We have a week of rain ahead, although, happily some days simply say "Showers possible." It's wet enough after one day of snow and another of steady rain. Good ol' November always brings on the challenging part of the year---darkness, snow, too much time spent snoozing in the hibernation mode.

Oh well, my most unfavorite season has started, and, at least, we no longer have to dread the arrival of its yuck months. I know my thoughts are not universal around this area because a lot of folks actually LIKE winter. Not me.

I've been reflecting on this weekend last year when I saw my first snow. That was down in Southern Idaho when my Young Authors' Conference hostess with the mostess, Bonnie Warne, took me to Mesa Falls northeast of Rexburg. The two sets of falls were spectacular, and I didn't mind the new coat of snow cuz I was getting on a plane headed back to North Idaho where snow had not yet arrived.

As an aside, I must say that I've been keeping Bonnie in my thoughts lately. After sending a note to her a couple of weeks ago, I learned from her substitute teacher at South Fremont High School that she had sustained critical injuries and that her elderly friend died when the two women were hit by a car as they walked through a crosswalk in St. Anthony. Her substitute said Bonnie is recovering at a local care center.

I wish her a full recovery.

It was this weekend last year that I returned to Sandpoint where three Border Collie pups were pooping, peeing and playing around our house. Two of the three headed off to Boise the next day, while another of the litter came to spend two weeks with us while his new owner and my old friend Jean made arrangements to come up to North Idaho to pick up her new pup, Webster.

Jean's arrival marked the beginning of the longest, most destructive winter most of us can ever remember. I pray that we get a break this year.

The worst part of this reflection is that it seems like just yesterday, but, oh, so much water and snow has gone under the bridge ever since.

We've finally elected a president, and a byway around Sandpoint has begun. Here at the Lovestead, we watched a building collapse and we watched a building rise on the same spot.

My horses went to school and passed with flying colors. My sisters and I have had a great time at horse shows. I've added a new horse, and so have they. My mother had some rough months but has bounced back beautifully. A garden has been planted, and we have reaped the bounty, We have new white fences . . . .

"What a year!"is all I can say. And, those four puppies have delighted their owners by doing their business outside and doing their daily work of bringing smiles and joy to their respective families.

As I look ahead to today, I see a full slate---leaves to rake, barns to clean, apples to peel, and a few football games to watch. We're pulling for Boise State to keep its undefeated record; we're sorry to hear that Sandpoint got knocked out of state contention for football last night. Looks like they put up a valient struggle in the mud.

Better get going to begin the day's projects. Happy Saturday.