Yeah for blue ribbons! And red ones and white ones. Emily did get a blue ribbon at the fair on her pig. It took third place in her class. Jefferson's and the family alternate both got red ribbons. The kids both did a phenomenal job at showmanship and I was convinced one of them would win Grand Champion or Reserve, but to my shock neither of them did. Go figure.
Lest you think this impressive or not, we have decided that how you finish with pigs is completely due to genetics and judges. If you are lucky enough to pick a great piglet with the kind of genes the judges like, you win! Some judges like 'em long and lean, and others like them with all kinds of other qualities. This year's judge wanted to see a smooth walking pig with a flat back, and lots of muscle, with plenty of meat. He told Emily that she had the first place pig, but it just did not have enough meat on it. Two years ago, it would have been first place with the other judge. That's OK, we are not raising pigs. And they were happy for their friends who won.
I got a blue ribbon on my plum jam and a blue ribbon on my denim rag quilt. The kids got white ribbons on their artwork. We still need to check their school artwork. The fair is a wonderful time for us filled with great memories, wonderful accomplishments, some disappointments, and a lot of hard work. We fall in to bed on Saturday night exhausted. But we love doing it every year.
