Saturday Slight

Who woulda thunk it???  Bill just announced that he'll probably go pheasant hunting today.

"It's bare ground, it's nice and it's the last day of the season," he said while looking out the window at the blue sky and grabbing the pile of newspapers. 

"Where did you see those pheasants?" he then asked, ". . . whereabouts on the trail?"

I told him the approximate location where the dogs had scared up two on my way down the trail and a rooster on my way back."  

That was a couple of weeks ago.

"If yer asking for GPS coordinates, I'm not gonna give them to you," I said, with a teasing tone. "I'm sure those pheasants aren't sitting there waiting for you."  

Still, who woulda thunk pheasant hunting in North Idaho on the last day of the year?

Amazing! 

Had to use that word because it made the thumbs-down list of overused words for 2011.  Still, I can't think of a more fitting way to express the shock that we've been able to do so much more fun stuff outside during this month of December.

Over the past several days, I've been enjoying pleasant walks through the forest here at the Lovestead. 

Pine-needle blankets beneath the trees are really cushiony this time of year.  I've discovered that wonderful sensation while taking steps through areas seldom visited during the winter, except for an occasional outing on snow shoes.

Usually, those pine needles are buried deep beneath a long-lasting, thick blanket of snow.

On these walks, I've discovered that other creatures have been enjoying those brown needle beds too.

Many deposits of deep green droppings indicate regular visits to these areas by deer who've chosen to stick around.  

Usually, we don't see a deer around here from late November until sometime in the spring.

No need for them to leave this year cuz conditions are pretty comfy for them.  

Their numbers are down from what we usually see in the summer time, and I suspect that they, like humans, have their population of snow birds who head to Sunnyside. 

Anyway on this last day of December, my window up here is open and I can hear the crows cawing outside.  

We appreciate the gift of being able to be outside and to do more than plow, shovel or go  snow shoeing occasionally. 

Later today we'll be celebrating my sister's birthday and hoping the ZAGS can go into Cincinnati and come back with a victory over Xavier.

The paper says Xavier's back in full force tonight after several players were suspended because of that well-publicized ugly brawl with Cincinnati a few weeks ago.

I'm sure those players will be on best behavior during their re-entry game tonight, but I'm also sure Gonzaga's got a challenge on its hands.  

Coach Mark Few pointed out that Xavier (9-3) was undefeated before the brawl and their being at full strength tonight will mean a tough game for the ZAGS. 

Still, the ZAGS are looking better all the time, so I'm thinking they may find a way to win this one.  Go ZAGS.

Happy Saturday to all.  Stay safe and enjoy welcoming in the new year as we say good bye to 2011 on this beautiful Saturday.

 

Friday Stuff

I used the term "bucket list" on Facebook this morning while sharing a Groundspeak video Annie posted about the past year in geocaching.  

Annie is the "Voice of the Hamsters" at Groundspeak, so if you view the video, do listen at the beginning.  

She's enjoying her hamster role immensely, even providing us some exclusive samples of her chirping talents one evening this week.

While sharing this video site, I suggested that Facebook friends add geocaching to their 2012 bucket list. 

That got me to thinking about my own bucket list.

Hard to fill it quite like I did in 2011, with that Ireland trip and all, but I'll make an effort. This past year definitely stood out as for the memory books for so many good reasons.

Now, it's time to look forward and hope for the trend to continue.

Of course, knowing that the "Medicare" birthday is coming up reminds me that decision-making will play a role. 

I think when the time comes in June, I'll just post a bunch of "Plan" choices up on the dart board here in my office and let the dart decide---if the dart hits the board, that is.

Since it's the "Medicare" birthday year, with luck, I'll also reach the point of no longer pondering the thoughts expressed in that country tune "When I'm 65."  

I know one thing:  I'll not take for granted one moment from that point on because life with good health will continually become more precious. 

I told Annie the other day that sometime I'd like to load up the two Border Collies and take off by myself for a road trip.  Maybe this will be the year to do it.  Having those dogs with me would add a lot of bravery to my cowardly ways.

Plus, it would be nice to see if I could pull a trip like that off, like I used to do in my 20s. 

The route could be determined by where good friends from the good ol days (those before 65) happen to live.  Of course, maybe they won't be home cuz they're on the road doing precisely the same thing I am.

My longtime friend Susie pulled off a nice bucket-list project this past summer, taking off with her husband and a friend into the back hills of Colorado via horseback, staying for a week. 

I think that would be nice, but I'd need more than Border Collies to do that cuz they may not protect me from all the mean bears at night.  Plus, the dogs don't like going with the horses.  Have to work on that idea.

I keep telling Bill this is the age when we've gotta do these things--especially the traveling part---cuz we never know when life can change dramatically. 

For now, I'll just keep the 2012 adventure bucket cleaned out but ready for ideas. I'm sure brainstorms will unfold as the days roll by. 

There's no doubt there will be geocaching, hiking, picture-taking, gardening, horseback riding, visiting with friends and family and taking off on down roads untraveled.  

Somehow, I don't really think a "plan" is really all that necessary----instead, we must simply seize the opportunities as they come along. 

One thing is for sure---when I'm 65, I'll have that Medicare plan all figured out AND hoping I don't need to use it for a long, long time.  

Happy Friday.

Another Geocaching Adventure

Yesterday, when high winds put the kaibosh on Annie heading to Schweitzer for a day of snowboarding, Plan B went into effect.

Annie said I could go along with her and the doggies on a geocaching mission.

This time she was using strictly her cell phone, so geocaching was limited to stashes within cell phone range.

Turned out geocaching was just one dimension of yesterday's adventure.  That's the beauty of the sport.  It comes with so much more in the good-memories department.

In yesterday's case, a visit to the Bread Basket Bakery, Annie's first, served as nourishment for the trip to Montana.  

Actually, I just ate my chips and drank my coffee on our way east from Three Mile Junction north of Bonners Ferry while Annie held on to her sandwich for later enjoyment.  

A short window of cell phone coverage allowed Annie to figure out the coordinates for a cache near the Moyie River Bridge. 

Then, it was on to the always-magnificent Kootenai River Falls.  Annie said it had been several years since her visit to the falls, so yesterday's outing was truly a treat.

She has a new fish-eye lens on her cell phone, given to her by Willie and Debbie, so she was anxious to try it out on the swinging bridge over the river.

The results can be found on her "Mia Wallace" Facebook page.  Pretty neat photo. 

She also tracked down a cache near the falls, adding to her Montana discoveries.

By the time we returned to the car, a substantial rain shower had started.  The drip drops stayed with us all the way down the Bull Lake highway, hiding some of the most majestic of Cabinet Mountain beauty.

Still, it was a great trip, topped off by a stop at Wood's Meats, where Annie picked up a supply of German sausage and jerky to take back to Seattle.

It's been great fun these past few days having Annie home.  She'll return this evening to continue her always-action filled schedule.  I'm hearing about tag football on New Year's Day. 

Bill will take Annie to the airport.  Then, he, Willie and Debbie will attend a WSU-Oregon basketball game.  Should be a good one for the Cougs PAC-12 opener. 

ZAGS did themselves proud last night in their league opener, winning by almost 40 points. 

Looks like a beautiful day coming up today after a blustery night of wind and rain.

Happy Thursday!
And, a special note to my classmate George.  Check out my website guestbook.  There's a note from our classmate and Moscow's birder extraordinnaire, Terry Gray,  detailing another note from Delar Messmore.  www.mariannelove.com
 

If all else fails, get the Yaks.

I did my usual this morning.  I do my usual quite often---fail to follow rules of common sense or fail to read directions (yeah, I saw that one about your new mixer, Cis---by the way, the young Loves have one like that too).  

Yes, reading the manual comes only after many failures.  I've often wondered how much time would be saved if I'd read directions or learn about a product by studying its manual.

In this morning's case, I bypassed doing the smart thing before going to the barn.  Slipped and slid a couple of times and thought about those Yaks hanging on a door knob back in the garage.  Still, I left them behind and picked out a route in the darkness to the barn.

Old Lady Still Standing----good reality show title and the results of some lucky navigating through water, bare ground and bone-breaking ice.

The barnyard wasn't too bad cuz nobody's plowed or shoveled it.  Only where humans dared tread yesterday is there bone breaking ice today.  

So, I did okay with two big armloads of hay, scattering them about on the ground about halfway out into the big corral where the horses stay in the winter.

It was looking like a pretty pleasant morning with balmy temps and easy cleaning in the stalls.  Heather and Lily were even nice enough to leave some of their hay, allowing me to bypass shavings for their bedding tonight.

After chores, I headed toward the paperbox, a trip which I knew would present some challenges. The balmy weather is deceiving today, especially while walking in areas where I plowed or shoveled three-four inches of snow yesterday.

A sea of wet ice with only occasional bare spots greeted me in the darkness as I walked toward the road.  A car went by----very slowly.

Upon reaching the road, I could see light reflecting of the surface both to the north and the south.  Solid ice lay between me and the paperbox.

"I can do this," I thought, "just very carefully."

Let me tell you that this morning's ice allows NO room for error.  

Taking a mini step forward, I slipped and headed downward toward the ice mass, catching myself in time to save the bruised-up knee from last week's clumsy fall on oneven ground is just now turning to normal skin color again. 

With a wet knee and wet hands, I gave in.  

"Get smart," I thought.  "Get back there and put on those Yaks."  Annie gave them to me a couple of years ago for Christmas, and they have been literal lifesavers many times, I'm sure.  

So, I walked in the wet snow alongside the driveway, turned into the garage, grabbed the Yaks, sat down on an ice chest, and with dogs trying to lick my face, stretched the Yaks enough to fit over my boots. 

Why is it that we think we're above directions or common sense?  Seems like when we get to this age, we'd know better.  

I don't.  Probably never will.

So, I wasted some time this morning, going back and starting all over on something I should have done when I first left the garage.  

This story netted two pluses.   I walked more steps than usual for my pedometer, and, thanks to the Yaks, I can continue walking a lot more steps, even on bone-breaking ice.

Life continues to be filled with lessons for those of us who think we know better.  

Happy Wednesday. 

GO ZAGS!

Tuesday Twitterdeedumbsnow

I didn’t mind this morning’s dump of Christmas-card snow until my Internet went off.

Shoveling a pathway to the barn was fairly easy.  The snow stopped falling by the time I finished the morning chores. 

Looked like it was just gonna be a pretty snow---one which we need to enjoy while it's here.

The weather folks are telling us to get ready for two days of rain, so it’s possible our morning blanket will be gone in no time.

Anyway, when you’re wearing your comfortable new slippers, when you fix up a fresh cup of latte, sit down at the computer, ready to write--------and the Internet’s off----disorder and cussing rule the moment.

Go put on the boots, dig into the snow looking for that dead mop top wrapped with a bath towel and climb the wet ladder to clean off the satellite dish.

The tech guy, while installing our HD dish the other day, implied that spraying WD-40 or PAM on the dish is purely myth.

I didn’t want to argue with him, knowing that a friend who lives out there in bigger snow country than we do, swears by the WD-40.

As of yet, I've not applied any WD-40, so I went out, got wet while cleaning off the dish, came back in and found the Internet still doesn’t work. 

Another trip may be necessary before I post on the blog this morning.

Anyway, it’s Tuesday Twitterdeeday, so just tidbits today.

Annie just got up; she's watching a movie.  Bill left for work about 15 minutes ago.  

Willie, Debbie and the grandpups probably hit the hay in the wee hours this morning.  They were in the Tri-Cities around 8 so they still had quite a drive ahead of them.

Willie will be crawling out soon to drive into town for basketball practice.  Later, today we’ll enjoy their extended Christmas as they open presents. 

And, tonight we’ll probably do Second Avenue Pizza for that all-important “family bonding” and another phenomenal eating experience----as if we needed that this time of year.

I'll be glad when people quit showing up for visits so I can put the cookie plates away.  They're much too tempting during those walks through the kitchen.

As a result, I'm checking my pedometer more than ever.  Mine doesn't tell how many calories I burn, just how many steps I'm taking.  

The nice thing about the pedometer is that it keeps us from lying to ourselves.  The numbers tell the story when we've bit slugging on the couch too much.  

A pedometer serves as a conscience of sorts---reminding us to get off that couch and to start moving. 

Unfortunately, though,  it has no GPS and does not instruct me on what direction to go, so I can't break the routine of walking past the island filled with cookies. 

You'd think pedometers would get smarter, if we can have smart phones that fart 16 different styles for us!

Yup, that app is now on my new phone, and, yup, we've had some good laughs. 

I'm smiling. The Internet works.  That means I'm gonna call it a day and post this bunch of babble.  

Then, I'll probably get up and do a bunch of walking so I can earn a cookie.

Happy Tuesday.

Christmas Day Miscellany

It's the day after the big day, and we're lazin' out this morning.

Except for Bill, that is.

He's gone back to work.

When you're working for a forestry-related company, there's lots of paperwork to be completed before the end of the year. 

So, the folks down there at IFM are keeping their noses to the grindstone this week.

Annie's watching a movie, and she'll be traveling north a little later to visit a friend.

Willie will be heading north from Boise about noon.

When you're a high school basketball coach, there's practice through the rest of the vacation.  

So, he'll be back at the SHS gym with his junior varsity players tomorrow morning.

Christmas Day here at the Lovestead began brilliantly, as you can see from the photo above. 

We enjoyed a morning of sunshine, followed by a cloudy afternoon and a blustery evening.

We enjoyed opening presents, snacking, watching TV, walking and dining with the rest of the family at Colburn.

It was a great day.

So, with a lazy brain this morning, I'll leave you with just a few photos from yesterday.

Margaret, those sweater ornaments are beautiful.  Thanks to you from the three of us. 

Happy Monday to all.

From Our Home to Yours

Our Christmas Letter

Since writing the annual Christmas letter to family and friends a couple of weeks ago, I've listened to many versions of lovely Christmas music,  AND this morning we have a new coating of snow just in time for Christmas.

As I write, Annie is probably at Sea-Tac waiting for her flight home.  Willie, Debbie and the grandpuppies are in Boise with Debbie's family.  

We wish the Loves of Boise and their family down in South Idaho a most wonderful Christmas.

Events of the Christmas celebration have been unfolding with yesterday's fun visits with cookie-plate recipients.  

More plates go with Bill this morning on his assignments.

The fabulous tenors are filling the air with magnificent and nostalgic sounds associated with the Christmas story.

The celebration here in beautiful Selle continues.

I leave you with our letter below and the best of wishes for your annual traditions wherever in the world you happen to be.

Merry Christmas.

 

Dear Family and Friends,

I’m attempting this letter without the aid of soft Christmas music in the background and snowflakes falling outside the window.  Usually, I cheat and rely on both to stimulate nostalgic thoughts of the season and memories from the past year. We have had snowflakes falling, but Mother Nature is giving us a nice pre-Christmas break from the snow. I haven’t heard too much complaining.  As for the Christmas music, I have yet to pop in a CD for this year’s celebration.  Still, it’s easy to feel the spirit of the season and to think back on a wonderful year.

In characterizing the overall impressions of 2011, I need just one word:  fun.  Whether they were firsthand experiences or living vicariously through family members, this year’s memories were nothing less than phenomenal.  For Annie and me, a trip to Ireland; need I say more? There’s not enough printer ink to capture all those thoughts and images.   For Annie, Bill and me, a weekend spent in Seattle, taking in a Mariners baseball game one night, a hike the next day and a Sounders soccer match. 

For Bill, a retirement party; folks from throughout the region celebrated his 33 years of service to the Idaho Department of Lands.  By the way, since that party Sept. 30, Bill has worked 3-5 days a week for another local forestry company.  Nonetheless, we have managed to squeeze in a few geocaching adventures and some hikes.

Attending basketball games at Sandpoint High School where Willie coaches the junior varsity has added excitement to our winter season.  His team is looking good this year with a 3-1 record as I write.  Besides visits to Southern Idaho and Canada, Willie and Debbie have also taken trips to Seattle to watch the Sounders, Mariners and Seahawks while their doggies happily joined the Lovestead couch-potato crew watching the sporting events on TV.

As for Annie, it’s hard to keep up with her schedule of nonstop activity. This summer she spent a week in Europe, representing her company and touring Germany, Belgium, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.  A one-day 5-country geocaching adventure also took her to France and Luxembourg.

In July, Bill and I thoroughly enjoyed the thrill AND fun of hosting three delightful ladies from Adelaide, Australia. In 2000 I had written a story about their equine search and rescue group which had escorted the Olympic torch.  Our guests from Down Under brought us an Australian flag, which flew over the Lovestead during their stay.

We also enjoyed several family get-togethers, summer horse shows,  hikes and the celebration of our mother’s 90^th birthday in August.  Another highlight for me was joining my sisters on several photographic outings around the area.

All in all, 2011 turned out to be a wonderful year from beginning to end. In between all the activities, the forever constancy of good friends, a special family and getting to hail from America’s Most Beautiful Small Town sustained us,  as always. As another calendar year winds down, we wish you and yours a blessed and pleasant Christmas and much joy in 2012.

Sending you best wishes from The Love Family and the Lovestead critters.

Celebration Beginnings

Lovestead pre-Christmas Briefs:

Fed-Ex folks are something else; we see them after 10 p.m.  Maybe their families will see them for Christmas. 

All the delivery folks deserve gratitude pats on the back--if there's time in their busy schedule, that is. 

Thanks to all who work long hours and drive endless miles to make sure we all have the joys of Christmas presents.

Miller's Country Store:  

If you're local, go look at the beautiful artwork of co-owner Nan Miller.

I walked to the back of an aisle yesterday, saw her work for the first time and wanted to buy out the whole supply of notecards and mounted prints.

This lady bakes heavenly delights and paints magnificent slices of life.

Gorgeous work and nice stocking stuffers.

Techno Christmas:

My new lens captured the above photo yesterday.

I'm learning to use my iphone.

Last night I played remote operator as Bill and I watched the Boise State Broncos trounce Arizona State in their "Make-up for what they really deserve Bowl aka Macaroni or iz it Macco Bowl?" 

Who cares what it's called----Boise State deserved a better Bowl.

While watching the Broncos, we also watched the ZAGS run their record to 9-2 in a tough-fought match-up against Air Force.

It was nip and tuck for a while, but the ZAGS figured out the Falcons.

We watched all this action on the new HD-TV delivered to us the other night by some Christmas elves named Willie and Debbie.  Thank you. 

Company coming: 

One brother and his wife will arrive this afternoon, while Miss Annie Love arrives tomorrow morning. 

So, there's much adieu about something here today.

I'd better get at it.

Have a great Friday.

From This Point Forward . . . .

We've reached the point on our calendar where the days will get longer.

I tried balancing an egg on the island this morning, only to learn later that I had not picked the exact moment for when that phenomenon is supposed to happen.

When the egg kept toppling over, I said to Bill, "Maybe next year I'll have it figured out." 

The egg went back into the refrigerator, and I went about my day.

For a lot of friends and family, their days are not going on as normal.

The chosen phenomenon of living in one's hometown forever and dealing with loss of familiar faces is striking again this week---big time.

So sad to deal with loss in what is supposed to by the joyous time of the year. 

I selected the photo above, taken during a walk yesterday, because it's a part of the gateway leading into my friend, classmate and neighbor Gary Finney's driveway.

Gary's life is taking a new direction on this day as he says good bye to his dad.

I did not know Bud Finney very well, just that he was a big strapping, good-looking fellow.  He died a few days ago, and I've been feeling sad for Gary ever since.

Haven't seen him, haven't heard his daily honks, but I did leave the annual Christmas plate in his mailbox yesterday. 

Gary will stop by one of these days, and we'll talk about another loss in his family. 

I did know Joe Venishnick and greatly admire his daughter, my dear friend and classmate, Andrea.  

Joe's wife Pat used to send me notes.  I still have a postcard here in my office which she sent when the couple were visiting Mark Twain's Connecticut home. 

The postcard sat in my school desk drawer for several years.

I told Bill yesterday that I'm almost sure Joe Venishnick was one of the fire fighters I saw in that never-to-be-forgotten scene when our house burned down Dec. 20, 1984.

Joe died this week---on Dec. 20.

He served his country and his community admirably.

He also served the forests of the Northwest, and my husband, the forester,  thought the world of him. 

When I saw a note on Facebook where Shelley Brooks mentioned already missing her mother, I looked further and found that Mary Lou had just died.

"She was one of a kind," I wrote on Shelley's Facebook wall.  "No doubt she's up there running the show in Heaven."

Mary Lou did a great job of that here on Earth.  

Plus, I always heard about her cinnamon rolls, served at Priest River High School.

Mary Lou strong-armed me into doing a few projects to help out among the many she performed throughout our county. 

I happily said yes because I'd known her for years and had never held it against her when she and her sister Cow Belles sat in the stands, giggling out loud as my cow Millie dragged me around the arena at the old fairgrounds.

My favorite story about Mary Lou deals with some folks who did hold it against her when she sat in the stands and yelled at the referees.  I heard that she and her friend Barbara Anselmo even got kicked out once. 

Yesterday I learned that another well-known person in our community---a former city councilman, father of of one of my students----died after a long struggle with brain cancer.

Bill worked with Chuck Spicklemire's dad at the IDL, and, for years, came home with Lowell Spicklemire stories.

Later, I came home with stories about how smart that Aaron Spicklemire--Chuck's son---was. Nice young man too.

And, anyone in town can tell you what a wonderful, upbeat lady Colleen Spicklemire is as she adds joy to the lives of all she meets. 

The families of all these people will set off in new directions as the rest of us Northern Hemisperites celebrate the Winter Solstice.

I wish them all well and feel deep sadness for their losses.

Simply Seasonal Snapshots

Love and Home

This is always a day of reflection for our family of Loves.

It's an anniversary, of sorts.

I don't think "anniversary" is the best word for "the day our home burned down."

It is, however, very appropriate for what came after that tragedy.

Both are symbolized in the photo above. 

The gift of love overpowered us.

Eventually, we returned to a new house which became our home for more than two decades.

For five-plus years,  our house and our home have been in a different place.

Regardless of where we inhabit, love comes along for the ride.

And, that's what's on my mind today.

Enough said from this ever-grateful mind. 

Twas the Week before Christmas . . . .

I had planned to decorate the Christmas tree yesterday.  

All morning was spent scurrying around the house, baking and cleaning----then a quick trip to town to grab a couple of items to help finalize the baking. 

During this time, the Irish tenors were belting beautiful Christmas carols from the CD player.  

When nobody else is home, I crank up the volume.  

The experience of listening to exquisite renditions of "O Holy Night" and "Amazing Grace" reminded me why I prefer to put off listening to carols until just before Christmas.

They tug at my deepest emotions.  

They remind me of the reason for the season so much that I slip into sentimentality of cherished Christmases past, on people who mean so much to me and on how much I love them all. 

"Basket case" might be the best way to describe me when mesmerized by  beautiful images, stories and sounds of age-old carols. 

I often believe that the intangibles of the season exemplify its beauty better than anything.

For instance, a telephone call came in the middle of my second batch of those decadent praline, cream-cheese pecan bars.

A former student said he was working on his "bah humbug" attitude.  

He was calling to tell me how much the time he spent in my class and with my yearbook students of long ago meant to him.  

We visited for a few minutes.  

Then, he wished me a deep-felt Merry Christmas.

"Thanks for the gift," I said.

There are,  during this time of year,  reasons to be glad and reasons to be sad.

The object of the season, and, yes, those carols tend to accentuate both.

When I arrived home from my quick run to town, Bill was home from church.

He fixed some lunch, ate some cookies and watched the Seahawks for a few minutes.

The lovely afternoon sun outside was too much.

"What are you planning this afternoon?" I asked.

He wanted to drive up Grouse Creek.

Within ten minutes, both of us had gathered clothing,  gear and dogs.

Off we went.

Grouse Creek Road is plowed up to the North Fork turn-off.  

From that point on, it's sorta plowed, but snowmobiles have left some open tracks for pretty decent walking.

So, we trudged up the road as dogs flitted up one hill and down another on either side of the road.

Not too many squirrels drawing their attention yesterday---just the usual Border Collie frisky fun.

I noted to Bill on our way back that Border Collies never seem bored.  They have the knack to find fun in situations where even confirmed curmudgeons would be complaining.

Our walk gave us a pleasant and peaceful touch of Christmas-card beauty.  

We're not complaining about the light coating of snow here at the Lovestead, but it was a pleasant escape to walk into snow country where tree limbs are laden with heavy white globs of snow.

So, it was a nice outing, especially with the camera.

Grouse Creek offered plenty of classic winter scenes, and the sun shooting its heavenly rays through dark trees was, at times, breath-taking.

Yep, it's the week before Christmas, and I'm still behind on the "to do's."

This Christmas stuff gets to be more than a full-time job, it seems.

What makes it very special, though,  are the occasional kodak moments and those wonderful segments of solitude where Irish tenors blasting from the boogie box remind us so beautifully of its importance.

New-olds and Apps-titude

There's not a lot on my mind this morning, but there's plenty on my plate.
And, that includes the daily rounds to see that all the plates for all the animals that hang around here are well-stocked.
If you feed them, they will come, and we're thrilled with our population of chicadees, finches and woodpeckers. 
I think I'm in for good times over the winter with the new-old telephoto, if this shot is any indication of how upclose and personal I can get without disturbing a bird while it's grabbing the next bite. 
Fun stuff, for sure.
As of yesterday, I'm also engaged in gleaning new Apps-titudes. 
While returning from my sisters' house where we watched yesterday's phenomenal ZAGS victory, I noticed a note flashing on my cell-phone screen.
It wanted me to know that that text I'd feebly sent to Debbie, telling her that the ZAGS "wonbig" had not sent. 
Seemed kinda strange, but I figured I'd resend it when I got to the house.
Well, once inside, Bill announced to me that my cell phone as no longer in service.
So, that explained the techno-communications breakdown----well, part of it, that is.
The reason it was no longer in service came out of a box on his desk.
"I got you a new phone," he said, bringing it over to the island.
Well, Steve Jobs, I now feel a real connection!
Bill bought me an iphone and gave it to me early as a Christmas present.
Too many complications were associated with taking this chip out of that phone and putting it in another phone and then taking it out again on Christmas Day.
So, my iphone and I are getting acquainted. 
I've told everyone in my family numerous times that I did not need such a thing because of knowing my addictive self too well.
Bill says his motive for getting the phone is that when we're up in the woods somewhere and I want to check in with outside happenings, I can do so.
I think he rather likes knowing what's going on with Facebook and world events---only he prefers this knowledge once removed.  
Better to have Marianne the techno junkie while he remains a purist. 
I function as the operator and the messenger, and Bill likes knowing the stuff.
I guess that will work for me, once I figure out how to operate the phone.
So far, I have practiced with text messaging and actually dealt with a couple of calls, including a return call from Marla who owns the Ponderay Carwash just off HWY 95.
She wanted to make it right, so to speak.
Last Saturday, something in their machines had a glitch causing the carwash not to work.
A friend happened to be there with her cell phone, so she called the number to report both of us putting in money but not getting our vehicles washed.
Well, Marla called and asked, "How much did you put in and what's your address; I'll be sending you a refund.
I told Marla I was impressed----especially when I found out she's also a teacher at Borah Elementary in Hayden.
It's nice when folks in business make good on such situations. 
Anyway, back to my new phone.  There's plenty to learn about it.
Fortunately, we have "experts" here in the family, so I'm doubting a written tutorial will be necessary.
Of course, I'm sure it won't be long before a geocaching "app" gets added.  
Then, we'll have a really good reason for taking the phone along with us to the woods so we can go find geocaches and so Marianne can check her Facebook and let Bill know what's going on in the world.  
Anyway, this morning I'm an Apple, and proud of it.
Oh, yeah, I'm a PC,  too,  cuz I couldn't tell you I'm an Apple without the help of my PC. 
Got that???
Happy Sunday! 

Saturday Slight

Not sure if it's the lovely Celtic music playing next to me or if it's just that Todd, the Wonder Dog (moniker given by his dad "Big Man") has the sweetest expression one could ever want in a dog.

 I'm inclined to think the latter, even though the accompanying sound to this photo, adds to my admiration of this shot.

I like it for another big reason.

It's a photo snapped yesterday afternoon with my "new old" telephoto lens.

Yes, here at the Lovestead, we have a new-old motorhome, but I made a discovery yesterday that adds to our "new-old" collection.

And, what a find it was!

Over the years, I've used a variety of cameras, constantly updating accessories whenever the need was seen and the pocketbook allowed it.

Well, somewhere along the way, I purchased a true telephoto lens---not one of those gargantuan models you see along football sidelines but a long one.

Not the highest quality for total clarity and precision but still a telephoto which brings images much closer.

This may have been a divine find.

As I walked past the washing machine, a double AA battery bounced from the cupboard and landed on the washer top.

I didn't think my presence would cause the house to rumble; maybe there was a slight earth tremor in that particular spot.

Whatever the case, I stopped to put the battery back in its container on the cupboard shelf.   Its container was kinda stubborn about wanting to stay in place, so it took two or three tries to find the perfect spot.

During that time I looked at the top shelf and saw a lens sitting there.

"Hmmm, I wonder if I've tried this old lens on my new digital camera," I thought.

So, I removed it, walked to the kitchen island, grabbed my camera and "Voila!" it fit the lens mount. 

Next task was to see if it worked, so I pointed it out the sliding-glass door at one of the pasture sheds.  

Brought that shed right up in close view.

Then, I pointed it at Todd, who was resting on the floor next to the door.

Snapping a couple of shots, I looked at the viewer window, and, by golly, I had pictures. 

A very nice discovery of a new old lens, indeed.

Of course, Todd's spontaneous doorside portrait is enhanced all the more by his Christmas collar, complete with jingle bells.

I walked by a display of doggie Christmas collars the other day and then walked on, thinking the items were just too frivolous.

A few minutes later, I walked back and grabbed four collars.

The grandpuppies love them, and, so far, only one pull-off while playing.

Now, with Kea and Kiwi, there's a challenge, since Kea takes free rides with Kiwi all the time, while gripping tightly to Kiwi's neck.  So, I don't know how the collar situation is going to work.

~~~~

In other news on this Saturday, is there anyone in the Northwest who does not know that today is the annual BATTLE IN SEATTLE?

Well, the match-up between the ZAGS and Arizona will highlight the television-viewing line-up in our family. 

That would be at 1 p.m. on CBS.  

I am already wearing my ZAGS sweatshirt.  Usually, it does not come on until just before the games, but our young ZAGS team needs intangible support. 

GO ZAGS!

~~~~

Willie most likely will be ready to step away from basketball after tonight.  He and his JVs have been following a rigorous schedule, with a tournament in Pendleton last weekend, a game at Sandpoint Tuesday, in Bonners Ferry Thursday night and another match-up at West Valley this afternoon.  

Once that game ends, Christmas break officially begins for him.  I'm sure he'll be ready for some R and R. 

~~~~~

Cookie baking continues.  I'm almost finished, though, and the Christmas-card pile is dwindling.  I'm thinking today or tomorrow will be Christmas tree-decorating time.

Someone landed on my blog overnight looking for information about how to get Christmas trees securely fastened in their stands.

I'm sure my blog entry was not helpful because it probably dealt with a bunch of cuss words and a tree that insisted on toppling over a few years ago.

Since then, wisdom has set in.  

Those bushy but somewhat narrow Frazier firs do the trick.  Small enough to wrestle into just about any position you desire.

Since I discovered them, decorating at this household has been much more peaceful.  Heck, even family members could be in the house with me these days as I do the annual duty. 

~~~~

Guess that's enough for this Saturday.  That Celtic music could keep me rambling on forever, but there's work to be done and a great basketball game coming up.

So, happy Saturday to all.