Today we took a trip down to Bradenton to check out the Sarasota Medieval Fair. The trip was really nice - both there and back. Seeing the wineries, the fields, the animals. There were so many nurseries I wanted to stop at, an outlet mall, a Friendly's. On the way home, we saw a gorgeous sunset from the Sunshine Skyway bridge.

On the way from the parking lot to the festival, I noticed the blood bank bus and was about to ask if we were going to give blood when Shawn noticed admission was free if we did. So, in we went. In the end, I couldn't give blood because of the tachycardia from the Effexor (180bpm at rest - yikes), so I got a $2 off coupon and Shawn got in free.

While Shawn was giving blood, I wandered around outside. The bus was parked next to a pen with two horses, and one came right up to the fence. I petted her and fed her some hay. Horses are such beautiful creatures. She was a little camera shy, first hiding her face when I tried to take a picture, then doing it again when the girl I was waiting with did. Eventually I got several.

I wandered away towards the entrance, and saw the jousters preparing on their shiny horses, stood and watched until Shawn was done, and then we went in.

It was very different from the one in Tampa. I think I liked it better. The farm was open and selling produce, and most everything was cheaper. I got a sno-cone and Shawn bought me a parasol while I was off meeting Jasmine Becket-Griffith (she really reminds me of someone, but I can't place who). I was thinking about getting a print of A Wolfish Friend or Black Winged Angel, but the parasol was perfect.

Not long after we came in, I was taking pictures of a couple of faeries, and one of them came over and sprinkled faerie dust all over my chest, so I had sparkly boobs the rest of the day. So embarrassing! After Shawn got his turkey leg and I got my sno-cone, we watched a horse riding show - a bunch of women riding and trying to get hooks with their jousting poles.

Then I drug Shawn over to the archery area (one of my favorite things). I got 8 out of 10 on the paper - 2 outside the target, 4 in the black, 2 in the red. None in the yellow. If I'd done it again I might have gotten it, though, I was improving. It makes me really tempted to take lessons.

Right before we left, we found the wing tent, and they had such pretty wings. Much better than the ones at the Tampa festival. Hopefully they'll be back next November and I can grab a pair of them.

It was a really fun day. I'm exhausted and beaming.

Pictures here.