The harvester drives across the field, and somehow the corn is extracted from the dry stalks.
The corn shoots through a tube (arm) and fills the truck.
Here's a second truck full of corn ready to take to market (probably to be loaded on a huge barge which takes the harvest down the Mississippi by way of the locks at Keokuk).
And what's left in the field is acres and acres of stubble. These photos were all taken from the road leading from our street back into town.
Here's the front of our home, taken from the north. You see the essence of grass along with the sprigs of "OLD" grass that refused to vacate the premises!
The view of our front from the driveway on the east of our house. You see the duplex-type condos that are the trademark look of our street--the far left of the 4 garage doors belongs to Susan Easton Black when she comes to town. Our homeowners insurance should be reduced because we are so close to the fire hydrant, don't you agree?
A second BIG problem has developed. This is the side of our back yard--you notice that the vacant field next door has a higher elevation than our yard (thus we can have a walk out basement). BUT, when the rains hit, which they have done frequently since we planted, the deluge must run somewhere, and strangely enough, it usually chooses DOWN. Here's the drain system Jeff put in, trying to save our newly planted lawn (actually done beforehand).
When that failed, we added a 2 x 4 and some gravel to form a dam. Lastly, Jeff resorted to digging a trench which diverts the water off through our garden area to the field behind our house. We are watching today to see if the grass planted yesterday can stay in place long enough to germinate and hold the soil down. 
You can't look too closely--this is how the grass is growing when you look in more detail. I prefer to see it from a distance, where it looks like we have developed into successful grass farmers!
I came home with renewed energy, a darling tote bag, Hilary Weeks' new CD, several resolves (like to write a few "personal" letters--thanks, Jason), a few momentos and some wonderful memories.
However, there was a tragedy involved. On the ride home we had some water damage from a cooler with an open spout (hidden, so we couldn't figure out the source very quickly). My bag got wet--I hung clothes all over the place and finally resorted to throwing a big batch into the dryer. The greatest damage was sustained to my small "travel" scriptures. The quilted cover was pretty well soaked, and I spent 5 or 6 hours Sunday with my hair dryer, turning each page and blowing the moisture into oblivion. This "fluffy" set of scriptures was the result!
This morning I have found cardboard and my quilting C-clamps to try to "condense" the pages a bit so I can snap the leather cover shut. Does anyone have a better idea? I'm sad to lose these scriptures: they have a lot of Women's Study Group notes, CES Conference highlights, and thoughts inserted in margins and between the lines.
Gwen, Taryn, Jackson and Jeff, along with the critters from the Rainforest Cafe that the children now treasure!
We had dinner at the Rainforest Cafe, complete with animals that moved, snorted, and generally kept Jackson and Taryn entertained.
The Rainforest mascot is a frog named Cha Cha. A large Cha Cha came around to visit folks at their tables. 
Our visit with the kids was much too short. Let's do it again another time!
Deep into the storyline, there is a time of peace and quiet, in which Brother Joseph invites Sister Emma to dance (just the beginning of a really fun dance sequence, but my camera is JUST TOO SLOW to capture the Scottish Highland as performed by Robert & Becky Laird!)
When Joseph is in peril, Robert Laird and King Follett offer to take turns guarding the Prophet's home. But when they overhear the prayer of young George Fordham, son of Elijah Fordham, Joseph sends the pair home, telling them that "God has heard the prayer of this boy."
After telling Hyrum that Nauvoo is the loveliest place and the best people under the heaven, Joseph and his brother walk from the stage, in the direction of Carthage.
Really out of Sequence, Robert Laird asks Parley P. Pratt for just ONE MOMENT of his time. Parley offers him, TWO, and Robert confesses that he is a "wee bit interested" in what his wife believes, but doesn't want to tell her--that would open the "floodgates" that could never be closed again.
This is the Temple after the Saints finish it--at least as the prop department constructs it. It is wonderful to watch the fabric panels rise, and the cupola lifts from behind it. However, we all know, it will be only a short time before it is demolished and the site plowed under and made into a pasture.
Oh, how many more things I'd love to share. But perhaps this is enough to make you want to come and see the Pageant yourself.
