I didn't get around to snapping any photos of the Halloween scene I created for our front door this year (a scary jack-o-lantern, a spook that rises and haunts, and as I open the door the Trick-or-Treaters are met by a huge skeleton in a black cape offering them candy - more than one very young child got a fright), but I did get Melody to take a few pics of my buffalo robe. Courtesy of a very generous donor.

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And yes, it has a very "musk-y" smell to it.
But I'll tell you this, I wouldn't want to be without it in a snowstorm.

Spectacular photo

Some of you have probably seen this photo of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple with wide
fires burning in the background. Someone noted that it made them think of Hymn #2.

Actually, for me the words of another song came to mind. From The Sound of Music. "The hills are alive...."

I know, I have strange thoughts in my head. You're just lucky I don't share ALL of the them.

Thoughts on the passing scene...

I've still been very busy for the past two weeks, but things seem to be lightening up now. I've been able to get through most of the instrument repair work, Melody is starting to feel better, and stake conference is over.

Conference was wonderful. I don't know how it happens, but every speaker was great. The music was probably the best we've ever had, and added so much to the meetings. I have a couple of great men for counselors, and it is a pleasure to listen to them preach in these meetings.

I have a performance this week with my top bands. There is a student delegation visiting from our Sister City, Toride, Japan and we will be there to welcome them. We generally play for a half an hour, then play both US and Japan's national anthems during a short ceremony. It's fun, but takes a lot of work to set up and make happen.

Yesterday and today have been quite rainy. Downright stormy today with lots of wind and plenty of water. Tomorrow will be more of the same. Guess it's that time of year. I miss the warmth of summer already.

One final thing. My good friend Cliff Johnson is always giving me things (mostly because his wife is helping him get rid of stuff that she doesn't really think he needs to keep anymore - they're moving soon). This last week he gave me his buffalo robe outfit. He got it from an old Indian who used it in Hollywood films. It consists of a headdress (complete with horns) and a very heavy coat with tail. It smells pretty strong right now, but I'm airing it out and look forward to wearing it to some big scout function someday. Anyone who comes to visit is welcome to try it on!

Maybe I'll post a photo of it soon.

Word

Words on the T-shirt a geocaching friend gave me for my B-Day.

Very funny.

The rest of the day has gone pretty well too. Pam's family left this morning, Chris' family arrives tomorrow. I still feel like I'm 4 days behind on all my To-Do list jobs, but tonight Mom & ate In-N-Out Burgers and watched the Giants win the NLDS. A good end to the day.

It's a Beautiful Day at the Pumpkin Farm

We took Grant, Lucy and Molly to the Pumpkin Farm today (okay, Pam & Rom came too). It was a great day. We've never been there before on a Saturday, mostly because it costs money to park on Saturdays, but it wasn't too crowded and there were LOTS of things going on!

Since it was the closest thing to a State or County Fair, we ate lots of fun food: huge cinnamon rolls, roasted corn on the cob, caramel apples, apple cider, pumpkin muffins. Yummm!

Here's a few shots of the kids - and the train ride.

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The Fishers on the Pumpkin Train

Nice ambiance, but the service is terrible!

Our stake is part of a new Church program that teams 8 stakes together to maintain and improve a single Girls Camp property. This is being done thorughout Northern California. We have been working with some stakes in the Sacramento area to improve a place called Camp Bountiful - not too far from Malakof Diggins Stake Park east of Nevada City. Recently (under the direction of Barrow's Landscaping) we installed a large lawn area.

Two weeks later this bear wandered in to camp and took a seat at one of the tables. He looks ready to eat - but eat what? Fortunately, the camp closes for the year in a couple of weeks.

Pam and the kids are here. More on that as we take pictures and videos.