FALL IS CREEPING IN

On our way to Decorah, we couldn't help but notice the changes happening. Where does the time go?




Even the soybeans are turning.

We had a nice time in Decorah-saw the eye Dr, the medical Dr., got a haircut, went to Mabes with the Browns (after the Dr.), went to the office, and saw many people we know. Don even made it to coffee several times. We did all that in less than two days, and then drove to Omaha.

NEW MELLERAY ABBEY

Before we left Dubuque, we went to the monastery, to tour their casket factory. Don has always wanted a wood casket, and has wanted to see what the brothers product looked like. First, we went to the main building, to the gift shop and chapel.

We then went to the factory which is a three year old building. It consists of a small chapel with a little water garden outside, a museum about the monks, a showroom and the factory.

We were led on our tour by a delightful old monk with huge ears-he reminded me of one of the seven dwarfs. I didn't take any pictures, but we were impressed with the quality of the workmanship and of the finished product. It was clean and bright in the factory area because there are large windows all around, looking out on the trees and farmland. The monks work 4 1/2 hours a day and the rest is spent in prayer. They now have 15 lay employees. Sixty percent of the caskets are made from their own trees, and if you buy one, they plant a tree in your name. Each one is blessed and a Mass is said for you. (Some of us need all the help we can get.) Anyway, it was very interesting.

LIZARDS ON THE LOOSE

For those of you from the AZ group who went to the Mississippi River Museum in Dubuque, you'll understand lizards on the loose. For everyone else-the museum currently has an exhibit of lizards, and there are several of the "loose ones" around town. Here's an athletic one.

This one is slim and cute.

Here's my personal favorite-The Lizard of Oz-notice the red shoes!

ENJOYING BREAKFAST

Everyone seemed to enjoy their omelets!

We hope everone had fun-we certainly did! A special thank you to Charlie and Juanita and Wes and Rose for being our co-hosts and helpers. We were impressed and grateful for all of you who pitched in and helped make everything run smoothly-especially with clean-up! We hope everyone had safe travels home! See you in Arizona!

IOWA OMELET BREAKFAST

On Thursday morning, Doyle and Opal Van Der Hart were kind enough to make us all omelets in bags. Here are some of the guys watching water boil while waiting for the fixings.

Loading the baggies.

Waiting to be cooked.

Are they done yet?

RIDING DOWN THE RIVER

Getting our "grub".

Was that a great moon or not?

Going under a bridge.

Isn't this a good looking group?

WAITING TO BOARD THE AMERICAN LADY

Here we are at Catfish Charlie's waiting to board the boat for dinner.



Lined up and ready to go.

Look out-here we come!