Seeds for a Slight Detour

Before I left home, this visitor stood outside the living room window, and, of course, the Taylor's field is always pretty on a summer night. 

Glad I left Foster at home. 

Breigh Peterson from Mountain Cloud Farm grows some equisite lettuce. 

Guess who this is. 

Karen and Sue, promoters of the market. 

Jay Mock, wooden utensil craftsman and photographer. 

Last night's slight detour from Selle to the Hope Community Market began right here in my house one day last week.  

In our usual morning "meeting" when Debbie brings the grandpups, we went through the normal agenda, which often includes what's upcoming in her job as POAC executive director. 

Debbie told me she had a radio interview at 9 o'clock Saturday morning.  

"With which radio station?" I asked.

KRFY, she told me, adding the frequency 88.5. It was the Sandpoint community radio's fund drive, and she was planning to talk about Pend Oreille Arts Council and plug the upcoming artwalk, which POAC sponsors every summer. 

This conversation was enough for me to tune my car radio that afternoon to 88.5 and give the station a listen.  I'd heard about it before but had never really zeroed in on it until Debbie mentioned the interview.

Well, since that day, KRFY has been playing 24-7 in my barn.  Haven't asked the horses or the mice what they think of it, but I'm betting they like the change.

I know I do.  I find the station very refreshing and informing.  Plus, I like the wide mix of music. 

Last Saturday it turned out that both Debbie and Willie, along with POAC board member Connie Taylor, participated in the interview, with the ladies talking about POAC activities and Willie mentioning his plans to involve the station in his communications-oriented lesson plans at Sandpoint High.

Since KRFY has found another happy listener here in Selle Valley, I can say that I've picked up a lot of information and have developed even more regard for the station ever since that first introduction.

Night before last, I was listening while driving the dirt roads out here in Selle, and Velma, Queen of Fun, was at the controls.  I like Velma and her real persona Gail, a Southern gal through and through.  

She's a compassionate soul, and I'll never forget our wonderful conversation about our mothers while watching the elk at Clark Fork over the winter.  Mine has been gone 11 months today, and Gail's mom was on the verge of passing on at the time. 

Anyway, the night before last Gail was telling about the Hope Farmer's Market scheduled for Thursday nights from 5-8:30 p.m. at the Hope Community Center.  

Mark that down, I thought while driving----maybe I'll take my camera out there and practice taking some people pictures with the new lens.

It turned out a perfect occasion to head to Hope as Bill was fishing the Coeur 'd Alene River, and I had mowed the complete lawn and finished some garden projects. 

So, thanks to Gail and KRFY, I enjoyed a lovely slight detour last night at Hope, which is about 17 miles from our house.

The seed planted at our kitchen island last week by Debbie sprouted several wonderful mini experiences of meeting and visiting with fascinating people while strolling around the community center grounds. 

I admired gorgeous lettuce, grown by Mountain Cloud Farm on Clark Fork's Spring Creek Road.  I purchased an item from the display of wooden utensils and dishes crafted by local photographer Jay Mock.

A fully stocked table featuring "Bear" items with the "Bear" seated and ready to sell a slice of pizza made me smile.  We've enjoyed Bear's pizza at the Hope's Icehouse Pizzeria, now run by new owners.  

I didn't catch the name of the nice young man who offered beautiful potatoes and other products.  Overall, the scene at the outdoor market with no dogs allowed was wonderful with its live music provided by Chris Murphy, who told me he's been around the area for about 35 years. 

While I was snapping photos, a friendly lady walked up to me and asked why I was taking the photos.  She looked like someone I should know, so I played the game of familiarity and until she let me off the hook and told me we had never met.  

Turns out she's looking for ways to promote the market, and that's a very normal part of her modus operandi.  

My new friend has worked as a key driver in the Sandpoint Transitions Initiative, which, by the way, planted the seeds for the community gardens we see along Pine Street near the events center aka old ninth grade center aka junior high aka old high school (depending on your age). 

It was fun meeting her and listening to her educational adventures which have taken her to many parts of the world.  I also enjoyed Sue, another market promoter---especially when she said she reads my blog.  If I'd had a star, I would have given it to her because I LOVE my readers.  Thanks, as always. 

Anyway, it was a great outing, topped off by a bunch of big horses in a field when I arrived back in Selle.  They'd had a long day of grazing, so they were enjoying their evening digestion and "I'll scratch you if you scratch me" time. 

Karen said she'd like to see more people show up at the Hope Community Market aka farmer's market, so I'll happily trumpet the idea right here on "Slight Detour."  

I feel fortunate to have had last night's wonderful experience, thanks to seeds planted at our kitchen island and Sandpoint Community Radio KRFY - 88.5. 

Seems typical of how life kinda unfolds. 

Happy Friday, and thanks to horse and people who made for a lovely evening.