Long day ahead

Well, Laurie has her first of three dressage tests just after 7 a.m. tomorrow, so we'll be up and at 'em early and home to Sandpoint late. Her last ride is after 3 p.m. If we wait for results, we may not be out of here until at least 5.

So, this one more dispatch from Auburn will be a short one. I have a feeling we'll be rolling into Sandpoint after midnight for sure.

Hopefully, Monday we'll be back on some sort of routine, even though we'll be dragging.

So, that's all for now. Happy Sunday all.

Off to dreamland.

Saturday Slight from Auburn

Seems like a long time since I've had any time to write much on the blog, and that's gonna continue until Monday when I'm back home at my own computer. So far, on this Saturday morning nobody has come with that longing look to use the Travelodge computer, so I have a few minutes here.

It's easy to get out of the loop when you're doing these horse things, although I'll say the dressage show has been a lot more relaxing than horse shows are. Laurie has tests at designated times; then we're free to do what we want.

Yesterday was filled with a few "what we wanted to do's." They included watching some other dressage events, going for a bike ride in the beautiful countryside around the equestrian center and braving the highways to meet Annie at the South Center Mall near Kent.

Then, Annie took the wheel, took us for a quick spin around Seattle, found us a parking spot and then led the way to Safeco Field where the Mariners were playing the Detroit Tigers. Bad game for the Mariners. In fact, I think the Tigers scored almost all of their seven runs in the first inning.

Silva, the Mariners' pitcher went down before completing an inning. The bright news for the Mariners was Beltrie who belted two homeruns. We enjoyed the barbecue and walking around the facility to the bullpen and to places where the more fortunated fans can sit. We were three levels up behind home plate, which wasn't bad.

We made a mistake when we got up for dinner after the first inning. Left those peanuts sold to us by the elderly Chinese peanut vender. Annie loves to walk by and listen to him yell out PEEENUTS to anyone who'll listen outside the stadium. We bought a bag and did some picture taking, so I'll have him and the dog with sunglasses and cigarette on my Monday photo spread.

Today Laurie will work a lot with Rusty to familiarize him with both dressage rings. He didn't have a chance to go into one of the assigned arenas yesterday, and it showed. He was a bit fidgety throughout his test, which doesn't bode well for dressage. She has three tests tomorrow so it will be a busy day with the packing up to head home.

Eventually, I'll be getting back into my normal groove and I'll know a little bit more about what's going on in the world outside Auburn.

Happy Saturday.

Dispatch from Auburn

I'm limited to the community computer here in Auburn. Once again, I get the distinct message that a wireless setup in my laptop is essential for trips like this.

When we first arrived here this afternoon, two teenage girls were on the computer. We went to our room, and I came downstairs about twenty minutes later to find them still here, as if they'd set up camp. So, I asked the desk clerk if there was a time limit. She told me to just ask them for some time at the computer because they just hang out on it most of the day.

So, I nicely asked. Turned out they were fun, fun young ladies and that they had lived in Sandpoint for seven years. They had gone to school at Northside Elementary, lived up Gold Creek and had also attended Farmin. We started throwing out teachers' names, and it turns out they know most of my teaching friends.

I had a great time visiting with them but a difficult time concentrating on anything I was doing. They said they'll be here at the motel until June 2, and that I need to get here before 8 a.m. if I want to beat them to the punch. Well, they're gone for the evening, it seems. So, I'll do my blog tonight.

Plus, we'll have another early morning tomorrow, arriving at DonIda Equestrian Center to get Rusty ready for his 9:57 class. The equestrian center is drop-dead beautiful, several arenas and gorgeous grounds. Add to that lots of pretty Arabians and excellent riders working their horses in the arenas.

A drill team was practicing in one of the arenas tonight. They were pretty good compared to most of the mounted drill teams I've seen.

Tomorrow Laurie and Rusty have two dressage tests; they're warming up for the Regional competition on Sunday. We'll be getting together with Annie tomorrow night and probably eating at an Irish pub near the water in Seattle. Should be fun.

My brain is empty this time of the evening, so I'll sign off. Happy Friday to all.

Erratic posting

Just a note that for the next four days----Thursday through Sunday---my blog posting will likely be erratic.

I'll post whenever I'm near an Internet connection, so it could be hit and miss.

My sister Laurie and I will be in Auburn, Washington, for the Arabian Regional Sport Horse Show.

Bountiful promise

It looks like a good year for apples at the Lovestead. All tolled, over the 32 years we've owned our own property, I've probably picked about three dozen apples from our trees.

When we bought the place on Great Northern Road in 1977, we had about half a dozen fruit trees. The horses took care of that the following year by eating all the bark and killing the trees.

I planted various young trees over the years without much luck or fruition.

This year, during the winter when the snow was 'steen feet deep, I could actually snowshoe out to the two older trees and prune 'em. The feeling of standing face to face with apple limbs was divine. Now, to see the trees looking so shapely and so loaded down with pastel pink gold is beyond divine.

Adding to that, Chad Moore, the beemeister from Sagle, brought his honey-bee hives for their annual summer stay in Taylor's field across the road on Memorial Day. It didn't take those bees more than a couple of hours to find our trees.

Now, the bees are happily buzzing amongst the millions of blossoms, and I'm busting my buttons with pride and expectation for a bountiful apple crop this fall.

I can taste that lumpy homemade applesauce already, and I'm sure Chad is looking forward to lots of gallons of his rich and gooey honey.

Vote, vote, vote, vote, vote . . . don't forget

It would be easy with this perfect late spring day to get caught up in a bunch of outdoor stuff and zone out one of our most important duties as Americans. Today is Idaho's Primary election, and we have the opportunity to tell people in office if they're doing an okay job or by marking our X in the appropriate boxes we can propel people who want to be in office on to the next step toward getting elected.

As much as we complain about what goes on at bureaucratic levels, we still have the right to effect the direction our government moves. I've often found that going to meetings is ineffective because of situations that seem to be already decided in back rooms.

Exercising our voting right, however, can send a clear message in one fell swoop to elected officials that their performance while serving the public will eventually come back to haunt them or to help them continue on with their job.

Voting has power. Abstaining from voting does nothing to help anyone.

So, on this beautiful day with much to do and numerous places to go, I'll squeeze in a trip to the Northside Baptist Fellowship Church to mark my ballot. Then, I can come home with a clear conscience and a full-fledged license to continue griping. It's the American way, and it doesn't get any better than that anywhere else in the world.

Vote, vote, vote, vote! And, don't forget to vote!

Scene at the show

Back in the ring again. They'd better be saying nice things about me cuz I'm doing my best to behave.

Reviewing my options.

Reviewing the pattern

Warming up for the dressage test

Young 'uns: Lefty and Caleb

Can you believe this get-up? I want outa here.

I'm a champion. Big Deal. Give me some grain.

Sunday stuff

It was a sleep-in morning. We don't leave for the fairgrounds until around 7. I actually slept in---until 5:45. Days at the horse shows are good for insomniacs. I slept well last night and enjoyed every drop of it.

Yesterday was a good day at the show. Yesterday put it all together for my new chapter of horse ownership. It's an ongoing story and will continue to be, but for one year and one day after the loss of my great horse Rambo, we enjoyed a lovely moment at the show.

Lefty came out of the ring with a sash of yellow, white and purple flowers. He was named champion purebred Arabian gelding. First, I must be point-blank honest and point out that he had just one other horse for his competition---a two-year-old from the Tri-Cities.

It was not the luck of lack of numbers though. Lefty looks good, and I can say that after a lifetime of being critical about horse conformation. He looks really good, and the judge thought so too. He received a higher point total than the show's champion Arabian stallion.

Not a good thing for a stallion which is going to pass on his genes, but a great thing for a gelding who's just gonna be a much-loved nice horse for riding and showing. Lefty scored high in all categories---legs, Arabian type, head and neck, back line, etc. We're proud of the little guy, and we know he has a nice future. I know Rambo would be proud too.

I have no means of putting up my pictures, but I'll sure post a few tomorrow.

Today Laurie will ride again at the dressage show up on the hill southwest of Spokane. It's a big show; the grounds up there are crawling with horses and their owners. Many elegant sights with riders dressed up in top hats and tails or breeches and caps. Rusty did well yesterday, but the judge was sparing with her points. Laurie was thrilled because the judge noted that her hands looked "tactful . . .don't change that."

I walked Lily around the equestrian center yesterday. I knew she was tall, but she seems taller than ever after a few weeks of being away. She was happy to have me brush her in her box stall, didn't even try to nibble at me.

We attended the dog show yesterday in between classes. It's a sizable show with 2,700 pooches and their handlers, groomers, owners, etc. The two Yvonne's next door to our barn stalls (a mother-daughter team from Vancouver) have a couple of Boxers. Turns out one is a Canadian champion, so they were watching the Boxer competition as we strolled through.

I love dog shows, and I wish I had more time to take it all in. I've never seen so many golden retrievers or Boxers or shelties. I met a young Border Collie pup who had beaten all the boys in her class. She resides in Seattle with her adoring owner.

Lots going on here in Spokane, and a busy day ahead. Then, we'll take Lefty back to the equestrian center, pack up and head home. Barbara and Laurie know they've got a field of lawn hay to mow upon their arrival, and I'll get back to the business of gardening and lawn work. All the while I'll be revisiting those moments when Lefty pranced through the fairgrounds with his beautiful sash.

It's been a good horse show, for sure.

Saturday, oh, so slight

We're on the move early this morning. Barbara has a trail class along with the halter classes this morning. So, I don't have much time to write.

Last night, we let the little guys loose in a large outdoor arena where rodeos are held. That's when I should have had the camera. They raced from one end to the other several times---letting each other win. It was beautiful.

I'll be taking photos, though, and will maybe post some new ones later, much later in the day.

My wish for all is that this Memorial Day weekend brings much fun and good memories. Stay safe.

Later . . . .

Horse Show Highlights

Lefty gets tips from his boot camp teacher, Monty.

I'll be going back to the horse show this afternoon after coming home late yesterday. We had a good start to the show. These events are actually two identical shows back to back.

Today my sister Laurie takes her Rusty for a dressage competition to the Spokane Sport Horse Arena, near the equestrian center where Lily and Lefty are staying. Dressage is an individual event, and her run-through occurs at a specific time. So, it's easy to plan. The only unknown she faces is getting Rusty in the trailer when he has to go somewhere by himself.

Tomorrow, the exact schedule we followed yesterday will occur----just a different judge.

We'll be doing this horse show stuff until Sunday afternoon, and the primping and polish will continue. If you're in Spokane, stop by the Spokane Fair and Expo Center formerly known as the Interstate Fairgrounds. We'll be there, except for the dressage stuff on Sunday.

Shave and a haircut; no bits

Lefty's pedicure

I'm a buckskin. Dusty's my name.

Sisters and buddies

Laurie and Lefty prepare for upcoming halter class.

Two firsts and a second so far at halter. Dusty, my sister Barbara, Lefty and my sister Laurie. The little guys got to see each other at the horse show in Spokane for the first time since September. They were born on at Ravenwood Arabians in Ronan, Montana. Their former owner, Jane Bohn, would be proud of both of them.

No wireless, quick blog

Super 8 here in Spokane has wireless. I don't. So, I'm doing a quick Internet run here in the business room. Plus, I don't have a lot of time. We've got to get to the fairgrounds to get the young guys ready for their early morning classes.

All is well. I love watching Laurie's Rusty rear in his stall so he can see Dusty next door. It's a usual occurrence, I guess. Laurie says when his buddies aren't around, he's a perfect gentleman.

Will post later when I get home. For now, it's on to the show.

Things to do, places to go

This will be quick. I've been given a list of "things to do" to go along with my "things to do" so that we three sisters, two dogs and three horses can head on out of here by 4 p.m. for the annual Arabian horse shows at Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds. Bill's been given his list of "things to do," as has my friend Mitzi. Barbara and Laurie have given Natalie her list of "things to do" at the Colburn farm.

Lots of planning goes into being gone. It's somewhat like getting ready for the substitute at school. By the time you compile all the lists of "things to do" for the sub, you're so tired, you figure you might as well go to school cuz ya know you haven't thought of every nuance that's gonna come up during the day when you're gone.

After Mitzi came the other day to compile her list, I remembered a bunch of stuff I needed to tell her. For example, if I don't tell Mitzi, she'll be mighty surprised when Kiwi attacks the water hose all the time she's trying to use it. I've had Kiwi attacking and herding the water hose so long that I don't even notice. But I'm sure Mitzi will.

I also forgot to tell her the cue for getting the dogs to go back into their garage. "Let's go beddy by," I yell. That's the automatic button for Annie to finally climb out of the UPS truck whenever the driver drops something by our house. Annie thinks she'd like to be a Big Brown mascot, but the UPS driver doesn't agree.

"Let's go beddy by, Annie," and out she jumps, arthritis and all, pointing her nose toward the garage door. Maybe I'll be lucky and Mitzy will read the blog today, but I'd better call her cuz the other day the dogs didn't mind at the museum. I asked Ann, the curator, to watch Kiwi and Kea while I went to the restroom.

When I came back, Ann told me they were just like kids. They waited until I was out of sight and then started running up the stairs and everywhere but the lobby where they were told to stay. Ann tried to persuade them to do as she wished. The did not listen. Gosh, that reminds me of the school substitute situation again.

Anyway, I'm hoping Kiwi and Annie will listen to Mitzi and will not scare her to death when that water hose gets going. As far as the ladies in the corral, I almost forget they're here. Easy keepers all the way around. So, Bill doesn't have 35 different instructions of what to do if this happens. Just see that they're alive, that they have all four legs, know that Rosie does lie down a lot, and throw 'em a flake of hay morning and night.

You'd think I was gonna be gone a week. Just overnight, but when I do all that stuff associated with animals and growing plants, the routine must go on in my absence. I'm sure that in this case my substitutes will do just fine. Besides, we'll all have cell phones.

When we get to Spokane, we'll drop off the three horses from the Tibbs farm and then drive over to the equestrian center to pick up Lefty. He'll show tomorrow morning, Saturday and Sunday. Monty's gonna have him all spit-shined and clipped for us. I asked if I could do it, but he said, "No, I have my system; besides, all the owners always use up all the warm water." So, I told him I'd do what I was told and stay out of his way.

Once Lefty gets to the fairgrounds, he'll have the bunch of us doting all over him, his pal Dusty, Laurie's horse Rusty and Barbara's mare April. And, the dogs will watch.

Big day ahead. Many things to do, so I'd better get at 'em. If you're in the Spokane area, stop by the show and say hello to the horses and their people-----------and dogs.

Tuesday Twitter and Tumble

This is one of those days when I sit down to the computer and haven't the foggiest idea of what to write. I considered taking a break, but my long-honed self discipline would not allow that. It would be like eating that extra hamburger or sleeping another hour. I would succumb to my basest desires and be ruined for life.

Once you give in, quit, gorge, etc., it will become a habit, and we CAN'T allow that. I have such fears. After quitting smoking 38 years ago, I had real-life dreams for years that I started again. Thank God, I would wake up. After losing more than 40 pounds after retirement, I'm totally phobic about the thought of putting on any of those lost pounds, cuz one small glob of fat will surely lead to one giant lady.

With that kind of attitude, I must add that after writing on this blog for nearly four years, I cannot relent to the temptation of just taking the day off. That relaxation of the rules could surely signal the end of the blog and the end of an integral part of each morning.

What would I do during this time when that big mug of mocha latte sits next to me begging to be sipped down, with every swallow fully appreciated and every dead cell in my brain waiting to come alive, thanks to the daily caffeine overload?

That could be a real problem, so here I sit with the Tuesday Twitter and Tumble, sipping away, re-igniting the engine for another day, listening to crows caw and birds sing, looking out the window at that the dark green pasture along the lane and, further on, the contrasting bright orange Kubota sitting in the big shed.

What would I write about on this Tuesday Twitter and Tumble? What would anyone care about the fact that I have two cucumbers----count 'em---two cucumbers two and three inches long, respectively sitting out there in the greenhouse. For a long time, they were hiding under the leaves of other plants. Discovered the first one last week and the second this morning. I care about those cucumbers, so I must chronicle their existence, whether anyone else cares or not.

Also, who would care that my asparagus spears suddenly jutted from beneath the soil overnight. I checked the spot Sunday. No asparagus. I walked by yesterday on an errand. Asparagus all over the place, just like all those skeletons in Jason and the Golden Fleece. We could be sampling fresh asparagus for dinner tonight.

I could write about elections. After all, it's Tuesday. There's a school levy election today, and I'll drive down to Northside School today to vote. I don't tell people how to vote in school elections. I figure it's their business, and they can make up their minds the way they see fit. I can tell people that I'm extremely disappointed that we're losing the core of any school---a whole bunch of teachers.

Don't let me get started on the fact that we can teach in a field, we can teach in a bare room full of desks---I've done both. In my mind, the teacher makes the difference, always has.

I could write about the primary elections today, but I won't give my opinion for fear a slough of anonymous donors will chastise my thoughts with "vacuous eloquence," and I can't handle that. Just kidding. By now, everyone knows how I stand on the Presidential election, so I'm not sayin' nuttin'

Speaking of Northside School, I could twitter about one of its students who tripped over my foot at the Keokee party Friday night and banged her forehead really hard on a wooden planter. I felt so awful and still do. She's doing okay, though, and she's been pretty magnanimous toward me---that old goat with the big feet who got in her way. Her mother was pretty nice about it too, even if it did put a damper on the publications party for her.

I sent my little victim some horse greeting cards yesterday and told her I hoped to erase any fear she'd ever have of running into me or my feet again. It's so awful when someone else suffers because of you.

Anyway, now that she's pretty much on the mend, except for those telltale bruises, I'm looking forward to following her life and seeing what she can do to find a satisfying future. She's a cute little gal, and knowing her parents, I figure she's pretty smart too. Thanks, Mason for your understanding. I'll try to keep my klutzy feet far away from you in the future.

I must twitter about Annie's blog (www.nnlove.blogspot.com). She's got some photos of her recent snow camping experience, which is part of her training for climbing Mount Rainier, and her most recent are some fun photos at Seattle's baseball stadium.

Speaking of Annie, I must twitter to Kelsi, her Bloomsday buddy, and say thank you for the photos. They were fun. Looks like you all had a great time at the run. And, it was great to see you the other day at the book signing.

Well, that's enough twitter. I've got a column to write and a whole lot of yard work to do. My cup of caffeine is still half full, but my brain tank seems to be revved up and ready to go.

Have a great Tuesday and enjoy your own twitters but no tumbles on this lovely May day.

Visitors

Happiness at the horse corral

Kiwi and Kea couldn't be happier. Their vacation has ended, and they're back on a full work schedule this morning. We have equine visitors to take up the void of Lily and Lefty's absence.

The dogs are fully rested and ready for some full-time vigilance as Reyvan, Rosie and Coquie occupy the horse corral.

The lady horses kept the lady dogs busy yesterday because, after gobbling down their fill of fresh green grass, they realized they were in a different place. They saw the cows across the road, and that was a new experience. So, they spent a lot of time walking the fence and staring at all the new sights.

That meant a lot of patrolling the fenceline for Kiwi and Kea. They were in dog heaven.

Later in the day, I even had a chance to ride Coquie through the fields and the woods. It wasn't the most relaxing of rides because Coquie was totally out of her element. She'd already suffered enough emotional trauma with the move and all. And, then for me to take her away from her friends to even more strange territory.

We pranced a lot. She even tried a little crow hop with me, so we rode in a lot of circles. Then, the mosquitoes took over down in the far woods. I was batting them out of my eyes, holding on to double reins and Coquie was trying to shake them off her head and neck. We were both pretty miserable as we rode on through their endless attacks on our bodies.

After putting Coquie up and coming out of the barn, I heard dogs bark and saw horses staring. Turns out there was a small neighborhood gathering down the road from the front yard. That included adults, kids and dogs. It also included the newest transplants to the neighborhood who make Bill and me seem like old timers in Selle.

Leslie and Kevin live across from Taylors. They moved in last fall, came from Phoenix. Meanwhile, our neighbor Jim Vanicek sold his place and his yaks over the winter to Wes and Alyssa from MINNNNesOta. Wes works for Quest Aircraft, and Alyssa takes care of their "all-boy" little boys, Caleb and Nathan.

I walked over and invited them to walk the Lovestead. Bill met up with us, and the whole contingent, including dogs, Roxie and Duke, marched down the lane, gabbing and playing, respectively. I had put our dogs in the kennel, but Kiwi (Border Collies are smart, ya know) figured her way out of the kennel. Later, we saw her method. She found a weak spot at the bottom of the chain link, turned sideways and shimmied out. That will be fixed today.

Well, the group gathered around the Lodgepole Log, and everybody signed. So, we have a lot of new names in the society.

On the way back, little boys sat on tractors, and Roxie competed with Kiwi for the Folgers can. The mosquitoes also dined happily.

So, we have had some wonderful experiences with visitors of the human, equine and canine kind.

Visitors come into our lives and leave impressions. Some stay for a long time, while others are momentary blips on our personal time charts. Many leave us with a memory or two and go on their way.

This morning I feel compelled to talk about a visitor who came into our family's lives, ever so briefly. His name was Shane Beebe, and he shoveled my mother's and sisters' roofs.

Shane spent two days at the Colburn place. We all enjoyed him. In my brief visits with him, I learned that he loved photography, that he specialized in decorative concrete, and that he helped contractors out with pole barns.

He told me he had researched the Internet before moving to Sandpoint from Colorado and before that Michigan. The Sandpoint area had everything that meant a lot to Shane, including natural beauty and recreational opportunity.

When we met him, Shane was shoveling roofs during the winter months to make money for his family. I knew that he had at least one daughter. Last October, he also posted a couple of his photos on the "Sandpoint in Pictures" feature of (www.sandpointonline.com). They featured some bull moose who hung around his place.

This morning, I was very saddened to read that Shane died early yesterday morning when his Dodge truck rolled over several times south of town on HWY 95. He was thrown from the vehicle; he was not wearing a seatbelt, and he died at the scene.

His brief visit into our lives left a positve impact. We send our love and prayers to his family and would want them to know that we truly enjoyed knowing Shane, even if ever so briefly. He was a good man.

Seen around . . .

Barn scene

It was the "day at the horse farm" for my sister's fifth graders. After touring the Tibbs Arabian barn, once a dairy barn, students learned about horses, including colors, behavior, grooming and even long line work.

A good time was had by all, including the horses.

Horse talk

Rosie in bliss

Apples Aplenty

Miss Tibbs

Bus driver Dave takes a break.

Happy feet

Time for the group photo

Meserve's barn

Stan and Geneva came over with their 4-wheeler and trailer yesterday morning. They brought us some raspberry starts.

The raspberry bushes, given to me by my old friend Bob Nesbitt, did not survive their transplant from Sandpoint to Selle. So, the Meserves are helping us get started in the berry business again.

Nasty-Urshums

Almost a reminder

Bill spent yesterday, methodically disassembling the storage shed. Soon this spot will be empty, waiting for a new structure.

My friend Bootsie says we have the Black Forest. Wonder where he got that idea.

Swallow house

Jim, the owner of the Corner Book Store, gave me a bird lesson yesterday, along with a gentle reminder that I had left a misspelling in my posting. "They've should have been they're," and "Taylor's" should have had the apostrophe.

Not long after I returned from the book signing, I fixed one error. Today I'm fixing another more grevious, eggregious---whatever the learned folks of invacuous eloquence would like to call the error.

Just cuz they have blue coats and look like nuns, they aren't bluebirds. They're swallows. Jim was really gentle with that moment of slightdetour editing. He simply said he'd never seen a bluebird yet during his 11 years in Idaho. Then, he handed me the bird book and showed me a photo of the birds I'd described yesterday.

I knew better, but it's a lifelong habit to call those swallows bluebirds. I think it's cuz they take over the houses that all humans would like to provide for the bluebirds. So, we misname them in our wishful thinking.

To see the state bird of Idaho in all its glory, go to Farragut State Park and take a walk around some of the open fields. You'll see the true blue bird.

Thanks, Jim, for the education and for the fun signing. Loved seeing everyone who came to visit or to buy a book.

By the way, the swallows have moved in.

Affordable housing in Selle

I survived an aerial assault this morning. The barrage of dive bombers issued me some stern warnings after my walk through the woods. I was headed across the lawn to admire the pastel yellow hyacinths along the roadside lawn near our sign post.

Suddenly out of the sky they came, first a soloist, then a trio, circling and darting at me, even directing their efforts toward my outstretched hands. I heard their sounds as they flew off after several near misses. Their overhead missions brought me to a halt---and Kea too. It was obvious from her expression that she didn't know whether to yap at them or simply stand her ground. She eventually chose the latter.

After the first overhead flurry, I walked on and turned around to see what they'd do next. The assault had begun just as I passed by the colorful bird house Bill had given me for Mother's Day. He had purchased it at the previous day's Farmer's Market. I had wasted no time nailing the house to the top of a white painted post not far from the shot put circle.

As I watched, I wondered. Could they possibly be trying to seize that house for future population growth? Yes, these aerial attackers were blue birds, apparently upset with my presence near that house. As I finally reached the cedar tree row along the road, they decided to fly onward and leave me alone.

When I came into the house, I told Bill about my aerial ambush at the bird house. When I surmised that they may have been shopping around for a home of their own, he suggested that it's a nesters' market out here in Selle, adding that we definitely have a glut on affordable housing here----at least for bluebirds.

The Taylors across the road saw to that when they spent a winter in their new shop building bird houses and painting them yellow, red and green. Last summer they nailed them to every available fencepost in their pasture which borders Selle Road and South Center Valley. And, we all know that "if you build it, they will come. This spring they have, dozens of them, but probably not enough to choke off the housing availability.

Bill figures the birds can have their pick this year, and when a pretty house, painted up with flowers all over it suddenly appears at the Lovestead, the birds go shopping. I don't know if they had a realtor along with them to explain all the lovely features of our Lovestead bird house, but I do know they're very interested. It's also obvious they don't want me to horn in on their territory.

So, I'll keep my distance and stay out of their way and, above all, I won't interfere with their desires, should they decide to squat in our bird house rather than one of Taylors. After all, when the choices are there, birds are just as smart as we humans. They know a good deal when they see it, and we'll have a good time watching them should they decide to move in.

Now, if the humans could find affordable housing in the Sandpoint area, we'd all be happy.

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).

TidBITS from the Menagerie

It was reunion day at the Spokane Equestrian Center yesterday. My mom, Laurie and the two doggies came to see me and Lefty here at boot camp.

They wanted to know what I've learned since they dropped us off here ten days ago. Well, I've learned that I have to work hard, do what I'm told, work hard some more, get used to a bunch of contraptions, grab a rest when I can and generally wear myself to a frazzle.

Yesterday was "show-off" day. I did my best, and I think everyone was happy. Monty says I'm weird cuz I'm moody, and sometimes I get in his space, and sometimes I paw really hard to let him know I'm mad. He won't stand for that, though, and I'm kinda getting out of the habit of showing my true feelings.

I did hear him say a lot of nice things about me though. He was talked kinda low when he said the nice stuff cuz he doesn't want me to get a big head.

The first two people to ever sit on me. Laurie sat on me last fall while her sister Barbara held the lead rope. We didn't move.

Yesterday Laurie passed the honors on to Monty. She unsnapped the lead rope, and we began my career as a saddle horse. I don't know if I'm going to like it, but I don't think I have much choice. Besides, I've heard that my mom really wants to take me on some trails to beautiful places, so I guess I'll do what I have to do.

I stood there in "neutral" for a moment or two. Then, I finally figured out that Monty had switched me into first gear---that means "forward." So, then he made me go in second (trot) and third (canter) both ways of the round pen.

I kicked out a few times and crow-hopped just a bit, but he just kept making me go forward. Finally I figured out that it was too much work doing those extras and that I'd get done a lot faster if I'd just do my job.

I think everyone approved.

I finally got to take a breather while Monty and Laurie talked.

They say there's "no rest for the wicked." I didn't know I was THAT bad. Where's my mommy?