Springin' into Action

Before launching into all the "to do's" that lie ahead today, I want to take time on this April 12 to remember my dad, Harold Tibbs.  He would have been 96 today.  

He's been gone since 2003 but not his influence.  

We don't stick beans up our noses, we don't take any wooden nickels, and we're still keeping our noses clean, among other things.

Shutting gates, making sure animals are fed and cared for, putting stuff away so we know where we can find it later, dickering just a little on every deal, loving nature---all these reminders travel with us wherever we go.  

And, for that, we thank Harold.

Speaking of dickering, Bill asked me this morning what I thought of the GMC pickup we tried out yesterday.  
Bill still remembers his father's words about keeping those car payments consistent.  

Once something's paid off, make the next purchase cuz starting up after a lapse on monthly car payments is difficult.

He paid off his Ford Ranger recently and has also paid for repairs.  

That's the other thing we've all learned from our elders.  Vehicles often wait until they're paid off to fall apart.

Well, with the Ranger repairs done, Bill went looking.  

Pat Garvey helped him look for a pickup that would replace the 1989 GMC we bought several years ago. 

It's been a good truck; it was owned by one of the Merritt Bros. from Priest River, and it had received wonderful maintenance from their shop.  Bill has followed suit, replacing several major parts over the years.

The other salesman at Taylor-Parker tried it out yesterday and said he was amazed at how smooth it drove, after initially figuring it might function like an old rattletrap. 

Anyway, as the day rolls on, Bill will go talk to Fred at the credit union, and if all goes well, we'll soon have a new addition to the Lovestead fleet.  

This one's designated as a "working pickup," and that's how it will be used----hauling wood, hauling hay, pulling the horse trailer, etc. 

Early this morning, the young Love's showed up with the doggies.  We'll be dog sitting the grandpuppies for four days while Willie and Debbie and my sister Barbara take their students to the JEA national convention in Seattle. 

I'm assuming they're on the bus and on the road by now. 

Back in my teaching days, I loved taking kids to those conventions.  It was a lot of stress but the fun they had with the annual springtime reward was well worth it.

Of course, we loved coming home with a few prizes earned at the convention too. 

Good Luck, Cedar Post and Monticola.

My day also includes pricing some fence materials for my garden.  Last year was ENOUGH with the deer eating my chard, my lettuce, my broccoli, cukes----you name it. 

So, I'm hoping to construct a semi-attractive fence, one that will deter deer. 

For some reason they didn't come around much the first couple of years we lived here, but someone must have informed them the place was no longer surrounded by electric fence like it was when the Stewarts had their goat herd here.

So, the deer came in droves last year, and they weren't the least bit shy about how close they came to the house. 

Fingers crossed that the fence plan will work. 

Yesterday, most of the outside flower pots received attention----stirring up the old potting soil and adding new to the top level.  Some will get some seed, while others will wait until it's safe to transplant.  

My 30-plus geraniums, planted from seed, are still thriving in the garden window, but they're going to need some more space for their roots soon. 

Along with all this garden and yard action, the horses keep looking at me longingly from their barnyard corral.  They could use some regular, heavy-duty brushing and a change of pace from standing in the mud.

I'm hoping to get to them today or tomorrow. 

That's the problem when spring finally comes.  

No more water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink.  

Instead, a little work here, a little work there, a whole lot of work everywhere AND hardly time to think.  

Okay, that's my funky literary contribution for the day.  Happy Thursday to all.