Fall Soccer

I've said it before, soccer is a great sport for kids.  Early on, as long as a child enjoys being outside, running, and chasing a ball, they can enjoy soccer...and what kid doesn't enjoy being outside, running, and chasing a ball.  Fall soccer is great.  The weather is usually a little more stable that the spring season.  It may be chilly, but thunderstorms are not usually an issue.  However soccer does have it's ups and downs.

One minute you're free, open and can take a shot or pass to a team mate.

The next minute, you're challenging an opponent and attempting to steal the rock and head the other direction.

Then someone kicks you in the ankle and drops you like a rock.  The coach comes out to take a look.

You're escorted off of the field and...

You become the header photo on Papa's blog.  Don't ya just hate it when that happens?

Wordless Wednesday

High School Homecoming 2012

 

The Great Pumpkin Hunt

Today I went in search of The Great Pumpkin.  I did not conduct my hunt per the Charlie Brown methodology, sitting in a pumpkin patch all night awaiting the arrival of the giant vegetable.  No, I conducted a daylight search at a local flea market.  This particular flea market is a relatively new one.  Since I had not been here before, I decided to stop in and see what they had.  Not long after I entered the front door I spotted the first pumpkin decoration and that's what sparked the hunt.  Game on!

 I spotted this colorful, if not traditional fall arrangement early on.  Keep in mind, I am not looking to purchase anything, I'm just looking for the Great Pumpkin to post here on my blog.

 

Another traditional decoration is this Jack-O-Lantern lamp.  I didn't plug him in to see if he would light up.  I'm pretty sure that if you break it, you bought it is the operative phrase here, so I limited my interaction to photos only.

Next up was this shiny, mylar pumpkin.  It may not be the most traditional decoration, but it will get your attention.  Let's move on, shall we?

This little pot was interesting.  I'm not sure if it is functional, but it is colorful and clever.  It looks like something that might have come from a Hobbit's abode.

I'm not sure if this one is grumpy or pouting.  In either case, he's not a happy camper.  Maybe the fact that he is on a shelf in a flea market instead of helping set a Halloween mood in someone's home is what has him upset.

On the contrary, here's a happy crew.  Maybe they're just a little too happy for Halloween and they wound up in a garage sale, then off to the flea market.

Finally, I came upon a display that had everything, witches, goblins, pumpkins and it's all lit up!  This may not be the Great Pumpkin, but it is a great decoration.  Well, I guess that's enough pumpkin hunting for one day.  Have a great week-end everyone.

Political Opinion

So...Tell Us How You Really Feel.

Wordless Wednesday

 Autumn

Up Close & Personal

Ruby Tuesday

If you saw this sign on the side of a food trailer, would you be hungry?  Of course you would.

Who could resist some Rub'N Butts BBQ?  NOBODY, that's who.

I found this rig at a local crafts fair last week-end.  For more information, scroll down a couple of posts to see all of the fun.  Happy Ruby Tuesday all!

Craft Fair People

As promised in my last post, here are the results of my people watching adventure at a local craft fair.

I probably don't have to tell you that this guy is a crafter, not a shopper.

There are young crafters, who will paint  your face and wear their own advertising.

And there are satisfied customers.

There are those who are just content to go along for the ride,

 And those who aren't.

Some folks find a new best friend at the craft fair.

Others find a friend that will keep their ears warm this winter.

Some people don't carry shopping bags, they just wear everything that they buy.  

It's the layered look gone wild.

Finally, there are those who come to entertain.  When you've had all of the walking you want, pull up a bench, sit a spell and listen to a little folk music.  Your cares will soon melt away.  These are just a few of the folks that you'll find at craft fairs.

Ozark Tradition

The coming of fall to the Ozarks brings several traditions that are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.  Obviously the changing colors of the leaves brings visitors to the area to take scenic drives trough the Ozark National Forest.  Then there are the craft fairs. The third week-end in October is craft fair week-end in this area.  There are over 25 fairs within 25 miles of this computer.  The events draw thousands and thousands of visitors.  I have long since ceased to actually shop a craft fair, but I don't think I will ever tire of people watching.  I can just park myself on a bench and let the fair come to me. Ready for a quick tour of a local event?  Here we go.

 This fair is located about 2 miles from our house.  It begins on Wednesday and runs through Sunday.  Saturday will find quite a crowd gathered for the festivities.  That little train ride in the foreground is made of plastic barrels.  The engine is a lawn tractor that has been adorned with the same barrel treatment. 

One can find all sorts of "season" appropriate decorations.

One can also find decorations of questionable taste, but unquestioned humor.

One can often find the craftsman busy creating his next item for sale.

One may also find questionable crafts of questionable origin.  Editorial note;  If you can buy it at a Halmark store, it's not a craft, it's a product.  You're not a crafter, you're a merchant.  Just sayin'.

No fair is complete without "fair food".  Decisions, decisions...what's for lunch?

Seriously, who can resist Rub N Butts BBQ?  Not me.  The pulled pork sandwich was a very good choice.  As it turned out, a friend of mine is a partner in this rig.  They have turned a hobby into a part-time business.  Hey!  Cooking is a craft, right?  Well, BBQ is a craft for sure.

I know, I know, I said that I went people watching.  So where are the people, you ask. That's a whole other post, but here's a sneak preview.

Stop back by later for more Crafty Folks.

Wordless Wednesday

The Most Colorful Season

The Daily Drive Home

Ruby Tuesday

 Friday night was Homecoming at the local high school football game.  In our town, the homecoming dance happens on Saturday night.  I think it's a plot to get the girls to buy another special outfit.  At any rate, I found two new candidates for Ruby Tuesday badges.

I have to admit, there are few things funnier than high school girls acting all grown up in platform high heels on uneven surfaces.  When they step off of the walk and into the grass they become lawn aerators.  Honestly, I don't know how anyone walks in these things.  Well, they don't...very well.

Hot Air Baloon (Gas Bag)

This is exactly why I have virtually NO use for politicians.

Remember, ALL politicians have two goals in life.

Goal No. 1:     Get elected

Goal No. 2:     Get re-elected

Therefore, everything that they say and everything that they do, supports goals 1 & 2.  Just sayin'.