Stepping back in time

My dad has been on my mind quite a bit these past 2 weeks. We went to the Lincoln County Fair in Capitan, NM on the 5th and spent several hours watching the horse show, reminiscent of so many summer days in Fargo when I was young. Dad used to compete in the cutting horse competition and Mom made the costumes for both Dad and his horse. The sights, sounds and smells of the fair - believe it or not - were like a breath of fresh air to me. This week marked the 10th anniversary of my Dad's death. I couldn't get my mind around it then and I still can't, though I do feel his presence from time to time and it brings a lovely peace to the moment.

There is a wonderful 'family feel' to a county fair. Lincoln County was fully represented by all generations in the painting/drawing, cooking/baking, stitching/quilting, and livestock competitions. We participated in the "People's Choice" voting of the painting/drawing portion for both children and adult entries, and we wandered through all the ribbons attached to cherry pies and banana breads galore. We thoroughly enjoyed wading through the livestock pens, and we saw quite a few really good looking animals and their handlers out there! Here are some of them:


This young girl, I believe her name was Jessica, won several ribbons that day - such a cutie and quite the little horsewoman!










These girls were enjoying the shade as they spiffed up 'Bessie' for her debut later.












This prize rooster was spectacular -
de colores!











These fine long-earred goats were amenable to posing for a photo...well, some of them were, anyway.










These little piggies were feeling no stress before their showing later in the evening!








This past weekend we spent some quality time with neighbors of ours from the campground. Roger and Dorothy are native Nebraskans that, upon retirement, moved to Georgetown, TX. They invited us to join them for the day on Saturday, August 8th to experience 'Fort Stanton Live!' ('twas a Union Cavalry fort in 1855) and Lincoln Days (celebrating all things surrounding Billy the Kid and the Lincoln War in Lincoln, NM). The day was lovely and we enjoyed reliving the past with the help of many colorful characters such as...


This wonderful Native American woman with her bright shining face...and her granddaughter (seated) that saw me zooming in for a shot and apparently did not appreciate my doing so.











These wonderful gentlemen who patiently waited for all the spectators to clear the area before shooting off their cannon.







The delightful 60's couple who drew almost as much attention as the country singers on the stage.












I loved this sign a smithy crafted with the buzzards perched above the greeting that reads 'GO AWAY' instead of the usual "Welcome!" The 2 handsome fellas beyond the sign are none other than my Denny and our neighbor, Roger.









How "Little House on the Prairie" is this?!?!














Everywhere in this great land of ours, there is always some sort of reinactment of history happening. It is a wonderful thing to visit the past and to learn from it - whether it be in how far we've progressed, or how much we have lost... your own perception determines that outcome. At any rate, I hope that you are living your moment gracefully. As wonderful as time travel can be, the present is, as they say, a gift....enjoy it!