So yes, this entry contains content more than a couple of weeks old but the kids said I should still compile all our Twitter posts, video and photos on my blog so they could "see it all in one place whenever we want." (Although this adventure starts with the moving of the the pigs to the fairgrounds and then the rest of Saturday and Sunday and then Monday. )
There are a few things mentioned in the Twitter posts below that have prompted some questions people (Twitter and Facebook friends) have requested that I answer.
* Yes, L. was sad to say good bye to her pigs and had an hour-long crying jag the day after the fair (she cleaned out the empty pig stalls early that morning without tears but seeing her pig scrapbook at home prompted the water works). I shed a few tears with her. But now she is looking forward to getting new pigs next year and said that although she'll always miss Pulchra and Titus, there have been no more tears since that day.
* Picking up the first part of our order from the butcher (the second part of our order is being smoked) proved to be harder for me than I anticipated. Fino had no qualms about it though and L. seemed OK with it, proving she is a much better farm girl than I am.
* Fino had an idea to offer a tribute to Titus the pig - making soap from the pig fat and calling it "Titus Soap." L. liked this idea a lot and I'm sure I'll be sharing a story or two about the process of making soap (which we've never done with this ingredient) in a few weeks.
* And yes, we are seriously considering getting sheep next year because L. had so much fun during her impromptu morning showing sheep during the open show at the fair (she helped a sheep farmer show his flock). Stay tuned for more about that animal learning adventure, which will begin in a week at a seminar L. and I signed up for to learn about sheep nutrition. I have not fully committed to this sheep-raising plan so L. has dubbed this our "research" phase, which is really just cursory in her mind to convince me this is a good idea.
Now on to our Twitter commentary during the rest of the fair...
- http://twitpic.com/jmtkx - L giving piggies daily brush
3:51 PM Sep 29th
http://twitpic.com/jmz8s - Watching the sheep show
4:33 PM Sep 29th
Day at fairgrounds was uneventful, which was kind of nice - and different for us.
9:18 PM Sep 29th
http://twitpic.com/jphf7 - Breakfast time for piggies
8:18 AM Sep 30th
We came back to fairgrounds earlier this am to clean out pig pen and feed pigs. G is on her 3rd day at 4H kitchen with her cow club.
8:19 AM Sep 30th
Drive to fairgrounds this am included ?s from L about Afghan war, how it started, then Iraq. Talking world politics at 6am is hard on brain.
8:38 AM Sep 30th
Not sure I shared pig weights from trip to scales. Pulchra is 304lbs and Titus 293lbs. Maybe this explains pig wrangling difficulties?
8:58 AM Sep 30th
http://twitpic.com/jpnvp - Another day, another nap
9:39 AM Sep 30th
http://twitpic.com/jpsej - Watching open sheep show this am
10:26 AM Sep 30th
L just cleaned out some extra stalls for the scramble pigs. Also swept out barn area. Busy cleaning morning.
10:28 AM Sep 30th
http://twitpic.com/jpsno - L made more piggy friends
10:29 AM Sep 30th
L just asked if she can raise pigs AND sheep next year. Hazard of watching 2 days of sheep shows at fair. Goats were discussed yesterday. Oiy
11:11 AM Sep 30th
http://twitpic.com/jpxqg - L volunteered to help in sheep show
11:18 AM Sep 30th
Where is L? In ring showing sheep in open show. Nothing like jumping right into an idea. Can't decide if I'm happy or scared about this.
11:22 AM Sep 30th
http://twitpic.com/jq00x - L gets quick tip on sheep showing
11:39 AM Sep 30th
Judge just chatted with L in sheep show. He recognized her from swine show the other night.
11:40 AM Sep 30th
http://twitpic.com/jq8gy - Ride bracelet day at fair.
12:48 PM Sep 30th
Much debate and coaxing by L to get G to agree to buy ride bracelet at fair. Neither happy with the other but they're working it out.
12:49 PM Sep 30th
http://twitpic.com/jqbe5 - L coaxed G on this ride
1:11 PM Sep 30th
http://twitpic.com/jqbq9 - G's ride choice
1:14 PM Sep 30th
http://twitpic.com/jqcks - L on the crazy ride, G took pass
1:21 PM Sep 30th
http://twitpic.com/jqdu7 - Fast or slow? Each has own style
1:30 PM Sep 30th
http://twitpic.com/jqe2o - L on the twist
1:32 PM Sep 30th
http://twitpic.com/jqx0w - My Swiner girl is dressed for auction
3:54 PM Sep 30th
The livestock auction at Cumberland fair is about to begin.
3:55 PM Sep 30th
The auction is over and L sold her pig. She handled it well but reality won't set in until goodbye day on Sat. Not looking forward to that.
6:53 PM Sep 30th
http://twitpic.com/jrtrv - L is back on the rides
7:41 PM Sep 30th
L working off her leftover nerves on rides. She was much more nervous before auction tonight than previous show.
7:55 PM Sep 30th
L wasn't worried about auction but about lack of fencing around arena like previous show. She was sure pig would take off and not stop.
7:57 PM Sep 30th
After her pig's running entrance to auction it calmed down and did fine. Other pigs jumped in to audience seats and threw off a few adults.
7:58 PM Sep 30th
L was just relieved the crazy pig situation had nothing to do with her pig.
7:59 PM Sep 30th
G is done with rides and back at camper, me too. Fino and L still out and about. G has early morning helping out in beef cow barn.
8:01 PM Sep 30th
http://twitpic.com/jtfcz - A peak from auction last night
5:46 AM Oct 1st
Didn't sleep well last night in camper (no snoring next door so no good excuse) but there was plenty of activity on fairgrounds at 5 am.
6:29 AM Oct 1st
http://twitpic.com/jtmkl - Pigs have midnight foray, knock pen off
7:53 AM Oct 1st
The feisty pig last night (not L's) decided midnight foray into reserved champ pig pen would be good idea. Kids trying to fix it up this am.
7:54 AM Oct 1st
http://twitpic.com/jtn8p - G helping friend with Ace the calf today
8:02 AM Oct 1st
http://twitpic.com/jtnhq - Pig scramble pigs arrived - L loves them
8:05 AM Oct 1st
http://twitpic.com/jtz99 - L placed 8th out 19 for her market hog
10:15 AM Oct 1st
http://twitpic.com/ju14a - Watching cow clipping contest
10:32 AM Oct 1st
http://twitpic.com/jubpp - G helping groom friend's calf
12:04 PM Oct 1st
http://twitpic.com/judh8 - Lunch for me and L
12:18 PM Oct 1st
G said she liked smell in pig food storage space. I said liked smell of hay too "Mom it's not hay it's grain that smells good". OK farm girl
12:33 PM Oct 1st
http://twitpic.com/juplc - A chilly day at the fair.
1:49 PM Oct 1st
Fino+L visited poultry Came back chatting about Indian Runner duck they liked. Yeesh, if we leave fair without a new animal will be miracle.
2:08 PM Oct 1st
http://twitpic.com/jvc3y - Getting ready for yet another show
4:28 PM Oct 1st
http://twitpic.com/jvh28 - Screaming piglets in ring right now
5:02 PM Oct 1st
http://twitpic.com/jy1gj - 1st pickup at swine barn, L is sunday
8:20 AM Oct 2nd
http://twitpic.com/jy2cz - L gets clean shavings everyday for pen
8:32 AM Oct 2nd
There's bunch of empty pig pens this am after early pickup by butcher shop. L's pigs go Sunday. She handled pickup of others OK so far.
8:38 AM Oct 2nd
Been a lot of work cleaning pig pen everyday at fair+feeding 2x a day. Think L might be relieved to not have so much work to do everyday.
8:40 AM Oct 2nd
http://twitpic.com/jy4zy - L has fave egg sandwich everyday at fair
9:01 AM Oct 2nd
Every morn after cleaning out pig stall and sweeping up barn area, L treats herself to egg sandwich with canadian bacon from 4H booth.
9:01 AM Oct 2nd
I've got cuts all over my hands. I'm falling apart from L.:(
10:04 AM Oct 2nd
Helping out in pig showring amusing. I've taken some razzing about my talking to pigs. Couldn't help it. Telling them "no" "sorry" whatever
5:37 PM Oct 2nd
http://twitpic.com/k08dm - Back at races-the piggy kind
6:13 PM Oct 2nd
Some of best entertainment at fair are pig races. Cute kids calling but it's scramble by adults afterward to catch pigs when race is over.
6:16 PM Oct 2nd
L thought for halloween she could be pig trainer w/board, cane + wear Swiner show shirt. Said she just needs small friend to dress up as pig
7:01 PM Oct 2nd
Just confirmed with parade float committee that the girls are in that the crew is ready for parade tomorrow am. Hoping rain holds off!
7:08 PM Oct 2nd
The Independent newspaper published photo of G's blue ribbon pie from 4-H exhibit hall. Sights of Cumberland Fair gallery. http://ow.ly/svfz
5:56 AM Oct 3rd
http://twitpic.com/k2nyw - Parade float assembly underway
6:54 AM Oct 3rd
Feeling rain drops while putting together parade float. Kids lamenting it rains on parade every yr. At least it's not downpour like last yr
7:29 AM Oct 3rd
http://twitpic.com/k2qoc - Parade float progress
7:32 AM Oct 3rd
http://twitpic.com/k2qv1 - Parade float
7:34 AM Oct 3rd
http://twitpic.com/k2rcr - Testing out float prop
7:41 AM Oct 3rd
http://twitpic.com/k2s9x - Serving 4H float
7:53 AM Oct 3rd
http://twitpic.com/k2sli - Breakfast cocoa before parade judging
7:57 AM Oct 3rd
We have now moved to the inside of the cars to avoid the rain shower. Hoping parade float judges come by soon before float is total soaked.
8:16 AM Oct 3rd
G checking weather forecast on her phone. Doesn't look good for rest of day. The current downpour could have given her that clue.
8:35 AM Oct 3rd
http://twitpic.com/k2wnb - Runaway float stopped by a mom
8:46 AM Oct 3rd
http://twitpic.com/k2xat - Our wet 4H troopers with their float
8:53 AM Oct 3rd
Kids won 1st place for parade float. Of course only kids' club was hardy enough to show up in rain. Whatever, kids are happy for blue ribbon
9:25 AM Oct 3rd
Only other float that showed up for parade was abandoned when rain started but dad didn't secure wheels. Started rolling away Mom stopped it
9:29 AM Oct 3rd
http://twitpic.com/k34xz - Parade line up, rain not stopping show
10:08 AM Oct 3rd
http://twitpic.com/k35c5 - On parade route
10:11 AM Oct 3rd
Kids are dragging now but their MECA classes start today and they didn't want to miss painting/photography time so we're off to Portland.
12:56 PM Oct 3rd
Fair's been fun but we're tired, ready to get back to reg life. Sad for pigs leaving tomorrow but relief 'cause chores at fair aren't easy.
12:59 PM Oct 3rd
http://twitpic.com/k4tzf - Sweet piggy pic, fell asleep in her food
4:18 PM Oct 3rd
http://twitpic.com/k4vhu - L saying goodbye to piggies. She's sad
4:26 PM Oct 3rd
L wonders why people have to eat pigs. I reminded her she ate canadian bacon everyday in her breakfast sandwich at fair. I got sheepish "Oh"
4:27 PM Oct 3rd
G said she'll miss piggy noises from their pen. But she won't miss the smell in the backyard.
4:40 PM Oct 3rd
L said she will miss the piggy smell.
4:41 PM Oct 3rd
http://twitpic.com/k52iq - Forgot about exhibits w/all pig stuff
5:02 PM Oct 3rd
Kids talking about my follies wrangling pigs. Still laughing about me talking to pigs as if they'd understand "no pig" when running at me.
8:00 PM Oct 3rd
Kids think I was funny w/pig board when helped in show ring. I tried, really, but there is technique to directing pigs I still need work on.
8:03 PM Oct 3rd
There is serious chat going on right now between L and Fino about raising market lamb next year. They're drawing shelter plan G's comment...
8:07 PM Oct 3rd
G's comment... "You'll get a sheep but not a dog?" OK, even I see that is weird. L said they can walk sheep on halter around neighborhood.
8:11 PM Oct 3rd
L always has answer, can debate anything. Maybe that's why we had pigs+likely will end up with sheep nxt yr. G needs to work on her pitch.
8:13 PM Oct 3rd
L helped clean pig stalls yesterday without break down. Once she got home had crying jag. She's OK now and wants to raise pigs next year.
8:50 AM Oct 5th
L broke down when picked up her pig scrapbook. Watched every video sister took of pigs at fair. Then declared was done crying, that was that
8:52 AM Oct 5th
http://twitpic.com/kd0oe - Ls pig scrapbook she's sentimental about
8:57 AM Oct 5t
Chatted with butcher processing pig about packaging, cuts of meat. Really hadn't looked forward to this. Have no idea if we'll eat meat.
12:40 PM Oct 5th
I think a lot of our friends will be getting bacon and ham for Christmas this year. They might be more likely to eat it than Almeida Fam.
12:44 PM Oct 5th
Husband reminded me he will have no problem eating bacon or ham. OK honey, it's all yours.
12:47 PM Oct 5th
http://twitpic.com/kerl8 - L doing research, draws plans for sheep
5:35 PM Oct 5th
I did not say yes to get sheep, just a "I'll think about it." Doesn't matter to L tho, she's drawing up plans after researching on web. Oiy
5:36 PM Oct 5th
Open Swine Show at Cumberland Fair
The piggy grunts and antics in the ring are still entertaining us whenever we watch these videos.
Livestock Auction at Cumberland Fair
One of THE best videos G took during the fair involved an accident at the livestock action. One of the young 4-H boys was trying to help contain a pig and through a weird turn of events, ended up on top of the pig for a ride. I didn't want to post the video without permission from his mom so when I connect with her, I'll share it if she says it's OK. It's a keeper for sure, especially because the boy was not seriously hurt after his "ride."
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