The Fair does not seem to have an end date. It is supposed to be September 7, but this is just a number. This is 10 days away. Until then, I will keep fretting about having too many or too few boxes of books and at the same time distributing what I have.

Here’s the rundown of my day, which could be just like any other fair day. Sunny today, cold in the morning. Warmed up. I went to the hotel and dropped off tickets. Raced to the fairgrounds to meet up with a volunteer who thankfully was late.

I need time in the morning in which to enjoy the quietude. Also to get my act together before having to deal with others’ demands. As I may have said yesterday, I have a hard time giving away books directly. I can give them away indirectly by putting them in bookcases and having others take them – but to watch people who aren’t appreciative take them is hard on my psyche.

The volunteer showed up at 11:30 a.m. and gave me a much-needed assist in getting the books into the theme related bins. I tried to make it known that I was very appreciative.

Kid’s Kupboard volunteer showed up also. She had a lot going on, so it took a while for her to be of much help. I left at 1:00 p.m. and sought out the quietude of the former banquet room of the historic Eagle Hotel. I did have to deal with the loud music coming out of the dishwashing area behind the wall separating the Eagle Hotel and the Sunset Grill dishwashing area. I could and I did work at the far end of the room.

Cathy, artist in residence, showed up at 1:30, and it was a good time accepting the fact that I was so tired. At such times, I don’t dare sit down very long for fear that I’ll fall asleep. So I sorted out nonfiction books on the table adjacent to the one she was working on.

I left the former banquet room at 4:30 p.m. and returned to fair basecamp. There I took the books that volunteer and I had put in bins and went and distributed them. I split my route into two routes because I had three more stops – got a new newspaper box in front of Raven Hall and now the ag barn is open, which means I have access to the petting zoo and bee booth boxes.

Both routes went smoothly. On the second one a tall fellow stepped in front of me and waving his arms yelled “clear the way! Clear the way for books!” He then paused and then added “literature.”

I finished the second route, and then with the help of another volunteer, I packed up the books for tomorrow. I’m running low on some types of books, so I am going to have to start substituting books.

This is today’s story and I’m sticking to it.

Next: 231. 8/28/26: Long Day