A Day of Festivals

This has been a lazy Sunday for everyone at the park I believe; well, maybe not everyone. The ones with motorcycles (at least a dozen) went for their group ride to LaBelle, to the annual Palm Cabbage Festival, or, better known as the Swamp Cabbage Festival. I wasn't sure what that was, so I looked it up on the computer and learned that this cabbage comes from the Cabbage Palm which is the state tree of Florida. Some guys here were saying that the cabbage comes from the roots; however, my source said that it comes from the center of the tree, about 3 feet from the bottom. It is white, cylindrical , and has the texture of cabbage; my source also says that it is actually the leaves that have not sprouted that are inside the trunk, something called the "boot". The locals cook it with fatback I heard, and enjoy the taste which I never heard them really put a handle on. I think they serve it with cornbread and beans. We didn't try to go because some of the roads around there were blocked and we didn't want to fight the traffic. Maybe next year we will give it a try.

Across the street at the Shell Factory, the Chili and Rib Festival was going on. That was well- attended with several vendors selling their best versions of chili and/or ribs. Many of the partakers are complaining with indigestion/heartburn tonight.

I have been suffering from a sinus headache much of today so I did no bike riding. I did attend church, however, and that was enjoyable as ever. We had a Gideon there today who did a good job of reporting of their activities with Bible distributions. I cannot believe that schools in Florida will no longer allow them to come on the campus and talk with the fifth graders as they used to do when I was in school (They are allowed to stand on the sidewalk, I'm told). I looked forward to their visit and I still have my little New Testament that I received from learning some Bible verses. I think they have a wonderful service, with 100% of their contributions going to the cause; all the workers/members are volunteers.

We have just enjoyed the UNC-Wake Forest basketball game and will now watch some of the NASCAR race (I think that will go on all night! My guy ($88) is in 40th place now since he was involved in an earlier crash. I need to get me a backup choice since Jr. so often doesn't do well. I'm thinking that he has to start improving if he's going to remain one of the young guns.