When all things culminate in one perfect object

Sometimes the fates smile on my tiny corner of the world.

Enter an angel in the form of one Jane Pierce, who did deliver unto me a treasure chest of puzzles she rescued from a garage sale. (How great is that?)

Among them, dear reader, was this beauty.

Country Fair puzzle by artist Lori Schory for White Mountain Puzzles

Would you just get a load of that? I mean COME ON. Anyone who follows me with any regularity knows that I loves me some county fairs. I even have a moo tee shirt.

This puzzle has bunnies and moos and oinks and everything. Plus, it was really really fun and easy to do. The best part? There were little surprises only a puzzler would understand, like a horse nosing around the sno-cone stand and a rooster peeking out from behind a sign heralding candy apples for sale.

Whimsical goat detail, Fair puzzle

Then came something that's never happened before: I discovered a kindred spirit when the pieces came together.

Kindred spirit of Erin O'Brien embodied in Fair Puzzle (no, not the horse)

Photographic proof of previous assertion

Part of me wants to believe that puzzle artist Lori Schory took some liberty with the good looking fella on the "tractor." Part of me wants to believe it is her hubby or dad or some other great guy in her life that loves roaming around a fair as much as I do with my ol' Goat.

Goat and exceptionally long friend at Portage County Fair

I noticed the following on the White Mountain Puzzle website:

Every White Mountain Puzzle includes our HAPPINESS GUARANTEE: If you are not completely delighted with your puzzle experience, we will replace your puzzle with a new one for free. Promise.

Photo of Goat and Lil' OB taken under duress

Well, White Mountain, I can tell you that this puzzle inflated me with pure puzzle-puzzling joy, but I appreciate your faith in your product just the same.

*  *  *

Strap on the feedbag

Dear friends, your humble hostess invites you to treat yourself to a visual menu of some of the delights available at the 2013 Great Geauga County Fair.

Enjoy.

The inscrutable taco in a bag should never be confused with ...

... the walking taco--or should it?

Cheese on a stick ...

... and cheese on a stick ...

... and lastly, cheese that's fried, but may or may not be on a stick.

The elusive Superboli ...

... and the redundant crispy fry mix.

The deep friend pickles are happy ...

... and the waffles--all the waffles--are in bags.

The deep fried pizza sticks are reportedly delicious.

The obligatory fried Twinkies and Oreos were on hand, but ...

... perhaps the best surprise of all was the milk vending machine, located
just outside of the dairy barn.

* * *

2012 Geauga County Fair

Dig you some Big Cow.

Big Cow has attitude. Big Cow has style. I'll take me a mean ol' Big Cow over that candy ass laughing Elsie any day of the week.

Anyone see my bonnet? Hand it over quick--my date's here.
 

Castle? Check. Court jesters? Yep.

Vehicle of alternative Geauga County Fair attendee.

Sorry to break it to you, Big Foot, but you ain't no Big Cow, so enough with the silly mug already.

Kissin' goats.

Marilyn was at the Fair.

Fried Snickers bar? Sounds good and all, but ... um ... no thanks.

I'll have a giant smoked turkey leg instead.

Peeps in a barn full o' chicks.

Cow #264 was on the scene.

No, Goat, you may not go on the Teddy Bear ride.

Is the associated purveyor only excited about his bratwurst, or am I supposed to carry the enthusiasm of the exclamation point throughout my sign reading experience? Dunno.

What the hell is a Jo-Jo?

I'm sort of diggin' on the fried pickles, but there's just too much bad karma left over from the punctuation trauma. 

You cwazy wabbit!

Obligatory tank photo.

CODE RED NEWS ALERT: A blacksmith in a kilt is the gold standard for Not Candy Ass from now on.

We had a blast, Geauga County. See you next year!

*  *  *