Fall Fun

Another frosty morning!  The foliage isn't as colorful as some years, but it's still very pretty.  Twice in the past week I've seen a pair of bald eagles in our big sycamore tree. After all the fall rains, our ponds are overflowing.  Harvest was put on hold because of the saturated ground, but we're going now.  Most of the beans are out, and we'll be starting on corn today. I love the colors and crispness of autumn.
Again this year I attended the National Quartet Convention, but this time Dennis went too!  Our friends, David and Sharon Johnson went with us.  We rented a cabin and had a great time.  Not only did we enjoy the NQC concerts, but we did some sightseeing in the Smokey Mountains as well. 

We even walked on the Appalachian Trail...although it was an extremely short distance.  We stopped at Clingman's Dome, which is the third highest point east of the Mississippi River according to the information we read.

Last week, I enjoyed the 47th Annual Fall Festival at Meramec Caverns in Stanton MO.  Nancy Rockhold went with me, and we had quite an adventure.  Let me just say that I would never stay at the Super 8 in Sullivan MO again!  Our room reservation was made online, and when we arrived to check in, we knew right away that we made a poor choice!  We did eventually move across the highway to a very nice, CLEAN, comfortable Comfort Inn.  We enjoyed all the singing in the cave.  There were many different groups there and all of them were great.  We particularly enjoyed Karen Peck and New River in the small cave.  The cave setting was cool...literally!  Inside the big cave was about 60 degrees.  The small cave was even cooler.... about 52°.  In spite of the cool temperatures, the atmosphere was warm and intimate.  The crowd was small (compared to other venues) and we were able to interact with the artists.  It was a lot of fun, and we expect to make it an annual event. 

Old Paths.  The piano player is a 17 year old kid!  WOW!

Karen Peck & New River.  We didn't get a picture in the cave, so just used this one from the brochure.

Mom and I have been making routine trips to Burlington every other Monday for her chemotherapy treatments. She's doing very well, with minimal side effects.  We'll be going back to Mayo sometime in December for a re-evaluation to see how the chemo is affecting the cancer.  We hope to learn that the tumors have shrunk and that surgical removal will be possible.

Well, I've been "drafted" to run the auger wagon, so I'd better get myself ready to go!