Calliope music from the merry-go-round, screams of fear and fun from the ferris wheel, and the barkers from the side shows, and games. Then there is the food: that’s where my mind goes now that it’s State Fair time.

No, it’s not a funnel cake, nor a Junior Hospitality Club sub sandwich, or even a fried onion burger because I can get that from Gail’s Grill for lunch right here in Hennessey America.

My all-time favorite fair food is: The Corn Dog with about two, or maybe three, pumps of mustard on it.

When I was a kid in Oklahoma City I used to think the State Fair came just for my birthday. Yep, I’m a Libra in the world of astrological signs, and always want “harmony, and to avoid conflict.”

Boy howdy, I sure picked the wrong profession. I’m also supposed to be “diplomatic, able to solve big conflicts, and have a strong mind.”

Does that last one mean I’m hard headed? If so, Momma said I got that from my Daddy’s side of the family, but I fear I got a double-dose of it.

Then there is my inability right now to stay on topic. More and more that problem rears its ugly head in conversations with friends, people I hardly know, and even Tuxedothe- Girl-Cat.

So back to the almost 81-year-old me who recalls Momma holding my hand as we walked through the fairgrounds. We always went straight to the Oklahoma Publishing Co. building because Daddy sometimes worked security at the fair, instead of downtown at 4th & Broadway. Also, they had the cleanest bathrooms, Momma always said.

I must have ridden on the merry-go-round, and I feel sure we didn’t leave without ice cream, or cookies, because Momma had a sweet tooth.

I don’t remember us ever playing any of the games, but I’m sure we went into some of the Women’s Buildings, and looked at sewing, and other exhibits. Now I’m wondering if that was the time we went to get Momma’s blue ribbon prize when she won first place for her raisin pie.

Yes, raisin pie. One of my Daddy’s favorites, but never mine. However, he and I did agree that her coconut cream was the best ever.

That reminds me that number four granddaughter Gracie Mae got first place for her chocolate cookies at the State Fair last week. She also won third overall in all cookie categories. It was her first time to enter, and I’m looking forward to eating one of those prize cookies.

The best thing about going to the State Fair is leaving, and being able to find your car on the first try. Surely there is an app on my phone for that, but I’m not smart enough to even look for it.