Saturday Slight

Halfway through November, and that is good. Next to January, I consider November the month I like to see come to an end. And, since it ends on the 30th, we're definitely halfway there.

Now, my niece Maureen probably likes November a lot because this is her birthday month, and if my senior noggin is working correctly this morning, I believe today is a day she enjoys every year. It's her birthday, so I wish her the best and promise not to ask how old.

My friend Mow probably likes November a lot more than I do because she gets to go outside and enjoy the weather rather than being trapped inside her house to avoid blistering heat during the summer months. I'm figuring Palm Springs is a pretty nice place to spend November, and I'm figuring other months that I may love are ranked pretty low on her list of favorites.

Now, if I lived in New Zealand, I'd really be liking November. It was five years ago this month that Annie and I spent several days traveling the North Island and meeting my beloved penpal Robyne who lives in beautiful Taupo (much like Sandpoint). It was a fabulous time to visit, even with the rain.

Speaking of Taupo, if the mayor and/or my friend Helen are reading, I humbly but enthusiastically suggest that one of Sandpoint's plans to enhance its future ought to be adopting a sister city. And, since I thought of the idea, why not Taupo? Seems like we could have a lot of fun showcasing our scenic similarities and embracing fun aspects of each other's cultural make-up.

And, if they think this is a good idea, I'll happily serve on a committee----big stretch for me.

ON THE SUBJECT OF APPLE DUMPINGS: Yes, someone from a city somewhere left a comment on yesterday's posting about shoveling and listening to country songs. This person wanted to know what we do with all that manure after we've removed it from the stalls.

I have written extensively on this subject before but will be happy once again to disclose that each day's deposits get wheeled out of the barn in one of my birthday presents for this year: a lovely big Rubbermaid push cart. I take them to a pile alongside the barn, out of view of the public, push the cart onto the pile, and dump.

This usually amounts to two cartfuls a day for the three boxstalls. It's a combination of cedar shavings from Larry Eby's mill in Bonners Ferry and 100 percent horse manure from Lily, Lefty and Heather.

As it sits in the pile outside, it decomposes, and it gets hot. I know that because now we have a tractor and loader, which I can use to shove it back and pile it up, allowing room for more cart deposits.

While performing that task yesterday, I experienced a momentary fear that the hot, steaming manure mixture could burn the barn down. It didn't.

The piles sit there until we need fertilizer for the gardens or for the fields. My sisters have a fertilizer spreader, and now that we have a tractor and loader, we can use part of our supply to spread over the pastures or the hayfield.

People who hate horses like to call them "hay burners," which, when you see those steaming piles, is partially true. They do, however, contribute some pretty rich green gold for the growing season.

My sisters, with their dozen horses, pile up a lot more of that hot steamin' stuff than I do. So, what they don't spread on their fields is quickly lapped up by folks with sandy soil living north of Sandpoint, who keep their eye out on the ever-growing Tibbs Arabians "pile" as they drive by on HWY95.

Barbara and Laurie keep a "manure fund" in a pint jar. If they fill someone's pickup truck with their tractor and loader, they charge 'em a nominal fee. In most cases, people bring their own equipment and get theirs for free.

Betcha never knew so much commerce and such fertility could come from a horse pooping in a stall, didya? And, City Girl probably wishes she'd never asked, but that's the true story of what happens to horse dumpings. By the way, those dumped intermittently in the fields, get spread around with a harrow in the spring, thus fertilizing all the more.

In other news, we've got a big Saturday of sports today. Boise State University vs. University of Idaho at 2 p.m. and Gonzaga Bulldogs play their first season game today at 4. They're facing a small Montana college, so it could be a blow-out, but at the same time, I'm sure their opponents will come armed to be giant killers. Should be a good game, especially getting to see who's hot and who's not on the Bulldog squad.

Willie was headed for Pocatello when he called me yesterday. He was driving over there to cover an Idaho high school semi-final football game, and since there's not a lot of scenery along the way, he wanted to chat. He and Debbie are pretty excited because they get to go to the Battle in Seattle with Gonzaga and UConn. Plus, they get to sit in some good seats.

They'll be guests of Debbie's friend who arranged for her to be seated almost directly behind Coach Mark Few at the Memphis game in 2007. I'm sure the opportunity is going to be a great moment for Willie, the sportswriter.

Well, I'd better get out there and start my gardening. See, when you're shoveling that stuff, you can figure that you're doing your gardening year around.

Happy Saturday, and thanks for the comments on the country songs. And, for the fellow apple shoveler of Quarter Horse poop who listened to her tunes and then paid just $2.08 for gas, yesterday I saw it posted at $1.99 at the Ponderay Shell Station yesterday. Yes, Ann Murray, there IS a little good news today.