Semi full nest

After two weeks of our third chapter of "Empty Nest," we were expecting a momentary lull this week when Annie's visit would prompt a visit from Willie and Debbie. We knew that a lake outing would be on the docket of events, along with plans for huckleberrying, eating and hiking.

With this in mind, Bill took the Love boat to Bob Aavedal at the Alpine Shop to get it "summerized." As an ignoramus about mechanical things, I guess that's what you'd call it, since he takes it there in the fall to get winterized. I don't know what they do, but when it comes home, I guess it's lakeworthy.

All was ready for boating, and Bill announced he'd be taking Friday off for the family fun. Wednesday afternoon, our best laid plans changed within minutes of our first hearing on the TV news that a wildfire had broken out in Bonners Ferry and was threatening homes. Five minutes later, Bill received a call from the dispatcher in Coeur d'Alene asking him to be in Bonners Ferry by 7 p.m.

He's been working there ever since. We've received one phone message from him while we were gone to town for dinner last night. He figures he may be home Saturday if all goes well. Bill serves on a fire team as logistics coordinator.

That means he doesn't have to get out and actually fight fires but has to help coordinate all the support items that go along with organizing fire crews. So, he works long hours in an office near the site and deals with lots of people and paperwork. He enjoys these experiences, which usually come up later in the summer. In fact, the Bonners Ferry fire, which was started by a train passing through the area, came as a complete surprise.

Our hopes to do something as an entire family had to be put on hold, but maybe when he returns tomorrow, we'll have some time for that boat trip. In the meantime, we'll make the most of our partially complete Love Nest.