As the New Year Unfolds

I don't know what it is, but this young year has already felt very different from the last two. I think it's the weather, which has allowed us a wider variety of topics to ponder, rather than the never-ending thought of going out there every morning to plow, shovel and deal with problems associated with continual snowfall.

I know that Willie and Debbie's move up here has contributed greatly to a brand-new perspective on life. Debbie and I have discussed it often over the past two weeks: it just doesn't seem true. We both have felt like we're living in a dream and the fact that she actually lives here has not quite set in just yet.

That mailbox the other day added some permanence to the idea, but it's still a situation in its infant stages, and we'll eventually grow accustomed to it. For now, it's exciting and somewhat dramatic, as they gradually get settled in their home and as she takes off for Spokane today to begin the next leg of her career with the Girl Scouts of America.

Sometime next week, after her orientation, she will probably open her office door in Sandpoint (old City Hall building) for the first time. I'll let the locals know when she's there so you can go down and meet the new GS representative for this area.

This morning I'm literally working from another cog in the wheel of "new things." I brought my new desktop computer home yesterday and fired it up. Bookmarks for favorite stops are beginning to appear, and I'm working out some glitches with the Outlook mail and drivers needed for my printer and scanner. Overall, though, I love the change, and I especially love the thought that everything in my journalistic/general writing life of the past several years can once again be backed up.

I'm also tying up a few loose ends on writing projects of 2009 and am working on some preliminaries for upcoming stories. One involves a lady who competes in show jumping, and when she's not riding over courses around the world, she's enjoying her family of eight kids, many of whom are adopted. This should be a fun story. For me, this stage of the story is especially fun because I'm in the process of unraveling basic information.

That's often the best part of any story for those of us who thrive on knowing new things about things and people in this world. Our curiosity takes us on endless journeys, and our need to tell others "the facts, just the facts" keeps us disciplined and meticulous as we craft the story. And, when we finish that tale, it's on to the next.

I'm wondering what my favorite story in 2010 will be. I worked on many favorites last year: Cherise, the veterinarian; all those forest industry folks, the four Taylor boys in the Navy and, probably my most favorite, the Mike Gunter story. It's nice to top off the year with a story as inspiring as his.

Lots to look forward to as we mark off the days of 2010. And, lots to celebrate as we get one day closer to spring in this Winter of Welcome Contentment.

Happy Thursday.