Monday, March 15, 2010

Houston Livestock Show

South Main

We are currently in Houston, TX at the South Main RV Park. It is close to Reliant Stadium where our Texas grandchildren are showing livestock this week. The park is also close to the renowned cancer hospital, M. D. Anderson,  Texas Children’s Hospital and other hospitals. The park is full of people here for the two weeks of rodeo and livestock shows and those here for treatment at the local hospitals.

Reliant 

Here at Reliant Stadium and Exhibition Hall, our granddaughter, Rebecca, was the first to show her animal. Yesterday afternoon she showed her hog, Rocky, which is a Chester White.

pig1

We were nervous but hopeful as she entered the part of the ring where the prejudging takes place. We were so excited when she was selected to go to the section of the show ring where only the top hogs in the class would be judged. Elation turned to concern when we realized that a dozen hogs had been selected rather than the usual ten. That meant two hogs would have to be culled.

pig3

Once her hog was penned we knew she was OK. Her hog got ninth in its class. To be in the top ten is really great. The students whose hogs didn’t make the top ten will only get market price for the animal they have pampered and labored over. The top ten will be sold at a special auction where they will be rewarded for their labors.

pig2 They lured her away while her hog was led away by telling her she could play with a friend’s new puppy.

pig4

The next few days will be rough for Rebecca. She has gotten very attached to Rocky, her show pig.

pig5

We ended the day by cooking a sauce picante made with pork sausage for all the family here. Luckily Rebecca didn’t think about what goes into sausage!

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