Game-Night Fun

Howie White, owner of downtown Athol's Saddle Up Grill after a night of cookin' up goodies for his restaurant guests.  Debbie and I enjoyed a couple  of tasty sandwiches with hot, crispy fries after attending Willie's Junior Varsity basketball season opener at Timberlake High School last night.  We also enjoyed getting to know Howie who's proud of his Friday and Saturday night smoked BBQ ribs and prime rib offerings.  We're figuring the time will come this winter when two sets of Loves need to go see Howie again and try out his specialties.  Howie says his brother who owns the Rose Lake Restaurant is known for the cookies he bakes, while Howie specializes in "pony pies."  Of course, we had to buy a few samples, and when we came home to a dark house (we watched a transformer go down in the Selle area on our way home), Bill sat by the light of his flashlight and enjoyed Howie's peach pony pie.  He highly approved.

Second-year Junior Varsity coach Will Love talks to his team during their season opener last night.  The JV's listened and performed, winning the game 60-19 over Timberlake High School.  Debbie and I enjoyed sitting in the midst of sophomore, JV and varsity players.  Looks like it will be a fun season ahead.  

Ticket Sellers for Timberlake

Varsity players await their game.

Assistant coaches Jake and Will talk with head coach Tyler Haines (middle).

Stats crew likes their nachos

True Tweets for Tuesday

WSU football coach Paul Wulff deserves to keep his job through his full contract.  

I wonder what Herman Cain's wife is thinking.  Could it be "Mirror, mirror on the wall . . . ?"

Does anyone think the person on Facebook who's in 8851st place for a chance to win an ipad has a chance?  If so, get on there and vote!

The Republican Party is now down to the "Newt" and the "Mitt."  Does that mean a Newtmitt for President or a MittNewt?   Just wondering. 

Now that Willie's coaching season has begun (first game tonight at Timberlake), we get to say "Go Bulldogs" an average four times a week, twice for Sandpoint, twice for Gonzaga.  

Go Bulldogs!  That takes care of Tuesday.

Today's Solstice Countdown:  23.90.  

Today's Christmas shopping list count:  5

Today's bucket list headliners:  stamps on cards, Christmas ghostletter, mailing labels on cards.

Today's brain cell count:  next to nothing; therefore . . .

. . . I'm gonna tweet on slightdetour throughout this day, so check back.  

Cougars are saying good bye to a Wulff.  Sad.  

Today's bucket list is moving along, slowly. 


Will be off to Spirit Lake tonight to yell, "Go Bulldogs" some more.

Herman's wife may just be raising a little Cain today, or may be using a cane---and not as a walking aid. 

A Recount Needed . . . Damn!

I've been in a relatively good mood today.  

The weather forecast says we have more than a week of mild weather ahead.  

Barn chores went smoothly this morning; in fact, I almost had a skip to my step while distributing hay in the barnyard and cleaning stalls.  

Even more snow is likely to recede over the next few days, allowing additional room for walking on bare ground.

And, on the way to go get the paper, I did my daily count.  

"Let's see, this is Nov. 28," I thought to myself. "That means three more days of November and 21 days in December, so only 24 more days of darkness. Just over three weeks and with good weather through a portion of it, we should breeze through this year's darkness before the light."

During this thought process, I also remembered the December schedule of events I'd read yesterday, where someone claimed that Winter Solstice was Dec. 22.

What ever happened to the seasons changing on the 21st of each respective month, anywho?

Has to be wrong, I thought.

Well, my wishful thoughts and reality are two different things when it comes to solstice times and season changes.

Of course, I did some research this morning, hoping to find that my assumption was right.  

Sadly, as often happens with me, the ol' "to ASSuME makes an ____ out of u and me," kicked in. 

Now,  I know that I'll have to add one more day to my count toward enhanced enlightenment.  

Here's what I've learned this morning after a lifetime of thinking the 21st was a key day four times a year.

December 20 and December 23 solstices occur less frequently than December 21 or December 22 solstices in the Gregorian calendar. 

The last December 23 solstice occurred in 1903 and will not occur again until the year 2303.

A December 20 solstice has occurred very rarely, with the next one occurring in the year 2080. 

After reading all that, I'm really glad that we missed the Dec. 23 solstice 108 years ago and that we won't have to dread another one in our lifetimes.  

At least, I'm ASSuMing we won't. 

All I've got to say is "double darn" that I'll probably not live long enough for the short countdown in 2080. 

If I'm lucky, though, the next few years may offer a break from the disappointment I'm experiencing this morning of having to add one more day to this year's countdown.

At least, the 2011 winter solstice occurs just after I get up on the morning of Dec. 22, so does that mean I have to get my hard-boiled egg out the night before.

And, will I have to prop it up to see if it really stands on its own BEFORE I have my first cup of coffee?

Trifles, trifles----all because of this solstice stuff.

Still, it's a mighty nice day out, and the weather forecast is helping me get past this little glitch in my worldly knowledge.

The one thing I do know for a fact is that none of the encyclopedias have changed the date for Christmas.  

And, so far, no savvy retailers have had the guts to try to market the holiday twice yearly just to help the bottom line.   

With that absolute still intact, I know that time is winding down for all Santas to get that list compiled and to check it twice. 

I'd better get on the stick cuz Black Friday has passed, as has Small Business Saturday.  Somewhere I read or heard that today is Cyber Monday.

If I blink, I may miss ALL the deals.

And, I'll be left with an intriguing question to ponder.

Why is it that these "bargain" shopping days speed by so much more quickly than those leading to the Winter Solstice?

Silent Sunday Morning

Not a lot of headlines this morning except for a sighting that could lead to a good murder-mystery title:  Blood Drops on the Threshold.

Yup, it's still there.

And, there are more splashes of the red stuff on Annie's Diet Pepsi box near the door.

Everyone who was alive in the garage last night is still alive this morning.

Nobody's telling what happened.

Bill says, "What happens in the garage stays in the garage."

I guess that will be the case cuz not ONE Border Collie of the four will breathe a word about any overnight scuffles.

I've done body checks.  No apparent injuries, just pup-scuffle blood, I guess.

I'll probably clean it up before we have any visitors, lest they get any bad ideas.

Doggies are all happy this morning.  They've been for their romp in the hay field.

Chores were easy.  

The barnyard has firmed up from cold nights and at least a third of all that snow we had several days ago has receded, revealing dry ground and green grass and lots of otherwise hidden dog logs.

I'm still waiting for the papers to arrive, and it was good they're late this morning because I took a moment to stand at the end of the driveway and to listen, like I often do on weekend mornings when the papers are late.

I heard rustling of leaves over in Gary Finney's woods.  Soon I saw the rustlers---a couple of his big black Percherons making their way between the trees.

I also heard the Union Pacific tooting its horn and rolling down the tracks a mile or so away.

Other than that, it's a pretty quiet morning out there.

Bill and I will probably be a bit more active today after several hours of watching our teams yesterday.  Boise State and Gonzaga both had impressive victories, and how 'bout that Kellen Moore.

I'm guessing that it would be beneath the big sports talking heads and sportswriters to elect a player from little ol' Idaho as its Heisman Trophy, but Kellen Moore certainly is deserving.  We'll keep our fingers crossed that the tide will turn, and that they'll give him his due.

This afternoon, we'll return to couch potatoing for a while to watch the Seahawks game.  After all, when all your descendants are sitting in the stands---'cept for scuffling grandpuppies---you've got to tune in. 

Debbie called last night to let me know she, Willie, Andrew and Alicia will be in the end-zone section reserved for rowdies at Sounders Soccer Matches.  Our family knows that spot well.

In the meantime, Annie and her Groundspeak friends will be sitting on the 40-yard line. 

I'm sure we'll make a telephone call or two to Seattle and that they'll be taking their photos in the stands for instant publication on Facebook.

It sure is fun these days having the electronic gizmos to help families keep in closer touch than ever before.

I can remember back when Annie took off to college at Boise State (1997), and we had the new feature of "email" to keep connected.  That made the separation for parents a whole lot easier.

Nowadays, we're in tune like never before, and I find it rather enjoyable. 

Speaking of gizmos, I've treated myself to a new toy.  It should come in tomorrow's mail, and, with luck, this week I'll be able to share the results of its usage with readers.

It's a telephoto lens (great for portraits, I'm told) for my new camera.  Can't wait to put it to use.  But I guess I'll have to wait-----just like I'm doing this morning for the paper. 

Our instant gizmo era tends to promote impatience, and patience has never been one of my strong suits anyway.

Still, I have no choice but to wait, so I guess I'll say good bye and hurry back outside to see if those damn papers have come yet!  :)

Happy Sunday.  Go Seahawks.  Have fun at the game, Young Loves, et. al. !

We'll try to keep the blood baths here at the Lovestead at a minimum while you're enjoying the game.

Saturday Slights

Annie's packing up her stuff and now sitting down with a handful of chocolate-covered almonds and diet Pepsi for breakfast.  She watching some strange space-fantasy movie. 

Every once in a while the channel surfing occurs with a return to Lord of the Rings, which she's watched probably a hundred times.

On one quick glimpse of the classic movie, she announced, "I've been right there."  It's a scene from the South Island of New Zealand with Alps-like mountains in the background.

Speaking of mountains, Schweitzer, for one brief moment, was sporting a partial blanket of hot pink along the south ridge.

I just heard Raine upstairs.  He came yesterday afternoon.  Raine and Annie will be heading out for Seattle within the next hour or so.

Last night the Love family, along with Raine, gathered at Second Avenue Pizza.  Let's see---there were six of us and four pizzas.  We ate well, and I'm hearing that Raine will be dining on some of his leftovers for breakfast.

And, to our friends, the Berkleys---it was nice to see you there last night.  

Later this morning, the pups will come for a weekend sleepover.  Willie and Debbie are heading over the mountains this afternoon to watch a Seahawks game tomorrow with their friends. 

Turns out Annie will be at the game, too, with her Groundspeak friends.  

So, we know we'll be watching closely to see if we can spot some familiar faces besides the players and coaches.

Yesterday,  while Annie went snowboarding with her friend Becca at Schweitzer, Bill and I enjoyed watching the LSU Tigers win yet another impressive game against Arkansas.  They're looking like a sure bet for national champions, but this season has continued to yield some big surprises.

Today those guests still remaining in Sandpoint (that would include Mike and Mary and their gang and Jim and Dani), along with thehome-based regulars, will gather around my sisters' television set to watch the ZAGS.
It will be a game of special note for Mother since the ZAGS are playing Western Michigan University of Kalamazoo, Mich.

Mother spent her college years (Nazareth College)  and early adult years in Kalamazoo, and that's where we always stayed on our Michigan trips. Our Aunt Louise Stuller lived there until she died.

Anyway, the Kalamazoo connection will add a special connection to the game.

So, here we are, halfway through the Thanksgiving weekend, and less than a month until Christmas. 

Lots to do.  Lots to do. In fact, I started making a list a couple of days ago and found it almost depressing to think about getting all that stuff completed.

There's always the threat to cut back, but as the month rolls on, I seem to return to my usual ways with the baking, the cards, the decorating, etc.. 

This year I've silently said to myself that I won't go all out with decorating.  We'll see how that turns out.

As for now, I'll just enjoy the rest of the weekend with the visitors, the food and the games.

Then, Monday morning will signal sleeve rolling-up time.

Happy Saturday to all.  GO ZAGS!

All Over but the Pictures

The Lovestead on Thanksgiving 2011 from across Taylor's field

We were blessed with a dramatic and positive change in our weather for yesterday's Thanksgiving day---some blue sky, a whole lot less snow, pleasant November temps.  

I took advantage of the change by taking a walk through the neighborhood to oldtime Selle proper.  

That means from our house to Selle Road and down Selle Road to the Union Pacific tracks. I also walked along the railway right-of-way until its pathway narrowed. 

It was nice to get out on such a day rather than standing over a hot stove all day. Preparing ahead of time helped cut down kitchen time.

We went to my sisters' for the big feast, and what a wonderful, tasty and sumptuous spread it was, with cooks from the family all sharing in the duties.  Even Mother worked on the gravy.

We topped off a great day of visiting by watching True Grit.  I must admit that I'll probably have to watch it again because Annie failed in her usual prodding during movies:  Mom, are you awake?  I think she only asked once last night, and that was at the beginning.  

I know the basics of the movie, having watched it a few decades ago in its earlier form, but last night's version definitely calls for a rerun.

I snapped photos of some of the day's scenes and will call it good for this Black Friday.  

Didya notice that it's 7:17 and I'm safe at home in front of my computer rather than being pepper-sprayed by some yahoot who wants to get to the front of the shopping line?

Yup, that scene has happened at a Wal-Mart earlier this morning.  

In the short span of a few hours, in this 'civilized' nation, we go from 'Thanks [for]giving' to "Git outa my way!"

Enjoying my "at-home" Friday and wishing everyone the same.

Happy Thanksgiving

May you have a wonderful caloric-rich feast and a thanks-filled day wherever you are.

Happy Thanksgiving.

WETnesday

I'm still not sure if my brother was joking about water being so high from all the rain yesterday that the salmon were jumping over one of those bridges over in Western Washington.  

He wrote that claim on Facebook as a comment when I said I had my oars and survival gear and was headed to Spokane to pick up Annie.

Didn't need either, but it sure was a wet trip----until I turned off from HWY 95 and headed west.

What a difference a road makes with the weather in this area!

Rain, fog, really gusty wind---new frontiers in the ugliest, most dismal of weather---that's what I experienced while driving 95 yesterday afternoon.  

Within seconds of turning off the north-south highway, however,  I noticed that the wind had died down,  and the rain soon stopped beating against my windshield.

I had brought layers of clothes to brave the awful weather and found myself wanting to shed them as soon as I reached Spokane. 

It was downright balmy and almost dry there.  I felt like staying.

The purpose, however, was to bring Annie home for Thanksgiving.  She had ridden across the state of Washington with her friend, named---of all names---Raine. 

It was a good day for Raine.

We enjoyed a meal at O'Doherty's said good bye to Raine,  who was bound for St. Maries,  and headed home.  

Maybe the rain followed him because that which I'd experienced going to Spokane had all but let up by the time we reached Sandpoint. 

Well, I don't know if the rivers are gonna rise enough for the fish to be jumping up on to the road, but we're wet again today.

Still, this morning is not too bad.  The only time I complained this morning was when my left foot sank down into a deep puddle in the barnyard.  It was dark, and I actually thought I would be able to scatter the hay without sinking.

The warmth is welcome as are the signs of green grass, which has been hidden beneath a foot of snow.

Annie brought her snow board, so we're hoping conditions remain decent up at Schweitzer where she plans to join some friends on Friday. 

Two brothers are headed this way today--from Western Washington and Oregon---so we're hoping they have incident-free trips. 

Today Annie will go to the high school---where there's high-speed wifi---and will do some work for her company.

My errands include picking up those fresh-baked butterflake rolls I ordered from Miller's Country Store and stopping by to see my mother. 

Lots of comings and goings today, so we can pretty much tune out the wet weather. 

The only thing that bothers me is that I've plowed out three times in a week---we've had a big blast of winter followed by a meltdown which tricks us into thinking about spring.  

And, it's only Nov. 23.

Could be a long winter.  

Happy WETnesday.   Keep the fish off your wind shield, and stay dry. 

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Tuesday Twitterdeegobbledgobbedly

No paper this morning.  No school today.  

My sisters came home from school yesterday and finished up their plowing (three driveways) about 7:30 last night.  

So, I think they weren't too upset with the news of school closures. In spite of getting stuck a couple of times, their hard work of digging out was completed last night.

I'm figuring the amount of rain we received overnight---and that which we continue to receive on top of all that snow---may eventually take care of the sloppy mess we have in the driveway and on the roads. 

I'm hoping so, anyway, because I'm driving to Spokane later today to pick up Annie. 

Speaking of things not happening:  how 'bout that 'Stupor' Committee!

Lowering of standards in this country has taken a new low, I believe.  

Call it a "Super" committee, suggesting that it's really something special and that it will solve some problems, and what did they accomplish???

What a message to send to our young people!  

The supposed best and brightest of the brightest in America are handed an assignment,  and they didn't even turn it in.

Oh, they turned in an excuse, all right.

At least, they didn't blame the dog for eating it.  I guess that's some progress.

This group, all 12 of them,  should have been held after class and not allowed to go home until they turned in something besides a lame excuse.

I don't care so much about whatever suggestions they would have come up with; what I care about is that they represent a not-so-great symbol "leadership" in this country.

This "sit-on-your-hands" style of leadership is certainly going to inspire the best and brightest yet to come.

I've heard "kick the can" a lot this year in regard to the economy and the debt.  

Well, I kick a Folgers coffee can across the yard for our Border Collies, and, at least they race after it, pick it up, bring it back.

Then, they wait happily for the next opportunity to do something with it.

In the case of our elected leaders, nobody's even retrieving the can.  

Maybe we need the dogs to gobble up the Stupor Committee's excuse and show them how to accomplish something---anything. 

I think they'd come up with something to,  at the very least,  chew upon. 

'Nough said about that.  My friend Cis at http://wordtosser.blogspot.com/

ran across a website where we Americans can "choose our own" rather than having big money choose for us.  

The process involves a little thought and some work:  we tell what we'd like in a leader; they go look for someone who fits the requirements. 

I suggest that anyone who is as disgusted as I am this morning check out Cis' information on her blog.  

Seems to me this could have some merit, and it could send a much-needed message to the "stupor" folks who seem to be totally petrified in their stupor.

On a bright note, I have hope.  I've started sending out questionnaires to a few selected alumni from Sandpoint High School.

I've received a few responses and some promises to fulfill their assignments when they aren't quite as busy as they are now. 

If anyone ever needed an exhilarating breath of fresh air and a reason to remain upbeat, these responses do the trick. 

We can take so much pride in our local graduates, who---in spite of the drippy umbrella of dismay that seems to monopolize the news---are accomplishing outstanding and productive achievements with their lives.  

In addition, they're making a positive difference in this world. 

It will be fun to send out more questionnaires over the winter, and I'm betting the results will help me, one day at a time, deal with the multitude discouraging frustrations that continually smack us in the face from headline news events.

I'm thinking about creating an Internet site where I can post these responses in their entirety because they ARE inspiring.

So far, I'm guessing all these people do take on their assignments and do complete them in exemplary fashion.

There's hope on this yucky, wet day, and there's fun ahead cuz Annie's coming home. 

Happy Tuesday.

Eat Yur Cheez, Annie

I just sent a note to my daughter and told her she'd better eat her Swiss cheese with contentment that it's part of her heritage.  Maybe not the cheese but the Swiss.

My sister Laurie recently signed up for Ancestry.com, and she's been learning a lot about her family roots, which include the Tibbs clan and the Halter/Short clan. 

Until my mother discovered when she was 79 that her mother's family had come from Ireland, Laurie didn't know she was Irish.

"I always thought we were Irish," she said, upon learning that information.

Of course, since my ancestry includes the Brown clan and the Halter/Short connection, I already knew I was Irish.  My real father was pretty much full-blooded Irish.

So, I was kinda happy to know that my younger siblings shared even more of the same heritage. 

My mother's Irish roots date back to County Donegal in Northern Ireland, while my father's family came from the Republic of Ireland in the south.

Well, so far Laurie's research has taken her on a journey with the Halters and the Tibbs families. 

We all knew, until Laurie's recent discoveries that we were Irish, English and French.  Mother knew that her French folks came from Alsace-Lorraine in eastern France, bordering Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland. 

What we did not know, however,  was that the Halter family traces back beyond the Alsace-Lorraine to Switzerland.

So, now, thanks to Laurie's research, we know that Annie unwittingly visited another country of our family heritage in August.  Regular readers know that she and I visited Ireland in March and some of the areas where both sides of my family hung out a few years back.

After her most recent trip, Annie brought us some Swiss souvenirs, and this morning, I'm looking at that Swiss cow bell on the island with a whole new perspective.

Plus, I know why I've always liked Swiss cheese!

I find it truly amazing and exciting to discover these little gems of family history, and we, as a family, have experienced gradual doses throughout our lives.  

I think it may be more fun that way because whenever the information surfaces, it brings on a whole new passion to do some more looking.

And, as Laurie said yesterday, this is a study that never really ends, making it all the more fascinating. 

Today we'll all be thinking about a person very important in our family roots, as this day marks the 8th anniversary since our dad, Harold Tibbs, passed away.  

We never forget you, Harold.  

Each day there are moments when something you instilled in all of us comes to light (like shutting the gate or taking good care of those animals).

We all give thanks for your guidance.

And, with that in mind, I'm sure every family member has maintained the advised tradition of "keeping their noses clean" and "not taking any wooden nickels." 
 

Superb Saturday

A jug of that apple cider came home to the Lovestead yesterday, as did three pies, two loaves of bread, a tub of Amish peanut butter and two full stomachs.

I dragged Bill to the Mennonite Baked Goods and Craft Sale, but I don't think I'll have to urge him again.  He'll probably be marking the event on the calendar for next year.

Besides all the wonderful prepared foods, we enjoyed chatting with friends too.

In fact, both folks in the photo directly above have Sandpoint roots:  that would be Mrs. Rasmussen ( I taught all her children) and Larry Miller, a former colleague (and, yes, I taught his son and daughter too). 

Before deciding to go, Bill asked, "How long do you plan to spend up there?"

I assured him I'd make my rounds quickly, grab a few items and probably head back home.  I also reminded him of the barbecued ribs the Mennonites were touting in their ads.

For me, the overall atmosphere of steam wafting from an outdoor kettle of simmering apple butter, families lining up for a wagon ride behind a matched pair of Arabian Haflingers, long tables loaded down with home-baked honey bread, assorted pies, cinnamon rolls and cookies----that's enticing enough for me to want to return each year.

Plus, I've gotten to know some of the Mennonite folks over the years, and it's always nice to visit with them as they maintain a friendly, laid-back but busy day of commerce aimed at funding their Kootenai Valley School.

For Bill, those tender, tasty ribs with cornbread,  dutch-oven potatoes, baked beans and cherry cobbler served inside a cozy building with walls made from hay bales and warm wood stove will probably be the subject of many a tale to exchange with friends.

Plus, we enjoyed visiting with several folks who were enjoying the scene as much as we were. 

It's a scene that begs for firsthand experience because words and pictures can capture its essence, but "being there" once will most likely guarantee return visits. 

Our day continued its upbeat rhythm as we drove home from Bonners Ferry and marveled at the Christmas-card magnificence of virtually every scene along the highway.

When we pulled into the driveway, Bill said, "This place looks like a Christmas card too."

I agreed, and stepped out of the car to snap a few photos of the yard and barnyard flanked by the Meserve's stately and gorgeous row of spruce, planted the year they were married, 60-plus years ago. 

Later, I slipped into my snow shoes and took my first outing with Kiwi across Meserve's field.  Snow was deep, and the workout was perfect for a full stomach, not used to eating lunch, let alone a feast.

Later, we flipped the remote back and forth, watching what we considered the "parallel of the Palouse." 

Idaho and WSU, both played Utah football teams yesterday, with games beginning and ending almost in precision and tied.  Exciting overtime periods led to defeats for both teams and two Utah teams going home victorious.

Not the outcome we would have liked but definitely excellent afternoons of football.

As those games ended, we headed for my sisters' house for hamburgers, huckleberry pie ala mode and another sweet win for the ZAGS.

Hard to top a day like yesterday but easy to look back and smile about the overall image-filled events.

Now, for some more photos and some plotting on what to do with the day ahead.

Happy Sunday.

Saturday Slight

Our winter blast has calmed down after some wild, relentless winds, white-outs and icy roads yesterday.  

Now, it's time for the snow lovers to have their blast as Schweitzer opens its season in a couple of hours. 

I sincerely wish I liked downhill skiing or boarding, but I'm a weirdo who never really found a lot of fun in sliding, out-of-control, down a steep hill populated with hundreds of daredevils.

Usually whenever I did slide, upright on the skis, it wasn't very far. 

Usually I spent more time lying on the snow than flying over it.

I never liked the feel of being strapped into those great big cumbersome ski boots.  They felt more like shackles to me.

I also didn't get too excited about plunking down all those dollars for a day of misery on a ski hill.  

In later years, we tried cross country skiing, which I kinda liked.  I especially liked it when we went to Farragut State Park or Achilles Ranch near Newport or even a neat place owned by the University of Montana north of Missoula. 

I have good memories of outings in all those places because the trails were groomed, and, on the Montana adventure the Big Blue Sky sported a big brilliant sun all day long. 

I also remember taking Willie and Annie to Farragut with us and even entering a cross country race or two.  Somewhere among our moving boxes, we may even still have the little ribbons they won.

Whenever cross country skiing involved maneuvering through waist deep snow on hills through narrow openings between trees, it lost its luster in my mind.  

Again, I spent too much time trying to figure out how to dig myself out of too many holes, where often my pole was stuck under my skies which were stuck under my not so dainty self.  

Not easy to pry one's self loose in those situations. 

We continued cross country skiing for several years; I even tried the groomed trails up at Schweitzer, which generally gave me an easy ride.

When Santa delivered a pair of snow shoes from the Alpine Shop one Christmas, I found the perfect way for me to enjoy the snow. 

You don't usually slide out of control with snow shoes, and you can usually set off any direction you like---for free. 

So, that's what I stick to.  My snow shoes are outside, stuck in a snow bank next to the garage door, waiting for their first workout for this winter. 

I also like the fact that you can go snow shoeing any time you want.  No need to drive anywhere unless you want.  

The farm fields and trails through the woods suffice AND each trip makes for a good workout.

Again, my uncoordinated, phobic self does so wish that skiing and boarding would seem more appealing, but, so far, no experience has ever helped that along. 

So, as usual, I'll trudge through the snow at our Lovestead playground with my Red Feathers and be glad for those thousands of folks up at Schweitzer who are having a great time at their playground today.

Before taking off on snow shoes, I might point the car toward Bonners Ferry where the annual Mennonite Craft Show and lunch is happening today.  Bill hasn't decided whether he wants to join me.

I was hoping Debbie could come along like she did last year, but she's a judge for the LEGO competition today.  She says there will be about 18 teams competing, and she had to be there before 8 this morning.

We'll connect with Debbie and Willie this evening, along with my mother and sisters at the Colburn house.  

Tonight marks our first full-fledged ZAGS get-together/meal for the season.  We still have to figure out who's bringing what for eats, but we know we'll all be seated in my sisters' living room when the Bulldogs tip off against Hawaii.

The team's second game far exceeded their first.  

In fact, our family consensus, after watching the first game against Eastern Washington, was that it might be a long, hard year for the ZAGS.

A different team hit the floor against WSU, though, and from the get go, they fired up our annual ZAGS fever.  So, it's definitely at a fever pitch for tonight's game.

Great Saturday ahead on this cold, cold November day.  

Hopefully it will end up with our ZAGS fever keeping us charged up more than ever.

Happy Saturday.  GO ZAGS!

PHD: About 5 More Inches

Yup, we've got snow. 

Teachers and students are happy too.

No school today.

Skiers and boarders are happy. 

Schweitzer Ski Resort is opening tomorrow, earliest in 25 years. 

The snow is steadily coming down, light and fluffy.

I understand it may not be coming down this afternoon.

Instead, they say it could be sideways, cuz we've got gusty winds and cold on the way.

Down to almost zero tomorrow night.

And, as predicted, those oak leaves,  pictured yesterday,  have all but disappeared for the winter. 

Yesterday's plowing took almost two hours.  It was pretty heavy snow.

I took time to push it way back cuz newscasters keep re-affirming the fact that we're in another La Nina this year.

Colder, wetter in the Northwest. Possibility of lots of snow piles.

Guess we're used to that by now.

The only good news I heard last night was that La Nina's not quite as strong as it was last year.  We'll see.

I formed one pile a few feet past the gate into the hayfield yesterday.

I figured we might as well get some good out of it, so the pile is the beginnings of a sledding hill. 

I'll keep adding to it. 

Maybe we'll have some recreation along with all the work. 

Snow shoes came out yesterday, but I still toughed it while walking through the hayfield in just my boots.  It was a good workout.

With Bill working today, I'll be plowing again. 

I have not had deadlines over the past few months, so I'm finding my "job" to be more along the line of "keeping the home fires burning" and in the wood stove.

I rather like my job description, now that it's void of outside stress. 

In addition to stoking fires and taking doggies for walks and plowing and shoveling, I baked pumpkin bread yesterday, from Lovestead pumpkins.

Several loaves will be available for Thanksgiving munchies.

Annie asked me last night during our telephone visit if we have baking soda and baking powder.

She's gonna bake buttermilk biscuits when she comes home.

She had a picture of her first-ever attempt at the biscuits on Facebook last week, and they were beauties.

She said they tasted mighty good too.

So, we'll have Miller's Country Kitchen butterflake rolls and Annie's country kitchen biscuits to go with all the other goodies next week.

I'm getting hungry.

The stomach will have to just keep growling, though, cuz there's work to do outside, and if I work hard enough, I may burn enough calories to actually enjoy a piece of pumpkin bread.

Yum! Yum!

Happy Friday.

Good bye Lawn Rakes, Hello Snow Shovels

Among the last yard-related chores I completed yesterday was one more round of raking---oak leaves, to be specific. 

I love oak trees but not in the late fall.

These majestic hard woods are among the most stubborn of the leaf trees cuz oak leaves just will not leave in their entirety before the snow flies.

Now that the snow has flown, the leaves have blown---all over the fresh, white blanket we awakened to this morning. 

Our world here in Selle and surrounding areas has turned mostly black-and-white after one of the more brilliant of autumn color shows most folks can ever remember.

The oak leaves are certainly not black; they have their own brand of brown, with a slight tint of red.

But since we'll be living in a lot of black-and-white for the next few months, I decided to tinker with the picture this morning.

Somebody on Facebook said they measured 4.5 inches at their house, which I believe is just a few miles from us.  

So, I'll go with that amount, especially after shoveling a path from the barn to the house. 

We are pretty much ready for winter.  I brought in the first wood yesterday morning and started the first fire in the stove. 

Yesterday afternoon's schedule included a flurry of activity, putting away the second lawnmower, raking more leaves, putting away gas cans and a utility trailer I've been using behind one of the lawnmowers.

One item I forgot, however, was to bring out a shovel from the storage shed and prop it next to the garage door.

So, dressed in snow pants and boots, I walked through fresh snow to the barn, knowing this would be a busy morning.

The other winter essential that had not yet received attention was for Bill to put the blade behind the tractor. 

Consequently, I knew shovel duty would be in effect until that happened.

So, I've shoveled out three box stalls and cleared out a path back to the house.

Bill is now out putting the blade on the Kubota.  I'm hoping he saves some plowing for me, and that's likely cuz he's working again today.  

When it's over, the "retiree" will have worked a 5-day week this week, and today will be topped off by a trip to Post Falls for a Society of American Foresters meeting.

Not a lot has changed since Bill's decision to retire, which, by the way, is totally official today.  He's been on "vacation" since Sept. 30. 

So, this official retiree is doing what a lot of official retirees tend to do these days:  working at another job.  In Bill's case, he just plain loves being a forester, so this assignment is frosting on the cake for him.

In my case, I just loved writing stories about people and the things they do, so I have enjoyed my post-retirement activities too. 

And, today, if there's snow left to plow, I'll enjoy that too.  People around here don't get tired of plowing snow until about mid-January, so it will be a while before the complaining starts.

In the meantime, I wish there were a way I could suck up all those oak leaves from atop the snow, but I don't think that's gonna happen.  

Anyway, I'm figuring they'll be hidden four or five inches underneath a new blanket of white stuff by the weekend.

And, we'll be ready for the additional dumps. 

From now on, there will be a shovel next to the garage door, and I can shovel my way to the barn.  And, the tractor can be backed out of the storage shed, ready to plow. 

Welcome to winter.

 

Good Food, Good Fun

Well, I couldn't find any Bull Durham, and I went back to Big R Twice yesterday, but that did not diminish the fun my mother and her friends getting guzzied up for a down-home Western barbecue last night.

I learned while completing my assignments yesterday that tobacco displays don't include Bull Durham these days.

Even the lady at Cigarette Express told me it's been a while since she's seen a sack of the "roll-yer-own" tobacco.  

Darn, I thought, and, darn, my mother later said, "We should have saved some of those baggies Harold used for his smokes each day. 

Mother went the day without a baggie hanging from her pocket.  

After returning to Big R to get a bigger Western hat (kids' size) and the red bandanna instead of the blue that she had ordered earlier, I helped Mother organize her ensemble.

The Western belt with buckle turned out to be a bust.  Seems all my buckles have problems with the metal clamp coming off.

I tried duct taping one buckle together, and it worked until Mother visited the ladies room and it fell off the belt onto the floor.

Somebody tried to help her put it back together, but it fell apart again.

She still had a good time as did her friends.

Barbecued ribs, corn-on-the-cob, rolls, coleslaw, baked beans and lemon cream or apple pie made for a delicious meal.

And the old-time Western music throughout dinner with Harold Overland and his band set the tone for a wonderful, nostalgic evening.

Folks told me Mother was happy all day, and that's what it was all about. 

Now, we've got to get her all revved up for this Saturday's Gonzaga-Hawaii game, which will probably be our first official ZAGS family gathering for the winter.

The other games have been on too late for the family stuff, but this one's at 5 p.m., so it will work out fine for everyone. 

Then, comes Thanksgiving planning.

I think our Mother has some good times ahead, but I don't know if any of those events can top the fun she and her friends had yesterday.

~~~~

On another note, my friend Denise of Denise and Pierre who own Arby's restaurant in Sandpoint asked for her friends to spread the word that the RUMOR circulating around Sandpoint that Arby's is closing for the winter is NOT TRUE.

They're open as usual.  

~~~~

Also, I've been meaning to note that my sister Barbara has some very nice photos on her Flickr site.  And, for anyone who's a quilter, her autumn scenic color quilt is especially nice.  

So, check it out at http://www.flickr.com/photos/misstshs/

Now for more photos from the BARBECUE.  Happy Wednesday.

Get Me Some Bull Durham . . . .

Howdy, Podners!  

It's Western Week at my mother's residence, and the telephone has been ringing off the hook.  

"I need a hat," she said during the first call at just after 7 a.m.  "I'm all dressed, but I need a hat." 

"Okay, I'll see what I can find," I said.

"I don't have boots . . . ya know I haven't had boots for years," she added.  

"Okay," I said, knowing she'd never get her feet into a pair of cowboy boots, so I was off the hook on that one.

"Get me another one of those neckerchiefs," she said. "I need a blue one . . .this one (pink one) you got me yesterday is too girlish."

I found her a nice pink bandanna for $1.39 yesterday at Big R.  And, she loved it yesterday. 

"I thought you liked 'girlish,'" I said.

"No, everything I've got on today is blue, so I need a blue one," she added.

"It'll be a while before I get down there," I told my mother.

"Well, I'm going downstairs now," she announced.

"I mean it may be a few hours," I explained. "Big R doesn't open until later."   

"Okay," she said.

I sat down to finish reading the newspaper.

The phone rang.

"I need a belt," she said.  "What do you think about a gun?  One of the girls came by and said she'd find me a gun."

"No guns," I said, amazed that my sisters would be allowing her to carry a gun at The Bridge.

"Yeah, you're right," she agreed.  "Good bye."

"Good bye."

Just got back into reading the newspaper story about good health when the phone rang again.

"Could you get me some Bull Durham?"

"You're not gonna roll yourself one, are you?" I asked.

"No, just hang it from my pocket . . . any kind of tobacco." 

"Okay," I said.

Before finishing the newspaper, I satisfied a deep sense of urgency to call my sisters to see which one had offered our 90-year-old mother the gun so she could be a pistol packin' mama.

Neither had.

Must have been one of the girls at Mother's residence.

So, as I write, it's 7:39.  My mother is half-way dressed for Western day, and I've got assignments this morning.  

Seems that I'd have to break into my sisters' house to steal a Western hat and a belt. So, I'll see what I can find in town.  

Maybe I'm gonna have to call my friend Boots Reynolds and tell get him to get over there to visit my mother, whom he likes to claim as his second or third wife.

Now that would add some zing to her day. 

In the meantime, it looks like a busy one ahead on this end.  
Why DOES this seem so much like Homecoming Week at the high school?

Also, I wonder if I'll even have time to put together my own Western ensemble for  when I dine on victuals at my mother's place.