Ninety’s today and all of this week. But Labor Day cometh. The State Fair is progressing nicely in DuQuoin, Illinois. It is the second of the two Illinois State Fairs. It was the big summer event at one time in my halcyon youth. We drove from Eldorado 50 miles to experience a night of high-level fair. There were carnival Barkers freak shows and delicious taffy. A high Ferris Wheel and Twister. I had a tooth knocked out on Twister years before at the Eldorado Carnival. I do not like Twister.

We used to say that the fair brought more flys. I have not noticed them this year but I still believe it. The Governor is said to be walking around at the fair. I saw Governor Edgar’s back once. Another time I witnessed Governor Thompson the longest-serving Governor in Illinois history helicopter into the fairgrounds and he and his wife and daughter get off. I thought that this was the epitome of money and power.

Earl liked to drive to the fair on Labor Day. Opal told him when he was going to procure some dirt for her, she wanted ‘That rich dirt…Earl.’ Earl knew rich dirt…

The Carnies were hot and tired and never smiled. They were worse on Labor Day. They began closing and dismantling before quitting time. There were new horizons for them for us The Fair was our conclusion.

Neva J’s boyfriend DoDo was supposed to hold on to me when we were on the Twister at Eldorado. DoDo failed. Later he bought me an ice cream cone…