I continue to marvel that each day I feel a little better than the day before. Just a few days ago, for example, a single 20-minute walk of some 2,000 steps would have left me fatigued and in need of a rest. In more recent days, I've managed to do between 5,000 and 7,000 steps, in small bursts over the course of a day.

Such was the case today when Chris, Mel and I went to the Richmond Fair. We walked around the grounds then sat to watch some miniature horses. We walked around some more then sat to have tea with small sandwiches and squares.

But I also continue to discover each day the limits of my energy. Today, for instance, after our trip to the fair and a few errands and explorations in our neighbourhood, I realized that I needed to go home and rest. I retired to my room, spending a pleasant hour putting together a montage of photos from the fair.

One of the highlights from today was meeting an incredibly poised and articulate 10-year-old, who was tending to her yearling sheep. She explained that she had bottle-fed the lamb, whom she called Lively, because its mother had been unable to feed her because of an infection in her udder. As we chatted, it became apparent that the girl knew so much more about animal husbandry than I would have at 10 years old. Heck, she appeared to know more on the subject than I do at 58. I asked her whether she had previously shown animals in fairs or whether this was her first time. "I've been doing this since I was two," she said, without a hint of boastfulness. I liked her energy.

As we resumed our stroll around the fairgrounds, I told Mel that visiting a country fair connects with my rural roots. I likened it to spending time with an Italian grandmother: even if I couldn't speak Italian, I would feel immediately at home in my nonna's kitchen. This feeling of familiarity and connection comes to me whenever I find myself in pastoral settings, be it at my mom's farm, Upper Canada Village, or a small-town fair in the Ottawa Valley.

After yesterday's outing, I wasn't sure that I would have the stamina to visit the Richmond Fair today. But I'm glad that I did. What a beautiful day for a trip to a country fair.