Saturday stuff

Yesterday turned out to be a surprise for a couple of reasons. First, we figured we'd be spending the day out of the lake. Since the boat operator was still gone on a fire, that plan did not materialize. As the day wore on, we realized another factor would stand in our way---the weather.

Somehow I missed it, but I guess we were supposed to have a rainy day mixed in with all the sunny stuff. The plus side was that I didn't need to do any watering yesterday. I did manage, through the showers, to get a junky-looking area cleaned up near the porch and create a new flower bed.

Right now, it looks exactly like a new flower bed--fairly blah. Not what you'd call pretty, but as the petunias, impatiens and geraniums get accustomed to their new home, it should look a lot better than the mess that lived in that spot for a number of years.

While Willie worked, Debbie and Annie watched movies and spent several hours in town. Annie purchased the remainder of Debbie's fourth china setting at Kincaid's, which is going out of business next week and offering 50 percent off on all remaining inventory. So, it was a good opportunity to complete the set, which Mother started by purchasing a plate earlier this year.

Annie also baked her ANZAC cookies with the recipe she picked up in New Zealand two years ago. And, speaking of New Zealand, I learned last night that my penpal Robyne and her husband Steve plan to come to North Idaho next summer.

It will be fun showing them around. Robyne says she wants to pick her own huckleberries, so we'll be sure to put that on the schedule. I'm also going to ask one of my sailing friends to take Steve (Taupo's best sailor) out for a spin on Lake Pend Oreille.

Annie, Annie Dog, and I hiked the lower portion of the Mickinnick Trail last night. The darn path never gets any easier. I'm not really a fan of uphill, downhill, but I know it's good for me---I think! The phenomenal views of our farm, of Sandpoint and the north end of the lake do make up for some of the grunt work of making those legs continue up the hillside.

When we returned, Bill called to tell us he wouldn't be home until Sunday night. So, that means he's gonna miss Annie's visit completely. We're thinking of going up that way later this afternoon and visiting with him at the office where he's working. He says we just have to let us know when so he can schedule a few minutes of free time.

Another busy day ahead. It's been a blast having the kids home.