A MandaTorrie Good Time - Part 1

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The Tulsa State Fair
With excerpts written by Monica Dah'ling


"Even from the makeshift parking lot a mile away, the smells of greasy food, cows, hay, and twilight overpowered my nose. I inhaled, inviting those smells - the smells of my childhood - to become a part of me once again. A smile crept onto my face, growing with each step I took towards the Tulsa State Fair... Clutching my ticket stub, I took one step towards heaven -- holy, greasified, hick-man heaven. Two steps later and I was in..."



"Since I was a child, my family made a tradition of attending the fair and stuffing ourselves with the delectable, heart attack inducing fair food... For the first time in years the entire family attended the fair together..."



"My siblings and I were giddy with anticipation and acting more like children than the grandbabies were... Bellies grumbled because we had gone through a ritual fast the entire day, preparing for the feast we were about to partake of. The grandkids soon began to be affected by the adults' excitement; they ran around in circles and laughed hysterically until their faces flushed..."



"'Come get your grease money! Brian, did you get yours? Mo? MO! Here's your grease money,' yelled Dad as he passed out our fair allowance.

'GREATHE MONEY! I want thome greathe money!' replied three-year-old Austin with a lisp. Two-year-old Aiden laughed wildly in reply..."



"...My eyes focused on the most beautiful concession stand, the one I had dreamed about for three years.

Fried Green Tomatoes - $3.50

..."... I walked to the window and ordered fried green tomatoes, gladly handing my money to the toothless and wrinkled man... As I sat consuming my hallowed tomatoes, my family started gathering around, each bringing their treasures... We had delectable corn on the cob, hot corn dogs, mile-high plate of spiral potatoes, and fried peaches. Our table groaned under the weight of the food..."



"... Then my father exclaimed, 'We haven't found the chocolate covered bacon!'... With blazing eyes, my dad went on the hunt, determined to bring home the bacon. He asked fair person after fair person until he struck gold. One frazzled concession worker told him in a chain smoker voice, 'It's off in that thar buildin'..."






"... What a glorious sight to behold. Fairy twinkle lights covered every surface, making everyone's faces glow, highlighting the joy in their faces. Colors were made even brighter under the electric glow of light... Wishing I had a million eyes, I moved my head every which way, trying to see everything and anything..."




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TO BE CONTINUED...

Comments

Staigerfamily said…
Grease money?!?! That totally cracks me up! i love it! Thanks for the report Monica Dah'ling.
October 31, 2009 at 11:55 PM
Becky said…
What a great post and such a fun tradition! It looks like you had a great time.
November 1, 2009 at 7:31 AM
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