While the rest of us poor saps are waiting out the winter, our Annie has put it out of her mind, temporarily anyway.
One of her Facebook posts from yesterday: Whales, Albatrosses, Jeeps and Beaches, Oh My . . .!
Poor thing. She's spending the week in Hawaii with a group of her friends. I'm jealous, but my jealousy doesn't have to last too long. In a couple of weeks, I'll be escaping to a warmer climate for a few days.
And, Annie will be joining me.
So, for now, I can handle seeing those upbeat photos from someone enjoying the sunshine and warmth of Oahu.
Meanwhile, we're beginning the February thaw here. I have a feeling my multiple walks each day around the hayfield with the dogs are coming to an end, with snow quickly melting and ice in the swales turning into deep water.
For the past several days, it's been fun walking on top of the snow and watching doggies frolick about.
The pups get a little demanding at times, constantly bringing me that coffee can to fling, but generally we've all enjoyed the time spent out there.
Soon, the complaints will be mud-related, and soon the barnyard will get deeper and deeper as the ground thaws, bringing on the slop.
We'll get through it, though. We always do.
I spent a great afternoon yesterday at the Pack River General Store with Colleen Neu. Her dad Sam Wormington served as Schweitzer's very first manager when the resort opened back in 1963.
Colleen was going into the seventh grade at the time. The family was living in Kimberley, British Columbia, where Colleen was born. Her mother Elsa was a nurse at the hospital while Sam was working with the Kimberley Ski Hill.
The promise of bringing their five horses with them to the states was all Colleen needed to like the idea of moving.
Once here, she led a charmed life for a teenager, often her dad's sidekick, riding with him to the ski hill early in the morning, skiing to her heart's content, and leaving with him late at night.
Colleen's lived here in the area since those days, and I do believe she's had horses ever since.
Shortly after their move here, the Wormingtons relocated to our neighborhood northwest of town, so we met them early on.
The family friendship has continued in numerous ways throughout the years----family members working at Schweitzer, teacher-student connections and, always, horses.
Colleen's daughter Cherise is our vet---even long distance. She's a great one too!
Anyway, it was an "old-home-week" afternoon at the country store as a little interviewing happened along with a whole lot of reminiscing.
Of course, the "old-home-week" atmosphere escalated when Roy Jacobson, Colleen's neighbor and long-time Selle-Odenite, walked in. He joined us for coffee and treats and more fun reminiscing.
I also learned about "sheds" from Roy who searches for and collects wildlife antlers every year------definitely a great topic for a feature story some day.
I love afternoons like that.
Today we'll get together at my sisters' for the big game. Barbara says she's ready for a change from the usual pizza or hamburgers, so she's mixing up a stew in her slow cooker. I'll go to Miller's Country Store and pick up some fresh-baked bread to go with it.
I'll also bring along Moriha Yetter's honey. Great stuff. You can find that at Miller's too.
Bill has gone to Spokane today for a meeting, and he says he'll stop by Costco to pick up a dessert for our Saturday night feast.
So, we're all just putzing along on this February Saturday, remaining patient and knowing that snow will soon be gone and long-awaited spring may be coming earlier than usual.
We may not be seeing whales or albatrosses when that happens, but we'll still be saying, "Oh My!"
1 comment:
I remember that during Sandpoint's fierce blizzard winter (late 60's) when east-west roads were closed for days (even weeks) and schools were closed at three weeks in a row, there was a story about a nurse who rode her horse to work. I'm pretty sure that was Mrs. Wormington.
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