Rainy Day

Raining on and off all morning, settled in my chair, avoiding the blog and drinking coffee.  Stella slept soundly until noon.

We headed to the fair, prepared for rain, and it came. Stella took the park & ride bus and I drove to Mom's

As I walked over, the rain had stopped for a bit, I snapped a picture of my parent's neighbors tree.

I forgot the coupon book today...bought a foot long anyway.  I ate my dog as a lady serenaded us on the piano in the park.  This "Piano on Parade" brought to us by Phalen Lake Hmong Studies Magnet school.

I had a little time before work and the rain started again so I headed into the Eco Technology Building. There is an awesome new playground for kids made from all recycled and natural materials.  I picked up a pamphlet from "Green Hearts Institute for Nature in Childhood" with 25 easy nature play ideas.

 I watched the Veggie Grand Prix, (vegetables strapped to little race cars) this race ended in mashed potatoes.

I got to try some delicious white cheddar cheese.

 Picked up my chick seed pack.  I asked if they had lots of them because I thought they would be so fun to do with my kids.  They only have 300/day to hand out.  so I was given a contact and maybe I can buy some.

There is a cute little car display about car pollution, but you can't play with the cars...

I like this workroom, created from all recycled/reused materials.  This is one of those Pinterest things, I only dream about.

They do have a great kids craft station using all re-purposed stuff.

I picked up screen cleaners from the battery recycle center.

and checked out the almost world record ball of paper.  This is the amount of paper Minnesotans throw out every 30 seconds.....yikes.

I arrived at work and today I got to be the "greeter".  Favorite job so far!  I get to welcome people the forest and tell them all about what they can do.  I also got to see lots of fun people today!  Stella's friend Gana stopped by, and was sad Stella was not there, so she sent a greeting.

I was surprised by a visit from one of my "old" kids...Olivia and family!  She remembered me and was happy to give hugs!  We chatted about how it is easy for me to be at the air since my folks just live three blocks out on Simpson Street.  Olivia's dad said, "Wait, Simpson?"  Apparently they parked at Bart's house, two doors down.  They came one day and Bart kindly reserved a spot for them the next day!    ......small, small, small....world.

 My cousins stopped by!  The whole Rachac clan!

And then my little buddy Luke & family arrived just as the rain really started coming down.  Luke was happy to see me and jumped in my arms.  Apparently he has wanted to be at the fair with me instead of school.  I would LOVE to see the fair with this little guy!  "Wat dat Ms. Heder?!?!"  Love him!

We had another visitor today using the Braille books.  This make Debra Frasier so happy!!!

Sara joined me today as a volunteer....she manned the Alphabet necklace booth.  The rains really started to get heavy and we were battening down all the hatches. As we were starting to cover everything up, my friend Carol and her family stopped by to say Hello!  I am happy that I have a "home base" at the fair where people can come and find me!  Sadly, we were working fast and furiously to get things covered up so I did not get a picture!  The rains really started to come down.... I was drenched and trying to keep the books and paper supplies dry as the water poured off my sleeves.  I reported to our fearless shift leader Dan that it was starting to rain inside the alphabet necklace tent...and he said, surprised, "they are still open?!?....Close it up!"  Sara (and Mike joined her) had been keeping wet kids and parents busy throughout the downpour!  Mike brought her walleye bites and a beer!
         ******RAIN
              ******RAIN
                   ******RAIN
                       ******RAIN
                                          *****no iPad use, no pictures....
The reports of lightening required us to depart our little cabin and head for shelter in the 4H building.  Our shift was almost over, so we were relived from duty and the three of us headed down to the West End in search of stuff made with waffles!   Sara wanted to try the Chicken 'n' gravy in a waffle and I needed the hot waffle ice cream sandwich!

We stopped to see Stella in the flooded out West End Plaza.  They had gates, pumps and sweeping crews trying to put it all back together.  The "slope" of the plaza is a little off.  Stella told us they had a pump that may have not been grounded very well, so they put up gates and she guarded it to keep people out to avoid a mild shock at the fair.  That would be something new!

Despite the rain the fair was CROWDED!  Long lines for food and drink everywhere.  Mike & Sara got the chicken in a waffle at the Blue Barn.  It had a little spice to it and an ironic twist...a malted milk ball in the bottom of the cone.  For ice cream maybe....but chicken????  I am trying to think of what else they could use as a plug.

I wandered to find the West End Creamery and my waffle ice cream sandwich.  Oh it was SO good. Service with a smile too!

Axels' is no longer set up on the south east corner of the food building.  The Gas Station has moved in (from up in the old Gloria Dei location)  I asked them the other night where I could find Bull Bites and they could not or would not tell me.  (not sure which)

We saw the lines for Lulu's Public House, which I learned is Axel's.  They have Cajun Bites on the menu (chicken or beef)  my guess, these are the old bull bites.  The lines were too long to inquire and/or order some.

The rain had abated for a bit.  Mike told us we were in the eye of the storm!  LOL  We debated if we should head back to Mom-s and Sara's house to get dry clothes before the Buckwheat Zydeco concert.

Mike wanted a London Broil, so we were making our way eastward.

As they sat and enjoyed the beefy, cheesy, oniony goodness, we decided it was best to maybe try and get a seat as close to the front (under the point) of the bandshell and just wait it out.  We were already wet and why get dry....to get wet again.

We had to make a stop at the salted nut roll place.  I failed to follow my food protocol this year.  Protein first, then sweet things alternated with savory.  I ate the waffle ice cream sandwich and then I ate the nut roll.... uff da.

We did manage to get fifth row center seats, somewhat under the awning and made some food & beer runs as we waited.  I turned to Sara and said it was a good thing we did not go home...we might not have made it back in the rain.  She quoted from the movie Finding Nemo.." (we) think (we) can do these things, but (we) can't!"  LOL  Feeling older every year!

The concert was great!  Mom joined us for a bit, but it was pretty loud and everyone was standing in front of us, dancing.  She left and the concert rolled on until 10:15!

We met a soggy Stella near the gate, and we all walked back to Mom's so I could give Quinn's a ride home....Sara in her bare feet since she could not put soggy socks and shoes back on!

Another night with no water guy.....

Distance: 15,018

Freebies: chicken seeds, device screen cleaners and hugs, lots of hugs!

Food: chicken in a waffle, ice cream in waffles, salted nut roll, French fries, more curds (not for me) beer, London broil, walleye bites, foot long (before work)

Something new: checked out the new kids nature play yard.