Saturday was a glorious Winter day. The sun shone warmly in a blue sky, absent clouds. A great day to wander around the show grounds and take in the country-feel of the Mount Gravatt Show. The buildings sprinkled though out the grounds held bee displays and the competition honey, needle work and quilt exhibits, budgerigars and cottage crafts, agricultural societies and floral arrangements. While the oval was home to huge trucks (which delighted Cohen), horses, petting barns and cattle dogs. I love little shows like this. We avoided the rides and the show bags and explored the pavilions and patted the animals instead. I could have happily brought home a tiny black piglet with me.
It's one thing to teach a child something at home, and quite another to watch their amazement at really getting it. Cohen was fascinated with the bees and sheep. He knew already that honey comes from bees, just like the honey we eat at home, and wool comes from sheep, just like the wool Mama knits with. But seeing the bees and the honey, touching the sheep, seemed to bring that understanding to a new level. Well worth the admission fee.
I came home with a little bounty myself - honey comb, an African violet and potted rosemary - and an entry form for the needle craft exhibits. It had made me think. Prior to blogs, Ravelry and the like where we can share our handiwork, women shared their special projects at shows like this. Perhaps next year my work will be among the other beautiful pieces on display?
