Sunday, October 2, 2011

Sunday Salon- It's Fair Time!

So it's fall, and that means fairs. We meant to go to King Richard's Faire yesterday, a local legendary Renaissance fair, but our plans got rained out and we're going to save that for another weekend soon. Today we're off to the Topsfield Fair, in Topsfield, Mass., the oldest agricultural fair in Massachusetts if not the country.
That's the sand castle from 2006; every year they make a new one and it's always fun to watch it as it's sculpted. The fair includes displays of flowers, produce, farm animals of all kinds, musical performances, games, rides, lots (lots and lots) of food of every description, crafts, and more and more and more. It's such a good time. I've been going pretty much every year of my life! (But, obviously, I haven't photographed the sandcastle in five years.)

There are pumpkin-decorating contests for kids, 4-H stuff, beautiful quilts- enough fun to last all day. And that's pretty much all I'll be doing today.

Reading? Maybe, when we get home. I'm deep into Amitav Ghosh's amazing River of Smoke, which has lived up to my expectations 100%. It's a deeply engrossing 19th-century-style epic about Asia East and South. I have so much to say about it already and I'm only 1/3 of the way in. Seriously if you are a literary fiction reader Amitav Ghosh needs to be on your personal Must List. I wish every book were this good! I'm also working my way through Aravind Adiga's short story collection Between the Assassinations but let's be honest- it's about Ghosh right now.

What are you up to this fine day? Whatever it is, I hope it's great. More Sunday Salon here.

6 comments:

bermudaonion said...

I hope you have a blast at the fair!

Anonymous said...

I'm up to about 5 feet, 7 inches...as usual ;). Oh, you mean, reading-wise or life-wise...well, reading-wise, probably not going to happen as football, football and yes, more football take over my life today. Of course, a nap probably will happen too. Hope you enjoy the fiar and some more reading if you get time when you get home.

Mattyd said...

It's as if you are touring my teenage days... Must return to my old stomping grounds one of these days...

Sandy Nawrot said...

I love fairs, including the horribly unhealthy fair food! And I'm going to have to look into this author...those are some high praises!

Zibilee said...

The fair looks as if it will be amazing! I just bought Sea of Poppies the other day, after hearing so much praise for it. I can't wait to see how I like it. Have fun out there today!

Kathleen said...

The fair sounds like a lot of fun and a good reason not to be reading!