Farmin Friday, etc.

It's a big day for a class of fifth graders at Farmin-Stidwell Elementary. The kids have been good this year. I know that because my sister Laurie has been working all week to prepare for the class visit to the Colburn Arabian farm.

Along with some parent chaperones (this time both former students of mine) and armed with sack lunches, they'll board the bus at 9 a.m. and head for the farm.

Once off the bus, Miss Tibbs always issues a few general behavior rules for their visit around the farm and the animals.They tour the barn once the Tucker dairy, now converted into a stable.

Of course, they go to the hay mow---sometimes have their picture taken---and always hear the now legendary story about how Marianne fell through the trap door, where only hay bales are supposed to fall, completely startling one of the horses in the tie stall below.

Then, they move on to the indoor arena where Laurie tells them a few horse basics, including the raw subject that, yes, horses do go to the bathroom whenever and wherever needed. Usually the chuckles are pretty minimum when nature calls during her talk.

Lots of questions get answered, and lots of hands are willing and ready at any time to pet any nose that comes their way.The kids eat a picnic lunch, then get some practice lungeing the horses.

The day is topped off with about an hour's worth of grooming. Horses are in horse heaven during this time as about five sets of hands comb, brush, pet each Arabian from stem to stern.

It's a great day for the kids and the horses and definitely always something remembered forever from Miss Tibbs' class at Farmin.

Part of my day will be spent there, the evening will be at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch where Bill will talk to some guests about the Humbird Lumber Co. influence in the area and, more directly, on the ranch itself.

After the evening program, we'll come home to Willie and Annie. She's flying in from Seattle tonight. Looks like Debbie won't be able to make it from Boise because of a work commitment. We'll probably yak and nibble on whatever Annie brings us from Trader Joe's.

It's gonna be a fun Friday, and I'd better get out to do my watering finished before heading to meet the Farmin crowd.

Have a great weekend.