry, so I headed to a new stand I have learned to like, the famous Korean Corndog stand. This time, I was after a Dilly Dog. The Dilly Dog is an all-beef hotdog, stuffed in a pickle, dipped in honey batter, and deep-fried. $7.00. The people running the stand were just as friendly as they were the other night, making conversation and chatting with me. As I made my way to find a place to sit to enjoy my Dilly Dog, I met up with Nancy and her family. They attend my church, and they are neat people. So, Shaun, as promised, here's my review of the Dilly Dog: Yum! I can't simply call it a corn dog with a pickle in it. The pickle gives it a whole new identity of its own. I really liked this treat! Go check out this booth and see what they have to offer! They are north of the Oz building and across the street in a small trailer truck. 

Of course, after this, I needed to do some more walking, so I made one more trek through the grounds and ran into John, selling trailers. He's had a very good, successful week, and that's what I like to hear. He asked me what was good to eat, and I hyped the Korean Corndog stand, my standout favorite for the week. They really need to compensate me for the free advertising, Lol. 

Tomorrow is Tasty Tuesday, where some vendors will be offering $2 portions of their product. At this time I do not know which vendors will be offering this, but most of those businesses will post a notice in their window. You might need to ask, also. Please note that Midway vendors do not offer this, this is specifically for independent Kansas vendors who choose to make this an option for their business. Also happening tomorrow is $4 gate admission after 4:00PM. So, if you're looking for discounted gate admission with discounted food items, tomorrow just might be your night!

Thanks for reading. Please note that I see your likes and comments, and I appreciate them very much. I'm trying to answer and stay on top of them all, but my phone is blowing up all day long. But please, keep the likes and comments coming. It's an encouragement to me. God bless, and I'll be backatcha tomorrow night!  

 

  

 

Rob's State Fair Ramblings Day 3

 Today was Mother's Day, the annual day of the fair where I take my mom out for the day. We look forward to this day, because we have so many of the same interests. It started out pretty rotten. Because mom's legs are not what they used to be, we opted to rent her a motor scooter to help her get around. Mom was not the biggest fan of this option, but knew this was the only way she was going to be able to enjoy the fair.  But.....darn, no scooters were available! Period. Evidently I needed to call ahead and reserve one. There was a waiting list, and when the rental people saw that mom was struggling to walk, they were kind enough to put her at the top of that waiting list. Mom and I continued on as best we could, having to stop frequently to rest. 45 minutes later, our ship came in. A scooter was returned, and it was ours. I left mom watching the diving show, and I booked myself down to pick up the scooter. I thanked them and paid them, and drove the scooter down to mom. That little scooter could really move! I had a blast driving it down the street to mom. Finally, we could get around without my mom hurting. Our day just got better. 

We started going through the buildings, and I became aware of how rude people can be regarding people using scooters. Some people were considerate and held the door for her, but some people would walk around her, move in front of her, and then stop. A few people would not let my mom get through. When I broke my knee about 13 years ago, and had to use a scooter in the store, I noticed this as well. My mom was frustrated because people wouldn't let her got close enough to the tables to pick up free stuff, let alone drive the scooter at the same time. 

Following our trek through the buildings, we wanted to catch the Ron Diamond show. He did not disappoint! Before his show started, however, we were in the mood for Pronto Pups, the famous corn dog of the fair. Everyone has a specific way to doctor up their Pronto Pup. My mom wanted a stripe of mustard, and I wanted a stripe of ketchup and a stripe of mustard. Is there a certain way you like to fix up your Pup? We enjoyed our treat as Ron Diamond did his thing. He is a comic hypnotist, and every show is unique. The crowds to see him are always large, and people clamor to be up on stage to try to see if they will be able to go under. This is something I could never do. Going under hypnosis requires concentration and focus, and I'm so ADHD it would never work. So, I just enjoy the show.  

From there, we went do to the Highway Patrol Booth. There's an officer there that mom and I had in preschool. He is now 30, married, and lives in Lawrence. We had a great time catching up and sharing fun memories. It is always fun to see our former kiddos as grown-ups, and doing well. Shout-out to his mom for letting us know he was going to be there! 

Mom and I were hungry again, and wanted a BBQ pork parfait. I had already had one, and I very rarely repeat a food item during the fair. Right next to the pork parfait booth is a booth that is selling the latest food item, the OMG Chicken Sandwich. I gave this a try for Mickey, who suggested I try it. The bun is a glazed donut, not sure if it was a Krispy Kreme. In the sandwich is a chicken breast, bacon, and drizzled with syrup. I thought the $12 price tag was a little extreme. The bacon was also really crispy and balled up on top of the chicken breast. I prefer to have strips laying across the sandwich, it's more compact and neater that way. All in all, it was pretty good, but I won't be trying it again, due to the price. Lower the price, I might give it another go. Mom really enjoyed her parfait. 

After our food, we explored the Oz building to check out the different types of crafts on display, and to see who ribboned and if we knew them. There are some pretty neat projects in there. It was nearly empty when we went in, so maneuvering Mom's scooter around was a breeze. Following that, we decided to take a ride on the Sky Ride. Not just for kicks, but also in honor of Dad, who would have enjoyed riding this, had he been able to attend the fair this year. By the way, it was good to see you, Jon!

All in all, it was a great day that could have been worse, had we not had that scooter. It really saved the day, as well as my mom's legs. 

Tomorrow is Friend Day. My friend Christy and I are going to keep our tradition of visiting the fair every year. We've been friends for about 12 years, and we enjoy hanging out. Tomorrow is also Dollar Day. Admission is only $1, but free with your Dillons card. All Midway rides are only one ticket. We like to ride the big Ferris Wheel and get pics from the top. 

Thanks for reading, and please excuse typos and grammatical errors. It's usually getting late when I start blogging, and I'm tired. As always, drop a like or comment if you made it this far. It helps me gauge readership. God bless, see you tomorrow night!    

Rob's State Fair Ramblings, Day 2

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In our younger years, my sister Joni and I would have never wanted to spend the day together at the fair. Now, we make plans for it and look forward to it! 

Before we met, I wanted to watch the debate between the two candidates who are running for governor. I wanted to hear what they had to say, and to see what they stood for. Afterwards, I wanted to catch a moment with Governor Laura Kelly to tell her that I was praying for her. This is something I have done since John Carlin was governor in the 80's. If I have an opportunity, I'll take it. I have had the chance to meet all of our state's governors through the years. Carlin, Hayden, Finney, Sebelius, Brownback, and so on. I just feel like it's something God has called me to do. One of Kelly's people asked me if I'd like a photo with the governor, I didn't say no. So, before people start calling me out on grandstanding or supporting certain political figures, I wanted to make my disclaimer about this opportunity. I have done this with both Republican and Democratic governors. My most memorable moment was my time with Joan Finney, (Gov 1991-1995) who got teary-eyed and thanked me. In my moment with Laura Kelly, she thanked me for my prayers and asked me to never stop. Regardless of where you stand politically, God has commanded us to pray for our leaders. I just went a step further and told these leaders personally. I've also done this with some of our state representatives, senators, and so on. Who knows what God might do with these small moments....? 

Afterwards, when my sister and I met up, we started out by watching the Flying Fools diving show. We got some good pics and videos there. They are very talented, and the show was only about 15 minutes long. I posted the video of the finale, an 80-foot plunge into a 10-foot pool. A cool wind was blowing, I'll bet those divers were cold up there! From there, we decided to hit up some buildings. We started in Pride of Kansas, which is a celebration of agriculture. Joni encouraged me to spin the K-State wheel and answer a question about K-State. Of course, I had no clue what the answer was, but I guessed. I was wrong. I still got a consolation prize, a K-State (purple) tote bag. It went straight into the other bag I was holding, Lol. Did I mention that I'm a die-hard KU fan? Afterwards, we were getting hungry, so we opted for the BBQ Pulled Pork Parfait, $9. We both liked ours, although Joni's was a bit dry. For dessert, we shared some deep-fried Oreos and some fried cookie dough. They were both really good, but we liked the cookie dough better. We both agreed that the fried Oreos would have been better with some kind of cream-cheese dipping sauce. We continued through the buildings and our timing on this was perfect, because it started raining. Of course, you know that when the Fair comes to town, rain inevitably comes with it. Anyway, we both got some good information on the things that interested us. It became apparent that Joni didn't inherit my dad's trait of picking up free stuff from the tables. My dad would grab stuff off the tables that were for sale, and we had to stop him, LOL. He went for everything! Now, I don't grab items off tables like he did, but I'm pretty close. My sister picked up a few things, but only if they were something she really wanted. At another wheel, I won an insulated coffee cup, and she got a tote bag. I think she was a little bitter about that, LOL. In one of the buildings, I saw something that really intrigued me! A transformation of a sort. I'm not going to say what it was, but I can let you know in about 4-6 weeks. Now you're intrigued, right? Don't worry, it's not something immoral or ungodly, but I'll reveal it when it all comes together. Lips sealed, Joni! 

In our Grandstand venture, we found a display of massage chairs. There were some available, and the salesman invited us to take a test drive. We knew that a sales pitch would be the price of a free test-run, but we decided that would be worth it. I'm kind of leery on massage chairs, mainly because of the foot feature. Because I suffer from foot pain, sometimes these chairs have a feature that really dig into the bottoms of my feet and it hurts. I asked for the lowest setting. Even on the lowest setting, I still winced a little several times during the 10-minute cycle. So, in the sales pitch, I stated that I wasn't impressed with the foot feature, so he left me alone. He started hard-selling my sister, and she said that she was interested, and asked for some info. I'm pretty sure she was just stringing him along. At least we got a good free massage. Except for the painful foot feature. 

By this time, it was getting later (and colder) and my sister had things she needed to do at home, so we decided to call it a day. She grabbed a Pronto Pup because a trip to the fair isn't complete without a Pronto Pup), and a bierock to go from the Pride Of Kansas building.  We had a pretty good time, despite our differing interests, but it was about creating memories and spending time together when the activities of daily life tend to keep families apart. 

After she left, I spent some more time out there (because that's my jam), and I needed to track down some location info for some people who had questions. I wanted to see what was new in the Lair White House, which is also the state fair museum. It is a carry-over from last year's exhibit, featuring the different celebrities who have graced the Grandstand stage over the years. The gentleman in the museum told me that they don't usually carry over like that, but he didn't state a reason, so I simply looked around for a bit, and then left.

By then, the rain started to come back in the form of a sprinkle, and I decided that it would be best to call it a day, as I didn't want to run the risk of having to dash to my car in a downpour (I am parked about 6 blocks from the fairgrounds entrance). Besides, I had been there since 10am, and I was tired.

Tomorrow is mother's day. I'm treating my mom to a day at the fair, which is a yearly tradition. Our interests are very similar, and we enjoy our time. At one time, I also had a day with my dad, but since his health is so bad, it just isn't possible anymore. I miss those times with him, which consisted of riding the Sky Ride, eating BBQ at Bernard's and seeing all of the horses and animals. Tomorrow evening, I'll bring you a report on what mom and I did together. Thanks for reading, and God bless!    

Rob's State Fair Ramblings, Day 1

 And, we're off!! Day 1 is in the books. Before I go any further, please drop a like or a comment if you're taking a read, and that will help me gauge how many people are reading, and will also determine if I continue to do this every year.

It's always a thrill to arrive on the fairgrounds on Day 1. As is my custom, my first stop is the Domestic Arts building to see how my cookies fared. I was happy and surprised. My Monster cookie took a white ribbon (3rd Place)! This was also the first year that I entered a Monster cookie. My Peanut Butter cookies took a red ribbon (2nd Place)! This was the first time that my Peanut Butter cookie took a ribbon. I also pondered, with a lump in my throat, that I almost didn't enter the Peanut Butter cookie, due to it's lack of winnings in years past. My oatmeal raisin, snickerdoodle, and the newly re-designed chocolate chip cookie did not see any ribbons this year, but they have enjoyed ribbons in years past. 

Now that I had the cookie issue settled, I was ready to eat! I decided that the Tacone was the way to go. The Tacone is sold by Rotten Rodney's, and sells for $8. Overall, I gave it a "C." They didn't fill the cone all the way, it looked really wet, and it was lukewarm. Not the Tacone I have bought in years past. The girl taking the order didn't speak up over the noise of the fair around me, and seemed irritated that I asked her to speak up. Rotten Rodney's is under new ownership this year, and I think that they need to corroborate with the previous owners to bring the food back to the awesome it used to be. While I was eating my Tacone, I was able to enjoy the "Dancing Piano," a man who sings while playing the piano, all while the piano is moving and turning. I'm not sure how the guy does it, but he's good. If you watch closely, you'll get a fleeting glimpse of my friend Zoe, as she walks by. I also go to view the roving act "Dangerous Feats of Comedy." I've posted videos of these acts. Not included in the videos, these guys juggled, ate fire, and they were pretty funny. If you see them setting up, take some time to enjoy their act. 

On the first day, I walk all around to kind of get a lay of the land, to see where everything is. Allen's P-Nut stand still sells the cheapest bottled soda on the grounds at $2 a bottle. They're on the north side of the OZ building, amongst some other stands. There is no "Dollar Days" stand, where they sold really cheap hot dogs and and hamburgers. The Root Beer stands are still around, selling the cheapest Root Beer and Diet Root Beer. And then...I saw it. The answer to a question I've had since last year. If you remember my postings from last year, I engaged in a vain quest to find a food booth that wasn't even on the grounds. The elusive Korean Corn Dog. There, just a few booths east of Allen's P-Nut Stand, and on the other side of the street....was the Korean Corn Dog stand!! Finally! So, those of you who have wondered what it is, here you go....Mozzarella Cheese, dipped in sweet batter, deep fried, sprinkled with panko (bread crumbs) and rolled in sugar. $7, amazingly good, and I give them an A+. They were so friendly and chatty. They told me that last year, just before the fair started, the entire family was hit hard with Covid, and they were forced to cancel. They were excited to be here, and that they were doing well. The cook showed me how he made it, and we visited while it cooked. They also have a wide variety of corn dogs, hot dogs, nachos, etc. Go check them out! 

I think the best part was running into people I knew, getting to visit, and some of these people I haven't seen in ages! A couple of teenage boys walked by, "Hey, Mr. Rue!"    I yelled back "Hey, how ya doing?"    "Great!" was their reply as they went on their way. Who in the world were they? I have no idea, but I made an impact, evidently, Lol. These kiddos need to remember that they change more than we do, and they need to let us know who they are, Lol. 

I also observed a fight, and those folks being escorted off the grounds by police. Yikes. Why can't people just go to the fair to have fun? If I had walked into the area any sooner, I may have gotten caught in the middle of swinging fists. 

Some of my favorite booths are back, like Lori the Dip lady, who will give you a little cup of pretzel sticks to sample some of her wonderful dips, and I always end up buying several packets, which usually end up at my Christmas open house. Ken's chili seasoning appeared again, giving samples. Yes, I buy some. The Union booth in Sunflower North is again the winner of the best giveaway stuff. And the Caramel Cow Crunch returns to the Dairy Bar in the Grandstand. However, when I went to order one, they didn't have the ingredients on hand, but that they would have it in for Saturday....they hoped. Me, too. 

Do you have any questions or comments for me? Something you want me to check out? Maybe a food you'd like to get my opinion on? Maybe you'd like me to shout out something you are selling. Maybe you just want a shout out so that you can get in the blog..? LOL     Whatever it is, fair-related, I can help you out.

Folks, it's late and I'm tired. I hope you enjoyed Day 1. Tomorrow is Sibling Day, and my sister and I are going to hang out and have some fun tomorrow. Tune in tomorrow evening for the full report! Thanks for reading, and God bless!

(PS: Drop a like or comment if you enjoyed this report!)  

Rob's Pre-State Fair Ramblings

 If you've been following my Facebook page, I've been posting pics and info about what's happening out there, what's moving in, and to give you a general idea of what to expect and what you might see. I can't give you an idea yet about where different booths will be, and what prices will be like this year. The booths and food trucks are still waiting to be moved into their respectable spots. As for prices, I will tell you this...expect costs to be higher. Vendors are having to pay higher prices for their goods, and more than likely, that cost will be passed on to you and me. There's always $2 Tuesdays, where some vendors will offer $2 portions of their goodies. That could be an option for you, and Tuesdays are typically a low-traffic day, especially if you like walking through the buildings. Tuesday is also the day you can get in for $4 after 4pm. 

Foods: The state fair is a wonderland of fried goodness. However, here are some things to look out for when choosing your fried food. If you can, try to get a look at the oil they are using. The vendors should be changing out the oil every day. If the oil is fairly light to light brown, the oil is in pretty good shape. However, if their oil is a dark brown to black, this oil is due for a change, and it will affect the taste of your food. For the amount of money you will be paying for food, you will want fresh food. There have been times when I have bypassed a booth because of their dark oil. Some of my favorite non-fried items have been the Tacone, Pulled Pork Parfait, and the Roasted Corn.  

Money: If you can manage to pay with cash, that is the best, and most appreciated, form of payment. Wifi is shaky at the fair with such high usage, and that's what powers the card machines. I've sometimes waited in lines for up to 20 minutes waiting for credit/debit card transactions to go through. I've been thanked by food vendors for paying with cash. Try to bring cash into the fair with you, rather than using the fair's ATM machines. They will charge you a pretty penny to withdraw cash there. I bring limited amounts of cash with me, and keep my wallet in my front pocket. Make sure the money gets into your wallet and not dropped on the ground. This seems like a silly tip, but thousands of dollars get dropped on the ground every year by distracted fairgoers. On that note, look for money on the ground, lol. 

Games: Avoid the games on the Midway. They are very tricky, and carnies know how to make it look easy. I know that the life-sizes poop emojis are very enticing, but...don't. One year, I took my boys out to the fair, and I let them have some time on their own. I gave them $20 for food and etc and told them to steer clear of the games. One of them found me after 30 minutes, broke. He had blown his entire $20 on the "Wacky Wire" game. He wanted more money. Tough. I bought him the cheap Root Beer, and told him to keep the cup to refill at a water fountain. He thought I was pretty mean. Avoid the games, folks. 

Be sure to take in the other things. The animals. The artwork. Ride the Ferris Wheel or the Sky Ride and take pictures. Visit the animal birthing center and see the baby piggies or hatching chicks. Keep your eyes peeled for painted rocks that are left for fair-goers to find. 

There are so many amazing things to see at the fair. Get out there and enjoy them! As I visit every day, I'll document my adventures, foods, and activities and maybe I'll pique your interest. Many Dillons and Kwik shops have free State Fair visitor guides with daily schedules and it's loaded with ideas. 

In the meantime, here's what I need from you: I need likes and comments to give me an idea of how many people are reading the blog. This determines if there will be a 2023 State Fair Rambling. It also makes me feel appreciated for the work that I do in getting you connected with all things that are State Fair. Feel free to ask questions by way of comment or text. My text is 620-960-1866. In your text, please let me know who you are. If you see me out at the fair, feel free to say hi, ask a question, get a selfie, or all of the above. I'm kind of the "Where's Waldo" at the fair, Lol. Is there a food you are curious about? Looking for a booth? Need some info? I'm your guy.  6 Days until the fair. I hope to see you there. Until then, thanks for reading, and God bless!