Saturday Slight

 

Twas a day filled with exceptional beauty, good news, doggie achievements, team victories and many other reasons to smile. 

It's not often that blend of good stuff comes in a one-day package, but yesterday had it all. 

On the tube, there were Olympic happenings in Italy and slivers of reassurance here in the United States, thanks to the Supreme Court. 

Outside, the air was brisk and clear. Views were jaw dropping, pretty much everywhere, pretty much all day long. 

The Sandpoint High School women won their semi-final in tournament action down south.  Today the Bulldogs play for the 5A State Championship. 

Here at home, last night, the Sandpoint High men pulled off an impressive victory over Lakeland in their first district tournament game. 

They'll travel to Lewiston on Tuesday.  A win would net them a ticket to State.  A loss would send them to Grangeville next Saturday to vie against a Southern Idaho team for a second chance to compete in the State Tournament. 

We had so much fun with our doggies.  A while back I purchased a harness and leash for Bridie who has never gotten over pulling and choking herself when leashed to her collar. 

The new equipment was life-altering for our experiences of walking the dogs on leash. We took them to the Sand Creek trail which begins just off from Bridge Street. 

It was evident within minutes that the harness would make all the difference, as Bridie seemed totally relaxed as she moved along the path from beginning to end.  Foster has always been great on a leash pretty much anywhere we take him. 

Bridie and Foster also pretty much dismissed meeting other dogs along the way. 

Yesterday's bare, level surface on the pathway made the walk easy on all of us.  

After all, when the humans' eyes are enjoying dose after dose of sheer winter beauty in the old hometown while the dogs' curious noses are sniffing away at a multitude of alluring canine scents, that ain't bad.

Now that we know for sure that our dogs are "civilized," we may take them for more walks around town---with poop baggies in pockets, of course. 

In short, twas one great day to be alive, hearing good news while enjoying Sandpoint and the world around us. 

Enjoy the photos.  

Happy Saturday. 

These dedicated scorers and tabulators kept things straight, while busily recording points on the board for the hometown team. 

It's Game Day for the ZAGS, now 26-2. 

Tonight they host Pacific in the Kennel. 

Tip-off at 6 p.m. PST 

Watch on KHQ, Channel 6 or ESPN+

Let's GO, ZAGS!!!

🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

The Sandpoint High Bulldog women's basketball squad will tip off against Pocatello today at the Idaho State Championship game at 5 p.m. PST.  

For more information on how to watch the game, visit the following link. 

https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/?utm_medium=ppc&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=bing&utm_source=bing&utm_campaign=National+-+NFHS+Brand&utm_campaign=National+-+NFHS+Brand+-+Bing&utm_term=nfhs+network&utm_term=nfhs+network&ads_cmpid=309084373&ads_adid=1139094257570242&ads_matchtype=e&ads_network=o&ads_creative=&ads_targetid=kwd-71193617714040:loc-190&ttv=2&msclkid=f75b7e5a35c51011771e17c3fae47b76&utm_content=NFHS+Brand

Good luck, Bulldogs!

Stop by Super 1 this Saturday, chat with Angels Over Sandpoint while we facilitate needed assistance and support for our local Food Bank. 

We will be there 10-4 and look forward to seeing you!

Friday Blend

 

I love my outdoor solar lights, especially after a snow. 

With increasing daylight, they are brightening up the evening hours a few minutes more every day. 

It should be a breath-taking experience at Schweitzer today. 

Almost three feet of new and welcome snow. 

https://bonnercountydailybee.com/news/2026/feb/20/welcome-winter-schweitzer-celebrates-as-powder-blankets-resort/

It's a winter wonderland in the valley too.  

We're beginning to wonder when the snow will quit falling. 

Never quite happy when it comes to weather, I guess. 

Everyone was begging for snow, but after having semi-spring for more than a month, we're starting to feel like we don't need a third or fourth helping of snow.  

One or maybe two helpings are enough for those of us down on the flats, thank you.

Even IF it's pretty! 

My friend Chris and I met for lunch yesterday at Sweet Lou's Restaurant. 

After a great visit, discussing aches, pains, woes of the world and life in general, we spent some time looking at her new set of wheels, a pretty white Subaru.  

Nice car, Chris. 

Below:  While we were at Sweet Lou's yesterday, Andy and his crew from Panhandle Special Needs came into the restaurant. 

It was social day, said Andy, who retired a while back as the local Presbyterian minister.

I called Maria this week to tell her about something new I'm launching, Monday, February 23rd. 

A show built around one simple question: Who believed in you ...

---David Begnaud

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSX2c_prSAM&list=PLx8hKqR77SWr6j8XVE-gX_OqzgeSjdGr5

“The Person Who Believed In Me” with David Begnaud asks leaders and changemakers one question: Who believed in you before the world did? 

 David Begnaud is often called “America’s Storyteller.” 

An award-winning journalist known for compassionate, human-first reporting, he highlights everyday people, quiet acts of kindness, and moments that restore hope. 

 "The Person Who Believed In Me" features well-known guests sharing the untold story of the person who believed in them before they were successful. 

The conversations are raw, relatable, and unexpected.

 Different industries. 

Different paths. 

Same question. 

Who believed in you before anyone else did? 

 Do Good Crew is the community behind the show, built around connection and optimism through podcasts, live events, and weekly uplifting stories.

I've always loved the stories CBS news reporter David Begnaud has told. 

 

Yesterday I saw that he is launching this new podcast series called "The Person Who Believed in Me."

If there are stories to be told on this topic, I'm sure they are endless because, happily, for pretty much every person who made something of themselves, someone along the way believed in them.

It's neat that these people will get some recognition, thanks to David Begnaud's efforts and his amazing story telling. 

So, here's a question for readers to contemplate and maybe comment:  who's the person or persons who believed in you?

In my case, Bob Hamilton and Eleanor Delamarter stand out. 

I never became a success as a seamstress, but the patience and optimism Eleanor displayed hour by hour as I sat at her sewing machine in her bedroom trying to learn how to sew. 

I never learned how to sew very well, but became an expert at ripping out mistakes. 

Through it all, Eleanor showed me exemplary and saintly patience.  

We don't have too many people in our lives willing to devote so much time for our benefit, especially if the chances we'll ever succeed at that discipline are pretty dismal. 

It was a different story with Bob Hamilton.  He recognized a desire of a clutzy kid who couldn't do much of anything else well to succeed in journalism. 

His approach was quiet and measured but resounding.  I have never forgotten the day he pulled me outside the journalism classroom and asked me if I would consider serving as editor of the Cedar Post newspaper.   

We were standing outside a closed classroom door, but that moment represented a door that had just opened and a believer who launched me along my life's journey, doing something I truly loved. 

So, this bad seamstress and devoted writer/journalist will never forget these two individuals who, in different ways, showed me that they believed in me. 

In so doing, I began to believe in myself. 

If you listen to podcasts, be sure to check out David Begnaud's new series.

It should be inspiring.  

Coach Madi Schoening's Sandpoint High women's basketball team is moving closer to another possible State Championship. 

The Bulldogs earned big win in their state tournament opener yesterday, defeating the Bishop Kelly Knights of Boise. 

Today they try to get one step closer toward the State Championship in a semi-final matchup with Blackfoot.

Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. MST. 

Good luck, Bulldogs.  Nip those Broncos! 

Later, the Sandpoint High men's team sets off on their road to a possible State berth. 

Coach Will Love's Bulldogs host the Lakeland Hawks at Les Rogers Gym with tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m. PST.

Let's fill the gym tonight with red and white and Bulldog spirit! 

If Sandpoint wins, they'll travel south on Tuesday to play whoever wins tonight between Moscow and Lewiston. 

A win on Tuesday would mean a State berth. 

If not, they would play again next Saturday in Grangeville, tipping off against a Southern Idaho team. 

Big day for the Bulldog men and women!

Let's hope it's a good one. 

Snow Daze; TBT

 

This was my view while driving home from Roxane's yesterday morning. 

I had gone there to meet my farrier Steve where he planned to look over the horses' feet and trim wherever needed. 

Roxane left the horses in their stalls because of heavy snowfall. 

The white stuff continued throughout the day and finally stopped around mid-afternoon, allowing me some time to open up some trails around the house and for the dogs to play outside in clean snow as opposed to the messy mud we've had lately. 

Bill had an afternoon meeting, and I chose shoveling over plowing because I don't want to create another mess to clean up when this snow melts. 

One time is enough when it comes to raking gravel from the lawn on both sides of the driveway. 

If we're lucky, we won't receive enough snow to require plowing. 

We have received enough to cover lower pant legs when walking through the snow. 

And, this morning, it's powder.  I can imagine how thrilled the folks at Schweitzer are this morning.  It should be a great day for skiers and boarders.

It's looking like a lovely day ahead, and, of course, we're feeling upbeat this morning because the ZAGS nailed their 26th win last night in San Francisco. 

What a year it has been for them!  Saturday they'll be hosting Pacific as they wind down their regular season schedule and prepare for March Madness. 

In the meantime, Willie's Bulldogs finished their regular season Tuesday night with a loss to Lewiston.  That win made 18 for the Bengals, who are having a banner year. 

District play and the chance to go to State will begin tomorrow night as the Bulldogs once again host the Lakeland Hawks, while Lewiston plays Moscow. 

If the Bulldogs win tomorrow, they'll meet Lewiston once again on Tuesday.  So, the road to the State men's tournament will be interesting for the next few days. 

Good luck to the Bulldogs as they maneuver this next pathway. 

The SHS women open their State Tournament play today at 7 MST.  As a No. 2 seed, they'll tip off against No. 7 seed Bishop Kelly High School.  

Best of luck to Coach Madi Schoening and her Bulldogs.  

Lots of photos from yesteryear to check out in the TBT today, so I'll wish everyone a happy Thursday. 

Enjoy the winter daze. 

Thursday Throwbacks:  peeps, critters, places, happenings from my photo library. Enjoy!

  

Play Green Day's classic along with the photos.