Bovine Birth 101

One of the State Fair's main attractions is the Miracle of Life 4-H exhibit. Admittedly, the ethics of the exhibit make me a little squirmy. A slew of animal mamas, all ready to give birth, hang out together and then labor and deliver in front of gawking humans. But, the mood on the morning we visited was actually calm and subdued, with only a small crowed of gawkers in attendance.

Pig-tailed ones included.

Appropriate considering she was watching this lovely lass deliver her 12th little porkchop.

Twelfth.

And these sacks of bones were only a day old.

(I've managed to forget how thin newborns are - reminded me of Maizey's first months and freaked me out a little to think I'll have one of these gems in about 5 weeks. Well, a human sack of bones, at least.)

And, a cow'd just birthed a calf 45 minutes before we arrived.

Sir Winston, to be exact.

And, then there was this...

o.m.f.g.

I think we'll skip the family birth experience when Baby S makes his/her arrival.

And hopefully, the chain gang trio too.

But, ultimately, all was well.
And yes, I shed a tear.

Ethical dilema aside, it was pretty cool,
but also a tad terrifying for soon-to-give-birth me.

Fun at the Fair 2013

Our departure date for the trip North was carefully planned to coincide with a U.P. State Fair visit. (Remember last year?) Happily, due to a wild and wacky decision on Will's part, he was able to join us this year. (He bought a one-way ticket to Escanaba and surprised us on Friday night!)

Anyhow... after some serious stroller difficulties,

(example A - why you don't buy a Salvation Army stroller - or at least without truly learning the functionality first)...

 and an increasingly impatient child...

We were off to the Fair.

$8/pp. Little kids free.

First stop? Horse show.

And the uber-boring halter class.

The barns were a bit more fun.

It brought back fond memories.

I unabashedly love the fair. Why? Well, the food is good. The rides can be fun. But, ultimately, it's all about the animals and the farm/4-H culture that surrounds them. I dabbled in it when I showed my horse, Sugar 'n' Spice, as a child. But, nothing like the Beef, Lamb and Hog kids. It's a whole different world - and I am a true voyeur.

We were there the day of the auction - meaning, lots of action. Country kids, dressed in their country finest, hoping to sell the animals they raised from near-infancy. Raised, and bonded with. And are selling for meat. Rather than sadness (which is what a city-kid like me would feel if I was shipping my pet off to be slaughtered), the air crackles with excitement. Well, except for this girl...

She wasn't really crackling. Maybe she was sad. But really, I think she was just hot.

Anyhow... why the excitement? Well, because these kids (8-18 years old) stand to earn between $500-$5000. That's serious cash. And they are ready to educate. And deal.

It was all I could do to keep Will from buying a pig. Honest.

That's a hog spreadsheet in his paws...

After the animals and ice cream, we engaged in some traditional fair fun.

 Carousal.

Blackjack lessons. 

Dog jumping.

Petting zoo-ing.

And American Gothic role-playing.

There was one other highlight, but I'll save that for tomorrow...

It was a fab time and what I hope will become an annual tradition.