Hello readers, it’s been a while since last we spoke.

I’d like to say that everything in my life has been hunky-dory, but that would not be entirely  accurate. In fact, it’s been rather a difficult last  couple of years for me, the details of which, I won’t bore you with.

However, I’m coming out the other side of it now, and with summer finally here, I felt like I should start to get out and about again. So I thought, why not take you all with me and regale you with my heroic, if reluctant, tales?

To that end, I’ve decided to start a new article series called “Jo goes” because, despite my reclusive bent, sitting at home ain’t cutting it for me these days. I know I need to get out of my comfort zone, and back into the community.

Besides, it wouldn’t be much of an article series if “Jo goes” … back inside her house.

So I’ll be out and about this summer whether I feel like it or not, to see what adventures await.

But all adventures, all heroes, require a partner in crime, and this endeavour is no different.

I require a Robin to my Batman, a Thelma to my Louise- though hopefully with a better outcome — and who better than my first partner, my original co conspirator, my own dear sister? … let’s call her “Janette.”

One thing to know about my sister, is that she is a participant, whereas me, not so much. In fact, it is this quality I both like and dislike about her, depending  on how it impacts me.

She seemed, then,  the perfect choice to help get me out of my comfort zone, and I must say she proved equal to the task.  We happened to be running errands last Saturday and ended up in Essex.

Naturally, she noticed the huge banner announcing the Essex Fun Fest happening that very day, and was quick to remind me of my pledge to get out and about. So, on a whim we were off to the Fun Fest.

I was admittedly not terribly excited about it, because the temperature outside was just shy of Satan’s armpit, but I decided to tough it out after purchasing a hat, which, by my usual standards was a bit on the Yeehaw side.

Pride aside and my shade secured, we hit the midway.

We rode the Scrambler, the Century Wheel, the Pharoh’s Fury and the Alien Abduction, which,  in retrospect, we should have done before visiting the beer tent, rather than after.  Note to self.

We had some pretty good fries from the midway, and a pretty great cheese and jalapeño pretzel from Pretzel Central of Kingsville.

Besides the midway with rides and games for all ages, there were great bands, a dog show, a singing competition, beer tent, wrestling, and some excellent vendors selling quality merchandise and crafts.

I bought a beautiful crystal globe of carnelian which is supposed to be good for motivation. Funny that, as I may just need it to get me through all these events I’ve talked myself into this summer.

Overall it was a pretty fun Fun Fest and we didn’t even see the half of it. I will absolutely go again next year and bring my sister.

We laughed a lot and reminisced about the last time we rode rides together… and nobody vomited this time, so for a first summer outing I’d say it was great.

Thanks to my sister for always being game,  and thanks to you reader for keeping me company as Jo goes …

See ya around.

Jo