Birthdays; Daffodils; TBT

 

Mom and daughter fingernails---perfect for the party. 

Heather, Carol Ann and Marlo.  

I learned last night that Carol Ann, in her younger years, was runner up for Miss Spirit Lake.  

She told me that the winner of the pageant had the advantage of selling more raffle tickets through the family bar.  Since the most raffle tickets sold determined the winner, Carol Ann settled for runner-up. 

💚💛💜💙

Anywho, it seems that I just can't get enough of birthday action at this time of year. 

While attending the carrot-cake gathering for my sister Laurie's birthday Tuesday night, we learned that Marlo was in town and that there would be a party to celebrate her 16th birthday last night. 

So, while Bill attended his Trout Unlimited meeting, I went to the party, as did Willie and Debbie. 

I hadn't seen Marlo for a few years. She helped name my horse CB, and she would occasionally come to visit him. 

So, it was neat to see her last night and update her on CB's activities.  We'll be going to visit him today, and I've heard he's doing just fine with his training. 

Anyway, last night Marlo and several family members gathered and enjoyed the party. 

The guest of honor seemed quite happy to have a bunch of oldsters celebrating her special day, which was actually Sunday. 

And, speaking of birthdays, there are three family members celebrating today. 

That would be Marlo's cousins, the triplets, whom you'll see featured in several TBT photos. 

THEY ARE 24 TODAY! How can that be???

Happy Birthday, Jacob, Iusitina and Grace. 

Marlo and her mom Heather. 

Below:  Marlo's great uncle Mike. 

When my friend Jean celebrated her 90th birthday this past weekend, her special guys showed up:  grandson Mike, great grandson Conner and grandsons Max and Alex. 

I'm betting that her son James may have taken the photo.  

All are amazing peeps as is their grand matriarch.  

I'm sure their presence gave her a sense of feeling like a queen. 

Thursday Throwbacks:  images of past moments  from my photo library.  Enjoy. 

Happy Birthday to the Laumatia triplets:  Grace, Iustinia and Jacob. 

A birthday party a while back:  no peeps were honored---just the Camp house which turned 100. 

More triplets:  I've been following the Gunter triplets since they were infants.  

They'll be sophomores in high school next fall. 

I'll be seeing CB today. 

We're going to the training stable to see how he's doing with his most recent schooling. 

Happy Birthday, Kevin. 

The late Mac McClean, one amazing auctioneer, judge  and livestock expert. 

Above photo from Chris Pietsch's collection:  Some Sandpoint High Class of 1975 students, back in the day when kids and even teachers brought guns to school for dress-up day.  

Our society has certainly changed since those days. 

The Stuff of Glorious Days

 

It's a breath-taking time of year. 

I find myself stopping in my tracks several times a day,  just to take in the magic moments of these wondrous spring days. 

Every day the grass is a little greener and definitely  taller. 

The morning bird chorus gets louder by the day, making me wonder what "things to do" the birds are up to as the sun rises over the Cabinet Mountains. 

Mud is drying up and standing water is less prevalent. 

At least half a dozen daffodils added splotches of bright yellow around the yard. The best part:  there are dozens more to open. 

Each day I've been able to finish a task to enhance the beauty around the place. 

Yesterday it was painting a section of white board fence and creating carpets of brown and white hair on top of the barnyard mud while grooming Lefty and Lily. 

There's much more hair to come, but they look a bit better each day as their dull winter hair disappears to be replaced by smooth coats with shiny colors. 

It's nothing less than glorious, experiencing these days on the farm when the rain gives us a break so we can fly into action attacking our gazillion spring projects. 

Lovin' it. 

I love this photo of Little Foster. 

Yes, he's got cataracts and his hearing's bad, but his cuteness, his quiet demeanor, resilience and patience  and the fact that he still retains his cool-dude-dog self makes me happy.  

We took both dogs to the vets yesterday.  Foster had a check-up and received two of three needed vaccinations.  

We decided with his age (14) to bring him back to the vets in a month for the third.  Plus, the exam revealed that Foster also has a slight heart murmur. 

It's a new development and the doctor will check again in a month to see if it gets worse. 

It's old dog time, and it's not the most fun aspect with any dog, but we're devoted to giving him the tenderest of loving care. 

As for Bridie, she behaves at the vet hospital, but her nervousness is very apparent.  

All that said, she survived the experience, which ensured that both dogs have the proper vaccinations to cross the border into Canada.   

This old barn (more than 100 years old) creates a pretty sight over at the Meserve Preserve.  

It was especially lovely yesterday with some big black clouds floating in from the east through the blue sky overhead. 

Soon, when all the mud disappears, Lily's spots will turn dark red and stand out against the rest of her pure white hair.  

She is always stunning in May.  Lefty's light brown chestnut color will turn dark, almost like Hershey's chocolate. 

We have a ways to go before they shed their winter coats completely, and rolling in the mud does not enhance their looks. 

Just in case he forgets, Bill has marked the "woodpecker tree" in the woods. 

The birds have been busy lately,  adding more "character" to the tree. 

All in all, it's the little things around the place during springtime that heighten my appreciation for getting to live this lifestyle. 

It costs, it's work and sometimes frustrating or sad, but it's the best, especially with all the uproar in the outside world. 

I love our sanctuary here in Selle along with the day to day unpredictability and natural delights. 

Happy Wednesday. 

It's the only Ponderosa pine on the Lovestead, and it separates itself from other trees by standing out in the hay field. 

The tree offers a magnificent sight when the sun comes up behind it.