Got up on Thursday morning, dressed for my one-hour-a-week dance, saw the weather forecast, and jumped in the car to go to the treasured Puyallup Fair. Jim came too, so we could share nostalgia of days gone by. Me remembering the half day off school, the big yellow bus that took us there, the chance to freely chase after boys. Saving my baby-sitting money (25 cents an hour) and berry picking money, accumulated over months.
This year I paid to park for the first time ever. Excitedly raced to the scone booth. $3!!! I bought two, unfortunately, and choked the 2nd one down—so dry. No butter/raisins. Coffee $5 and so weak. Employees are friendly and very, very old or handicapped. How do they work, standing all day?
Slogged along behind Jim through the commercial building (so much over-priced “stuff”). Hot. I sit in the shade, too often, and people watch. Lots of couples, all ages but mostly elderly (this was a weekday after all). Many in their scooters, happily whipping along.
Time for ice cream.
My daughter Linnai texted that she was dropping by after work just as she had during the many years she came to watch my dedicated seniors perform. (tears of remembrance here)
Time for a “fair burger” with onions. Delicious as ever.
Linnai and I scoured the art and photography exhibit. Never made it to the quilts or the cows or the horses or the sheep (Jim said there were very few this year).
As I passed by the rides, especially my favorite, the Merry Mixup, I longed to try it again ($6 a ride!). Maybe next year, if there is a “next year.”
“Meet me at the Gold Gate”, I messaged Jim. He sat at the Gold Gate as I made my way out through the Red Gate. I was distracted by thoughts of all those years of dragging heavy costumes to the car.
Exhausted, I drove home through Seattle traffic, grateful to get home. . .
