The Bloom - Part 2

With the first weekend festivities around us (a wine and craft festival on the downtown Mall - which I didn't partake), the main week is upon us.

Traveling through Winchester this afternoon I made a pit stop behind the near-vacant Wards Plaza to watch the Food Lion Apple Blossom Midway come to life.

Only a few of the rides provided by Powers Great American Midways, were already up and tractor-trailers were still arriving. I was able to get this photo (right) of the slide with the Vortex in the background as well as this shot of the Scrambler (they call it the Sizzler) still in its compact moving trailer.

I even saw this kiddie ride (right) consisting of four bears. What they do is beyond me but it reminded me of John from Wisconsin, Michael C., Mark A. and Rebel for some reason.

Carnivals have always fascinated me. I remember as a boy watching the local amusement company arrive Sunday afternoon for the Firemen's Carnival. It would take the rest of the day Sunday and all day Monday to set up the rides and even then, some didn't open until Tuesday night.

Now the trucks arrive, a few buttons are pushed, jacks are set and a couple hydraulics are placed in position and a ride can be assembled in a matter of minutes. Rest assured, Powers will be set up in plenty of time to be inspected by the state and open for business tomorrow night. It will stay open during the entire festival and if it's like past years, the midway will be filled to capacity.

I have many memories of carnivals and most are pleasant.

I remember a Scrambler speeding up one night at our hometown county fair making everyone aboard sicker than a dog. It was the last year for that carnival at the fair. The next year a new company was hired and they stayed with us for over 25 years. The owner's sons and I became friends and their children played with mine when the came in recent years.

I remember when my wife bought me my first K'Nex set (at the age of 35) and I was able - with the help of the Heirs - to build a working Ferris Wheel.

If I had it to do over again, I would run away with the carnival. Or own one. Either way, if I see one being set up, I will stop and think about times gone by.

Just A Quickie Before Heading to Work

Turned on the Internet this morning to my Google Home Page and thought something was wrong. Seemed the GOOGLE name was nothing but straight lines and periods. Second time I saw it, was more concerned and finally, it hit me.

Today is Samuel Morse's 218th birthday. So everyone join me in singing a Happy Birthday to ole Sam.

Found on a Bumper Yesterday

Actually, SisIggy saw it first but I had to take the photo because she was afraid the bumper's owner would exit our local library while she was taking the shot and someone would be embarrassed.

This is for the two John's I know: Wisconsin and West Virginia. I believe both would appreciate it. As for everyone else, please don't be offended.

Gardening 101

Several days ago while I was searching for information for Heir II's band trip (he got home this morning at 2:15 am) on his school's web page, I saw the FFA Chapter was having a bedding plant sale.

SisIggy and I went Thursday, bought tomato, pepper, zucchini and cucumber plants for our garden as well as petunias, geraniums and a cover flower for the front gardens. Later, Thursday evening I prepared one of the front gardens (I have the other to do later today) and this morning I planted while Sis directed.


I have to say the front looks a lot better if I could just get the Heirs to pick the dandelion flowers on a daily basis...

It's Apple Blossom Time in the Valley!!!

The Bloom began yesterday for its 10-day run.

And over the next fortnight or so, I will be reporting here on the coming and goings of the annual festival for those less fortunate not able to attend. Hopefully, I will get some photos myself if I can talk the rest of the family to going.

I know my mother yearns for the Circus this year thanks to tickets she "won" for re-upping her subscription the the Northern Virginia Daily. I think I'll pass on that one, however...

Today's snippet comes from yesterday's trial run of the coronation ceremony in anticipation for Friday's crowning of another Michael Landon (left) prodigy (previously, Landon's daughters: 1980's Leslie Ann Landon and 1996's Shawna Landon). Holly Morris (right), a DC newscaster subbed for the Landon kid and apparently enjoyed her 10-minute reign.

My sincere hope is the weather is dry, not too hot and loads of people trek out from inside the Beltway and bring some of their government salaries with them to spread some cash to our local non-profits, many which is their main source of funding for the year.

Tastes Just Like...

SisIggy purchased Smuckers Sugar-Free Strawberry Jam to use as a substitute for the real thing. A jar of the special stuff is twice as small as the regular jam, costs twice as much and, according to Sis, "tastes just like cough syrup".

So when you go to your local grocery make sure to pick up this when you feel a cold coming on.

Body Art Gone Bad

Give him an inch, he'll take a mile.

No, I'm not talking about Heir I. This time, it's Heir II. He called last night asking if he could go to a friend's house and promised he be home by curfew. He called back at 11:30 requesting an extension and I granted it; then stayed up to make sure he arrived home safely.

He did -- around 12:30 am this morning. I wasn't so worried about the time since he was planning an all-nighter in anticipation to a 5:30 am departure for a band trip. We know he made it as we heard him leave the house in darkness...

When he arrived home, this is what we had found:

Fortunately, they're temporary tattoos. They'll eventually rub off or at least that's what I've been told. I wouldn't know for sure because I'd never get a fake or real one because I hate self-inflicted pain and can't see spending money on them.

A friend once told me she had three and probably will get more in the future. She said she loves flowers and art and her tats are a reflection of her tastes.

I don't think Heir I has any taste, at least in the matters of body art. Fortunately for him, he opted for the fake ones his first time out. Had they been real, his momma -- SisIggy to those in the know -- would have killed the lad making his all-niter moot.