The Fair

Ray and I were perfect Minnesota State Fair partners. We had the enthusiasm, the energy, and the joy to spend a whole day among lots of people and animals and stuff and food. We locked hands and off we went to explore the same familiar territory year after year.

Joe is not a perfect Minnesota State Fair partner for me, but I keep hearing Ray telling me, “You have to accept people for who they are.” And I since listen to Ray (most of the time!), I try to use this wisdom to accept Joe as he is.

Joe and I went to our fourth Minnesota State together this morning. He picked me up at 6:30 am, a bit agitated because he left his debit card in the ATM machine. He went back, but couldn’t find it.

I let his agitation slide right over me, kind of like a wave rolling over a rock, and just focused on the day ahead. He was a big boy and could handle his own debit card problem.

We went back to his apartment building and then took the bus to the Fair. I love riding the bus. I especially love riding the bus going to the Fair. It drops us off right at the gate and we don’t have to worry about where to park.

The Fair was empty and cool in the early morning. Joe had settled down and we walked around looking at the booths just beginning to open and reveling in the silence of the Fair.

We sat and talked for a while and then began wandering again. He bought a hat from the Minnesota Public Radio Booth.

We had foot long hot dogs smothered in onions, mustard, and ketchup.

We found hot coffee and soft hot chocolate chip cookies at Sweet Martha’s.

And we sat on a bench in the shade while the humidity and heat began to shove away the cool morning.

Then we walked some more.

I found the health place where I got my flu shot. Now I’m all set for shingles and flu, a truly vaccinated girl, almost like getting ready for school.

Finally, we walked out of the gate and headed for the bus stop.

We stayed at the Fair for three hours.

Ray and I would have stayed for 10-12 hours, but we were Fair people. Joe is not.

He’s just starting to rejoin the human race after battling shingles. He hasn’t walked for any distance in almost three months. And the people, the food, and the almost constant stimulation at the Fair can raise his anxiety level to a fever pitch.

I accept him for who he is. He went to the Fair with me. We had a good, enjoyable three hours together.
He stopped at his bank and stopped his debit card and ordered a new one. No one had used his card. Problem solved.

I was home by noon. Asher was washing clothes here, so we had a nice conversation while his clothes floated around in the dryer.

It’s over 90 degrees this afternoon; the humidity is as thick as soup. It’s been nice hanging around in my air conditioned home today catching up on computer stuff.

A cold front is supposed to slam in later tonight with some thunderstorms, which we need, and then tomorrow will cool off and be a comfortable 80 degrees.