Rick Does Swedish Days: An Unscheduled Stop for Face Painting

I want to shoot photos of the craft show next, but Tricia trumps me.

"No Dad, you and I made a deal," she says. "You had the Swedish meatballs, now it's time for face painting."

Tricia makes me go first. She gets to pick the face.

"You're getting the rabbit," she says.

Another confession. I don't think I've ever had my face painted before. It's one of those things everyone should do at least once. I guess.

It's a little ticklish, this process, but it only takes a few minutes, and of course there is embarrassment enough to last a lifetime. At least if you're a 53-year-old "old man," as Tricia likes to call me.

When I'm almost done, we run into Denise Linke, who is reporting on Swedish Days for my old outfit, The Beacon-News.

"I'm glad you're upholding the dignity of the Fourth Estate," she says.

My face is painted by a lovely woman named Zanet Zieba, who says she has been doing face painting forever and at every venue you can think of.

"We don't have very many adults do this," she says.

I ask Tricia if she wants to go next. "No, thanks," she says.

"Of course, you don't," I say.

In your face, Dad. Literally.

So, for your enjoyment are two series of photos. One with an actual child. And one with the scary-looking adult in the rabbit face.

Craft show is next.