Extreme Sheep Riding

Last week my sister and I ventured over to the county fair in search of a little relaxation and entertainment... and partially out of curiosity as to what excitement awaited small town adventurists braving the inevitable overabundance of our beloved sun's sweltering luminosity during fair week. We were not disappointed. As we meandered through the parks sprawling exhibits of cheap sun glasses, Can-Am three-wheelers, vacation package display boards and henna tattoo booths, the drawling words of a "mic"ed cowboy floated past our ears and the lively laughter of an engaged crowd drew us in. Wandering over to explore the commotion, we were greeted with a sight that resulted in an audible burst of laughter from my lips. An old cowboy and a young rascal in chaps and a cowboy hat riled up the crowd in preparation for a little tyke's 10 seconds of glory. Suddenly a ball of fur being ridden by a pair of flailing arms and legs and a helmet bobbing up and  down flashed from a mini containment pen and zipped across the center arena sending wood shavings flying as the child rider come spilling off seconds later to the roaring applause and amused laughter of the gathering crowd. The child shot to his feet with a grin of accomplishment and slight bewilderment and gazed after his four-legged friend as the excited sheep shot through a gated opening at the far end of the arena and ran through a corridor back to the starting area to await being remounted by the next brave youngster with a thirst for thrill. Suddenly wishing I were 9-year-old, 85 lb girl again I watched in amusement as the next  rider flew through the gate and managed to hang on most of the way across the arena before sliding off the bolting sheep just before reaching the gate at the far end of the arena. The cowboy with the microphone clicked his stopwatch and shouted the youngsters time for the crowd before applauding the boy and turning to the next contestant. The whole feel of bull-riding was replicated in such a miniature and strangely adorable fashion that it made me smile the remainder of the day and even now as I think back. This randomness is one thing I love about small town fairs.

If the "ultimate sheep riding" wasn't enough, the Butterfly Exhibit ("flutur ekspozitë" as I wanted to call it in Albanian) sure topped it off. As we walked into the small makeshift building through what looked like plastic grocery store slats that kept the butterflies from disappearing we were greeted by a smiling gentlemen with a basket of Q-tips in hand. He explained some "do's" and "don'ts" of butterfly interaction and set us free to roam about the room, find bowls of nectar to dip our Q-tips in and pick up the butterflies or gaze at the chrysalis containing monarch and painted lady butterflies ready to emerge. If you were lucky you even got to watch the process!
As the butterflies flitted around, many even landed on my clothes or head voluntarily! I've always loved butterflies and this definitely put a smile on my face.

To top the day off (after checking all clothes for clinging butterflies!) we wandered on over to the food court to find ourselves some delicious fried sausage with onions and giant funnel cake covered in strawberries and whip cream (come on, it's half the experience!).
Blasting the country music on our way home I smiled and thanked God for a fun-filled "sister day". It's the little things in life but it's also the people you share them with and I'm thankful to have a sis who helps me smile and enjoy life wherever we go.