Ann, Margaret to Sandpoint

In Seattle, someone's getting those bags together and preparing to head to Sea-Tac for a morning flight to Spokane. In Sacramento, someone else is probably already headed to the airport or maybe waiting for her flight to Spokane. Margaret arrives at 9:20, while Annie arrives at 10 a.m. Yup, we're hosting Annie and Margaret as guests for the Labor Day weekend.

Margaret (known to others as Margo) is Bill's twin sister. It's been five years since her last visit to Sandpoint, so she's liable to notice a change or two. Of course, all readers by now know that Annie is Margaret's niece, since they know she's our daughter.

It could be an interesting drive home for Bill, Annie and Margaret because between the arrival at the airport and the arrival in Sandpoint, Annie's getting her wisdom teeth removed. That means it's likely to be an interesting weekend for all of us. I hope she still has wisdom when this, her first surgery has ended.

I was told yesterday that Carnation Instant breakfast is in order for Annie's diet over the next few days, so I bought a big container---14 servings. I don't know how much Annie's going to enjoy her visit to Sandpoint with no Second Avenue Pizza and no sub sandwiches.

We're hoping that Margaret enjoys her few days here at the new Lovestead. We're going to be keeping her pretty busy with dinner tonight at the Thompson cabin, a trip up to Schweitzer for the fallfest this weekend, and maybe a trip out to McNalls on Saturday morning where Kiwi's having a lesson with a lady from Dayton, WA. Robin says she takes her dogs to the Nationals, so it should be a fun session.

Tomorrow John Fuller comes to put some shoes on Rambo and Casey's front feet. He figures they won't get ridden enough for all four feet to be shod. It will be nice to take them for a spin down our country road where the cars actually slow down when they see animals. And, speaking of horses, Margaret will probably spend a little time at the fair horse show if she's going to see Barbara and Laurie. They'll both be riding and enjoying their last days of freedom before the school year starts on Tuesday.

It's going to be a busy four days ahead because Mike and Mary are here also. Since I've met my deadlines for one set of assignments, I can actually enjoy all the hubbub for a change. No gnawing from within about how I ought to be working on those stories. That's a welcome feeling for sure.

The best aspect of the whole visiting session is that we've had some much-needed rain. All the plants have been washed of their thick dust coating, and the world outside looks mighty clean and pretty on this sunshiny morning. After ten days on fires, Bill came home late last night; soon he'll be heading for the airport to pick up Annie and Margaret. And, with that in mind, I'd better get going and make sure the house and barn are clean to match the beautiful outdoors.

Happy Thursday from the Lovestead.