Life moves on, and the Hoot Owl rules!

Well, it was a fabulous birthday week----definitely a pleasant way to turn 62. It started with one of the most fun weekends I've experienced in years with Annie in Seattle. It continued on with oodles of fun notes on Facebook and ended definitely good to the last bite of cake at the Hoot Owl last night.

Yes, when Bill asked me if I wanted to go to dinner yesterday morning, I said, "Well, if we do, I'd like to go to the Hoot Owl."

The restaurant, perennially touted on everyone's list of favorites--where you get the most and the best food for your buck--recently extended its schedule to include dinner five nights a week.

I was kinda wishing my birthday would have been on a Friday because one of the highlights of their dinner schedule is prime rib on Fridays and Saturday nights.

Maybe next week, our Friday night out will be a repeat visit to Wendy and Jeff Sater's popular establishment in Ponderay. Not only do I like the Hoot Owl (even have given graduation gift certificates to the place), but I love its owners. Wendy Hanson Sater was one of my English students a few years back.

And, Jeff---well I've known him for years, but the most endearing moment of my friendship with Jeff came more than 30 years ago when he and Bill Chambers drove into our driveway one afternoon. It was my birthday. They got out of the car, sporting big smiles, and brought me two quaintly wrapped presents, i.e., mixture of wrapping paper.

In one box was an old lamp, which didn't work. I could tell that right away without even plugging it in---'twas the most pathetic lamp I'd ever seen.

The other box held another gem----an ugly yellow candle, covered with lint. Seems the candle was one that Bill Chambers' little brother Robby had crafted in fourth grade. And, for some unknown reason, the family did not value his artistry enough to keep it.

Instead, they thought that I needed it. Well, that candle went on to be the centerpiece of many, many fun stories over the next several decades. It was given back to the Chambers and given back to me and given back, etc., always in different form. One time it had even turned brown and round, to resemble a fresh cow plop.

Anyway, back to Jeff. He was Bill's accomplice that day, and on that day, I also learned that he shared my birthday. And, that's why I thought it appropriate to dine at the Hoot Owl last night, along with the fact that we were guaranteed a sumptuous, tasty meal. So, the family gathered there---Bill, Mother, Barbara and Laurie.

Others were gathering for Jeff's birthday celebration, so it was a festive time for all. Our meal was as delicious and filling as advertised. Mother ordered chicken fried steak, which pretty much filled her plate along with the potatoes and gravy----and that was only HALF an order of chicken fried steak. We're figuring they must need a platter to bring out the full order.

Jeff's celebration ended before we had finished, so Wendy brought over cake and ice cream for all of us. That's how Wendy is. This couple is so loved around the community because of their caring generosity and their talents as caterers and restauranteurs.

As Jeff walked out, he said he owed me one because I'd given him one of my books for his birthday. They both reminded me that Jeff's dad is still running his weekly auction at Bonners Ferry and that Jeff could probably pick up a box of stuff pretty cheap---and that it may be just as high quality as that candle and lamp from so long ago.

Well, I'll be ready and not surprised if he comes rolling into the driveway some day with some unique goodies. I'll treasure whatever it happens to be because it will symbolize a fun friendship that continues to go on for years----just as the Hoot Owl is sure to do.

Happy Friday to all, and if you're in town, go try the prime rib at the Hoot Owl (Hwy 200 in Ponderay) this weekend. Warning: if it's anything like that chicken fried steak, plan to ask for a doggie bag.

Also, thanks for the birthday wishes.