Rabble Rousers

I have been writing about the Los Angeles County Fair for ages. This visit started a little differently because of this email exchange.

Guess how A. and I went to the fair?

There were already two other bikes parked there.

We did all the usual things and had a great time!

competitive table settings

cool quilt

oranges in the garden section

amazing costumed person walking around

in the art gallery

classic car show

and tricked out banana bikes

It was so nice to be able to go in May when the weather was better. I wonder if they will stick with the spring dates.

BE-LEAF fundraiser

 

On the first day of school parents were not allowed into the
classroom and had to watch their kids from the edge of campus.

Some parents left the fence and
headed to the park for a social event.

From the fence I could see new signs 
BE-LEAF in friendship
BE-LEAF in equity
BE-LEAF in kindness
BE-LEAF in yourself

I didn't think about it until last night when I
was upstairs and could see a car outside our house.

I could hear voices and as they walked into our yard I asked what they were doing. It turned out that a friend had supported the school's fundraiser and had our house BE-LEAFed, meaning about ten signs were placed all over our yard, which were supposed to be a surprise in the morning. Too bad our windows were open to catch an evening breeze.

Pi Day

Pi Day brings out the comic strip jokes, like in Frazz and Foxtrot. I was surprised how many friends wrote to wish me happy Pi Day. 

One person asked if we carved pumpkins, but I had already used them up. Instead I started looking for pie recipes that used ingredients we had at home and chose this one.

A. agreed to make it,

and did a better job than I would have!

Next up, Make Up Your Own Holiday Day on March 26.

Another Annual Tradition

I cycled to the LA Co. Fair but the gate I have been going to for about twenty years no longer exists. I found the new gate but not a bike rack so I parked in front of the conference center.

My usual stops included the

The Millard Sheets Art Center

backside

in the courtyard
with an incomplete work by David Flores

I always take a quick peek at the competitive cooking

including decorated cakes, like this disco ball.

I always visit the competitive table settings (tablescaping) under the grandstand.

I skipped the $8 popcorn and bought roasted corn.

My only impulse purchase was
to have my fortune told by Zoltar.

I zipped through the plant building to take pictures
for a friend who loves this section but hates the fair.

On the way out I wandered past the miniature
trains (see a virtual tour here).

I always visit the kids' collections
(although A. points out the collections are from
kids who have parents who buy them lots of
stuff, but I am going to ignore that comment).

I love this new-ish game. Everybody gets six tokens to vote.
Would you rather...
...have lunch with Elvis in the Fifties or Madonna in the Eighties?
...be an author or illustrator?
...find a dinosaur egg or dragon egg?

Would you rather...
...have a miniaturized pet or giant pet?
..be a scientist or wizard?
...ride on a broomstick or pterodactyl?

And then I headed home!

I was glad I had not taken my usual route because I went through a neighborhood with plenty of shade and I stopped at two little free libraries.

What a great outing!

LA Phil 100 x CicLAvia = fun, fun, fun

I wish I were a better writer so I could communicate what a fabulous event this is. Everything is free, everyone is welcome, there is something for everybody, whether you want to sit and watch (extra benches were provided), ride the whole thing, and so many other options.

We arrived early enough to see Gustav Dudamel conduct (trust me, he is there)

and dancers warming up in the street.

We were too early to get this first bandana, but were able to get
two of the next one, and then use one to trade for a third type.

from @how_bizzare_69
I appreciated the person who stood in line and then shared a picture of all of them online.

Don't worry, we still collected plenty of stuff!

My favorite part is not the collecting of stuff but the variety of everything - people, bicycle, sights.

from a Dutch artist
The only one we missed was the stationary bicycle.
This doesn't mention penny farthings (check), double-decker bicycles (check), 

and a bicycle pulling a grand piano.

We also saw a french horn quartet (also being pulled), gamelan (being played along the route), a marching band, and mariachi groups. Some dancers were on stages along the way and some danced along with the cyclists.

What a great way to fall in love with humanity and a city!

Unlike Iceland

I have already been back to the fair!

I rode by myself and donated school supplies to receive a complimentary ticket. Such a deal. It was fun to wander on my own for a couple hours before cycling home.

The power was on in the art gallery so I was able to see the rest of the exhibit.

I thought this looked like a fair.

One display had a Route 66 theme with something from each state.
This represents Texas.

This was part of California.

This stone structure was in the same area. One person suggested that it was leftover from an era when this area was undeveloped and it was along a hiking trail.

A friend hates the crowds but loves the flowers so I went into that area for the second time ever.
I am not sure what this shows but I liked it and sent her a picture.

I still didn't make it to the farm or forest area. I guess I'll have to go back.