Memories and Mania
The memories... The area county fairs have concluded and this year's Great Minnesota Get-Together ends on Labor Day. For many 4-H and FFA youth, the county and state fairs are the high point of the summer. Fun times, friendships made or renewed, and the accomplishments and lessons learned, have all made for lasting memories.
The new school year is upon us. College students are settling in to the new routine. The fall sports schedule is well underway for the student athletes. For the younger TCU students, the backpacks are filled with supplies and the school clothes are ready for Tuesday, the first day of school. Your child may be taking that next step in life and heading out the door to college life. Or, you may be seeing your little one getting on that school bus for the very first time. It is the season for new classes, new experiences, and new memories to be made. Best wishes to all for a safe and successful school year!
The mania... Madness; craze; an intense or unreasonable desire or enthusiasm; these are all words found in Webster's Dictionary to define mania. For me, the term mania perfectly describes three recent occurrences.
1. With record-setting crowds, sold-out shows, and filled parking and park-n-ride lots by 8:30 a.m., there is evident enthusiasm to attend the Minnesota State Fair this year. Seems the Great Minnesota Get-Together is the place to be for Minnesota residents and visitors.
2. The Governor's unwillingness to call a special session, holding already agreed upon items such as tax relief for Minnesota families and agricultural land owners hostage to disagreement on a metro area light rail project is pure madness. It is no wonder that people are fed up with politics. The good news is that there is just nine and half weeks left of the election season campaigning and ads.
3. On a brighter note, the bacon craze continues! On Sunday evening, a song entitled, "Bacon" was performed by Nick Jonas and Ty Dolla Sign at the MTV Video Music Awards held at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Add that to numerous bacon delicacies at the State Fair, such as the chocolate covered bacon Pig Lickers; flavorful bacon additions to popular recipes; bacon-topped restaurant entrees and sandwiches; or the latest bacon-wrapped item for tailgating and football parties. It all brings a smile to this hog farmer and producer of pork. Let the bacon-mania continue!
