Congratulations on deciding to going to Mule Days. You’re in for fun-filled days and evenings. There‘ll be great food and splendid entertainment if you immerse yourself in the culture. Here are a few hints to help insure you’ll have the best time possible.
Don’t make fun of the “mules” theme. Mules hold a fond place in our hearts. Think of them as sort of a mascot. We don’t make fun of your mascots, like the Cardinals or the Cubs. Okay, we make fun of the Cubs, but you get the idea. Respect the mule.
Always be neighborly. Don’t be the city neighborly where you don’t know your neighbors name and only talk to them to complain about their pets or the noise. We mean the Enfield kind of neighborly. We know our neighbors; we’re probably related to them. Just show folks the respect you’d show your boss or an uncle that just won the lottery.
Be sure to wave. We wave to everyone. It doesn’t matter if you know them. A wave shows respect and acknowledging the other persons value to the universe. If you don’t wave you’ll be thought of as a snob, so wave unless you have a rare neurological disorder that prevents waving. In that case, a t-shirt or a sign announcing your condition would be appropriate.
Eat up and drink deeply while you’re here. It’s my opinion that festival food, like church food, has no calories, fats, or carcinogens. It’s also hypoallergenic. Don’t worry about trans-fats or sodium. You can have a very large soda, no matter what your big city mayor says.
If you can take the pressure, competing in the cake walk could reward you with a tasty homemade delicacy the likes of which you’ve never tasted. I guarantee it.
It’s a good idea to chat with people. Folks here have a lot of knowledge that’s entertaining and informative. Keep in mind we value God, family, country, and guns- in that order. If you’re against any of those concepts, save commentary for when you get back to your like-minded folks. Be aware we complain about the government but love the country. You can insult the governor but not the state. It’s hard to explain, so maybe you should avoid deep philosophical discussions until your next visit.
Let’s say that you’re going to talk to a local fellow. You’d be pretty safe to assume he is well versed in hunting, trucks, church, and sports. Approach him, wave a bit, and then say something like, “How you doing?” or “Nice day for a pork burger.” If he growls, move on. If he acknowledges you, continue the conversation while keeping in mind his probable frame of reference. You could say something like, “I’m getting my truck ready for snipe season after church tomorrow, unless the game is on. Go mules.” He’ll instantly recognize you as a kindred spirit and confide in you. Trust me, I’m a professional.
I hope these hints serve you well in your visit to Enfield for Mule Days. If you keep this information in mind, you’ll have memories that’ll last a lifetime. You can brag to your big city friends at your next Zumba class you’ve lived life to the fullest. You’ve been to Mule Days.
Note: Mule Days are in Enfield, Illinois on the first weekend of October.
No comments:
Post a Comment