Happy Columbus Day!

I have to say, I was skeptical when I first heard we were getting Columbus Day as a holiday this year.

That's one that I've never had before. Even in the days of yore, when I was in school, we didn't consider Columbus Day to be a "holiday." We did activities in school that had to do with Columbus, but that was it. No one dressed up like a boat, or claimed their neighbor's backyard, or anything else.

So we decided to do some things this weekend to truly commemorate Columbus Day in the spirit in which the holiday was intended.

Saturday: The Renaissance Festival.

Columbus discovered America during the Renaissance, right? So what better way to celebrate Columbus Day than with:

Sausage on a stick, or

Chicken on a stick, or

A bread bowl full of chili, just like they had on the Santa Maria!

If food doesn't do it for you, the Renaissance Festival also offers:

Carousels,

Pony rides, and

Face painting. I imagine Columbus felt the same thrill when he stepped off the boat, rode his pony to the carousel, and painted a bug on his face.

But, just like Columbus, we had our share of adversity.

Princess' fairy doll, purchased within 30 seconds of entering the fair, lost a leg after being dropped in the mud repeatedly "on accident."

Dexy, despite being very pleased with his purple dragon, developed a fever that came and went throughout the day.

Deb had to explain to Princess why those men walked around mostly naked.

But, there were bright spots. One of them was getting to introduce the kids to "Uncle" Drew, one of our dear friends. Drew and his wife actually got married at the Renaissance Festival several years ago. Sven and I played the music for their wedding. Drew still works at the Festival as an exotic magician.

Princess did us proud by saying the following things to Drew:

"Boys don't wear dresses, you know. Why are you wearing a dress?"

"Your socks don't match. And your yellows aren't the same."

But, she redeemed herself by being fascinated with his sleight-of-hand. She sat in a corner for several hours on Sunday afternoon, trying to make the alphabet flash card in her hand "disappear" the way Drew did.

We will be returning to the Festival later in the season, when I shall thoughtfully purchase several pieces of jewelry. Until then, I wish all of the weirdos well.

Next installment: our Columbus Day feast at the Rainforest Cafe. Truly, 'tis the season.