Done, Over, Finished. This is tonight’s mantra. Three weeks of my life shot to hell. I do wonder what memories related to this fair will come to mind over the next five years. Last year we were in the Wineck Barn, by the red gate. This year it reverted to being occupied by its previous occupants, the historians.

If, say, Pete had not known Sierra, the barn and property manager of the entire horse area, I would have differing memories. The fair could have said, “Sorry, we’ll find you a spot next year.”

As it was, Sierra saved the day and allowed us to use the Franz Equestrian cabin. With the help of Kid’s Kupboard staff, we made it into a rest stop and set it up so that families could hang out. Free books and snacks were available to all.

This was in the equestrian area, and so I hoped to forge links with new and old horsey friends. This did not happen.

I didn’t have time to be depressed. This is because I was surrounded by my book friends. These, right now, are my true friends.

I really would like more than anything to have just one horsey friend, that is someone who isn’t interested in competing, but just wants to go on trail related adventures. I wonder what I have to do to get this. I had hoped this would materialize during the fair.

This is all I am now lacking. During the fair there was a lot of volunteer help with a lot of people taking initiative and giving an assist. So this is what I focused on the remainder of the afternoon. This was easy.

Next: 240. 9/9/26: Yet another Dispatch