Indiana State Fair Punchlist

I was lucky enough to write about my favorite event, the Indiana State Fair, in my favorite magazine, Punchnel's.

You can read it here: http://www.punchnels.com/punchlist/punchlist-week-of-8612/

 

It's been a good day! 

Indiana State Fair Day 11 - 2011 edition

Who knew that I'd find the chug of a steam engine tractor so comforting?

Read about the Remembrance Ceremony and my day at the Fair by clicking here. 

Indiana State Fair - Day 10 - 2011 Edition

Today is an incredibly sad day. The stage at the Indiana State Fair Grandstand collapsed last night, killing five, with scores of others hurt.

You all are familiar with my deep love of the State Fair and the fact that I've leaned against that very stage dozens of times with camera in hand waiting for the concert to start.

 Thanks to all of my blogging friends that reached out last night through facebook and e-mails. I safely at my waitressing job when the tragedy occurred.

Please click here for my thoughts on the day.

Sending cyberhugs to you all. xoxxox

indiana state fair - day 9 2011 edition

Another great day at the Fair.

Click here to read all about it! 

indiana State Fair day 8 - 2011 edition

Another fine day at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Read all about it by clicking here.

indiana State Fair day 7 - 2011 edition

I can't tell you how nervous I was about the "Meet the Artists" reception. First of all, I couldn't believe that anyone would actually want to meet me, then I was afraid that I'd stumble over my words.

It was well attended and I think I did okay.

Read about it by clicking here.

indiana State Fair day 5 - 2011 edition

An epic day at the Indiana State Fair. Read all about it by clicking here.

indiana State Fair day 4 - 2011 edition

Finally, some rain!

Read all about my trip to the Indiana State Fair Day Four by clicking here.

indiana State Fair day 3 - 2011 edition

Read all about Day Three by clicking here.

indiana State Fair day 2 - 2011 edition

Indiana State Fair Day Two. Click here to read all about it.

Indiana State Fair day 1 - 2011 edition

I almost broke my streak of going to the Indiana State Fair every day on the first day.

Read all about by clicking here.

where's nora?

I always feel super guilty when I've neglected this blog.

I turned 50 in May. It's not so bad really.

I've been working on the Farm to Fair project that will be exhibited during the Indiana State Fair from August 4-21.

Work at Second Helpings is good and busy.

And I've been kind of, sort of hanging out with a guy. Too early to talk about, but I came home the other day and he'd mowed my grass in the 100 degree heat. How sexy is that?

farm to fair

 Nora and Doug

 With all of the snow and freezing weather it is hard to imagine that it will ever be warm again, let alone August-hot.

I'm really looking forward to this summer because I get to work on a dream project. I get to write about Indiana agriculture and the Indiana State Fair for an exhibit that will run all seventeen days of the Fair!

I will be blogging about it here: Farm to Fair.

The wonderful artist, Douglas David and I were kicking around the Indiana State Fair last summer and I was struck by the different things we appreciated about the Fair.  As an artist, Doug was drawn to the color and pageantry. As a writer and farm girl, I was interested in the people and the history.

I am very proud of my agricultural roots, but realize that we are almost 100 years past the time that most Hoosiers lived on farms. I don't want us to be so far removed from our food supply that we cannot connect the dots from a soybean to a corn dog.

The goal of the exhibit is to draw that line with paintings and words.

We were able to apply for a grant (more about that in a future post) and with the generous help of some State Fair folks we got the green light last month.

The whole thing still feels surreal to me: I get to write about the Indiana State Fair and food and farms? And get paid?

It's going to be a good year.

indiana state fair day 15 - 2010 edition

Not every day at the State Fair can be a, well, day at the fair.
Read about my misadventures by clicking here.

indiana state fair day 14 - 2010 edition

Read all about how I was kicked off of this tractor and other adventures at the Indiana State Fair by clicking here.

indiana state fair day 13 - 2010 edition

I went to the Indiana State Fair with my friend Doug - read all about it by clicking here.

indiana state fair day 12 - 2010 edition

I joined the stroller brigade at the Indiana State Fair today.

To read about navigating the State Fair with twins and other adventures, click here.

indiana state fair day 11 - 2010 edition

I was looking for a cowboy and caught the attention of the clown. Sums up the last few years of my dating life.

To read about today's adventures at the Indiana State Fair click here.

indiana state fair day 10 - 2010 edition

Today's adventures included two trips to the Indiana State Fair with a shift at Marigold tossed in the middle. 

Read all about what I did at the Fair by clicking here. 

indiana State Fair day 9 - 2010 edition

It was a short visit to the State Fair - read all about by clicking here.