Countdown: D-day - 4 to departure

Surprisingly we are essentially all packed.  This afternoon (Sunday 23 SEP) Paula and I pulled together everything on the "take to Australia" list, pulled out the suitcases, and packed them up.  It looks like we will be able to meet our goal of only one checked bag (less than 50 lb) and one carry-on bag each.  We even managed to fit Tyler's full-size camera tripod and Paula's two telescoping walking sticks.  And, of course, we have to carry 4 months worth of all of our many medicines, which means we had to make special arrangements with our Doc and our health insurance company to allow us to obtain the necessary quantity of the prescription meds in advance.

We've done this enough in the recent past that we're getting pretty good at choosing what we really need and leaving all of the "nice-to-haves".  My biggest regret is having to take a suit and tie.  It's not my fault - - blame Holland America cruise line.  The ship has a formal dress evening once or twice every week, and if you're not dressed appropriately, they will not allow you in to the main dining room.  You can still eat in the cafeteria, but you miss the dinner program and the fascinating guests at your table.  Oh, and also we have tickets for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in the famous Sydney Opera House complex on Nov. 24, and I suppose we are expected to dress up, even if we are Yanks.

It is starting to get cool here in Midland.  The leaves are just beginning to think about turning colors, and Paula's flower garden is winding down.  Here are some pictures of the garden as it is now.  The big fence is our statement against the number one enemy of botanists and the worst vandals of gardens in our area:  Bambi!  Go, deer hunters - - may you have a bountiful hunting season!

  DEATH TO CERVIDAE!