While they are sleeping . . . .

We've got a houseful this morning, so I'm going to post early while they're still sleeping. Besides, after two days of much-needed rain, a glorious spring day lies ahead. Annie and her two friends Rachel and Miriam drove over from Seattle last night, arriving here about 11:15 p.m. They plan to pack as much in to a lovely day in Sandpoint as they can, and what a day they have chosen.

This is Rachel's second trip to Sandpoint, and this is the second time Annie and Rachel will have run in Spokane's giant Bloomsday race. For Miriam, who hails originally from Mexico City and most recently from the Minneapolis area, the visit will mean a lot of firsts. First time in Idaho, first time in Sandpoint and first Bloomsday.

I met Miriam for the first time when I went to Seattle a few weeks ago and walked/ran in the St. Paddy's Day event on a rainy windy day. We were all pretty sopped at the end, but we enjoyed a great breakfast in Fremont after the event.

All three young ladies have worked at the Marriott on Lake Union. Rachel attends the University of Washington, and Miriam tells me she studied dance in college. She has just taken a job as a receptionist in a Seattle law firm, while Annie, as readers know, works with the geocaching folks in downtown Seattle.

The agenda today calls for a visit and lunch in downtown Sandpoint, rides on the 4-wheeler, baking ANZAC cookies for Grandma, a horseback ride, and dinner at either Ivanos or Mick Duff's. Kelsi Camp, who's over on a visit from University of Montana, will join the trio for some of the activities.

I'm looking forward to watching and listening as Annie, the consummate tour guide and organizer, drives the busy agenda. I'm sure very few minutes in this day will go to waste, including the time spent this morning loading up the washer with that basket of clothes she brought home.

What parent of young adult kids has not seen those duffle bags or baskets of dirty clothes accompanying their children on all home visits? I think our washer and dryer go into overtime every time one of these visits occurs, but that's okay. Who cares about a few extra dirty clothes when the kids come home? Having them home is always a treat, and in this weekend's case, it's definitely a triple treat with Annie, Rachel and Miriam.

They'll leave early tomorrow morning for the Bloomsday Race and then head back to Seattle. While they're doing that, Willie and Debbie will be flying home to Boise from a week's vacation in Cancun, Mexico. Willie works the 3-midnight shift at his paper on Monday; then he and Debbie will point their car north and drive all night to Sandpoint to be here for the book launch Tuesday night.

I'm so glad I've stayed on top of all the book details and will be able to enjoy both of these visits from my "Precious" daughter, my "Big Man" son and his wonderful wife Debbie. I'll be flying high on maternal energy and enthusiasm these next few days. And, that is good.

Happy Saturday to all.