Redneck Livin’ and the State Fair in Understanding the Unthinkable

I come from an eclectic background. My father, a northeastern Italian, became quite successful in the 1950s and 60s. My mother, a third generation Florida Cracker, was born beautiful and dirt poor. We lived in an upscale bedroom community outside of Boston. As Dad became more and more successful, our homes became nicer and nicer. Mine was a world of comfort and possessions.

But my parents’ marriage was troubled and whenever Mama left Daddy, she’d move us, lock, stock, and barrel to rural Florida. As a result, my childhood was filled with ballet and symphonies and summer homes as well as barefoot days at a country school and waking up to the sound of lowing cattle outside my window.

I learned early on that wealth is never the true measure of a person. It is only one marker out of many, and it is not always an asset, from the misery I’ve witnessed. I’m very grateful to have grown up with a foot in both worlds.

My Florida cousins range from successful dairy and citrus farmers to flat out, no apologies made redneck boys, hell-bent on raising a ruckus. The latter is mostly limited to their children these days, since we’re all past the age of 60 now.

That’s why the disappearance of my cousin and his wife is so troubling. They went out on their airboat to fish on Lake Okeechobee, a storm arose, and they’ve not been found. Their airboat was recovered a few days ago and a woman’s body was found today. We are waiting on identification but I’m pretty sure it’s her.

We don’t know what happened. My cousin has spent his life in the swamp, so he was experienced. Did the airboat hit an underwater stump and they were thrown into the alligator infested water? Did the storm knock them over?

The answer is not going to be good, after 10 days. I’m told that my cousin was a jealous man, although he always seemed pretty laid back to me. Murder/suicide? Not impossible, considering his mean father, my uncle, now deceased.

It’s one of those surprise moments. We don’t know exactly what happened but odds are good that the outcome isn’t going to be a happy one.

On a happier note, we decided to run away to the state fair. We had the time, having just tied up a major job and soon to embark on another, the Senior Citizen entry fee was $9 each and parking was free. We’d never been before and just decided to go. It was fun, but a LOT of walking. By the end of the day, I had blisters on the bottom of my toes and ready for a nap!

We went to Cracker Country first, where I found some excellent fig preserves (and some blueberry and strawberry…and I wish I’d bought more! No worries, there’s a phone number on the label so I can get more). I thought of lasergirl when we toured a turn of the century caboose and its history, including a second life as a doctor’s office in the 1930s.

I got some tips from the man making swamp cabbage (heart of palm). Unfortunately, he wasn’t handing out samples, so unless I go to the annual family reunion, I’ll have to make it myself. I have a hard time knowing exactly where the tender begins and the bitter ends, so his comments were appreciated. The buildings are authentic and I am connected, indirectly, with some of the people who donated them.

We did the agriculture rounds, as well, since my husband was raised on a farm. They were judging cattle, chickens, and rabbits as we were walking through.

We also saw the Clydesdale horses and their mascot dog before heading to the FWC exhibits.

The FL panther was curled up, sleeping in a corner and I couldn’t get a picture that looked like more than a tan round blob. I DID get a shot of a FL bobcat, but that’s not so hard to find in this area. I know of one that lives in the greenbelt behind my neighborhood. Still, I like bobcats. They look like little lions.

We also saw a piece of the World Trade Center. I touched it and blessed it. If that was wrong, so be it.

We walked the midway, but did not go on any rides, play any games, or let anyone guess my weight or age.

Junk food consumed: one corn dog (me), one giant cinnamon roll with butter cream topping (my husband), one corndog with bacon wrapped around it (we split that. I tried a few bites but didn’t like it), two lemonades, a lobster roll (me) (yes! At a FORIDA state fair!) (it was terrible), a polish sausage (my husband) with onions and peppers and all that stuff that makes my husband raise the sheets all night long, a bottled water and a beer.

Since we never eat at fast food places unless we’re on a road trip, fair food is sort of a forbidden orgy for us. The last fair we’d attended was twenty years ago, so we’ve justified our indulgence. I told my husband that I think I’m going to try a funnel cake the next time we attend a fair. I’ve never had one. There were some things that just sounded gross to me: deep fried butter and bacon wrapped pickles come to mind.

We also toured the arts & crafts, fine arts, and White House exhibits. That’s my husband peeking through the windows.

I’d hoped to make it to 7 PM to see Gary Puckett and the Union Gap sing “Young Girl”, but about 4 PM, I told my husband that the fair should have beds for naps! We had a lot of fun, spent next to nothing, and held hands all day. We went home happy and tired and grateful for these semi-retirement moments.

Last updated February 16, 2016