Autumn Delights, Near and Far

Hello, Autumn.

Don't tell the other seasons, but I like you best of all . So, it's nice to welcome you officially. 

I also hope you aren't in a big hurry and that your pleasant temperatures, brilliant colors and supreme opportunities for enjoying our great outdoors last as long as possible. 

On this first full day of autumn, we have two family homecomings.  

As I type, Annie is in Dublin, Ireland, waiting to board her flight home to Seattle, after several adventure-filled days in France and Germany.

During her grand finale yesterday in Paris, she hosted a geocaching event AND walked 17 miles around the City of Light. 

I've included a few of the photos she took----toward the bottom. 

Back here in the States, my sisters Barbara and Laurie, brother Kevin are bringing Pache aka Ravenwood Hot Stuff home from several outstanding days of performance at the Arabian Sport Horse Nationals in Nampa.

Pache did go five for five in the Top Ten placings, which means five beautiful ribbons along with five impressive plaques. 

You'll see Barbara's photo of the two among today's collection. 

Once he gets home, Pache will return to his life of being one of the herd with a whole lot of time for grazing and being downright lazy with his friends, much like the Wood's horses in the picture below.

Up through last weekend, some of that herd were still appearing in local horse show classes, all spiffed up and ready for competition.  

By late afternoon today, Pache will be "letting his hair down," just like the Wood horses. 

Some Lovestead autumn color . . . .

In the midst of the photographic flower show, I want to share some information about a group of University of Utah students who are wrapping up their visit to Bonner County today. 

Many locals have probably already talked with them during on-the-street type interviews about the area---what's right, what's wrong, what could use some improvements and what interviewees envision as the ideal lifestyle mix.  

I promised the Amy and Brady, who were stationed at Wal-Mart that I would fill out the survey on line and that I would encourage others living in Bonner County to do the same.

Their efforts are the main ingredients for a class they are taking at the university this semester.  Past teams have gone to other communities and published their findings in an attractive full-color booklet. 

Today is the final day for teams will be asking questions in the area.  They'll be at two venues----the fairgrounds at the Inland Northwest Preparedness Expo and at the Blanchard Community Center. 

If you have not met these students around the area and you can't make it to either of today's events, you can go online at www.listeningtobonnercounty.org to learn more and to participate in the survey. 

Laurie Tibbs and Ravenwood Hot Stuff aka Pache, and their loot from this past week's Arabian Sport Horse Nationals.

Congratulations!

Travels through Paris yesterday with Annie . . . . 

Annie and her French geocaching friends. 

Finally, back home here at the Lovestead . . . .