But I will.

First, a little background:

Up here in Spokane, living as we do on the border between Eastern Washington and North Idaho, what would elsewhere be a simple county fair becomes (ta-daaaaah) the Spokane Interstate Fair.

One of the big features of this shindig is the number of local folk who submit their handiwork for judging in categories that range from livestock to preserves, and all kinds of hand crafts. For the first time we (the lovely Peg and I) decided to take part. Peg submitted a beaded wall hanging in one of the craft categories, and a crazy-quilted vest made from rescued fabrics in a category called "trash to treasures." I also entered in "trash to treasures" with a kantele-style harp made from pallet wood and countertop scraps.

The faint hearted may turn away at this point.

Children, if you are reading this, do not try this at home....or anywhere else, for that matter. Humility is one of the greater virtues, and should be practiced in all situations.

So much for being socially responsible.

THREE ENTRIES, THREE BLUE RIBBONS.

How about that? There's a whole big building full of entries, and we glom off with three blue ribbons!

And, to make it even more wonderous, Peg's vest took first place among the Professional Artist classification!!!

And my pallet wood harp?

[blush.....twisting of the shirt button.....scraping of toe in the dust.....thoroughly ill-concealed glee]

I won a great big purple BEST IN SHOW ribbon!!!!!!!!

[thunderous applause and cheering, none the less impressive for being a recording]

Thank you, thank you, you're too kind.

Now I must be off to buy a new hat. For some reason, the band on mine seems to have shrunk.