A Trip to Farm Country Part V

Sunday evening was set aside to attend Paul Bunyan Days in the small town of St. Maries (pronounced Saint Mary's). It was a huge carnival complete with rides and politicans shaking hands and kissing babies.

They ate their dinner there. Ollie and Daisy had a Greek Gyro,and Ruby saw the corn dogs. "A corn dog made on the spot should be just like those I remember and love from my childhood" she thought. Unfortunately she was disappointed. They all had corn on the cob, and that was WONDERFUL. They ate it while watching Elvis, who, it turns out, is now the Mergatroids mail man. "I told you he was still alive!" said Ruby.

They got their dessert from a booth that had a banner which read "Homemade Pies". They watched as their pie was removed from the refrigerator in box with a brand name. "They must bake their pies and store them in the brand-name boxes" said Ruby, trying to put a positive spin on what she knew was store bought pie.

They selected their waiting spot for the fireworks, wanting a good seat. It meant an hour and a half wait for the show.

They were entertained by young country singers and a DJ from the local radio station. Then some great rock and roll was played. Poppy, Daisy and Ruby, began to chair-dance and sing along. "I think we are embarrassing Ollie," whispered Ruby to Daisy, and she looked over at Ollie carefully studying the barn in the opposite direction.

Seeing, hearing and speaking no evil, while waiting for the fireworks display

Ruby Herself

As the sun went down and things were beginning to get dark, all were concerned about Father Mergatroid, who had ventured into the crowd for a strawberry funnel cake. He had not yet returned. Ollie lead the group as they yelled " Fa-ther Merga-Troid... Fa-ther Merga-toid" until the embarrased Father Mergatroid returned, red-faced, to his group without his funnel cake. "The line was just too long." he said.

After a while,the fieworks began... They were scheduled to last for 1 full hour.

Fireworks

Ruby Herself

More Fireworks

Ruby Herself

Even more fireworks.

Ruby Herself

Then KABOOM!!!!! There was a huge explosion, a small mushroom-shaped cloud, and a blast of heat that descended upon the watchers. There was a brief time of quiet, and then the fireworks show continued without further explanation. It ended, however, 15 minutes earlier than anticipated.