Swine Show Handlers and My Grandfather at the Fair

Lincoln Illinois Fair

My paternal grandfather Floyd M. Hendricks is the man in the middle with the microphone in hand. Perhaps he is congratulating the man with the prize winning pig. The men on either side have been showing their swine based upon the canes they hold.

If you want to brush up on how to Swine Showmanship click here

Steer your hog out of corners and away from crowds. A cane makes an excellent steering device.


Make all your moves slowly, smoothly and naturally.


Don’t turn the pig sharply; let it walk naturally. Be on the lookout for trouble from unruly hogs in the ring and try to avoid the area they are in.


A nervous, jumpy show person makes a nervous and jumpy hog.


Never put your hands on the animals back when in the ring. However, you may use your hand to help turn an uncooperative pig.


A soft push from your hand is more desirable and easier than another tap of the show cane.

My grandfather in the hat holding the microphone

I didn’t even know who Mercy Watson was Until Last Week

Mercy Watson books have been checked out of the Columbus Public Library and are now at  home with my grandson Charlie, 3 1/2.

I’d never heard of the existence of Mercy Watson prior to last week’s Ohio visit.  Charlie has always liked his soft pig toy and  has a small pig on the kitchen counter where he eats lunch.

Mercy Watson is a pig.   No, edit that statement

Mercy Watson is a porcine wonder.” says Mr and Mrs. Watson

The author is Kate Di Camillo and illustrated by artist Chris Van Dusen 

Seems that ‘buttered toast’ is a favorite of Mercy Watson.

Laura  created a Mercy Watson breakfast for Charlie.

He was adjusting the mouth/cashew.

That is hand squeezed oj accompanying the toast. Mmmmm. 

 

 

 

I should have taken one more shot of the empty breakfast tray. 

a screenshot for the Mercy Watson site

A Pig in My Raisin Bran at Breakfast

A pig in my Raisin Bran at breakfast!

I was just about to pour on the milk.

At first he was lying flat.

That’s some big bran flake, I thought.

I stood him up.

Oink!

That’s some pig.

I’m always looking for signs.

A Tiny Golden Book and Friends from Childhood

Tiny. The weekly Photo Challenge

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Author Dorothy Kunhardt

Illustrated by Garth Williams

 

May 26, 1976 Fort Knox Kentucky

Ireland Army Hospital.

The family has gathered in to Erika’s parents to celebrate Mark’s birthday.  You were a bicentennial baby and my father’s mother knit you a red ,white and blue afghan.

This afternoon we went to the farm next door to see how the pigs are growing. We were playing with the runt named P.P. and watching her root in the mud.  No truffles found, though.

Mark and his sons Michael and Jack were walking back home.  Of course I had the fixed lens (50mm) on the camera.  I almost missed them though.  Erika asked me “Did you get it?” We saw the three of them at the top of the hill at the same time.  The next frame they’re in total sunlight and it isn’t as strong.

Happy Birthday Mark.  I searched the card racks for the right words but the card writers this year didn’t capture what I wanted to say.

When I see you grown up, loving your own beautiful family, my heart is full.

I love you.   Ma

 

Road to the Farm

What I Shot as my DIL drove- 3 Pickup Snap, Pig on a Pole & a Message-

Sunday afternoon. We’re doing family things. Gathered together for lunch.

We had just left the Northstar Cafe on High Street and instead of turning to get on the Interstate, Erika drove north on High Street which was definitely the scenic route.

I enjoy being the passenger and thought there might be something interesting to photograph on the way home.  Stopping and dilly dallying was not an option with four kids in the back of the van and the high temp outside. (Stef, I was like Quick Draw McGraw)

More like snapshot time and a slice of the scene around Columbus.

Everything a bit tinted by the van windows shading. Makes the photo quality poor and a bit retro.

Two out of the three Erika called!

I was too busy looking to see.

This is not my usual method of photographing for the blog, subjects and scenes usually just present themselves and I don’t go out to hunt for material.

Remember  Erika found the men painting the water tower almost a week ago.

The pickups stopped at the intersection were first.  I shot right through the glass window. The GoodGuys Rod and Custom Association Car show was this weekend in Columbus at the Expo Center.

Then she said “Look at the pig.”

I’d gotten the local Dairy Queen before and I know PIERCE Cleaners was a subject for signage at night time once on the blog.  One of my followers and longtime friend Mary Corbett used to say this exact message on the sign at the cleaners.

Pig and another American flag.

What’s in a Name?

We were at the neighbors’ farm in Hardy, VA this past weekend.  They graciously allowed the grandchildren to pet the baby pig and the baby turkeys.

Anna asked what the pig’s name was-  “Doesn’t have one.”

The baby mini-mules and their miniature horses don’t have to worry but then again, they have NAMES!

Bob the Mule.  Heart the Horse.

The egg-layers are spared.

Oh yes, they have a couple of ducks.  And their names?      Christmas and New Years.

The second image? Those are a couple of (seven pounds apiece) pork butts that Pap smoked for the Paleo crowd.  The veg branch of the family didn’t come this past weekend.             I don’t think the meat had names.

Three Little Pigs

Last day of pumpkin season. The Pig Race at Leed’s Farm Ostrander, Ohio.  Each pig represented a college football team in the Big Ten.  Well, there are now 12 teams in the Big Ten and already a Big Twelve – so 6 pigs..ran three at a time and then a final race between the two winners.   The pigs were rewarded with a treat at the end of the race and didn’t seem to mind.

Last day of the season at the pumpkin farm.
Pig races are over in a flash. The little pigs run fast!