Bike ride beauty

Love's lawn

I went for a late-afternoon bike ride yesterday. After passing my newly mowed lawn, I went back to get my camera.

The scenes below are just a few of the breath-taking moments I enjoyed while pedaling down South Center Valley Road and ending up at my mother's on Center Valley Road.

The past few days have offered perfect moments for bike riding, strolling, sitting and just plain exalting in the beauty of fall.

This morning, it's raining. It's quiet. It's warm and pleasant.

A few minutes ago, we watched the resident coyote meander through the pasture without a hint of concern for the horses. The horses didn't seem too concerned about the coyote either. Lefty finally quit eating and plodded over toward their pasture intruder, which finally trotted into the woods.

I'm glad the cats, the coyotes, the dogs, the turkeys, the horses and all the other critters all respect each other's space.

Bill and I enjoyed another wonderful meal at the Blue Heron Cafe at Samuels last night. Seems we see the Shavers (check out their son Jon's phenomenal photography at www.jshaverphotography.com ) there all the time.

Bob and I know each other from way back in grade school days. What I didn't know was that they've moved to Upper Pack River Road and, like us, love their life in the quiet countryside.

We figure we'll see them from now on whenever we go over there to dine. The cuisine is more than satisfying. I could eat a basketful of their homemade hamburger buns.

I'm taking tomatoes to a blurker today and will be attending the memorial service for Jean Eakin Crouse this afternoon. As a close friend of her daughter Janet, I spent many weekend nights at her home during my high school years. She always struck me as a patient lady who quietly attended to life's duties wherever she happened to be. Another of the great examples who served as role models for our crowd. May we be thought of in such terms when we pass on.

Tomorrow one of my stories---with a different focus from what anyone has read about Gov. Sarah Palin---will appear in the Idaho Press Tribune, Nampa's daily newspaper and home office for William Love, assistant sports editor.

Thanks, Willie, for pitching Mom's writing to your editor, Vickie. And, thanks Vickie. I worked hard not to let either of you down, and I worked hard to craft a balanced story that would make parties mentioned within it proud. So, a special thanks to all involved.

On this rainy morning, I think I'll head into town and re-introduce myself to the coffee cult. I miss those gals.

Have a happy Saturday wherever you are.