Saturday Slightly Snowy

I'm looking out the window at Lily. She, with her red spots and her reddish brown blanket, contrasts sharply with the white sea surrounding her---white fence, white fields with a backdrop of white-dusted trees and bluish white mountain in the distance.

We've got snow. Two inches of it this morning, but that's it for several days, and I will not complain. The rest of the week is forecast to be dry and even sunny at times. Can't knock that.

Last night marked a first for the 2009-2010 snow season. Internet didn't work when we arrived home from our Friday night outing to Mick Duffs. So, that meant boots back on, a trip to the garage to get the mop followed by a climb up the outside ladder to mop off the satellite dish.

The routine is changing, and Bill can expect more noise pollution within the walls of this house when weather plays havoc with the Internet. This morning he told Willie that "it's easy to tell when there's snow or rain on the dish."

I agreed. Bill doesn't climb the ladder or clean off the dish in the midst of snowy weather either, so he doesn't complain about the choice words flying through the air.

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This morning I've gotta tell you about a new link on my list. My friend Nancy Wright has started a blog for the Bonner County 4-H program, which she coordinates. You can find it at http://www.4hclovercountry.blogspot.com/, or by simply clicking on the Bonner County 4-H link at the top of my list.

Nancy, who hails from Vermont, has worked with the program here for a number of years. She has decided to use the blog format to get the word out on local 4-H activities and general 4-H opportunities. The blog is in its infancy, but I predict that it will develop into a very nice tool for Nancy and for anyone who loves the 4-H program.

I can thank 4-H for a major portion of my life successes. Next to my own family, the program offered me the basic tools to approach virtually any project associated with my professional life.
Meeting deadlines, doing the job right, using communications skills, organization---you name it.

My 4-H experiences involving cooking, sewing, arts and crafts, horses, cows, and junior leadership were catastrophic, hilarious and meaningful. From each experience---negative or positive, I learned something to take with me through my life's journey.

So, I encourage readers to check out Nancy's blog and contribute whenever you have something to offer. I'm sure Nancy would love to hear ideas from around the country on projects, activities or just plain ol' stories associated with the 4-H experience.

Good Luck, Nancy, with your blog.

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I see that my friend Helen has found a valuable new vocation as she officially approaches "Life after City Council." This morning's Daily Bee sports section featured a wishful prognostication of sorts from Helen regarding today's Vandal-Bronco football game.

She says even if the Idaho Vandals win 3-2 over the Boise State Broncos, it will be just fine with her.

She predicts, however, it will be a high-scoring game. Helen knows her numbers, so I'm guessing the second part of her outlook could be pretty true. I do think, however, the first scenario would make national headlines if we had a game where a field goal beat a safety.

Let's just see how close Helen is to getting it right. If she is, maybe the Daily Bee will hire her as its new sports ombudsman----or would that be an ombudswoman. I think ombudder would be the most political correct.

So, Ombudder Helen, good luck with your predictions. And, as I said yesterday, Idaho wins no matter what. Either team's victory will make the state proud.

I'm wearing my Boise State sweatshirt, by the way, with a red polo shirt underneath so I can quickly change into my Gonzaga Bulldogs jacket for the big ZAGS season opener at 5 p.m.