The *Deer* Show

Some years ago I was at the State Fair with my friend Elizabeth (big surprise there). In the Jim Graham Building, we wandered over to where competitors were showing their sheep. We climbed up and took a seat in the bleachers.

These are some thoughts that were going through Elizabeth's head as we settled in to watch: We're surrounded by these people from the country and we must look and sound like some ignorant city folk. Just need to blend in here... Don't say anything to prove what they might be thinking.

My phone rang.

"Oh! Hey Mom! ... Yeah, we're just over here watching the deer show."

At that moment, Elizabeth tries to imagine sinking into the bleachers and disappearing. Oh no! I am so embarrassed!

I, on the other hand, was oblivious to what I had said. Mentally I thought "sheep" and didn't realize I had said something quite different.

If I remember correctly, after hanging up with Mom, Elizabeth had us make a quick exit from the sheep show.

To this day, when we're at the State Fair and we see the same show going on, Elizabeth will lean over and whisper to me, "Look Ruth. There's the deer show."

We laugh.