November has been an interesting month. We have had some great experiences. Some of them Sister Lay does not want to repreat. As part of my calling, I am finding addresses of members who have disappeared (and in some cases don't want to be found). We had talk to one of their sons and obtained an address. When we went to the house we thought no one was at home, but as we left, the husband came out and chased us down the road in his truck wanting to know who we were and what we wanted. He had his hand gun in his hand laying on the seat of his truck. He asked if we were lost. Barbara said, "Yes." I told him who we were and who we were looking for. He said "I ain't no Mormon" and drove off. The Bishop just told us he was a blow hard, but Sister Lay said she will not be going back.
Cotton havesting is in progress, They have defolited this field so it can be harvested.
Here is a field that has been havested. The bales of cotton are lined up on the edge of the field. The harvester is at the end and they are loading a new roll of yellow plastic wrap.
For perspective, I am in front of one of the bales of cotton with Elders Carlson and Peel. The bales are about 7 feet by 7 feet and weight about 2.5 tons. The farmer told me that they get about 700 pounds of cotton an acre from an unirrigated field and about 1700 pounds an acre from one they irrigate.
The ward had a trunk-0r-treat at the meeting house for Halloween. They go all out in their decorating and dressing up.
Not sure I would want to get my candy from the toilet but the kids didn't seem to have a problem
As expected the kids had great costumes. I think the Bishop's daughter dressed up as a princess because her sister is Junior Miss Marianna.
I loved the deer horns on the head.
And the contest winner was the new kid on the block
They had a parade in town for the Marianna High School Homecoming. Why they chose Halloween for homecoming is beyond me, but it all seemed to work. People got into the spirit of the day and came in their costumes.
This car reminded me of Cary Boyle's car in his garage which he ultimately plans to fix up
Our landlady is on the Nightmare float, front left, with some of her classmates. They decided to have their class reunion to coincide with Homecoming.
The landlady's third float had all of her grandchildren,
the new generation of Marianna High School supporters.
This float was my favorite because it reminded me of some of the houses we have visited
The whole parade was full of queens and princesses. The Homecoming queen had two attendants from each class 9 through 12. There were more queens than I ever thought possible.
And our favorite is Junior Miss Marianna. I think Bishop Sims (The driver) is proud of his daugter.
National Peanut Festival in Dothan Alabama
The Elders and Sisters at the entrance.
 |
| Sisters Bates, Mathison and Wood - Elders Carlson and Peel |
A statue honoring Eli Whitney and his contribution to the peanut industry
Chain saw wood carving demonstration
The Stake sells elephant ears at the festival as their fund raiser for the scouting and young women's programs. (They think they invented the concept of elephent ears here). It is one of the best funded programs in the state. They were $4 each. Across from them was someone selling corndogs for $4 each. He had them lined up 30 deep or 40. I could not believe it. Barbara asked one couple what was so wonderful about the corndogs. They did not know. Had just heard they were good so they got in line. It must have taken a good hour to get a corndog.
The Bishop and his daughter hawking elephent ears.
The 4H warehouse had some interesting and fun displays done by the high schools in the surrounding communities.
It's all about PEANUTS!
And the Winner is the peanut graveyard. They have a marker for each of the significant supporters of the peanut festival who have passed away.
Wakulla State Park
We were also able to go to Wakulla State Park, once with the senior couple and sisters from Crestview and then the following week we got permission to take our sisters. One of them was returning home and had not seen an alligator.
Wakulla State Park is a huge spring that spawns a river right at the spring. People scuba dive into the spring which is a series of caves that go for hundreds of miles. They have never found where the spring originates.
Scenes of the river.
 |
| The spring and swimming hole |
Cypress knees are roots that stick up and help the trees breath as the water rises
 |
| Cypress Knees |
The Black Lagoon from the movies Creature from the Black Lagoon, Airport 77 and several Tarzan's.
Birds in the Park
 |
| This bird swims under the water. You can see their beaks moving through the water. After their swim, they dry out in the sun by spreading their wings. |
 |
| Mudd Hen, their feet are not webbed. |
One eating a crayfish.
Alligators in the Park
Old Joe with wanted posted for his murderer
Other animals in the Park
Manatees
Turtles
Raccoons
There are also snakes, bears and deer, but we did not see them.
The hand painted ceiling in the old lodge.
The Tourists
 |
| Sisters Bates, Wood, and Mathison |
Sister Lay was not happy with me for including this picture.
Along with our first visit we went out to St. Marks lighthouse on the coast. They did not allow access inside the lighthouse.
While at the lighthouse Sister Lay took pictures of the butterflies which are in the process of migrating.
 |
| This picture is not upside down. The butterfly is. |
Next report will be on the football game we have tickets to this weekend at FSU.
