Is it over already?

Well, the fair has ended on a wet note and the kids go back to school tomorrow. For all intents and purposes, summer is pretty much ended. How depressing is that? It's still August.

I did go to the fair yesterday despite the rain. I've only missed a couple of years since we got here in 1978, and even though it doesn't change a lot from year to year, I love it every time. It's the best time to do some serious people-watching. I also enjoy checking out the various food booths (had a great hot dog this year) and looking at what won the creative writing competition. I haven't entered anything for the past few years, but I still enjoy seeing them. I also like roaming the aisles to see what "new improved" item is being sold, though I find everything incredibly over-priced. I only had to use the umbrella for part of the time, but I found it very hard walking. The arthritis in my back was really hating the dampness, and I had to find a bench frequently. The doctor told me in July I should start thinking seriously about surgery, but that scares me. I've heard too many horror stories about people who had back surgery and came out with no improvement or even in worse shape than when they went in. At any rate, the fair was fun as always.

Now I'm thinking about doing the last bit of trimming on my bushes and putting away the lawn chairs. Though winter often means I can slow down and relax a bit, this year we'll be going full-tilt right through the middle of October at work, with a lot of activity. I will be very happy to be able to relax after that.

My friends and I will probably take another autumn drive to Murphy Dome and Ester Dome, two local areas with great views. We do those drives in the fall, after the leaves have changed color - the valley is a great golden dip between the hills.

Before I go, I thought I would post a few photos from my trip to the Georgeson Botanical Garden at the university. Here are a couple of my favorites.

It seems that no matter what time of year it is, there's always something beautiful to see in this wonderful place. The colors of summer are a treat for my eyes. The vivid yellows of the autumn are calming to me and absolutely beautiful when the sunlight hits them. The pure white of the snow in winter makes this look like a Christmas card. And the greening of the grass and trees at break-up are such a welcome sight after the long winter. Regardless of the downsides - long cold winters, long distances from family, expensive heating bills - there's something about Interior Alaska that keeps me here. The northern lights, the mountains, the wildlife, the gorgeous flowers, most of all the terrific friends - all offset the cold and dark and distance. Until next time...