Not too much to report in the last couple of weeks.  The work continues, especially for Sister Taylor.  It seemed like this week she was on the phone with missionaries, doctors, Missionary Medical in Salt Lake and parents for about 16 hours a day. (Maybe a slight exaggeration.)  That's in addition to house calls and attending doctor's appointments with various missionaries.  On Wednesday, we made a house call at about 8:00 AM for an elder that messed himself up in morning sports;  attended the temple with some of the missionaries in the morning;  worked in the office in the afternoon;  made the hour drive to Wasilla for an appointment at 5:00 PM (finished at 7:00);  took the elders out to dinner afterward; drove home and found two more elders waiting in the driveway for us.  While they were there, a second pair of elders showed up.  Getting them all taken care of, we finally got to sit down and take off our shoes at about 9:30 PM.  Probably would've been later, but they have to be home at 9:30 PM.  And in the handbook it says that senior missionaries - us old people, you know - aren't required to maintain the same schedule as the young missionaries.  Right!  If they're up and about, we're up and about.  But we do love our young missionaries.  They're awesome!

There was just a skiff of snow on the highest elevations around us again this morning but I'm sure it's gone by now.  Last night it got down to about 37 degrees - fall is in the air and winter can't be far behind! Although it's been raining the last couple of days, today is brilliantly sunny and the temperature looks like it's going to peak out at about 56 degrees.

It changed from summer to fall very quickly here.  All of a sudden the air was cooler and the leaves all turned in about a week's time.

But there is always the bit of beautiful countryside to see and the occasional flock of Sandhill Cranes or Canada Geese gathering themselves together in preparation for traveling south.  And we still see the occasional Trumpeter Swan, looking regal as it glides among the reeds and other lesser
waterfowl.

The decision was made to close the mission office on Labor Day (so that the senior missionaries could 'rest from their labors') so we took the afternoon and went to last day of the Alaska State Fair in Palmer.  It was very nice with the usual displays of produce, livestock and crafts, along with a rodeo, heavy equipment contests, native dancing and a medieval Jousting Tournament.  Of course, there were the obligatory carnival rides, food vendors and myriad other opportunities to buy what you don't need and won't ever use.  Generally an enjoyable way to waste away an afternoon.  The weather was cooperative and we had a good time.  We forgot to take the good camera, so here are a few of the snapshots we took with our cellphones.

A "wall" of Sweet Peas around one of the garden areas just inside the main gate.

In the center hub of the various pathways through the fairgrounds they had this large round garden area.  It was built entirely of vegetables and herbs and represented three gardeners working in their garden.

Check out the "flannel shirt" on this guy.

The Mat-SuValley is the only real agricultural area in Alaska.  Athough their growing season is short, they grow some incredible produce.  This year there was a problem with the pumpkin contest and the only one they had there was this
 965 lb. behemoth.  We understand that most years they are more like 1200-1300 lbs.

It is said that you can sit in the cabbage fields and actually hear the cabbage grow.  You can hear the leaves squeak against each other as they grow.  See that one in the middle?  A closeup is below.

106 pounds!!!  This beastie weighs more than several of my grandkids!

This beet was grown by a 4H student.  Pretty good, huh?

In the crafts exhibit hall they had some nice woodwork,  These are for all the woodworkers in the family.

A quilted ceremonial robe.

And the usual amount of silliness - these are knitted hair/beards/etc., of the dwarves from The Hobbit.

We didn't take many photos of the chickens, rabbits, sheep, cows, llamas, etc., but I couldn't resist this monster tom turkey.  I don't think I ever seen one quite like him.  And check out all those ribbons.

We enjoyed watching a bit of the native dancing performance.  These ladies were really enjoying themselves and would make faces at the kids in the audience and break out laughing between numbers, etc.  It was fun to watch.

A happy note to end on for this week.  Love to all!

Elder & Sister Taylor