A couple of days ago I noticed that the electric palomino horse that kids and parents enjoy in front of Casey’s Red Apple in Bayview was in motion without a rider.

Wondering if a young cowboy had been thrown off by the rhythmic pattern of plastic, I went inside to confirm my suspicions. Angie informed me that the electric horse had been riding against the wind all afternoon and evening, with an occasional passerby enjoying a free ride to nowhere.

Was the electric palomino a metaphor for my week at the Island County Fair? Was my week at the fair a metaphor for the electric palomino?

Given that my home schooling teacher has withheld my diploma because of overdue library books, I am submitting this column to you, the public, to see if you can liberate me from the shackles of my mind.

You see, on the last night of the fair, I was approached by one of our high-powered locals and informed that the new toilets in our fairground facilities were too low.

Too low for the ladies.

Having never been in the women’s restroom, I was unsure what response to offer. Because an offering of “I’ll look into it” seemed inappropriate, I replied, “I’ll check with Chuck,” hoping that the fairgoer would not ask who Chuck was.

I just like to say, “I’ll check with Chuck” as it sounds filled with perseverance and authority.

I also have a bowling ball with the name Chuck emblazoned in white letters. I bought this 16-pound Senior Thrift item for two bucks in 1984. If my name had been Chuck, the woman said she would have charged me three dollars.

What a thrill it is to chuck Chuck down the alley at Freeland Lanes. Good old two-buck Chuck. A feeling of prosperity and power fills my being every time I rotate this black rollerball in my palms. Visions of Don Carter and Buzz Fazio fill my senses as I hear the distant voice of Chris Schenkel whispering the pin numbers for the next spare.

But Jim, what does this column scenario have to do with the alleged problem of low toilets?

Like any good bowling ball, I guess I’m just trying to keep my mind out of the gutter.

It is easy to get sidetracked with analysis after enjoying Island County’s biggest party of the year.

It is easy to get caught up in the down.

However, my preference has always been to praise in public.

I invite you now to consider these observations of our appreciation as we travel back in time to the myriad of sights, sounds and senses from last week’s Island County Fair.

Moments of pleasure were many:

The joy on the face of Whidbey Coffee’s Nicky as she sang her favorite Carrie Underwood song for mom Shannon and dad Tim from the Eva Mae Midway Stage last Thursday morning.

The smiles on Coupeville’s Amanda Bergstrom and Kevin Menzia after being victorious in the Couples Corn-on-the-Cob eating contest. You won’t see this one at the Puyallup.

The focus and intensity of 12-year young country singer John Thompson as he sang into a microphone on a boom stand that was slowly going south.

The South Whidbey School District 206 yellow school bus making its way cautiously between the cotton candy trailer of Paradise Amusements and the strawberry waffle cone stand of the VFW.

The sight of six Whidbey Telecom bandanas covering the eyes of those participating in the upside down corndog eating contest. You won’t see this one at the Evergreen Fair in Monroe.

The pride oozing from parents and grandparents and friends and family while enjoying some classic rock ‘n’ roll from The Shadow Taylor Herring, Devon Sidhu, Matt Lachaussee and Kyle West.

The enthusiasm of cast and audiences during the standing room only shows of Whidbey Children’s Theater, Island Dance and Erlinda’s Polynesian Dancers.

The look on the faces of Denny Armstrong and Vern Olsen of the Shifty Sailors as they entered the back stage area singing “Where’s the food?”

Yes, the Island County Fair 2006 was another rekindling and reaffirmation of community spirit amidst the aroma of curly fries, corndogs and corn-on-the-cob.

Thanks to all of you who attended, participated, performed, parked, donated, delivered and cleaned up.

What a movie it was.

What a great team you are.

Maybe next year we can get Garth Brooks to perform a sequel to his country song, “Friends in Low Places.”

Maybe Garth could call it, “Friends on Low Toilets.”