Father's Day outing

Today was a beautiful day in south central Wisconsin, and we took advantage of it. First we headed to nearby Reedsburg to visit the arts and crafts fair that is part of the Butter Festival, described on the website as "a five-day summer celebration when Reedsburg residents and businesses pull out all of the stops. Peruse the booths at the craft fair and art show; take a seat at the popular demolition derby and the tractor pull; jog a mile or two in the Run for the Butter; grab a Lion’s Club burger at our carnival and we’ll see you at the parade!"

Well, we missed the parade and I'm not sure I even want to think about the Run for the Butter. The arts and crafts show was so-so. We already spent our entire A&C budget for the year on that rusty heron last week, so this was purely a walk-through for a look-see. It is probably a sign of the economy, but I have noticed that when we came up here in 2006, the arts and craft fairs we attended were much larger than those same venues are now. I suppose with money tight, people have decided they can live without most of the things that your average arts and crafts show has to offer. (Tom says he could live without all those things even when times were good, but I suppose that is another issue.)

Then we headed to Richland Center for the finals of the Wisconsin High School Rodeo Association. I hadn't been to a rodeo since the last time I went to one at the prison in Huntsville ["Every Sunday in October!"] way back when. The rodeo itself was entertaining, exceptionally well-organized and efficiently run. Congratulations to all involved.

I do sort of regret that we missed their parade on Saturday, though. The theme this year was -- and I am NOT making this up! -- "Wisconsin... home of the Cheesy Smile!" [That is taken directly from their website, so they must be serious.]

For some reason that reminds me of the strange signs you see on street corners and in store parking lots around here:

"Church Brats Sale This Weekend!"

No, that does not mean disruptive children are being auctioned off by the frustrated faithful. Brat, pronounced to rhyme with Dot, is a fat hot-dog sized sausage that is usually grilled after having been boiled in beer and served on a hot-dog type bun. (Think bratwurst, only better.) Brats are to a Wisconsin cookout what hamburgers and hot dogs are elsewhere in America.