Our family enjoyed our first fall tradition this weekend – visiting the Tennessee Valley Fair. The fair is, well, the fair. If you haven’t been in a while, it really hasn’t changed since you were a kid. In fact, it brings out the kid in you again. They still have the baby ducks sliding down into the water and for some reason, it’s still fun to watch them after all these years. 
I was delighted to see that my tween and teen children were laughing and shrieking with excitement as the goats, emus, and alpacas ate feed out of their hands. They may be part of the video game generation, but the simple pleasures of real farm animals still entice.
We also wandered through the vendor building where you can buy everything from magic worms to waterless cookware and debate everything from politics to religion. You know, I don’t recall Jesus scaring people into salvation, though a certain number of Christians today find the warnings of impending doom more powerful than drawing people into Christ’s love. One such group had a booth there complete with the “scare the hell out of you” tracts and a box with a skull inside reminding you where you will end up one day, so you’d better make sure you’re ready. My daughter thoughtfully perused the exhibit, then innocently turned to me and asked, “Are they for or against God? I think they’re against.” Out of the mouths of babes. Maybe that’s why Grandma always said you’ll catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.