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The reason it bugs me is afterwards watching the animals being carted off to slaughter. I imagine a bonding relationship with their owner and think of my babies (Gizmo and Codee). That being said, my favorite place to eat there is that Cattleman's Association stand which makes a mean rideye sandwich.

Are we a bit conflicted? LOL! So am I! I understand exactly what you are saying. I feel the same way. Our County Fair sounds exactly like yours. I love to watch the kids show their animals, especially the cows, it's my favorite part of the fair, but I know how hard it is for them to put them up for auction. I keep telling myself, if they are going into the business of raising livestock they have to learn not to become attached to the animals. I couldn't do it, however. It would be so hard to watch as my animal was taken off to slaughter.

mama_bear. Thanks for getting me back on your ping list!

You're welcome. I feel bad that you had to remind me. :-(

The Deck Of Cards

During the North African campaign, a bunch of soldier boys had
been on a long hike and they arrived in a little town called Casino.
The next morning being Sunday, several of the boys went to Church.
A sergeant commanded the boys in Church and after the Chaplain had
read the prayer, the text was taken up next. Those of the boys who
had a prayer book took them out, but this one boy had only a
deck of cards, and so he spread them out.

The Sergeant saw the cards and said,
"Soldier, put away those cards."

After the services was over, the soldier was taken prisoner
and brought before the Provost Marshall. The Marshall said,
"Sergeant, why have you brought this man here?"

"For playing cards in church, Sir."
"And what have you to say for yourself, son?"

"Much, Sir," replied the soldier.

The Marshall said, "I hope so, for if not I shall punish you more
than any man was ever punished."

The soldier said, "Sir, I have been on the march for about six days.

" I have neither a Bible nor a prayer book, but I hope to satisfy you,
Sir, with the purity of my intentions." And with that, the boy
started his story: "You see Sir, when I look at the Ace, it reminds me
that there is but one God. And the Deuce reminds me that the Bible

is divided into two parts, the Old and the New Testaments. When I see
the Trey, I think of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
And when I see the Four, I think of the four Evangelists who
preached the Gospel; there was Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

"And when I see the Five, it reminds me of the five wise virgins who
trimmed their lamps; there were ten of them: five were wise and were
saved, five were foolish and were shut out. When I see the Six,
it reminds me that in six days, God made this great heaven and earth.

"When I see the Seven, it reminds me that on
the seventh day, God rested from His great work. And when I see
the Eight, I think of the eight righteous persons God saved when
He destroyed this earth; there was Noah, his wife, their sons and their wives.

And when I see the Nine, I think of the lepers
our Savior cleansed, and nine out of the ten didn't even thank Him.
When I see the Ten, I think of the Ten Commandments God
handed down to Moses on a table of stone.

When I see the King, it reminds me that there is but one King of Heaven,
God Almighty.
And when I see the Queen, I think of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
who is Queen of Heaven. And the Jack or Knave is the Devil.

When I count the number of spots on a deck of cards,
I find 365, the number of days in a year. There are 52 cards,
the number of weeks in a year. There are 4 suits, the number of
weeks in a month. There are 12 picture cards, the number of months in
a year. There are 13 tricks, the number of weeks in a quarter.

"So you see, Sir, my pack of cards serves me as a Bible,
an Almanac and a Prayer Book."

Glad I'm not the only one regarding the cows. The first place we lived when we got married and were struggling college students was in the middle of a farm. Our neighbor farmers offered us a quarter beef very cheap and we accepted.

A week later I was working in the yard and they drove by with this beautiful cow in a trailor who looked at me with these great big brown eyes. I kind of smiled and said hi...not realizing

I got the call from the processor a few hours later asking how I wanted my quarter cut.... sigh... But yes....I sucked it in...and enjoyed the steaks as I still do today....

Mr. D. and I also LOVE to fish and will keep what we will eat but release the rest BUT ALWAYS release large and smallmouth bass over 4 lbs. We figure they lived that long...they deserve to keep on truckin'!