Nebraska vs Iowa + Fat Dogs + Fat Fair-Go-ers

There Is No Place Like Nebraska

From the Omaha World Herald (7/2):  "Eclipse expected to attract hundreds of thousands. Nearly a half million people could descend on the total eclipse zone in Nebraska on Aug. 21, according to an analysis by a veteran eclipse chaster & map expert." It's not too late to reserve a space at my sister & brother-in-law's in Beatrice. Rates have increased since we are almost down to the last week, but Beatrice is still a prime viewing spot. You can still get a slight discount, however, if you book through me.

Also from OWH (7/2), Upon Further Review by Brad Dickson:  "Nebraska is mentioned prominently in a new book called Beautifully Grotesque Fish of the American West. I miss the day when around this time of year Nebraska would be mentioned prominently in the college football preview magazines." What he said.

Ditto:  "Nebraska's cats & dogs are the second-fattest in the country. The dog's name fits him just right--Whopper. The Akita-mix tipped the scales at about 185 lbs--almost 100 lbs more than his ideal weight--when his owners turned him in to the NE Humane Society a few years back . . . A new report highlights the problem of overweight pets & Nebraska definitely has its share of butterballs. The state ranked 2nd for its % of overweight dogs & 7th for cats. The report said 39% of dogs & 43% of cats in Nebraska are overweight or obese. Iowa landed in 3rd place for big cats, though the state didn't crack the top 10 for chunky dogs." Another dubious distinction yet still one that outweighs * our Iowanian friends.
* "Outweighs," get it? Sometimes I crack myself up.

Speaking of Iowanians . . . There Is No Place Like Iowa

From OWH (8/6) *:  "Event adds rides, 44 new foods in aim to offer 'best of the best.' New amusement rides? Check. New food on a stick? Check. The butter cow, a tradition since 1911? Check. The IA State Fair opens its 11-day run THU in Des Moines w/the promise of new thrills at one of the oldest & largest agricultural & industrial expositions in the country. It attracts more than 1 million fairgoers each year. 'Nothing compares to the IA State Fair,' said Mindy Williamson, marketing director . . . ' Foods making their IA debuts include cheesy fried enchilada funnel cake, pancake taco, & a sweet brat hog dog w/maple syrup on a stick. And bacon. Lots of bacon. There will be bacon cheese friends, bacon in a cup, bacon-wrapped hot dog, & bacon-wrapped chick on a stick." ** Having attended my first NE State Fair last year, I must confess that our Iowanian brothers & sisters on the east side of the Missouri River truly surpass our relatively feeble effort when it comes to the State Fair.
* According to my calculation, there is still time to plan a road trip to the Fair.
** I can neither confirm nor deny that the Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services is providing free cholesterol checks for NE citizens returning from the IA State Fair, just across the Missouri River off I-80 in Omaha.
*** The Iowa State Fair remains on my bucket list.