Tuesday Twitterdeedum

It was a full weekend for us, filled with all sorts of fun, including this visit to the newly-opened Wild Horse Mercantile near Eastport.

Owners Ray and Beth Holmes are opening the facility in various stages.

Saturday the convenience/gift/gas section opened.

Within a month, the lounge next door will be up and running.

Ray and Beth owned Mugsy's Tavern and Grill in Bonner's Ferry. Beth says she likes to start up businesses.

It was fun seeing Jeri Meneely Colin (Beth's niece) and Bruce Colin up there for the festivities.

Jeri was a Ponderette back in the late 1970s and has remained a friend ever since.

Also, I enjoyed a special treat, seeing Janice Buhr (????) for the first time since the late '60s.

Her sister Joanne was one of my classmates at Sandpoint High. We enjoyed doing a little catching up.

The place looks like it's going to be a lot of fun, especially with the nice people running it.

Folks in the photo include my hubby Bill, Jeri, Ray and Beth's son, Janice, Ray, Beth, Willie and Debbie.

Willie used to play a busy game of football in Meneely's living room while Jeri's dad Jim watched NFL games and the women worked on drill team outfits.

So, it was fun for Jeri to meet that little guy all grown up.

I'll include a few photos below of weekend activities or scenes.

Overall, Mother Nature treated us really well on this holiday weekend.  For that we are very thankful.

Life is good.  Happy Tuesday. 

Photos include a closeup of work on my manure-pile garden, the top of Copper Falls near the Canadian Border, Willie having Debbie pose in front of the falls for a phone photo, pasture aplenty for the horses (Lily), Justine and Lily, and one my brother calls "family tree" cuz it's his five grandchildren---from bottom up Grace, Justine, Jacob (the triplets), Rory and Tanner.  

Life as it should be

When the sun shines, grass turns green and feet go bare, it's a good life.

And, when you're a senior citizen getting some loving from a young 'un, life is supreme.

Not much more to say about this holiday weekend when we remember those who've gone before us and rejoice in those great moments of our own good lives here on Earth.

Happy Weekend to All, including all old dogs and young'uns.

"Important" Clutter Removal

I have walked past that first shed on our lane several times a day for almost five years.  For almost four years of those five, I've wanted to clean up the clutter.  Too many other "urgent" projects stood in the way.

As an aside:  I'll never forget in education being shown the difference between the "urgent" and the "important" jobs.  Seems like we spent about 90 percent of our time dealing with the urgencies, and when we had time to address the "important" jobs, there was a great sense of satisfaction. 

I'm thinking the shed project last night may fit nicely into the "important" category, especially considering how long it took me to "get a roundtoit."  They taught us about "roundtoits" also.

Anyway, when we first moved here, we put a lot of stuff in the handiest places at the time.  

While living at the old place Bill had constructed a couple of cages for his pheasants. The big one went in an open area just outside the shed.  Instead of housing pheasants, it grew nice weeds. Tall weeds.  Ugly weeds,  when they died. 

So the cage sat there for five years with its annual crop of weeds.  

Several years ago, Bill bought me a small craftsman trailer for my lawnmower. Since our move here and since we used the UTV 4-wheeler for hauling, the trailer sat in between the fence and the pheasant cage for five years, growing whatever junk I'd throw into it, just to get it out of the way. 

The trailer still has some of that junk, and I'll probably load it into the pickup this morning and haul it to the dump---old hose, broken off pieces of garden fence, broken planting pots, strawberry netting, etc. 

The trailer had also sunk into the soft ground and sat there for years with one really flat tire.

Last night I dragged it out, pulled it over to the shop and aired up both tires.  Then, I hooked it to the lawnmower, drove to where the now weedless pheasant cage stood and loaded the cage onto the trailer.

Surprisingly, the little trailer did well on our trip down the lane.  That big cage stayed in place, and I was able to unload it behind the big shed----one of those places where only intruders would see our hidden junk. 

Next, I took a rake and smoothed up the ground, pulling the tall weeds. And, a few trips down the lane with the tractor and loader provided some much needed gravel for a low spot with standing water. 

The area around that shed had served as a throw-all, especially when our old storage shed caved in a few years ago.  So, this morning I took some more of the stuff and put it inside the new storage shed. 

Now, the place looks pretty good with the exception of several paint buckets and a torn-up tarp that will join the trailer items for the trip to the dump.  

Of course, when I pulled the junk out of there, I could see a fence that could certainly use some improvements.  

Still, there's a great feeling of satisfaction every time I walk by that area now.  Instead of an eyesore, it's almost a sight to admire.  Not quite but almost and certainly quite an improvement from what it was for five years.

With that project completed, I'll have to go down to that spot behind the big shed where a little lumber stacking and finding a more level spot for the pheasant cage will greatly improve that hiding spot, should intruders decide to visit from the back way. 

Seems like cleaning up clutter in one spot spurs on a never-ending need to tackle the next mess.  

But just when we think about that mess, a bunch of "urgencies" get in the way and another five years passes.

Saturday Slight

The beauty of pansies always astounds me.  They're kinda like deer.  

Seems they're always around in big numbers this time of the year, but virtually every sighting gives us a fresh and welcome sensory adventure.  

Of course, sometimes as the spring moves into summer, my favorite view of deer is from behind as they're leaving my garden areas. 

Pansies, on the other hand,  hang in there throughout the summer and never bother anyone's garden.  

Those planted from seed here at the Lovestead have just started to form blossoms----as have my lilac bushes.

Normally on Memorial Day weekend, we have a good supply of lilacs for grave decorating----not this year.

In fact, my offerings consist of a few white iris in the far north garden, which is still under water.  Maybe I can tiptoe along the higher edge and pluck a few today or tomorrow.

~~~~

The weekend started well for us last night.  We enjoyed a meal with Willie and Debbie at the Blue Heron Restaurant and then took a drive along Pack River Road and on up Caribou Creek.  

Bill was looking for moose, saying the area was usually thick with them.

Finally, Debbie yelled out, "There's a moose!"

It was a big one too, galloping through the open areas alongside us and actually keeping ahead of us.

Debbie, who hasn't seen nearly as many moose as the locals, was pretty excited.  

We drove to a bridge with some gushing water flowing beneath it and then turned around.  

On our way home, we saw the usual number of deer (always plentiful) and at least half a dozen elk grazing in one of the Wood's fields. 

Again, like the pansies, we never tire of seeing wildlife, especially from a safe distance.

~~~~

Yesterday was a good-news day for those of us wondering how our friend and colleague, Rick Gehring, who suffered a stroke in early February,  is getting along.  

After having a couple of folks asking, I just called Ann.  She was at the Florida facility where Rick is receiving intense therapy.  

His physical therapy has really taken off since he moved to the place a couple of weeks ago.  He can stand with a lot of support, and he's progressed beyond what the doctors originally anticipated by this time.

Ann told me his speech therapy is coming slowly, but she also handed the phone to Rick, and he said, "Hello, Marianne."  

Hearing that was pretty neat, to say the least.  

It's possible that they may be home in the next week or two.  I can tell you also that they are both extremely appreciative of all the support and kind words folks have sent their way.

Ann says those messages from so many people have inspired Rick to work that much harder at getting better.

Keep up the good work, Rick and Ann.  

~~~

My afternoon turned a bit sad yesterday when I went to the barn and found our big, fluffy,  blond cat,  Lonesome Love, lying dead in one of the horse stalls.

There was no sign of injury or hint as to why he died.  He's been with us for at least ten years after we rescued him from a dog who used to kill kittens.  

That same dog is with us, and she hasn't killed a kitten for a long, long time.  In fact, she lives in the barn where Lonesome and Fuzzy Wuzzy have resided for the past month or so.  

I buried our old feline friend out north of the barn and have since thought a lot about what a sweet guy he was over the years.  

Such is life on the farm where we never know when we'll have to face the death of our critter friends.  RIP Lonesome.  

~~~~

This morning Willie and Debbie are down by Wal-Mart with other volunteers, picking up trash along the roadsides.  It's a project for the Girl Scouts, who will receive a nice donation from the store. 

Tomorrow, the Love bunch will head north toward Moyie and just enjoy the day.  We haven't had a chance to do that for a long time, with everyone's busy schedules so I'm looking forward to that. 

In the meantime, we'll hang out here and get some stuff done.  I think I can finally plant a few more tomatoes and maybe even try a cucumber plant or two.  The peppers may just go in bigger containers and stay in the greenhouse.

Overall, though, the garden is pretty much in the ground and starting to thrive. Plus, more pretty pansies are coming on.

~~~~

That's all for now.  Have a happy Saturday.

Lupine and Love Doves

Lupines have come ablaze on the back road. 

Doyle Reader may own this stump these days.  When it was a tree, the Moore family owned it.  

It's on what we called the "back road" for years, but nowadays, and for a long time, in fact, they call it Woodland Drive.

I stopped on Woodland Drive long enough yesterday to snap this photo.

Forgot how busy the once quiet road has become. By the time I pointed and shot, I heard cars.  Two had already come around the corner, almost blocking my shot.

When I waved, neither driver waved back.  Those moments always sadden me---when I see tangibly that was once an old dirt road has progressed into a busy paved highway, of sorts.

Still, the lupine don't care.  They come up every year and put on a great show. 

Next week, my ever-expanding lupine patch in Love Canal, should come on fire with purples, blues, pinks, wine-red, yellow, etc.  Can't wait.

'Til then, this patch satisfied my love of the volunteer roadside flower.  

It was a rainy, rainy day, as mentioned yesterday.  Relentless rain, might be the best way to describe it.  

By afternoon, all progress on mudholes was covered with water.  But, by late afternoon, the rain stopped, and the clouds disappeared from in front of the mountain.  

A new coating of snow and news that another ski hill near Kellogg will be open for Memorial Day weekend.  

Thank God, we didn't get it down here on the flats, where we need to find graves for placing flowers. 

Yup, the weekend is coming, and everyone has grand plans in spite of the less-than-desirable weather.

I saw yesterday that Annie found three sets of hand warmers in her camping gear, so she'll keep warm wherever she pitches her tent. 

Bill and I are planning a day trip up north toward Good Grief and the Moyie.  My friend Mike Rosenberger told me last week that some friends are opening a convenience store/gift shop up there in the big opening on the highway to Good Grief.  

And, of course, we'll have to stop and see Katherine at the restaurant.

We'll do all that in between visiting with whoever is hanging out in Sandpoint this weekend. 

If they work, I'm including some photos of our Love Doves who come to the bird feeder almost every day.  

I caught them in an intimate moment the other day.  And, maybe a few rainy day shots from yesterday. 

With that, I'll try to post pictures and wish everyone a happy and safe weekend. 

This raindrop and That raindrop Thursday

I remember about this time last year on an evening when some friends were here visiting, one of them commented that we hadn't even gotten to enjoy the longer days. 

The days seemed shorter because it was so dark and gloomy.  Well, here we go again!

It's a wet, dark day out there this morning, and I didn't even see any ducks on my quick trip to turn the horses out to their pasture.

Those same lakes around the place,  which had all but disappeared,  are quickly filling to the brim and then some on this rainy morning. Bill says we have 3/4 of an inch coming today.

It's definitely a day for curling up and maybe even going back to bed to sleep it off.

~~~~

This is also my hairdresser Kelly's last day of work ever.  She's retiring.  They're having a party for her down at the salon, and they're welcoming her replacement.

Her replacement's name did not mean anything to me when Kelly told me to contact her during my last bi-monthly zap.  Hairdressers call it a weave. 

One day while I was visiting the Bridge for Assisted Living, and Sally McLaughlin walked by. 

I've known her and her brother since the 1980s when they attended Sandpoint High School.  Most everyone in town used to know her mother Pat well.  She was the enthusiastic dynamo who managed the Bonner Mall.

Anyway, Sally told me that she was the new hairdresser at The Bridge.  That's when I learned she is also Kelly's replacement at Hair Tenders.

Talk about a relief! 

There's something to be said about knowing the person working on one of your most defining aspects.  And, I was thrilled to learn that Sally would be the next in a line of fine folks who have given my hair a more "youthful" look over the past several years. 

A rainy day makes a good one for saying good bye down at the salon and welcoming Sally.  She'll be performing her first zap on my head next week, and Kelly tells me she does a great weave.

~~~

Today is also Italian-bread day down at Miller's Country Store.  I bought a loaf of honey-wheat bread yesterday and made plans to return again today. 

Their Italian bread is so good that I could make a meal on it.  In fact, I've  come close to doing that a time or two.

Probably better get there early cuz the rain will bring crowds to a good bakery.  The Miller's crew also bake their cherry and apricot pies on Thursdays too. 

Yesterday another customer and I discussed those pies and agreed that the cherry pie is especially good because of its big, plentiful, slightly tart cherries---as opposed to a bunch of gelatin filling.

The more I write about their better-than-wonderful goodies, the sooner I think I'd better get down there before the crowds.  Rainy days bring on thoughts of good food, ya know. 

~~~~

I bought a scrapbook yesterday and may get started on it during this rain spell.  Mother had a printed collection of my blog postings from Ireland, so I asked her if I could put them in a scrapbook along with some of the other memorabilia that still sits in a bag.

Seems like these days the digital mode gets in the way of our having something tangible to hold on to, and I keep worrying about down the road a ways whether or not we will still be able to access the tons of stuff we've stored on the Web.

So, the scrapbook project seems well worth the effort---to have something in hand rather than simply on a screen. 

It will be both valuable and fun, putting it together and reflecting on a wonderful lifetime experience.

~~~~

Guess that's enough yakking for now.  Have a wonderful Thursday.  Stay dry.

Miss Malaproperty

Heavy rain.  That's what they're saying for this evening.  Plenty of rain.  That's what they're saying for the next week or so.  

We'll certainly be the Emerald Empire, as someone named it several years ago.  Somehow, that hasn't stuck for many, many years like the Inland Empire did.  You've been around this area if you remember that moniker.

We used to be the Inland Empire.  I think our empire comprised Spokane and a radius of about 100 miles. 

When I was working for the Spokesman-Review after just getting over my young adult fixation with the Spokane Daily Chronicle, someone started calling us the Inland Northwest.

I don't know how big its radius is.  I just knew to use the term whenever I wrote a story.  

That was back in those same days (late '80s) when I received a stern warning to leave that damn apostrophe out of Pend Oreille.  My editor, whom we all called "Newman," was pretty stern about all my journalistic oversights.

That sternness did me a world of good, even though I did not appreciate it at the time. 

My Spokesman-Review feature-writing era may have also been when a lot of apostrophes got dropped from place names, although I do think Bonners Ferry was ahead of the game.  

In my lifetime,  Clark's Fork has become Clark Fork.  It took me several years to get Clark Fork to drop off my tongue, but I eventually learned. 

I was commenting the other day at Sam Wormington's memorial reception that someone in recent years decided that the "Selle Valley" had suggested a lot more "ambiance" that good ol' Selle ever did.  

In fact, it has such a nice ring to it and realtors became so desperate to sell a little piece of that "ambiance" to outsiders hungry for North Idaho land that the Selle Valley seemed to keep growing.  

Back in the day, Selle seemed to be just all those farms in the proximity of Selle Road .  Of late, the Selle Valley has been threatening to extend clear to Naples on the north, Rapid Lightning on the east, the Selkirks on the west and HWY 200 on the south.  

Never mind Oden, Colburn and Elmira.  Selle Valley ate 'em up.  

And, while I'm on "North Idaho" land, I've been instructed of late that this is no longer North Idaho.  We're properly referred to as "Northern Idaho."  So there!

As a blogger who owns her own blog and who says what she damn well pleases because she owns her own blog, I'll still call it North Idaho, thank you.

Can you imagine my having to suddenly refer to the road where I grew up Northern Boyer?  Ain't gonna happen in my lifetime.

Or, how about that road that extends off from Center Valley Road to the north.  Should we be calling it Northern Center Valley Road and showing equity by referring to ours as Southern Center Valley Road?

Of course, there's a way to solve that problem.  They can just make some yellow road signs with arrows and refer to the whole Center Valley Road system as "Back Routes to the Dump."  

And, that would solve a lot of problems, I think.  But wait---to actually get to the dump aka Bonner County Transfer Station, you have to drive on Colburn-Culver Road.

And, wasn't that road or at least its SOUTH end running through Oden once dubbed as the Farm-to-Market Road?

My malapropertyisms could cause readers a lot of problems, so I guess I'll just shut up and get out there before it rains again to spruce up my place along the "Back Road to the Dump" so it looks nice for all the garbage transfer technicians driving by this Memorial Day weekend. 

Happy Wednesday. 

Tuesday Twitterdeedum

These trees caught my attention last night as Lily and I went for a nice ride down Forest Siding Road.

I dressed them up a bit for publication, but the variety of blossom colors made for an interesting picture.  

Our apple trees are just starting to put on their blossom show, and it looks like we may have a decent crop this year.  No freezes on the horizon, so our fruit yield---berries, cherries, plums and apples---shows great potential.

This will be a big change from last year where basically the blueberries were the only real survivors of a hard freeze.

I'm loving the looks of my strawberry patch this year.  Last year I picked enough berries for a couple of ice cream sundaes.  

This year's crop should be about three times of those we've had in the past.

~~~~

Last night gave me a good opportunity to try out the dryer sheets.  I bought some at the store and had them on hand when Debbie and I were outside in the late afternoon, watching the dogs play.

The mosquitoes started in.  I ran inside and got dryer sheets for each of us. 

We stood, consciously holding the sheets, waiting for attackers to descend on us.  We did this for about 15 minutes and giggled a lot.

With the exception of a few brave mosquitoes who came in for landings, only to take off again, we enjoyed their absence.

Later, I wrapped a sheet on Lily's bridle and kept one in my pocket.  

I'd say they work about 95 percent.  While stopped alongside the road, talking to my neighbor Billie, a few tried to distract me and Lily, but not nearly to the degree of what we encountered on our Saturday-night ride.

So, Jean, thank you.  I think this will make horseback riding and being outside among the pesky critters much more pleasant.

~~~~

I really enjoyed my horseback ride last night.  We went about three miles, and after Lily worked out the early season kinks---mainly laziness and finding ways to be distracted---she settled into a nice walk, and I enjoyed a relaxing trip through the countryside. 

We saw deer.  We saw Harvey Lippert out fertilizing a farm field.  I enjoyed Dan Wood's red Angus babies in a pasture next to Jack Filipowski's Herefords.

Some mules came running up to see us at Gary Beauchene's place.  Lily wanted to dance a little jig---the mules gave her an excuse---but she listened to me and settled down for most of the way past that pasture. 

It was a beautiful evening, to say the least. 

~~~

We've had rain overnight, so everything's fresh and clean outside.  Except for the vine plants and a few tomatoes, my garden is pretty much planted. 

So, the major items ahead include more lawn mowing and trimming and watering as needed.  

It feels good to finally be to a point where some moments of play might match up with all the work. 

Soon, the garden gathering will begin, and that's the best feeling of all---especially when we get to sample the results and save on the grocery bill.

A great time of year for sure.

Happy Tuesday.

Gonna BOUNCE those squiter critters right outa my hair

Why is it that when friends send you those forwards touting all the ways you can use vinegar or nail polish or WD-40, you don't have a real need at the time? So, the list gets read and eventually deleted.  

I have actually printed off a few in the past, figuring when I'm in a fix, needing a quick household solution, I'd review the possibilities suggested on said list.

Most of the time, those eventually get thrown away when I clean my desk off.  

Timing is everything when those lists arrive.  For instance, if during this past week, someone had sent me words of wisdom on the many uses for dryer tissues, I could have had a longer, more enjoyable horseback ride Saturday night.

Instead, I batted mosquitoes out of my face and hair for as long as I could stand it and then turned around for home.  There was nothing I could do for my horse who was really suffering.

Well, the after-the-fact timing turned out to be good on this dilemma.  

Yesterday, after sounding off in my blog about the damn mosquitoes, Bill, Mother and I attended the reception for former Schweitzer Ski Area manager Sam Wormington's memorial.

We figured the event would represent a wonderful page from the past.  That it did, with lots of great stories told on or about Sam and many, many familiar faces belonging to longtime friends who all shared ties to Sam and his family for nearly 50 years. 

One of those, Jean, had been among the originals up there at Schweitzer in the early '60s, and she's still hitting the hill as often as possible, as is her friend Lucille who continues to astound folks with her very youthful appearance.  Lucille turned 80 yesterday.

During our visit Jean told me to get a box of dryer tissues and take some with me the next time I climb aboard Lily.  Stuff them in her bridle, and put them on your straps.  The mosquitoes will leave you alone, she told me. 

Wonderful news for me cuz I have a feeling the mosquitoes will be sticking around for a while on this wet year. 

Later, I had a chance to be the "voice of wisdom."  I went for a walk in the woods and saw the neighbors outside where Todd and Brooke like to go on their escape missions.

I decided to walk over their way to demonstrate that Marianne had a behavior button other than a full-fledged volcano perennially about to explode hazardous materials and language over all who happen to be in her midst.  

That's how I act whenever the grandpuppies disappear right before my very eyes.  It takes me a while to settle down, once I've jumped in the car and raced over to Wes and Alissa's to retrieve them one more time.  

My purpose last night was to show the neighbors the laid-back, calm, happy Marianne out for a casual evening walk.  Wes and Alissa's renters were planting their garden, while Wes and Alissa were holding batting practice with their two boys. 

They've rigged up a homestyle automatic pitching machine, and the boys were at the ready to swing at those balls whizzing past.  Wes operated the machine while Alissa played catcher.  

We had a nice visit; then I headed back to our woods, stopping to admire the nice veggie starts in the Ben and Sam's garden.  They were having a great time teaming up, putting in raspberries and emptying pots filled with peas and corn, etc. 

Ben said the only problem was those pesky mosquitoes that would not leave them alone. 

"I've got the answer," I proudly announced.  "Go to town and get some Bounce."  And, Jean, I did give you credit.  

Anyway, in this wet neighborhood, I have a feeling dryer tissues will be on more than one shopping list. 

If the weather holds tonight, I'll have to saddle up Lily and give it a try. 

And, while I'm thinking about it, I guess I'd better put a folder on my computer for "household products used to remedy household problems."  

By the way, when I go to town I also need to get some more WD-40.  My friend Mike told me last week that you can dilute it and spray it over your standing water.

"You can just watch those mosquitoes die," he added.  

Sounds good to me. 

First day of the rest of . . . .

It was about 6 p.m., and no gargantuan earth rumbles had occurred.

I decided it they were late in coming, it would be fun to go out, riding Lily on a pretty May evening.

The clouds in the sky looked ominous, but the contrast along with sun still peeking through made for some magnificent landscape scenes.

So, I grabbed Lily from the pasture, saddled her up and took off. 

Heather screamed her usual frantic screams and raced the fenceline as we headed south on South Center Valley Road.

This felt good:  a beautiful evening, aboard my big mare quietly plodding down the road, remaining oblivious to the protests of her pasture mates.

It was going to be a good ride, I thought.

My first hint that it might be short-lived occurred as we waited for cars to pass by before turning on to Selle Road.

There's standing water near the intersection, and within seconds, the invaders were taking over.

I'm sure the people in the cars thought that sure was a friendly woman waving her arms off at them as they drove by.

Yeah, I was waving, but there was much more of a motive than friendliness.  It was self preservation.  Poor Lily could not wave. 

She had to just fling her head all over the place.

We had both turned victim to a full-fledged mosquito attack.  

Those cars couldn't pass by fast enough for either of us to want to get on the move and escape the pesky, nasty creatures.  

They stuck with us clear across the road and for quite a ways down North Kootenai Road.

Finally we reached the open fields, and they seemed to have retreated. 

Now, the ride was turning fun again as I admired the beautiful green fields and the snow-capped mountains.  

As we passed through a wooded area, more mosquitoes descended upon us. I put Lily into second gear, just to get a little more movement going.

We again reached an opening and some relief.  I had thought about turning off and going up to visit my friend Edna---if she was home from all the Lost in the '50s hoopla.

As we came closer to their road, I saw someone out mowing lawn at the Schubert/Swenson place.  

We plodded up the road; the person on the lawnmower threw a big wave before putzing behind the big barn. 

We got closer, and as she came back in view, I still couldn't tell who it was.  

Sunglasses do that, ya know. 

Finally, she took off her glasses and I saw it was Karen.  She caretakes the place.  We started a conversation, but it was short-lived.

Again, within seconds, Karen was surrounded by a film of mosquitoes, and those attacking Lily and me were relentless. 

So, I said this would be a short visit, and we went on our way.  

The mosquitoes followed us for quite some time but finally settled down.  The last part of the short ride was not too bad.

And, no earth rumblings, just darker clouds on the horizon.  

We would have known we were approaching home, even if blindfolded.  The screaming from the pasture was notable. 

Lily and I took a ride down the lane, where I took a few photos in the wonderful light.  Then, it was out to pasture for her and into the house for a bowl of ice cream for me.

We may be waiting a while before taking off on any of those spring evening rides again.  I'm guessing Mosquito Heaven will shut down once the water sinks into the ground. 

On another note, a little Darling came out yesterday and met her new friend Lefty.  She's probably going to be working with him this summer.  

I think she likes him, and I know I sure enjoyed visiting with her along with her mom and sister.  

Those black clouds left us with a little moisture over night, and on this first morning of the rest of our lives, I guess we just have to wait and see when the next projected "end" is advertised.  

So far, in my almost 64 years, we've almost reached "the end" three or four times. 

I guess these events help us take stock every once in a while on just what's important to us during this earthly existence. 

Yesterday provided me with ample experience on my priorities, and one is spending time with horses and folks who love them.

Last Picture Show

Among the many things I scurried around to do yesterday before the world ends, I took a few pictures.

Maybe blog readers will see them before the end comes.

I read in the paper this morning that the appointed time is 6 p.m. wherever your time zone is.

So, I'm figuring most folks will get to view my Last Picture Show.

Annie Dog will be 15 next month. She's not too concerned about all the hype.

And, when I saw her relaxing in this setting, I grabbed the camera.

It seemed like the perfect picture of an old dog who still has a few tricks of her own.

My photo shoot included scenes around the place, a few taken from North Samuels Road and some from out in Hope where we ate dinner at the Icehouse Pizza. It's hard not to find "pretty" on this last day of existence.

At least, the prognosticator picked a good time of year for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere.

Much to do before 6 p.m.

I want to get it all done so I can watch how Anderson Cooper reports our demise---on location, no less.

Happy Saturday. 

Last Friday

I'm gonna type as fast as possible this morning cuz there's much to do, much to do before the deadline when we're all gonna get flat-lined.  

Annie reported helicopters flying over Fremont yesterday (that's where she works in the Seattle area), and she figured it was an omen.

Kinda spooked me too, cuz she's very likely correct.  They didn't say helicopters would show up, but we've witnessed other historical happenings when they've played an integral role, most recently the end of Osama bin Laden.

But this upcoming event is much bigger.  Tomorrow is scheduled to be the end of the world, and I bet we could see a lot of helicopters hovering in strange places today.

So, I'm not wasting my time this morning.  My list of "things to do" before saying good bye is long.  For starters, there's that run to Samuels Store to get some more lawnmower gas. 

Gotta finish off the lawn before Mother and her gang of friends show up this afternoon to see the Lovestead.  

Mother has taken on tour directing in this latest stage of her life, and she likes her friends to see the horses at Colburn and to drop in on Marianne.

So, I've got the brownies made and the lawn almost polished off.  If it weren't for those damned dandelions, I wouldn't stress a bit about their visit.  

Maybe the dandelions are so prolific this year cuz they know it's their last stand, and they're going out with a big boom when the big boom or whatever's gonna get us tomorrow occurs.

I'd like to climb aboard Lily today.  She has new shoes and a new cowboy snaffle bit, but I probably won't take her far cuz of that equine herpes virus that seems to be shutting down a lot of horse activity.  Maybe that's another sign of impending doom.

Bill is gonna take off early from work and head up Trout Creek to see if he can find some fish one more time.  

This evening we plan to avoid the crowds and turn toward Hope for our Friday dinner date.  It will be nice to admire the lake one final time and to make another round on the peninsula to count the deer. 

I don't know how much of the day we can plan on tomorrow, but we'll do our best to make the most of it.

One concern I had about the end of the world coming is that not all the finales have happened on TV.  How are we ever going to know who won "American Idol" or this season's "Dancing with the Stars"?

That Boston Rob guy lucked out on "Survivor" cuz he won his million this past Sunday, and I bet he's hurrying up to spend it.  

I wonder if he will survive this last big challenge on Survivor Earth.

And, Oprah.  Now, there's the big one.  

I know they've already taped the final show, but who's gonna be here to watch it and to look really closely at Maria Shriver to see just how well she's hiding her disdain for her philandering "in-your-face, Maria" husband.  

Will we ever know if Lance Armstrong really did take performance-enhancing drugs?  Oh, I guess we're not supposed to know that yet,  cuz the "60 Minutes" airing is scheduled for Sunday, and we're going to be history before hearing the dirty details of the accuser's story. 

At least, Katie Couric got say her good byes.  Maybe there should be stock sold in Katie, cuz her timing has been as close to perfect as anyone's in the "last hurrah" department. 

I hope the Preakness gets over before the world does.  If I die tomorrow, it would be nice to know if there were ever another chance for Animal Planet to win the Triple Crown, even if he only earns two jewels. 

Finality does bring up a lot of thoughts, and I've got plenty more.  

But I don't have much time, and as one who's quite used to working under a deadline, I'd better quit my mental dawdling and get on with the program.

Enjoy this Last Friday, and do have a good supper wherever you are. 

Ye gads,  I just heard a helicopter . . . . really, I did.  It's flying over in the eastern sky. 

Hyper-connectivity

hawn Hamilton wanted to connect with me through Linked In.  And, yes, you read that right.  Somehow the first letter on "Shawn's" name did not show up on the Linked-In note,  inviting me to connect with her.

I'm already connected with her through a newsgroup, but I took the bait and said, "yes." So now I'm linked to Shawn or "hawn" twice. 

In this morning's communique, the service offered other people I know with whom I could link up with if I wanted. I passed on that. 

After doing my connecting with my journalist friend, I heard another email plop into the inbox.  This one was from Plaxo.  

It said I could read the updates on all the folks in my Plaxo network of friends if I so desired.  That email went into the "deleted files" folder.  

Not this morning. I've got enough on my cyber mind.  Of great note is the change that occurred about a month ago with my Facebook mail.  

There's no rhyme or reason to it that I've figured out just yet, cuz I'm just now learning about it.

My epiphany occurred when Annie hadn't responded to a note I sent her on Monday.  That seemed a bit unusual, so I sent her another.

She wrote back and said she had, too, responded through my Facebook mail.  Well, I hadn't seen it cuz up until a month ago virtually every note received, from comment threads to personal mesages,  came to my Outlook email inbox.

Upon going to my Facebook message folder to find Annie's earlier note, I learned that dozens of notes of inquiry, responses, etc. had gone unnoticed by this recipient because they were hidden within threads in the Facebook messages file. 

Over the past few weeks, I had been wondering why "so and so" had never written back (several so-and-so's, in fact).  

It had been a mystery to me why I'd never received two notes written by one of Annie's friends about two-three weeks ago. And, I'm sure it was a mystery to him why I did not respond.

During this discovery, I also noticed that Facebook personal messaging is a bit on the sensitive side.  Hit that "enter" button at the wrong time, and your incomplete note (in one case it was 'Dear Kenda'), goes flying on to its recipient.  

So, as of yesterday, I'm learning to be very careful with the "enter" key. 

Finally, a few days ago, I wrote a note to my friend Janice from Western Pleasure Guest Ranch.  Her response that day made no sense.  

I reread the note I'd written to her to see if I had possibly miscommunicated.  

When I saw no clues of anything that could be misconstrued, I gathered up the nerve to write back and say, "There's a disconnect here." 

Janice wrote back with an appropriate response and told me she'd read the wrong note from me.  Both Janice and I,  in a conversation yesterday,  pieced together a lot of answers to the mysteries that have afflicted our Facebook messaging system.

Turns out that instead of the latest message being on top, it's clear down at the bottom.  And, if you write to a person often, you do a lot of scrolling to find their newest message.

Why did they do that?  When did they do that?  And, why did Facebook not tell us?

In short, in all my connectivities, I've been missing lots of correspondence, and I'm still catching up with the Facebook debacle.  

I've figured out that the Facebook folks think we need to have the same thread for every piece of communication we receive from said person, all stored in one place.  

Makes sense, but the change caught me offguard, and now I'm doing the catch-up.

All these ways to keep in touch with people, and we're still missing the boat half the time.  

The Facebook message change and all the egg I've felt dripping down my face during the last 24 hours for thinking someone was ignoring me or not knowing that someone was not ignoring me but thinking I was ignoring them leads me to believe that "the old-fashioned" method of communication "face to face" may still have a few advantages.  

Nonetheless, I have learned that I need proactive and look for messages that people may have sent to me, and it's vitally important to remember all the receptacles of where they might be residing---Outlook email, Hotmail,  Facebook, Plaxo, Linked in, newsgroups,  comment threads, etc. 

Our hyper-connectivity offers a virtual smorgasboard of information storage spots, and at times, it gets confusing. 

May Morning Magnificence

No doubt about it: the skies are blue this morning and the blossoms are in their full glory.

A few minutes ago, I walked around with a camera, got my socks wet cuz of Crocs instead of barn boots, and reveled in the morning scenes.

A few shots turned out okay, so I'll post 'em this morning and call it good. 

John Fuller is coming at 9:30 to do some shoeing and trimming, so it will be a busy morning.

And, I'm hoping to slap a little more paint on those chewed-up fences.  Seems like I can't quite stay ahead of those busy teeth. 

Yesterday, though, I checked the electric fence wire.  Maybe a jolt or two will keep 'em at a distance for a while.

At least, I'm thankful they're all healthy and pretty much isolated from that scary equine disease that's getting so much press.

As one writer said, the ubiquitous news may be creating a tempest in a teapot, but it doesn't hurt to take care. 

It will be interesting to see over the next few days and weeks just how serious this epidemic could become.

In the meantime, as long as my three are simply suffering with a fence-chewing addiction, I'll be happy. 

Have a great day.  Enjoy the photos, if they show up in normal form. 

Tuesday Twitterdeedum

It's a good day, even if the sun is not shining.  One more speech under the belt, and with luck, it will be my last. 

Last night I gave a presentation to several old friends and fellow educators at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.  Lasean Driggs had asked me back in March after seeing a few of my photos from Ireland.

Generally, these days, I pass on speaking invitations, often suggesting someone else.  I could not say no to Lasean, though.  She has been a wonderful friend to my mother in addition to so many other elderly in the community.

Lasean drives for miles on end to give Communion to those who can't make it to church.  Plus, she spends whatever time is needed visiting with these people.  Of course, with Mother, the usual conversation has something to do with Gonzaga basketball.

Anyway, I appreciate Lasean and when she asked, I had to say yes. 

Last night's experience was wonderful, especially because my usual case of pre-speaking nerves did not bug me too much.  I saw so many former colleagues that I hadn't seen in some time.

I especially enjoyed listening to Susie Haskins tell about the rituals she has planned for her last two days ever of teaching, one of which includes her John Phillips Sousa record and needle-operated sound system.

She told me she always had it on hand for those "in case" days when a lesson plan had not developed.  She never needed it.  Anyone who knows Susie would be shocked if she ever had a day without a plan.

So now, her "without a plan plan" will be a full-fledged plan.  The record player will come out.  The needle will be placed on the record.  Sound will go up, and Susie's kindergarten students will march to Sousa classics. 

What a fine way to end one's career, especially as the Idaho Teacher of the Year!

Last night my presentation featured the "good, the bad, the ugly and the 'Hallelujah, I'm in Ireland'" aspects of Annie's and my trip in March. 

It was especially touching for me to see Annie's first-grade teacher, Mrs. Graham, in the group.

Mrs. Graham----not laptops---inspired the spirit of adventure in Annie.  What a wonderful opportunity to show this teacher what just one of her hundreds of students took with her out of that first-grade classroom!

After speaking, I pushed the DVD button, and the group watched a portion of Annie's wonderful DVD (set to Irish music and featuring photos from her 2009 trip).  I think they liked it.

I'm anxious to see some of the photos coming across the wires of Queen Elizabeth's visit to Ireland, which started today.  Listed on the itinerary is Kildare.  Kildare, about 40 miles south of Dublin,  is home to the Irish National Stud.

It was fun to joke with Bill this morning that "the Queen will walk the same pathways through that beautiful setting that Annie and I walked" just two months ago.  I'll bet she likes it just as much as we did.

And, speaking of horses, my three are getting their toenails clipped tomorrow.  Lily will have her first shoeing for the year, and I'm hoping the weather will allow us to get out on some of our favorite trails in the next few weeks.

So far, one trip down South Center Valley Road meant a quick turnaround because her bare hooves are so tender.

I'm also excited because a little "Darling" will be working with Lefty this summer.  She's quite the little horsewoman with a great attitude, and I'm anxious for her to meet Lefty. 

Lots of horse stuff coming up, so the fun times begin. By the way, the Sand Stallion opened yesterday next to the Cedar Street Bridge.  Gail is still getting inventory in, but for the bling lovers, it's paradise. 

The store is very attractive, and I enjoyed my first visit yesterday.  Go check it out.  She's a nice lady.

Guess that's enough blather for today.  Outside I go to the ongoing projects.

Happy Tuesday.

Seasons Meetings

~~~Hello, Spring; good bye Winter~~~

Layers came off quickly yesterday.  We received a little lagniappe weatherwise---an extra day of sunshine.

And, I'm guessing everyone around these parts did not let it go to waste.

In between a myriad of outdoor projects, I took time to snap a few blossom photos, and, of course, BC nation shots.

I loved looking through the lens at these robust cherry blossoms, which seemed to be defying the scene behind them.

Yes, tons of snow remains on Schweitzer, and the fear of flooding from all that snow prevails.  

North Idaho has already experienced a good amount of high water, and it's possible the next few weeks will see a lot more.

Rain is falling outside my window right now.  Last night it was pounding.

We definitely received a good wash-up; surprisingly, it was needed because the dust of the past few days had discolored our border trees.

Funny how fast things dry out, regardless of weeks of moisture.

I've been pulling out the hose twice daily of late to make sure my small veggies get enough moisture to help their germinating process.  

Peas are up, broccoli is coming up.  No sign of beans or chard yet.  I've planted chard twice so far.  Could be a bad year cuz I haven't seen any yet. 

Last night we ate fresh, fresh asparagus from the garden.  I think all of 30 seconds passed between the time I cut it and plopped it in a sauce pan.

A little salt, pepper, garlic salt and margarine---delightful!

My onions coming from seed are all over the Lovestead.  Must be at least 80-90 starts, so we'll have plenty come summer. 

This morning,  tulips are starting to pop open, and so far (knock on wood) no deer have come to snip them off their stems. 

Yes, the rain has come again, and we're hoping to see that snow disappear from Schweitzer.  

In the meantime, things around here are mighty pretty.

Happy Monday.

Pest Patterns

They're back, and I can almost cite the exact moment they returned.  I was digging holes in my manure-pile garden.  

A couple of sacks of seed potatoes sat on the dirt pile as I moved along its crest next to the barn.  While bent over jabbing holes in the dirt, I kept thinking about those big beauties I pulled out that pile last fall.  

Biggest potatoes I've ever raised, and the best-tasting.

We were supposed to get wild and woolly weather sometime during the evening, so I figured plopping a few spud starts in the ground before the storm was a good idea.  After all, the weather forecast calls for a bunch more rain.

I had almost finished digging 20 holes along Manure-Pile Ridge when Lefty, our chestnut Arabian,  started his high-pitched screams and took off racing around the pasture.  Soon, two others were chasing along with him.

I figured he had just discovered the much larger expanse for running after filling his belly for the second time yesterday.  His rounds around the field and the screams continued for about ten minutes.

After watching and admiring the beautiful sight of three horses literally racing in the evening wind at the end of a beautiful day, I went back to work on my spud patch.  

The wind was blowing; we'd had some significant breezes throughout the day but nothing close to the 40 mph gusts predicted.  

In the blowing wind, I noticed some irritants buzzing around my head and neck.  Then, one landed with lead feet on my arm, wasting no time sucking up its dinner.  

A split second and I had brushed it away cuz I hadn't felt a mosquito bite like that for some time.  The rest of my planting operation sped up as the critters descended upon me---head-and-neck, arms, anywhere they could land.

The onslaught was so intense I considered giving up my planting plan and running away from Manure-Pile Ridge to the safety of the house. 

Self discipline took over, though.  

"Just finish this job; then you can go," my inner boss told me.  So, I did, batting and planting for the next two or three minutes. 

I took the spud sacks to the house and then figured it was time to put the horses in the barn.  

When I reached the pasture, they pretty much told me it was past time for them to leave their lush pasture and escape to the barn.  

Each horse was covered from stem to stern with mosquitoes.  No wonder Lefty was screaming. 

No chasing down, no coaxing this time with horses that sometimes play hard to get.  

Spring pests had arrived and with military precision.

Probably two seconds after Lefty's initial screams I had noticed a mosquito or two, but soon they had launched an all-out assault on all living beings, housing a good supply of blood. 

I felt bad about those moments of simply admiring Lefty as he raced through the field.  He had actually been protesting rather than announcing to all that spring had sprung during what I thought had been a celebratory run. 

It seems that everything spring has arrived here almost overnight.  Swallows are dive bombing humans and four-legged creatures all over the Lovestead.  They've taken up residence in the barn rafters and in the front-yard bird houses.

Yesterday, when I had the audacity to water some flowers over by their bird houses, they let me know that,  for now, that's their territory.  

And, the brown-bellied swallows in the barn---they get mad when I shut the double doors and one of their family members happens to still be outside.   

This morning they were in dive-bombing mode with their assaults aimed at Annie Dog. 

Hardly among the pests, but shockingly appearing almost within hours are the spring blossoms on several fruit trees.  Heck, two days ago they didn't even have leaves.

I believe Mother Nature is playing a game of catch-up.  With that in mind, I also believe that the critters of her realm realize that time is money, and they've got to play a little catch-up too.  

So, the blood-sucking 'squiters and dive-bombing swallows are taking over their territory and making up for lost time, and the rest of us earthly creatures had better watch out and lie low.

Saturday Slight Delight -- Ah, Pasture!

~~Lefty and Heather in Horse Heaven~~

Yesterday had to be one of the happiest days of the year for my horses.  At approximately 11:30 a.m., with bellies full from breakfast in the round pen, each one walked down the lane toward the gate to Pasture No. 1. 

I asked them as I led them with a rope around their necks to go gently into that pasture and try not to dig holes with their hooves.

Each one seemed so appreciative to go one on one with all that grass that the thought of racing and bucking around the enclosure seemed distant from their minds. 

Today the pasture looks somewhat untouched, so I guess it was a good day to turn them out. 

In my mind, there's nothing prettier than horses grazing on bright green, spring pastures.  So, of course, I snapped a bunch of photos.

Doggies loved the change too.  There are different dynamics to Pasture No. 1 when you've got to keep track of the horses, so they spent the afternoon adjusting.  Todd likes to go down the lane to watch while the others run the fence on the north and along the east side of the pasture. 

Apparently horses were behaving because I did not hear many disciplinary barks.  

Great day all the way around.  I worked nonstop outside and accomplished numerous "to do's" on my list.

Probably most fun was hooking up the harrow to the 4-wheeler and dragging the barnyard.  Before heading into the area I worried about getting stuck, but that was never a factor.

For about half an hour, the 4-wheeler and the harrow got a work-out as did the doggies who took a break from their usual job to escort me around the barnyard. 

A busy day lies ahead, too, cuz they tell us to expect some wild and woolly weather tonight---lightning, thunder and 40 mph winds with temps in the 70s. 

Hard to believe right now because the outdoors is pretty peaceful.

And, we're supposed to return to the rain/cold cycle which has dogged us all spring.  So, this day definitely calls for  "making hay (well, cutting grass) while the sun shines.

Enjoy the pasture photos.  There's a gray mare for sale if anyone knows someone looking for a sweetie pie. 

Happy Saturday.