Tuesday Twitterdeedum

A daily occurrence here at the Lovestead, often lasting for hours at a time.  It's actually developed into a quasi-prop in the lawn south of the house.  

Drive by most any time, and ya might think those are statues used for lawn ornaments rather than real dogs.  That's how focused their concentration is. 

In the meantime, I go about my business digging up weeds, breaking up soil in the garden, mowing the lawn, often without a worry in the world cuz I know where my four-legged children are. 

Foster has to work a little harder because it's his job to keep track of every move Mom makes, so he has to change places often. 

I love that squirrel----best dog sitter around. 



~~~~~~On this Tuesday, I'm saddened to read of the passing of one of our local fixtures, at least for us rural folks.  

Forever, it seems, Ray Davis was like an extended member of everyone's family as the agricultural extension agent here in Bonner County. 

And, he made good coffee.  He never drank coffee for religious reasons, but whenever folks met for leaders' council or fair-related evenings, Ray made the coffee in that big 48-cup pot, and it always passed my mother's stamp of approval.

He and my mother worked together for years while she volunteered at a 4-H horse leader. I always thought of them as contemporaries since they came from the same generation, and both gave hours on end for the betterment of the 4-H programs in our county. 

Early in his career after graduating from the University of Idaho, Ray served on the staff at Sandpoint High School.  

He advised the Future Farmers of America and taught vocational agriculture classes.  His first wife Imogene spent a career at the high school teaching business-related courses and molding hundreds of young ladies into professionals. 

Ray was always pretty deadpan in his manner.  I think he had to maintain that composure when surrounded by 4-H leaders and parents who always had their own ideas on how things needed to be done.

Probably his best deadpan ever occurred the day Imogene forgot to put on her bra before coming to school and realized the missing piece of apparel partway through her first-period class.  

So, she promptly called Ray and donned a coat while waiting for him to arrive at school with said bra.

I happened to be in the faculty room when that vital transfer of goods occurred.  Ray simply stood outside the faculty door with his usual deadpan, held up a big brown bag and handed it over to a very relieved Imogene. 

Sometimes a cool nature comes in handy.

I visited with Ray at Luther Park about a year ago.  He had slowed down considerably, but we still had a great visit, reflecting on old times and some of the many people we both knew in common. 

Ray was a lucky man to have had two wonderful wives.  After Imogene died suddenly several years back, he met and married Beth.  What a grand lady she is and what a wonderful, upbeat and supportive partner for Ray!

He left behind two fine children, one of whom is a gifted educator who delights virtually every student she meets while teaching in our school system.  

Jeannie Davis Lyon is a dramatic dynamo and much loved, just like her parents.  I haven't seen their son Ted in years, but I know he made Ray proud. 

So, it is with sadness that I bid adieu to a longtime friend.  RIP Ray!  You did well. 

So many good byes these days, it seems.  Definitely one of the drawbacks of longevity, especially with a lifetime spent in the same community. 

These folks do live on, however, in the minds of those of left behind, and when they are friends like Imogene and Ray, they left some great memories. 

We have another gorgeous day in store.  So, I'll head out and see how the watchdogs and the doggie sitter are doing. 

Happy Tuesday.