Summer Thoughts

Bare feet running through the pasture with juicy green cow dung squishing between the toes.  

Mother starting the day's laundry with the ringer washing machine:  Ma Perkins on the radio and, of course, Arthur Godfrey.

Helping Mother pin clean clothes out onto the two metal lines running west of the house. 

The granary step with a warm sun shining through openings between horses gathered round.

Plucking daisy tops. Pulling off petals.

Riding my bike to Sand Creek to fish off what they now call the Popsicle Stick Bridge.

Brothers already there with their real fishing poles, actually catching fish.

Losing my one and only hook from my stick pole within one minute and begging off Kevin for another.   

Huge trucks roaring while slowing down to make that tricky turn under the train trestle.

Smoking roll-yer-owns, made from leaves and dirty ol' bits of paper left on the ground.

Crossing Best's hayfield to go down the hillside to deep grass, more cow dung, scary snakes and a deep swimming hole beneath a broken-down bridge.

Riding to the City Beach---one bike pedal falling off all along the way. Wire just couldn't hold it.

Jeannie Pucci, all dark and tan, running the lifeguard show.

Jumping off the dock at the far end:  cannonballs!

Wading through the kiddie pool to clean off sandy feet. 

Smelling those 5-cent maple bars at Hayworth's Baker and wishing I had a nickel. 

Evenings spent in yet another segment of Sand Creek in Baldwin, Delamarter and DeGroot land. 

Mischief in the darkness,  yet to be fully divulged.  

Yup, those summer days were a whole lot different from how I spend them now.  Still, there's plenty of fun and  more memories to be had.

Bright yellow buttercups in deep green fields. 

Walking in the woods through tall, DRY grass.

Hoping this year's mama doe doesn't chase us off.

Riding a bike with two working pedals down Woodside Road.

Riding Lily or Lefty down South Center Valley, Forest Siding or North Kootenai Road, batting away mosquitoes along the way.

Barbecues,  with Bill doing the honors,  as some of us lounge along the deck.

Watching pups, large and small, play and play and play.

Filling up Big Blue and hoping Big Blue does not collapse.

Hot afternoons taking soaks in Big Blue.

Curious cows. 

Wearing wet clothes from the Big Blue dip to stay cool.

Geocaching all over North Idaho. 

Hiking all over North Idaho.

Gorgeous wildflowers.

Visiting with neighbors, friends and family---some folks fit all categories.

Sitting on the riding mower, blissfully and endlessly grooming the Lovestead lawns.

Picking weeds. 

Dining on stuff,  all grown in the neighborhood.

Hay season, cutting, baling, counting the bales.

Everybody loves a parade.  Not all dogs love fireworks!  Most humans are kids on America's birthday.  

Sharing a booth with unhappy bees for hours, announcing "Walk, trot, canter." 

Summer celebration:  truly the best time of year, regardless of age. 

Welcome Summer, glad to see you here!

Time to go mow!  Happy Wednesday!