A very good summer indeed

On this last official day of summer, 2009, I must say it's been a good one. Overall, it's been filled with dozens of great visitors, a bit more leisure than the past three years and gardens aplenty.

We can't gripe about this year's summer weather. Mother Nature allowed plenty of sunshine during the haying season. I doubt there are too many situations in hay barns where bales will turn to mold cuz of being put away wet.

Mother Nature held off for the hay farmers but occasionally turned on some ample water works to keep the pastures growing and green. We could use a few more douses right now to ensure grass through October, but there's still plenty of grazing.

Mother Nature also held off on forest fire threats in this area. Most of the fires we've heard about are somewhere else far, far away. Bill has not been called out to go on a fire at all this year, which is a welcome rarity.

In the garden scene, I can't complain about all the meals I've been able to fix which included 50 percent or more of homegrown food. And, I'll be counting on the garden produce for some time.

I've never before eaten broccoli from my garden. This year we've enjoyed three or four batches with no worms. I've seldom been able to grow a decent-sized sweet pepper. We've enjoyed several this year in salads or meat loaf. And, this year I grew multi-colored varieties, which were a fun change of pace.

We're enjoying acorn squash and casseroles flavored with Walla Walla sweet onions. We've had several apple cobblers. We've cleaned off dozens of sweet corn cobs and have dozens more yet to eat.

Nope, no complaints from the garden. The bounties seem endless, just as the fun company we've hosted this summer. I've enjoyed virtually every minute of every visit here at the Lovestead.

Add to that numerous opportunities for riding, hiking, fishing, geocaching, biking, swimming in Big Blue and story-telling to go along with all of the above, and it's easy to give this summer extremely high marks.

One of the great things about summer in North Idaho is that it's followed by fall in North Idaho. I've never heard anyone complain about fall here. We're still all busy as bees, cleaning up the summer residue and enjoying cooler but often gorgeous days accented by brilliant colors.

So, on this last day of summer, I'm feeling very thankful for a great season and looking forward to several weeks of good times ahead.

Then, comes winter, and that's a different story. For now, though, I'm just not gonna think about it. I'll just appreciate the good times and not waste a moment.

Happy Sunday to all, and may your have great enjoyment on this last day of summer. For my friends in the Southern Hemisphere, I know you have a completely different perspective about this day, but I'm betting it's a good one too as you spring forward toward your summer.

Now it's off to the horse show to ride Miss Lily.