TGIF-LITF

We're about to embark on one of the biggest weekends of the year here in Sandpoint, and the weather couldn't be more glorious. It's Friday, and today officially begins the annual Lost in the Fifties celebration (check www.sandpointonline.com for details). For the past several days, the classic cars, trucks and pickups have been warming up for the big weekend of festivities.

I've seen Mark Johnson from down the road driving his spit-shined old truck with a rack. I'm sure he and Janice will probably steer it into town for tonight's parade. I know Terry Iverson has his rig ready to go. So does George Marker (both retired teaching colleagues). I know I'll see my classmates Mike Rosenberger and Caren Hiatt downtown this weekend. More than likely, I'll see the next-door neighbors' corvette come out of the garage and head for town.

Seems to me I've heard that Gary Puckett and the Union Gap are playing for one of the dances at the fairgrounds. "Young girl get out of my mind." I haven't checked my facts, but I think I've heard that a time or two on the radio this week. Well, those young girls are old broads now, in chronological terms only. During this annual weekend, age is forgotten, poodle skirts reappear, and youth is revived. The aches and pains come later but not until the celebration ends.

Today also marks the annual visit to the Colburn farm for my sister Laurie's fifth graders. I always help out with whatever. The kids get to come only if they've been good for the year. One year she did not invite them, but this year I think there will be a bus load. I met some of them the other day when I picked her up at school to go to Spokane. She even let big Sis give the class their spelling test.

When they come to the farm, she takes them on a short tour; then, they go to the arena where she gives them a quick overview of horse basics, like colors, breeds, grooming, safety, types of riding, etc. Of course, during the talk whatever animal she's using for demonstration decides to go to the bathroom in front of the class. She handles that in her stride and as do the kids.

The kids have a picnic lunch. They get a chance to hold a horse and longe it a few circles. Then, they split up in groups and do some team grooming. The Arabians at the Tibbs ranch love this part of the day. All-out massage from at least fifty busy fingers. Shortly before 2, the kids load up on the bus, head back to Farmin-Stidwell, and another visit to the farm has concluded.

Bill and I are going to the Keokee publication party tonight. The new Sandpoint Magazine is out. Billie Jean, the editor, says it's a record edition with 202 pages. I have a pontoon story this time. Keokee puts on a nice party, and it gives everyone a chance to mingle and catch up since the last publication party from six months before.

I told Bill that most folks at the party wouldn't even have spring for food today, cuz they could go have lunch at the new Panhandle State Bank, which is having its grand opening today. Hotdogs and ice cream floats. The bank is huge. It's been controversial because of its hugeness in little ol' Sandpoint since before it was built, but I have a feeling that a lot of the controversy may be forgotten as Sandpoint moves on and folks gobble those hotdogs.

Tomorrow I have a book signing at The Corner Book Store (First and Main) from 1-3. Downtown is the last place I want to be during our first 90-plus day, but once I figure out how to get there through the maze of people and cars, I'm sure the signing will be fun, especially if Jim puts me, my table and my books outside where I can gab with passersby.

We're also busy this weekend taking down our storage shed and figuring out a place to put the boat which got impaled when the framework for the shed fell down on top of it this past winter. If all goes well, construction on the newer, better building will begin next week or the week after at the latest. I'll be glad when that's over.

This is also the weekend that they announce the Festival of Sandpoint lineup for August. A few names I know are Smokey Robinson, the Pure Prairie League, Ziggy Marley (son of Bob), Wynona Judd, with warm-up from Sandpoint's own Bomshel duo. Looks like a great Festival for this summer.

Lots going on. Certainly a contrast from the "sameness" of that long, drawn-out, miserable winter. As I always say, however, when weather like this arrives in this area, we forget the misery and wonder how we could ever complain because the place is so stunningly beautiful.

Happy TGIF-LITF (Lost in the Fifties).